Anika's eyes snap open to see a white ceiling above her. Her mind is fuzzy with the residue of a long sleep, and she blinks up at the shiny panels several times with confusion. Huh…Where are the mushrooms…

She recognizes the ceiling at about the same time she becomes aware of the discomfort in the crook of her elbow. Anika looks down to see a bruise marking the spot around an IV, some sort of clear liquid disappearing into her veins. How did I get back to base…? She is clearly in the medbay, but how?

The last thing she remembers is… Oh, kriff…The last thing she remembers is propositioning Commander Ren in the engine room of his shuttle. The humiliation that had been completely absent at the time now returns, tenfold. I can't believe I did that… Anika lets her head fall back onto the pillow with a huff.

"If you're feeling better, I need to inform Master Ren."

Anika shrieks at the deep voice speaking up from right beside her, recoiling away. She nearly topples off the slender metal gurney, throwing an arm out when she feels the bed wobbling on its wheels. She only succeeds in smacking the stand her own IV is attached to.

One of the Knights of Ren is standing beside her, and she had somehow failed to notice him until he spoke. He shoots a hand out to grab the stand, steadying it before it can topple to the ground.

"Th-thanks," she stutters out, trying to stop herself from physically shrinking away from his presence. She doesn't know which Knight this is, but his helmet is at least slightly less terrifying than Ap'lek's. He isn't quite as tall, but seems broader. He also isn't carrying a blade that she can see, though he has a blaster rifle peaking up from where it is slung over his back.

The knight only inclines his head in return, a small nod of acknowledgement. Then he goes back to silently standing beside her. Anika attempts to hide how nervous he's making her, refraining from fidgeting on the cot. Nothing like waking up to Murder Mountain: The Sequel…

Mercifully, the curtains across from her feet slide open and she sees a friendly face. Jorran enters, casting a guarded look at the Knight.

"Are her vitals improved?" the masked terror asks.

Jorran takes a look at the med droid hovering near the wall, tapping on the screen until he sees what he's looking for. "Looks like it. We'll be able to release her soon," he answers.

"I'll let Master Ren know."

Anika and Jorran exchange tense looks while the Knight excuses himself. After a long minute passes, Jorran ducks his head out of the curtain to check that he's left before letting out a long exhale of relief.

"Good riddens. That guy was creeping me out," he complains.

Anika makes a noise of understanding. "How long has he been hanging out here?"

"Eighteen hours."

"What!?" she demands incredulously. Have I really been out that long!? Jorran approaches her arm, removing the catheter from her vein.

"We had to keep you sedated during treatment," he explains, tone sympathetic. "It's a good thing the Commander brought you in when he did, your white blood cell count was off the charts."

Anika raises her eyebrows, not having a clue what that means. "Um…non-medic speak?"

"Your infection was bad," Jorran replies. "Your body was reacting really strangely."

You have no idea… She hesitates a moment before venturing to ask about Ren. "Did Commander Ren get treated? He said he thought he might also be infected."

"Yeah, but we didn't have to keep him overnight," Jorran explains. "We were worried you might go into anaphylactic shock."

"…Shit." She knew enough to know that sounded bad.

The commander must have been successful in installing the scavenged dampeners himself, then. Anika wants to shrink down into the blankets pooled around her waist at the thought of how she'd been acting right before he knocked her out.

Jorran hands her a little cup of pills and a glass of water. She eyes them curiously. "It's just a final dose of meds for the infection, and something to boost your immune system."

Anika takes them, swallowing them down with lots of water. She's still unusually thirsty, but otherwise feels back to normal. "Did I miss much while we were gone?"

Jorran's eyes widen comically as he plops down onto the stool next to her gurney. "Kriff, you missed a ton! General Hux about burst a vein when Commander Ren's vessel took off and went missing. You know that one in his forehead that always pops out?"

She laughs. "I know exactly the one you mean. I would've thought Hux would be thrilled to have Commander Ren gone. All they do is fight."

Jorran shakes his head. "No. He was pissed, screaming about sabotage. Was it sabotage? What happened?"

Anika chews at her lip nervously, looking away from his scrutinizing face. She isn't sure how much she should share, or more specifically, how much Ren would want him to know. "I'm not sure," she finally answers. "We ended up crashing on this terrible planet."

