Of All The Stars
"Remember when we almost crashed into the star?" Eli asked.
Rush nodded. "Of course."
"Yeah, that was cool. I mean, not at the time, but looking back on it…"
"Do you wish you'd been on the shuttle then?"
Eli looked away from the observation room's giant window. "No. I withdrew my name from the lottery."
Eli saw Rush's look of surprise and curiosity. Rush was tempted to ask why, so he did. "Really? Why?"
"Well, I heard your speech about Destiny, and it really hit home, you know? As much as I miss Earth, I really love it here. I mean, most of the time. Sometimes people get really annoying or annoyed at you and then there's always the danger of losing your life, and not knowing what's going to happen next, but I guess that kind of adds to the excitement. Not the annoying people part, the death and not knowing part", Eli rambled.
Rush rolled his eyes. "But what about your mother? Surely you would not die here, if for her sake?"
"I'd miss her and I'd worry about her, but there are people here that I care more about." That sounded harsh, but his mother knew he loved her.
"Ah, Chloe." Rush exhaled deeply, almost a sigh.
"Well, yeah. I mean, she's the first real friend I've ever had. Not to mention she's a really great person. But it's not just her." Eli blushed and returned to staring at the stars.
Rush cocked an eyebrow. "Really?" He waited for a moment to see if he could squeeze anything else out of Eli, but it seemed like that was not going to happen. Rush pushed harder. "Then who else convinced you to stay? It had to have been somebody who was left behind on the Destiny."
Eli scuffed his shoes against the hard floor, trying to avoid Rush's stare, and being unsuccessful.
"Well, if you don't want to tell me, then you must have your personal reasons for doing so." Rush withdrew his eyes from Eli and walked over to the railing that stood between him and the window of space. Rush situated his hands on the top railing and sunk his weight against it.
Eli sighed and approached Rush from behind. He stood close to Rush's side and mimicked the doctor's position. "You", he whispered.
Rush turned his head to face his young assistant, but did not speak.
"I stayed because of you."
Rush smiled slightly and placed his hand on top of Eli's. The two scientists relaxed in each other's affections and gazed out at all of the stars.