Smugglers Cove (Love2write and Silence)

In the navigation room Killian checked the status of the flight. Tilting his head he tried to look at the baby tucked against his shoulder. He sat in the room barely long enough to finish his logs and then he leaned the chair back and fell asleep. Claire nuzzled into the familiar shoulder and tucked her little fists under herself. As the afternoon wore on she was adjusted to lay under his chin and the baby hooked a fist just inside the neck of his shirt. Killian woke up when one of the alarms on the ship alerted him that they were about to be landing on the planet.

Anna stood outside waiting when they landed the ship. She hadn't heard anything when they got closer. "I wonder how Star is doing." Last she remembered the woman had been terrified about giving birth to an alien baby. When the back of the ship opened and Star walked out with a baby her eyes almost popped out of her head. "Oh my gosh!" Rushing over Star she peered under the blanket. Killian was in the ship collecting something, but she was curious about the little one. "Is it a boy or a girl?" A grin came to her face. "Little Claire. She's so pretty." When the girl's eyes opened she could see that familiar brilliant green eyes like her dad's. "You can tell that's daddy's girl with those eyes can't you?"
 
"She's a girl. Her name is Claire." Star chuckles, tilting the newborn a little so Anna could have a better look. "All the pretty looks she gets from me." Star smiles at Kato as he walks up, her jaw dropping in shock at his appearance. He'd grown! A few inches up and out. His body had the build of a new muscle-builder and there was something about his expression that radiated confidence now. "K...kato? What the heck?"
"Ah, this...yes...well, you can think Killian's bone marrow transplant for this." His voice was hilariously unchanged and didn't seem to quite match his body anymore. They all shuddered as a cold winter wind blew in. The baby immediately began to cry. Star tucked Claire close to her chest as Kato ushered them inside. Once in their room he immediately did a full check up on both Claire and Star.
"Hmmm...you're running a slight fever." Kato notes, pulling away the thermometer. "Have you been having pain using the restroom?"
"Yes, but I thought that was just a left-over side effect from the birth."
"I'm afraid not...it could mean you have a kidney infection. I'm going to run some extra tests and then we'll get some anti-biotics going if that's the case. For now, more rest and lots of fluids."
"Ugh..." Star groaned and bounced Claire as she began to whine again. "How's Claire looking?" She asks in concern.
"She's a bit underweight but that's to be expected with a pre-term baby. Honestly, she's not as underwieght as she should be...might have to do with the Chippequoti blood. Either way, feed her as often as she'll let you and be sure to make sure you're eating as healthy a diet as possible. Everything you eat is what she eats now."
"Yeah, yeah...I know."
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Star sat nearby as Anna held little Claire. She smirks at the little lady, unable to help herself with the question, "Don't suppose you two are pregnant yet...or are you both still stalling due to Kato's extreme superman growth."
 
Killian followed the group inside. Star and Claire were going into Kato's little in home office to get their first check up. While they were busy he scrolled through some deals of transporting goods. He could do that for a few weeks since they would probably want to stay here and make sure both Star and the baby were alright. It was a good way to make some extra money and get started on life again. Eventually Star and Claire came out.

Almost immediately Anna wanted to hold the baby. "So pretty." Smiling a little the woman brushed one of her fingers gently along the side of the baby's cheek. The baby instinctively made the suckling lips and turned the direction of where her cheek was being brushed. Anna held the baby a little closer. "You're going to grow up to be a beautiful girl, smart, and probably a tad bit mischievous." It was almost a guarantee with her parents that she would grow up to get into trouble. Of course Star scooted in when the guys had wandered off to talk about something else.

Anna couldn't help the slight chuckle. "Oooh you think I'm in a hurry to pop one of these out of my hooha?" Shaking her head she continued. "I like the superman version of Kato and I like a few other things that happen with it, but I'm still wanting to wait to have a baby." Meeting Star's gaze the usual grin fell from her face. "I can't afford to get pregnant right now. He's been working on that clinic and I have my own kind of work that he doesn't know about yet. With wealth comes expectations."

Getting up from the sofa she started toward her room. "I've got something for you." Still cradling the baby in one arm she wandered over to her dresser and pulled the top drawer open. Fishing around inside of it she grabbed a small key and shut the dresser again. "Here take the baby for a minute." Once the baby was passed back to her mother the little blonde stepped into her closet and disappeared for a few minutes. When she returned she had a small handful of cash and a note. "I've paid the doctor for his research and silence. He has relocated to an alternate location a bit closer to your new home." Somehow it seemed that Star was surprised. "Oh don't worry. Kato never told me where it was. I put a tracker on him so I would know where he was at. I can't leave this place but the doctor can and he will be of help to you and the baby. His location is only 2 days travel and that series of numbers is his location and the second set is his communications. He is very pleased to be monitoring the health of yourself and your family."

Quickly tucking the little note and bundle of credits into a pouch she handed it to Star. "Take it. You will have need of the doctor I'm sure." With the lifestyle that they lived it would be inevitable and from what she and Kato knew it was better to let the doctor who knew about the Chippequoti handle those things. Returning the key to its place in her dresser she closed it and resumed her usual little carefree grin. "I wanted to ask you about..." Just as she was finishing her little change of persona the guys walked past the doorway and then returned.

"Hey I was wondering where you were." Killian looked at Star and then Anna. "Of course you'd all go hide the baby from the doctor." Smirking a little he stepped in the door. "You ok staying here for a few days while I make a few runs transporting stuff? We need to stay for one more mom and baby check up anyway."
 
"Anna...this is too much! I can't..." Star smiles at her friend as she shoved the pouch into her pocket. Anna was always taking care of them. She looked up at Killian as he entered the room, frowning slightly at his question. "So soon? She nods silently at his answer, not liking that he was headed out so soon after the baby was born but understanding his reasoning. She looked over at Anna. "Guess this just means more holding time for you." She chuckles lightly, forcing a smile.

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“How many survivors?” Timo asks as he helps the last woman and her children onto the ship.
“A total of 12 this time. 7 Children, 4 women, 1 guy.” Curly shakes his head. “The colony raiders are becoming more efficient. Soon, we won’t be finding any survivors.”
Timo glared out across the settlement they’d just evacuated the survivors from. The bodies of dozens of men, women and children lay scattered about. Those not lucky enough to hide or be killed were enslaved for the killing games or other such horrors.
He hurried back inside the ship and raised the ramp, heading to navigation.

“The humans in this system were fine before Killian started his raids.” Timo growls. “That man only gives a damn about himself...doesn’t even stop to think about the consequences.”
“What are you going to do?” Curly asks, coming to stand beside him as he launched the ship.
“I’m going to talk to him. If he’s going to make a mess, he’s sure as hell going to help clean it up.”
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It had been almost 10 months since Timo had left his former crew to strike out on adventure on his own. He’d forgotten to exchange contact details with Star or anyone else, but in a way...it was a relief not to even think about that past...aiming for the future. Unfortunately, current events on many planets was making that impossible. Current events instigated by Killian. Wherever that man seemed to go, chaos followed. He’d forgiven him for the past, but trust…that was still far from being earned.

He landed the ship in the bay and passed out the credits to the boy’s, holding back ship costs for a later date. The guys whooped with glee as they dashed out into the marketplace. This was one of the few planet yet where humans remained predominantly in control.

