Whatever We Do

Chapter One

Kane couldn't remember the last time he felt at peace. Not just happy, but completely at peace. Lately, all he had discussed with his peers was how much time they had until their imminent demise. Though Abby has always had a more optimistic view on their life span, Marcus knew there was no way around it. Either die of oxygen deprivation on the ship, or die on Earth from radiation.
"It's not that hot." Kyle Wick said as he opened the crawl space for Marcus.
Though Marcus believed that their death was near, he couldn't help but do everything in his power to get his people to the ground safely.
"Sinclair doesn't know what he's talking about." He says, earning a look from Marcus.
"It's a little warm." Kyle admits with a shrug. Marcus smirks as he rolls up his sleeves.
"So you're not going to try to talk me out of going?" Marcus asks, eyeing the small vent.
"Nope." Kyle says seriously. Marcus's smile falters and he nods, leaning down to begin crawling into the vent.
"When you die, can I have your shoes?" Kyle asks jokingly.
Marcus looks up at him and smirks, holding back a laugh.
"They're much too stylish for you." He says before ducking into the vent.
'A little warm' was a large understatement. Sweat dropped from Marcus' skin, soaking his clothes as he army crawled through the tight space. It was barely big enough for him to move his arms, let alone crawl comfortably. The crawl space was filled with Marcus' grunts and pants as he pulls himself through the space. He pauses with exhaustion as he sees a metal grate in front of him, stopping him from crawling any further.
With another groan, he punches the grate, breaking it loose, and pushes it aside to crawl further into the vent. He could feel himself getting light headed and dehydrated, but he forced himself to push through.
The vent only seemed to be getting hotter and longer. Just as Kane was about to give up and give in to the death he had been expecting, he saw it.
The end of the tunnel.
His movements became quicker as he pulls himself through the vent. Using the last bit of strength he has, he grabs the lever and yanks it down, opening the other end of the vent.
As soon as Marcus is out of the small, heated coffin, he runs to the service bay. Shining his flashlight through the glass of the door, all he could see was piles of bodies.
Wick's words came to his mind, and he reaches into his jacket to pull out the battery that was given to him. With shaky hands, he pulls open the door to the power source to his right and hooks up the battery, effectively opening the door.
Once the door opens, Kane takes his flashlight, shining it on the people inside who are quickly regaining consciousness. But his mind was focused on something else, or rather someone else.
"Come on, come on," he whispers, looking for her through the pile of people. He shines his light to the back corner of the service bay, stopping on the small figure laying limp against the wall.
"Hey," he whispers, rushing to her and turning her towards him.
"Hey, wake up." He pleads, shaking her gently. He grabs her sweaty face, his body filling with relief as she inhales deeply and opens her eyes.
"Abby." He whispers with relief.
"Wake up." He says again as her eyes slip shut. She opens her eyes again, looking into his.
"Hey." He says with a smile as she rests her sweaty cheek against his chest.
"It's so hot." She says, her voice sounding as weak as she looked. 
"I know." He says, one hand stroking her hair while the other is wrapped around her waist, holding her to his chest.
"We need to get back to Alpha Station." Kane says loud enough for the rest of the room to hear.
A couple people begin to rise and help those around them stand and make their way to Alpha station. Kane looks down at Abby, feeling confused. He and Abby had never really been friends, but they were never enemies. Sure they knew how to push each other's buttons but he never felt any malice feelings toward her. And in this moment, as he held her fragile body against his chest, he felt as though he never wanted to let her go. He needed to protect her, whatever the cost.
"Come on." He whispers, gently pushing her off of him, earning a groan. He grabs under both her arms and pulls her to her feet with him. He pauses as he notices dried blood on her forehead. He reaches up, his thumb softly tracing the outline of the blood stain, making her wince slightly.
"Diana?" He asks accusingly, to which she nods sadly.
"She left, Marcus. She took the ship. What're we going to do-"
"We'll figure it out. We always do." He says confidently, reaching up to tuck a piece of sweaty hair behind her ear.
She grabs his hand and looks at the burns on his skin.
"It was...hot..in the air duct." He says with a soft laugh.
"I need to wrap it." She says, guiding him out of the service bay.
"We need to get to Alpha station." He says, pulling her down the hallway.
"But you need-"
"After." He tells her.