Smugglers Cove (Love2write and Silence)

"Camping huh?" Killian shook his head. "Not as recreation." Sleeping outside was something he'd done quite a few times as a boy. The streets were almost like camping and then of course there were the cages at the games. It was lucky he had olive skin cause he hadn't burned like many of the other lads when they left them outside sometimes for days on end. Following Star's gaze he snorted. "Well that one's pretty nice. Looks free." That was perhaps a statement that he hadn't though too much about but, it had some meaning. Being free after everything that happened was a big deal. Pushing the last of the food into his mouth he quickly swallowed it and gulped down a few glasses. "I'll bet we could find it if you wanted to grab some blankets and stuff for tonight."

Killian took his dishes to the sink and then wandered upstairs to grab an extra jacket and took a few blankets to pile into a bag. Getting out of the house and being no one for a while would be a good thing. When he got to the base of the stairs Mike was staring at him. "What?"

The older man shook his head. "You sure you're going to be alright out there?" He figured he would get at least an indignant response and it was growing on Killian's face though the other man didn't answer. "Maybe you two need a chaperone?"

Finally Killian showed some kind of reaction. "No! You just...You weren't planning on coming anyway." Growling he passed Mike and set the backpack by the front door while he packed up a little dinner and breakfast for the next morning.

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Anna couldn't help chuckling at Kato's awkward nature returning. He was too easy to get in a ruffle and flurry. "You had a line about sleeping together?" Dancing slowly to the edge of the room she worked their way back to the table. "Mmm I don't think I would mind doing more of that either." Finally they were back to the chairs and she stopped swaying to the music. "I don't know about you, but some dessert might be nice before we go home." Sugar was one thing that she would never turn down and though she ate copious amounts of sugar her little metabolism worked wonders. Taking a forkful of the cake she gave Kato a bite first and then helped herself to a bite. Narrowing her eyes slightly she studied his face. He was changing and it was good, there was also a slight frown. Maybe he'd pushed himself too hard.
 
Star hadn't expected him to agree so readily to the idea. It lifted her spirits that he had. She found a large pack in the back of her closet and packed it with supplies, blankets, a change of clothes, a towel in case she wanted to go swimming and other camping supplies. She hadn't been camping since she was a child, but it seemed like something that would be relaxing for both of them. She remembered Andy talking about the boat to the island that she'd taken Kato on before the bone marrow transplant and with a few directions from the neighbors they found it relatively easily.

"Ever rowed a boat before?" She asks Killian teasingly.

It didn't take that long to get to the island. Star stepped out of the boat, her shoes in her hands, the pack on her back and a relaxed smile on her face. The island was small, but perfect. Apparently they weren't the first to claim it as a camping site. There was small fire pit next to a makeshift lean-to, leftover from campers who'd come before them. Star set down her pack in the lean-to and wandered to the edge of the sparse woods and began gathering branches and leaves for the fire they would build when night fell, which was naught but a few hours away.

"This reminds me of when I used to go camping as a kid...before the gangs." Star smiles as she returns to the fire pit and drops her armful nearby. "I can't believe you've never been camping."

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Kato smiled lightly as she fed him the cake, but his felt the tension in his face as he sat. His bones were screaming. "I'm going to use the restroom. I'll be right back." He stands, giving her a kiss on the lips before taking his cane and limping to the bathroom. Now alone he was free to grimace holding a hand to his leg. It hurt the worst out of everything else naturally. He reached into his pocket pulling out a pill bottle. With a somewhat trembling hand he popped two painkillers in his mouth. They didn't help much, but at least it made the intense aching more bearable.

Kato leaned on the counter momentarily, trying to give them time to take effect. He was determined not to ruin this night for her. He didn't want to ever see that look of worry or pain or concern on her face. He just wanted to see her smile. Always smile. He finally takes a breath and limps back out to the table. He smiles at her, and sits back to enjoy the cake. "Having fun?"
 
Killian almost froze when he first stepped out the door. It was so odd feeling to be going outside and have free range of the area. Gradually a frown began to grow on his face when people started to look their direction. They want to kill me. The thought kept coming to his mind over and over. Looking over his shoulder he couldn't help the sneaking little suspicion that somebody was hidden around the corner. He wanted to make it to the camping site with Star so he would have to get over the fact that there were strangers along the way. For the most part he let Star do the talking and asking around.

When they got to the boat The woman was trying to lighten the mood and he shook his head. Throwing his backpack into the boat he waited for Star to get loaded in and then he pushed the boat out into the water and jumped in afterword. Killian took hold of the oars and gave a first attempt that failed miserably and splashed both of them. Growling under his breath he took more time on this round to get it right. As long as he paid a little attention to how deep he dug into the water it wasn't bad.

