( i can't dedicate the final chapter to just one of you. you all brought me this far. i want this story to continue, but i'll leave that to a new piece. i can't hide this plot any longer. you reviewers are too kind and too forgiving of my slippery grasp of closures. thank you, each and all. )
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- Messages -
- Chapter 13 (Final) -
- Heard -
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"I'd hug you, but I can't," smirkish sigh.
Wiping tears from eyes, "Don't try, Luc. We wouldn't want the good Doctor angry. Now would we?"
Shakes head very slowly to stay just ahead of the threat of new dizziness, "So I guess you're running away now."
Wince, nervous shifting on heels, "Yes... I think it is for the best."
Rolls eyes and looks away. "You think too much."
Sits on the bedside and strokes Noin's bare scalp and smiles sadly, "I suppose you are right."
Nods and looks back at her, "I'm not ready, Dor. Don't leave me to do this alone."
Soft lightened laughter, "Your husband is none too pleased with me, Luc. You have an entire hospital of dedicated professionsals at your side. Most of whom will be quite pleased with my departure" ...smile... "Matters have been... strained... while you were out."
Slow nod and looks away, "I dreamt of stuff being all weird." Looks down across her body and frowns. "But nothing this weird," flexing the toes of one foot causing the tiniest motor sounds only a stewwing patient would hear clearly.
Sometimes a confident smile is the hardest gesture to hold. "I cannot, in good conscience, say matters have gone quite as I dreamt, either."
"That was a really stupid thing to do, Dor. Don't do it again. Next time I'll kick your ass with my frankenstein boots on." Nods.
The stung was felt, the perfection of the facade fades, but the smile is forced. "I am devastated to inform you of this, but you look totally normal and no one can tell anything has changed, Luc. You are still the much admired, much feared, and much lusted towards instructor/officer we've always known. And kicking my ass will only have you arrested for assaulting a harmless civilian."
Weak laughter cautious of to much chest movement. "You had me till the 'harmless civilian' part," smiles and looks her over. "How.. um.. are you feeling?"
Leans in and kisses her dearest friends smooth scalp and straightens artfully hiding the extensive pain it causes through her body to move in such a manner. "If I think too much, then you worry to much."
Sighs and looks off towards the alien feeling in her toes again. "And... Zechs... what does he do too much?"
"Spends too much time in the company of men," deadpan nod. "In fact, I think he's gay, personally. And more so, probably in denial."
"Hmmmm. Yeah, that explains alot. Like he's always posing and stuff. And has Way more hair care things than I ever did. I mean, you know, when I had hair." Sudden look of fear, "Oh God, I spend all my time in the office around nothing but women, am I gay, too?"
Rubs her shoulder consolingly, "I didn't want to be the one to tell you, Luc. But yes, you are gay... Look on the bright side, though. The buzz cut is in and you wear a uniform, so you'll be the most populat lesbian idol in sight for months to come."
Groans. "That's It! When I heal up from saving your butt, I'm going to kill you. Mark it on your calendar, Ms. Catalonia. 5 PM, Thursday, Asswhooping by Freak Lesbo-Android."
A small amount of genuine cheer finds its way into the silvery laugh. "And you still question my decision to run? I am quickly finding this city to be a quite hostile enviroment."
Hmgh. "If you find a place that's safe and warm and inviting... you better give me the coordinates... I don't like sleeping in the rain. And I'm pretty sure that's where I'll be when I get out."
"Oh, Luc... You know he'll be a perfectly supportive mate. This won't change the love between you both."
(...silent gaze...)
"It's not about change, Dor. It's just over."
"Luc, don't talk like that. That's terrible. You are his wife and he loves you. How can you fathom an injury obstructing your vows? He will be elated to see you recovering and utterly blind to the method, Luc."
A somber smile often cuts deeper than a knife, "You know him better than that."
"Yes.. I do... I know he'll be shaken by the changes. I know he harbors a deep hatred towards man-machine augmentations. However, he has yet to face a loved one bearing that burden. As yet he has only faced the enemy. And you are not his enemy, Luc. I know how emotionally distressed he is. I spoke to him just an hour ago."
