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Although it was cramped in the pod and talking was a strain, it kept Elena calm and he definitely preferred her laughter to the tremors that wracked her earlier. It also stunned him how resilient she was. As the happy sound quieted, he noticed the rush of water overhead had subsided.

“I think it’s clear. I’m going to move out of the way. I know it’s dark but try to see if there’s any water swirling over the dome.”

“Okay.”

He did his best to press to one side as Elena attempted to maneuver beneath him. She snorted and then he felt her tugging at his hair, trying to brush it out of her face.

“Sorry.” He grimaced.

“I think you’re right,” she said after a long, tense pause. “I’m going to release the dome.” Her hand fiddled with the controls by his side.

With a whoosh they were again inundated by the stench of sulfur that pervaded the planet, but at least a rush of water didn’t engulf them.

“Oh,” he groaned as he gingerly rose up on his knees, careful not to crush Elena.

“You can say that again.” Elena slowly sat up, pulling her legs out from beneath him.

The dim blue light from the pod controls cast a glow but it didn’t cut through the dark.

“We’re wedged between the ravine wall and something.” He reached out and felt the smooth, cold surface. “I think it’s metal.”

“The light is somewhere behind you. I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t put it back,” Elena reminded him.

“Good idea.”

He fished around the foot of the hibernation chamber until he found the torch and flicked it on.

“Whoa. I think we found the rest of the Miran Sona ship.” Elena stared at the wreckage.

“That we did. Easy.” He grabbed for Elena’s hand as she stood on wobbly legs and stepped out onto the wrecked hull.

“It’s a little slick but not bad. Hand me the lamp, please.”

He passed it to her free hand, then gripped her tighter as she leaned out and peered over the mangled section of the ship hull.

“We definitely hit bottom. The ground is solid and the water is gone.” She nodded and he reeled her back in.

“How about I go first, so you don’t get any more injuries.” He gripped her chin, his thumb lightly tapping her bloodied lip.

The scent of her blood had nearly sent him into tailspin. He didn’t ever want to smell it again.

“Okay but we could sit right there and scoot down.” She pointed to a ragged, dented section of the ship.

His eyes widened, suddenly worried she’d bumped her head.

“No! You’ll tear up your backside.”

The torch cast an eerie glow across her face as her earnest expression turned into a wicked grin, and he realized she’d been making a very bad joke.

“No.” He pointed at her face. “I think if I wasn’t here, you’d attempt just that. Female, you’re absolute trouble.”

“I thought I was your light.” She pouted, sticking her lip out.

“You are, a dangerous, giant inferno,” he chuckled. “Now stay there and let me go first.”

“Okay.” Elena nodded, growing serious.

He appreciated the banter. It helped relieve the adrenaline coursing through them.