A PROMISE TO KEEP..

BY AMY (ANNIEO) HANNA

EDITED BY SHARON (TRIVIA) BLANK

(Takes place two years before "From This Moment")

When you feel the sunlight

Fade into the cold night

Don't know where to turn

I don't know where to turn

And all the dreams you're dreaming

Seem to lose their meaning

Let me be your world

Baby, let me be your world

All you need is someone you can hold

Don't be sad, you're not alone...

She was cold. The darkness seemed to keep dragging her back into its oblivion. She felt something wet on her forehead and heard someone speaking. She smiled slightly as her mind put a name to the voice. He would keep her safe, he always did. She slowly moved her lips trying to form his name and succeeded with the barest whisper.

"Shane," she said weakly.

"Right here, Babe, just lay still," he said as he halted her attempt to rise.

"What happened?" Niko asked as she tried to put the memories together in her mind

"We were attacked as we came out of hyperspace. The ship was damaged and we crashed on some planet in the empty zone that doesn't even have a name," Goose said as he applied a fresh compress to her head.

"How bad was I hurt?" Niko asked, frightened when Shane didn't answer right away. "Shane, tell me."

"Well, you have a compound fracture to your ankle, a few broken ribs, maybe a slight concussion, and some internal bleeding. At least I think you do, the autodoc isn't working. I did what I could for everything, but..." He paused, his eyes moving away from the look on Niko's face.

"But what? Shane, please tell me," she begged, her voice cracking in fear

How can I tell her, I don’t know if she’ll survive the night, let alone till were rescued not without the med kit. God Niko why did this have to happen, there’s so much I want to tell you yet.

"The med kit was destroyed in the crash, and you're showing the early signs of infection in the ankle fracture. You have a high fever, and if we're not rescued soon..." He turned away again, his emotions overcoming him.

"Did you get out a signal?" Niko asked as her mind raced over what Shane had told her.

"I don't know if it got through." He startled as Niko's body suddenly began convolsing. Several minutes later she lay in his arms gasping for breath. "You okay?" he asked as the tremor passed.

"I'm so cold, Shane," she said as she curled into the warmth his body provided. "I'm so cold."

"It's okay, Babe, we're going to get out of this. You wouldn't want to miss Doc's surprise party, now, would you?" She didn't answer as unconsciousness reclaimed her.

I will be here for you

Somewhere in the night

Somewhere in the night

I'll shine a light for you

Somewhere in the night

I will be here for you...

He held her all through the night. He feared letting her go, afraid that she would slip away from him in the moment it would take to stoke the fire back to life. He listened to her breathing, hearing the rasp that accompanied it. She felt hot to his touch, too hot. If the fever didn't break soon he would lose her. He held her tighter and placed a light kiss on her forehead.

I can’t loose her, I don’t know what I would do if I did loose her. I don’t know how I would be able to go on without her in my life she’s everything to me. I can’t let her give up I won’t let her give up.

"You listen to me, Niko, you fight this. I can't live without you. I need you to fight. Please, Niko, fight this," he said, a single tear falling down his cheek. She stirred slightly in his embrace and began to mumble in her sleep.

"Shane, why? Why can't you see? I tried, Shane, I tried to make you see," she mumbled as she clung to Shane. "I love you, Shane, why can't you see that?" Goose held her tighter as he listened to her ramblings, his heart expanding with each phrase she mumbled.

"I love you too, Babe." He held her closer.

I will be here for you

In this world of strangers

Of cold unfriendly faces

Someone you can trust

Oh, there's someone you can trust

Her shaking roused him from a sound sleep. Her fever was still dangerously high, and now chills had set in. His concern for her grew with each tremor that racked her body as he held her. He slowly reached for the water jug that he had set nearby and gently forced her to drink.

Her fever is too high, I have to get it down, need to keep her hydrated. Come on Babe just a little. I need you to fight this, please Niko I need you. I can’t go on without you. God why didn’t I tell you.

"Come on, Niko, you have to drink," he cajoled as he tried to get her to drink more.

"No, too cold, not thirsty, too cold," she repeated in her fever induced haze. "Shane, promise you won't leave me. Promise me, please," she mumbled in her delirium.

