I awoke in a med bay tubes flowing from my arms like spider webs, I tried to sit up but only let out a scream as pain rippled through my chest. A medic rushed out of a room and to my side, her hair was long and looked like fresh honey.
"Easy there, you took quite the shot, straight through both of your lungs it went, luckily we managed to patch them up before you suffocated in your own blood," she explained, I nodded holding my side knowing that was where the bullet had hit first. Chief walked in moments later not in his armour like he usually was, his face lit up when he saw me awake and he rushed over.
"How's she doing?" He questioned the medic, she smiled at him.
"She is fine sir, I will leave you two alone then," she informed walking out of the bay, Chief smiled down at me his face filled with worry and sadness.
"Thank you for doing that but I almost lost you like I did Caden," he choked on his words fighting back tears, I coughed and wheezed.
"And I almost lost you Chief, why did you just give up like that?" I questioned looking into his eyes, his smile turned into a frown at my question.
"I don't know, after I lost Caden so many years ago I couldn't feel emotions for so long, then I met you and I saw Caden in you, your temper sparked like fire every time someone pissed you off just like hers did, every time I look at you I see her and it breaks my heart knowing I should move on from her but I can't, I grew up with her, we did everything together, now that I have you I worry every time you aren't in my sight because I fear something has happened, I don't think I could stand losing anyone else close to me, I would rather die a thousand times then see you get hurt like you just did again," Chief began to sob, I pulled him down and into a tight hug. He sobbed into my shoulder trying not to squish me with his strength, I couldn't help but sob with him. I had never seen him cry before, I felt my heart break into a million pieces but I had to stay strong for him.

[are you ok Valora?]
Yes I'm fine don't worry about me, do you know how I can cheer Chief up?
[I can suggest maybe soothing him with a song]
Thanks Scarlett.

I brushed a hand through Chiefs hair and began to hum, I felt Chief stiffen slightly as I hugged him.

Deep in the meadow
Under the willow
A bed of grass
A soft green pillow

I felt his sobbing slowly stop as I hummed the rest of the song running my hand through his hair, I closed my eyes as I remembered the song.

Lay down your head
And close your eyes
And when they open
The sun will rise

He sat down on the bed next to me, I rested my chin on his head and continued.

Here it's safe
Here it's warm
Here the daisies guard
You from harm
Here your dreams are sweet
And tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you

His sobbing had now stopped completely, I felt him relax in my arms. I had never sung before and I thought I sounded stupid, Chief let out a soft sigh and he looked me in the eye. I saw so many emotions flowing through his lovely green eyes, I smiled tears still flowing down my cheeks. I had never felt so much for one person, my heart felt like it was going to burst when he pulled me into a deep and passionate kiss. I closed my eyes and pulled him closer ignoring the throbbing pain in my chest and side, we broke apart when a medic walked in her smile told us she heard and saw everything. I could feel my cheeks beginning to burn with embarrassment, Chief smiled as he stared into my eyes.

"I can see you two have sorted everything out now Master Chief I'm gunna have to ask you to leave while I run a few tests on my patient," the medic explained trying to usher Chief out of the room, he chuckled and gave me a final hug.

"By the way Valora my real name is John not Chief," he whispered kissing my cheek, I watched as he left and gave a sigh. The medic began to check all my vitals and examined my wound, I winced when she lightly dabbed some disinfectant on the stitched up bullet hole. She made sure the tubes were still attached to the correct devices before she wrote something down on a clipboard, she smiled at me again before walking out of the room. John walked back in with Kelly this time, Kelly's face was hard to read but I shrugged it off.

"Valora, Kelly has something she wants to say to you," John explained, he walked back out knowing it was a private conversation.

"Valora I am sorry for how I have acted, I just want you to know I was just being protective over Chief, ever since Caden I was always there for him when he needed a shoulder to cry on, I guess I got jealous when he started to fall for you, I didn't want him to get hurt again so I turned nasty on you, I hope you can forgive me," she whispered sitting next to me, I thought about what she said and smiled at her.

"We all make mistakes Kelly, heck I almost killed the shipmaster before I knew what was going on," I chuckled rubbing the back of my neck, I then remembered I had heard Scarlett's voice when my helmet was next to me and not on my head.

"Also before you jump to conclusions that there is a random voice in your head like I can see plastered all over your face Doctor Halsey instructed for Scarlett to be placed into the back of your neck so you have access to her even when you aren't wearing your armour," Kelly explained, I groaned.

"Great no privacy," I joked, Kelly chuckled and left so I could get some rest. I laid back down on my back and looked at the ceiling, I smiled as I drifted into a dreamless sleep.