Chapter 3: Thoughts and Premonitions
Author's Note: I forgot to mention that there would be cursing. Sorry everyone! This chapter will go into Sierra's mind... and reveal some of her story.
The next day, as promised to Rock, I half-dragged my butt out of bed to install Zero's saber/cannon. I'll say this... I really was feeling better, but Zero wasn't all that convinced about it. He was almost paranoid, and insisted on handing me my tools so that I didn't burn myself again. It was sweet, but it made things a lot slower while working.
The installation was finally complete in mid-afternoon, and Rock and Zero used the time after I finished to spar in a mostly-empty part of the lab. As I watched the two fight I noticed that they were reluctant to let out their full power because of all the delicate equipment of the lab.
Hmm... I thought. I need to design a training room for them, one strong enough to withstand both of them at full power. That way no one or nothing gets hurt or broken into tiny charred pieces! With that in mind, I set to work on the blueprints.
I didn't know how much time had passed since I had begun, but much later on I felt two armored arms surround my waist, startling me. I jumped, but the arms held softly firm as they turned me 'round. Sighing, I leaned into Zero's embrace.
"You scared me..." I muttered.
He grinned from beneath his helmet, emerald eyes sparkling. "Sorry. What are you doing?"
"Oh, just some things to help you and Rock train in a better environment."
"Do you know what time it is, Sierra?"
"Er, no... I don't. What time IS it?"
His grin widened a bit. "Let's just say that you missed dinner and then some."
I looked at the chrono on my desk and groaned. "Aw, man! I've been working for eight hours! I can't believe it... well, I'll just finish these plans then I'll--"
"Oh, no you don't!" The red robot shook his head slowly, silencing me. His long golden hair flowed out behind him like a cape to his red and white armor, and I admired the way it accented his well-built body.
Before I could say another word he had swung me over his shoulder and started unceremoniously carrying me to my room. I shrieked in surprise and pounded on his back... which was a mistake for I had forgotten that the armor was non-denting steel!
He laughed then, for the first time ever. It was deep like his voice, but with a somewhat songlike quality to it. To my surprise I joined in his laughter, up until I was dumped onto my bed none too gently.
"Ow," I whined. "Watch the head, Zero... that hurt!" I touched the bruise gingerly, then felt him sit down next to me and put a gloved hand over mine.
"It's very late," he said simply. "Sleep." And so I did, with him watching over me.
Sigh. I realize that much hasn't happened... but I felt that soon something would happen. I could feel it in my bones that Wily would come... I just knew it. Grandfather had told me no to believe such nonsense, but it's a weird feeling that I couldn't shake. And the fact that I understood that Zero wasn't telling me something made the whole thing worse. Rock, bless him, may have known something, but he covered the whole thing up with jokes and smiles.
Somehow within all of this I found some serenity while working on the training room. The blueprints were now complete, the parts ordered, and now all I had to do was build it. I worked long and tireless hours now... from about seven in the morning to midnight. Either Rock or Grandfather brought me my meals (which I often didn't eat if I was in the middle of something) and Zero always had to drag me away from my table at night so that I could get some sleep.
Sometimes I would get so caught up with what I was doing that I would sneak out of bed after pretending to sleep. After about a week of this (as well as dropping a large piece of metal that sounded in a huge 'clang' through the whole house and lab), the ever-perceptive red robot caught on. Since that day he 'slept' in my room, sitting in a chair beside my bed so he could keep an eye on me. Nothing I would do could get him out... and while it was all for my own good, I had quickly become annoyed of it. So, instead of rebelling and trying to fight the sandman every night I relented and let myself sleep.
Days flew by, then weeks. The training room was nearly complete, but I often had to do heavy repairs because the 'bots were too impatient to wait another month or so. I guess I could understand their reasoning. By that time, rumors of Wily turning up again had spread like wildfire, and everyone in the Light household became increasingly edgy. My only response to this stress was work, work, work, then sleep, sleep, and more sleep. Oh, and some eating in there too. I really had no free time to do anything, and even my few moments with Zero became even fewer. I believe I had to be carried once in a while back to my room after dozing at my worktable by Rock, for Zero had been still training.
