Title: Camera Shy
Chapter: 13
Author: squeezynz@free.net.nz
Rating: PG

.........Hale and hearty(well mostly)and homeward bound.......

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Betty wasted no time checking out Dan's leg, changing the bandages and adjusting the splint. She tried to be as gentle as possible but even her ministrations were enough to cause Dan to black out briefly. Valerie had also proved problematic after she had been moved to a soft pallet of fern leaves which Fitzhugh and Mark had gathered. Betty had seen to her surface injuries, which were relatively easy to clean up and dress, but her continued state of unconsciousness was giving Betty cause to be gravely concerned.

"I don't know Steve...in the worse possible situation, Valerie could be in this coma for days, even weeks. Best...well she could wake up within a few hours or even minutes, it's almost impossible to tell,"

"I know, just do what you can. Whatever the outcome we move before dawn tomorrow. The quicker we get everyone back to camp the better."

"Well I know that Barry would certainly echo your sentiments,"

"Yeah, I'll call him and check in. Let me know if there's any change in Valerie's condition,"

"Will do Steve,"

Turning back to her patients, Betty surprised Dan in the process of waking up, his dark eyes barely visible behind his heavy lids. Licking his lips Dan tried to talk, but Betty shushed him and came to crouch beside his bed, offering the canteen.

"Take a sip before you talk, its been a rough ride for you,"

"Damn girl, its good to see your face again. What's the verdict on my leg ?"

"You were lucky, its healing well, no infection," Betty told him, recapping the canteen after wetting a cloth and wiping Dan's face. Dan managed a smile before twisting his head around, looking for the others. Spotting Valerie beside the travois he gave Betty a questioning look.

"Valerie's not badly hurt, but her head injury is worrying," Betty explained, her face creased in concern. Dan reached over and took one of her hands, squeezing lightly.

"You've done what you can, Betty, she'll be fine, she has a good nurse,"

"I'm not sure that Mark would agree with you,"

"Why ? What's wrong ?"

"Everytime I look up, I see Mark looking over here shooting me dark looks, he's with Steve right now but I get the feeling he'd rather be here,"

With a chuckle Dan squeezed Betty's hand again, his eyes dancing.

"He's not mad at you, he just worried sick about Valerie, love does that to a man,"

"Mark ?...oh, I guess I knew that..but never thought," Betty stopped in confusion, as the object of their discussion walked over and stood awkwardly beside them, his arms folded, his face closed.

"Steve says we're pushing on in the morning, how's the leg holding up ?"

"I could do with a better mattress, but it'll keep 'til we get back to camp," said Dan, shifting slightly.

"We'll use some fresh ferns to boost the padding, but with two of you on there it'll be cramped,"

"If you could make me some crutches, Valerie could have this carriage all to herself," Dan suggested, the idea just coming to him.

"Oh, I don't know if that would be a good idea Dan," Betty protested, biting her bottom lip.

"It would be better than being jolted around, no offence Mark, but at least I could get along, albeit slowly, and you won't have to haul my dead weight,"

"I'll see what we can come up with for you Dan," Mark replied absently, his eyes wandering to the woman lying just beyond the travois. Betty and Dan exchanged a look before Betty spoke again.

"Why don't you sit with Valerie for awhile Mark, you could try talking to her, I've read that people in a coma can still hear what's going on around them and sometimes, hearing someone they know can bring them back...atleast it can't hurt,"

Dragging his eyes back to the two people in front of him, Mark nodded slightly before walking past them to where Valerie lay. Dan and Betty watched as Mark lowered himself to sit beside the leafy bed, then looked away to give him privacy.

"I think I'll close my eyes for awhile, I'll need all my energy if I'm going to be using crutches tomorrow," said Dan, studiously avoiding the sound of low murmuring coming from behind them.

Getting to her feet and brushing down her skirt, Betty nodded, keeping her eyes on Dan, smiling down at him.

"I'll go and talk to Steve and Fitzhugh, see what Steve found out from Barry...talk to you later,"

"Yeah...later," sighed Dan, his eyes already closing. Patting his shoulder, Betty slowly walked away.

Mark watched as Betty rejoined the two men further down the wash, before turning back and looking down at the woman so quiet beside him.