Anna was the first person Timo saw as he approached the house. As usual she was working in the garden. “Hey, Anna!” He waves a hand, then gawkes as Star comes out of the house with a tiny baby in her arms.
“What!? Who? I wasn’t gone that long! Who had a baby!?”
Star laughs. “I did. You’ve been gone almost 10 months, Timo.”
“What? You and Killian? Even though he’s...alien.” Timo asks incredulously, setting down his bag and taking Claire in his arms as Star offer her to him.
“Careful, Claire is only about a week old. Support her neck.” Star helps adjust his arms.
“She’s so beautiful.” Timo gapes in awe, letting the babe grab his finger. “Wow...nice job, Star.”
Star chuckles. “Thanks, kid.” She ruffles his hair. “Good to have you back, Timo. Come on inside and tell me about your travels. Found a girlfriend yet?”
Timo laughs at her. “Actually…”
“No!”
“Yeah...a refugee I helped rescue a few months back. Prya. She’s with her family right now on another planet.”
“Good for you, Timo.” Star pats his shoulder, taking Claire back as she began to fuss. He opens the door for her and Andy.
“Hey, uh, is Killian here? I need to talk to him.”
“Wow, straight down to buisness.” Star smirks. “No, he’s going to be gone for a few days. Transport shipment.”
“He left you alone? So soon after the birth?” Timo asks incredulously.
“I’m not alone, Timo. I have Anna and Kato. Besides, we need the money and the supplies. This baby sorta came a month earlier than expected."
Timo nods but internally more irritated than before at Killian. If that were his child, he wouldn't have left her side for even a moment, especially so soon after.
 
Killian gave Star a kiss and gently kissed the top of the baby's head before he left. "We'll be back in a few days." More than likely he could pick up a little lucrative smuggling job on the side of making a legitimate transport. It was always best to work two jobs at the same time. Besides he had already made several modifications to ensure that the ship would be well stocked and prepared for such little endeavors. The crew seemed to want to know if they were going to be dividing the money between all the colony or just themselves. "Nah this is just our job. When we take out the whole fleet it's for the settlement and then this isn't a raid. Only smuggling." He'd planned that eventually they would turn to smuggling with only an occasional raid as it was needed. Most of the men he'd found were restless souls like himself and they needed something besides gardening to appease their spirit's longing for action.

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Seeing Timo back was somewhat good and at the same time upsetting. Anna knew that he couldn't be back because he wanted to make a casual visit. If in 10 months she hadn't seen him it was because he had no desire to visit. Star and Killian on the other hand were a different story. They visited and they came for reasons. Perhaps Timo had reason to. Waving slightly she resumed her work and listened as he spoke to Star.

There was that tone in the boy's voice. One that her trained ears detected with ease. Timo was upset. For what reason she could only guess. Chances were it had something to do with Killian. The man seemed to enflame folks for one reason or another. It was never just one thing or another. Not to mention there was a certain level of excitement that followed him wherever he went, and disaster his constant companion. Gathering the last of the flowers from her garden for the vase she wandered over to where the others were. "Why don't come on in?"

The next few days seemed to pass slowly. Anna could feel the tension rising. That evening she sat next to Kato at the table and smiled at him. Poor man still thought that all the troubles were coming from Killian. He couldn't know what she was doing in regards to this rising war. Everyday at the parties and social events she attended to keep her face she heard more news.

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It was odd to see that another ship was already here at the bay. On the side of it was written Comet. That told Killian everything he needed to know. The boy had come here for help. Killian clenched his jaw and started toward the building. Knocking the door of the house he then pushed the door open and stepped inside. He didn't even get a chance to see Star and Timo was getting in the way. At first the captain side stepped to go around, but Timo stopped him.

Timo stood as Killian entered the room. "Hey, Killian. We need to talk"

Killian glanced at the boy and nodded. "Yeah what is this about?"

"Have you heard about the raids on the human colonies in the outer regions?"

Slowly he shook his head. "What raids?"

"Well, ever since you pulled that stunt at the killing grounds the masters have been craking down hard on free human colonies. Those they don't massacre they enslave or send to the killing grounds. My crew and I have been trying to get people out before the raid's but we are running out of safe planets to take them"

Killian's face darkened and he growled. "It was going to happen one way or another. I'll just start makign more raids. I got men that are chomping at the ibt for some kind of action." The answer was the only one that could in the long run make sense. "I need more settled type folk so you can bring them to me."

"What happens when the masters actually decide to unite against the humans because your raids have pissed them off enough? A few ships and hardy fighters aren't going to be enough too hold off a mass genocide."

"What do you want to do?" Killian gazed fiercely at Timo. "Wait for them to slaughter these people. My raids disable the nobles. I take their ships, guns, and goods. If they can't trade then they don't have anything to buy more armaments with."

Timo is silenced momentarily by the retort. "I dont know...there just has to be more we can do." He replied in frustration. "So many people are being slaughtered. Not just men but women and children too. Hundreds of people at a time."

"People die in every war. It was only a matter of time before the nobles started to look to their own population for their own sick needs." Grumbling he pushed past Timo. "When you've decided to be a man and take action let me know."

"What's that supposed to mean!?" Timo demands angrily. "I've been doing nothing but taking action for the last 10 months."

A little grin started to grow on Killian's face. "If that's so then why haven't you come up with a plan?" Turning toward the boy he continued, "I have a fleet and a planet to take care of the people. You're responsible for the people you save. What are you doing about your little refugees?"

Timo's face turns red. "I take them to realitivly safe areas...." he looks to the side. "Like what?" Stepping closer the Chippequoti peered at the boy's face. "Your ship?"
"But I don't have the resources to help them...that's why I'm talking to you." Then the boy answered further and Killian growled. "So you come to me and think to criticize what I do. I know what I do best and it's about time you find out where you fit in the picture of life. I wasn't made for peace, or gentle living. If you can't handle what you do, then you'd better think about what you can. I'll help your refugees, but once you transfer them to my care I will do with them as I see fit. There is nothing you can say about it."

It would be far too dangerous to risk taking on these extra settlers and Timo trying to make his own rules for them to live by. There was going to be a standard at the planet and that would be the final word. Killian didn't believe in mistreating the people, but neither did he want to see them in anymore chaos than what they were already in. The boy was still too emotional in his response and if he couldn't get past that he would become ineffective. "I don't have time for this." Killian turned away from Timo and started toward the main room where he'd seen Star and the baby. If Timo really had something useful to say he would come back later and make a decent negotiation.

Taking a seat next to Star on the couch, Killian smiled. "Hey I missed you." Gently kissing her on the lips he reached down and rested a hand on her knee. "Claire sleeping?"
 
Taking a seat next to Star on the couch, Killian smiled. "Hey I missed you." Gently kissing her on the lips he reached down and rested a hand on her knee. "Claire sleeping?" Star snuggled close to him. "Yes. Anna and I went out and got her the things we needed. The crib is set up in our room at the moment, and this monitor will let us hear her if she begins fussing. "So, what was all that about with Timo. He sounded upset."
Killian was a little surprised that she went out and did all that stuff without him. Still it was understandable. Frowning a little he nodded when she mentioned Timo. "Oh like usual. I did something that he doesn't approve of. Somehow he gets this idea that its all my fault the nobles are attacking human dominated planets."
"The nobles are attacking humans? What for?" Star asks, sitting up, startled. "Are we in danger here? Is Anna and Kato?"
"Oh probably." Answering in an even tone he glanced at her startled face. "Nobles were going to retaliate and because of when we freed the men from the games anyway. Timo blamed it on the raids. Raids are the only way to keep the Nobles in check. If they're trying to put down the iron fist then we need to make more raids."
The answer only made her more distressed. "That's awfully dangerous though. I was stressed out enough with you gone for just a few days...now you want to go more frequently?"
"As needed. I won't be gone all the time and not everything will be a raid. Some things will be a fashion of smuggling." Killian sighed. "This would have happened anyway. I just made the preemptive action and took first strike advantage. If Kafus knew you survived what wouldn't he have done to find you? It was only a matter of time before this erupted and now we can put him off balance if we pick up the pace of the war."
"Another damn war." Star leaned back on the couch frustrated. Wherever they went...they just couldn't get away from it. She twisted the ring on her finger, her mind lost in thought. She looked over at him as his hand shifted on her leg. "What happens if you're captured again...or killied, Killian? We have a baby now...a daughter to look after."
Somehow it was much more difficult when there was a woman to be worried about and she was reminding him of that. "I didn't choose the war. They were trying to kill me anyway. Are we safer as a group or would you rather that we keep running? I've been hunted most of my life and this is the first chance to actually do something about it. Getting captured or killed has always been possible." He grew quiet for a moment and looked down at his hands. "Claire deserves something better. Do you want someone hunting her too?"
"You know I don't..." Star replies, taking his hand. "God I hate this...I had so hoped that we'd be in a house on a beach somewhere before we'd started a family. Now we're stuck in the middle of another war with no choice but to fight."
"Well...." A little smirk came to his face. "We don't have a house by the beach, but I will finish it." Taking deep breath he took on a more serious tone again. "Star I get sick thinking about what Kafus would do if he found out we had a baby. What he wouldn't do to get to us, or her. It is much easier for me to accept the war if I think of that."
"You're not the one who's stuck at home with a crying baby praying her soon-to-be-husband returns home alive." She replies.
It stung for her to say that. Killian started to get a little irritated. "You're not the one with 50 families staring at you. They all expect after we chose to save them that I would make sure they're safe and have all the basic needs. You don't have men come and curse you to your face. Try to continually undermine what you've done to provide stability. I'm doing my best and if I have to leave on a damn ship to make raids with my men until they are proficient enough with the raids to make rotations then I will."

