"Can I ask you a question?" "Sure."Can I ask you a question?" "Sure." "What is that think on Kathy's leg?" "What thing?" "The black mark... the 'eldar,' four stars." "You mean my symbol. That's a brand." "A what?" "A brand. Uh... a scar, made by a burn." There was a long quiet. "You made that?" "Yes. She asked me to. As a reminder of our relationship together, back in '512." "Did it hurt?" "You'd have to ask her, but I imagine it hurt like hell." "Then why did you do it?" "Why don't you ask her? She actually wants you to ask her." "She does?" "I think so." There a small buzzing sensation on my wrist. My watch was telling me it was time attend to some duties. "Amanda, I've got things to do. Just do me a favor, and talk to Kathy. And I'll see you sometime soon." "I'll do that." I heard her lean a little closer, and I moved forward as well. Her hands found my face and we kissed, softly, briefly. Then we kissed again, for a little longer. "'Bye." "Goodbye, Kennet." I grabbed Voll, and we left her to think about our conversation. In the following weeks, I found a lot of time to myself. I was relieved of my lab duties but I continued to teach, much with Liffip's visual aid. I saw a lot of Kathy and Amanda, and apparently they had had their discussion, because Kathy kissed me and hugged me and thanked me for it. "So?" P'nyssa asked. "So, what? I can see again. Thanks." "Don't thank me, thank Liffip. He's done all the internal surgery. And, by the way, here. |