Victoria's Challenge (12 page)

“E Deck
, momentary decompression. Controlled.”

“E Deck?
” Lucas', vision suddenly narrows. Victoria’s quarters are on E Deck. She isn’t there of course, she is in his quarters, safe. Isn’t she? He’d told her to stay there. Shit! When has she ever done what he has told her. Knowing the combat comm won’t connect to his personal quarters, he moves to his office. He has to know she’s okay, won’t survive if she isn’t.

“Major, we have a damaged bird
inbound.”

Freezing
, Lucas realizes he can’t leave, even injured others are relying on him. If he doesn’t do his job, people die, people like Victoria. Swearing, he sends up a desperate prayer to the ancestors asking them to keep his life mate safe then does his job.

"Get the rescue crew ready
," he orders.

“Need some help over here.” Turning, Victoria sees Barek helping an injured crewmember into medical.

“Over here
! Put him there.” She points to the cot. Grabbing for clean gloves, she finds the box empty. “Shit! Barek, are you injured?”

“No, bumps and bruises.”

“Good, go to Lucas’ quarters, in the bathroom is a box of gloves, I need them. The code is…”

“I know the code, back in a minute.”

Nodding Victoria turns back to the crewmember and goes to work. After closing numerous cuts and one nasty gash on Ensign Pat’s forehead, she deems him stable.

“You’re going to be fine Ensign
. I want you to stay here, to make sure there are no side effects. I’ll be back to check on you in a little bit.”

Turning
, she sees Dodge standing by a cot. Walking over, she picks up the chart. Shrapnel had done a lot of damage, the major one being the artery. Lorre is in stable but serious condition. There would some extended recovery time needed.

“She’s doing okay
, Dodge. Surgery went well. She’s stable.”

“Why isn’t she waking up?”

“She’s heavily medicated. She’s going to be in a lot of pain when she wakes. The longer she’s under, the better it will be for her. Grab a chair. Sit with her. Talk to her. She’ll hear you.” Putting the chart back, she leaves the two alone.

Finding his hatch open, Lucas frowns, entering he finds Barek coming out of the bathroom. “What are you doing here? Where’s Victoria?”

“She’s in medical.”

“Why? What happened? How badly is she hurt?”

“Stop!
” If Barek ever doubted Lucas’ feeling for Victoria, he doesn’t now. “She’s fine! She’s working on the injured. She needs gloves.” Barek holds up the box he’s carrying.

“Shit!
” Lucas has to take a deep breath. “She’s really okay?”

“Was when I left
. She was working on an Ensign. How are you doing?”

“Fine, I’m fine.”

“So when are you going to tell her you’re in love with her?” Lucas just stares at him. “Shit Lucas, it’s been coming for cycles.”

“It’s between us
, Barek. Stay out of it.”

Barek gives him a considering look
. “I will. For now. However, if you hurt her Lucas,
I’ll
kick your ass. I need to get these to her.”

“I’m going with you.
” The two men leave together.

Looking up, Victoria sees Barek and Lucas enter medical. Oh, thank the ancestors. Closing her eyes briefly, she takes a deep breath. He’s okay and looking only slightly worse for wear.

“
Make a path!” Both men jump out of the way, as a gurney rushes in. Running over, Victoria does a quick assessment.

“I need help over here
! Barek! Gloves! Gabor, scan his tags for non-meds!” Catching the box Barek tosses her, she yanks on gloves before ripping open his shirt, discovering he’s full of holes. Lucas and Barek watch her attack the wounds, quickly and efficiently closing them.

“He’s crashing!
” Looking at the monitors, Victoria verifies.

“Get me the resuscitator!
” Not waiting, she jumps up on the cot, starting manual chest compressions. Getting her first look at her patient’s face, Jager. “Fuck! Get Magnes! Get him now! Come on Jager, hang in there!”

“What have you
got?” Magnes demands.

“Shrapnel, throughout the torso, punctures everywhere, massive blood loss
. I need a line put in.” While Victoria gives her assessment, Magnes does his own. The man is more holes then flesh, both lungs collapsed.

“He’s gone
, Chamberlain, call him.”

“I can’t.”

“Why the fuck not?”

“It’s Ensign Jager.
” Victoria continues compressions as she meets his eyes. Magnes watches as she tries to save the life of a man who assaulted her just last night.

“Move over.
” Magnes takes over the compressions. “Stand back. Gabor! I want 3mg of adrenaline!” Standing out of the way, Victoria watches helplessly, blood dripping from her gloves. Magnes works him for another five minutes before calling it. Ripping off her gloves, she turns away, throwing them in the bin.

“You did everything you co
uld,” Magnes tells her. “He never had a chance.” Assessing her, he reaches a decision. “You’re done. Thanks for the hand, get out of here!”

“What
? There are still patients.”

“And we’ll handle them
. Major.” Magnes turns to Lucas. “Get her out of here.” Turning, he heads for his next patient.

“Well shit.
” She’s never been kicked out before.

“Victoria, come on
, you’ve done enough.” Both men can see the strain around her eyes.

“He still needs help.”

“He has his staff, come on.” Barek assures her as he and Lucas flank her, leading her out of medical. The corridors of the Retribution are busy as repairs are being made, damage cleaned up. Making a turn, Victoria comes to an abrupt stop.

“This isn’t the way to my quarters.”

“No, we’re going to mine,” Lucas tells her.

“I’m going to
my
quarters!”

