The Fractured Veil

Chapter Seven

A week goes by. Takeshi barely leaves Alexandra's side. He is constantly tormented by the thought of what he will have to say when she finally regains consciousness. "Hey glad you're awake, time to go die!" How could he possibly say that in any way that makes it sound like she has a chance. Would she even understand that she would be sent to her death? Is there nothing he could do? He grabs her hand gently and holds it between both of his. "I'm so sorry." He says with tears pouring down his cheeks. "I shouldn't have let you fight him. I should have just accepted his taunts. This is my fault!" Takeshi is now buried in his arms, still holding her hand. The doctor, Aiden Thorsen, put a hand on Takeshi's shoulder.

"You shouldn't blame yourself." He says over Takeshi's shoulder. "She did this to protect you. She knew the risk when she stood up for the second fight." Takeshi is still partially hunched over. Aiden turns to walk back to his desk. "Get some rest kid. You need it."

Takeshi stands up and turns to him. Anger and tears dropping from his cheeks "WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT IT!? SHE WAS NOT READY FOR THAT FIGHT! AND SHE IS NOT READY FOR THIS MISSION ALONE! I've... doomed her to this fate." Takeshi closes his eyes. "There's nothing I can do to save her."

Aiden turns to look at Takeshi over his shoulder. "Sure there is. Let her know that there's something worth coming back to. That's not a sniveling mess. Let her know how proud you are of her." Takeshi's eyes go wide and his mouth drops. "If someone has something to fight for, there's almost nothing that can stop them from coming back to that something." Takeshi sits back down in his chair, utterly speechless. "Think about what you will say to her. Try to make it sound like she will make it back, and that you'll be waiting for her." Takeshi looks down. Already lost in thought. Aiden continues to walk away.

"Thank you doctor." Takeshi mutters. Aiden doesn't respond and walks out of the room, closing the door behind him.

A few more hours go by. Takeshi doesn't leave Alexandra's side. All the while thinking of what to say to her when she finally wakes up. He still isn't one hundred percent sure of what to say, or how to say it. He knows he needs to sound positive, and be proud of her for it. But he doesn't know how to sound positive, he's never had to sound positive to anyone before. He keeps thinking. And thinking. And thinking. Until late in the night and he finally passes out. Mentally exhausted.

At nearly two o'clock in the morning Alexandra eyes finally start opening slowly. Moonlight pouring in through the windows, she is able to look over and see Takeshi asleep holding her hand. She sits up slowly, though the pain in her chest makes it difficult to do so. She places her free hand on her chest where the cut was made. It is tightly bandaged and she can feel it has been stitched up well. She wonders how long she has been asleep. It's impossible to tell since there's only a clock in the room. She places her other hand on Takeshi's head gently. This stirs him from his sleep. He looks up at her and smiles with elation that she's awake. He quickly hugs her, his arms trembling. She smiles and hugs him back gently. "Ow" she says softly. Takeshi realizes that she is still very injured and lets go just as quickly as he grabbed her.

"Sorry! I was just really concerned" Takeshi apologizes

"It's okay." She says weakly, with a smile still on her face. "How long have I been asleep?" She asks fraily. Takeshi looks down solemnly as he realizes what he has to do now.

"A little over a week." Alexandra looks confused.

"Was my wound really that bad?"

Takeshi nods "It was very deep. It's lucky we got to the doctor as quickly as we did." Alexandra blushes slightly and giggles weakly.

"I remember you carrying me." Takeshi blushes

"Don't tease me!" He looks to the side "I was worried okay?" Alexandra giggles more and puts a hand on his head.

"Thank you for worrying" Takeshi smiles again at her. Forgetting that he has to tell her that she will be going on the mission today. "So did you have to do the mission alone?" Alexandra asks. "I'm sorry. That must have been very difficult." Takeshi's lip quivers as he tries to find the words to say.

"No. I didn't go on the mission." He manages to struggle out. Alexandra goes to speak again but Takeshi cuts her off. "Actually, the leader came and spoke with me after your fight with Marrow. He told me how impressed he was that you were able to beat him. He told me to let you know that he thinks you can complete the mission on your own!" Takeshi smiles a fairly obvious forced smile. "Isn't that great!"

Alexandra loses her smile and looks at Takeshi. "You're not a good liar, you know?" Takeshi's facade crumbles. "I seem to have caused a lot of trouble. I'm sorry."

Takeshi shakes his head, takes her hand quickly and stops her from saying any more. "Don't be sorry! You've nothing to be sorry for!" He spits out. He takes a moment to think of what he can still say. She is looking down sorrowfully. He just says the first thing that comes to his mind "Thank you!" He smiles at her.

She looks at him surprised. "For what?"

He opens his eyes to look into hers "For defending me. For looking out for me. For not giving up." Takeshi is now pouring his heart to her. "You fought against someone so much stronger than you to defend me. And you won. I'm so proud of you!" He hugs her softly. Tears start welling up in her eyes. "You never hesitated to put yourself at risk for me. Even though you were injured you still assured me that you were going to win! You were absolutely incredible!" Alexandra is now fully crying over Takeshi's shoulder. "Since you were there for me, I promise, to always be there for you! To defend you in your times of need! And to always stand by your side! I will be waiting here for you. Always" Takeshi is crying softly over Alexandra's shoulder, she is buried into his. "Make it back to me. I know you can do this." He pulls her back a bit to look into her eyes. "Will you do that for me?"

Alexandra wipes her eyes. "Yes" She says smiling.