Bad News

by

John Medkeff

and

Rebecca Miller

Mikala chewed on her bottom lip as she went looking for Darien. She was too excited to sleep.

Darien had returned from the cockpit and was brewing another pot of tea. "Where's Alidar?"

Mikala wrapped her arms tightly around herself. "He's resting in his quarters. He's sick. The medic said it's something contagious and he went to contact Sandy."

"You mean more than a cold?"

"I guess," she said softly. "He really doesn't look very good."

"He didn't sound very good either. Probably something more annoying than dangerous."

Darien examined the tea choices. "I think we've had enough caffeine. How about some chamomile?"

Mikala nodded distractedly. "That's fine." She sighed and moved to sit down on the couch.

He filled the tea ball and poured hot water over it. "Bad timing of course."

She leaned back and closed her eyes. "Is there any other kind?"

"Not that I've noticed." He joined her on the couch.

Mikala leaned against him. "You know, when we feel asleep here the other night, I didn't have bad dreams. First in a very long time."

"That's progress. I wonder what your aunt and Polly have been saying about us?" He put an arm around her. Darien asked.

She snuggled in. "I hope I'm not getting you in trouble."

"Not trouble, but I'll bet we're irresistible as gossip."

She made a face. "I seem to top subject any more."

"True. I expect you will continue to lead the hit parade for a while." He agreed.

She sighed and rested her head against his shoulder. "For somebody who's lived a pretty nonexistent life, I did make a pretty big splash at--" she stopped and then smiled, "at home."

"Yes, at home." He kissed her cheek.

She flushed a little. "I like the sound of that."

"The tea should be ready." He got up.

Mikala leaned back and watched him fix it. How could she have ever thought she hated him?

He returned with the tea and set the cups on the table beside her. Then he returned to his place beside her.

She gave him a small smile. "Thank you." She cocked her head. "I'm glad I didn't do what I had been tempted to do the first time I saw you."

"So am I. I might have had to hurt you. I'd hate that."

She looked at him. "You knew?"

"I could feel your hand tensing and your thoughts go to your lightsaber. Kieren felt it too. A year from now you'll be unable to miss such things yourself. Its all a matter of knowing what the movement of the Force means."

She nodded slowly. "I was scared. I was still hurting so much and my head was full of all those stories about the Jedi from my Grandmother and Xanatos."

He laughed. "I'm sure of that. I could see your fear. And I did what I could to allay it."

She nodded. "You kept your distance, which was a very good idea right then. I don't know what it was, but something about Kieren calmed me right down. I had never felt anything like that before."

"Kieren has the touch for peacemaking."

She smiled. "He does very well at it."

"Unless Keri is involved." Darien corrected.

"Those two are polar opposites."

"In every way."

She shrugged. "Maybe it's because they are twins."

"Maybe."

She glanced back towards the door that led to the personal quarters. "I wonder what the medic has found out from Sandy."

"Nothing important yet I'd say. Or he'd be telling us about it." He answered.

She nodded and reached for her cup of tea.

The cockpit door opened, and Tal entered the room. "I hate to disturb you too love birds but we have a serious problem."

Mikala flushed and unconsciously moved away from Darien.

"What's wrong?" Darien asked.

"Alidar is very sick. Sandy has been studying his monitors from the house. She doesn't like what she sees. We are going to land and then we're all going to the isolation ward. And Master Dmed has quarantined Yaven."

"Oh, my," Mikala said softly, shifting to sit against Darien again.

"Sandy's right. We'd better keep it on this ship." Darien said.

"Does she know what it is?" Mikala asked.

"Not yet. She needs samples form us. But first we get into isolation suites and go to the hospital." Tal said.

Mikala's face clouded. "It's that serious?"

"Very. Alidar just came form Yaven and they have people going into comas.

Mikala reached for Darien's hand.

He closed his around hers.

"I'm sorry," she said softly. "It's my fault of all of you get sick."

"Don't blame yourself." They both said together. "You could not have known. Darien finished."

She sighed deeply and leaned in against him, taking comfort from his presence. "Is there anything we can do for Master Alidar?"

"The medic has done what can be done at this time."

"What about the rest of us? When should be start to get sick?" Mikala asked.

"Sandy doesn't know. But she thinks it will be a couple of days." Tal answered.

Mikala hand tightened on Darien's.

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