Sam awoke the next day, the thoughts of last night fresh in her mind. Knowing Baird had spoken to Cole about her made her uneasy. What had he said? She also knew now that Marcus knew about this "plan" Anya and Cole had. She didn't really want to confront him about it though. She didn't really want to see him after he yelled at them all like children. In fact she was glad he did, it shut them all up at least.

"Baird must've spoken about me to Cole. What had he said? God damn it I don't even care. I wish he was a little nicer to me. No, that would be caring. Which I don't. But I do. Am I going insane. I have been under stress for the last . . . . . 17 years. No war to worry about now. Maybe that's why my minds all over the place"

She looked at the clock. It was way to early to get up, but there was no way she could sleep now. She got herself dressed, still finding it strange not having to wear armour these days. When she left her room, she made her way downstairs. She could smell coffee and what smelled like bacon. The hotel on Azura had become home for a lot of them. For now anyway. They'd made use of the hotels kitchens and dining hall, making a sort of cafeteria. She knew it would be quiet this time of morning so she decided to get some coffee. She was right, it was quiet.

"No sign of Baird or Cole that's good"
However she did see Marcus sitting alone at one of the table, staring into a cup of coffee.

"Damn, one of the last people I wanted to see. Maybe he won't notice I'm here. He looks lost in that cup of coffee"

She walked past him, on the opposite side of the room

"Morning" He said.

"Damn, that guy never misses anything"

She couldn't ignore him, so she sat down opposite him.

"Coffee?" He offered.

"Thanks, that's just what I need"

He got them a cup each and sat back down.

"Up early today?" He observed.

"Your up early"
"Yeah, but I'm always up early" he replied.
"Well, I couldn't get back to sleep" She admitted.

"Something keeping you up?"
"Like you have to ask. You were there last night" She pointed out.

"Yeah, didn't mean to go all Sargent on you, but . . ."
"It's ok. It did shut us all up"

The sat in silence for a bit, sipping their coffee. Sam didn't really speak to Marcus on a personal level very often, and he was the last person she would ask for advice. But she knew that he was a very honest person and right now, that's just what she needed.

"Marcus?" she said breaking the silence.

"Yeah" he replied.

"Do you think it's possible, for someone to be, well, not who you think they are. Like the person they seem to be is all just an act"

"You mean like putting on a front? Of course. Since the war started we all do it. We all put on a façade. No one wants to look weak. Like how Cole always stays positive, know matter how hard things get. You do it to"
"I do?"
"Of course, with whole the tough girl act"
Sam look mildly offended

"Look who's talking" She said.

"I guess it's like an identity. Dom did it to. His purpose was always finding his wife. Well until . ."

He trailed off. She knew it was hard for him to talk about Dom.

He continued "Baird does it as well."
Sam felt awkward just at the mention of his name.

"What by being such a wise ass?
"Yeah. Do you think he really is such an ass hole? He does have a heart. When we sank Jacinto and there was know sign of Cole anywhere, I've never seen him so scared about someone that wasn't himself. Not to mention how relieved he was when we saw Cole was ok. He just pushes people away because he's scared that's all"
"What, he's told you this?" she asked surprised.

"No he hasn't. But it's easy to figure out. I get it, I do. The more you care about people, the more it hurts when you lose them"

Sam could relate to that.

Marcus continued "In fact, if I know Baird like I think I do, the more he cares about someone, the more he gives them a hard time"
"Yeah, but he cares about Cole, and rarely gives him a hard time" Said Sam objecting to his point.

"That's different, everyone knows how tight those two are, they're like brothers. He's an ass hole to everyone else because he doesn't want people to think that he's a nice guy"
"Wow, you think you've got him all figured out don't you" she said knowing he was probably right.

"Tell me I'm wrong" He challenged.

She didn't say a word.

"So, the fact that he gives me a hard time, what do you think that means?"
"Well, you're really asking the wrong person. You really should talk to him. I know you want to and I think Anya just may be right about you two" He said, expecting an angry response form her. But she didn't say anything, she just sighed.

"So, how do I talk to him without him, well, being an ass"

"Alone, would be a good idea Sam, and do it soon. Don't let an opportunity like this slip, or you may end up regretting it"

"You know what Marcus, you're right. I don't even know where to begin though"

"Well, that's something you need to figure out for yourself I think"

It certainly was. She needed to talk to Baird, but it was going to be hard getting him alone.

"I should have gone along with Anya and Cole's plan" She thought.

A bit of a rushed chapter, but it's all part of the build up.