"Hey Val, I don't know what's going on in that head, but I sure wish you'd open your eyes and talk to me. Steve's arrived, with Betty, and we're heading home tomorrow. Dan's leg seems to be okay, well as far as a broken leg can be okay, Betty thinks its healing clean so we're going to make Dan some crutches so you can have the pleasure of riding the sled. I'd rather you were walking beside me than laying there..." Mark trailed off, his dialogue ending on a sigh. Reaching out a hand he moved a tendril of bright hair from Valerie's face, his finger grazing her forehead, smoothing her skin. Even with that light contact he could feel the heat emanating from Valerie's face, his hand confirming his suspicions a second later when he lay the back of his fingers against her cheek.

"BETTY" Mark shouted, twisting round to see where the pretty blonde had gone, seeing her turn around at his shout and hurry back.

"What is it Mark, is she awake ?" Betty asked breathlessly, dropping to her knees on Valerie's other side.

"She's burning up, feel her face,"

"I can see, let me get the thermometer," Mark watched anxiously as Betty rummaged in her bag, producing the small glass tube and positioning it between Valerie's slack lips. By now Valerie's face had taken on a deep flush, bright spots of scarlet painting her cheeks, contrasting violently with her previous pallor.

"It's high Mark, but not dangerously, its to be expected given all her body's had to deal with lately. I'll get the canteen and you can sponge her face to help cool her down, its all we can do for now."

"Fine," Mark replied tersely, his tone causing Betty to look at him closely, before reaching out to lay a slim hand on his arm in comfort.

"She's strong Mark, and she'll know your near,"

Betty found herself pinned in place by Mark's blue eyes, his expression almost fierce.

"I hate this....before landing on this planet I never felt this sort of helplessness, never knew how it could be to watch someone you care about,in pain or hurt...its so frustrating...on earth we'd have a hospital or doctor, medicine...the best care....here, there's nothing..no hope."

"Mark, you're not helpless, and Valerie will recover...and if we'd never crashed, you two would never had met, none of us would have seen each other once the Spindrift landed,"

"Maybe it would have been better that way," muttered Mark, his head turned away from Betty. Chewing her lip, Betty turned away, busying herself with the water.

"Here," she handed him a dampened cloth, "try and get her temperature down and call me if there's any change, I'll just be over there with Steve and Fitzhugh."

Mark's hand shot out to grasp her hand just as Betty was getting to her feet.

"Thank you Betty"

"Don't worry Mark, Valerie will be fine,"

Hoping that her optimism wasn't misplaced, Betty quickly turned and left the scene, blinking furiously to hold back her tears.

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During the night they were rudely awoken when a group of large rabbit like rodents scampered over the open culvert, kicking down dirt as they bounded over the gap. They were quickly followed by a larger animal that none of the Little People could see but they heard its harsh breath and Fitzhugh had to clamp his hands over his mouth to refrain from screaming as the huge body passed over their heads.

The pre-dawn found them travelling as fast as possible from their overnight campsite to put as much distance between them and whatever had passed, Dan finding the crude crutches a welcome change from the jolting travois. Valerie had responded well to Mark's ministrations, her temperature coming down but still not regaining consciousness, much to Mark's continued frustration. Betty hoped that's it meant that Val's body was taking a well earned break and healing itself, but even to her own ears, her reassurances rang false. Steve and Mark were currently pulling the sled while Fitzhugh carried the packs and Betty stayed close to Dan to help if needed. The group moved slowly but steadily through the morning, finally leaving the culvert and striking out across the forest floor, using a barely visible animal track. The morning had started out overcast and it appeared to get even more so as the day progressed. When they stopped for a rest mid-morning, it was almost as dark as dusk under the tall trees, the sun never once breaking through the threatening clouds.

"What do you think Steve, should we carry on or look for shelter ?"

"I vote for pushing on, the more ground we cover the closer we get to home," remarked Fitzhugh, not waiting for Steve's reply to Betty's query.

"I don't want to risk getting caught in the open if there's a deluge, and here it only has to be a light rainfall to cause problems," said Mark.

"I also vote for pushing on Steve," said Dan, " we can't be that far from the Spindrift,"

"What took Betty and I, at a run to cover, is going to take far longer with you and the drag, Dan," replied Steve, looking around the group. "I agree that we need to travel for as long as possible, but Mark's right, we can't afford to be caught in the open if the weather closes in,"

"Steve, we're not that far from that rocky outcrop we passed on the way here," said Betty, " We didn't get a chance to look it over before, maybe now would be a good time ?"