The skills of the 'bots had improved greatly since they were able to 'use' the large, round training room. It had robot drones that fired plasma bolt, and I had programmed surprise obstacles or hidden rooms to appear with new targets. (AN: sounds like Vegeta's gravity room, huh? I kinda got an idea from that and 'built' upon it, hee hee.) They appeared to enjoy it immensely, and Rock was sure to tell me so at every chance he got. I was happy to get the praise, but it ran hollow in my ears. Would it be enough to stop Wily once and for all? Or were we just flattering ourselves with false hope?
Yes, I'm sure it sounds pessimistic, but when your family's been killed by a heartless maniac wit no sense of the value of human life, it changes you. As it has changed me... I have little to live for now. I have so little anyway... what difference would it make to anybody if I wasn't there.
I sat at my desk one day pondering this... thinking of the past. I found it too much to concentrate, so I got up and walked outside. It appeared as if I had worked late again, for the sun was nearly set and the stars were peeking out from beyond lavender and pink clouds in a darkening sky. I spotted the old tree I loved to climb as a little girl; an old oak with sturdy branches and large jeweled green leaves that were soft to the touch. Walking over to it I ran my hand across the rough bark. On impulse, I dug my hands into some of the surface grooves and swiftly made my way to the tallest branches over a hundred feet up. Luckily I was petite enough for the tree to support my weight, and I stood to face the wind so that it flowed through my light brown hair. I closed my eyes, reveling in that simple moment in time.
Every time when I was I child I climbed this tree at every opportunity, enjoying the feel of spending hours watching the sky, the clouds the stars. It was this comfort that I lost myself in now, forgetting Wily, the robots, and Grandfather. Instead, I thought of my long-gone parents. How Mother would shriek every time she saw me up here, begging me to come down for fear of my falling and breaking something. How Father would grin and wave to me while calming Mother down. He had always offered to build me a treehouse up here, but I never got the chance to see it... for Wily had slain he and Mother both before he could build it.
Wily again. That bastard would pay someday. I wanted so badly to see him suffer, preferably by my own hand, but that was impossible. With the aid of his creations he was nearly untouchable. I remembered clearly the last time I had seen him. His beady yellow eyes glazed with madness, long and crazy gray hair splaying out in all directions like a demonic version of Einstein. But what had caught my attention most was the expression on his face as he killed my parents. Glee. Excitement. The bastard had enjoyed doing it! I seethed with anger once again at the memory. At that time, a small robot had restrained me, and I was only six or seven years of age.
That was twelve years ago. I had grown since then, but the hate still lay embedded within my heart. Now, it was surfacing again just as Wily himself seemed to be.
Some time later I was gazing at the Sagittarius constellation up in the heavens dreamily, wishing that someday I could travel the stars. A silly thought, perhaps, but I know that many share my dream. The feeling of being free, flying through the heavens without a care in the world was tempting, but also frustrating in that it could never happen in my lifetime. Perhaps in future generations humans will be able to traipse the galaxy in graceful ships that could jump from one point to another in mere seconds. I smiled. If there was such a thing as future life and reincarnation, maybe I actually could see my dream through.
"Sierra! Sierra!"
I nearly fell in surprise, but I caught myself barely in time. Standing up to see who it was that was bothering me, I saw a figure emerge from the house. Hearing the rustle of branches he turned then ran up to the old tree. In the moonlight I saw a brief flash of red; Zero.
"Sierra!" he called again. "I've been looking for you! What the heck are you doing up there?" I could tell he was angry, for I saw his arms cross and his features lined with fading worry.
I sighed. "I'm thinking! What do you want?"
"Well, it's kind of late, don't you think, to be doing that?" he called gruffly.
I started to speak as I balanced on the branch and walked out on it some. I saw him tense, his eyes flashing in concern.
"Whoa! Sierra! Don't do that-- that limb doesn't look all that stable! You'd better get down!"
