Stealth 2 - Flight to home

My faith

26. Blanket

Ben felt how he is waking up. He grumbled when he felt unpleasant headache, what he surely got from yesterday night. He didn't want to raise his sore head from the pillow, and he sighed when he finally realized head wasn't the only thing, what was hurting him. When he looked at his burned hand, well it didn't look so bad. It was just red and a little black on one place. But he knew more hurts him the reason why he got it, then the injure itself. He opened his eyes slightly, looking on the side. It was still dark there. But he blinked, when he saw the first sunlight getting into the room. It made him smile, because it was really nice look. Like all darkness in his mind was too getting away.

When he realized the cold metal body leaning to him, his fingers began to pat the blue blanket. What was covering EDI. Ben was beginning to hesitate, if he is strong enough to take this challenge. He rather didn't want to think about it, what could happen to EDI last night. He was so young, and he was trying suicide himself. He had to hate so much himself, in other case he wouldn't do that. Ben was watching him without any word. But he was still so tired. He just closed his eyes again, and snuggled again into blanket.

He thought he will fall a sleep again, so he didn't want to open eyes. But something made him do it. He opened his eyes, and didn't want believe, what he is seeing.

\ Not again. \ When he opened eyes, and once again saw the bright blue world of AI sphere. He got here again. \ How? \ He asked himself, and sighed. Maybe he should rather just wake up, and get up, not going to sleep again. He looked around, and noticed it was darker here than last time. And he blinked in surprise, when he saw white ball of blue and white light, curled in the corner of sphere. Well if it had corners. He slowly and carefully got nearer, and saw how EDI is curled so tight. Ben wondered if he is dreaming right now. And mainly how the hack he got here again. It looked like they can be connect to each other, when they both sleep close to each other. Did it mean anything?

\ Ben? \ He saw EDI is waking up. Rubbing his nose and under his left eye. \ What are you again doing here? \

\ Don't know. Looks like we are connected somehow to each other through sleep. \ Ben answered and AI tiredly yawned.

\ I'm sorry I'm causing you so much problems \

\ STOP IT ALREADY! \ EDI curled again when Ben shouted at him. \ I'm not angry on you. Understand it. I just want... \

\ What? \ EDI asked silently.

\ I don't even know. Maybe I just want you to be all right. \ Ben admitted, and put his head on his knuckles. Being essence wasn't so bad. After all it had the same shape of his body. EDI's eyes were looking at him. He still couldn't understand what was so amazing on him, that Ben is still trying to keep him near. \ It's warm here. \ He blinked confused, when Ben said it. \ I think it's coming from you. \ He added, and reached hand to AI. \ Can I touch you? \

EDI looked surprised, maybe even more than that. He wasn't sure about this. \ Rather not. I don't know what it could cause to you Ben. \

\ But you touched me here already. \

\ Yes but... I don't want to hurt you Ben. \

\ You won't. Please just a little touch. I want to pat you. You know I even didn't tell you last time, how beautiful you are like this. \ EDI now looked like he was blushing. He didn't know what to say, this was a really nice compliment for him. He didn't think about himself he was beautiful, he was just an AI in his look. And now he really looked touched by Ben's words. But Gannon blinked confused, when he saw EDI isn't just blushing, he looked like he is getting a little red under his eyes. And too between his eyes to his nose. And he looked... tired. Very tired.

\ You look sick... \ Ben said and he sounded very concern. But AI turned to him, and began to disagree with him.

\ I don't. \

\ You do. \

\ I'm AI. I can't get sick Ben. \ EDI was trying to made up Ben's mind. He knew he was right. And in that moment, he didn't notice his eyes are filling with bright tears. \ I just can't. \ He continued and there was sadness in his voice. He couldn't... he just couldn't. There wasn't any way for him to get sick. There was just...

His eyes flashed fully open. Something touched him. And then he felt it was Ben. He saw him, like he is hanging his hand on his face. Patting it gently, it felt so alien to him. But in the same time so pleasant, nice, gentle, and it was calming him. He didn't want Ben to stop it. But he couldn't say a thing. He was just staring at Ben, without any word. His eyes widened. Tears in them. It was just too much beautiful. Just one touch from a human being in his sphere. And it was so wonderful. Something what he never felt, never experienced. He touched Ben, but he was then blocking all ways what could lead to him. And his metal body couldn't give him so much sensation like this touch.