"That's right, thanks for reminding me Betty, it looked promising as a shelter and, if I remember, its about an hours journey at our current pace from here,"

"Then lets get moving," stated Dan, using one of his crutches to lever himself awkwardly to his feet. Fitzhugh took over on the drag pole so that Steve could scout ahead to find the outcrop. Betty checked on Valerie before they set off, announcing that there was no sign of a temperature which was cause for hope, glancing up at Mark as she said it. He only nodded, before turning back and starting to pull.

An hour and a half later they saw Steve running back towards them, waving his arms excitedly, just as the first drops of rain started to paint the dirt around them.

"HURRY, THERE'S A SHELTER!" Steve shouted, leaping over a low plant and grabbing one of the poles to move them along faster. Within minutes they all saw the rough pile of rocks towering over the surrounding vegetation. Steve guided them around the base and pointed to an opening between the boulders.

"In here, we'll have to leave the travois outside, but there's enough room to use the bedding, Mark lift Valerie and carry her inside, we'll bring the rest."

Picking up her limp body, Mark carried Valerie away from the sled and through the narrow opening of the cave, turning sideways to get through the gap. Behind him, Steve and Fitzhugh stripped the sleigh of its covering and carried it into the dark doorway, Betty following in behind. Inside a few chinks of light allowed them to see that the cavity in the cairn was sufficiently big to allow the men to stand upright. They also had enough floor space to set up the pallet for Valerie and still leave them room to all lay down, stretched out. The floor was dirt with an accumulation of dry leaves and twigs, but otherwise dry and clean. After Fitzhugh finished arranging the bed, Mark lowered his precious burden onto it and was rewarded with a small sound, which at first he didn't recognise.

"Mark ?" Valerie whispered, the sound barely carrying to Mark as he bent closer to hear.

"Thank God," Mark breathed, "Valerie you're safe, just rest, you've been out of it for quite some time,"

"Dark," Valerie replied, again so quietly that Mark had to strain to hear her.

"Yeah it is, we're sheltering in a cave....don't move Val, I'll see what we can do about a light,"

Turning away for a moment, Mark informed the others that Valerie was awake which provoked a cheer from Dan and another "thank God" from Fitzhugh. Steve was crouched next to the opening, having left briefly to gather what firewood he could before it got wet. Together with the dry leaves and kindling, he was creating a small fire to provide light and heat. The first flare of flame showed the small circle of tired faces, but Mark only had eyes for one face, his lips curving in a smile when he saw Valerie's was indeed awake, heavy lidded and hazy, but definitely gazing up at him.

"You had us worried for awhile there, we thought you were impersonating sleeping beauty," Mark teased gently, holding a wet cloth to her dry lips and letting her suck some water into her mouth.

"How long ?" Valerie asked, her voice still barely above a whisper.

"Long enough to have me worried sick," Mark replied. Valerie returned his worried frown with a frank gaze, her eyelids sliding shut even as she struggled to keep them open.

"Tired," she announced, losing the battle.

"Just rest Val, we'll be here awhile," seeing that she had already slipped back into, hopefully, a healing sleep, Mark turned back to the others, a smile unconsciously lighting his austere features.

"She's sleeping,"

"Good," Betty pronounced," She should recover okay now. Keep feeding her water everytime she wakes, otherwise she'll get dehydrated."

"Pass me the canteen Mark, I'll hold it outside, the rain should top it up nicely," said Steve, holding out his hand.

Outside their rock refuge, the rain pounded down. It was a light shower by giant standards, but enough to force the Little People to wait it out under cover. The small fire produced little smoke and what there was, was sucked out the small cracks and vents in the rocks, keeping the air in the cave clear. Valerie woke several times over the next few hours, each time Mark helped her to sip more water. After four hours the rain eased to the occasional drip and Steve left the shelter to gauge their chances of continuing. Ducking back inside, he announced that the sun was finally breaking through the clouds and they looked like having a good chance of making progress once the ground dried up. An hour later and they were once more back on the trail. The whole group was re-energised now that Valerie appeared to be over the worst, even Fitzhugh curbing his complaints and pulling with a will over some of the rougher spots.

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Dan was starting to wilt, getting slower and slower. Betty offered to help but he doggedly refused until he caught his crutch in a hole and crashed to the ground, his arms flailing. Betty lurched forward to try and slow his fall but missed by a hair breadth and had to watch as Dan landed heavily, his sharp cry alerting the others to the accident. Betty quickly reached Dan's side and tried to help but his damaged leg had been knocked badly and she found him blacked out from the pain. Taking advantage of the situation, Betty straightened the leg and got Dan onto his back,his head cradled in her lap as Steve and Mark gathered round.