Star's eyes narrowed at the sudden irritation in his voice. Claire began to cry over the monitor and she stood without a word, going to their daughter. "Hey, Beautiful." Star gathered the babe in her arms, glad for the distraction. She sat on the edge of the bed and began nursing her, tears smarting in her eyes. Damn Killian's logic...she could never win a fight with him because he always had some damn logic to back himself up with. Maybe her feelings weren't logical...but it didn't change the pain she felt every time he walked out that door...never knowing if he'd return.
The baby woke up and Killian didn't know if it was because of his tone of voice or if she woke up cause she was hungry. Following Star into the room he sat on the edge of the bed next to her. "Ideally there will be a few men that I can train to take lead on the raids and then I can stay home with you and Claire somtimes. Star...I love you enough that I can't allow for unneccesary feelings to put you or Claire at risk."
"I know..." She murmurs. "But it doesn't make it any less painful."
"I don't like it either." Carefully he rested a hand on her shoulder. "Someday we'll be free. Maybe we'll be able to actually settle down."
"I hope so." She strokes Claire's cheek.
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A crowd had gathered at the ship's landing sight, Lisa and Frank being the first to greet Star, Killian and the newest member of their colony. Star smiles brightly as she shows around Claire to all the curious members of the community. She knew an incredible amount of names and details of the people around them and would ask them personal questions about those details as they congratulated her on the new baby. "We've put together a bit of a feast." Lisa grins happily. "Any reason for a celebration."
 
When they arrived Killian smiled out of politeness. What he was focused on were the few ships that had gone missing. Probably headed by Clay. The man was nothing, but trouble. More than likely no one here dared stop him and it was best if they didn't. While his mind could come up with every possible scenario of trouble he kept it to himself for now. When the other ships returned he'd be waiting and then there would be a talk. None of them had shown themselves to be experienced enough to go off world and explore, smuggle, or raid without getting into some kind of traffic stream. Purposefully he kept them on uncharted pathways. Potentially they would be followed and put everyone here at risk or die if they tried to blaze a trail of their own.

For the time he figured that he might as well enjoy the party. "A celebration for Star and Claire. My two best ladies." Leaning over he kissed Star on the head. "And even if that's not what the party is all about that's why I'll be celebrating." While they followed the others to the main hall Killian still watched over his shoulder for the ships that were missing.

Inside the building they were greeted with plenty of food and some fresh vegetables from the garden. "How? I thought the season was over."

Frank chuckled. "Oh this planet will grow the food almost year around. I've worked on a plant cycle to keep from taking too many nutrients out of the ground and then replacing the crop with one that puts the nutrients back into the ground and a rotation to keep the ground from being over worked." He was if anyone farm minded and managed the land well.

"Hmmm..." Killian shook his head. "I'd never be able to do that." After the meal there was a hush and excited whispers as a few of the men and their women started to head toward the door. It was as if they had planned some big secret. All of them here were the domestic sort. Finally Killian rose from the table and he walked next to one of the men. They were headed out toward his house that he never seemed to be able to get anything done on in a decent amount of time.

Taking the lead, Frank opened the front door and turned the lights on. It was all according to the drawings that they found tacked up in various areas of the house. "Thought we would finish it for you. Least we could do considering..." Leaving it there he moved away. Frank knew they would all be dead or still enslaved if Killian and Star hadn't decided to do something. The two of them didn't ask for much either. All they expected was for men to follow the rules that were made for protection. He knew that the captain wasn't much of a talker so he ushered the others way and left the Chippequoti speechless.

It felt outrageous. Killian wasn't sure if he was supposed to be offended or pleased. He'd never had anyone do something like this for him. Silently he stepped into the house and looked around. Everything was exactly as he would have done. Swallowing he glanced at Star. "What the hell do you do with something like this?"

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The next day the ships arrived while Killian was helping Star move their stuff into the house. "Just give me a minute." Walking at a brisk pace across the field he came to face Clay who had a sly grin rubbed on his face. It just made Killian want to slap it off. "What were you doing? We had enough to last and I've told you I would train men to lead raids."

"We had to do it. Some of the men and myself were getting restless." Clay figured he had the backing of the majority of the 15 men with him. They filed in behind him on a lot of things and recently on their decision to take control.

"Restless has nothing to do with it. You could have given away our position here!" Growling he pointed to the settlement. "What is it you want?"

Clay tilted his head to the side. "I want to lead because you won't do what's necessary."

The Chippequoti squared his shoulders. Towering over Clay he snarled. "If you could treat the people here better I would gladly give it to you. You want extra portions for yourself. Is that what you've taken while I was gone?" A few of the men shifted uneasily on their feet. "You'll pay it all back through labor here. I don't have room for men like you on the raids."

Rage built in Clay and he pulled a knife. "Fight me!" He knew it would come to this and he had a plan to take the leadership. Clay had played it out in his mind many times. Killian, The Beast could withstand a beating, but could he withstand poison? Would he even choose to fight him if all he did was cut him on the arm? No doubt he would and he intended to plead for mercy. He would outlive Killian and then take his place as leader. Lunging toward Killian he sliced the captain's left forearm.

Killian turned toward the man and threw a heavy punch. Another nick of the knife went through his shirt and barely scraped his skin. Finally he tore the knife from Clay's hand and drove it into his throat. Glowering at the other men left he cursed under his breath. "Anyone else want to try and kill me?" Silently the group of men withdrew and took Clay's body with them. Killian returned to Star and resumed helping her move the last of the stuff into the house.
 
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"What the hell do you do with something like this?" Killian exclaims as they were escorted to their completed home.
"You move in!" Star laughs, looking around the home Killian had designed for them. It was a gorgeous building, meticulously planned and designed. Killian had even taken her suggestion of a large bath into account along with an island table in the kitchen. "I love it, Killian. This...its like a dream home." She exclaims happily, exploring every inch. "I can't wait to start decorating!"

Unfortunately, neither of them owned enough to begin decorating. That would change over time as they got more credits and did some shopping. For now, she was content moving her things with Killian the following day. She unpacked her clothes, folding them neatly as Claire lay wrapped tightly in her blanket on her bed. She put her journal and a few other personal effects on the dresser and looked back at Claire who was sleeping soundly. She smiled at her, that sense of joy and pride welling in her once again at the sight of her daughter.

She heard Killian's heavy steps and turned to look at him, dropping the box in her hands in alarm at the blood dripping off his arm. "Killian! You're bleeding! What happened!?" She rushed to their room's bathroom and pulled the medical kit out from under the sink. "Sit, roll up your sleeve." She began to treat the wound as he explained. "Damn that Clay...what's he thinking!? All you've done is help them! What are you going to do about the others?"
 