"Don't tell me what to do, Zero!" I snapped at him. "I'm perfectly fine," I shook the wood with my feet so that it swayed some, "see?" The wood creaked and shifted beneath my weight, and I laughed. He was looking very nervous now, and looked ready to jump up the tree so he could bring me back down again.
I laughed again, but stopped short when I heard a crack! I whirled around to see a few splinters of wood fly into the air. Uh-oh...
"Dammit, Sierra!" he shouted, and started to climb up the tree. It looked almost comical to see him try to scale the huge tree, but I hardly noticed as I tried to inch back to the trunk where it was safe. However the branch had other ideas as it groaned and cracked some more. I froze. That wasn't good. I heard Zero faintly muttering under his breath as he scaled the last few feet of the oak.
"Come on," he snapped, one arm held out to me from his perch. I shook my head slowly, seeing how far it was to him. Getting a little frightened; I cursed at myself as my legs began to shake violently. Every time I get scared that happens, and this really wasn't a good time...
"Sierra," he said, quieter this time. "It's okay. Just jump and I'll catch you."
I couldn't do it. I simply couldn't. So, so far away...
A louder crack. I could tell Zero was freaking out too, but tried valiantly to hide it. I was shaking so much now that I started slipping. I stood there trying to balance myself, but to no avail. At last I began falling... falling... I held my arms out wildly, and somehow grasped the branch just in time. I felt the bark of the oak dig into my skin, heard Zero curse again. I looked up at the base of the limb, saw that it was hanging by a few splinters, then looked at Zero. He didn't try to hide his fear now, for there I was clinging to a breaking branch a hundred or so feet from the ground.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid..." I whispered again and again while holding on for dear life. I was at a loss for what to do, for I knew that if I dropped down no I would surely break something... if only I had hover boots or something to cushion my fall, but Rock and Zero didn't even have those!
"Hang on!" he shouted to me as he tried to get down. Apparently he'd wanted to get under my position so that he could catch me, but as the tree started swaying again he realized that it wasn't such a great idea. His brow furrowed in frantic concentration, and I watched him as he did so. Suddenly his face went even more serious as he went into a pre-pounce position. An instant later he was flying at me through the branches, just as the limb I was hanging from gave way. His momentum carried him to me quickly, and I clung to him as we neared the ground. I felt one arm circle my small waist, then heard a blast of plasma. Suddenly we were rolling on the ground, then stopped. I lay sprawled on top of him, hands clutching at his crimson armor; he'd been training. I was panting from dispelled fear and panic, relief flooding through me with the adrenaline.
I heard Zero flinch, groan, then ask, "Are you all right?"
I couldn't lie if I'd wanted to. I could feel every muscle erupt with pain, and I knew that the old and dried branches of the oak had scratched me up quite a bit. I didn't answer him at first not only because I was in pain, but also because I was afraid of how furious he would be with me.
"Are you all right?" he asked again, lifting my face up with his free hand, for the other still encircled my waist. I looked down at him sadly, trying to prevent the tears of pain and apology. I looked away thinking he was terribly angry, but then I felt the hand on my face bring my head down to his armored chest, stroking my long hair. He held me tightly, and suddenly I couldn't take it any more. Wily, my parents, nearly falling from the tree... these and other painful memories flowed into my head, and I broke down right there. I cried on Zero's chest uncontrollably, and hardly noticed when he pressed the button on his glove to turn his armor into a sweatshirt and jeans.
"Shh..." he murmured soothingly. "It's okay now, Sierra. You're all right."
No! No, it wasn't! I wasn't all right... and his kindness was making it all worse... I sobbed harder, burying my face within his shirt. He fell silent for a long time, up until my tears had slowed greatly. Then he lifted my face up again to gaze into my eyes. I found a little comfort in his emerald orbs, but the tenderness in them made me want to cry again.
"No, no," he said, sitting up. He flinched after doing so, softly hissing with pain, and I felt al the worse for harming him.
