The Price of Peace von chelle76 ================================================================================ Kapitel 9: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid --------------------------------------------- I DO NOT own Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs or Sei Jushi Bismarck, they are owned by their respective animation companies. The Price of Peace Chapter 8: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid "So they are here, and we can't see them because she's sick," Colt grumbles while taking a bite of his sandwich. "At least they're back. God only knows where they've been. Maybe she got sick from being out in the elements or something," Robin says. "Either way, we're going to have to explain to my father what has transpired. He's not going to be too thrilled, though I'm not sure who he'll be more upset with," April says. "He knows how Saber can be, April. So maybe he won't be too hard on him," Fireball offers. "It's not him I'm worried about," she replies. "I think he'll understand Amanda going with him, but the fact that we..." she trails off, not wanting to finish the thought. "Started treating him differently, because he was blind," Fireball finishes. April nods, "The very thing that my father wanted to avoid." "Seeing that he hasn't spoken to us, I guess it's safe to assume he's still mad," Colt says. Robin stands up and places her dishes in the sink, "So what do we do?" "I wish I knew," April replies. "Beg forgiveness?" Colt offers with a smirk. "Not helpful, Colt," Fireball says. Just then, Elaine comes through the kitchen and into her quarters. "Great, is she mad at us now too?" Colt states as she breezes past without a word. "She looked like she was going after something. I hope everything is okay," Robin says, staring off towards where Elaine went. A few minutes later, Elaine comes out carrying sheets. "Elaine, is everything okay?" April asks. Elaine stops and faces them, "Ms. Kelly is awake, but she is still running some fever, but she has eaten some and wishes to change into some fresh clothes. I'm helping her with that and Saber is going to change the bedding. She was sweating quite a bit from the fever." "Is there anything we can do to help?" April asks. Elaine shakes her head, "Not at this point. I'll let you know if that changes." "Thank you," April replies as Elaine turns and heads back upstairs. "Well, what should we do?" she asks the others after Elaine leaves. They head into the sitting room and are talking about the past weeks events when the doorbell rings. Thomas comes though room, heading for the door. He answers the door and after a minute, he returns with Commander Eagle. "Oh boy," Colt mutters under his breath. "Hello everyone," the commander says upon entering the room. "Hi," comes the unanimous reply. He looks around and notices that Saber is absent, "Where's Saber?" "With Amanda," Fireball answers truthfully. "Well, at least she is working with him. Has he shown any improvement?" he asks. "Hard to say at this point," April replies. The commander looks to each of them in turn and after studying them he looks to April, "Is there something going on that I should know about?" he asks taking a seat on the couch. They all cast a nervous glance to one another, none of them wanting to be the one to detail the events of the past few weeks. "I'm waiting. Is something wrong with Saber?" he asks firmly, looking pointedly at April. She swallows hard and takes a breath, "Um, well...there have been a few...issues," she begins. "Okay," he replies, waiting for a further explanation. "Saber is improving. He has worked on fencing, and has had some opportunity to work on his shooting skills," April replies. "What issues have come up then? Does he not get along with Ms. Kelly?" the commander inquires. "I wouldn't say that, sir," Colt interjects, getting glares from the others. "Then what would you say these issues are, Mr. Wilcox?" the commander asks beginning to get annoyed. "Uh..." "One of Saber's old fencing partners came by a little more than a week ago, his name is Sean McCully. Not knowing about Saber's blindness, he and Saber had a fencing match. He barely was able to beat Saber," the commander looks surprised and Fireball continues, "After the match, he was shocked to learn of Saber's condition, but seemed to take it in stride. We all had dinner and talked a while. He said he was going to his room for the evening and left. Saber and Amanda went off and were talking, at some point, Amanda was going to her room and encountered Sean in the hallway. Evidently, he made unwelcome advances to her and she blew him off and went to her room. He didn't like it and went in after her, and attempted to rape her. Saber hears the commotion, since he's closer than we are down here, grabs a pistol that is kept in his room, goes and enters Amanda's room. She tries to scream and fight Sean off of her. Saber orders Sean to back off. He refuses and Saber fires a shot, barely missing him. Sean shoves Amanda to the floor and says he's leaving and leaps towards Saber. April arrives at that moment and shoots Sean in the