As he walked through the door to the bedroom with another box he nearly jumped with Star's exclamation. He didn't want to waste a trip into the house though, now that he thought about it he just dripped blood everywhere. Thankfully the floors were stained wood so it should be easy enough to wipe off. "Agh...It was Clay." Setting the box down he went over to the chair sitting in the corner and perched on it. "Stupid bastard and a couple of friends thought they should still get more than anyone else cause they know how to raid ships. Decided to fight me. Started trying to cut me up and I took the knife from him and killed him." Of course Star had her own opinion and it was a little optimistic sounding. "I didn't know what else to do. He threatened me and he's been problems since the beginning." It wasn't a very deep cut. Hardly seemed worth killing a man over. It was more of the safety issue of the planet that had put him on edge. Killian looked at Star. "Oh I don't think I'll do anything with the others. They'll just work off the debt from taking too much of the share. None of them said anything when Clay spoke or me."

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Among themselves the men whispered quietly. "Which one of us will take over now that Clay is gone?"

"I don't know we'd better wait till the captain dies. If he doesn't..." The one nervous man looked at the others. "It isn't so bad living here. Better than the games. Besides he told Clay last time that we don't have to go on every raid."

"You going to chicken out now? If I remember correctly you're the one that suggested tipping the dagger with poison and letting Clay do the dirty work." Turning an accusatory glare toward the giant fella he snorted. "What made the idea of stabbing the captain death a bad one. That's how they almost defeated him in the games. A few of us might have got killed, but we all know this group of people here are too peaceful to do anything about it. They're weak. He couldn't have made it against 15 of us. I say we do it now."

While the others were still planning a quiet one slipped out the door unnoticed and ran for Mike's and then Frank's. If they didn't want the others to be taking over the entire planet and taking the best the rest of the folk would have to force them off the planet or kill them. Mike quietly gathered the men he could and Frank took a few to guard the outside of the house. It was all dark outside and it looked like Killian and Star had gone to bed. For now they would keep it quiet and hope that the men would fall into the trap and they could be done with this.

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Part way through the night Killian woke. He didn't know if it was the yelling outside or the fact that his entire body hurt that he was now awake. Every bone ached and his arm was burning where it had been cut. Only half conscious he turned over in the bed instead of going to investigate the sound. Laying on his side he shifted again to try and get comfortable. No matter how he lay it only got worse. A thin layer of sweat formed on his upper lip. Pulling the blankets up further he tried to get warm, but nothing was helping.

After a few minutes he threw the covers back and stumbled out of the bed to check the heater. It must not have been on. By the time he reached the heat control panel he felt dizzy and sick on top of the horrible aching. Outside he could still hear the crashing and yelling. Somehow it felt distant. Putting one hand along the wall he closed his eyes and used it to guide him and for balance. Since he was hardly familiar with the house he ran into a wall and groaned. Finally, he resorted to putting one hand in front and running one hand along the walls till he reached the bedroom again. At least it was empty and he could get back into the bed without making too much noise. Crawling under the covers he pulled the blankets up and went back to sleep.

It felt like hours had passed and yet he didn't feel any better. Killian clutched the covers to himself and shook violently. By now he was afraid he would wake Star. Throwing the covers back again he stood on his feet, but only for a few seconds before he hit the floor. That for sure had to have woke her up. Until now he hadn't realized that he was wheezing too and it was getting increasingly difficult to breathe. Beginning to panic he crawled back to the bed and pulled himself into it. "Star..." Barely a whisper he reached for her arm. "Star...I...ca...can't......." The wheezing seemed to be explanation enough.
 
"Oh I don't think I'll do anything with the others. They'll just work off the debt from taking too much of the share. None of them said anything when Clay spoke or me."
So he said, but she wasn't convinced and went to bed worried. The next time she woke, was to sounds of fighting. "Killian? Killian, you hear that? There's fighting! Killian." She shook him and he grumbled something. She touched his forehead which was hot and covered in sweat. "Oh, honey...you're burning up." Star looked up startled as a scream echoed through the house. Claire began to cry in response. Star rushed to the window, looking outside the house and saw Mike, Frank and a few other men fighting off some men outside their home. Who would be attacking? Clay's men? Killian wasn't in any condition to fight and she was a breast feeding mother. As much as she wanted to go out and defend her home, Killian needed her, and Claire.

Killian was just stumbling back into bed, shivering like he had the flu. Claire was still crying, but there as only so much she could handle at one time. Star turned on the lights around the house, hoping to deter the would-be attackers. She grabbed the gun from the dresser and set it on the bed while she searched their many boxes for the medical kit that had a thermometer in it. She found one and pressed the small pad to his neck on his pulse. His pulse was unusually high, as was his temperature. Did he have the flu? And infection? She pulled his arm out from beneath the blanket and checked it. The skin had turned a sickly yellow. No way an infection would've set in this quickly. There was only one other explanation.

She ran back to house and too the door. The fighting sounded like it was dying down and she called Mike over. "Mike! Killian...I think he's been poisoned. Clay stabbed him with a dagger. You have to figure out what and if there's a cure, please, hurry." She urges. He nods in response and she rushes back to Killian. He'd fallen to the floor and was barely breathing, wheezing for every breath. Claire was screaming at this point, her tiny lungs putting off a siren like sound. "Oh god...Killian." Star's first instinct was to panic and kneel by his side. Instead she rushed back to the living room and began tearing open the boxes, looking for the medical supplies. She pulled out an oxygen tank and oxygen mask as well as an epi-pen.

All this time she'd been afraid he'd be killed off-world and now he was dying on her bedroom floor, attacked by the very men he'd rescued. It wasn't right! She kneels by Killian's side, sliding the gas mask onto his face and jabbing the epi-pen into thigh. "C'mon, Killian. C'mon. Don't you dare die on me." She remembers suddenly the number that Anna had given her and rushes off to retrieve it. She dials the number on her datapad and sets it to the side as she kneels beside Killian.
"Doctor Witteck? Hi, my name is Star...I'm friends with Anna and Kato. The chippequoti is my husband. He's been poisoned by something and he's barely breathing. I've given him and epi and I've put an oxygen mask on him but its only helping a little. Please, please help." She pleads. Claire continued to scream in the background adding to the chaos.
 
Mike heard Star call. Whipping around he darted for the house. The last of the men were taking care of the invasion. "Rest of you hold them off." There were only 3 men left and they were about ready to go down. Following Star to the room he saw Killian curled up on the floor wheezing. The man didn't know much about medicine, but he knew leaving Killian on the floor wouldn't help. "Captain let's get you up." Even touching Killian had the man groaning. Whatever they did was a real bad one. Closest Mike had ever seen the captain to being snuffed out. Even the damage after the games didn't look like this. Mike started to feel reluctant about moving Killian till they had a better idea of what was going on. About that time Star came in and Mike couldn't say that he'd figured anything out.

Killian tried to turn his head away from the mask and the engineer held his head still. "Just put it on him." Holding on tight he waited till Killian quit trying to move. The Epi-pen didn't seem to help and with the baby crying and Killian thrashing about periodically it was almost beyond Mike.

The doctor picked his pad up. It was a number that he didn't recognize, but his research did sometimes attract some odd interested parties. On the other end he saw a woman and there was enough noise he could barely make out what she said. All he could get out of it was Anna and Kato had sent her. This must have been the part of his funded work that was to remain silent. "I'll be there soon as I can give me the number in a message. I can't hear you over all the noise." Hanging up he started to get dressed and waited for some kind of message.

Completely enraged with the response Mike took the pad. "I'm calling him back." Stomping out of the room and into a more quiet one he waited for the doctor to answer. "We've got the Chippequoti here. He's dying of poison or something like that. What do we need to do?"

Suddenly the scenario was making more sense. The doctor quickly asked a few questions and gave Mike a few ideas. "I don't really know much else till I get there. If you can keep him holding on for 2 days I'll be there. I've already typed the coordinates in and this will be hooked to my ship. If anything else happens differently tell me."

With a growl Mike turned the pad off and walked back into the room. For a moment it looked like Killian was dead. His face was a grayish hue, eyes only half open and laying almost completely still. "Oh..." Bending down he could hear some breathing though it wasn't much. "Seems to have held him over for now. Lets get him in the bed and you can take care of the baby. Doctor said to try and get him hooked to some I.V.'s and use ice blankets to try and cool him off a little. All we can do is keep him stable as we can for 2 days till he gets here."

