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[mouthshut]

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Comments

[coffeebeforescience]

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?

[mouthshut]

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.]

[coffeebeforescience]

[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.

[mouthshut]

[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.

[coffeebeforescience]

[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.

[mouthshut]

[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.]

[coffeebeforescience]

Loath as I am to admit it.

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

[mouthshut]

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.]

[coffeebeforescience]

[Softly:] Right here?

[mouthshut]

[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.]

[coffeebeforescience]

[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.

[mouthshut]

[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.]

[coffeebeforescience]

[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.

[mouthshut]

[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.]

[coffeebeforescience]

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.]

[mouthshut]

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.

[coffeebeforescience]

There's hardly anywhere to run, either.

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

[mouthshut]

[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.

[coffeebeforescience]

[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.

[mouthshut]

[He nods and just keeps an arm around her, holding her just that bit tighter.]

I don't either, you're the woman with a pocket saw in her purse.

[But he is worried and he'll always worry.]

[coffeebeforescience]

[Ah, maybe she can just... ignore everything.]

If only I had my purse.

[mouthshut]

[Maybe. He hopes she can.]

What was it you always used to say about that?

[He's trying to reassure her.]

[coffeebeforescience]

Why are you asking? You know.

[She shifts so she can look up at him.]

[mouthshut]

[He just lets out a breath at that.]

That you're always prepared for whatever happens. It's who you are. You'll be fine. [It's as much for her benefit as his own.]

[coffeebeforescience]

I'll be fine.

[She smiles. It's strained.]

I'll be just fine.