"I'm so sorry..." I sobbed.
"For what? It's nothing... a night in my stasis chamber can't fix... auto-repair will have it done in no time."
"No... that's not what I--" but he cut me off, placing his lips on mine. I stiffened, then fell limp against him. Tears threatened me once more, but he gently pushed them away with his thumbs.
"Don't cry," he said. "It hurts me to see you like that...
"You frightened me so much," he went on. "I felt so helpless, and I was afraid you'd get hurt or worse... I... dammit..." He tightened his hold around me, not needing to finish with words.
An hour or so later Zero and I were still outside on the grass, but I was pointing out all of the constellations and telling the Greek myths that they originated in.
"See that cluster? If you look, you'll see that it resembles a winged horse-- It's called Pegasus. The story is that Pegasus was one of many winged horses that were soon slain and killed for sport, and he was the last. Then a young man named Bellerophon sought him out to tame him. With the help of the goddess of wisdom, Athena, he succeeded, but became so arrogant and proud over his achievement that he wanted to go to the mountain of the gods, Olympus. However when he used Pegasus to try and reach Olympus, Pegasus threw him off out of respect for the gods, killing him.
"Pegasus, who was heartbroken at the loss of Bellerophon, flew higher and higher until he could fly no more. But instead of plummeting down to the earth, the gods pitied the poor creature and sealed him up into the heavens where he could fly forever searching for his lost master, Bellerophon."
Zero was silent for a time, taking in my words slowly. "That is sad..." he murmured finally. "To have someone you love be taken from you so suddenly, and you can't say goodbye."
I stared down at his serene features, studying the slightly pointed nose, emerald eyes and strong angular chin. "Yes," I agreed. "It's a hard thing to deal with. I envy Pegasus, to fly forever up in the sky."
"It seems that that story describes you, Sierra."
"What makes you say that?" I dared not meet his gaze, for I knew that he knew he was right.
"I know that you lost someone very dear to you and you carry that pain wherever you go. I see it every time you look at me... a shadow of sorrow beneath a mask."
Author's Note: I forgot to mention that there would be cursing. Sorry everyone! This chapter will go into Sierra's mind... and reveal some of her story.
The next day, as promised to Rock, I half-dragged my butt out of bed to install Zero's saber/cannon. I'll say this... I really was feeling better, but Zero wasn't all that convinced about it. He was almost paranoid, and insisted on handing me my tools so that I didn't burn myself again. It was sweet, but it made things a lot slower while working.
The installation was finally complete in mid-afternoon, and Rock and Zero used the time after I finished to spar in a mostly-empty part of the lab. As I watched the two fight I noticed that they were reluctant to let out their full power because of all the delicate equipment of the lab.
Hmm... I thought. I need to design a training room for them, one strong enough to withstand both of them at full power. That way no one or nothing gets hurt or broken into tiny charred pieces! With that in mind, I set to work on the blueprints.
I didn't know how much time had passed since I had begun, but much later on I felt two armored arms surround my waist, startling me. I jumped, but the arms held softly firm as they turned me 'round. Sighing, I leaned into Zero's embrace.
"You scared me..." I muttered.
He grinned from beneath his helmet, emerald eyes sparkling. "Sorry. What are you doing?"
"Oh, just some things to help you and Rock train in a better environment."
"Do you know what time it is, Sierra?"
"Er, no... I don't. What time IS it?"
His grin widened a bit. "Let's just say that you missed dinner and then some."
I looked at the chrono on my desk and groaned. "Aw, man! I've been working for eight hours! I can't believe it... well, I'll just finish these plans then I'll--"
"Oh, no you don't!" The red robot shook his head slowly, silencing me. His long golden hair flowed out behind him like a cape to his red and white armor, and I admired the way it accented his well-built body.
Before I could say another word he had swung me over his shoulder and started unceremoniously carrying me to my room. I shrieked in surprise and pounded on his back... which was a mistake for I had forgotten that the armor was non-denting steel!