leg. This stops the altercation." Fireball states. Commander Eagle sits in stunned silence for a few minutes, processing the information, "Is Ms. Kelly all right?" he finally manages to ask. "She was bruised up and in shock, but could have been worse. Then the next morning, she and Saber had some sort of altercation. He left, and after a couple of hours, she went off looking for him. She found him and they were both fine. He was in the process of teaching her to fight with sticks when we found them after an extensive property search. After we found them, we sort of let on that we thought he was...incapable of caring for himself. That pissed him off and he and Amanda took off, they stayed gone for a week. Now she is evidently very sick with fever, he is upstairs with her," April explains. "Sounds like life hasn't been dull around here." the commander says ruefully. "I'm not sure now that having you three and Robin come back with me for a couple of weeks for our doctors to do your physicals and psychological exams is a good idea." "Why wouldn't you want us to go?" April asks. "If Amanda is sick, he might need help," he replies. "Don't let him hear you say that," Colt states. "Perhaps it would be better if you gave him some space. Have you spoken with him since he's returned?" They all shake their heads. "Then maybe this would be a good time for you to get away." As they are talking, Elaine comes through carrying the used bedding, she stops when she spots Commander Eagle, "Oh, hello Commander. I didn't know you were coming today." "Hello Elaine. It sounds like you've had your hands full around here," he replies. "It's been a bit more exciting than I'm used to, sir. But not too bad," she replies. "I would like to speak with Saber, if you will allow it. I understand that he is a bit busy, it would only take a few minutes of his time," he asks. Elaine studies him for a moment, then nods slightly, "All right. He never said that he wouldn't allow you to see him until he was ready. Go on up to his room, I'll fetch him in a minute." "Thank you, Ma'am," the commander replies and heads up the stairs, As he reaches the top, he spots Saber leaving a room and closing the door behind him. "Saber," he calls. Saber turns in the direction of the commander's voice, "Sir?" "We need to talk, privately," the commander replies. Saber nods and turns towards his room, "This way, sir," he says, leading the commander to his quarters and into the sitting area. They both sit down and after a few minutes, Saber breaks the silence, "So they called you in on this, eh?" he asks, sounding a bit amused. "No. I was coming to see how things were progressing and to have the others return with me to get their quarterly physicals and psych evals done. I knew nothing of what had transpired here. I think you should be checked out too, but given the situation here, I think it can wait a little. We will go from the date you came out of the coma, as opposed to date of injury." Saber nods, "I'll do whatever you think is best, sir. Although I will not leave until I know that Amanda is no longer ill. I feel partly responsible for her illness." The commander stifles a smile, "So the insinuations the others were making are correct?" he asks amused. Saber is silent for a minute, fighting to keep a neutral front, "And just what is it that they are insinuating, sir?" he asks in a slightly irritated tone. "That you and Ms. Kelly may have-" "We've done nothing wrong, sir." he states firmly, interrupting the commander's statement. "Yes. It is true that we disappeared for a while, but it was better for me to leave rather than to remain and most likely say something that could have caused some unrepairable damages to my relationships with the others. Amanda followed me when I left, she chose to remain with me. I openly admit that I enjoyed our time together. We talked a lot, about a lot of things. She also taught me that I can still do things, including most of the things that I did before. I am teaching her to fence now, and she can ride a horse also. So she is learning new skills, as I am learning to teach skills. As for the unspoken part of your question, I don't know what or how I feel about her. I do consider her a friend. I would like to maintain contact with her, regardless, as I do enjoy her company. Unlike everyone else, she isn't afraid to call me on something if she thinks I need to be knocked down a peg, as the saying goes." Commander Eagle chuckles at the last comment, "Well, it sounds like she is keeping her end of the agreement." Saber nods. "Perhaps in a month or so, you can return to Calvary Command for a few days for tests, but for now, you shall remain here. I will tell the others to pack up and we will leave this afternoon." "You do not have to rush them out on my account, sir. I am no longer angry with them. I've not spoken to them because of everything that has happened since we returned this morning, not because I'm angry. I would like to speak to them before the leave, and they are welcome to return after they are done there, if they wish to." Saber states quietly. "If you aren't presently occupied, why