Serving the Commander

Royal hue

Lost in a silent abyss, suffocated by a thick black haze body feeling no pain only stillness. The feeling is hard to describe a weightless calm, almost nothing in sight but darkness with the slightest hint of blue in the distance pulsating irregularly sending the royal color in shock waves across the void 'it's not frightening instead it's the most peaceful I've felt in a very long time.' Rising an arm watching a cool swirl of black mist flowing around it 'am I dead? Is this what death is like?'

Minutes feel like hours, time spent gliding through the fog searching for the echoing blue glow, its visibility coming and going breaking the blackness with blinding vibrancy. 'Is it searching for me too?' Going towards the beautiful hue finally near enough to see it solidly stopping front of it, hearing with each pulse of color a familiar voice repeating the words "wake up...breathe...don't leave..." it sounds so worried, mind unable to place a face to it but heart fluttering with recognition 'why are they so upset I'm fine, what is troubling them so much.' reaching out fingers pressing against the blue cast causing it to ripple, the color surrounding and lifting you up hugging it's gentle embrace around your frame.

Carrying you tenderly across the black plain, body resting against it hearing a thumping like that of a beating heart but much more rapid than normal, occasionally hearing the muffled voice "we're almost there.... hold on.... I'm sorry..." The hue setting your body down releasing you, panic immediately sets in realizing now the only calming part of all this, was abandoning you, watching it fade again into darkness hand reaching out for it 'don't go I need you.'

Eyes flinging open focusing on the overpowering white light beaming down, squinting rubbing them blinking repeatedly finally a room coming into view, staring making out the shapes of long poles with beeping equipment attached, lined with cords trailing to your arm. Looking around there is a big glass door mostly covered by a curtain, a few misplaced chairs and a large bed currently housing your own body, confusion setting in mind unable to figure out what's happened. 'The last thing I remember is....' flashes of the soft red glow on the snowfall then to yourself foolishly handling Kylo's saber 'what was I thinking, did I end up hurting myself?' Slowly the memory of Kylo standing across from you arm outstretched, fury painted across his face, reaching up touching the very sore area of your neck wincing at the pain 'I remember now... it was Kylo... did he try and kill me? No... he wouldn't do that... would he?'

A nurse entering the room pulling you from thought, she walks forwards checking the IV pole pressing various buttons, raspy voice trying to speak "where am I ?" She jumps placing her hand over her chest "oh my gosh! You scared me, I am glad to see you awake it was very touch and go for a few days we almost lost you. You are in the medical ward there was an accident but lucky for you someone brought you to us just in time, it's going to be hard to speak for a while don't try and strain it will get easier, in the meantime here is a pen and note pad if you need to communicate it's best to use this for now." Grabbing the writing utensils flipping open to the first page scribbling *how long have I been out?* showing her the pad she replies, "just a little over three weeks." Eye widening, cracked voice "three weeks!" She shushes you "don't speak it will make it worse, you lost a lot of oxygen and your trachea was nearly collapsed it was in your best interest that we put you into a medically induced coma, we barely removed the breathing tubes this morning. You have improved a lot, should be able to return to normal life within the week. Is there anything else you need from me before I head to the next patient?" Writing *has anyone been visiting me?* nodding her head "oh yes a few people actually, a nice older woman comes around often, less occasionally now than the beginning a very strapping young man has stopped by he doesn't stay long though he's usually just checking in, the main person to visit you is actually none other than the commander himself he's here every day at sunset staying by your side all night. That man has spent many sleepless nights in this ward because of you my dear, I'm not going to pry but I've never seen him so focused on anything other than himself." She winks while pushing a syringe of cloudy liquid into the IV line saying "if you need me just press that button and I'll come running, I've just given you some more pain medication it may make you a little tired."

The room is empty again, not entirely sure her reply was the exact answer you were wanting 'why is Kylo staying with me isn't he the one who caused this? More importantly why isn't James the one who stays, why is he only stopping by sometimes? What does this all mean?' Glancing at the clock seeing its already six pm, eyes growing heavy only being awake for no more than an hour still it is nearly impossible to keep them open, continuously nodding off.

The sound of a door sealing shut waking you, confused momentarily again before focusing on the large shadowy figure standing back against the bed reading a chart. "You're awake, I'm glad... I can leave if I make you uncomfortable." Logically every bit of you should want him to leave after all he is the very reason for the hospital stay, but instead trying to speak "...no... don't." His body stiffens by the sound of your voice, standing there solid for a few moments before walking around the bed to the recliner beside it, his head never facing up he sits in a recoiled position arms resting on his legs hands clasped tight together. The two of you sit in silence for a while before taking the note pad writing *where is James* handing it to him, watching his shoulders slouch he passes it back "don't worry about him right now okay, use your strength to get better. It's my understanding that he usually comes by before work in the morning, but I don't know for sure I'm usually gone by then." Nodding, the medication kicking in strongly the last thing seen before falling asleep is Kylo sitting back in the recliner in his hands are a familiar journal and pen, he is writing studiously.