2313-38

"Hold your horses Noah, we're right by them, I just had find some place to put this thing down."

"They're parked on unsteady ground." Teaspoon's voice reached them. The tension in it not escaping them, even though he did his best to sound calm and confident. "We touch ground in 2 secs, get the gear."

Rachel let go off his shoulder and ran into the cockpit, leaving Noah cursing and hammering the palms of his hands against the control panel. He had been cut off so abruptly, what would Lou and Jimmy think? That he abandoned them, that they too went down! In the state of shock they were in it might cause them to panic. A little warning would have been nice. Just a 'hang on we'll be right there´.

Rachel returned and Noah immediately sensed the fear emanating from her. He gripped her waist to stop her as she rushed to the gear. "Rachel?"

She turned in his arms, looking straight into his eyes; "They crashed straight onto rocks Noah and in this weather. It can..."

"...flip and they'd be buried under the weight. I know, God I never thought about that. It may all be for nothing after all! We can't haul the gear in, we gotta get them out first."

"You're right," she whispered as the front panel opened and Cody and Teaspoon disappeared into the raging storm.

Noah kissed her cheek; "Let's go, we ain´t losing anybody! Not like this." Taking her hand not to lose her in the stormy rain he ran after the two men carrying a stretcher.

As they stopped before the vessel and Cody used the crowbar to force the front open the vessel titled and they heard Lou's scream from inside.

Without thinking Rachel freed her hand from Noah´s hold and rushed into the pending ASA. She had to get them out before it tipped over and buried them all. The vessel still sinking she crawled on her hands and knees to the pair on the floor and Jimmy fighting to get a hold of the ventilator. "Lou!"

Lou had thrown her arms around Kid, fighting to keep him still. Her face ashen as she struggled. Rachel´s heart bled for the young woman, she looked scared out of her wits but she wouldn't let go off the one she loved. Even if letting go and rolling out to freedom would have been so easy. "Lou, " she called again, trying to keep her voice calm and soothing. Noah crawling behind her giving her confidence. The Invitae was still beeping intermittently, nobody had been lost yet. Jimmy finally got a hold of the ventilator and groaned as he pushed the much needed air into Kid´s lungs again.

Reaching Lou's side Rachel stopped Kid's slow sliding downwards, Lou still held on to him, her eyes closed and her lips a thin line. "It's all right Lou, we´ll take it from here."

It was like the frightened young woman didn´t even hear her. Leaning closer Rachel saw that her lips moved and she whispered 'no' over and over again. Helplessly Rachel glanced at Noah arriving at her side. He met her eyes and read her concern. Reaching out for Lou he clinched her in his strong hold.

"Lou, let go of him. We´re here. It´s gonna be all right." Taking her into his lap he noticed how tensed she was, like a string ready to snap. Her adrenaline levels must have been at the absolute peak. "Let go, Louise, we'll help him. You need to get out."

Her strength was rapidly vanishing and Noah forcefully turned her away from the young man on the floor and eased her into Teaspoon's waiting lap.

Lou felt like a rag doll being thrown from one to the other, taken away from where she should be. Her body still shivering from the effort to keep Kid as still as possible, the fear when she felt him slide away from her still searing through her. Teaspoon hauled her mercilessly out of the ASA. In spite of her wheezes to let go. Outside the harsh wind drowning her in ice-cold rain had her sober up instantly. Teaspoon wouldn't let go and she hammer her fists against him.

"Shhh," Teaspoon hushed her, clinching her arms in his strong hold. One hand freeing to stroke her hair. "I know Louise, you need to be with him. It just can't be right now. Try and understand that, he'll be out of there soon." He talked to her like she was a three year old, refusing to see reason.

She started to cry at the fatherly tone of his voice. She sobbed onto his shoulder, his hand stroking her hair awkwardly. Just like her father used to do. She cried of both anger and desperation. "Why?" She hulked, "why did this happen?"

"I don't know Lou, I just don't know. But we'll get you all home, don´t you worry. First let's get both you and Jimmy away from this rain. Then we'll get Kid, I promise you Lou, I ain't lettin' him go anywhere without you."