don't you come on down and talk with them?" the commander says. Saber nods, "Amanda is sleeping right now, and her fever is down, so I suppose I could go and talk with them for a little while," he replies. Commander Eagle stands up, "Then let's go down. They really seem to think that you are still mad at them." Saber chuckles, "Well, perhaps next time they will learn a bit of diplomacy." he says standing up and turning towards the door. Commander Eagle places a hand on Saber shoulder, stopping him, "I have one more question for you, Saber." "Yes?" "Why are you wearing sunglasses?" the commander asks. Saber sighs, "This morning I started seeing bits of light. I can't see much else, but the bit of light I can see makes my head hurt. Much like it did at the hospital." "Well, that's some progress, I suppose," he replies and removes his hand, allowing Saber to leave the room. "It's something. Whether it's temporary or permanent, has yet to be seen. I am aware it could go as fast as it came, sir. I'm well past hoping for a complete recovery," he says as they descend the stairs and enter the sitting room. The others looking up in surprise. "Hello everyone," Saber says in a neutral tone as he sits in a vacant chair. Everyone is silent for several minutes, "How's Amanda?" April finally says breaking the uncomfortable silence. "She's a little better. Her fever is finally down some, so it's not as dangerously high as it was earlier." Saber replies as he tries to focus enough behind the glasses to make out some facial expressions, rubbing his temples from the effort. "Saber, we-" Fireball begins. "Don't, Fireball," He says holding a hand up to silence him. "Just don't go there. It's over, it's done. I realize that what you were saying and what you meant are two different things. However, that being said, you should have thought about my mindset at the time. I had already left the house because I was upset, treating me like an invalid or a child did not help things. I was already feeling insecure," He hears several gasps at such an admission, but continues, "Yes, I am admitting that I am an infallible human, as Amanda pointed out a short time before you arrived. But as she was showing me when you arrived, I still can do things. Try putting yourself in my place. How would you feel? That is all I want you to think about before you make a comment about my current situation. Oh, and for the record, she and I have not..done anything. We slept in the same place, but not even the same area. I hope that satisfies your curiosity," He sits back and waits for any response to his speech. "So...so do we just go on, like everything is fine now?" April hesitantly asks after a long silence. Saber nods, "I am amenable to that, if all of you are. I don't feel like losing anyone as a friend. But I know when I have had enough and that I am liable to say something I would regret, so that is why I left when I did." "You must have been really pissed, having stayed gone a week," Fireball states. Saber laughs, "Actually, I was fine by the next morning." "Then why did you remain gone?" Fireball asks. Saber shrugs, "Honestly, I was enjoying the time with Amanda. We spent a lot of time talking about everything. I know about her past, she knows about mine. Including the fact that I had been betrothed as a child to Sincia. She also knows how that ended. We also worked on self defense techniques. I don't want what happened before to happen again. She might not be as lucky." "Wow," Colt says surprised. "Do you know anything else about her?" Saber nods, "Yes, I do. But I will not disclose that information. She told me in confidence. I don't plan on betraying that trust." Commander Eagle clears his throat to get everyone's attention, "You four," he says nodding to Colt, Robin, Fireball, and April, "should go and pack. We should leave in the next hour so that you can rest for the tests they are doing tomorrow. They will take several days, but when you are finished, if you wish to return here, you may." "So you are okay with us returning?" April asks, turning to face Saber. "If you wish to return, I welcome you. I bear no grudge," he replies. "Why aren't you coming too?" April asks. "Commander Eagle said that they will do my testing in about a month's time. That way it's going from the date I came out of the coma, not the date of injury," he replies. "That and you refuse to leave Amanda, I bet.. Colt adds with a grin. "That is true, Colt. I do not deny that. I feel that I am at least partially responsible for her condition, so I will help tend to her. I owe her that. Just as I would do the same for any of you," Saber says simply. The doorbell rings and Thomas goes to answer it. A minute later, he enters the room with Dr. Ferguson. "Ah, Captain Rider, how is Ms. Kelly doing this evening?" Dr. Ferguson asks. "She seems a little better. She still had a fever about an hour ago, but she has been up, she showered with Elaine's help and got into fresh clothes and managed to eat a little soup. She is currently sleeping, or she was about an hour ago. I was just about to go and look in on her," Saber replies. The doctor