A month and a half later, Ella had broken through some of Deckard's walls as they sat together for their nightly drink, "When's the last time you were around anyone before I came into your life?" she asked, hoping it wouldn't spark his temper.
"Twenty-eight years," he replied without hesitating, "Why do you ask?" he sipped his drink.
"I guess I was just wondering if you've gotten lonely over all that time," she started, "That's so many years without people or the comfort of someone's touch. Do you want that in your life?" she asked as her drink began to make her feel more bold.
Deckard looked at her, a half smile crossing his lips, "Why do you ask?"
Ella looked away, "It's nothing really. I just had a lot of 'relationships' before I came here and I didn't realize how much I'd miss it."
"Of course I crave that but it's never been an option and it shouldn't be now," he said in a serious voice, "What you're talking about will complicate our lives here, understand?"
She nodded, "Of course, like I said, I was only asking. I'm going to head to bed if you don't need me around," she said as she got up abruptly and threw back the rest of her drink before she disappeared to her room.
She got under her covers and shook her head at her behavior. She'd barely been in hiding and she was already breaking while also risking a smooth relationship with the one person she was stuck with. Luckily, the whiskey put her to sleep quickly.
Ella woke the next morning and got ready slowly before she entered the main living space to see Deckard training in the open space below. She stood and watched over the railing for a few minutes, admiring his dedication to stay fit and ready.
Finally, she began to descend the stairs making her presence known, "Good morning," she said, "I'm sorry about last night."
Deckard stopped stretching and turned to face her, "You have nothing to apologize for. Your concerns are legitimate just not possible. Did you sleep alright?" he asked, changing the subject.
She nodded, "The whiskey put me right to sleep," she commented as she looked him over, his t-shirt soaked in sweat, "Do you think we could train together? I don't want to get rusty in case anyone ever shows up."
He looked at her, his eyes showing he was lost in thought. She wasn't sure if he was weighing the possibilities training could lead to anything else but finally, he agreed, "That is not a bad idea. I train in the mornings so you'll have to start waking up earlier. Can you do that?" he asked, his tone mocking.
Ella rolled her eyes, "I suppose I can give up a few hours of my beauty sleep. Just wake me up on your way downstairs."