He laughed then, for the first time ever. It was deep like his voice, but with a somewhat songlike quality to it. To my surprise I joined in his laughter, up until I was dumped onto my bed none too gently.
"Ow," I whined. "Watch the head, Zero... that hurt!" I touched the bruise gingerly, then felt him sit down next to me and put a gloved hand over mine.
"It's very late," he said simply. "Sleep." And so I did, with him watching over me.
Sigh. I realize that much hasn't happened... but I felt that soon something would happen. I could feel it in my bones that Wily would come... I just knew it. Grandfather had told me no to believe such nonsense, but it's a weird feeling that I couldn't shake. And the fact that I understood that Zero wasn't telling me something made the whole thing worse. Rock, bless him, may have known something, but he covered the whole thing up with jokes and smiles.
Somehow within all of this I found some serenity while working on the training room. The blueprints were now complete, the parts ordered, and now all I had to do was build it. I worked long and tireless hours now... from about seven in the morning to midnight. Either Rock or Grandfather brought me my meals (which I often didn't eat if I was in the middle of something) and Zero always had to drag me away from my table at night so that I could get some sleep.
Sometimes I would get so caught up with what I was doing that I would sneak out of bed after pretending to sleep. After about a week of this (as well as dropping a large piece of metal that sounded in a huge 'clang' through the whole house and lab), the ever-perceptive red robot caught on. Since that day he 'slept' in my room, sitting in a chair beside my bed so he could keep an eye on me. Nothing I would do could get him out... and while it was all for my own good, I had quickly become annoyed of it. So, instead of rebelling and trying to fight the sandman every night I relented and let myself sleep.
Days flew by, then weeks. The training room was nearly complete, but I often had to do heavy repairs because the 'bots were too impatient to wait another month or so. I guess I could understand their reasoning. By that time, rumors of Wily turning up again had spread like wildfire, and everyone in the Light household became increasingly edgy. My only response to this stress was work, work, work, then sleep, sleep, and more sleep. Oh, and some eating in there too. I really had no free time to do anything, and even my few moments with Zero became even fewer. I believe I had to be carried once in a while back to my room after dozing at my worktable by Rock, for Zero had been still training.
The skills of the 'bots had improved greatly since they were able to 'use' the large, round training room. It had robot drones that fired plasma bolt, and I had programmed surprise obstacles or hidden rooms to appear with new targets. (AN: sounds like Vegeta's gravity room, huh? I kinda got an idea from that and 'built' upon it, hee hee.) They appeared to enjoy it immensely, and Rock was sure to tell me so at every chance he got. I was happy to get the praise, but it ran hollow in my ears. Would it be enough to stop Wily once and for all? Or were we just flattering ourselves with false hope?
Yes, I'm sure it sounds pessimistic, but when your family's been killed by a heartless maniac wit no sense of the value of human life, it changes you. As it has changed me... I have little to live for now. I have so little anyway... what difference would it make to anybody if I wasn't there.
I sat at my desk one day pondering this... thinking of the past. I found it too much to concentrate, so I got up and walked outside. It appeared as if I had worked late again, for the sun was nearly set and the stars were peeking out from beyond lavender and pink clouds in a darkening sky. I spotted the old tree I loved to climb as a little girl; an old oak with sturdy branches and large jeweled green leaves that were soft to the touch. Walking over to it I ran my hand across the rough bark. On impulse, I dug my hands into some of the surface grooves and swiftly made my way to the tallest branches over a hundred feet up. Luckily I was petite enough for the tree to support my weight, and I stood to face the wind so that it flowed through my light brown hair. I closed my eyes, reveling in that simple moment in time.
Every time when I was I child I climbed this tree at every opportunity, enjoying the feel of spending hours watching the sky, the clouds the stars. It was this comfort that I lost myself in now, forgetting Wily, the robots, and Grandfather. Instead, I thought of my long-gone parents. How Mother would shriek every time she saw me up here, begging me to come down for fear of my falling and breaking something. How Father would grin and wave to me while calming Mother down. He had always offered to build me a treehouse up here, but I never got the chance to see it... for Wily had slain he and Mother both before he could build it.
