The Stars Between -- (VLD)

[23] What's wrong?

           

Lance moved to help Roy as she gently moved Olly into a sitting position, but was stopped as Roy flung out an arm.

"Don't touch her." She ordered, turning her bright eyes onto him. Lance frowned, but took a step back. Satisfied at the distance between them, Roy cradled Olly in her arms, pressing their foreheads together.

It was a familiar position to Lance, the pose identical to that of when they had attempted to subdue Therra in the pod. He had told himself it was none of his business, but now with Olly lying unresponsive in Roy's arms, it had become his business.

"Olly come on, fight for me Olina!" Roy muttered, free hand reaching down to hold Olly's.

Lance noticed her face was carefully neutral, as if she was forcing herself to remain calm. Figuring it was important, Lance tried to do the same. Panicking would get them nowhere.

Olly's eyes fluttered and she let out a whimper. She reached up weakly to place a hand on Roy's cheek.

"Lance I need you to take off her jacket," Roy said.

"R-right—"

"And be careful not to touch her skin!" Mild panic was seeping into Roy's voice, and Olly shrieked, pulling her hands away from Roy.

"Shit! Olly, I'm sorry!"

Lance did as he was told, removing the jacket with as much care as possible. Roy Immediately moved one of her hands and held it over Olly's heart.

Lance's eyes caught on a mark stretching across Olly's collarbone. It was an old scar, faded over years and years, leaving only pale lines, illuminated in the light. He wasn't sure, but it looked kind of like numbers.

"What's wrong?" Matt asked, worry prominent in his voice.

Olly cried out and Roy turned towards him.

"Whatever you're feeling right now, push it down. Block it out. If you can't do that, get out, and move as far away as you can."

No one moved, and Lance too forced himself to push down the tiny bit of panic that he could still feel. He made himself completely calm, slowing his breathing.

Olly seemed to move her hand towards him for a moment, before it dropped to her side again with a groan.

"That..." Roy furrowed her brow in brief confusion. "That's- that's good! Lance, hold her hand for me, okay?"

Lance frowned "But you said not to touch her skin." He said.

"Whatever you're feeling – or not feeling, whatever – keep it going." Roy said, shuffling back to make room for Lance. "I think right now you're better for this."

Lance knelt down and grabbed Olly's hand, squeezing it tight.

"Pilot... I need Pilot..." Roy muttered to herself. Lance watched her, wondering what she was going on about. She stood up, tapping her prosthetic limb on the ground nervously. "Lahnce came back the other day, right?" she looked to Matt, knowing that he kept track of these things.

"Yeah." He confirmed.

"Mux, find Pilot for me, now." She said, arranging the chairs and motioning for Lance to place Olly on them.

Muxis pulled a device from his pocket, flicking a switch on the side as he left the room.

Roy moved back to Olly, watching over her as Lance continued to hold Olly's hands.

"That gets rid of our most unstable source." She murmured, motioning to the door. "He's no good drunk, I swear."

Olly's eyes fluttered open, and Lance watched as they took on a glassy quality.