*********************************************************************************************************

When the doctor landed he was immediately ushered into the house where he saw the woman and the half Chippequoti baby sitting inside the room near the Chiqqequoti man. He remembered this one and it appeared there was some slight swelling through his entire body. Taking a scan he shook his head. "Has he had the seizures?" Sounded like there were a few over the last couple of days. Witteck checked the arm and the two different slices from the knife. It was still swollen and oozing a mixture of blood and puss. Taking out a knife he pressed it into the wound and a new flow of the infection and poison started to wash out. "Looks like his body tried to isolate it and instead his system started crashing. Overwhelmed the balance. Chippequoti are very hardy, but an imbalance is often deadly."

There were many interesting things about them. Humans seemed to have weaknesses that matched their abilities while some other races were almost impossible to kill and then it was the tiny details that would get them. "You've done well keeping him alive. I'll hook him up to a blood dialysis machine to help clean the toxins out. There is a setting on it that will kill the poisonous cells. His body should be able to produce more cells at an accelerate rate because of the marrow." While it seemed crazy that was the best idea he had given the circumstance.

After a few days Killian finally started to open his eyes and actually try to move. The oxygen mask was the first thing to go. Moaning a little he shifted in his bed and pulled at the mask. It felt uncomfortable and his arm was still burning. Turning his head he saw the machine pumping blood into his one arm. Looking at his other arm he saw that it was having blood pumped out of it. "Where's Star?" His throat was deep and gravely after days of complete silence.
 
Star helped Mike tuck the iceblankets around Killian and make sure the I.V.'s were set up. Seeing him so weak and on the verge of death was killing her. It was taking everything within her not to break down and lose control. Claire continued to scream and she was forced to tear herself away from Killian to tend to their daughter. "It's ok..is ok. We're going to be ok." Star held Claire until her screams began to die down to a tired, hungry cry. Lisa suddenly showed up, having heard the commotion and what had happened via Frank. She found a distraught Star trying to feed Claire while helping Mike keep an eye on Killian who was currently fighting for his life.
"Star!" Lisa rushed to her side.
"Lisa! Killian...he's." The woman covered her mouth with her hand as she began to sob. Lisa did what she could to comfort her. "Finish feeding, Claire and I'll take care of her so you can watch Killian."
Star nodded. Once Claire was satisfied she passed the babe off to Lisa and began the torturous process of trying to keep him alive.

Every few hours Star would open the wounds and try to clean out as much puss and fluid as possible. She'd wrap it again in a clean bandage then check his I.v.'s and change them when needed. She adjusted the blanket so he wouldn't get a cold-burn and would check that he was still breathing. At one point she seriously considered sticking an oxygen tube down his throat but was terrified of doing permanent damage. She was completely unprepared for the first seizure that hit. "Mike!" She yelled, leaping of her chair and coming to Killian's side. There was nothing either of them could do though except watch and pray. "Please...Killian. Please don't leave me...please." She begged until the seizure abated. She cleaned out his mouth where a little bit of foam had begun, making sure he had clear airways. His body had lost control of some of its functions and she took the opportunity to give him a cloth bath, wiping as much sweat and grossness from him as she could.

All the while, Star spoke to him. She spoke of how they'd met, and what she'd thought of him. Of how she'd grown to love him. Of how much their first kiss had meant and how she'd fallen in love all over again after the events of her injury, and again after the events with Kafus. She tucked the iceblankets back around him, and drained the wound yet again. "You mean so much to me, Killian. You're the only one I'll ever love again, for the rest of my life. Please, just please don't let this be the end of yours. Fight."
******************************

Star didn't sleep much for the next two days. Between taking care of Killian, feeding Claire and holding her when she wouldn't be calmed by Lisa. There was also the constant threat of Clay's men trying to attack the house again. Mike stood guard with a shotgun, as did several other men around the perimeter, but it did little to ease her worry.
"Star...you must eat." Lisa says, coming into the room with a bowl of stew.
"I can't...my stomach is in knots." Star shook her head, her eyes blinking wearily at Killian as she lay beside him. "Please, if not for yourself...then for Claire." Star rubbed her eyes, and sat up with a tired sigh, taking the bowl in her hand.
"You really should try and sleep after you eat too." Lisa encourages her.
"What if these are his last hours? I can't sleep now...not when he needs me the most."
"He needs you to be strong and healthy...he needs you to be rested to take care of your baby." Even as Lisa speaks, Claire begins to cry again. Star had only gotten a few bites into the stew and she sets it aside to pick up the baby. The thought that Claire might grow up fatherless was nearly enough to get her crying again, but she manages to hold herself together. She changes the babe's diaper and holds the girl on her chest.

Just as she was about to drift off to sleep someone burst through the door. Doctor Witteck.

*********************************

"Star! Star!" Lisa shook her awake eagerly. Star had fallen asleep while nursing Claire on the couch. "He's awake!"
Star stood eagerly as she held the sleeping babe to her chest and rushed to Killian's room. Her eyes teared up upon seeing those beautiful green eyes alert and alive. "Killian!" She knelt by his bedside, giving him the longest kiss, tears of relief rolling down her cheek. She held his face in one hand as she held Claire on her shoulder with the other. "About damn time you woke up." She says with a soft laugh.
 
Killian almost started to turn blue by the time Star quit kissing him. He was trying to catch his breath while she talked to him. At first he just nodded and tried to get a little energy. Enough to talk with her. Everything still hurt and he felt cold. "You look tired." A little wheezing started again and he closed his eyes to go back to sleep. The doctor came into the room and he noticed that the mask was off Killian's face. Witteck gave the captain a disapproving look that he knew the Chippequoti didn't see. From what he witnessed the wife wasn't likely the one to have removed it and he'd heard that the man had been awake though it must have been short lived.

Now that the woman seemed to be more at ease it was the best chance he had to talk with her about a few things. "I need to talk with you about some things that have happened and I need to draw some blood from you and the baby." Once they were in a private room he took only a small vial of blood from the baby and ran it through the machine. "She's just fine. Seems to be healthy. Yours however is showing antibodies to Chippequoti blood. You won't carry another child. They will all abort unless you choose to have the implants. However, that brings us to a certain difficulty. The poison affected his bones. It caused some swelling in the marrow itself. I'm not sure how that was possible, but it happened. In time the swelling will go down. For now be careful. Treat him like a porcelain doll and I don't think he's in any kind of condition to refuse. I'll stay here a few more days to be sure that the blood cleanse is complete and then I'll leave orders for him to stay here in this house for a few weeks longer unless he wants to relapse. Try to keep visitors limited in the room. Last thing we need is for him to get sick too. As you've already discovered the Chips are prone to seizures."

***************************************************************************************

Groaning, Killian turned himself over in the bed. He was finally sleeping without the oxygen mask and he had all the dialysis tubes disconnected. Dr. Witteck glanced at his patient one more time and then to Star. "Remember what I told you and before you decide to have another child have me check his bones to be sure." There was no telling what this did in the long run.

It felt like forever trying to make himself wake up. All he could do was listen to the activity around himself. Killian hated it when he was locked up like this in his own body. After a struggle he opened his eyes. "Wanna come sit with me?" Wincing a little he felt Star move in closer. "Are you doing ok?" After all this he couldn't imagine what she felt like. Taking care of the baby too. Glancing at her shoulder he noticed that little Claire was sleeping. "If I wasn't so damn sick I'd want to hold her." Within a few minutes he started to nod off to sleep again.
 
Star let the doctor take their blood, holding Claire close a the child whimpered. She bounced the babe softly in her arms, smiling until the doctor began talking about the antibodies. While she had no plans on having more children in the immediate future, it was the fact that every one of them from now on would die if she didn't have the treatment that Kato had that bothered her. The doctor continued to give nerve-wracking news about how poison had affected him and his bones. By the time she returned back to Killian, she was thoroughly fed up with bad news.
************************************************************
"Thankyou for saving him, Doctor." Star says shaking his hand as he left the house. She didn't like him leaving so soon...even if Killian was doing better. Unfortunately he had other patients to attend to, ones in more serious condition than her fiance. She picked up Claire and sat on the bed next to Killian, feeding her yet again, before patting her sleep. She smiled down lightly at Killian as he encouraged her closer and asked about her. "I'm ok. I'm just really glad you're out of the danger zone." She stroked his forehead with her free hand and he fell asleep again.

