Chapter 10: What his eyes finally see

-Or when Cross got his act together and his feelings straight-

The party began at eight in the evening. The girls were dressed in stunning dresses and the boys were not half bad either. Even L looked dashing in his shirt and tie. Cross of course, could only have eyes for Elma and how she basically radiated the word beautiful. Elma had caught him a few times watching her but did not do or say anything. After talking again with Lin, she decided that she would wait for Cross to accept her in her true form.

The food was delicious and after they had finished eating, Elma explained how she had arrived 30 years before and explained the situation to the president. She also brought the technology such as Skells, Mimesomes or the design of the White Whale. Everyone listened in silence as they processed the truth.

After a while, Commander Vandham arrived and ordered everyone to party and drink because they deserved it. Doug and Frye were the first to raise their glass and eventually the music was loud enough that to hear what someone was saying you had to be really close to hear that person. Nagi decided to take shots and Murderess even invited Irina for some. Gwin never left Irina's side. Overwhelmed by the alcohol, Hope and Phog decided to dance instead. Celica soon joined them. Everyone was enjoying themselves.

Cross had to take a break from the party. It really wasn't because there was too much food or because he was terrible at dancing but because Cross had to let his thoughts wander for a while. Although the shower had helped him to calm down, it had been a shock to find out the truth and it was taking a toll in his head.

However, he was not the only one with the same idea.

-Heya Cross! -said a soft and young voice.

Cross did not so much as look at the source of the voice. He knew who it belonged to and he greeted it without bothering to look.

-Hey there Lin.

He felt as Lin sat down next to him at the stairs of the barracks. They didn't say anything for a while.

-Long day huh? –Lin broke the silence.

-Tell me about it – Cross shined a small, sad smile.

-Must be difficult for you. I wasn't really expecting Elma to be a xeno.

-Yeah – Cross quietly agreed.

-You sound like a depressed man Cross- Lin mused.

-Yeah.

-Are you even listening Cross? – Lin almost yelled.

-Yeah.

Lin realized that Cross was too absorbed in his own thoughts. She could also tell he was suffering on the inside. A heated but confusing debate was going on in Cross's mind.

-Cross, listen – Lin grabbed Cross's arm and shook it. That seemed to pull out Cross from his thoughts and pay attention for the first time since Lin had started the conversation. – I know it's hard but listen. Everyone was observing her when she confessed she was a xeno BUT she was looking at YOU.

-You think so? – Cross asked, curious.

-It was pretty clear that Elma was really preoccupied about your trust in her, even more than the other's trust in her. She really cares about you. It's just not her style to show it.

Cross looked at Lin with disbelief.

-…

-Don't give up on her Cross- Lin tried to cheer up Cross.

-I just don't know what to do. I like her so much it hurts but…- Cross murmured, defeated.

-That is actually so cheesy – Lin joked.

-I know– Cross sighed but cracked a small smile.

Silence found a place again in the conversation. Both of them were absorbed in their own mental dialogue. The whole of NLA was celebrating but somehow where Lin and Cross were seated it was strangely calm.

Elma being a xeno did explain a few things such as how she knew so much about the Ganglion and human technology or why Mr. Chausson and Commander Vandham depended so much on her.

- I don't really know how to act around her now – added Cross.

-She's still Elma. Our Elma. Our team leader. Nothing has changed – Lin defended.

-…- Cross was absorbed again in his thoughts. Lin had a point but still…there was still an uneasy feeling in Cross's heart.

-You know you really messed up saying back then that you didn't think you would fall for a xeno?- Lin smiled.

-What? – Cross asked confused.

-I was next to you guys so I heard everything. It was during Levina's and Leroy's marriage. Who could have known that you would fall in love and on top of that, it would be with a xeno, at that moment?

Lin started to laugh. Even Cross was laughing too.

-You think she's offended?- asked Cross after the laughter quieted down.

-Nah. Unlike us, she is actually a mature person…eh, alien – Lin corrected herself.

-True enough- Cross agreed. -Thanks for cheering me up Lin.

-No worries Cross. After all you always take care of me – smiled Lin. – Let's go back to the party. And this time, you're dancing!

By when Cross had heard Lin, she was already dragging him to the door.

Cross and Lin entered the Barracks only to find that it looked like a club: dim lights, loud music and everyone drinking. Even Elma had a glass of her own. There were also more people now: some Ma-non and Prone had joined the party and even some wrothians could be seen.

With new found energy and his feelings clear, Cross approached Elma and smiled apologetically.

-Hey Elma- Cross yelled so he could be heard.

-Fancy seeing you. I thought you had left the party – Elma smiled. She felt like a teenager talking to her crush just like that movie she had seen to learn about Earth's customs.

-Well, yeah. Wanna dance? – Cross asked innocently.

-I don't dance. I do not know Earth's dances – Elma smiled sadly.

-I don't know how to dance either – Cross smiled sheepishly. – Let's learn together.

Cross grabbed Elma's hand and much to her horror, dragged her to the improvised dancing floor. Cross began to try to dance but failed miserably. He was trained in the fighting skills, not in the dancing arts. He could see that Doug and Gwin were also struggling.

Elma laughed and even tried a few moves herself. Dancing was really a liberation of the body and when she learned how to catch the beat, she actually enjoyed herself. After a while, Lin and Tatsu also joined their dancing group and together they laughed and enjoyed the rest of the night.

Elma was not sure in which ground she was standing with Cross but knew that he accepter her for who she was, alien form included. She didn't need to hear it, she just knew by how he looked at her.