" "Died?" I asked." "Died?" I asked. "How?" There was a long pause. "I never had a sc gorget done." I realized what that meant. The only major 'weak' spot on a centaur, or most Pendorians, is the throat. After Donna Lewis was killed, the sc gorget procedure was invented to reinforce the skin beneath the neck. "Okay, I can understand. Some people don't think it's very sexy." "That's not why," she said. "I just never thought about it. I never expected to be in combat, I guess. But, what I mean is, you saved my eyes by shielding me from the vacuum, too." "Amanda, I was trying to shield your face from the shrapnel, because I knew my uniform would handle most of it. I had no idea the lab going to get vacuated by the explosion." "Whatever your reasons, Kennet, I can't thank you enough. You saved my eyes and my life." "You make it sound so dramatic." She took my hands in hers. "It was dramatic. It's the most dramatic thing that ever happened to me. When I get home, I'll be able to tell my friends that I was in vacuum without a space suit, and that Shardik himself saved my life." I laughed. "Yeah, I guess you will be able to tell your friends that." Is it just me, or is there a hint of stress in this room? I let loose her hands and sought my glass, taking a long drink after I found it. I put it down, and said, "Well." "Yes?" she said. "I just wanted to come by and see how you were doing, Amanda. I guess I'll get back to work." I rose and grabbed Voll's harness. "Wait," Amanda said. "What?" "Kennet, I.. Uhm... I can't think of how I'd want to say this, but... I want to thank you for what you did, and I wonder if you would like to... rhysh... with me." I smiled. And I couldn't help it, but I felt laughter, and I couldn't hold it back. I began to laugh, trying to hide it with my hand over my mouth. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to be so..." I heard her voice. "I'm sorry, Kennet. Please, forget I-" "No, no, no. Please, Amanda. I'm sorry. Really." I felt so unfairly awkward. "Amanda, really. It's just been centuries since I've heard it called that. Oh, gods, it's been so long. |