A few hours later Star was feeding Killian some soup chuckling at the thought that all she did now a days was feed people. Feeding Claire, feeding the guards protecting them outside, and now, feeding Killian. Lisa had helped alot the last several days...that woman had been her saving grace. "C'mon, you need to try and eat some more." Star encourages him. "You won't get your strength back half-starved."

Though he tried he'd fallen asleep again a few minuets later. She kisses his forehead and puts away the food, starting on the next task at hand, cleaning the house while both her babies slept. When it was time for bed she made sure his teeth were brushed, his body cleaned and his bladder empty. It literally was like taking care of two babies. It was hard to tell which one slept more and which one fussed more. And when all that was done she fell asleep tucked between both her babies, never complaining for one moment that both these babies were hers and relied on her.

************************************************************

It was a few more days before Killian was staying up for any extended period of time. Star doted on him constantly. When she wasn't caring for Claire, she was caring for him. And when she wasn't carrying for them she was settling various arguments, disputes and any other matters that came up while Killian was unavailable. The most recent of these disputes was that regarding a fire (currently blamed on a careless drunk) which had ravaged the crops and a small portion of houses and they wanted to know who was going to do the repairs and how they were going to punish the person careless enough to do it. Star assigned the men who'd attacked Killian to the job, but as for who did it...no one had a solid answer.

Another knock sounded at the door. "Is Killian up yet? The men we've got working are giving us a hard time." Kevin, one of the guards responsible for those who'd tried to kill Killian, complained.
"Have they had any breaks, food?" Star asked.
"They get a 10 minute break in the morning, afternoon and evening. We make sure they get some scraps."
"So you're saying that you've only been giving them 30 minutes of rest for a 12 hour work day and little bit of food." Star shook her head. "They may be bas**** for trying to kill Killian but they aren't slaves. Give them 3 hour long breaks and decent meals from now on, as well as plenty of water. Remind them, that if they behave themselves, Killian might be merciful when he's on his feet."

The guard nods and leaves. Star closes the door and sighs, leaning against it. She was getting a taste for what Killian had to go through everyday. Claire began to cry again and she moaned as she hurried back to the room to care for her. Late that afternoon saw her napping next to Killian with the babe on her chest. A large hand touched her cheek and she looked over at Killian's shining green eyes. "Hey. How you feeling? Do you need anything?" She asks, sitting up, careful to support Claire.
 
Killian wasn't remembering anything from the days that drifted in and out. He would wake for a short time and then he would drift off to sleep again. Star trying to feed him was the one thing that he did remember and he couldn't help wanting to laugh about the fact that he fell asleep in the middle of the meal. It was absolutely pathetic. Shifting in the bed to sit up a little he winced. All his bones still hurt like they did during the growing pains. "Ugh..." After a few seconds he had himself sitting up more and he didn't feel completely wore out yet.

Looking to the side he noticed that Star was laid out on the bed next to him. She had to be so tired. Carefully he brushed her cheek not wanting to lean over just in case he couldn't straighten himself back up again. When she woke up he couldn't help feeling badly. "I didn't mean to wake you up. Closest I could get to giving you a kiss without falling over." Smirking slightly he tried to make fun of himself though it wasn't really all that comforting.

Even after that much exertion he could feel the tired creeping up on him again. "Star, what happened?" After a few seconds he frowned. "No, I meant what happened outside that night? Were there even people?" He could remember all the yelling and screaming, but everything after that was a blur and it was next to impossible to determine if he actually knew what happened or not. Some of it seemed distant and he remembered a horrible surging pain in his leg. Felt like somebody tried to rip it off. Though it was probably more to do with his bones than anything else. The arm that had been cut started to itch and he rubbed at it from over top of the dressings. Oddly enough the tired phase passed and he started to get a little more energy again.

When the baby woke up he watched Star take Claire over to her little changing station and then it occurred to him that more than likely she'd helped with that stuff for himself too. Cautiously peeling the blanket back he peered under the edge and sure enough there was a catheter. Pulling all the blankets back up he waited until Star had sat down with Claire to feed her. They were all on the bed together and he sheepishly looked over at her. "Take it this has been a rough couple of days for you. So uh...How long till I can take the little tube out?"

Naturally he wanted to get up and go see what was going on outside. "Can I at least try to get out of bed and see if I can stand? Worst case scenario, I fall flat on my face and then we know I got to wait a few more days."
 
Star did her best to answer his questions in regards to the fighting without alarming him too much. That whole night had been a painful blur as well and she hadn't been able to sleep right since then. She'd just begun to relax and enjoy sitting next to Killian when the baby demanded her attention again and she was forced to get up and tend to her.

A few minutes later Star sat back down to feed claire and Killian was asking about his catheter. "You really shouldn't move until Dr. Wittick comes back to check on you in 4 to 5 days." She replied glancing up at him. "Something about the poison caused the marrow in your bones to become inflamed and swollen so they aren't as strong as you're used to right now. If you fall, you could very well break some of them." She says seriously. She strokes Claire's curly black hair. "You almost died, Killian. There were several moments where it looked like you had. It was pretty terrifying." Claire finished feeding and STar set her on her shoulder, patting her back, gently. Another knock at the door caused her to sigh in irritation and she passed the baby off to Killian. "If you get to tired to hold her chest set her on the bed. I'll be right back." She gives Killian a gentle kids and gets up again to deal with the next issue.
*****
Trying to keep Killian in bed after he'd woken up was as difficult as trying to keep Claire appeased. He was restless and worried about the settlement amd worried about the arsonist who'd set fire to another building during the night. They were running low on volunteers to be night guards and low on funds to pay night guards. The vegetables were good but Star ached for meat protein and chocolate and other such amenities which they were rapidly running low on. Everyone seemed to be getting more on edge and having Killian stuck in bed wasn't helping. Still, everyday she was by his aide, distracting him caring for him. Today she was trying to teach him to read while also tending to Claire who was becoming increasingly fussy. "No. The 'ch' can make two different sounds. Like cha, or ka. I know it's confusing but that's English for you." She sighs bouncing Claire in her arms. The babe hadn't stopped crying in over and hour. Nothing was working and she was exhausted and getting irritable herself.
 
Killian just stared at the blankets on the bed. He didn't know what to say. Wasn't like he could deny that he almost died because he didn't remember anything from that time. Only blips and pieces of it. His bones still hurt and the explanation was sobering at best. What if they never went back? Would he end up with all the same problems as humans? Not that he'd ever thought of himself as any different than a human, but since discovering a few things about his bones he decided that he liked them as they were. A knocking on the door sounded and he was handed the baby. Of course Claire seemed to be perfectly happy with the arrangement and she gurgled a little. After the gurgle the child whimpered a little and nuzzled against his chest.

The Chippequoti stared at the little black curls on her head. She had the green eyes and same dark head of hair. Only difference was that she had a little more fine build like her mother and her skin was a light caramel rather than the usual olive tone. "Ah...A little princess." Resting a hand on the baby's back he held her to himself while he shifted to lay down again. It was less likely that the baby could fall or anything due to him getting tired.

********************************************************

Even though he still spent the next few days sleeping away half the days, Killian wanted to get up. There was too much happening. "Star I know the others are getting restless. I don't have time to be sick. Don't have time to die either, so you don't have to worry about that." No matter the reasoning he tried to use he knew it was fairly weak. She'd just witnessed a few seizures and watched him teeter on the edge of death for days. While he was laying the bed, holding Claire he overheard a few of the men talking with Star about some of the problems they were having with the men that tried to kill him and then the field. They couldn't afford that kind of issue to be arising. Struggling to get himself a little closer to the edge of the bed he almost lost his balance and fell out on the floor. Catching himself with one arm and holding onto the baby he pushed himself back into his place and waited for Star to come back.