Finally they reached the island and Star was already scrambling out. While Star was busy gathering wood he dug into the boat and pulled the backpacks out and made sure the boat was secured to the island. It only took a few minutes for the woman to have the firewood ready and he watched her while she talked. Killian couldn't help feeling badly. Star was trying so hard and he could see that she was. She wanted to talk with him and he couldn't think of anything to say at all. "If you count sleeping in the streets I've camped." Peering back at the fire that she was building he began to lose track of where they were and what he was doing. Shhhh...don't say anything. It was dark and he tried to shift in the cell. His legs ached and back was full of welts from the fight. Any kind of sound seemed to warrant getting hit again. Not that he was afraid of pain, he just wanted to be left alone. The little pile of wood had been turned into a fire and he slowed his breathing to something more natural. Killian attempted a smirk though it came out rather weak. "I take it you like camping?"

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Anna waited patiently. It almost seemed to take Kato longer than usual in the bathroom. Couldn't be considered proper to go beat on the bathroom door and ask if he was alright. Instead she took a few forks full of the cake and savored it till he returned. Even if Kato didn't look quite as tense as he had a few minutes ago there was that tired look that came to his eyes. She knew it after spending all that time trying to take care of him while he grew sicker and sicker, just waiting to die. Now he was improving and she should have known better than to think that 1 week after the procedure would have him skipping about.

Taking another slice of the cake with the fork she pushed it toward him. "You take a few more bites and then we'll split the last bite before we head home." The ride home was pretty quiet and she wanted to lean on him but she'd noticed a wince when he had to get into the luxury ship. Anna linked an arm with his and walked to the front door of the house after they were dropped off.

It was so quiet inside that she wasn't sure if it was good or bad. A small note sat on the table from Mike. "Hmm....Sounds like Killian and Star left for the night and Mike decided to have a night out on the town." Glancing at Kato she couldn't help feeling a little concerned. "You're looking a little pale. Are you ok?"
 
"I did. Then I found myself on a planet with no nature and all metal. Kinda hard to camp on a sidewalk." She chuckles lightly, getting the fire going and sitting beside it on a blanket. She noted the way his eyebrows furrowed as he stared at the fire, lost in memories. Bad memories. She remembered what Mike had said...that if she shared some her pain, maybe it would help him open up and share some of his. But what did one say? I was tortured every night for two weeks...and off and on after that." Things like this just felt easier to try and bury and forget...but she wanted to talk to him...the real him...not the mask that he was holding up for appearances sake. "I missed you...everyday. It felt like my heart was getting torn to shreds every time I woke up and you weren't there." She realized suddenly how he might possibly take that and quickly added, "I mean...I'm not trying to blame you, at all. I know you were suffering horribly too...even more than me probably. I wish I could've been there for you."

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Some sweat had begun to form on Kato's forehead as they walked up the porch to her house. They got inside and Andy read the note about Killian and Star being out. Part of him instinctually began to worry about them. He shook it off. They were adults, they could take care of themselves. He took another step, his legs feeling abnormally heavy. Ever since the bathroom he'd begun to notice that all his bones infact had begun feeling abnormally heavy. He tries to reassure her as she asks about him again. He berated himself for not hiding it better. "Yes...I'm just tired. I think I'm going to turn in for the night." His room was on the lower floor and he limped towards it...collapsing on his bed with a pained groan. Even his head felt heavy...too heavy. Was it a side-effect of using Killian's bone-marrow? He knew their bones were thicker, stronger. What if they became to heavy for him to move around with anymore? He momentarily panicked then reminded himself his muscles would grow stronger and accommodate for the added weight...but how long would that take?
 
Killian listened to Star talk about her feelings while he was off killing people. "I saw you that day you came to the games. Couldn't get to you without getting caught." He couldn't even bring himself to look at her. "Star, I-I uh..." Sighing he lowered his head a little more. "Everything I did was to get back to you and after I got caught I knew I couldn't make it. At the hospital I gave up." A deep frown had come to his face. "I'm trying..." There were so many things he was trying and trying to be that he couldn't quite get it all together. "Terrified to go out anywhere. Can't stand to be inside all day. I don't even know what to say anymore. People talk about all those nice things and none of it seems important."

