Chapter 4: Chronos
"You're up early", she says finishing her stretch.
Not by choice. "Yeah, you know, once a Marine always a Marine. So how are you feeling this morning?" he says, lathering the soap on his left forearm.
"Good, but I'd be better if someone had cut the alarm off before getting out of bed," she says in mock anger.
"Whoops".
"Yeah. Whoops", she replies, folding her arms and leaning against the doorway entry. "I'm sleeping for three now ya know", she says smiling and holding up three fingers.
He smiles back, but she knows something is bothering him. She peers at her husband through the shower door, puts her right hand up to her mouth and yawns again. She walks towards the bathroom mirror, pauses in front of it and leans forward for a closer inspection of her face. Using both hands, she lightly teases her bangs.
"So, you wanna talk about it or do I have to drag it out of you?" she says leaning back from the mirror and turning towards the shower door.
"Talk about what?" he replies, turning his head towards her.
"John, this is the third night in a row that you've gotten up early", she says walking toward the shower door. "It's not like you". She pauses, looks down and begins to gently rub her stomach with her right hand. They're strong, like their father. A smile crosses her face. "So what's goin' on?" she says as the smile eases away and she looks worriedly back up at him.
"Nothing", he says shrugging his shoulders, noticing her worry and trying to be nonchalant. "Just having some restless nights that's all", he replies.
"John, I love you, but you are a terrible liar", she says folding her arms again. "What, did you forget that I was a detective before I was a member of the League?" she says staring at him intently. "You've been lathering that same arm since I walked in here", she says pointing at his arm while tapping her finger on the shower door.
"Well, maybe this arm is extra dirty", he replies, trying to lighten the mood. She doesn't smile, but continues to stare at him. He begins to slowly lather his other arm before she speaks.
"John, what or who is Chronos?"
Damn.