Her lab was there, after all, and there were still beakers within its shelves. It wasn’t like Robert’s body was still lying under a shroud on her lab bench.
But she didn’t want to go back. Norah lifted the flask she still held and took another swig all while looking at the shrieker dressed up as a Wieraptor. If the presence of the creature had any ability to redlight that planet, she would take it.
“Okay,” she said at last and walked out of the lab. She hurried her steps toward the lavatory, feeling the need to scrub its eyes off of her body.
“Hold up,” Matt called out from behind her. Norah turned around and faced him although anxious to get away. “Do you understand what just happened?” he asked, reaching out and taking his flask back that was still in her hand.
“What do you mean?”
“Stryker gave up his record for you.”
“I don’t understand? What record?” she asked, confused and a little wary.
“His obsession, it goes with his continuous need for perfection, he’s never failed a mission. Ever. It’s his life but back there, he gave the specimen to you, and he’s returning home without it. A Wieraptor that is. I’ve never seen him do that,” Matt rocked on his feet and rubbed the flask he held over his chest. “He’s a piss poor man to work for, couldn’t keep a crew to save his life. Never been worth the stress, if you know what I mean.”
Norah understood. And it became clear to her why he had asked her if he was still perfect, now she fully understood. He didn’t seem like a man who could have mental quirks and it made her wonder what else she may not have noticed about him.
“I understand,” she said at last. Norah looked beyond Matt back into the lab to see if Stryker was there, watching them. It made her want to go back, even if it meant she would have the shrieker’s eyes on her again. Her nails grazed across her skin.
She turned back to Matt. “Why did you stay?”
He seemed to be anticipating the question. His lips quirked up. “I should say because, under the animosity between us, we’re friends, but that would be a lie.” He winked at her and lifted his flask to the light. “But it’s for the booze. If it ain’t for Stryker, I’d never see Gunner. And that, Ms. Lee, would be a shame.”
Matt began to walk past her and into the ship. She laughed and called out to him, “Why don’t you just work forhimthen?”
“Because I’d be afraid he'd kill me in my sleep. Just for the fun of it,” he laughed back before disappearing around the corner.
That's horrible.But she couldn’t help the hiccupped chuckle, it relieved some of the pressure in her chest. Norah appreciated every moment that made her laugh these days because underneath it, if she cared to dwell, the monsters would emerge.
Norah gulped down the air, reminding herself that she was on a ship, free of humidity; that it was dry, cold, and clean. She closed her lips. There was no rainwater in her mouth. She walked back into the laboratory and found Stryker working on repairs. If he wasn’t in the bridge, or with her, he was fixing up his ship. It made sense.
Norah sat down next to him and watched him work.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“There’s nothing to thank me for, babe.” He glanced at her.
His eyes flashed, and all at once, she saw the intimidating Cyborg he was all over again. It was so easy to love him and even easier to be nervous around him.
“But your record?” She reached up and swiped a strand of his hair off of his forehead. Touching him helped remind her that he was real and not just a desperate concoction created from her nightmares.
He lifted his hand and trapped hers before she could move it away. “Doesn’t matter to me anymore.”
“You can’t say that I trump it, Stryker, that’s ridiculous,” Norah huffed while he squeezed her hand.
“I didn’t. It just doesn’t seem to matter much anymore. I’m not good,” he looked up then back down at her, “I’m not good at this,” he waved his free hand between them. “Humans don’t get close to me, at least not for long. I frighten them.”
“You don’t frighten me,” she quickly interjected.
He chuckled. “I dosomethingto you. You’re still tense–you’re tense right now.”
Norah frowned and took her hand back. “I find you intimidating, so what?” She added as he continued to snicker at her, “I’m not good at this either.”
“You’re cute when you’re feeling affronted.”
“I wish,” she murmured but leaned up on her knees and pressed her forehead to his. “I wish my body would heal as fast as yours.” Even though she could barely see them anymore, she still felt the bruises under her skin and the exhaustion that closed in around her mind. She twisted her fingers through her tangled locks. “I wish my hair would finally settle down! It’s been driving me crazy since the storm. It’s like the moisture embedded itself in it.” Norah sighed, “I’m rambling again.”
“I like it.” Stryker let go of her hand and tugged on one of her curls. “I like all of it.”
