Convalescence
There was a short period of convalescence before I could properly return to Section 9 after the Solid State incident, but I never ceased to be amazed by Batou's continuous presence at my side through the thick of it.
The initial visits from my old colleagues and a couple of interrogatory tête-à-têtes with the Old Ape were expected, but Batou managed to turn up at my safe house routinely at 9 o'clock each night to gripe at me about how I ought to be resting (the damn bastard knows that 9 is when I usually start my exercise before going to bed) due to my condition.
It surprised me.
On the last night before I returned to Public Security Section 9 he didn't complain when he saw me working out (not that I would have paid him any mind anyway…), instead he just started talking. He was using that tone he uses when he doesn't expect you to be listening- he just wants to get something of off his chest. I listened anyway. He told me repeatedly just how sorry he was that I'd been hurt and how Section 9 wasn't anything at all without me there, and then, when he was done, he put his arms around me and he kissed me.
I dropped one of the weights I was lifting at the contact but he didn't notice the loud clang as it hit the floor. It could have landed on his foot and I don't think he would have noticed either. Then again, the same could be said for me too. I honestly couldn't tell you why it was different when he kissed me- different from all of the other people who can say that they've ravished these lips of mine. I felt, at that moment, that it wasn't just a lustful kiss stolen with the intention of satisfying a need or a desire, but something deeper- something special that I could only share with Batou and no one else.
It was a feeling that was bigger than I was and it scared me. So I followed my instincts and pulled away. I felt the loss of contact keenly.
"Motoko," he said softly. That was all- just my name- but suddenly I was closing the gap between us again. It didn't make sense anymore but I didn't care that it didn't, because, above all, it felt right, and it made me feel more 'right' than I have in a long time.
We slept in each other's arms that night. I loved the feeling. Our bodies were completely covered but our position just felt so special and intimate to me. I wondered vaguely whether or not it was likely that this last case had set me short a couple thousand brain cells, but it seemed unlikely.
"I love you," I heard him whisper just before I fell to sleep and I found myself replying in kind with those same three words.
"I love you."