\ You're so warm Eddie. I knew that warmth is coming from you. \ Ben said gently to him. And his hand was still rubbing EDI's face under his eye. EDI wasn't aware of blocking his emotions, or all his essence to Ben. And Ben could now feel how warm EDI really is, how gentle.

\ Why don't you want let me to touch you? You're so warm, gentle. It's pleasant to touch you. I feel it won't hurt me. But there is something wrong with you. Inside. \

\ Ben... \

\ It's ok Eddie, just tell me what hurts you. \ AI closed eyes, when Ben with second hand pat his other side of face. Trying to sooth him. And too get something from him, what is going on with him.

\ I don't know. I never felt like this. \ was a low whisper.

\ Do you want a hug? \

\ A what? \

\ A hug? \

\ Why? \ Asked EDI very confused.

\ People do it. When they are sad or hurt. And they want someone close. Someone comfort them. It really helps. Because you know someone cares about you. And you can rest then. \

\ But I'm not a human. \

\ Yeah you're not. But I take you like friend. So will you allow me to get closer? \ Ben again asked gently. EDI had still that sad expression. All his thoughts twisted inside himself. Something in him wanted let Ben get closer, but then...

\ I'm sorry Ben. I can't. \

\ Fine. I won't push on you. \ Replied Ben calmly and let EDI's wing let go completely. Ben saw and sensed something is still haunting him very deeply. And maybe he knew exactly what. And he then again realized it's morning already. \ But we should wake up. It's morning already. \

\ All right. \

Ben began to slowly wake up, and this time he was sure, into the real world. The room was already full of light and warmth. He sat up and with a yawn he stretched himself. He rubbed his forehead and for a while he was just sitting there. He would like to lay down for a while, but today wasn't any time to sleep. He slowly turned look to EDI, and gently shook with him. EDI after while opened eyes and Ben clapped on his wing.

"Time to wake up." He said and EDI slowly nodded. He had from this day very strange feeling.

\ - \

"Because I am very aware of what is going on here in the last days. And I don't want, to have here some fights between us. After all we are all here on the same ship. So like captain I want us to be here in good terms. So I'm sending you on the little holiday, so you will enjoy some rest. And maybe too become friendly to each other." Captain Marshfield was walking from one side of the room to another. And he was now about half an hour showing all their day plan, on the next days. Well no one was jumping with joy, but at least there weren't any protests. For the most of time he was watching Kara. From the others he wasn't excepting any problems. But Kara was one of main reasons, why he is sending them on something like holiday. Because he hoped it will make relationships better. And like always he was waiting that Ben will give him at least one question. But he rather kept himself quiet about that he knows, what happened last night. He saw everything. Like captain he knew about everything on the ship. And he saw it from the top of the carrier. So he didn't wonder when he saw Ben is covering his arms with long sleeves. And Dick was acting like nothing happened. Marshfield was aware, that Keith knows about it now too. But both of them were silent about it. And he decided for the same thing. Even when in the mind he felt something like captain pride. Because Ben again began to act like he should. And now he too saw how Ben already got along with EDI. And he felt how this will go on. And Ben already raised his hand to ask for something.

"Where are we going exactly?" Asked Gannon and his captain gave him not so satisfying answer.

"Let yourself be surprised Ben. Let yourself be surprised. You'll like it there for sure." He said and Ben just blinked in confusion. Like the rest of people there he didn't looked really enjoying it. But he trusted their captain. "You have all things packed already. So just go for bags. Plane is waiting for you." He added and let them to get their things.

Keith got back to his room and took his bag. And then looked around the room. When saw the small hide out, where they were keeping EDI, something moved in him. He felt like he was empty inside. But he just left the room and closed the door. He knew and sensed, they won't return here for a long time. He was heading to runway with bag on the back, when he was suddenly pulled by Ben. He was really getting used on this.

"I must still go for my bag. Come with me for him." He said and Keith nodded with a wide smile and happy eyes. Ben was glad when he saw it. Because he never liked his friends look sad. And he liked Keith too more when he was in the good mood.