Wily again. That bastard would pay someday. I wanted so badly to see him suffer, preferably by my own hand, but that was impossible. With the aid of his creations he was nearly untouchable. I remembered clearly the last time I had seen him. His beady yellow eyes glazed with madness, long and crazy gray hair splaying out in all directions like a demonic version of Einstein. But what had caught my attention most was the expression on his face as he killed my parents. Glee. Excitement. The bastard had enjoyed doing it! I seethed with anger once again at the memory. At that time, a small robot had restrained me, and I was only six or seven years of age.
That was twelve years ago. I had grown since then, but the hate still lay embedded within my heart. Now, it was surfacing again just as Wily himself seemed to be.
Some time later I was gazing at the Sagittarius constellation up in the heavens dreamily, wishing that someday I could travel the stars. A silly thought, perhaps, but I know that many share my dream. The feeling of being free, flying through the heavens without a care in the world was tempting, but also frustrating in that it could never happen in my lifetime. Perhaps in future generations humans will be able to traipse the galaxy in graceful ships that could jump from one point to another in mere seconds. I smiled. If there was such a thing as future life and reincarnation, maybe I actually could see my dream through.
"Sierra! Sierra!"
I nearly fell in surprise, but I caught myself barely in time. Standing up to see who it was that was bothering me, I saw a figure emerge from the house. Hearing the rustle of branches he turned then ran up to the old tree. In the moonlight I saw a brief flash of red; Zero.
"Sierra!" he called again. "I've been looking for you! What the heck are you doing up there?" I could tell he was angry, for I saw his arms cross and his features lined with fading worry.
I sighed. "I'm thinking! What do you want?"
"Well, it's kind of late, don't you think, to be doing that?" he called gruffly.
I started to speak as I balanced on the branch and walked out on it some. I saw him tense, his eyes flashing in concern.
"Whoa! Sierra! Don't do that-- that limb doesn't look all that stable! You'd better get down!"
"Don't tell me what to do, Zero!" I snapped at him. "I'm perfectly fine," I shook the wood with my feet so that it swayed some, "see?" The wood creaked and shifted beneath my weight, and I laughed. He was looking very nervous now, and looked ready to jump up the tree so he could bring me back down again.
I laughed again, but stopped short when I heard a crack! I whirled around to see a few splinters of wood fly into the air. Uh-oh...
"Dammit, Sierra!" he shouted, and started to climb up the tree. It looked almost comical to see him try to scale the huge tree, but I hardly noticed as I tried to inch back to the trunk where it was safe. However the branch had other ideas as it groaned and cracked some more. I froze. That wasn't good. I heard Zero faintly muttering under his breath as he scaled the last few feet of the oak.
"Come on," he snapped, one arm held out to me from his perch. I shook my head slowly, seeing how far it was to him. Getting a little frightened; I cursed at myself as my legs began to shake violently. Every time I get scared that happens, and this really wasn't a good time...
"Sierra," he said, quieter this time. "It's okay. Just jump and I'll catch you."
I couldn't do it. I simply couldn't. So, so far away...
A louder crack. I could tell Zero was freaking out too, but tried valiantly to hide it. I was shaking so much now that I started slipping. I stood there trying to balance myself, but to no avail. At last I began falling... falling... I held my arms out wildly, and somehow grasped the branch just in time. I felt the bark of the oak dig into my skin, heard Zero curse again. I looked up at the base of the limb, saw that it was hanging by a few splinters, then looked at Zero. He didn't try to hide his fear now, for there I was clinging to a breaking branch a hundred or so feet from the ground.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid..." I whispered again and again while holding on for dear life. I was at a loss for what to do, for I knew that if I dropped down no I would surely break something... if only I had hover boots or something to cushion my fall, but Rock and Zero didn't even have those!