“Victoria,” Barek steps
, in sensing the rising fight. “E deck took a hit during the battle. You won’t be allowed back until hull repairs are complete.”

“What?”

“There was some minor decompression. It should be fixed in twenty four hours.”

“Well damn.
” She runs a hand through her hair. She wants to be alone, to decompress herself. “I’ll get other quarters.”

“You will not!
” Why is she being so stubborn about this! Lucas is ready to blow.

“Vict
oria, let’s go to Lucas’,” Barek’s voice soothes. “It’s only twenty four hours. It’ll take that long for them to find you temporary quarters.” This time, Barek puts a hand at the small of her back. “Come on, sweetheart.”

“No.
” She can’t go there, not now. “I have a change of clothes in my locker in maintenance.” Turning in the opposite direction, she leaves them staring.

“What the fuck did you do to her?
” Barek rounds on Lucas, the look in Lucas' eyes stops him.

“
Go after her, Barek.” The pain in his voice unmistakable. “She’ll talk to you.”

Barek finds her sitting in a window seat in observation, looking at the stars. She must have showered in record time since she’s in workout clothes and her hair damp. He watches as she reaches out, touching one of the stars flickering on the other side of the glass.

“They’re beautiful aren’t they?”
she asks, not looking his way.

“Yes
,” he agrees sitting down next to her.

“How is this going to affect the investigation?
” Distant green eyes look at him.

“Victoria, you did all you could.”

“You and I both know that doesn’t matter. It could be argued I let him die.”

“You didn’t call it
. Magnes did. You turned over care as soon as you realized who it was. It’ll stand.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes, not only did Lucas and I witness it, so did Gabor. It’ll stand.”

Nodding
, she leans her head back. “Shit, I’m tired.”

“I’d say you have the right to be.
” He looks at her, wondering if he should ask.

“Ask your question
, Barek.”

“You know, I’m known for being unreadable.
” That gets him a slight smile. “What’s going on? Between you and Lucas?”

“Nothing
. I’m treating him.” She looks back to the stars.

“Why isn’t there
? You’re of age.”

“Because that’s the way he wants it
. Leave it alone, Barek.”

“Victoria
… Lucas has waited nine cycles for you.”

“He’s stayed away from his family for nine cycles because of me
. There’s a difference.”

“His family
… it’s your family too.”

“My family died on Earth
. The Major’s is on Carina.”

“The Major’s…
” Barek’s mind is racing to comments she made during the interview. About her not being Carinian, about being different and that it made people uncomfortable. She couldn’t really believe that mattered to Lucas, could she?

“What the
fuck
did he say to you?” he demands enraged.

“Just the truth
. He made me face the truth. It is something I should have done cycles ago. Let it go.”

“I won’t
. He had no right.”

“He ha
s every right when it affects his life.” She sees he’s going to argue. “Have you really considered what he’d have to put up with if I was in his life? The looks, the comments, the snide remarks and that’s just within the fleet. His career would suffer because of it.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“It’s not. What would your father do?” She’s going to drive this home. “If
we
were involved?”

“My father
adores you.” Nevertheless, Barek has a sick feeling in his stomach.

“And it’s mutual
, but if you and I were to become involved, he’d set that aside and advise you against it. He’d put what’s best for the House of Protection first. That’s what a King does and someday you’ll be King.” Barek wishes he could argue with her, but he can’t, she’s right.

“Involvement with me is more trouble than it’s worth.
” Victoria sighs.

“I’ll never believe that’s what Lucas thinks.
”

“It doesn’t really matter what you believe
, Barek.” Leaning back, she closes her eyes.

Barek looks at the fatigue on her face
. She’s exhausted and here he is arguing with her. “Victoria, you need to sleep.”

“I know.”

“Let me take you to Lucas’. It’s where you need to be.”

“Yeah, I need to check his hands
anyway. I shouldn’t have made such a big deal about it. Sorry.” She gives him a sad smile then moves to stand.

“Victoria…
” Barek puts a hand on her arm. “No matter what anyone else says or thinks, you
are
Carinian. You may not have been born there, but you are what we all want to be.”

“Thank you
, Barek.” However, he can see she doesn’t believe him.

Outside Lucas’ hatch, Victoria puts a hand on Barek’s arm as he moves to enter the code.

“Knock
. He may not be alone.”

“Of course he is
.” Barek frowns down at her. “He’s waiting for you.”

“Please.
” Finally nodding he knocks. The hatch immediately opens and the look in Lucas’ eyes leaves no doubt in Barek’s mind about his feelings for Victoria. Saying nothing, Lucas steps back letting them enter.

“Victoria needs to sleep.
” Barek breaks the silence.

“I need to check the Major’s hands first.”

“They’re fine.” Lucas’ voice is rough. His eyes following her as she goes to gather up her supplies, ignoring him.

“Let her do what she needs to do
, Lucas.” Barek’s eyes pin him. Walking over to Victoria, he gently rubs her arms. “I need to go write up my report so you can put this behind you. You’ll rest?”

“
As soon as I’m done. Thank you Barek.” Meeting his eyes, she gives him a slight smile.

“Anytime.
” Turning, he looks at Lucas. “I’ll talk to you later.” Then he’s gone.

Lucas
watches the interaction between Barek and Victoria. She called Barek by name, she considers
him
a friend. Him, she still calls Major. He’s losing her. He can feel it, just as he feared he would and it is all his fault.