"Betty, what happened ?"

"He's been tiring for some time, but he wouldn't let me help, and we were getting further behind, then he must have caught his crutch in a root or something because the next thing I saw was Dan falling, and I couldn't stop it," Betty's rushed explanation ended on a sob, her grip on Dan tightening as a moan announced his return to consciousness.

"Gotta watch that first step," groaned Dan, his eyes taking in the worried faces around him before closing again.

"Dan, are you going to be able to continue ?"

"I don't know Steve....this damn leg is really painful, and I think I've rubbed some blisters from these crutches,"

"Look, we're on the home stretch here, about two hours from camp. If we can find a safe place for you, how do you feel about waiting for Mark and I to return with the travois once we get Valerie back to the Spindrift ?"

"Right now Steve I don't think I could go more than a few steps before falling over so a long rest sounds like heaven,"

"I'll stay with Dan, Steve," Betty jumped in, her hands tightening unconsciously on her patients shoulders in anticipation of a rebuttal.

"Good idea, I didn't want to leave Dan on his own,"

"You're going to leave an injured man and a woman alone out here ?" asked Fitzhugh, his face conveying his disbelief.

"Maybe you'd prefer to stay with Dan, Mr.Fitzhugh, in Betty's place ?" asked Mark, folding his arms and regarding the older man with a cynical eye. For a second Fitzhugh looked as if he was about to offer his usual rebuke but a cocked eyebrow from Steve made him reconsider and Fitzhugh's mouth snapped close with an audible snap. Turning back to the people on the ground Steve saw the determined set of Betty's lips and decided that it was simply wasting time to argue.

Steve and Mark got Dan to his feet and helped him over to a thicket of dense leaves. Once they had pushed through the outer branches they found that the interior was bare of leaves and very roomy. They settled Dan as comfortably as possible, making a space for Betty beside him, then backed out of the bush and surveyed the hide. Once the branches snapped back into place, the bush looked untouched and certainly concealed the two Little People completely from any curious eyes. Breaking a branch and notching a tree gave Steve enough clues to find the shrub again, even in the dark.

"We'll be back in about four hours, listen out for us. The radio in the pack is low on power but it should be enough if you get into any trouble."

"We'll be here, Steve," called Betty, her voice muffled by the thick leaves. Turning their backs on the bush, the three men returned to the sled and picked up the poles.

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Barry met them half way down the path from the ship, Chipper bounding along beside him in the semi-dark. The lights from the Spindrift seemed to blaze a golden trail back to the camp, the weary men overwhelmingly glad to finally reach their home base. Fitzhugh predictably collapsed theatrically on the steps in front of the hatch, his face garishly lit by the interior lights.

"I swear I couldn't walk another step, I have blisters on my blisters,"

"Captain, I have the bed all ready for Miss Scott," Barry announced, trotting beside the poles as the two men pulled Valerie the last few yards to the ship.

"That's great Barry. Mark, can you manage Val ?"

"Yeah, just give me a minute," panted Mark, wiping a hand across his sweaty forehead. After checking that the travois was propped up safely, Mark sat down heavily on one of the camp stools, his head coming to rest on his crossed arms where they lay on the rough hewn table.

Steve laid an arm briefly around Barry's shoulders before finding a seat on the large flat rock at the edge of the clearing, his hand reaching up to massage the back of his neck as he stretched, feeling his muscles protest.

After a brief rest, Mark got up and approached the makeshift sled, his arms going around Valerie and lifting her up. At the jostling Valerie opened her eyes and a smile lifted her lips.

"We're home,"

"We sure are, and Barry's got a nice comfortable bed for you to sleep in, so hang on,"

Steve watched as Mark carried his burden over to the steps, Fitzhugh hurriedly moving out of the way so that they could climb up and into the Spindrift.

"How long before you want to set out for Dan and Betty ?" asked Fitzhugh, his head swivelling round to regard the man still sitting on the rock.

"Long enough to get Valerie settled, us to change and get freshened up, have a meal and pack the torches and anything else we'll need," Steve retorted, getting to his feet and peeling off his sweat stained jacket.

"Fo-o-o-o-d," sighed Fitzhugh, his eyes closing in anticipation.