nods, "Very well, shall we go up there and see about her?" "Yes, sir. We shall in just a moment," He turns the others, "Please come and let me know before you leave. Just knock on the door and I'll come out," he says before turning towards the stairs. "This way, doctor." They head up to her room and enter quietly. Amanda is sleeping peacefully and Saber goes over and gently places a hand on her arm, "Amanda, the doctor is here," he says quietly. She stirs at his touch and the sound of his voice, rolling over slowly and looking up to see Saber and the doctor standing beside her bed. "Oh, hello Doctor," she says weakly. "Good evening, Ms. Kelly. I am Dr. Ferguson. I need to examine you and check your temperature, is that all right?" She nods weakly and struggles to sit up. Saber goes to her side and offers a hand, she takes it gratefully and sits up with his help. "Thank you," she says quietly. "Now, Ms. Kelly," the doctor begins as he sticks a thermometer in her mouth, "I must say that you look better than you did earlier." The thermometer beeps and he takes it out and looks at it, "Thirty -eight degrees. That's a far cry better, but it's still a little high." He looks at her face, neck and arms, "Any signs of a rash anywhere?" Amanda shakes her head, "No sir." "I think I'd better do a full examination, if you have a rash, it could be something more serious," he turns to Saber, "I think you should leave the room, Captain Rider. It would be improper for you to be here, even though you can't see," Saber nods and starts towards the door. "Could Elaine be present?" Amanda asks quickly. "I'm uneasy being alone with …" "I'll get her for you," Saber says quickly and steps out, leaving the door open. "Elaine?" he calls down the stairway. "Yes, sir?" she replies, heading in the direction of the stairs. "Please come up here for a minute, won't you?" Saber answers back. "Coming!" she calls back. She arrives quickly, "Is something wrong?" she asks worried. Saber shakes his head, "The doctor wants to do a full examination on her, and I don't think she feels comfortable being alone in the room with him." Elaine nods, "I'll go in." "I'll go downstairs and wait. Call me when he's done. I'd like to know if he finds anything." "I will," she replies and goes into the room, closing the door behind her. "I'm here, Ms. Kelly," she says as she goes to the other side of her bed. "Thank you, Elaine," Amanda says barely above a whisper. Saber heads back down to the sitting room and find the commander waiting for the others. "I heard you call for Elaine, is everything all right?" the commander asks. "Yes, sir. The doctor wanted to do a physical exam on Amanda, she was uncomfortable alone, after the incident with Sean, so I asked Elaine to stay with her during the examination," Saber replies. "Ah. How did she seem?" he replies. "Hard to say honestly. She was still running a fever. Although it was down to thirty-eight, rather than the forty-one degrees that it was earlier." "That is some improvement, but still not good." the commander says. "I know, sir. But, perhaps a few days of rest and she will feel better." They talk for a while longer and soon April, Fireball, Robin, and Colt come down with their luggage, setting down beside them. "We're ready when you are, Father." The commander stands up and Saber does too. "Well, Saber, let us know if you need something before we return." "I will, sir," Saber says. "Please keep us posted on Amanda's condition, Saber, "April says. Saber nods. She comes over and takes his hands, "I am sorry for the events that have transpired. I will make an effort to be a better friend." Saber smiles, "All is forgiven, there is no need to bring it back up again." "Thank you, Saber. We'll be back when we're done with these tests," she replies. "I'll see you then. I'll let you know if her condition worsens, good luck with the tests," he replies. They all say their good-byes and leave. Saber sits back down and waits until Elaine calls for him. Going back up the stairs, he enters the room and sits down in a chair beside the bed where Amanda is sitting up. "Well, Captain Rider, I have put her on an antibiotic. I think her fever will continue to level off and in a day or so, she should start feeling better. She will be on the meds for ten days, but it should help. If anything changes, or if anyone else shows symptoms, call me, otherwise, I'll dismiss her from my care." "Thank you doctor," Saber replies. The doctor gets up and leaves, Elaine showing him out; leaving Saber and Amanda alone. Amanda sighs after the door closes and shakes her head.,"I'm glad that's over." "Are you all right?" "Yeah. evidently, I have some sort of bad infection or something. He seemed to think I'd be fine in a few days, since the fever was going down, and I had no other symptoms. God I hated being examined though. Thank you for getting Elaine to stay with me. After..." "I understand," Saber says quietly. "You don't have to explain yourself, Amanda." Amanda nods, "Thanks...for everything," she says quietly and then chuckles. "What?" Saber asks. "Can you see me well enough to know that I nodded? I