"Ren said it was predominantly fungal life forms?" Jorran replies. She nods. "Well, whatever infected you, it attacked fast. You would've been sprouting mushrooms out of your eyeballs as soon as you died."

Anika's mouth falls open at the graphic mental image that provides her. "…Thank you. I needed to picture that."

He frowns apologetically. "Sorry… I'm just glad you're okay."

She gives him a small grin. "Thanks. That's sweet of you."

Jorran shifts awkwardly. "I mean, I am glad you're okay because you seem like a nice person, but…I'm really glad you're okay because the Commander demanded we fix you, or else."

"Or else what?"

He holds his hands up, fingers splayed out in an exaggerated shrug. "I don't know? He didn't say, and I didn't have fun imagining. He just stormed in here with you in his arms, in one hell of a pissed off mood."

Anika makes a face. "I'm sorry." His pissed off mood was at least half my fault, after all… What would have happened, if his infection had been as advanced as hers? She recalls the way he'd tugged her legs around his waist, his fingers digging into her with hasty lust… At least I would have died happy.

Jorran sighs. "We should get some food in your stomach before you take off, and make sure you keep it down alright."

She nods in agreement, realizing her belly does feel painfully hollow. When Jorran returns a few minutes later with food on a tray for her, she scarfs it down hungrily. It's not any more appetizing than the typical meals on base, but she doesn't care. Hunger has a way of making everything taste a little bit better.

"Has Darial come in for a shift since I've been here?" Anika asks curiously, draining her second glass of water. Surely her friend would have been worried about her. She's surprised Darial wasn't hovering as close as the Knight when she woke up.

Jorran shakes his head, however. "No. She worked yesterday morning…" He looks around before reaching back to draw the curtain closed more snugly. "Can I tell you something though?"

Anika sits up straighter on the cot. "…Yes?"

He glances around suspiciously, seemingly uneasy about what he's about to say. When he speaks again, Jorran lowers his voice down conspiratorially. "There was something off about her the last time I saw her."

She swallows nervously. She'd been so focused on being stranded on that strange planet, and repairing the shuttle with Commander Ren, that she had nearly forgotten. But now the disturbing encounter with Darial refreshes itself in her mind, and she leans forward.

"Off?"

Jorran fumbles for words for a moment. "I just mean…She didn't-She wasn't… Acting right? I don't know how to explain it."

"Like talking really strangely?" Anika ventures.

He nods. "Yes! She was saying really bizarre things, it was like she had a personality transplant."

"That's how she was the last time I saw her, when I messaged you to ask about it," she explains. "…I wonder what's up with her?"

Jorran shrugs, but his eyes betray his worry. He drops his voice even lower to continue. "I don't know, but it's freaking me out. She just kept talking about how much she loved Hux-"

Anika interrupts him to make an exaggerated gagging sound.

"-I know, they've only been on two dates!" Jorran agrees, rolling his eyes. "And she has tried twice now to get me to meet her somewhere private."

Anika furrows her brow, considering that. "What do you mean?"

"Well the first time, she wanted me to check the medical supplies inventory for something with her, even though we had plenty of it here in the medbay? Then the second time, she was pressuring me to come to her quarters to discuss something," Jorran explains.

"But you didn't go?"

He jerks with a shiver. "No, hell no. It gave me the creeps. I've got this icky vibe about it."

Anika frowns, looking down to pick at the sheets covering her legs. Ugh, this isn't good… "I was hoping she'd snap out of it, whatever it is…"

Jorran edges closer, leaning down to whisper to her. "She isn't the only one acting weird…"

Anika searches his gaze, finding fear lingering in his eyes. It sends a chill dancing down her spine, and she shudders. "What do you mean?" she breathes.

He jerks his head in a gesture towards the curtains that separate them from the rest of the medbay. "My supervisor, the head doctor," he admits, so quietly that she is practically lip reading to understand him.

Shit… This is the last thing she wanted to hear. What could be to blame for first Darial, and now the supervisor of the medbay acting strangely? Anika feels like she can't catch a break. She's lucky to have escaped that planet with Ren, and now she has to try to deal with…whatever this situation is.

