The Little Devil Tavern:
Stinger tries to remain impassive on the outside. But inside, the doubts are starting to creep in, making him restless. Leaving the window seat, he goes up to the bar to get his tankard refilled.
"What's got ya down, Stinger?" Jinco, the barkeep, asks as he pours.
"Nothin'," he keeps his voice even.
"For a bloke constantly looking out the window, it can't be nothin'. I won't ask more. But I'd bet it's that pretty little lass from last night."
"Mind your beeswax, Jinco," Stinger growls and takes his pint to the empty far corner table.
When he feels the familiar tingle of a call coming via through his net implant, he jerks to tap it and play the message.
"I'm so sorry I'm running late, my dear Old Codger. I'm leaving now and will be there soon. Save a pint for me."
He closes his eyes and shakes his head, then takes a pull of his draft.
His thoughts decide to wrestle with him. 'Why were you so uptight that she might not show up? You can't have it that bad for her after only a bit of kindness and a night of sex, can you? Granted it was great sex, but still. Bloody fool, she'll be gone soon.'
Tapping his neck again, he leaves her a message, "Back corner. Will have pint waiting."
Jinco just smirks when he passes the second tankard to Stinger, who deftly avoids his gaze.
Stinger can't stop himself from looking up whenever someone comes in and he cusses himself out every time. His colorful vocabulary is quite extensive, but he's starting to run out of expletives and he needs to visit the head. Reluctantly he gets up.
When he returns, she's there happily sipping her mead and she has a passel of bags beside her. He sees the smile in her eyes first, then she puts down her drink and her joy at seeing him makes his chest tighten.
Grabbing his hand as he sits across from her, she babbles an apology, practically tripping over her words. "Stinger, I'm so, so, so sorry for making you wait so long. I couldn't message you until I left the ship. They had us meet our new team and prep for the implant and I couldn't get out of there. Then I had to make two stops ta boot. I sped all the way here and RAN into the stores. They thought I was running from someone! But they were so sweet and helpful when I said I was running TO someone. I was so afraid I'd be too late! Will you forgive me?"
Clasping her hand in both of his and not taking his eyes off her, he presses his lips to her fingers. Mentally he chides himself, 'You stupid old ass, she melts you with a few words. You're truly buggered.'
"At the meeting they stressed to us that we need to take care of ourselves for what's coming up. I'm a little nervous about that. But I got scolded that I only ate protein and carbs. I hope this doesn't drive me crazy. Anyhoo, did you eat supper yet? "
He shakes his head.
She's still talking a million miles an hour. "I picked up something that I hope you can stand and sounded fairly healthy. You're not allergic to seafood are you? And... "
"Bridget," he quietly interrupts. Her words trail off and he has her attention. "Breathe."
Reflexively, she covers her mouth and giggles. "Mentally, I'm still running, aren't I?"
"Aye, Love."
Closing her eyes, she breathes deep for a few moments. He's still watching her as she opens her eyes again and at more normal rate she says "Better. I think my heart rate was through the roof."
"You said you met your team. Team for what?" He removes one of his hands to take a pull from his tankard.
"Oh. Well. There's testing for an experimental version of RejeneX. It's very different from the current methods. No one is killed for it. It utilizes volunteers. The procedure is pretty rough, but all who've been through it are basically aged a year instead of the awful other option. Considering what I know of harvest, I'm very much for changing the methods. So I volunteered."
Stinger sputters and coughs into his pint.
"It's ok, Hon. Really." She squeezes his hand. "I survived giving birth, I can do this. And I'll have the rest of my indenture canceled. I just have to help my team through, and they'll help me. Two of us care for the one who just went through it. I can be free again in a matter of months."
"Don't do it."
"But…" she starts to protest.
"I have connections and am working on getting your indenture transferred to someone trustworthy."
"Stinger. I've already signed the contract."
He pinches the bridge of his nose.
"They treat the volunteers really well. Anything we could ask for is provided."
His lips purse in frustration before he speaks in a dark angry voice, "You do realize you were setup."
"It occurred to me that I was wrangled. But I also have a choice. Not everyone volunteered. Some chose indenture." She holds her ground. When he lets go of her hand and turns away and starts swearing a blue streak, she adds, "Everyone who goes through it, survives. No complications." When he doesn't respond, she shares the clincher. "Besides, the other option to shorten my indenture was to join Titus' harem. That was a no go for me. I don't care how devilishly handsome he is. He's not the one I want."
In defeat, Stinger sighs and faces her again. "Woman… " His exasperation is still in full force, but he has few words for the tumult inside. "You're going to be the death of me."
"A night with me isn't that strenuous is it?" Her zing comes out of nowhere, but she timed it just before he takes a sip.
He stops mid motion and a bit sloshes out, then narrows his eyes and raises an eyebrow.
Quickly she snaps a picture of his expression with her note sheave. "That look on you, absolutely precious."
Raising his eyes heavenward, he mutters, "I repeat myself." He wonders to himself if they're each in separate conversations.
"Just so you know, you showed me enough on this thing that I figured out how to add layers of encryption. So I can keep your photos with me. Care if I take one of us together? I'll share."
"Uhm… sure." He tries to put his thoughts together why he's uncomfortable with the idea.
She zips over behind him, resting her chin on his shoulder and wrapping one arm around him as she takes a selfie. Seeing he wasn't smiling in the first shot, she nudges him, "Do you want me to remember you with a scowl or a smile?" Feeling his chest and shoulders rise and fall heavily, she asks, "What's wrong, hon?"
"You're already preparing to leave," he whispers.
Enfolding him in both arms now, she comforts, "I'm trying to capture the memories as we go. It'll be a while before I can see you again. I want to remember every precious moment together. … Remember we're supposed to dazzle for the short time we have. The present, it's a gift. I'll unwrap every second with you with happy anticipation."
He nods, takes her sheave, and holds it out in front of them both - finally attempting a smile. Handing it back to her he remarks, "I think your planet is the only one obsessed with those ridiculous selfies."
"I'll be glad to have the image of you." She gives him a peck on the cheek. "Thank you, hon." Then sitting back down, she asks, "How do I send you a copy?"
Holding out his hand palm up, he asks incredulously, "You figured out encryption before basic mail functions?"
"It made sense at the time." She sticks her tongue out at him, but returns the sheave.
Mumbling deadpan as he navigates to the right menu, he zings back, "Watch it Missy, that looked like an invite." Then he slides the device back to her and catches her reaction to her own game.
She dips her head and purses her lips to try not to laugh. "Positively scandalous!I" Unable to quite wipe the grin off her mouth, she downs the last of her pint and declares, "Perhaps it was. If you want to find out my dear Captain, I need some supper first."
Offering her his arm, he helps her carry her bags and winks at Jinco behind the bar, who returns a thumbs up.
Outside, he gets on the lev bike first, assuming they'll head back to his place and he should drive. Handing him a helmet, then putting on her own and picking up her bags again, she mentions as offhandedly as she can manage, "Stinger, would you like to get a room tonight?"
"My place not good enough now?" He's genuinely puzzled. Didn't she say yesterday that she might be questioned on breakfast for two?
"My whole team is doing the same thing. Will you be able to sleep in your bed, if it's the last place we were together? I thought about it, and I think now it would make me miss you more. I don't want to torture you." Her voice is barely audible and a sadness crept in that she hadn't intended.
His slumps for a second and he lets out a breath. "Where to then?"