Before The End

Landing

AN: Hey this is just a little fic about Kenji and Nazeera, set right after they return from Oceania.
Hope you enjoy it!

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My head is trying to kill me. If it doesn't kill me, my exhausted body would. The doors slowly burr open, a rush of people. Flash of lights. I stagger out the door myself, watching as a trolley comes and lifts J's body onto it. Warner stands there, holding her hand the entire time. I see the rest of the supreme kids, walking casually as if they weren't half dead themselves.
All heading off in the same direction
Adams also on a trolley thing, being wheeled off. I see Nazeera, face expressionless even though she's carrying someone out of the plane. A lifeless someone.
Emmaline.
It's a whole mess.

As everyone speeds away, I take a moment to breathe.
Kneel with my hands on my knees, air struggling to reach my lungs.

"Kenji."
Castle's concerned voice brings me back. As I look up at him, he crushes me into a hug. Not unusual, but it reminds me of how badly I need comfort like this.

When we separate, I give him a grin. Show him I'm fine. Physically.
"I heard about what happened in Oceania." He makes a tsk sound, shakes his head. I'm suddenly confused.
"Already? Who told you?"

"Who else? You don't look fit to speak right now."
Nazeera walks up to us, face tense. She seems calm despite what just happened. On the plane and on the base.

"Cmon." She takes my wrist and leads me somewhere, with Castle in tow. I don't know where we're going but when I look to Castle he smiles, gesturing at Nazeera and I.

Nazeera stops at a tent. The medical tent I realize. When we enter, all I see is Sonya and Sara rushing around. Machines beeping loudly, Warner sitting next to an unconscious Juliette.
She's silent now, at least she isn't screaming in pain. Warner's eyes are dead set on her. Unmoving.

I know she'll be okay. I know soon she'll wake up and the world will be happy. All sunshine and lollipops.
I know it.

I go up to the bed myself but get pushed back.
"No. This place is too crowded. You guys can wait outside." Sonya says, handing some doohickey to Sara who puts that on Juliette's face.

"But wait wait-" a soft hand pulls me back as I try arguing with the twins. I need to see J.
"Let them do their thing for now." I hear Nazeera whisper. I turn to face her but she's already walked out.
There are chairs lining the outside of the medical tent.
Castles gone apparently.

I take a seat next to Nazeera, who is looking to her right. I'm about to talk to her, I haven't talked to her since the plane. And even then she was....quieter than usual. Focused on getting us out of there. She's so amazing, I'm not sure we would have escaped without her.

Suddenly, a hand claps my shoulder. Winston and Brendan beside him.
"Hey we heard you guys were back."

Behind them, I see Ian and Lily. Alia rushes towards the medical tent. Adam.
"Is Adam okay? I didn't see him." I stand up and half wobble until Nazeera drags me back to sit. Good idea, my legs are killing.

Brendan sighs, "he's...the girls won't tell us much. They say we have to wait for details."
I nod, processing this. Adam, sick in bed. Juliette, unconscious yet alive thankfully. It's okay, they'll be okay. I'm sure of it.

Ian drops into a seat as well, as do the rest of my friends. We chat while waiting for news. They catch me up on the rebuilding of the Sanctuary since the battle.

Ian nods at me,"how about you?"
I shrug, happy to have some sort of normal conversation. "Nothing much has been happening, what with all the trying not to die."
"Oh right," he sucks in a breath, giving me an apologetic look.
Well other than that, one good thing has happened. I face Nazeera, who's still there staring at the wall to her right. She's lost in her own thoughts, focused intensely on the white structure. I would've thought she left ages ago, she hasn't spoken a single word. But I would have noticed if she did leave, her presence affects me too much to simply ignore.

I hesitantly reach out and give her hand a squeeze. Nazeera stops, looks down, then looks back at me. I smile slightly, it takes her a moment to return it. Nazeera looks back at the wall, except now her fingers are intertwined with mine.
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We sit there for maybe 2 hours, enough time for the sun to set and the lanterns to light up.
Finally, Sonya and Sara walk out.
I leap out of my seat, prompting them to explain.
"Juliette is stable. She's unconscious and may not wake for a while. Her body has been through a lot and requires rest."

I exhale a sharp breath. That is not what I wanted, but it could have been worse.
"And Adam?" Brendan asks.
Sara clasps her hands, "he's well. Stable enough to wake up sooner than Juliette."

Okay, okay that's good. At last some good ish news.
Although we don't know exactly when they will wake up. It could be days, weeks- okay no stop stressing yourself even more dumbass.

I didn't register that everyone was leaving.
"Get some sleep mate." Brendan claps a hand on my shoulder while Winston drags him away. Just me left. Wait no, Nazeera.

She's started walking too, only a few steps away from me.
"Hey wait." I grab her arm, causing her to still. She turns her body, face solemn. I miss her smile, though she's beautiful either way.
"Where are you going?"

Nazeera frowns slightly, "to bed. You should get some rest too, we've been through a lot."

I know I need sleep, my body is aching for it. But I want to talk to her, be with her. Figure out what's wrong and fix it however I can.

"I-I know that." I start,
"You could- uh come to my room instead."
That makes her take a step back, raise her eyebrows.
"Excuse me?"

"No, no not like that. Like-" I swallow, try to put my thoughts into proper sentences.
"I just don't want to be alone right now." I managed to say. I really don't, my head hurts from thinking about everything right now. J. Adam. Whatever the hell is happening with Warner, I think he's sleeping on the floor of that damn medical tent right now.

Nazeera blinks, I see a wave of some sort of understanding dawn in her honey eyes. She inspects me then answers,
"Okay."

That simple 4 letter word makes me break out into a huge grin. Nazeera's lips curve up slightly, but drop quickly after as she leads the way.
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AN: Hope you like this first chapter