Just waiting for the doctor to get here was almost miserable. Killian didn't know that Star still had plans to teach him to read something besides numbers. The afternoons were spent with books and he started to feel frustrated. "Ch, ka, C'mon why can't it just mean one thing like everything else?" It took the whole first day to get over the fact that the individual letters didn't have a meaning just a sound and that together they meant something. They didn't represent things like numbers. There was no meaning to those letters till they were in a sequence. Then it was all thrown off. "There it is. A, right in the middle all by itself. What the hell?" Star read it aloud and it made sense, but there was still no individual interpretation, just that A was helping to describe the noun (object) whatever it was.

By the end of the lesson it felt like his head would explode. So much of reading was foreign to him and he didn't understand how or why most of it worked like it did. Half of it didn't even make sense and apparently it didn't have to.

*********************************************************************

Dr. Witteck arrived a few days later. Star had questions about the baby and he suspected that she might. "Let me check on Killian first. Before I go in tell me how he's been doing." Sounded like there was some improvement and that was good. Last he'd seen the Chip the man was just on the other side of death. It still seemed that the Chip was a little pale and his eyes weren't quite the shocking bright tone that they should be. Taking a scan he frowned. "Bones are healing, but they seem to be overactive in the process. It's like they've gotten thicker and its not swelling. Are you having pain?"

Killian stared at the doctor for a moment. Most of what the man said didn't mean much to him. Medical terminology was something he didn't care to know. However, he did get the part about his bones getting thicker without the swelling. "Yeah I've had a lot of bone pain. They hurt all the time."

The doctor nodded. "Didn't sound like you told her. Why?"

"Too much for her to worry about." Killian winced when the doctor pressed a stethoscope to his chest. Nearing the end of the appointment the doctor gave Killian a small foil packet with lozenges. "What's this for?"

"It should help with the pain. Just one a day." The doctor nodded. "You can probably start walking a little bit from here on out. Just be careful and no going outside yet. Your immune system is still weak and I don't want you to go into random seizures because of a fever or some stupid thing when you can stay perfectly healthy in here for a few more days." After that the doctor went over to look at little Claire who had been fussing almost everyday and most of the day. Sighing he gave a small nod. "Just what I thought."
 
"Just what you thought!? What do you mean!? What did you think?" Star asks in a near panic.
"Its just growing pains."
"Growing pains? Already!?" Star gawks, holding the still crying Claire. "She hasn't let me sleep for a week and you're saying its going to be like this for rest of her growing years."
"Not all the time. Just during major growth spurts. Babies in particular are in a constant state of growth their first few years of life."
Star sighed deeply. "Anything I can do to help ease the pain?"
"Growing pains...I'm afraid there isn't much you can do...but I can recommenced a few things that might comfort her."

After the doctor left Star returned to Killian. "Good news and bad news." She says sitting beside him after the doctor had left. "Good news is nothing is wrong with her. Bad news she's crying because of growing pains and there's not much we can do." She lay her head against the pillows. She would've lay against him but she knew his bones were already causing quite a bit of pain. She looked over at him. "There's something else he told me while you were unconscious. My body won't handle another pregnancy without the bone marrow treatment. My antibodies against chippequoti blood is too high." She looked down at Claire who was finally sleeping. "Unfortunately with the way your bones are right now...there's a chance that you wouldn't be able to donate to another treatment, and even if you were there's no guarantee the treatment will work either." Star sighed softly. "Claire may be our only child. We should enjoy her being a babe while we can.

************************************************

An intense howl and ear-piercing screeching woke everyone from their sleep. Star looked around startled, trying to figure out what the heck was making that noise. Claire started screaming, startled by the noise as well. The lights in the hallway flickered intensely a moment before going out. "I think that's wind." Star says getting up and looking out the window. Sure enough, the trees and plants in the garden were nearly torn out by the roots in the intense wind. The house creaked and something on top of the roof sounded like it was coming loose. On a house nearby she saw the solar panels, the only source of electricity, fly clear off. No doubt that's what was happening to their solar panels, thus the sound of metal sheering. "Looks like the solar panels are coming loose too. Ugh, that wind is going to cause alot of damage." She returns back to Claire and pulls the scared babe into her arms, swaddling her tightly in a heated blanket. Within a few minutes she was comforted and Star lay with her back on the bed, caressing the babe's cheek. "Momma's got you..."

**************************************************

The damaged from the wind storm was frustrating but not unfixable. Solar panels were reattached and reinforced from another storm, damaged roofs and houses were fixed and fallen trees were cut up for firewood or repairs. But it wasn't the damage that had people on edge. It was the amount of smoke and ash in the air, carried in by last night's storm. It was enough people were covering their faces with masks and cloth and covering ever crack in the house with clothes and tape. Star sealed the last bit of crack she could find and began sweeping up the ash that had made its way into the house. Ash was the most annoying thing to try and clean up. Its seemed to just keep spreading. Eventually she gave up with a broom and went after it with a mop instead.
She finally finished and returned to the room to find Killian playing with Claire. "If you can keep her entertained for a bit longer I'm gonna soak in the bath for a bit. Call if you need me."

Star sighed deeply as she sunk into the large bathtub, smiling at the colorful bubbles floating across the surface. It was the first time in almost three weeks she'd been able to just relax and try not to think about anything stressful, which was a bit difficult considering there were plenty of things to stress about. 10 minutes in, her head lay to rest on a towel on the edge of the bath and her eyes closed for a much needed nap.
 
Killian sat up when Star came in to lay down on the bed and tell him the good and bad news. "Could have figured that there wasn't anything wrong with her. Claire looks perfectly healthy to me." That earned a little look from Star, but he had his own way of evaluating the health conditions of folk. Then it moved to a far more sobering conversation. He didn't like the way this was all going. If it had been anyone else that got stabbed or sliced with the knife they would have died. Instead he was here sick and his bones possibly wouldn't do any good to get Star treatment. In fact it could kill him in a few years if they didn't sort out. There was something about a balance that the doctor had talked to him about one time. What if this balance was broken?

It was all brought back around to Claire possibly being the only baby. Trying to be upbeat he grinned. "I was gonna enjoy her being a baby anyway." Putting an arm around Star he closed his eyes to take a nap. "You know the doctor said I could start walking around. Just nothing outside yet."

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Even if he'd only taken an hour ago Killian was more than ready for bed when Star got in with him. Gingerly rolling to his side he tried to get a little closer to her. Killian was hoping if he took the lozenge before bed it would make sleeping at night more comfortable. It helped to a degree and his bones hurt a little less. Still it didn't do much for the constant headaches.

A deep howling and then sharp whistle jolted Killian awake. He pushed himself up in the bed and saw that Star was already checking it out. Things like this made him feel useless. Couldn't even check on the progress fast enough to be any good. Turning over in the bed he pulled the pillow over his head and decided to go back to sleep. Obviously there wasn't anything he could do about it and he was still supposed to be staying indoors. By the next morning Star was up and cleaning. Killian might have asked, but he already knew the answer. Instead he walked over to the crib to get Claire up and he sat on the bed with her. The little girl tried to lift her little head to look at him while she rested her little tummy on his chest.

Star came through and seemed to want him to continue watching the girl. "Yeah." A slight smirk came to his face. He and Claire were going to take a little exploration of the house after Mom was settled in the bath. Killian waited till it all fell silent in the bathroom. By now he could pretty well get himself dressed and he grabbed the girl to start down the hallway.

Claire's little eyes grew wide and her pink little lips gaped open as she bobbed happily along in her dad's arms. In the hallway there seemed to be a little more dust than some of the other parts of the house. Still Killian didn't notice till he started to cough. "Ugh..." Adjusting how held the baby he weaved into one of the extra rooms and started to pull out a bunch of data pads. "You're going to learn how to do this young. One day I'll teach you how to smuggle and then you'll be among the best. Little Claire will be a queen of worlds and she won't stand down." Turning the baby around he had her face the tablet that he pulled open a few pictures. "The fuse is always necessary. If you want to get the most expensive one you look for the blue center fuse. Very difficult to steal without getting shot." Flipping to the next picture he showed her a bloody image. "That's what happens when you fail." She really didn't seem to comprehend what he was showing her, but Killian continued. He went through a whole manual mostly made for men like himself. Didn't know how to read, but numbers meant a lot.

