<USS Avalon> "Duty Calls"

Duty Calls
Melanie Redgrave 
and
Elijah Dareth


He'd never felt so rushed in his life. Elijah had been part of the strike team 
to take back deck 5 from the invading forces and it was a vicious fight. He'd 
lost two men under him and had a rather nasty phaser burn along his upper arm 
where he'd barely been able to dodge. But that was the last thing on his mind 
at the moment. Though it had taken time to process the prisoners from the 
siege, Elijah had his mind only on Melanie and the baby.

"Hey man, how's your fiancé?" Malcolm clapped Eli's shoulder as he finally 
tossed the PADD onto his desk. "I didn't expect to find you here after what 
happened down in the Forensics labs. I figured you'd have been all over that."

"What do you mean? I just got here after cleaning up deck five."

"Oh god, so you didn't hear." 

The colour drained from Elijah's face. He bolted from the room, calling out 
orders for Mal to finish up for him. 

"They're all okay!" Mal yelled, trying for some reassurance.

The door to the Forensics lab slid open to reveal a harried looking security 
officer in dirty and burned uniform, pasty white. "Melanie!" he called, not 
seeing her right away.

Pauly came out of Melanie s office at the sound of the bellowing. "Sick bay 
called down and told her to go home, man. Something about her blood pressure." 

Without a word, Eli turned and ran back out the door mentally berating himself 
for not having inquired as to her whereabouts. But the relief of Pauly's words 
settled over him. She was alive and she had been seen in sickbay. He slowed his 
sprint to a fast jog all the way to their quarters. The door opened and he 
called out softer this time, "Mel, honey?" 

Melanie dropped the towel she d been using to dry her hair around her shoulders 
as she smiled, a great rush of relief rushing through her. "I?m in here, Love." 
She called out from the bedroom as she pushed herself off the bed and onto her 
feet

Elijah swept into the room and scooped her into a great huge hug, burying his 
face in her hair, the burning fright of earlier finally leaving him somewhat. 
"Tell me you're okay, sweetheart." 

"We re fine, Love. Melanie replied as she wrapped her arms around him, a slight 
tremble over taking her body as her emotions ebbed and faded. "My blood 
pressure?s a little high, but nothing to worry about." When she pulled back she 
noticed the burnt uniform. "Eli!" 

"God, I know, I'm a mess. And smell bad too, I'm sure. I'm sorry. I probably 
got you dirty." Fatigue began to take him as some of the adrenaline finally 
wore away. "I'm so glad you're all right," he said, releasing her a bit and 
resting a hand on her belly. "You too, Poppet."

"Are you hurt?" Melanie asked as she carefully started to remove the burnt 
jacket and shirt. "Anna?s really busy but I?m sure she?d send someone down." 
Once his shirt was off she looked at the burn carefully. "I could try and use 
the kit we have in the bathroom, it doesn?t look too bad."

He nodded, "It's not too bad. I just... just had to check on you." His hands 
shook a little as she ministered to him. 

Reaching up, Melanie ran her fingers through his hair before leaning in and 
kissing him deeply. "I?m fine, Love. Anna will be by when she can to do a full 
exam." She kissed him again and then smiled. "Now sit down on the bed while I 
get the kit from the bathroom." 

He complied while she fixed his arm. And then his com-badge went off. 

"Sierra to Dareth, Rimmer, Lombardo, and Hollander. Meet me at the 
Aeroshuttle." The voice cut through the room and felt like salt in an open 
wound. 

Elijah stood and reached for another uniform jacket, covering up the tear in 
his shirt with it. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart. Be safe. I love you so much." He 
couldn't help but wonder what was going on that Sierra needed him at that 
moment. The ship seemed calm now. 

I?m home for the night, Love, you need to be careful. She hugged him again and 
whispered in his ear. "Your daughter kicked today, Love, please be careful and 
come home so you can feel it next time." 

Elijah blinked back the tears that sprung to his eyes with such an 
announcement. "She's my saving grace." He kissed Melanie again and left without 
another word. 


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