Cassandra's Challenge (22 page)

“Gram’s tell me what to do.” Cassandra looks
into her grandmother’s eyes. “I don’t want to lose you again.”

Gram’s reaches into the gray to gently touch
Cassandra’s arm. “You’ve never lost me Cassandra. I’ve always been
there. All of us have, in your dreams. But in this, only
you
can decide.”

“Something’s wrong!” William tells Bliant as
he’s removing the last of the shrapnel from Cassandra’s back. All
color is draining out of her face. “She’s not breathing!”

Bliant rolls Cassandra onto her back checking
her pulse, rushing to the cabinet he retrieves the resuscitator.
William leans over her gripping her face.

“Cassandra!” He calls. “Damn it Cassandra! Come
Back! I’m not letting go!” Bliant finds him immovable as he tries
to push him aside.

“Cassandra!”

At her Gram’s touch Cassandra can feel the love
of all those who’ve come before. She shares their joys, sorrows,
and life experiences. She’s come home. Smiling she looks at her
Gram’s ready to go with her when something flashes behind her.

Looking she sees another Light. Small, dim at
first, it quickly grows so large and bright it hurts her eyes.
There’s something calling from the Light. Something she can almost
hear, straining she doesn’t realize she’s pulled away from Gram’s
hand.

“I’m not letting go!”

“William!” It all comes pouring back into her.
William, how could she have forgotten William?

“Gram’s?” Cassandra turns to see their Light is
already fading.

“You’ve made your choice Cassie. We’ll see each
other again.” She says as they all fade away.

“Cassandra!” Turning she runs to William’s
Light.

“Admiral!” Bliant starts to call for help when
Cassandra’s body suddenly arches off the bed her body taking a long
deprived breath. Her eyes fly open searching until they find
William.

“William.” She whispers, Bliant stands rooted in
place.

“I’m here Cassandra.” He rests his forehead
against hers. “I’m here. Rest, I’ve got you.”

As she drifts off to sleep Bliant slowly returns
the resuscitator to the cabinet. Returning to his patient he
realizes he has just witness the true strength of love.

“Admiral, I would like to treat her head wound
now.” William is standing beside Cassandra holding her hand. “I
need to get around you.”

While William steps aside, he refuses to
relinquish Cassandra’s hand, reminding Bliant of Cassandra with
Tori. Examining the wound pleased to find it’s only superficial and
easily closed.

Stepping back to allow the Admiral in, Bliant
stretches the tired muscles of his back. It’d been a long time
since he’d done all the work himself. Going to the chart he writes
down what’s happened, or at least what he could explain.

“What’s her condition?” Bliant looks up to find
himself under the Admiral’s scrutiny.

“She’s very lucky. The head wound is just a
laceration. I don’t expect her to have even a minor concussion. No
broken bones, which is a testament to just how strong hers are. The
shrapnel did some damage, but hit no vital organs. She’ll be
bruised and sore for awhile, have a few small scars. She got off
lucky.”

“Lucky!” The Admiral snares at him.

“
Yes Admiral. Lucky!” Bliant stares him
down. “If she’d been standing in the direct line of that blast we
wouldn’t have been bringing her to medical!” Paling the Admiral
looks back to Cassandra.

“She isn’t in any pain?”

“No. I’m giving her pain medication through her
port.” Bliant explains walking over to check her hand. “It might
make her feel a little light headed but that should be all.
Admiral,” Bliant waits until their eyes met. “She’s going to be
fine.” Bliant sees a flash of relief before it’s gone. Pulling a
gown out of a drawer Bliant puts it on her making her as
comfortable as he can.

“When will she wake up again?”

“That I don’t know.” Bliant walks into his
office giving the Admiral some privacy.

“Has anyone approached the hatch?” Lucas demands
of the guards.

“No sir, no one.”

“Wait here.” Lucas takes a deep breath and
relaxes his face into a smile. He doesn’t want to scare Tori.
Opening the hatch his eyes immediately search for her. Finding her
safe he closes the hatch before walking to the Educator. Explaining
in a low voice there’s been an accident and that he’s here to
collect Victoria.

Turning, he finds Victoria has gathered up her
things and is walking towards the hatch. Once there she stops,
waiting for him.