"I've made some sandwiches with the last of the bread, its a bit dry but I used the berry juice to soften it," said Barry, indicating the table with a sweep of his arm. Steve dropped his jacket and reached for the bucket of water perched on the rocks beside the table. Scooping up a handful, he splashed the cold liquid on his face, his fingers scraping over the stubble on his chin and cheeks. Drying his hands, he lowered himself to the stool so recently occupied by Mark and reached for the hunks of bread that Barry was holding out to him on a tray. Behind him, Fitzhugh was also washing up, the older man noisily splashing water, spraying droplets everywhere. Within seconds Fitzhugh was also tucking into the food, both hands holding chunks of juice soaked bread. While the men ate, Barry placed crude mugs on the table and filled them with fresh water, watching as the hungry men devoured their meal. Mark joined them after getting Valerie settled, taking a plate with enough for them both, back into the ship along with a beaker of fresh water.

Once full, Steve left Fitzhugh to the last of the food and went to change, glad to strip off his soiled and dusty clothes.

Within the hour both Steve and Mark were looking more like themselves, having washed and changed. Barry held out their packs containing their supplies and the two men took them, swinging them onto their shoulders.

"We should be back before midnight, but we've got our radios, so I'll let you know if we're going to be longer,"

"Do you want me to call Dan ?" asked Barry, his young face eager to please.

"No, they know we're coming, and I don't want to use up any more of their radio's battery, just in case," said Steve, rewrapping the cloth around his hands to protect the skin from further damage. Both men were sporting a crop of blisters and the bandages would at least help. They had also devised some shoulder straps to take the strains off their hands. With no-one on the sled, it was easier for one to pull and the other to lead, then to take turns, rather than both pull. Steve was taking the lead for the first stretch and he headed off, back down the path with Mark trudging along behind. Before many seconds had passed their figures had been swallowed by the dark shrubs surrounding the encampment leaving Barry and Fitzhugh staring after them.

"I hope Dan and Betty are okay,"

"I'm sure they are fine, my boy, don't you worry, lets set about tidying up this campsite, then I can hit my bed and get some well deserved rest,"

"Aren't you going to monitor the radio ?" asked Barry, reaching down to scratch Chippers ears before looking up at Fitzhugh for a reply.

"I have done more than my share today, in fact for the last three days, its time I had a break. There's nothing we can do until they return, so I suggest you have a nap as well."

"But what about Miss Scott ?"

"Don't you worry about me, Barry, I'll be keeping you company in the cockpit," Valerie quiet voice made both of them swing around in surprise, not expecting to see her up and around.

"Shouldn't you be sleeping, or something ?" Fitzhugh queried, his face puckered in a frown.

"I've don't nothing but sleep, and I want to get out of these clothes and have a wash," replied Valerie, leaning heavily on the hatchway at the top of the steps.

"I'll get a bucket of water for you, it's not warm, sorry," said Barry, reaching for the now empty bucket.

"Thank you Barry, that would be wonderful,"

"I'm glad you're feeling so much better Valerie, now if you'll excuse me, I'll turn in...its been a long day."

Watching Fitzhugh disappear into the lean-to, Valerie let go a sigh and turned to go back inside the ship, leaning into the wall for support. Behind her Barry scampered up the steps, the bucket full, and followed her back into the passenger cabin, Chipper at his heels.

"Here's your water,"

"Thanks Barry, can I ask you to get my suitcase from the back, I want to change out of these clothes in the worst way,"

After fetching the case, Barry shooed Chipper out of the cabin and shut the door, leaving Valerie to her ablutions, making himself comfortable in the Captain chair after shutting off the exterior lights and locking the Spindrift down for the night. An hour later, Valerie emerged from the passenger cabin, her hair damp and her body wrapped in a long satin robe, belted at the waist.

"Any word yet Barry ?"

"Nothing yet, and the radar's been quiet too,"

"I was about to heat up something to drink, can I get you a mug ?"

"Yes please, I've got to take Chipper out for a quick walk before I put him into his bed..I'll be back in a minute,"

"Okay, I'll meet you in the cabin with a drink when you come back...oh and Barry, better check that Fitzhugh is safely tucked in his bed before you return,"

"Will do,"

Valerie slowly turned back to the cabin door and made her way to the galley at the back of the room. By the time Barry returned the air was filled with the scent of hot, nutty beans and she handed the boy a steaming mug before settling into one of the deeply plush seats herself. Before long all the occupants of the cabin were asleep, woman, boy and dog. Outside, in the lean-to, the stentorian snores issuing from the furthermost cot testified to Fitzhughs complete surrender to sleep.

Out in the forest, under a dark canopy of whispering trees, two weary men pulling a third, accompanied by a woman, steadily made their way along a familiar track, heading for home.

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The End of Camera Shy.