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Anna was almost ready to call the doctor and see if there was a reason that Kato should suddenly be so sick. Maybe his body had randomly decided to reject the implant? That would be horrible. Naturally she wanted to panic and it was only causing her to get more upset. Finally she decided the best was to stay calm and go upstairs to get changed. That night she slept on the couch and listened for any kind of indication that Kato would be needing help. It just sounded like he was in pain and it made her feel bad. Still it was better not to share the bed cause that had only made him more tender the one night before that the bones hurt.
 
"I know what you mean." Star nods. "Everyday I'm wondering what the heck the point of life is anymore. Honestly...without a future with you to look forward too...I don't know what I'd do." Her hand reaches up to her neck. "The things you do to survive...it destroys your pride...your will. You took lives to keep yours, I...I had to give mine completely away. Sometimes I wonder if he doesn't still have it."
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Kato couldn't sleep more than a few hours. His bones felt like they were about to explode. His hands trembled as he tried to get more painkillers. He opened the lid only to have the majority of them spill on the floor. He couldn't even get up to retrieve them. He breathed heavily, noticing how even his ribs felt heavier. What if he suffocated from his bones weighing his lungs down? What if he was never able to move again? What if the pain never went away? He wanted to fall in love with Anna. He'd already begun. He wanted to marry, have children. Children...how was this going to affect them? He had alien dna in his body now. What if it created deformities in them? From there...the thoughts just got worse...as he had nothing else to do aside from laying helplessly in bed...worrying about the future.
 
A small glint came to Killian's eyes. He couldn't help his rotten thoughts from rising out of the cesspool. "Oh I've got plenty of reason to live as long as that bastard is out there. I'd fillet him if I had a chance." Momentarily he was shocked at his own statement and he blinked a few times. "Star I want to protect you and killing him is the best way to do it. I've got you back and I'm not letting him take you. If he does it'll be over my dead body."

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Late that night Mike came into the house. It looked like everyone had gone to bed early. On his way up the stairs he heard someone downstairs get up and start shuffling around. Turning to the side he peered down behind himself to see that Anna was wandering around. He didn't know if she was sick or keeping vigil over Kato again. Maybe it was a rough night.

Anna heard Mike come into the house and laid on the couch for a moment longer. Finally she decided to go check on Kato. Something crunched under her foot when she walked into the room and it compelled her to turn the light on. "Kato!" Quickly scampering over to the bed she collected a few of the pain pills that had fallen into the folds of the blankets. "Did you already have some or do you need?" She glanced at his face. It looked like he needed some but, she didn't want him to overdose. "Is it bad?" Gingerly she placed a hand on his forehead. He wasn't feverish which was good. A fever would indicate an infection or rejection of the implant. While he laid in the bed being miserable she did her best to collect the last of the pills that fell onto the floor. "You should ask for help instead of laying in here like that." Gently scolding him she poured the pills into the bottle and snapped the lid back on.
 
Star smiled at him sadly. "I know. I actually appreciate that. I wouldn't mind knowing he's six feet under as well." She stretched out, cautiously laying down on her back and resting her head on his lap. Her head turned towards the fire so she could look at it. She had a thought of Killian stroking her hair and remembered how that had triggered some of her memories during her moment of panic. She didn't want to say anything, what if she were alright this time? But she didn't want to risk ruining this moment with a panic attack. "That day...when we had to hide in the cellar...I think one of the reasons I freaked out was...was you touching my hair. He used to uh, tangle his fingers in it and pull me around. I've been thinking about cutting it again. Maybe I'll make it as short as yours." She smirks at the thought. "Or maybe I'll just go partially bald...that sounds fun."

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"I didn't want to worry you." He smiles weakly. "I'm alright...just...heavy." He grimaces as he lifts his arm onto his stomach. "You should go to bed. Get some rest. You look tired."
 
This time Killian kept his hands to himself though he was tempted to try and cuddle Star. Maybe they would later. It was only made a little awkward when Star mentioned the cellar. "Don't go bald." Chuckling a little he leaned to the side so he could see her face better. "You could have short hair if you wanted." He personally liked the long hair but, if she needed it short to get over this it would be alright. After a few moments he started to get tired and Killian laid back. Part way into the night he started into his usual sleeping patterns of startling every few hours and just before dawn he would wake up every couple of minutes.

The sun came out and it was soothing in many ways. Killian noticed that Star wasn't really laying on him anymore and he didn't blame her. It had to be uncomfortable with him waking up all the time. Finally with the sun he rolled to his stomach and let the sun warm his back while he slept more.

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"Heavy?" Anna couldn't quite figure out what he meant by heavy. Still she left like he requested. Wasn't a whole lot more she could do. Naturally she was worried and got up early the next morning. Still there wasn't any sign of Killian or Star and Kato was looking like he still didn't feel good. Wandering into the room she perched on the edge of his bed. "Tell me what's going on."
 
