(i)
"Well, kid, looks like it's just me an' you."
"Just the two of us, huh?" She felt strangely nervous. Of course they'd been alone together before, but now they were alone together. In an altogether different sense. Somehow friends and chores and conflicting schedules had conspired to keep them apart. It was partly her fault. She kept putting things off, afraid that his feelings weren't real or she'd make a fool of herself or it wouldn't be perfect. Which was silly. He made her feel like an awkward teenager again.
Then he kissed her and all her doubts vanished instantly.
(ii)
Oil. Black, slick and slippery, it tarred his hands. It was the blood of the airship and Cid was its surgeon.
She had ventured into the engine room to bring him a cup of tea – he always spent too long in there, she was sure he would starve without her – but she found herself keeping still, watching his deft movements in silent fascination.
One final twist and the leak was plugged, like a surgeon performing the last stitches. Then he turned and grinned at her.
"Just like the oxygen tank, huh? This baby ain't blowing up while I'm in charge."
(iii)
It wasn't right. The checks had been unsatisfactory. She knew she was staying longer than she should – but the check must be completed, she had to know that it would work. They only had one chance. One shot at outer space. Cid's dream.
It was getting hot. She wiped the sweat from her brow and carried on. Cid's dream. My dream.
A red light flashed. The countdown was beginning. The temperature increased. Her hands were sticky. But she hadn't finished.
Cid's dream. My dream. Our dream.
He yelled at her, but she stayed. It's all right, Cid, darling. Never mind.
(iv)
"You won't ever leave, will you?"
His head twisted on the pillow. She could just make out his eyes staring at her strangely in the dark. "Why the hell would you think that?"
She sighed and shifted closer, the sheets rustling. "Before, you…" He'd left.
"That was different. That was before us."
Suddenly she felt her stomach lighten. He meant it. He really meant it. She snuggled against him, enjoying the feel of the warm sheets on her bare legs and his solid presence against her body. His arms enclosed her. He was there. Her bed wasn't empty any more.
(v)
The world was about to end. Silent tears ran down her face as she gazed into the sky with the rest of the townspeople. Meteor loomed.
They held hands. A circle of humanity, waiting for its fate to be sealed.
He's out there. He's fighting it! He won't let it happen. They were all out there, in the airship, fighting for the life of the Planet.
It was too late. She looked around her, saw only despairing faces, people clinging to their loved ones, children crying. Too late to hope.
I wish I could have told him… how I felt…