Disclaimer: I don't own starocean... this is really getting old
Karin:... why did you call me over?
Why not?
Karin:... don't know.
Fayt sat down on the chair, his hand holding onto Maria's as he watched over her. They were back in the 'Eternal' and Maria was immediately sent to the medic's room. Besides a couple of bruisings, the main problem with Maria was fatigue. The doctor also decided to treat her for shell-shock syndrome. The doctor told Fayt that all she needed was rest.
Fayt brushed aside her hair, feeling the soft texture running through his fingers. He felt as though it was hard to believe, that he had found her. Maria gave a slight moan as she moved slightly in her bed. Fayt had left Kanai in charge of the ship while he stayed by Maria's side. So far, it had been five hours since they departed from the moonbase and are now on course to join the battle at the genosis system.
In the end, it was only battle after battle. The door slid open and Sophia stepped inside.
"Fayt, how's she doing?"
Sophia asked, pulling up another chair and sitting next to Fayt.
"She's fine. All she needs is rest, or so the doctor said."
Fayt firmly held onto Maria's hand, as though it could slip through his fingers like water. He never wanted to leave her in the first place, and all of it was for nothing. The Whipple village was destroyed and no signs of survivors was ever found. Niklas and Meena, two more precious people to him were gone. Though he only knew them for a short period of time, the fact remains that he knew them, knew they hearts, knew their pain. Sophia gently placed a hand on Fayt's shoulder.
"She's not going anywhere, you don't have to worry, Fayt."
Sophia smiled.
"Yeah, i guess you're right."
Fayt relaxed slightly.
"But you know, i've never seen you this protective over someone before. Is something wrong?"
"Really? I never did notice. I guess it's because... well i-"
"You love her, don't you?"
Sophia had hit the jackpot. Fayt had planned on telling Sophia, but he guessed it was too obvious.
"So, you found out?"
"Yeah, in a way. But you guys are way too obvious. I bet even i could hide my relationship with my future boyfriend better than both of you."
Sophia sighed.
"Haha, i guess in our hearts, we really wanted to be recognized as being together. Sophia, are you-"
"Mad? Why should i?"
"I mean... you know,"
"Oh, you mean us? I like you Fayt, i really do, but i would never do anything to hurt your true feelings. Besides, Maria really likes you too."
"How do you know that?"
Fayt wondered if Sophia and Maria had a chat already.
"Hmm.. let's just say i had a chat with her past."
"What's that suppose to mean?"
"Nothing. Why not you take a rest? You've been up for a long time. Go for a drink or something. I'm sure Maria won't mind."
"No thanks. I'm fine."
Fayt held Maria's hand to his lips, kissing it lightly. It caused Maria to groan and her eyes slowly opened.
"Maria."
"Fayt... morning."
Maria smiled.
"Actually, it's afternoon. Judging from our current location to the sun."
Sophia pointed out.
"Hi Sophia."
Maria turned to Sophia and smiled too.
"Yup, hi to you too. How are you feeling?"
"Tired. Really tired."
"Maria, could you tell me what happened back on the moonbase? I need at least some form of explaination for what happened down there."
Fayt looked serious.
"Fayt! Can't you see that the poor girl needs rest? Not some revisit to the past."
Sophia scolded Fayt.
"No, Sophia, he's right. I'm just physically tired, but my mind is fully awake. Besides, i need to explain what i found."
"What.. you found?"
"Yes. What i found in the research lab."
Maria tried to sit up, but with the amount of energy she had, she could hardly raised her head, not mention that Fayt was also trying to get her to rest.
"You shouldn't move about so much."
He told her.
"I know..."
Maria sighed, resting back onto the pillow. Then, without warning, Maria summoned all of her strength and sat up. The sudden movement knocked Fayt onto the floor.
"That's better."
Maria smiled. Fayt rubbed the back of his head as he got up from the floor and sat back down on the chair.
"Don't do things like that, it really surprised me."
"Sorry."
Sophia sighed. She was right, the two of them were really similar.
"So, Maria, what did you find?"
Sophia asked, deciding to break the silence that fell within the the three of them.
"Well, i didn't really find much, but i did find something that might lead me to my genetic parents."
"You did?"
Fayt knew that it meant a lot to Maria that she managed to find a lead to her parents.
"So, what is it?"
"This."
Maria took out her compact device which was used to store information. She pressed a couple of buttons and passed it to Fayt. Fayt studied it carefully, but not much made sense. Just numbers.
"What is this?"
"Every test subject of the Leingod research center has a set of numbers, a security number, a registration code and most importantly, a DNA sequence number."
"DNA sequence number?"
"Yes. I can use this number to search the pangalatic federation database, but that could take days."
Maria sighed.
"Well, we have some time before we reach the battlefield, why not use some of that time to search."
Sophia offered.
"Thanks, but i think someone here won't appreciate it."
Maria looked at Fayt, who clearly did not seem too comfortable with the idea of Maria getting out of bed before she has to.
"Oh come on Fayt, why can't she?"
"She needs rest, that's what the doctor said."
"Ha, as if you ever listen to what the doctor said anyway."
"That's a different story."
"How so?"
"Well..."
Fayt bit his lip. Sophia got him.
"Fine, but as long as you stay within the sight of someone. I won't allow it to have you running around in your condition."
"Oh Fayt, you're such a worry wart."
Sophia teased.
"Am not."
"Whatever! I'll be at the caferteria if you need me."
"What about your ship?"
"Hmm? Oh, i can leave it for awhile, don't you think so?"
Sophia smiled and left the room, skipping and humming some tune that most likely she just made up in her head.
"Sigh... I can never keep up with her."
Fayt shook his head.
"But that's the way she is, isn't she?"
Maria took Fayt's hand, holding it gently.
"Yeah, i guess."
Fayt sat down on the bed, next to Maria. Wrapping his arm around her, he pulled her close to him.
"I'm sorry..."
He wispered to her.
"What for?"
"Well, i... i could have reached you earlier."
"What happened wasn't your fault. It's nobody's fault."
"I know... but,... i just-"
"Shh, no more."
Maria cut him, placing a finger on his lips.
"I don't like to wake up and the first thing i hear is you apologizing for something you didn't do."
Maria took her finger away and smiled.
"But then again, that is one of many things i like about you Fayt."
Maria wispered, kissing him softly.
"And that is why i would not trade anything else in the world for this."
AN: A talking chapter, but it pushes the story forward anyway.