\ - \

Tim with Kara was already sitting in the plane. No one of them was expecting this. But now they didn't want to do anything with it. After all they really couldn't. Kara just didn't know what to think about all of this. She couldn't say Keith was unpleasant to her. He was pleasant and nice. But she wasn't rather thinking about EDI. Not now. And she knew very well, why captain took this trip for them. She just didn't believe it will help.

"Do you believe him Tim?" She asked and mechanic looked at her.

"You know Kara, Ben was asking me the same question two years ago?"

"And how did you answer him?"

"Well I didn't." He admitted and Kara turned to him. "But I believe him now, that he won't hurt us."

Kara wasn't talking for a while and then she turned back to the window. "I would like to have your trust in him." Tim just smiled on it and waited when others will appear in the plane. Maybe Ben can't make her mind. Not alone. But he could help a little.

\ - \

Ben opened the door of his room, and he really couldn't believe his eyes.

"Ben I didn't know you give so much regard on arrangement." Said Keith when he entered the room. But then he didn't understood Ben's expression.

"That's because I don't." Answered him Gannon and was sliding with look around the room. And with a big snort he came to his bed, and took his bag. He threw it on his shoulder and began to search for AI. And by the sense he looked to the corner, behind the bed.

"What is this?" He got through his teeth and EDI opened eyes, and raised his head. When he was again curled.

"What?"

"THIS!" Shouted Ben and pointed on the whole room.

"Yeah this. Are you satisfied with that? It's all matched by alphabet." Said EDI and he didn't understood Ben's dirty look.

"WHY DID YOU DO IT?"

EDI confused blinked. "Did I do something wrong?"

"YEAH! Here is supposed to be a mess!"

"Why?"

"Because I like it!"

"But this is more effective. You'll find your things what you need faster."

"No I won't! I had everything on its place! I won't find here anything now, and it looks awful!" Squealed Ben and EDI was confused watching him. It didn't make sense to him.

"So you're not content?"

"No! I'm not! I'm furious!"

Keith while that took out from his bag bottle of mineral water and drunk a little of it. He didn't know why, but he really liked to watch these two together. When he finished drinking, and returned the bottle into bag, he decided to join conversation.

"We should go." He said clearly and AI with pilot turned to him. Both of them without any protests obeyed, stood up and came to the door. But EDI stopped himself.

"What is it Eddie?" Asked Ben and EDI looked at both men.

"Everyone will see me." Ben with Keith looked at each other, and Ben realized Marshfield forgot to clean up the corridors.

"So we will have to hide you." He said and began to take off his jacket, but Keith stopped him and looked at EDI.

"Eddie do you have that blanket?" He asked and EDI immediately gave it to him. "Good. So please stay still for a while." He said and gently covered EDI with blanket. It hided him perfectly. "Perfect." Said Keith and Ben grinned.

"He looks like little blue riding hood." He joked and EDI confused blinked. "Fine, so let's go."

Getting thought the ship could be harder. But they did well. Ben was taking all attention from Keith and EDI, so no one was stopping around them. EDI was keeping himself so close to Keith, how he just could. Orbit too wanted it like that. He was glad Keith now doesn't see into his eyes. He didn't feel good. Ben was right. Something was wrong with him. And he was beginning to feel it more and more. When they finally got to the plane, and got in, Keith finally too the blanket out of him. Kara with Tim turned to them in the moment.

"It took you some while to get here." Said Kara and Ben shrugged. And he noticed EDI immediately hided himself on the end of the cabin. Ben and Keith understood he wants to be alone. So they sat next to Kara and Tim. But Ben before that went to close the door. But when he tried to close it, he twitched with himself. In the door appeared young boy with bright green eyes. What could be seen under his red-haired hair and baseball cap. That image was now already captured in his mind. These eyes were so amazingly clean, and he looked so young and fresh. And he now mainly almost caused him shock, but he let it be now.

"Hey. Is this yours?" Said young man and he showed Ben the sunglasses.

"Yeah those are mine."