"I promise, Babe, I will never leave you, if I can help it. Now, please, take a drink." He tried again, succeeding in getting her to swallow a bit. "Niko, you listen to me. You hang on. We'll get out of this, I promise."

"Shane. I'm so tired. Let me sleep please." Niko said weakly.

"No, you need to stay awake, talk to me Niko. Stay awake and talk to me." Goose said as he pulled her closer for warmth.

"W-w-what do you want to talk about?" Niko asked as she tried to remain awake.

"Anything just stay awake."

"Okay, how about D-d-doc's party? What did you get for him?" She asked

Shane chuckled to himself, "Let's just say that Doc will get a real bang out of it." He glanced down at Niko and noticed her eyes starting to flutter shut. "Niko! Stay awake, come on, talk to me."

"Shane, I can't do th-this, I want to sleep, please let me s-s-sleep."

"Niko, you stay awake, who will I talk to if you fall asleep? Niko, come on, Babe, we're going to get through this, you just have to hold on a little longer."

"Sh-shane, I w-w-want you to know I l-l-l-love you." He held her closer "P-p-p-promise me s-s-something, don't let me go."

Promise, Niko I would promise the universe to you if I thought you wanted it. I would give my life for you without a second thought. Funny thing is I can face down a squade of crown troppers, but to tell you I love you, I don’t know I just can’t do it. All I have to do is just say it Niko I love you what’s so hard about that?

"I promise Niko, I promise."

I will be your shelter

I'll give you my shoulder

Just reach out for my love

Reach out for my love

Call my name and my heart will hear

I will be there, there's nothing to fear

Three Days later....

"Ranger Gooseman, you can see her now," the nurse said.

Ok Gooseman, this is your big chance to change your life for the better. But how can I ask her, she deserves better then an ex-super tropper, nothing but a genetic mutant. What if she say’s no? Come on Goose she might say yes there’s always that chance. You know she feels the same way that you do you just are to stubborn to tell her that you feel the same way. This is your chance Gooseman, now get in there and do it.

"Thanks." He slowly walked into the room and, seeing that she was awake, flashed one of his famous lady-killer smiles. "Hi."

"Hi." She managed a weak smile back. "How are you doing?"

God, she’s beautiful even after all she’s been through. Ok Gooseman now’s your chance to do this, take a deep breath and just say the words. I haven’t been this nervous since, hell I’ve never felt this nervos.

"Fine, a week of rest and I'll be back on duty. Niko, there's something I want to tell you. Well,ask you, really."

"Shane, what is it?" she asked as she noticed his nervousness.

"Niko, I know that you have feelings for me, and, well, I have feelings for you too, and I was, I was..."

Yah, great job Goose, you froze up, now get your act together and just ask. All you have to say is Niko will you marry me, is that so hard?

"Shane, what are you trying to say?" Niko asked, her hand taking his. "Just say what you want to say, I won't bite. Honest." Shane looked away gathering his emotions before speaking, and with a deep sigh pulled out a simple looking box and slowly got down on one knee.

OK Goose, breath and say the words, She feels the same she won’t say no. But what if she does?

"Niko, I know I don't have a lot to offer you, all I can give is my heart, which you already own. But would you Niko,” He paused his face turning pale his voice becoming shakey.

That’s it Goose keep going almost there, deep breath and spill it.

“Shane?” Niko started her eyes filling with tears,

“ Niko would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" He stared deep into her eyes, holding his breath waiting for her answer.

Come on please say yes, I don’t want to live without waking up with you in my arms in the morning. She’s not answering she’s going to say no. Come on Gooseman get a hold of yourself.

"Well, don't leave us in suspense, Niko, say yes to the boy." Doc said from the doorway, his characteristic smile crossing his face.

Goose growled at the hacker and started to stand before Niko pulled him down. "Ranger, I thought you would never ask." She quieted his comment to Doc by pulling him in and kissing him firmly.

"Yep, I would say that is a yes." Doc chuckled as he pulled the door shut.

I will be there for you

Somewhere in the night

Somewhere in the night

I'll shine a light for you

Somewhere in the night

I'll be here for you

The End... Or is it ;)

"Somewhere in the Night" Written and sung by Michael W. Smith.

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