Star shifted in her sleep, her face turned in his direction. There was soft snore coming from her as she snuggled deeper into the blankets. A bird cawing right over their sleeping spot, woke her with a start. Her heart pounded, but when she realized it was just a bird she glared at it and sat up with a sigh. Killian was still sleeping so she took the initiative to get some coffee brewing in a portable coffee maker, and warm up the breakfast over the fire. When it was ready she reached over and stroked his back softly. "Morning, Killian. Breakfast is ready."

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There were dark rings under Kato's eyes from not sleeping much and his body ached even more than yesterday if that was possible. "Not sure..." He grimaces. "I think...the transplant...its causing my bones to thicken...like Killian's." He chuckles painfully. "Hopefully this part of the process won't last too long. I already miss holding you." He shifts his neck to get a better angle, only noticing just then how even that movement was difficult. "How are you? And the others? Killian and Star back yet?"
 
At first Killian's back tensed with the hands but, they were small and delicate. Gradually he relaxed and turned his head toward her voice. Groaning incomprehensible words he covered that part of his face with a hand. After a moment he breathed in deeply on to breathe a bunch of dirt in. Coughing and spluttering he sat up and stared the breakfast with some surprise. "Thank you." He really wanted to touch her so he carefully laid a hand on her shoulder. "I miss holding you."

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Anna nodded though her primary concern was that it seemed to be causing Kato quite a bit of pain. "Ooh you think that's why he fusses so much about that leg when it gets irritated?" Perhaps a Chippequoti's bones was tougher but, breaking it might make it feel more tender for a greater period of time. "Just don't turn into Killian." Trying to make her own joke she quickly ended up shaking her head when the man asked about the others. "They're probably sleeping. You know he doesn't get up like he used to since that." Leaning over in the bed Anna gently kissed his lips. It would maybe be the better choice than kissing his cheek.

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By mid afternoon Killian was starting to get a little more comfortable with the island. "Wanna go exploring?" He felt more comfortable here because there weren't people and as much as it scared him to get out of the house he needed to do more of it. Holding a hand out he offered for Star to take hold while they started into the miniature hill and heavily shrubbed area.
 
Star didn't flinch as he touched her this time. She met his eyes with longing of her own. She leans forward planting a kiss on his lips, her hand gently caressing his face. "Me too." She whispers. "I don't think I'd mind, if you held me for a bit."
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"Mmm." He smiles lightly as she pulls away. "Pretty sure that just made it feel better. Just a little bit." He kissed her again, then noted the worried look on her face. "Hey...why don't you bring your easel and paints in. I'd love to watch you paint something. Maybe those flowers?" It was something that would distract both of their minds.
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Star took his hand happily as they trudged up the hill. For the first time in a long time, she was feeling over all normal. "This is a beautiful area. Maybe we should build a cabin here and just settle. Then again, you never were one to sit still for long." She looked over at him. "Timo's leaving...end of the week. Are you...are you wanting to go with him?"
 
Killian grinned slightly when she mentioned the settling. It was true that he couldn't stand to be in one place too long. Letting go of her hand briefly, Killian jumped and held onto the edge of a rock while pulling himself up the rest of the way. Once he was on top of it he leaned down with a hand. "C'mon jump up here." He'd ignored the question about leaving with Timo but, it was time to answer. "No I'm not going with him. I'm going back to the Killing Fields." Meeting her gaze he saw the shock, horror or whatever it was that had currently possessed her. "I've had a lot of time to think and its about time somebody got those guys out of there and then I'm gonna steal a whole flight of ships from the bastards that fund the games." Working for a ship was too much but, stealing the ships and getting the other men lined up to go into the killing fields would buy a certain level of loyalty.

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A slight grin came to Anna's face and she tried to focus instead of getting nervous for Kato. "Alright I'll get some stuff. Just try not to moan and groan too much." While it was dandy to crack jokes she felt bad for him. While she painted Anna hid a reflection of Kato's face in the window behind the flowers. "Now then...." Mostly talking to herself she grabbed a brush and began to blend the vibrant shades of blue.

The door to the house flew open and she stood up. "I'm gonna go see who that was." By the look on Killian's face something had snapped and he was ready to kill someone. It was an old and familiar look but, not a good one. Glancing at Star she didn't know what to think. "What happened?"
 
Star's forehead furrowed for a long moment then she nodded determinedly. "Then I'm coming with you. We'll do it together." She takes his hand. "A whole fleet of ships...what would we even do with them?"
 