"So keep a better look at it." He said and handed Ben the glasses. "Have a nice flight." Boy said and closed the door. Ben was there still standing for a while with glasses in hand. There was something strange about that boy. He felt it from him. And now too how plane is taking off.

He was watching like plane is raising and taking off. There was something unusual here. He got his cap down a little more, and his eyes shined in the sun light. Maybe he still could have a break for a while. Even when he even officially didn't have break. But then he suddenly turned and began to run.

"So where are you boy? Damn it, where that boy can be?" Joe was again asking himself when young mechanic again got lost from his sight. And he again couldn't get his name. "I'll catch you one day." He promised himself and he didn't return into the ship, like he was supposed to. But he went on the runway to get a little warm. After that storm was sky now pretty blue and clean.

\ - \

Moon was shining on the clean night sky, and his light was getting on the body of airplane. No one was talking a lot while day. And in the night, there was even bigger silence. Everyone was already sleeping, just Keith unwillingly woke up. He didn't sleep well last night. And it looked like, it will be the same tonight. He opened eyes, and it surprised him, when he saw Ben leaning on his shoulder. Doctor was silent for a while, and then he just sighed. He was supposed to take care about his AI, not about Ben. But still... he had to smile. He was glad someone was depending on him. He carefully began to stand up, to not wake up Ben. He let Gannon to again make himself comfortable, and wanted to head for the end of cabin. But...

"But dad I want that little car." He turned back with a look full of wonder, and understood that Ben is talking in the sleep. He just took a deep breath and with smile shook head. Then he finally got to the last seats, and he found there lying EDI. He came closer and AI immediately woke up.

"Doc-"

"No Eddie. Sleep. Just sleep." Calmed him Keith down and EDI fell silent. But then he remembered on the yesterday night.

"I'm sorry for the last night. I didn't want to attack you, or lie and run away."

"Eddie why did you do that?"

"Because I don't belong here. You could have everything so much easier without me here." EDI rather didn't think about it again.

"That's not true Eddie. You belong here. To me." Answered Keith and showed AI blanket. And then covered him with that. "Do you see that person over there?" He said and pointed at sleeping pilot.

"Ben?"

"Yes. I think you got very close to each other. He is worried about you, just like I am. And he wants you to be ok. Do you want to let him down? Again?" Keith said and looked at AI. EDI was thinking for a while, and when Keith put his hand on him, he looked up.

"But what about you?"

Keith smiled warmly. "I'll be happy, when you will be. Eddie please, stop blaming yourself. Let your eyes open again. You were always so full of life, I wish you could be like that again. Please. Do it for me, us. "

EDI blinked and Keith sat on the floor and put his hands on the seat, crossed. He then laid down his head on them, so he was close to EDI. Smiling.

"It will make you happy?"

"Yes."

"Can I be happy?"

Keith chuckled. "Oh I think you can." EDI put his head down, and he was close with his head to Keith. "You surely can. I gave you life. And I don't want to let it be wasted again. I want to be proud on you."

EDI wanted to smile a little, but he didn't. He then saw Keith's bandaged finger, and touched it with his wing. "Is it healing?"

His creator nodded. "Yeah it is."

"Doctor Can I ask..."

"What for?" He got chili answer

"What's with this blanket? I have strange feeling about it."

Keith smiled widely. "It's the same blanket in what we brought you back from North Korea. I was caring your CPU in it. So maybe you can recognize it by that."

EDI's eyes got wide, and Keith chuckled on it. "Did it surprise you?"

"Well... I can say it did."

"So keep it.

"What?"

"Keep it. It's yours now. Only yours." Keith said and with smile began to stand up. EDI was watching him, understanding doctor needs get some sleep.

"Good night doctor Orbit."

Keith shook his head with smile. "You could already stop calling me like that. But I'm going, Mr. Gannon needs someone to use him like his pillow." He was glad, when he saw this made EDI smiled. He just covered him one of wings with his blanket, and patted him gently on top of head. He then just gave EDI a little kiss near his eye and whispered. "Have a nice dreams, and sleep well." He clapped him on the top of head and returned to his seat. Leaving EDI quiet confused. But after while, of thinking, sensing, he just stopped and... smiled.

"Mine." He whispered and snuggled into the blanket. "Good night."