Post 345: Promises Part One

Stardate:70803.0300
Title: Promises Made, Promises Broken Part One
Author: Lt. (jg) February Grace
Scene: Aboard the runabout Hiawatha
Time: Following "Meanwhile. . ."
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"YOU'RE NOT SERIOUS!"

The shout which emanated from the front cabin of the runabout woke February from her already fitful sleep. She bolted straight up in the lower bunk of the cramped sleeping quarters and hit her head on the underside of the one above.

"Ow."

When no one responded to her comment, she realized that she was finally alone for the first time since they'd left the Independence. She hated to see this passing moment of the solitude she needed so badly come to an end, but she also wanted to know what the commotion fore was all about.

The voice that had shouted wasn't one she was familiar with. It was most definitely female. It was most definitely having a full blown hissy-fit.

"Deveral Grace? You are seriously telling me that you're embarking on a mission to the caves at Mak'ala to help Deveral Grace?" Jaine Hood was absolutely floored.

She had beamed up to the runabout a short time before, and Dabin had been a little less delicate than he should have been in filling her in on the details of who was what, and when.

"Shh, Jainey, you'll wake her up. She's not Deveral anymore. She's just a kid. Young, and vulnerable, just like Tuli was,"

"Oh, I'm sure. Just like Tulila was when Deveral-" Jaine balled her hands up into fists and snorted with frustration. She tried to articulate to the awestruck group around her why it was she found this whole situation so incredible.

"You have no idea. No clue what happens to him every time he hears the name Deveral Grace. Or when, god forbid, he hears one of the songs that Deveral recorded with his band! He's in a funk for hours afterward. Sometimes DAYS!"

"It won't be like that anymore after this is over, Jainey, and that will be good for me. But that's not the reason I'm doing this." Reece looked her in the eye, and took her hand. "I'm doing this because it's the right thing to do. That's why you're going to help too, and you know it. Because it's the right thing to do."

Jaine's momentary outburst was at last overcome by her sense of duty toward the oath she'd taken.

"It's a very good thing I am solemnly sworn to first do no harm."

Reece kissed her on the forehead. "That's my girl. February is such a nice kid, you're going to love her."

"Love?"

"Well, maybe not love, given your animosity toward Grace. But definitely like."

"S'cuse me, I'm sorry," February interrupted as she bumped into the rear row of seats as she felt her way along. "I don't mean to intrude, you know, but could you please stop talking about me as if I'm not here?"

Her nerves were completely frayed, otherwise she never would have felt as if she had the right to give voice to her annoyance.

"February, this is Dr. Jaine Hood. She's going to help us, help you." Dabin explained as Jariel jumped up and walked February to a seat so she wouldn't trip and injure herself. He noticed the bruise forming on her forehead where she'd hit the bunk, and signed for Dr. Trind to look at it.

"Oh, Bru. What happened now?" Ashlyn sighed, moving forward with medical tricorder in hand, only hoping she could keep this girl in one piece until they reached the caves.

"Doesn't matter now." February shrugged. "Soon, nothing will matter."

"That's it," Captain Gilmore barked, overwhelmingly frustrated by the resignation he heard in February's voice. "We're here. Reece, get your spotted ass down to the caves and see to it that whatever February needs, February gets."

Reece gave a cavalier salute. "You're the boss, Neptune."

"I'll land the runabout and we'll join you shortly."

"Captain Gilmore," February felt that she may as well speak up, since she was going to die soon anyway, and would never have to face him again after that.

"Actually, I'd rather if as many of you as possible stayed up here. I need to do this in as solitary a fashion as it can be done."

"Well you can't go without your doctors, and I'm definitely going." Reece replied, "That leaves T'Ana, Gilmore, and Jariel behind."

"We'll be just fine up here, if that is what you really want, February," Lily interjected, gently squeezing R.J.'s arm as he opened his mouth to object. "Let her go," she mouthed to him, with a stern expression that only she could get away with giving him. Gilmore's jaw set, and he silently stared straight ahead.

"We'll stand by, course laid in and ready to take you to the Commission the moment you're finished at the caves, I promise." Lily vowed.

"Thank you," February paused, the words catching in her throat. "Thank you for everything, my friends."

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Lt. (jg) February Grace
Helm/Flight Controller
USS Independence NCC-90791