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[The Cortana comment stings. Implying, perhaps on accident, that John might find her intolerable. And that her own creation would surpass her in that department. She scowls, though he can't see it, and there's ice in her words.]

I think some things have changed. Your opinion of me, for example.

[No, just not tolerable in the long term. In short doses perhaps, but few seem to like working with her for so long. He's probably the only exception, at least from what he can tell.

But there is a sigh at that.]

My opinion hasn't changed, if it had I wouldn't be offering you my pants. [Jacob now is not the time to point that out even if it is to show he still cares.]

[She's well aware that she's generally difficult. Still, it doesn't need to be said quite like that.

She takes a deep breath, and the nonexistent lord only knows how she manages to say this so blandly.]

You know, don't you?

[He's sorry he's not more diplomatic. He's not an admiral.

He does however stare at her and looks confused, even if she can't see it. He can guess, Spartans, children, something else in there...but that's about it.]

I thought we covered my being telepathic when we first met. [No, he doesn't know what she's talking about. He'll play this cool.]

[If he wants to pretend that he doesn't know, then she can live with that. She knows he figured things out, and she handed him the deniability he needed to not face up to whatever she might someday be given over to. She knows what she's done, what she deserves, and that someday, somehow, all her sins will be laid bare.

But if he wants to pretend, she'll pretend.]

Nevermind. Forget I said a word.

[Ah so it was that then. He knows it now, the way she says it. And it's that well, it's that which makes Palmer treating her so horribly make sense. It makes sense why the others would treat her like that.

Not that he thinks they should but details.]

I don't know it all, Catherine, and frankly I don't want too. Whatever you've done is what you've done and you'll be judged in whatever happens after death for it. Not me.

Don't throw religion at me, Jacob.

[She shakes her head.]

I push people away for a reason. Don't you think I'll do it again?

Of course not.

[He shrugs and doesn't sound bothered by this at all. In fact he had been expecting it.]

It just won't hurt as bad this time. [He's done it, he's used to it. There's no child here to worry about. He could live with it.]

[This is serious, now, an analysis of him, hardly a conversation anymore. What she's testing for, she doesn't exactly know, but she is and she knows it's terrible.]

You're expecting it. That's probably safe.

[He should have expected this, and a part of him had and he's quick to relax and roll with this. He'll let her look for whatever it is she wants.]

It's you, I'm thankful you haven't stopped talking to me after everything.

[She can't explain why she pushed him away, not really. It just wasn't something she needed or could do.]

After everything that's happened here? I admit, I find myself questioning you, but not to that degree. Whether I like it or not, I need you. And I still have feelings for you, apparently.

[And he could respect that, even if he wished it had gone differently.]

It's never changed things before with you. [And then she's saying that and he looks down.] Only apparently?

[He's teasing, but it's soft.]

Loath as I am to admit it.

[She glances over her shoulder, looking back up at him.]

If my feelings for you had changed, I wouldn't be here right now.

[And he's being honest, his face pretty much an open book on that.]

[Softly:] Right here?

[He does finally slip off of his bunk with just enough ease to show he's used to it and stands next to her, looking down with some amount of care and concern and something else.]

Right here, Catherine. [And it's just as soft as her words.]

[She watches him come down to her level, eyes locked on his face. Vulnerability isn't something she wants to show, but...]

Don't let anything happen to me.

[Which is just enough for him to pull her into a hug.]

I'll do my hardest not too. [It's what he's been doing.]

[And even though she doesn't want to admit it, she needs this. Her arms go around him and she presses her cheek to his chest.]

Watch out for the numbers. Anyone with a number is dangerous. Do you understand? The higher the number, the worse it could be.

[Which is just enough for him to press his cheek against her head.]

I know, and I'll do my best to look for them. Keep on the move, don't let them corner you. [His arms just get a little tighter around her.]

There's nowhere to hide. There are people here with exceptional abilities--more than just strength, speed, vision, endurance. People with... things you'd hear of in fiction.

[And she doesn't want to die. Not now.]

Which is why we don't hide, Catherine. [He doesn't want her to die, he wants her to live.] Run. Keep moving. Find something to protect yourself and move smartly.

Hiding can always mean being cornered, moving gives you a better chance of that not happening.

There's hardly anywhere to run, either.

[She shakes her head.] I'm not even armed. I'd feel better if I was.

[He pauses for the briefest of moments before reaching up to under his pillow and pulling out a knife and handing it to her. He'd found it the other day while looking at the stars, well he'd found a couple, least he could do is give her one.]

All I can say is don't lose it, and if you're lost in the ship, chances are, so is your pursuer.

[She looks at it, then up to him before taking it tightly in her hand. She knows how to use it, and though she isn't terribly proficient, she'll defend herself if needed.]

I'll be okay.

[It's more to herself than to him.]

I don't know why I'm worried.

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