did it without thinking." He smiles slightly, "I can see you enough that I know that's what you did. I still can't see very well. I tend to see best in dim lighting." "I'll remember that," she says with a laugh. "I might can use that bit of knowledge to some advantage." "Is that a threat, madam?" Saber asks mockingly, trying not to smile. "Nah, more like a promise, sir." she replies smiling. "If I feel and look as bad as I have today, I'll make sure to keep the lights a bit brighter." "Why would you do that? I saw you today, and yet, I still find..." he stops mid-sentence, realizing he's admitted to more than he intended. "What?" she asks. Saber shakes his head, "Nothing." "Um, okay," she says slowly, not wanting to push him. He sees that she's nervous, and he sighs nervously, "I was just going to say that from what I have seen, I think you're attractive, but I didn't want to seem too...forward. I'm apologize if it comes across as such," he mumbles, afraid to look towards her. Amanda laughs and Saber blushes a bit. "I fail to see what's so funny," he mutters. "We spend a week alone together and you think saying that you find me attractive is too forward?" Amanda laughs. "Oh that's a good one." Saber smiles weakly as he gets the joke and laughs, "I suppose it is a bit unorthodox, isn't it? But I'm not accustomed to making such admissions." "So in what way do you find me attractive?" she asks curiously. "Well, um, you see" Saber stumbles, "I'd, um, rather not say if it's all the same to you. It's rather difficult for me to explain." "No, Saber, I think I'd like to hear this. Exactly how much sight do you have?" she asks "I can see shapes, and outlines for the most part," he stammers, not daring to look directly at her. Amanda smiles, "So it's my shapes you find attractive?" Saber blushes unable to respond. "I'll take that as a yes." "Occasionally I can see more...if I make myself focus, but it gives me a bad headache." he adds quietly. She shifts nervously. "So you do have some idea of what I look like?" He nods, daring a glance at her face. "Yet you're still speaking to me. Why were you hesitant to tell me?" "I was afraid you'd leave," he replies barely above a whisper. She looks at him a bit surprised, "I won't leave until you tell me that my services are no longer needed. I am not one to make assumptions, Saber. I thought that you would have known that by now." He shakes his head, "I've never been in such a position before. I'm not sure what to think to be perfectly truthful." "What do you mean you haven't been in such a position before?" He swallows hard and looks towards the floor, "The position of having to sort out feelings," he mutters barely audible. She blinks momentarily shocked the finally says, "I don't know what to think of all of this either. But now you know that I am not one to make assumptions," she states. "So I do," he replies. They fall quiet for a few minutes, neither one sure of what to say. "Would you like something to eat or drink?" he asks, breaking the silence. "A little of both might be good. It's nearly seven now. Have you eaten?" she asks. "Not since lunch earlier. I'll go and find out what Elaine has and bring us both something," he replies. "Okay," she replies. Saber gets up and heads down stairs to the kitchen, "Elaine?" he calls as he enters the kitchen. "Saber? Is everything all right?" she says concern in her voice. "Everything's fine, Elaine. We are a bit hungry, so I came to see if you had anything I could take back upstairs for us to eat," Saber replies. Elaine smiles, "Of course." She goes to the stove and dishes some soup into a couple of bowls and makes a couple sandwiches, placing them on plates and then onto a tray, "Go on back up, I'll bring the food in a minute. Would you like some tea too?" "That sounds good. I'll take the tray up if you'd like, Elaine," Saber offers. She smiles and shakes her head, "I can do it, Saber. I'll just finish the tea and bring it all up at once. It'll take another minute or two, that's all." He nods, knowing better than to argue, "I'll go back upstairs then. Thank you." He heads back upstairs and knocks before entering. "Come in," Amanda replies. Saber enters the room to find it lit only by a single lamp, Amanda sitting on the bed, the covers still covering her. He heads to the chair beside the bed and sits, looking around. "You've turned off a couple lights," he states. "Yeah. I thought it might make it easier on you. The lower light seems to help my head not hurt as much too, so I guess we both benefit," she replies. He stifles a smile. "Ah. That was thoughtful of you. Thank you," Amanda nods. "Elaine is bringing up soup and sandwiches. She should be here shortly," he says, not sure what else to say. Elaine enters the room carrying a tray, "Here we are," she says placing it on the desk, before setting up a tray for Amanda on the bed. "Yours is on the desk, Saber," she says. "Thank you, Elaine," he replies as he goes and sits down to eat. They talk for a while, eventually Saber leaves and heads back to his room. Hosted by Animexx e.V. 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