Breathe in

Helpless

(Hello, hooray, we're back!)

Jenny's foot tapped nervously as she waited in Admiral Sanda's office. What was she doing here? Had they found out? They couldn't have- she hadn't told anyone, how would they know?

The door opened, and Keith was pushed firmly in, his wrists locked in handcuffs. His eyes flicked around frantically, analytically, looking for a way out. Then his eyes settled on her, and she flinched. Betrayal. Anger. She wanted to hand him his inhaler, which she still had in her pocket, and tell him that she hadn't ratted him out, that she didn't know how they'd found out, but she couldn't, not with the security guard in the room with them.

Admiral Sanda strode in, glaring at both of them. "Let's get started."

Xxx

Keith glanced around, hoping to find a way out, but he was pushed into a chair next to Dr. Jenny, Admiral Sanda's eagle-sharp eyes locked them.

"So. You were harboring Keith Kogane?"

Dr. Jenny's lips were pressed together, clearly trying to hold back tears, but she looked Sanda right in the eye and nodded.

"We found him in your house. You were hiding him from us. You knowingly harbored a fugitive?"

Dr. Jenny's voice was wavery. "He was supposed to be dead. Or are corpses fugitives now?"

"You knew we were looking for him! So, yes, you harbored a fugitive!"

Dr. Jenny lifted her chin. "A child in need knocked on my door and asked for help. I took an oath to the Garrison, yes, but before that, I took the Hippocratic oath. To heal and never to harm. Which would you have me violate?"

Keith's mind short-circuited. Fugitive? Harboring? Hiding? They hadn't come to Dr. Jenny's house because she'd told them he was there?

"You've broken the law. You've impeded justice."

"Then tell me what he's done!"

"Stop!" Keith interrupted, "Stop, it's not her fault." He looked at Dr. Jenny. "You can stop."

Dr. Jenny blinked. "What?"

"I threatened her," Keith told Sanda, "I told her that if she didn't help me out, I'd kill her. And if she ratted me out, I'd get away, and I'd kill her sister."

A small smirk crossed Sanda's face. "You have no reason to tell me that. Unless you're lying to bail her out."

Keith stared her dead in the eye. "Just because if youthreatened someone you'd let them take the fall, it doesn't meant that Iwould. I can't let her take the fall because I threatened her. I have a conscience, which is more than I can say for you."

Admiral Sanda's eyes lit up with fury. "How dare you—"

"You're not my commanding officer anymore. I don't have to show you anyrespect!"

Admiral Sanda's gaze flicked to Dr. Jenny. "Get out. You're lucky that I'm not court-marshaling you, and if you keep your job, it'll be a miracle."

Dr. Jenny gulped and got up to go, passing by Keith on her way out. He felt something settle into his pocket, and he recognized the familiar weight of his inhaler. The ghost of a smile crossed his face. He wasn't exactly sure what Sanda wanted with him—although the surgeries that Iverson had been talking about came to mind—but he doubted he'd get to keep the inhaler.

Still. He was glad to have it.

Once Dr. Jenny was gone, Sanda turned her gaze on Keith. "I'd suggest you watch your mouth, Kogane."