"What do we do?" she asks Jorran quietly.

He gives her an appraising look. "Well, I was thinking…If you and Commander Ren are… close, maybe-"

"We aren't close," she interrupts.

"It sort of looked like you might be close, with him carrying you in here like a bride and hovering over me while I tried to get your fever down," Jorran argues quickly.

"I mean-he was probably just concerned-"

"Mmhmm, so concerned that he kept stroking your hair while you slept," Jorran retorts sarcastically.

Anika's mouth falls open at the mental picture of Commander Ren playing with her hair. She'd already accepted based on their interactions that the Commander was interested in her sexually. If he'd been a little bit sicker, they'd probably be half dead on Planet Hell, fornicating on every available surface. But the way Jorran described Ren's behavior in the medbay, it sounded nearly…affectionate. Jorran gives her a small, smug smile of victory at her speechlessness.

"Yeah, that's what I thought," he concludes. "Look, if you have an in, we need to use it. Tell Commander Ren. Maybe he can look in their heads like he does with prisoners. They could be under mind control or something."

She raises her eyebrows skeptically. "Mind control?" she repeats doubtfully.

"I don't know! But telling him is better than doing nothing," he insists urgently.

Anika sighs, but she has to agree. They should do something, and right now she feels like the only person she can trust is Commander Ren.

"Fine. I'll message him when I get back to my quarters," she concedes.

Jorran looks relieved, pacing back from her to nod. "Good. Thank you."

An Hour Later

Anika slips out of the medbay late at night after being discharged, and is halfway to her quarters before she remembers she is headed the wrong way. Her new room is on the executive level, and the commander had apparently already had her belongings moved there for her. Jorran had informed her, and a quick check of her messages showed Ren had sent her the same reminder.

She comes to a stop in the hall before sighing with resignation, and turning in an about face. She's tired enough that she had been walking on autopilot. Anika heads back the way she came, searching for an elevator to take her up several floors. She isn't going to feel comfortable on a level mostly inhabited by superior officers, but she just wants to lay back down.

Whatever they used to sedate her is lingering in her system, and Anika suppresses a yawn as she sets eyes on the nearest elevator. She's almost to it when Matt's voice stops her.

"Anika! You're back!"

She spins around at the sound of him, spotting him rushing down the hallway towards her. He's wearing his uniform, his glasses perched precariously at the end of his nose. Matt gives an awkward wave when he approaches, coming to a stop in front of her.

"I'm back," she replies, unable to stop the small grin from spreading across her face. He looks excited to see her, and something about it makes her feel giddy. "You're back, too."

"What?" he asks, his brows crumpling with confusion above the lenses.

"You said you were leaving for a few days, the last time you messaged?" she reminds him.

"Oh, right!" Matt replies, grinning. "Yes, I'm back, too."

Oh, wow…that smile… Wait, get a hold of yourself. Despite how adorable she finds Matt's smile, she has to remember that she'd been suspicious of him not long ago. She needs to keep her guard up around him. And there's the fact that I kissed Commander Ren…

Anika shuffles her feet hesitantly, unsure what to do. Her initial happiness at seeing Matt is slowly being replaced with guilt. Should I tell him about me and the commander? Did she have to tell him? They weren't necessarily an exclusive thing… Before she can squirm with guilt any longer, Matt speaks up again.

"Where were you headed?"

"Oh. My new quarters," she answers. "I got assigned a new room, it's a whole story." She waves a hand, trying to avoid having to explain it in detail.

Matt, mercifully, doesn't push her for more information. "Oh, okay. Can I accompany you there?"

She smiles at the sweet offer. "Sure."

The elevator comes immediately, the doors sliding open to an empty carriage. It's late, and not many people are out other than the ones working night shift. Anika steps into the space first, followed by Matt. The doors slide closed as they begin rising.

"I'm pleased to have accidentally encountered you this evening," Matt says.

She smiles even as her brow furrows, happy at his admittance but confused by the way he's phrased it. Anika turns around to look at Matt, but immediately freezes when he steps close to press his lips against hers. Matt's nose bumps into hers, his lips warm and urgent.