"Come on Jimmy, you too," he ordered the young man at his side. Realizing Jimmy's reluctance to leave he saw only one chance to get the two of them away from the scene. "Take care of Lou, son. Take her away from here!"

Wordlessly Jimmy nodded and threw his arms around the young woman's shaking shoulders. "Come on Lou," he prodded softly. "Let´s get outta here." Teaspoon threw raincoats over their shoulders and nodded at Jimmy to start walking. Jimmy had no other alternative than to do as asked. He didn't want to, but there was nothing else he could do.

"No, Jimmy," Lou protested, her gaze desperately searching for Kid inside the vessel. Jimmy had to bend down and lift her into his lap.

Jimmy shook his head as he walked with the wriggling Lou securely locked into his strong hold. Was it gonna happen all over again, was he about to lose a friend all over again? Would it be Lou this time to live through the intense pain he had suffered all those years ago? Would it never end? That time Kid had held the dying young woman in his lap as he himself was unable to. All he could do was touch her fingertips as she slowly slipped away. Kid had been there for the woman he loved and now he wasn't there for the Kid. Why did this all keep repeating itself? Why did he keep causing people close to him to suffer? "I'm so sorry Lou," he whispered into her hair as they approached the vessel.

Her arms came up around his neck and she squeezed him tight. The she started crying silently, every sob laying further burden on Jimmy. Tears brimmed in his own eyes as he sat her down on the floor in the entrance and hugged her close. Both seeking comfort in each other, Jimmy's feelings of guilt increasing as he realized he found that comfort in her. She didn't, not the way he did. Lou wanted somebody else to hold her. "Oh God Lou," he murmured "I'm so goddamned sorry."

They sat there holding on to each other, Lou's tiny form trembling of exhaustion and fear. All Jimmy was able to do was stroke her wet hair and hum while he rocked her gently in his lap. The wind outside howling, causing Lou to flinch everytime the stormwinds penetrated the open front and embraced them in a chilly grip.

"He won't make it," she repeated over and over again. "I need to be with him." Defeated she repeated the phrase over and over again. Jimmy held his eyes in the direction of the vessel, hoping to see somebody in the gray mist outside. He wished with all his heart he'd find words to soothe Lou, but he didn't. He was ready to scream himself when he finally spotted the yellow coveralls moving in their direction. He must have stiffened to his place because Lou turned in his lap, "Jimmy?" She exhaled jerkily.

"Shhh, Lou, they're coming." Rising to his feet he drew her up to rest on his chest, arms tightly wrapped around her.

"Oh he's fine," Jimmy mumbled and clinched her closer. Don't you worry about her Kid, just see to it you don't go and die on her coz' I'll kill you if you do, you damned fool. You just had to go and whack your thick head didn't you? Only this time it just wasn't thick enough. And you had to stay quiet, you just had to remind me, didn't you! His thoughts went rampant as he watched Rachel run up to them, her hair dripping wet, glued to her face. His heart fell a thousand miles and he felt lightheaded.

"Get out off the rain," she hissed at them both, pushing them further inside. "What the hell are you doin' standing here? Didn't I tell you to take her inside Jimmy?"

He just stared at her, waiting for the words, fearing the next ones she would say. That it was too late, and he had once again caused the death of somebody. But then again, why this hurry if....

"Would you kindly get outta the way so we can get him inside, now dammit! This freezin' cold ain't exactly good for him you know."

Lou stood like frozen to her place, Jimmy sensed the shivering in her, the shivering turned into trembles and her teeth started to clatter. Desperately he hugged her closer, trying to warm her and calm her. Then they both heard it, the Invitae's intermittent beeps penetrating the howling of the wind. A wave of gratitude seared through Jimmy and his knees flexed slightly. Lou gripped him hard as the stretcher appeared and they rushed Kid straight by them, so fast they had no time to react and get out of the way. There was only growling and fast movements and clashes as the metal hit the side of the front panel. The inner door opened and Noah's fast orders to the men around him rang out. Clear and confident.

