Chapter 4: Opening Up
Silence filled the room as they looked into each other's eyes, trying to read how the other felt. Thoughts, memories, feelings, flooded their minds as they tried to analyze the situation. What was next? Should they talk it through? Or blow it off, act like it never happened and stick to the matter at hand? Could they really work together, on the same team, with out emotions getting in the way? And what if they did talk it through, would it help? Would it ease tensions between them? Could they go back to being friends? Friends make up, why couldn't they? The break-up was because of a traumatic event, it was understandable, right?
Lorne broke the silence, "I get it, I do. I know what you were going through. But you just left. I was there for you, I wanted to help. But you just took off without a word. I…" he stopped, realizing that he just opened the can of worms and they were going fishing.
"I know, and you didn't deserve it, but… I was messed up. They had me seeing that shrink and taking all those drugs and antidepressants. I didn't know what to think, who to believe, trust. So I ran. I just couldn't deal that way." A tear fell down her cheek. "And I left behind the one thing that kept me sane, but I didn't know it then." She looked at Lorne, who couldn't help but feel that he put more blame on her than she deserved. He did love her, but she's the one who left. But then again, the SGC forcing her to deal with her father's death through therapy and drugs drove her to it. If they had been left to deal with it themselves, would they still be together? Or would Alexa have gotten her self killed by throwing herself into her work? She dealt with her emotions through combat, and her being off world with a P-90, probably came across as a suicide attempt.
He walked over and gently wiped the tears from her face. "Hey, I know you were scared. I just didn't know what happened, whether you were alright or not. I know you wouldn't have wanted to talk about it, I just wish you would have come to me first. I think I was more worried than mad, until General O'Neill told me what you were doing," he tried to lighten the mood, "then I was just crazed. I can't believe you got yourself into Amateur Kick-Boxing. But if that's what helped, then…"
Lexa smiled. "You know me, and my strenuous activities. And it did. It helped me focus. Also gave me an excuse to get off all those meds," she roller her eyes.
They smiled at each other and both gave into a friendly hug. Finally, the tension was gone. They both came to realize that while what happened may have hurt, it was probably the right thing to do.
"So, this kick-boxing thing, win anything cool," Lorne grinned.
"What makes you think I ever won," Lexa answered modestly.
"Uh, you're you. One of the toughest chicks I've ever met."
"No, nothing cool. Just some big bucks. Was saving up for one of those new Eclipses. And what do you mean 'one of'?"
"An Eclipse? Sounds about right… Oh, uh, well there's this Athosian, Teyla, on Colonel Sheppard's team. It'd be interesting to see the two of you go at it that's all…"
Lexa titled her head and smirked, "Oh really?"
Lorne paused. "Gutter. Gutter, gutter, gutter." He smile back, "Yep, your definitely you again."
"Mind telling Jack that?" Lexa thought for a moment and then decided to just go for it. "So, us friends can be on the same team then?"
Lorne glared at her. "No, I hate having friends on my team." His smile brightened. "So, you need help putting this stuff away?"
"Um, I was planning on just dumping it in that drawer over there." They each grabbed some of the things emptied from her bag and threw them in the drawer. Lorne found a square package with a note on it.
"Hey, what's this," he asked as Lexa took it from him.
"Not sure." She opened the note and noticed it was from Jack. "Jack's way of helping, that's what."
"Oh a present. You gonna open it?"
"I think I know what it is, and I don't think I want to. Not sure I'm ready for that yet." Lorne looked at her puzzled and she quickly changed the subject. "Hey, you up for giving me a tour?"
"Yeah, sure. Now?" Lorne was still baffled by what was in the package.
Lexa nodded, put down the package, and they headed off to explore the city.