The next day we were at our routine, and I couldn't help but think about how much I'd miss doing this. I really enjoyed helping her, even more than I first expected. I was continuously touching her, in ways that expressed love.

While having your independence is great, and I knew she'd be happy to have it back, being a little bit vulnerable is OK. In our recent history we tried so hard to eliminate vulnerability, and I feel that's a mistake. We need each other, we belong to each other. If you become too independent, there's no reason to have anyone else in your life.

I know, I've been there.

"When you get your arm back, is there any way that I can do for you something like I'm doing now? Like maybe help you get dressed on Sundays?"

Yea, I know, calendars don't mean shit, but "Sun-day" now meant the day we would literally jump to the next star.

"Awww, that's kinda' sweet! You're gonna' miss this, aren't you?"

"Yes, this time has been very special to me. In a way, I was your arm. I just felt it brought us closer."

"For me that's impossible." As she said that, she swept me into her embrace, lopsided and all. Kisses, hugs, love. How much love can one couple have before it starts to wear thin?

The time when by, and it went fairly fast. For one reason only. I would have to hand her over for three days while they made sure the grafting process took. Three days of agony, but this time my feelings weren't about how I felt. She would be alone for three days. When she went the last time, she had no contact with the aliens, only with their robots and orbs.

Alone.

I would be too, but loneliness is like an old friend to me, and I don't mind him coming to visit. I'd be able to kick back and enjoy some music, as loud as a want. Separation is a very therapeutic thing for couples, my happiest memories of past relationships are returning from long separations, and I will certainly be overjoyed when she comes back to me.

My loathing is from imagining her being all alone in that medical ward. That is the source of my pain, and in a way that's a good thing, all I care about is her feelings now.

"Michael, I have arranged a meeting of the other Earthlings. I have also coincided this with Anna's surgery. I figured,... you could use a diversion while she's away."

"Well I'll be God-damned Olaf. That's very considerate of you. Keep that shit up and I'm going to start mistaking you for a human."

"I will take that as a complement, Michael."

"You should, so when is Anna's departure time?"

"Two days, at the rotation into light."

"The same rules apply as last time. I want to be to talk to her, and bring HER back."

"If it will make you feel any better, she will mostly be unconscious during her stay."

"In a way it does, I dread her being alone."

"I will be with her every day, Michael. I promise your Anna will be returned to you."

"For your sake, Olaf, I hope you're right." I wonder how long they are gonna' let me get away with these veiled threats.

Our last day like this, the last time I'd tie her shoes out of necessity. While she was brushing her teeth, I had one final request for the day, then it would be all hers.

"Would you indulge me?, I'd like to braid your hair."

"I was wondering when you were gonna' ask me that, go ahead, I'd love it." So I went about doing her signature double braids. Her hair was as thick as yarn, and easy to handle. It's been a real long time since I've done this, but I used to braid wire, same thing. I tied them off with dental floss, looks I'm gonna' be procuring some rubber bands.

"There, what do ya think?" I asked as laid them across her chest.

"Ya know, I really like these, I should do this more often."

"I'm all for that." And there she was, the woman of my dreams. She turned to face me, and the movie resurfaced. There was a scene from the Valley of Living Rock that looked just like this moment, when Bulda was singing to her, and she was lit just perfectly...

But that wasn't real, this is, and all I could do is hold her.

She wanted to go find the horses, and maybe get close, so I indulged her. We walked around the Habitat for hours. But we were kinda' off the trail and managed to avoid people, although I'd see them in the distance. I swore I saw a couple where the female was green, that was odd. Just not spaceship odd.

So we kept searching, but to no avail. We didn't even catch a glimpse of them, and she displayed an air of disappointment.

"We'll find them another day, dear. We have time, and plenty of it." This is something that has to be brought up at the meeting. We have got to find things to do, or we'll all go nuts. I'm hoping someone has a solution, but I may have to step up to the plate.

Morning broke, I got some breakfast in her, and put her in a fresh night robe and the moccasins she wore on that first day.

"Michael, we need to head to the clearing." I could feel that horrible pain in my sinuses that was the onset of crying, but I needed to be strong for her, she didn't need me to be a hot mess right now, so I choked it back, I'd loose it when I got home.

The walk was silent, even the shuttle made no noise until it clunked on the ground. One last embrace and kiss goodbye, dear God let me stay together for just a few more minutes.

"Goodbye, Stumpy. I'll see you in three days, I love you." The pressure inside my head was intense.

"Goodbye, Silly Pants. You can't get rid of me that easy." Our fingers slipped away from their sliding touch, then she stepped onto the shuttle. As soon as the gate latched it sped away as we waved to each other. Thirty seconds later she was out of sight.

Gone.

"I will get our communications set up this afternoon Michael, after her surgery. She will be up for an hour while they run some tests, then she'll be in stasis."

"OK, Olaf. I'm gonna go inside and weep for the next four hours 'til my tear ducts run dry."

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Yes, Olaf. Pray,... and keep your fucking promises."

"I will do my best, Michael."

And then the tears came.