The sound of rhythmical heartbeats and a low murmuring penetrated the fog she found herself in. It was warm and cozy where she was at, the blanket surrounding her like a second hide, like a tight embrace. But there was something telling her that everything wasn't all right, something was dreadfully wrong. Right now she just wasn't able to figure out what. She just couldn't open her eyes. What was happening, where was she and why was she so goddamned tired? Voices around her. Talking tensely. She opened her eyes and reality hit her. "Kid," she whimpered and fought the blanket, working herself up to lean on her elbows.

"Shhh, Lou, take it easy," Jimmy holding her down. Shaking his head at her trial to get up. "He's doing much better. You gotta rest."

Irritably she turned to her side, her head still dizzy she held on to the edge of the bed, trying to see the man on the stretcher. Rachel watched her struggles and walked over to her. Placing a hand on her shoulder she forced the frantic girl back down. Lou glared at her, didn't they understand? She needed to know.

"Lou, he's getting better all the time. The bleeding has stopped and Noah's gotten the coagulated blood out. We're just preparing him for the stem cells to repair the damage."

"Lou, you're not well yourself, you just been through an operation and should stay still. Kid'll have our hides if we let you hurt yourself."

Lou tilted her head back and caught a glimpse from behind Noah. She groaned at the sight. There were plastic tubes inserted in him, his eyes taped close. His face hardly visible from underneath the mask covering it. But the whiteness of his skin was so evident. Groaning again she closed her eyes to escape the vision. Hoping that when she opened them again she'd find out this was all a nightmare. But she couldn't close her ears from the sounds of his heartbeat and the beeping of the apparatus that was surrounding them.

"The hospital," she groaned falling back on the gurney, the surroundings whirling strangely before her eyes, making her feel sick. "He needs a hospital. Why are we still here?"

"Breathe deep Lou," Rachel soothed, stroking her hair, "you're in shock honey and we can't take off just yet. There's too much wind. Noah's handling it just fine sweetie. He'll get him through. No need to worry."

Lou opened her eyes and watched Rachel leaning in on her. No need to worry! Why didn't they understand how scared she was. "Rachel, please," her voice thickened, "just let me see him, please."

The red-haired women watched her for a long while and Lou fought the tears. But she just couldn't stop them trickling down her face. Rachel cupped her chin in her hand and smiled softly.

He turned to look at her, his dark eyes weary but his gaze as scrutinizing as ever. Finally he nodded. "All right Lou, let Rachel help you, I'll go get a chair for you. Just tell us if you feel weak. You should really be resting. And Jimmy I need to check you out too."

She rose so fast her head swirled, biting down on her lower lip she eased herself off the gurney. Her legs started shaking immediately as she walked to him. Her palms sweaty and head pounding she gratefully sank onto the chair Noah was pushing under her. She felt so faint looking at him so close, his chest heaving as the machine pumped air inside. The lines taped onto his chest, filled with different liquids. Five plastic bags hanging on a metal rack above him, each one of them dripping life back into him. Turning to watch his face she had to draw a deep breath. She so longed to see his eyes but they were taped shut. Not letting her see the blue twinkling she so desperately needed to see. A thick substance glittering in the long eyelashes. Looking like tears. The veins on his neck swollen, bluish in color. She swallowed hard.

Nodding slightly she opened her mouth to tell them not to worry, but she found her throat too tight. Rachel walked up to her to steady her. "It's all right Lou, go on. Touch him."

She was so afraid he would be cold to her touch. Terrified that he would be as limp and seemingly lifeless as he was when she first touched him. But she couldn't resist all the same, she longed to soothe him. "I'm here Kid," she whispered, her voice just a hoarse whisper, cracking as her hand landed on the heaving chest. The muscle under her palm shivered slightly at her touch. Her head snapped up in surprise, her eyes searching for his, waiting for him to somehow tell her he knew she was there. "Kid?" She repeated softly his name, wishing he would let her know he knew she was there, by his side. It had been just a flutter against her palm and she spread her fingers on his chest, hoping to feel it again. Hoping to warm him.

"We're gonna take him home Lou, it's just an hour away, we've called the best docs there are to help him. They're already back home putting everything up for him."