She says nothing as Lucas opens the hatch
stepping out in front of her. Once in the corridor Lucas scoops her
up into his arms.

“Go!” He orders. With a guard in front and back
they head to the last place anyone would look for Victoria, Lucas’
quarters.

Once inside Lucas secures the hatch and puts her
down.

“What’s happened to Aunt Cassie?” She demands.
Surprise flashes through Lucas’ eyes.

“Victoria…”

“Something’s happened or you wouldn’t have come
gotten me. If it wasn’t to
her
then
she
would have
come gotten me!
Tell me
!” Victoria is starting to become
very upset.

“Calm down, baby.”

“I’m not a BABY!” Lucas closes his eyes.

“I know you’re not. Look there was an
explosion.” Lucas stares into Tori’s eyes. “Cassandra was hurt.
She’s in medical. She’s stable.”

“Where was the explosion?”

“Tori, it doesn’t matter.” Lucas doesn’t want to
tell her.

“Where!”

“Your quarters.” Lucas can’t believe he’s
telling a nine cycle all this.

“It’s the same as the poison.” Tori
whispers.

“What?”

“The poison. It was meant for Aunt Cassie, not
me. So is this. It’s the same person.” Lucas is shocked, he hadn’t
thought of that.

“I want to see Aunt Cassie.” Tori demands.

“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea Victoria.”
Tori moves to the hatch to disconnect the locks. “What do you think
you’re doing!”

“I’m going to go see my
Aunt
!!!! If you
won’t take me then I’ll go by myself!” Lucas catches a glimpse of
the independent woman his life mate would become. He isn’t sure if
he likes it or not.

“Fine
, we’ll go, but if I say we’re gone
for
any
reason,
any
reason at all you will give me no
argument! Is
that
understood?”

“FINE
!” Tori replies. Picking her up
Lucas opens the hatch. “I
can
walk you know.”

“Not fast enough.” Lucas shoots back. “We’re
going to medical, no one stops us. Is that understood?” Lucas
informs the guards. “Let’s go.”

William looks at the small bruised hand in his.
Only three hours ago it had been holding him in the shower,
caressing him, loving him. Now it’s still, so still. He’d nearly
lost her. He knew that. Here in this room she nearly slipped away,
his life mate. Sitting on the edge of the bed William gently kisses
her palm, letting his tears fall.

Cassandra’s eyes open to the feel of William’s
tears silently falling into her palm. Gently she moves her thumb to
wipe one away. He’s eyes shoot to hers.

“Cassandra...” Looking around she’s suddenly
confused.

“William?”

“Shhhh….your fine.”

“What…”

“There was an explosion.” It’s all he can get
out.

“Victoria?” Trying to rise she sucks in a quick
breath.

“Fine! She’s fine Cassandra. She’s with Lucas.”
William eases her back down.

“Bliant!” William yells turning his head towards
the doctor’s door. Rushing in Bliant sees she’s awake.

“Well, look whose back.” He efficiently checks
her vitals. Pleased he smiles down at her. “How are you feeling?”
Cassandra tries to take an inventory of her body. But she can’t get
her mind to focus.

“I don’t know.” She says in a hoarse voice. “I
feel like I’m floating.”

“That’s the pain medication. Let’s get you some
water.” Bliant is about to call for it when he catches the
Admiral’s eye. “I’ll be right back.”

Cassandra looks at William. She can see the
fatigue and worry in his eyes even if no one else can. Lifting her
left hand to touch him she feels a sharp pain.

“Ouch!” Looking down she sees the port.
“What?”

“Careful." William says gently putting her hand
back on her stomach. “You don’t want to rip it out.”

“Says who?” She frowns at it.

“Me. You need it.” Trying to stop the floating
feeling she focuses on William.

“How long?” She asks weakly.

“Just a couple hours.”

“Hours...” Cassandra felt like she’d been gone
days. “Do you know who?” She watches his face tighten.

“No.” Bliant reenters the room with the
water.

“Here we go. Let’s raise you up so you can take
a sip.” Moving the bed into more of a sitting position Bliant puts
the cup by her mouth tipping ever so slightly. As she drinks he
looks at the Admiral acknowledging that he’s filled the glass
himself. When she leans back some of the water spills onto her
front.