"Hang on!" he shouted to me as he tried to get down. Apparently he'd wanted to get under my position so that he could catch me, but as the tree started swaying again he realized that it wasn't such a great idea. His brow furrowed in frantic concentration, and I watched him as he did so. Suddenly his face went even more serious as he went into a pre-pounce position. An instant later he was flying at me through the branches, just as the limb I was hanging from gave way. His momentum carried him to me quickly, and I clung to him as we neared the ground. I felt one arm circle my small waist, then heard a blast of plasma. Suddenly we were rolling on the ground, then stopped. I lay sprawled on top of him, hands clutching at his crimson armor; he'd been training. I was panting from dispelled fear and panic, relief flooding through me with the adrenaline.
I heard Zero flinch, groan, then ask, "Are you all right?"
I couldn't lie if I'd wanted to. I could feel every muscle erupt with pain, and I knew that the old and dried branches of the oak had scratched me up quite a bit. I didn't answer him at first not only because I was in pain, but also because I was afraid of how furious he would be with me.
"Are you all right?" he asked again, lifting my face up with his free hand, for the other still encircled my waist. I looked down at him sadly, trying to prevent the tears of pain and apology. I looked away thinking he was terribly angry, but then I felt the hand on my face bring my head down to his armored chest, stroking my long hair. He held me tightly, and suddenly I couldn't take it any more. Wily, my parents, nearly falling from the tree... these and other painful memories flowed into my head, and I broke down right there. I cried on Zero's chest uncontrollably, and hardly noticed when he pressed the button on his glove to turn his armor into a sweatshirt and jeans.
"Shh..." he murmured soothingly. "It's okay now, Sierra. You're all right."
No! No, it wasn't! I wasn't all right... and his kindness was making it all worse... I sobbed harder, burying my face within his shirt. He fell silent for a long time, up until my tears had slowed greatly. Then he lifted my face up again to gaze into my eyes. I found a little comfort in his emerald orbs, but the tenderness in them made me want to cry again.
"No, no," he said, sitting up. He flinched after doing so, softly hissing with pain, and I felt al the worse for harming him.
"I'm so sorry..." I sobbed.
"For what? It's nothing... a night in my stasis chamber can't fix... auto-repair will have it done in no time."
"No... that's not what I--" but he cut me off, placing his lips on mine. I stiffened, then fell limp against him. Tears threatened me once more, but he gently pushed them away with his thumbs.
"Don't cry," he said. "It hurts me to see you like that...
"You frightened me so much," he went on. "I felt so helpless, and I was afraid you'd get hurt or worse... I... dammit..." He tightened his hold around me, not needing to finish with words.
An hour or so later Zero and I were still outside on the grass, but I was pointing out all of the constellations and telling the Greek myths that they originated in.
"See that cluster? If you look, you'll see that it resembles a winged horse-- It's called Pegasus. The story is that Pegasus was one of many winged horses that were soon slain and killed for sport, and he was the last. Then a young man named Bellerophon sought him out to tame him. With the help of the goddess of wisdom, Athena, he succeeded, but became so arrogant and proud over his achievement that he wanted to go to the mountain of the gods, Olympus. However when he used Pegasus to try and reach Olympus, Pegasus threw him off out of respect for the gods, killing him.
"Pegasus, who was heartbroken at the loss of Bellerophon, flew higher and higher until he could fly no more. But instead of plummeting down to the earth, the gods pitied the poor creature and sealed him up into the heavens where he could fly forever searching for his lost master, Bellerophon."
Zero was silent for a time, taking in my words slowly. "That is sad..." he murmured finally. "To have someone you love be taken from you so suddenly, and you can't say goodbye."
I stared down at his serene features, studying the slightly pointed nose, emerald eyes and strong angular chin. "Yes," I agreed. "It's a hard thing to deal with. I envy Pegasus, to fly forever up in the sky."
"It seems that that story describes you, Sierra."
"What makes you say that?" I dared not meet his gaze, for I knew that he knew he was right.
"I know that you lost someone very dear to you and you carry that pain wherever you go. I see it every time you look at me... a shadow of sorrow beneath a mask."