"He needs to be in hospital Noah, you know that." Lou whispered. She had known from the start that this was going to be hard, but not getting him the best help available was just cruel. "He needs the best there is."

"He'll have it Lou, as soon as we get him to base. That's the best option we have, to take him home and cure him. The trip to the hospital would be too long, Lou. We need to start repairing his brain as soon as possible. He's gonna be fine, it will take awhile but he will be just fine."

"He knows you're here," Noah smiled at her and nodded to the screen. Lou turned to watch and saw how the red indicator for the BP changed color as it rose. Slowly the color changed as it climbed from 80/70 to 90/70 to then take a leap and settle itself at 110/80. Turning the indicator green.

Lou so wanted to hold his hand but with all the tubes stuck into him, the veins swollen from the medications running into him, she was afraid to hurt him. She nestled her right hand under the tubes and lay it to rest on his shoulder. Then she lowered her head and kissed the flat uncovered part of his abdomen. "I love you."

She didn't bother to answer and rested her head lightly on Kid's abdomen, waiting for a reaction. Her senses filling with the scent of him, calming her rattled nerves. The muscle under her cheek fluttered again and she relaxed her neck. The fluttering subsided and Noah let out a low whistle. "Heart rate normal! Heck Lou, how'd you do that?"

"He knows Lou." Rachel's hand stroking her hair. "Come on Lou, you better get back to bed and rest."

By the tone of her voice they all knew she wouldn't. Jimmy shook his head as Noah threw an inquiring glance in his direction. Nor hell or high water would get Lou away from Kid now. She's probably faint where she sat, but she wouldn't budge from his side.

Teaspoon's voice emerged from the cockpit. "It's clearing up, we're ready for takeoff. How about you?"

Rachel had to smile and ruffle her hair. "Okay Lou, as you wish, better hold on thou!"

"Ready," Noah replied and searched for Rachel's eyes. They glittered with pride and relief as they landed on his. They had made an incredible thing this cold windy day, a day that seemed godforsaken a few hours ago. Lives were saved. Noah felt the warmth spread inside him as he looked down on Kid and Lou. He couldn't even start to figure what if would have felt like to loose either of them, or Jimmy. Anyone of the group, they all belonged. And Rachel, having Rachel around made everything seem worth while. He walked to stand behind her and threw his arms around the slim waist. "Thank you Rach," he simply said and kissed her cheek.

Lou rested leaned over the Kid as the ASA hummed and rose. Afraid the soft shivering of the vessel would hurt him further. But there was no intermittent warning signals as they rose and took off. Her eyelids grew heavy again, she remembered the day out at the swimminghole, how she had laid with her head in his lap and he stroke her hair, silently admiring her and whispering words of love until she fell asleep in his lap. More content than she had ever been in her life. Why couldn't this be that day. Kid would wake her with a soft kiss and tell her they needed to get back. And she could wrap her arms tight around him and hold on to him. Would there ever be days like that again? Lazy days she could spend with Kid? Why did they let all those days pass, why didn't she see this coming and hold on to him. Not letting this happen. Why had she been so angry with him? He just wanted to be with her without having to hide, why didn't she let him? Was this the prize she had to pay for that decision? Losing him completely, it wasn't fair, it just wasn't fair! She promised him everything would change from now, she'd tell everybody, she'd let them all know. No matter what happened, if they had to withdraw from the project she wouldn't mind. No other prize she had to pay was even close to losing Kid. She had already lost too much. The slow rhythm of his heart had her relax, it was still beating.

"Lou?" Rachel hand touched her shoulder. "You better let go, we're home. They'll be needing to move him. You need to be checked out too."

"I think you fell sleep Lou, we're home and everything will be fine. Just let them take him."

Reluctantly she moved away from him as the inner door opened. Still looking at him she bent to kiss his cheek, "Won't go far Kid, I'll be right by you. Just hang in there."

Her head snapped up at the sound of the familiar voice. Then she was taken into strong arms and hugged close. "I got the word, Lou, God you scared me! Are you okay? What happened out there?"

"Huh?" She just couldn't believe it, what was he doing here? She didn't have neither the strength nor the will to handle him too. Not on top of this all.