“You know I really need to introduce you guys to
the concept of straws.” She mummers closing her eyes, turning her
head she looks at William trying to ask her question.

“Why are you here?” Bliant quietly leaves them
alone.

“What!?!” William is stunned by the question.
“Cassandra….”

Hearing the hurt in his voice, seeing the pain
in his eyes she realizes she hasn’t said it right. Gripping his
hand she looks into his eyes.

“William…shit I can’t get my thoughts straight!
It’s worse than the dark.”

“Cassandra you’re not making sense.”

“Do you think I don’t know that!” She demands
then closes her eyes as the room starts to tilt.

“I’m getting Bliant.”

“No
. Please William…I need you to hear
me.” Her eyes to bore into his, “The way I heard you…in the dark.”
William goes completely still. “I heard you…I was….not lost….just
nothing…I was nothing…then I heard you…calling my name…saying you
weren’t letting go…” Cassandra’s eyes pleaded with his. “I wasn’t
about to leave you.
You
are my light. When I was in the
dark,
your
Light showed me the way home.” Setting an elbow
on either side of her head William leans down to capture her lips
in a gentle kiss.

“Cassandra,” He rises up to look into her eyes.
“You humble me. There is no Light in my world if you’re not in it.
I’ll never let go. You are mine and I am yours.” Kissing her again
he pulls her as close as he dares.

“William?” She whispers.

“Yes?”

“Am I dying?”

“What
!
No
!”

“So I’m going to be okay?”

“Yes! Cassandra yes!”

“Then why are you here?”

“What?”

Putting a hand on his chest she continues. “You
are Admiral William Hale Zafar, Commander of the Battle Star
Retribution and five battleships. If I’m going to be fine then the
fleet needs its Admiral.”

“Cassandra…” He doesn’t know what to say.

“I’m safe William.” She rubs her hand over his
heart. “I’m not going anywhere. You were here when I needed you,
now you’re needed elsewhere. Go. Do what only you can do, be the
Admiral.”

After staring at her for a long moment he gently
kisses her. Rising from the bed, he finds his jacket, pulling it
on, and all the responsibility that it carries. Cassandra watches
the transformation, realizing it makes her love him even more.

“There are guards posted outside the door.” He
tells her buttoning up his jacket.

“I expected as much.”

“No one
comes in except Bliant,
Cassandra.”

“And Tori and Lucas.” She countermands.

“Yes, I’ll let the guards know. I want you to
rest.” He’s is in full Admiral mode now, causing Cassandra to give
him a little grin.

“What!” He demands.

“Have I ever told you…how sexy you look when
you’re in full Admiral mode?” William is speechless. Walking over
his eyes blaze, leaning down he gives her the kiss he’s been
desperate to give since she’d came back to him.

“You will rest.” He orders huskily. “I’ll be
back later.”

“I’ll be here.”

“Bliant!” The Admiral calls out. Bliant comes
out of his office. “My orders still stand no one other then you,
Lucas and Victoria are allowed in this room. Understood?”

“Yes Admiral.” Giving Cassandra one more long
look the Admiral leaves the room. The doors no more than closed
when Cassandra turns her attention to Bliant.

“So Doc, it’s time to get this thing out of my
hand.”

“Cassandra, it is only pain medication.”

“And I don’t want it. I think I have the right
to say what goes into my body!” She can feel the fogginess coming
back.

“The Admiral wants it.”

“Then stick it in him!” She fires back.
Exasperated she starts to try to remove it herself.

“Stop
! You’ll hurt yourself.” Bliant
pulls her hand away making her realize just how weak she is.

“Bliant, I’ll make a deal with you.”

“What?” He asks suspiciously.

“If you take that out of my hand I promise to
let you know if I feel I need something for the pain.” Bliant
raises an eyebrow. “I swear. I really don’t like to be in pain but
this stuff you’re giving me, I like it even less. Oh and I’ll deal
with the Admiral too.”

“Now that I can believe.” Bliant says as he
removes the port. “Now you will rest or I will give you something
that will knock you out.”

“That’s not going to be a problem.” Cassandra
mumbles, she’s already half asleep.

Stubborn woman, Bliant thinks to himself. She
and the Admiral were perfect for one another. Leaving her room he
goes to check on the other crewmen.