Nearing the end of the section on fuses he turned around in the chair to see Star standing there. "I was showing her how to be a good smuggler. Best ones start young. Probably have to get her started off stealing by he age of 5-6." This was their life and he hadn't seen any issue with it. By the look on Star's face she might have differed in opinion.
 
Star crossed her arms looking stern. "Claire is not growing up a smuggler or a thief. She deserves a far better life than that."
"Smuggling is perfectly good work if you do it right." Why she was thinking there was better he didn't know. "Its a good way to start. Learn to get sharp and then you're ready for more."
"No way! Just because its the only life we know doesn't mean she can't do better. Do you want her running around with a bounty on her head at only 15 years of age? Getting shot at, maybe even killed!?" Star stepped forward taking Claire from him and holding her as if to protect her from him. "She can learn ships. That's fine. But things that put her in danger like that...over my dead body..."
"Well if she learns the easy way...From me." Killian pointed to himself and continued. "She'll be good enough that she won't have a bounty on her head or get shot at. I know everything I did wrong and she can avoid that. Think of how much money she could make! Claire could be better than any one of these nobles. They would be scrounging at her feet begging her to smuggle their goods across planets and systems."
"We are NOT teaching OUR daughter to be a criminal, Killian! There are other ways to support one's self. Remember when we talked about lines almost a year ago...this is one of them." Star looked down at Claire tenderly. "She deserves a better life than we had."
"I'm not a criminal." Killian got to his feet. "Fine...Maybe I am a little bit. What do you think I'm supposed to teach her? Claire isn't growing up in a nice society. She needs to know how to survive."
"Learning how to survive, defend herself, fly ships, transport cargo, make a legitimate business...that's all fine. I agree with that. The problem I have is you wanting to turn her into a greedy smuggling tycoon. Its a matter of morals and principles...stuff you didn't grow up with...I get that...but she can. We can teach her to be honest, trustworthy, caring, loyal but also know how to take care of herself. Things like manipulation, lying, thieving, killing...all that...you have to bury that. Its your duty as her Father to raise her to be the best person she can be."
Star was practically accusing him of almost every imaginable crime. "I don't manipulate anyone. My life is what it is and you know I can't lie worth a damn. As for the thieving and killing its only when I have to. What's so immoral about that? Is surviving immoral? Would you say what happened with Clay was wrong?"
"That was self-defense. But if she weren't in that sort of life, running into those sorts of situations would be far more minimal. Just think about how many times either of us have died in only a year and a half. I can't believe you think teaching her to follow in those footsteps is a good idea!"
"I've learned to live the life fairly well." Killian frowned. "Why wouldn't I want to teach her to live the same life only with less accidents. I don't understand your whole moral thing. How do people label something moral or immoral? It seems to shift with whoever is talking. Kafus thought what he did to you was perfectly moral. Do we consider it moral...No. Is there any moral base or code? Everybody seems to do their own thing and make their own interpretations. Why can't I have mine?"
Star seemed stunned by his statement, holding the whimpering Claire close to her chest. "God, Killian. You don't actually believe morality is whatever we make it to be, do you? We have a conscience for a reason. Killing is wrong, lying is wrong, stealing from someone...all those things and so much more...they're inherently wrong...there are morals and boundaries. If there weren't, none of us would be any better than animals or cannibals."
"Conscience is what you call that first time when you feel bad. Instinct is stronger and the reason you feel bad is cause your scared." Killian couldn't help feeling that he was off on this one. "Why is it inherently wrong? People talk about this, but they never stop to ask why." Blindly accepting an idea was never good. "If I need bread and the man over there has some. Why is it wrong to take it? That's survival. If I get away with it then good for me and if I get caught then he was faster." Rubbing his head a little he winced with the surge of pain that ran through his skull. "Not saying I won't be open to the idea of morals, but I need a reason to believe they're more than just an individual interpretation. Cause by your standards I don't have any."
"I, uh..." Star just stares at him, dried-mouth. Had this been the thing she'd been fighting against him with all this time? Not just that he pushed the line to far...but that he actually had none at all? "So...if you decided that hitting me and abusing me was ok...that somehow it worked towards your survival...if it was good for you...its not inherently wrong?" She scoffs, shaking her head at him. "That's where your line of thinking gets you Killian. Without morals, you become someone like kafus." Her expression towards him had become strained. "I can't be your constant conscious Killian. I agreed to marry you...believing that under your instinct to survive was a good person who had standards and a moral compass that they were just choosing to ignore for the sake of survival. Tell me I'm not wrong."
Killian wasn't sure what to say. He could be honest and risk her getting more upset or try to lie to her and that always failed. "I'm sure there is someone out there that thinks I'm a Kafus type figure." Shrugging a little he glanced at the floor and then Star again. "I really don't see a problem with with doing what I have to, to survive. It doesn't mean that I always like it, but I have to know that its for my survival. Star, I love you more than survival and..." Explaining this to her was brain wracking at the very least. "I have to kill Kafus because he's a danger. Blowing up the whole stadium would have created a better outcome for us and survival. Just think of the math...There would have been far fewer nobles to try and hunt us. This war would have been shortened by a long ways. Yes slaves would have died and a lot of folks that weren't my target, but is it immoral as you say if you consider how many more have died because we didn't blow up the stadium? Morals don't make sense."
"Sometimes there are areas that are grey...but there is always a right and always a wrong. The thing about morals...is that they are the reason you choose the right thing as often as possible, and make the choice that will hurt the least amount of people. The right thing with the stadium was not killing a bunch of masters for the sake of the few innocents. The right thing with Kafus, may not be to murder him...but we're choosing the wrong thing for the right reason in that aspect. Still doesn't make it moral...but at least we are taking morals into account. The moral thing with our daughter...the right thing...is teaching her the difference between right and wrong, moral and immoral, and helping prepare her the best we can for a life that's right and moral and good."
"I try not to hurt people cause the more enemies I make the more likely it is somebody will try to kill me. Star this doesn't make sense. Being good just for the sake of it." Killian sighed. "Teaching her to live like that sounds like a good way to teach her to get killed.
"You're way is just as dangerous if not more so." Claire began to fuss. "I'm uh...I'm going to feed her then cook dinner." She turns and begins to walk away. At the door, she pauses. "I can't give you a logical argument for why being good or moral is better. If you want that, find religion. But no matter the conclusion you ultimately come up with...the way we raise Claire is not negotiable." She leaves him to think, her own heart heavily burdened.
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As Star cooked dinner she couldn't help but be bothered by the conversation between her and Killian which had replayed itself over and over in her mind. She'd thought she knew him...but hearing him talk that like had really bothered her. She stirred the noodles almost mindlessly, not realizing her sleeve had caught on fire from the burner until the heat began to sting her hand. She hissed and patted her sleeve till the fire died and she soaked her lightly burnt hand under the water.

Her ring glinted on her finger and she twisted it. For the first time, she was actually reconsidering his proposal. Everything he'd said...she hadn't known that was actually how he viewed life. She'd suspected it partially...Kato had tried to warn her, but...she hadn't been willing to listen. Now she had his child. What if he refused to take her words to heart. What if ultimately he decided morals meant nothing to him, that being good, despite it all, was just a novelty. Could she really marry a man like that, no matter how good he was to her?

Star sighed and finished cooking, avoiding touching the side of her hand to anything. Claire was sleeping, and the community was strangely quiet. Understandable with all the Ash though. Killian came back as she put the spaghetti and beans on the table. The tension between them was uncomfortably thick as they sat to eat. She avoided looking at him, still trying to assimilate the man she'd fallen in love with, with the man presenting himself to her now.
 
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