It was a week before Eight was back on her feet, and almost a month after the accident before she could go far beyond the pod. Luther was making sure that she did not push herself, but it was hard to keep her from pushing forward at times. Her attempts to be helpful lead to her cooking, cleaning, and making sure things were in an almost sparkling order. Finally one day Luther broached the topic of her name, "Eight."
"Hmm?" She looked up over the dinner she had made.
"I think we can go and check over your crash site tomorrow."
"Okay." She had softened a bit but her joy seemed to leave when the site was mentioned.
"Another thing." She looked back up surprised, "Do you like Eight as a name, or would you like to be called something else?"
She tilted her head to one side, "I would like to have a name." Then she shook her head, "But the Others would never allow it."
"We are on the moon." He pointed out, "They don't have to know. It could be just for you and me."
She smiled slowly, then nodded. "I would enjoy that."
He smiled in return, "What would you like to be called?"
This took her by surprise. Then she thought about it, "Are there parameters?"
"No," he shook his head, "No," then putting his hand over hers, "This is about what you would like. No one else."
She nodded, "I think I would like to stay with having an E at the front for now." He didn't answer, knowing that she was thinking out loud. There was silence for a while before she spoke slowly, "Eliza." It sounded like she was testing it, tasting each syllable.
"Eliza." He repeated.
She nodded, "My name is Eliza."
"It is good to meet you Eliza."
It looked like she was going to laugh, "It is good to meet you too Luther."
After dinner there was some card games, and Luther made a point of calling her Eliza. Finally it was time to go to sleep, which they had figured out before. She slept on the bed, and he fit onto the couch the best that he could.
However it would almost never be a quiet night, because Eliza always had chilling nightmares that would bring Luther into the bedroom in order to help her calm down. This night was like any other, until it came to when Eliza was going back to sleep. Until now, Luther left as soon as she was calm. But this time she grabbed his hand, "Luther."
"Yes?" He looked down at her.
It seemed like she was forcing it out, but she asked it anyway, "Would you stay with me until I fall asleep?"
He nodded, "Of course." Then he sat on a chair next to the bed.
There was silence for a moment, "Do you miss it?" Eliza asked.
"Miss what?"
"The Academy?" She looked up at him.
He nodded, "Yea, I miss it."
"Is that why you always throw yourself into your work?" This quiet observation was slightly unnerving.
However, Luther considered it. "Yes, I guess it is."
"What was it like. The Academy?"
She truly wanted to know, "It was like everything we were, all we did was worth it. No one could stop us." He looked away, "Until…"
Eliza gently prompted, "Until?"
"Until the others left." He looked down at his hands.
Eliza reached out to take one. "I know what that feels like." He could tell that she did, and they lapsed into silence. Even after Eliza fell asleep Luther sat by her to watch over her.