Victoria's Challenge (28 page)

“How’s she doing?” Victoria can barely speak. Finding Lucas, his arms protectively around her mother, touches her deeply.

“Resting,
she had another attack. I got her to take in some water.”

“That’s good.
” Pulling out the scanner, she checks his wound, then the rest of him.

“I’m good.”

“You’re better than good.” Leaning over, she kisses him. “But you need to sleep.”

“Victoria…”

“Lucas, we need to get out of here. You know that. It’s going to take longer to get back to the Retribution. You can’t fly it straight through even if you weren’t injured, and I’m not going to be any help. If we fly twelve on twelve off…”

“When are you going to sleep?”

“I’ll catch naps in between treatments. Maybe a few hours in your arms… I don’t sleep very well without you anymore.”

Of all the things she could have said
, that was the only one that stopped him from arguing.

“
Sometimes you fight dirty.”

“Just stating the truth, I’ll wake you if I need help, I promise.
” Nodding, knowing she’s right, he leans over giving her a hard kiss then with one last look at Cyndy, he heads in to get some sleep.

Hours pass with Cyndy waking to painful coughs but ejecting more and more, Victoria talking or singing her back to sleep, leaving her only to treat the rest of her family. Both men are sleeping well, neither having Cyndy’s problems. Finally falling asleep next to her mother, Victoria is jolted awake by a roar of rage.

“Cyndy
!!!”
Peter comes storming out of his quarters as Lucas comes flying out of theirs.

“Dad
! She’s right here.” Victoria tries to keep her voice low to not to wake her mother but her father’s voice has done that.

“Peter…
” Cyndy’s voice is weak.

“What did you do to
her?” As Peter storms across the room, Lucas blocks him, it’s a short struggle, Peter is no match for a Carinian male, even an injured one. “Get out of my way!”

“Not until you calm down
. You’ll hurt both of them. Calm down!” Lucas orders, and brown eyes clash with violet, as neither man is about to back down, it’s Cyndy that finally breaks the stalemate.

“Enough
! Peter I’m right here, I’m fine.” The effort to calm her husband has her leaning over coughing.

“Cyndy!
” Peter is on his knees in front of her, his eyes tormented as she can’t catch her breath.

“Relax mom
, shhhh dad’s here, you’re okay, relax.” Wiping her mouth, she puts the water bottle to her lips. “Take a sip.” Finally, Cyndy leans back exhausted.

“Dad, sit with her.
” Sliding off the couch, she lets her father take her place.

Lucas watches as Peter Chamberlain carefully slides in next to his wife
. She’s pale, obviously struggling to breath, but the love in her eyes when she looks into his is easy to read. Just as Peter’s torment is when he gingerly touches her sunken cheek.

“Cyndy
….”

“I’m sorry I scared you
. I’m alright.”

“Rest Cyndy, I’m here.
” Pulling her close, Peter tucks his wife into his chest. Turning away Lucas sees Brett standing in the hatchway.

“Victoria…
” Pulling her eyes away from her parents, she looks to Lucas then follows his gaze. Brett.

“Hey Brett, let’s give mom and dad some time
, okay?”

“What’s wrong with her?” h
e whispers.

“She’s sick.
” Victoria goes down on her knees, meeting the brown gaze, so like her father. “Sicker than you and dad, but we’re going to make her better, it’s just going to take some time. Let’s go back into your quarters, I need to treat you, it’ll make mom feel better.” She stops the argument she sees in his eyes. “Then I’ll get you something to eat.” Nodding, he turns.

“Do you need help?
” Lucas looks at her.

“
No.” She touches his cheek. “Thank you for stopping dad. Go change then we’ll all eat.”

“Did you get any sleep?
” He asks looking into tired eyes.

“Some
.” Turning, she follows her brother.

“You’re doing good Brett.” Victoria smiles at him. “Eventually you’re going to cough up some of the dust in your lungs. When you do, just spit it out. It means the medicine is working, healing you.”

“I’m going to be like mom?
” Scared eyes meet hers.