"Oh God, come here Louise, let me take care of you. You look so tired. I know you didn't mean what you said, right honey? I miss you so much, it just can't be over. We'll work everything out. I'll stay here with you honey. I'll get used to it. I'll manage, I promise."

The arms hugging her close brought the old familiar sense of safety to her. But it just wasn't like when Kid held her, she was safe all right, but there was no tingling, no actual need. It just was. It felt fine, sure, but it didn't feel like coming home, it was nowhere close to being held by Kid. Nowhere close, and she had known this for such a long time and decided to close her eyes to it. Now she had the final proof of where she really belonged. "Sean," she muttered against his shoulder, "why are you here? I thought you said you'd hate it out here!"

"You're here Louise, and the moment we got the alarm you needed a stem cell specialist group out here I volunteered. Thought it was you needing me, hell knows if I'd a come if I knew you were all right!"

"That's not what I mean Lou, I should'a come to stay with you, I wouldn't have volunteered to do the job."

She fought herself loose from his hold and took a step back to watch him. He was the same stunningly handsome young man she remembered, but when she looked at him now she felt anger. Wasn't he going to do all it took? Wasn't he going to care enough to bring her Kid back? How would he react when he found out about her and the Kid, would he still be willing to save him. Would he still do his utmost? "Sean, you do your job and you do it well, or by God I'll never forgive you. Let anything happen to him and you'll be sorry!"

"So it's true then?" He looked at her, an odd coldness in the eyes. "You did leave me for the monk, outta all people! You know what people are saying about me back home? Do you know what you did to me?"

Grabbing his shirtfront Lou jerked his head down and pierced him with her eyes. "Let something happen to him and you'll understand all I really can do to you. Remember that!"

Letting go off him she stared coldly at him. He had always been so keen on his reputation. He had actually laughed at 'the monk' when she showed him the list of the people she was joining. He had been so sure of her, so sure she was under his spell. That no woman would be able to say no to him. He had taken her for granted! "Go!" She urged him, "and never forget what I just told ya! Screw up and I'll make you pay!"

Sean turned and walked out, never looking at her again. The display had failed, he probably had awaited for her to fall around his neck, begging him for forgiveness. That was the kind of man he was. Then she looked at Kid being hauled out and went stone cold. That what was she expected of Kid, that was the kind of woman she was! "Oh God, what have I been doin'?" Sinking to the floor she hid her face in her hands. "Oh God! I did exactly the same."

"Lou?" Jimmy sank to his knee in front of her. "Are you all right? Want me to get Noah back?"

Jimmy just helped her to her feet. "Patience Lou, patience. Let them straighten him out before you start playing with his mind again." Jimmy smiled at the young woman. Having been a spectator to the ups and downs of the romance he just felt like chuckling thinking about the two of them, so incredibly in love and so incredibly stupid. To his surprise Lou didn't laugh at his joke, she looked like he had just slugged her. "Come on Lou," he told her and lifted her into his arms. "Just kiddin'," feeling like a fool for reminding her as her face went pale again. "I was I mean, not him, he was never...kiddin', not when it came to you!"

"You will Lou, you will." As he carried her the few steps out of the vessel his mind went back to the one he never was able to do that for. The one he never had the chance to tell he loved. And he decided there and then he would not let that happen to his friends, to no-one else, ever, if he could help it. Least of all to Lou.

|Prologue||Chapter 1||Chapter 2||Chapter 3||Chapter 4||Chapter 5||Chapter 6||Chapter 7||Chapter 8||Chapter 9||Chapter 10|
|Chapter11||Chapter 12||Chapter 13||Chapter 14*||Chapter 15||Chapter 16||Chapter 17||Chapter 18||Chapter 19||Chapter 20*|
|Chapter 21||Chapter 22||Chapter 23||Chapter 24||Chapter 25||Chapter 26||Chapter 27||Chapter 28||Chapter 29||Chapter 30|
|Chapter 31*||Chapter 32||Chapter 33||Chapter 34||Chapter 35||Chapter 36||Chapter 37||Chapter 38||Chapter 39|