Raised eyebrow. "Ahhhhh. That explains it. The doctor said he was 'enraged beyond all reason' and wouldn't be allowed to see me just yet." Smirk. "Poor Zechs. You did that just to see me first, didn't you."
Smile. "I will admit that the effective outcome of the effort somewhat exceeded my expectations. But yes. I had to see you first. And you, I might add, are better off for it. I have no intention of laying the added confusion of our next confrontation on your bedside, primarily because I know you are an incessant host and will panic about not serving us drinks while he's strangling me."
Sigh. "Yeah, probably. But seriously, Dor. Even if he is nice to me and all supportive and whatnot, I know he'll just be covering up this big huge.. issue in the back of his mind. Asking him to sleep with me now is like asking him to sleep with a mobile suit."
Laughter, raised brow. "Sweet Creation, Luc! What kind of medication does the doctor have you on anyhow? In a month you will have nothing to show for this but One visible stripe down your spine. That is All. One polished stripe. Unless you suddenly start wearing backless dresses, which I still contend you would look utterly breathtaking in despite your legendary distrust for classic femininity, No one will know... You've gained ten kilograms from the implants, be thankful you are the only woman in history to accomplish that while not changing a single measurement. You can out-drink a colony of space-miners and suffer nothing more than additional strength in your leg implants from an overcharged fuel cel. And absolutely no one was fooled by your boy's cut. Zechs, and I, as well as the entire Preventer team know precisely how often you slip away to the salon. Your hair would have touched the floor had you let it, so we will take none of your pity-bribes about having to grow it out once more."
A smiles depite it all, "Fine already, Geez! Can't you be nice to the cripple while she's still bedridden? Remind me never to invite you to any bedsides to cheer people up. You're mean. If I wanted a 'pep talk' I woulda called Une."
"That is absolutely Brilliant! I'll send her right over, as soon as I'm somewhere offworld." Laughter.
Groan. "Soon as she hears I'm taking more than three sick days off, I'm as good as dead. Lotta wasted work by the good doctor."
"Well we certainly don't want such fine work wasted. Which is equally the reason why you are not allowed to wither away in senseless depression. You still have a future, Luc. Saving me, and suffering in my place, has not changed that fact."
"I wish I had your confidence, Dorothy."
"No, Luc. That would be a foolish desire. Enough time would pass with you wrapped in your own determination... and suddenly you'd find yourself hanging from a balcony ledge... still just as confident that everything is as you planned it."
"Dor..."
"I know you're scared of facing Zechs. His childish aversions will be a constant annoyance, I'm sure. But you and he are meant to be together and this trial will only strengthen you in time. Learn from my mistake, Luc. Don't try to manipulate love. Let it do as it pleases... Be patient with him. Raise a family."
"Don't go there, Dorothy. I'm a big girl and I don't need to be lied to. We all know a lower torso reconstruction eliminates the possi-"
"Eliminates the possibility of childbearing with the patients original organs. Yes, I know. No cybornetic torso has ever carried a pregnancy full-term except in the cases of those that have received a doner uterus and ovaries. I've read the same articles."
Dorothy rests a hand gently on Luc's tender stomach.
"What you suspected when you missed your period last was true. As yet only the doctor and I knew it. Saving me cost you more than Zechs will ever know, should you keep the secret as you have. But you will conceive again, Luc. You will bear his children and live out the dreams you both deserve. You possess the means of creating life that he so loathes technology for lacking."
She kisses her deeply on the lips before stepping back from the bedside for the final time,
"...Dorothy..."
"Should your second child be a girl. Remember me in her naming. ...Farewell, Luc",
and withdrawls,
"...Dor..."
"God save the Queen."
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"Mrs. Peacecraft?"
"I'm not ready, Nurse.. I.. I can't.."
"The doctor let you slide with excuses, but he won't allow it today. You're husband has been patient, calm, and abysmal for two days now and we'll have none of it anymore."
"Just one more day, please? If I just-"
"Come right in, Mr. Peacecraft. You're wife is ready to see you now."
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-end-