0-SA (The Last Ship Series)

Chapter Seventy-Two: Exposed

"Osa..."

"Must we talk about this now, Raven?" He spoke quietly as he held her in the cot, "I have to go speak with Lou soon. I just, I want to hold you a while longer." Osa hadn't offered to leave Raven's side hardly at all. He had no interest in it at the time. He just wanted to take care of her. The wish to fix all of this was immense. The Irinaut had been attempting to heal her and the unborn child all night, but it only failed. Osa was exhausted, frustrated, and defeated. This was his doing, and he couldn't stop it if he wanted to. He knew this now.

Raven rolled on her side to face Osa. Her hair was drenched, as were her clothes. They had found the only real relief was keeping her cooled down, "Osa.." She reached her hand up to his cheek, "I don't want you to think this is your fault. I, I know I'm going to die, but I need to know that you and Luna are both safe." She swallowed, "If telling Lou about our daughter is the only choice we have then you must. I want to see her, and I want you two to get the hell off this planet." Even now the woman was stern. She never was one to back down. Even from the Irinaut, "Osa please."

The male whined lowly. His golden veins pulsed up through his neck and chest. It was obvious he was stressed. Even now, he had tears streaming down his cheeks, but he was rather calm. He couldn't hide his pain, "If I tell them about Luna, she could just become another partner for them to breed. I do not know what they will do, Raven. I cannot see their thoughts. They could be lost to this world already." He ran his palm against the damaged Hollows. Since that night over sixteen years ago when he had been injured by Raven's old crew and Bruno, his telepathy had never been the same, "I am going to see if Lou could possible return us home due to the circumstance and no more. I do not wish to release the secrecy on Luna just yet, my love. I-"

"Stop this." Raven glared at him, "As much as you wish for her to be kept hidden away, it can't continue. We need their help. Luna can't stay in that ship anymore, Osa. I-it's falling apart and you know it!" Her eyes filled with tears, "We can't keep trying to put it back together, Osa. We're running out of options." Raven was scared. Everything was just coming out. The fear for her daughter and Osa's life was still there. She didn't know what else to do but beg for sanctuary with the tribe. They had a ship; they had a way out.

Osa looked away with a low whine. He knew Raven was right, but he couldn't accept it. Not just yet. The Irinaut  hadn't quite accepted that the ship was falling apart, but listening to Raven just seemed to make something click. He pressed his forehead against Raven's own, tears rolling down his cheeks, "I will do what needs done, my love. If it means going with Lou to get this ship, then I suppose I have no choice, do I?" He smiled softly, "I will get her off this planet. I will get us both off this planet. For you."

Raven smiled weakly as her eyes welled with tears. She left out a short laugh before wrapping her arms around Osa's shoulders and cuddling close to him, "Thank you, thank you so much."

Osa immediately hugged his mate around her waist and pulled her small frame against his own. The male pressed his lips against her forehead and closed his eyes, "No, thank you, Raven." He inhaled deeply with a quiver to his breath. The Irinaut was doing everything he could to stay strong for her, "When I speak with Lou, I will speak to him about bringing our Little Moon home."

The two rested quietly in the bed in that same position. Osa held Raven close as they both wept. Osa already felt lost even though she was right there. Fear of the loss was consuming him. Though while lost in thought, Zio could be heard barking out from behind the door.

'Osa?' He hissed out, 'Lou wishes to see us immediately. Something is wrong.'

Osa hummed out. He glanced back at the door, and then down to Raven. He wasn't ready to get up. He didn't want to leave her side any longer than he had to. The male barked out, 'Can it wait, Zio? I planned on going within the hour.'