Whatever thought had been in her mind disappears, as Matt tilts his head to get a better angle at her mouth, his arms circling her to pull her against his body. His kiss is different than she remembered it. It's less patient, all of his shyness gone. It's nowhere near as needy and violent as Ren's kiss had been, but still… Different…

There is a mechanical noise as the elevator stops, the doors sliding open. Anika tries to pull from Matt's kiss, ducking and wiggling free of his arms. She doesn't want to miss her floor and finding her new room.

"Come on," she urges, stepping around him to get out of the elevator. Matt follows, and she begins to tease him. "Can't you wait until we get some privacy?"

He grabs her arm to halt her from continuing down the hallway. Anika searches his face, but the teasing doesn't seem to bring out his humor. Matt's brown eyes are intense with something, focused on hers. His grip is a little too hard on her wrist, his fingers pressing into the bone.

"I desire you," he says quietly.

Anika licks her lips nervously, taking a step back. Um… He doesn't free her from his hold, letting her pull against him uselessly.

"Matt, let go," she says quietly, giving him a forced smile. You're kind of freaking me out a little…

He seems oblivious to the fakeness in her smile, stepping forward to catch her other arm. Anika jerks against him, trying to retreat. She's uncomfortable, regretting agreeing to this. But Matt only holds on, entirely too strong for her weak attempts at shaking him off to work. This isn't like him.

"What are you doing?" she questions, uneasy as his grip slides down to capture her hands. He forces her towards his tall frame, bending to kiss her once more.

Anika freezes as his tongue shoves into her mouth insistently, making a noise of protest. This isn't at all how Matt had kissed her before. Something is off, something is… Wrong… He tastes wrong. Bizarrely, she can't help but notice a strange taste on his tongue now that it's firmly against hers. She wrinkles her nose up, yanking her mouth away from his as she tries to place it. It reminds her of the taste that lingered in her mouth the last time she was sick with the flu.

"Matt, wait a minute," she pleads, yanking once more at her hands. Stumbling backwards from him doesn't work. He only pursues her, tugging her roughly towards his chest. What the fuck is wrong with you!? She's beginning to panic now. "You're hurting me."

Matt doesn't show any sign of wanting to release her, instead trying to trap her with his mouth again. When she turns her head away, he drags his lips along her jaw. What do I do? How do I get out of this…

"I'll accompany you to your room," Matt says, sounding determined.

"No," Anika protests, trying to sound firm. "No, I just want to go to bed-"

"Anika!"

She gapes at the sound of Commander Ren's voice yelling her name, sounding furious. For a moment, she's paralyzed with uncertainty over what to do. But then Anika recoils from Matt. This time, he lets her step back. Matt's hold drops from her as he turns to look towards the source of the intrusion.

Commander Ren is storming down the hallway towards them, his lightsaber ignited in hand. Anika's eyes widen in a panic. Had he seen her kissing Matt? Or, more correctly, had he seen her trying to not kiss Matt? Why is his weapon lit? Oh fuck, what is happening!? No, no, no!

"Sir-" she stutters.

"Get away from him!" Ren growls.

Anika steps in front of Matt, trying in vain to put herself between the two men. The commander's breath is heaving from his mask, he sounds like he'd ran to reach them. She raises her hands in a placating gesture, desperate for a way to settle the situation.

"Commander, Sir, please, it's not what you think!" she insists. Except that it probably is exactly what he thinks…Is he jealous!? Or did he see me struggling? Fuck, what have I done!? She doesn't need to see Ren's face to tell that he's pissed.

Ren snarls when he reaches them, jerking his head. She's shoved sideways across the hallway by the force, coming to a stop when she bumps into the wall. Anika can only stare, her mouth dropping open in horror, at what happens next.

Commander Ren doesn't even hesitate, lunging for Matt. Matt tries to stagger back when he seems to realize the other man's intent too late. Ren catches him by the shoulder, halting his retreat. His right hand drives upwards, burying the sparking crimson beam of his lightsaber deep into the bottom of Matt's sternum. The tip of it emerges out of Matt's back, between his shoulder blades.

Everything seems to pause for a moment as the saber crackles through Matt's flesh, before Anika's scream fills the hallway.