Bathed Silver in Mercury

IX. Elerie

What had happened on that plane?

She had been checked over by a doctor - a few bumps and bruises, but nothing serious. No serious physical injuries.

She stared down at the photograph in her hand. It was folded, and a little torn around the edges - well-loved.

"Doctor Taylor," the doctor had said, holding out a little piece of paper. "I found this tucked in the inner pocket of Sergeant Morton's jacket."

Taking and unfolding it she had found their smiling faces in a photograph from their trip to Mexico when Nick had been on leave. Ellie and Nicky was written on the back. Nick's writing.

Oh Nick... She didn't know whether to laugh or smile or burst into tears at the photo itself, the memories it revived, ones she'd tried to trap away, deep, deep down, or the knowledge that he'd carried this close to him, in the inner pocket of his jacket, always close to his heart.

What had happened on that plane?

It had all happened so fast. First, she had nearly been strangled by her friend, then she had watched her friend be shot dead by her ex-husband, his best friend, and then the whole plane had gone crashing down, and Nick had given her the last parachute... Had saved her life.

Nick. Oh Nick...

"El? Elerie?"

Her head snapped up suddenly at the familiar voice. "Jenny?"

"Elerie - oh!" The blonde woman, a fellow archaeologist, appeared down the hall and was soon scooping her into her arms in a tight hug. "I came as quickly as I could - oh darling, I'm so sorry."

"Thanks Jen. I'm just - shaken, that's all." She shook her head. Physically she may be fine, but mentally - the whole event on the plane seemed to be seared into her mind, leaving her unable to stop witnessing it on repeat, over and over again in a vicious, never ending cycle.

What had happened on that plane?

"The doctor's asking for your help identifying the bodies. Do you think you're up to it?" Elerie slowly nodded, distant. "El, you don't have to-"

"N-no, I-I can do it."

Holding tightly onto Jenny's hand, the two archaeologists entered the morgue, accompanied by the doctor and nurse.

"Oh my God-"

"Oh!" Both Jenny and the nurse turned away, covering their eyes. The doctor turned away as well. Elerie only stared, eyes wide and jaw dropped.

At first she thought she must just be hallucinating. After everything, it would make sense. But no. There, in the centre of the morgue, stood Nick, very much alive.

"N-Nick?" she managed to squeak.

"Ellie!" He appeared just as startled. "What's happening?"

"Y-you're alive." She spoke in a voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah. What's-"

"You're here..."

"W-what's going on?"

"You're naked-" Her own blurting of it made her realize that she was still staring, and finally pulled her gaze away from the very much exposed Nick.

"What - oh!" Suddenly realizing this too, Nick covered himself with his hands the best he could and scooted behind a table, his bare feet squeaking on the morgue floor.

"What's happening? Where am I?" he asked, looking around frantically. "Who's in charge here?" But everyone was too shocked to answer.

Finally, all eyes turned to the doctor who slowly raised his hand, having confirmed the death less than an hour before, and was now looking terribly embarrassed. "I, um, I-I'm afraid there's been a horrible mistake..."

(Haha! Thanks so much for reading, hope you enjoyed!)