Another Mark 3

*CHAPTER EIGHTEEN*

Coming to the surface of the ocean and having the top of the evacuation pod fly off, I took in a deep breath. Gasping harshly to breath I ripped my helmet off and sat up. The pod then opened, allowing me to stand. I was about to do so when I felt horrible pain in my back. Trying to stand, I cried out and kneeled back down. Suddenly I heard a splash to my left. Turning I saw the other evacuation pod...Raleigh. Pushing past the extremely agonizing ache in my back, I jumped into the water. To be honest the water kinda helped, but swimming did not. Reaching Raleigh's pod, I pulled myself onto it, panting and whimpering as I did so. Siting on the pod, I pushed the emergency trigger to fly the head of the pod off. Opening it I saw Raleigh, his eyes closed and what seemed to be an extremely foggy helmet. Ripping the helmet off and chucking it to see, I placed my hand on his neck. Looking into the pod, I saw a radio which would obviously get me to communicate with Tendo, Herc, Mako, Newt and Hermann. 

"I can't find his pulse." I cried as I looked at him. The cut on his lip form the fight with Chuck pinker then ever. His hair, messy and soaked and his eyes not making the slightest of movements. "I don't think he's breathing." I panicked as I started to feel tears again. I could tell Tendo was trying to find some sort of vital sign. "Raleigh. Raleigh. Raleigh?" I called but there was no response.

"Kristen, listen to me." Tendo instructed as I grabbed Raleigh's neck and pulled him to my chest. "It could be the sensors are not working." Tendo's voice echoed away as I held Raleigh close to me.

"Don't go. Don't go. Please... I've lost everyone. Pentecost, Josie, even Chuck! I cant lose you..." I whispered as I held him, resting my head in his neck. "Please."

"You're squeezing me too tight." I heard someone wheeze, pulling my head out as they coughed I released immediately. "I couldn't breathe." Raleigh said, looking deeply into my eyes. He smiled as I pulled him into a light hug. We both laughed as we did so from his small joke.

"This is Marshal Hercules Hansen and Lieutenant Mako Mori." Herc's voice came faintly from the radio as Raleigh and I held each other. "The Breach is sealed." A pause... "Stop the clock!" He yelled. Cheers where heard and Raleigh pulled away, kissing my on the forehead, then looking back to me.

"You did it." I said but Raleigh shook his head, smiling.

"No, we did it." I smiled and leaned my head forward to rest on his.

"Kristen. Raleigh. We have your position. The choppers are on their way. Just, just hang on. Are you okay?" Tendo explained as Raleigh and I looked deep into each other's eyes.

"I love you." I whispered as Tendo's calls for us echoed in the background.

"I love you too." Raleigh replied. We leaned in for a kiss, holding each other as we waited for the choppers. Once releasing each other, smiling and laughing the choppers dropped to the pod. We both stood and entered into the helicopter, me walking and climbing slowly. "How's your back?" Raleigh questioned as we lifted into the air.

"Bad. Really bad." I whimpered as we sat down and the helicopter took off.

Once we got back to base I had sudden flushes of memory. The same helipad we are landing on was the first time I saw Raleigh since his battle with Knifehead. This made me tear up. He was traveling with Pentecost and he was...he was now gone. Raleigh seemed to have seen my face for he placed his hand around my waist and made me place my hand around his shoulder. As we settled and the chopper, my eyes began to drop again. Feeling us land on the ground my eyes fully closed and I leaned onto Raleigh. I felt his hand wrap under my leg as he carried he out of the chopper. I could hear voices and the wind as we exited.

"Raleigh!" Herc's voice cried as Raleigh stopped walking.

"Marshal." If I was awake or had control of my face I would smile and congratulate him, and Mako. I could imagine Herc making some gesture.

"What's happened here?" He questioned. He must have gestured to my sleeping figure in Raleigh's arms. I heard a sigh before he talked.

"Injury, I guess you could say. She just needs to rest." Raleigh explained. I imagined Herc nodded and moved because Raleigh started to walk again. Moments later I was rested in a bed. It could have been mine or Raleigh's, but I assumed it would be Raleigh's for he doesn't have a key to my room. "Get some rest." I heard him whisper and then I was left alone as the door closed.