Mortal Kombat; A Second Chance
~A/N~ Eno-on: Happy Birthday to anyone who shares the day with No-one, apologizes about the long break but we're back.
Eno-on: We're back to continue Mileena's story, I hope you all liked that last chapter, but this one will set up the other thing you all love.
"Speech" 'Thought' "Read Text"
Disclaimer: I don't own ~'Mortal Kombat'~
~Chapter 23 Role Models~
Mileena had felt quite proud of herself after that last mission, Ashrah had survived her injuries, Sareena and Sub-zero had got away safely and the conditions of the rescued prisoners were improving, that pride disappeared the moment they arrived at the base and had been examined by the doctors there.
"You got a concussion and broke three ribs" Lewis said in a flat tone "you were very lucky that one of them didn't pierce your lung"
Mileena practically wilted under the doctor's lecture "I'm sorry" she mumbled "I…"
Lewis sighed at Mileena's expression before hugging the dejected girl "I'm not angry at you" she said quietly "I get worried for you, and you come back injured"
"Ashrah was hurt" said Mileena, trying to justify her actions.
"I understand that Mileena but so were you" Lewis replied "I think it would be for the best if you took a break from the Special Forces for a while"
"But I… I like working with them…" Mileena mumbled, almost as if the confession shocked her most of all.
"I not saying you need to stop altogether" the doctor reassured "but I'd like it if you took some time off" the hybrid nodded still a little numb at her revelation, Lewis pat the girl on the shoulder "everyone needs a break every now and then" the doctor took a step back with a small smile "I'll talk with Sonya, see about getting some time away from work"
Mileena watched as the older woman left the room, presumably to find and talk to Sonya.
"She really cares about you" said a voice from across the room.
When she looked up she could see Jade leaning against the wall, Mileena let out a small sigh "yeah, she does" she replied "I care about her too" Mileena sat down in a nearby chair "she's like family to me"
Mileena balled her hands into tight fists "why didn't you come to help?" she couldn't keep the bitter tone out of her voice "Ashrah was hurt because I wasn't good enough-"
"She's alive because of you" Jade interrupted "but the reason I refused to join that mission is because, it's not my fight"
Mileena stared in disbelief at the dark skinned Edenian "Are you serious?" she asked in a low tone "there are people who need help and you have the nerve to say 'it's not my fight' who do you think you are?" Mileena levelled a harsh glare at Jade "I thought you were a good person Jade, I admired that ideal, but if you want to stand aside and let things happen, I don't want to see you at all" Mileena left the room to look for Lewis, slamming the door behind her with enough force to crack it.
Sareena had stayed with the freed prisoners comforting them through their traumatic experiences, Mia had refused to let her leave the entire time they had been back at the base, the young girl was currently laying down on a bed as a doctor was performing an examination on her legs.
Sareena didn't understand what the doctor was doing but the fact that Mia's feet didn't even twitch told the demon all she needed to know, it was a heartbreaking situation for the child to be in.
Sub-zero had left with other members of the Special Forces a while ago, and likely wouldn't be seen for the rest of the day, Ashrah needed to get her wound treated and Mileena had walked off with a female doctor after arriving back at the base.
The demon thought back to the fight she had with Oniro, the way she opened that shadowy portal on the ceiling was quite the shock, and she intended to talk to Kuai Liang about it, mainly because it reminded her of the way he described his fight with Bi Han after Quan Chi had twisted him.
"Can I have something to eat?" Mia's question shook Sareena from her train of thought.
"I can ask one of the doctors to get you something" Sareena answered with a gentle smile "is there anything you like?"
"I like crackers" the child answered, grinning at the woman.
Sonya was looking over the mission report, thankful that no one on the team had died or was seriously injured, the logistics of re-homing all of the freed prisoners was going to be a headache and a half.
Just she was reading over Ashrah's description of what happened after the group separated, Dr Lewis walked into the room and came over to the table.
"Major" she greeted.
"Doctor" Sonya nodded.
"I'd like to talk to you about Mileena for a moment" said Lewis "I think it would be best if she could take some time away form the Special Forces"
"Technically she isn't employed with us, she's technically a consultant" Sonya replied "so there's nothing stopping her from leaving if she chooses"
"That's true" Lewis muttered sheepishly "I'd like to apply for some time off myself, to look after her"
"I can easily grant that, you've taken what? One week off in the past three years?" Sonya raised an eyebrow.
"I haven't been in the best of places" she admitted "I… looking after Mileena has helped I think"
"Look, I know we're not that close" Sonya started slowly "but I think it would be best if you spoke to a professional about any issues you might be having" Lewis gave her a mixed look "if not for your sake, then for Mileena's, you mean a lot to her, so you need to take care of yourself too"
A sad look settled on her features "I'll look into it, okay?"
"I guess that's the best I'm gonna get for now" Sonya sighed "any idea what you're going to do with the time off?"
Lewis smiled to herself "yeah, I know what to do"
~A/N~ Eno-on: And… that's it, sorry about the long wait for a shorter chapter.
Eno-on: New year with the same old problems, the next chapter will be a more laid back and relaxed one, with a strong focus on Mileena and Lewis.
Eno-on: Eno-on out.