Protector of Men Ch 30
That night Zandra returned to Stephen's room with little trouble. She hadn't spoken to anyone since meeting the first man – she had been quite scarred by her first encounter. Stephen was already home, with food on his table ready for her. That night they ate together, reminiscing on their past together. They were both glad to share their past, but also sad. That night they laughed, remembering the good times that they had so many weeks ago. It seemed like an etermity ago. That night he kissed her.
The next day Kesia came to their room, and told them that both crews would be leaving in two days. Those two days went too quickly – both Stephen and Zandra were left wondering what happened to all of their free time. Zandra tried to forget their moment, but found it hard to. He had done something that he couldn't take back. But she couldn't figure out whether it was good or bad yet. It just happened. They spent their last two days together as if it hadn't happened. But it did. Now they just had to figure out what to do in its wake.
"Are you almost ready?" he asked her, standing with a small bag of things. They were still in his room – no, apartment, - getting ready to go to the ships. Zandra nodded.
"Yeah," she said, "I don't have anything." She held out her empty hands to explain. During their vacation, Zandra had failed to buy anything like clothing, or even apply for an apartment. It just slipped her mind.
"Right," he said, half humorously, half uncomfortably. Ever since that night, the two had infrequent bouts of uncomfortable silences in their otherwise normal conversations. Something was different.
"One last look," she said, turning back to the apartment before going out. It was warm and comfortable, and Zandra could almost call it home. Though she had slept on the couch all three nights that they were there, it was definitely more home-like than Purgatory. Stephen closed the door behind him and it was gone. Reluctantly, they began the long elevator journey down to the ship bay.
"So, you're going to go see the Oracle."
"Yeah," he responded slowly, "I think we'll probably go in a few days."
"Right."
"Yeah."
The elevator continued despite their strange silence. It kept the peace, creaking and humming it's way down to the ground. Without the noise, Zandra figured that she would go insane. Minute by minute. It suddenly stopped and opened its doors, and they piled out. Ahead were their ships, docked (not surprisingly, Zandra noticed,) next to each other. They approached the small group of the crews, and Stephen set down his things for a moment.
"We're waiting for Alias and Shade," Cover told her. So they waited, and Zandra talked stiltedly with Stephen for a few minutes. Soon enough Shade and Alias came. She was in a new wheelchair, carrying so much luggage that Zandra could barely see her face behind it. Shade was also carrying a pack, but it was much smaller. He shrugged at them as they approached.
"We should get going," said Colombus, looking at Stephen. She paused, looking at the both of them. "I'll give you a minute."
Stephen watched as she left towards the Mayflower. Zandra suddenly felt very uncomfortable.
"Well, ah," he started, rubbing his hands nervously again, "I guess I'd better get going…"
There was a long silence. Do something!, They each shouted at themselves.
"Yeah," Zandra suddenly replied, "I guess I'll talk to you tomorrow then."
Stephen nodded, and looked at the ground. Don't lose your chance!
"Yeah," he repeated, "Well then, ah…" he picked up his pack again, "I guess I'll go then."
Zandra felt herself seizing up, her muscles wouldn't move. Do it! Don't hesitate!
"Ah," she started, the words feeling strange in her mouth, "Yeah – you be careful, Stephen."
He nodded, then smiled. "I will." He took a step towards his ship, then stopped.
Tell him! Zandra screamed at herself, Before he's gone! Tell him you'll miss him!
But he looked back down at the ground. "See ya, then." he called, and waved. Zandra waved belatedly as he stepped into the ship. 'Bye,' she whispered, turning back to Purgatory.
So her vacation was over.
Alias wheeled up next to her and gave her a cheerful smile.
"Have a fun break?" she asked, exuding a sickly happiness that Zandra could tell was overdone.
"Yeah, I met some people," she answered. It was only half-true, but it was close enough. And Zandra figured that Alias would want an equally cheerful answer to her question.
"I bet that was nice," she answered. Zandra nodded facetiously. Meanwhile they reached the entrance to the ship. Shade had to help Alias go up the ramp to the main deck, but she pretended that he wasn't there.
"So are you excited to get going again?" she asked, still smiling. It was amazing how the woman was keeping it up. Zandra was amazed.
"Yeah," she answered, trying not to sound either too enthusiastic, or too unenthusiastic. Either way could be taken badly. Kemp suddenly walked in from the hallway.
"Hey chicas," she called, "Are we almost ready to go?"
They all nodded. Shade was now behind Zandra, quietly observing. He had had a rough time with Alias over the three days that they were in Zion; Alias kept trying to act as if everything was normal, and wouldn't admit that the reason that Shade was staying with her was because she needed help. So Shade was quiet during most of their respite, remembering that Alias was still wounded, still needed time to heal. Silence was almost becoming a habit.
"Allright," she emphasized, waving her closed fist up and down. "I hear Cover's got us watchin' the Matrix tomorrow."
Cover came on the PA. "Kesia, Trim," he announced, "Come up to the cockpit, everyone else – we're going."
"Shit," exclaimed Kemp, "Already?"
Zandra couldn't keep herself from rolling her eyes.
The rest of the night went painfully slow for Zandra. Cover had told her that they would reach their broadcast depth some time the next evening, so she had time to kill, time to sleep. But she wasn't tired, and Kemp eventually found her.
"So have you heard what we're doing?"
Zandra didn't know, and wasn't really keen on thinking about it right then. She was sitting in the mess hall, pondering over her new situation with Stephen. Or her lack of a situation.
"No," came her curt reply, but Kemp didn't get the message.
"Well I don't know either." She stated factually, "I just can't wait until we get into the Matrix." She started throwing imaginary punches at an invisible enemy. "I wanna see if I can kick somebody's ass."
Zandra sighed.
"You don't seem excited to be here," she observed. Well aren't you bright, Zandra thought. Kemp gave her an evil look.
"I know why you're so quiet," she said, becoming very secretive. Did she find out about her strange interactions at Zion?
"You're after that redhead guy," she said in almost a whisper, "He your hubbie? Miss him already?"
Zandra clenched her teeth. Don't lose it, she reminded herself.
"We're just friends," she answered. But Kemp could see through it – even Zandra could. Even she wasn't sure what their status was now. Kemp made a face.
"Whatever you say, cap'n, but I see what I see."
Zandra had enough. She mumbled an excuse along the lines of 'I'm tired' and went to her room. Kemp was too much to handle right now.
So, going through with her excuse, Zandra trudged over to her room. It looked the same, felt the same. She figured that she might as well sleep for now and get a head start on tomorrow. She wanted to watch Stephen, make sure he came out alright.