“No, for some reason she has a lot more dust in her lungs.
” Victoria frowns wondering why that is.

“Are you really my sister?
” Brett's question pulls her attention back.

“Yeah I am.
” She smiles at him.

“Mom and dad said you died
, died with Grandpa and Aunt Cassie.”

“Only Grandpa Jacob died
. You know, I bet you have a lot of questions. Mom and dad will too, let’s go out and have first meal and we’ll talk for a while.”

“First meal?”

“That’s what breakfast is called on Carina.”

“We only eat one meal anymore, sometimes not even that.”

“Sometimes you don’t eat?” Victoria starts to understand just how dire it had become in the shelter. Brett nods.

“Well
, you will have at least three a day here, maybe more.” Victoria grips her brother’s chin bringing his eyes to hers. “There is plenty of food Brett, if you’re still hungry ask for more, you won’t be refused and no one has to do without. Okay?”

“Not even mom?”

“Especially not mom, come on.” Holding out her hand, she waits as Brett hesitates then finally puts his hand in hers.

Entering the living quarters, they find Lucas and Peter still eyeing each other. Shaking her head, she leads Brett over to the couch to sit with her father.

“Lucas?
” She waits until he looks at her. “Would you mind starting on first meal while I treat dad? I think the soup again, since they tolerated it so well.” Sees Lucas eye her father, she knows he’s worried. “Please, I’ll be fine. Won’t I dad?” She turns laser eyes to her father.

“Peter, answer your daughter.
” Cyndy's voice, while weak can't be denied.

“It’s a stupid question
. Of course she’ll be fine.” Smiling at her father’s obvious disgust, she looks at Lucas and winks. It’s the wink that convinces him. Nodding, he turns to the galley.

Victoria’s giving her father a shot when Lucas returns. Setting the tray on the table, he looks at her. “What are
you
having?” Lucas’ eyes are hard, telling her not to argue.

“Flatcakes sound good.
” She smiles her thanks. Nodding, he returns to the galley.

“
Here mom, you need to eat.”

“I’ll do it.
” Peter takes the cup from her hands. Letting him, knowing he needs to feel like he’s helping her, Victoria turns to watch Brett eat hungrily and knows her dad has to be just as hungry.

“Dad, eat, I’ll help mom.”

“I’ve got it.”

“You need to build your strength up.
” She moves to take the cup from him.

“Victoria,” Lucas’ tone stops her
, turning, she gives him a hard look. “Let your father take care of his wife. Come eat, you’ve been up all night.” Sighing, she walks over to sit next to Lucas. “Eat.” He hands her a plate of flatcakes.

“I am a doctor
, you know.” Victoria mutters.

“And he’s her
husband
. Let him help her.” Understanding dawns in Victoria’s eyes and she nods. She hadn’t realized, hadn’t thought about how hard it must be for her father to not be able to help his wife, to know she was starving to death but this, he can do and she needs to let him.

“We need to get going,” Lucas tells her as he helps her carry plates into the galley.

“I know
. I need to explain it to them. I want them strapped into the couch.” Turning, she finds his arms trapping her against the counter.

“After we’re through the debris field
, I want you to rest.” He leans down hard eyes staring into hers.

“Lucas…..”

“You’re exhausted. I won’t stand for it. You’ll be no good for anyone if you keep this up.”

“It’s only for a few days.”

“It’s going to be closer to a week and you know it! Don’t…” He stops her from arguing. “I’m taking care of you, it’s my right!” Lucas hadn’t realized how angry he’d gotten watching Peter tend to his wife, knowing he wasn’t doing the same for Victoria. Capturing her lips, he takes her into a deep kiss.

Lucas’ sudden anger surprises
Victoria but it shouldn’t, she knows how he feels about protecting her. He’s waited nine cycles to claim the right, to have to stand by and watch her exhausting herself would upset him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she sinks into him. Lifting his mouth, he rests his forehead against hers.

“I need you to take care of yourself
, Victoria, for me.”

“Alright, but I’m not the one who fights dirty.”