Killian was a little surprised by her statement. "We'll start finding out who the masters are and use the fleet to hunt them down." The man stared at her for a long moment and then started to walk again. "First I got to find a way to the games." They weren't hard to find but, they were quite a distance.
 
"Ask Timo. Maybe he'll help us. It'll be for a good cause and help his crew get a good amount of creds, if we do it right." Star suggests. She grips his hand a little tighter as he storms forward a little faster. "Killian...I am one hundred percent behind you...just...promise me you won't lose yourself looking for revenge...alright?"
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Star looked at Andy as she met them at the door. Killian's somewhat violent entrance had no doubt startled her. "We're going to rescue those in the Killing games." She answers her calmly. "Have you seen Timo?"
"Someone ask for me?" Timo trots inside, and notes the expression on Killian's face. "Uh...everything alright here?"
 
Asking Timo was one of the last things that Killian wanted to do. "Why do you think he wants to be involved in this? The boy doesn't have what it takes this isn't about the money." Only way he could think to get Timo through the job would be to have him take on the bank nearby but, he doubted the boy would want to be a plain all out thief either. The more he thought about the plan the faster Killian walked along the top of the hill and scanning the area. Stopping he turned around and peered at Star. "I can't promise you that. I'll do my best and that's all I can guarantee right now."

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Anna's eyes widened at the announcement. She wasn't sure what she could say if anything. It seemed to be rather sudden for Killian to decide to do something. Granted it was sudden for his rescue with Star and he'd been about as close to himself as she'd ever seen there. Then it was like he'd mellowed out and seemed almost depressed for weeks after and now he was blazing again though his eyes were not the bright mischievous color.

The boy trotted into the house and Killian glowered at him. Star had been the one to think that this was a good idea and he didn't think that the boy would handle it. "It's just fine. I'm getting a ship and when others steal the ships we'll have a fleet then. Enough to step up from smuggling and go to piracy."

Mike heard the word piracy and his eyes about bulged out of his head. "Piracy? Who we attacking?"
 
"The masters...the slave owners." Star says. "People like Kafus who have a whole hell alot of money and cruelty."
"Uh...you two just got out of horrible dangerous situations and now you want to go back in?" Timo asks incredulously.
No...I don't. But I don't want to lose Killian either. And this is the first time I've seen him even close to his old self since we were rescued. Star nods at Timo. "There are other humans out there who are like us, who are suffering. If we don't help them...who will?"

Kato was hearing bits and pieces of the conversation over the pounding headache in his skull. Killing grounds? Piracy? What were they thinking? Whatever it was, he was just glad he'd decided to stay with Anna. He sighs, popping four more painkillers in his mouth. They barely helped, but it was better than nothing. He was partially tempted to ask Anna to help him set up a morphine drip, but those supplies were expensive and should be saved for someone who really, really needed them.
 
Mike shook his head and turned to look at Killian. "When did you decide this?" He had thought that it seemed a little sudden and if somebody didn't question the captain it would turn into slaughter.

It was irritating to have the engineer question him like that. Killian's hackles started to raise and he growled. "I need to do something about this. We can't just wait here for those animals to take action." They needed to kill men like Kafus. In fact that whole arena could be destroyed with everyone in it. It was sick that they came to watch this sort of activity and he was done with the kinds of people that appeared to benefit from the death of masses of men.

"No we don't have to sit and wait for them." Mike clenched his jaw some. This was going to be a fight. "What sort of plans do you have? You're not even in shape to do this, Killian." Just to demonstrate his point he stepped forward and pushed Killian back then punched him in the leg where they had taken the bone marrow from. It was healed enough that it wouldn't cause damage but, he needed to make a point. If he could get Killian to wait a little longer he would maybe have to re-think himself. Potentially it could prevent murder on a mass scale. Something had shifted and when Killian wasn't cowering someplace he was turning into a raging monster.

Stumbling back a little Killian glowered at Mike. He wanted to hit the man, stab him or....Then the sobering reality hit and he lowered his gaze. "Get out of my way." Limping past the man he went upstairs to his room and shut the door.

Mike gazed at Star for a moment. "If you're as nervous as I am I'll back you."
 
"And say what?" Star asked solemnly. He could tell by the way her body-language after Killian was out of the room that she didn't like it anymore than he did. "He needs this. I haven't seen this determined about anything since we got back. I'm afraid if I fight him on it...it'll just cause more harm than good." She glanced upstairs where he'd gone, her expression sorrowful as she hugged herself. "I just got him back." She almost whispered. "I don't want to lose him."
 
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