He sees the love in her eyes. “I’ll fight anyway I have to if it keeps you safe.”

“Same goes
.” Framing his face, she gives him a gentle, calming kiss. “Do you want to start preflight while I explain or wait until I’m done?”

“I’ll get it started
. The sooner we’re out of here, the sooner you can rest.”

Entering the living quarters, Victoria walks to her family while he enters the code to the cockpit. "“Okay, this is what’s happening.” Victoria sits down looking at them. “Lucas is getting the preflight started. Once that’s done, we’ll start back for the Retribution. It’ll take six or seven days.”

“Days?
” Peter’s eyes widen.

“Yeah, I know it’s a long time but…”

“Long???? Tori, how long did it take you to get here?”

“Just over three days, we had to slow down entering the solar system, there’s still a lot of debris floating around out there
. So it’s going to take at least an hour to get clear, I’m going to have to help Lucas navigate.”

“How far away is this Retribution?”

“About 5000 light years away.”

“5000….”

“Carina is about another 5000 from there.”

“Why is it taking longer to get back?”

“Because Lucas can’t fly 24/7. On the way here, we split the flying time.”

“You can fly this ship?”

“Yes. Uncle William taught me.”

“Who?”

“Uncle William, Aunt Cassie’s husband… dad, there’s a lot you don’t know yet but now is not the time, I need to help Lucas. I promise later I’ll explain everything. Right now, I need to get all of you settled.” Going behind the couch, she releases the harnesses. “You’ll be safer sitting here. Once we’re out of the solar system, we can take them off. Mom, I need to sit you up straighter.” Adjusting the head supports, Victoria pulls out armrests with restraints. “We need to slide your arms in here and legs here. They’ll protect you if we have to make any sudden maneuvers. You can still pull your arms out, but I’d prefer you not.” Moving to her father and brother, she repeats the procedure.

Peter watches his daughter carefully,
comparing this strong, confident young woman with the terrified little girl he remembers. Looking to Cyndy he sees she’s doing the same.

“Why do we need all this?”
he asks.

“Because of
all the debris, we may have to make some sudden moves. These will help keep you in your seats. It’s only an hour, dad.”

“Victoria!
” Lucas calls from the cockpit.

“Coming
! I love you guys, now just relax, sleep if you can. Lucas is the best pilot in the Coalition.” With one last look, she heads to the cockpit.

“Here,” She slides into the copilot seat. “What do you need me to do?”

“Start scanning for a way out, I’m ready to start the engines.
”

Turning her
chair, she runs some scans. “If we start heading to your nine, then behind the moon, we should be clear for a little while.” She hears the engines start.

“Tighten your harness.”

Rolling her eyes, she does what he says.

“Done.”

“Alright, let’s get out of here.”

After nearly an hour of sharp maneuvers that have the Phoenix on its side several
times, they finally leave the Earth’s solar system. Taking a deep breath, Victoria finally relaxes.

“Nice flying.
” Lucas looks at her seeing the fatigue around her eyes.

“Had a good navigator, now get back there and get some sleep.”

“Soon, I need to see how they’re handling things so far.”

“Victoria!”

“I promise! I know my limits Lucas.” Releasing her harness, she leans over to give him a kiss. “Make sure you know yours. If that leg starts to bother you, shut her down. We’re out of the danger zone.”

Entering the living quarters, Victoria finds her father has already undone his harness and is helping Cyndy drink some water. Moving around the couch, she secures the harnesses.

“Can you undo yours
, Brett?”

“Yeah, I watched.
” As he does, he turns to hand it to her.

“Thanks
. Dad, have you got mom’s?” With them secured she comes back around. “How are you doing, mom?” Seeing the pale face, she quickly scans her.

“Tired.”

“Let’s get you to bed then.” Peter moves to help her up.

“Peter…”

“Dad, she needs to sit up. Mom, let's lie you back just a little then you can sleep, it should be smooth the rest of the way.” Victoria looks to her father.

“Did she keep the soup down?”

“Yes, but she had a coughing attack. I thought you said he could fly!”