He didn’t take long to answer,confirming the fact that he was still awake. There was none of the seriousnessthat normally showed on his face when he was working. His collar was loosened,his jacket partially undone.
“I couldn’t sleep,” McReidyexplained. “I thought you might have some work to finish…” Her voice fadedoff slightly.
“No, I finished everything beforeyou came back from the surface.”
“Oh… I’m sorry, I shouldn’t havedisturbed you.”
As she turned to go, he placed ahand on her arm. “Wait.”
His voice was soft andcomforting. He could tell she was lost, her eyes slightly glazed, her voicewas as far away as her thoughts.
“If you want to come in we could…talk, or something.”
He felt a little uneasy about thesituation. Talking was something neither of them were particularly good at –fighting, arguing, discussing, they were no problem. He sensed her need to bewith someone.
“Thanks.” She stepped past himand strolled casually into the room.
He followed her with his eyes,his fingers automatically flicking the door controls closed. Now what was hegoing to do with her?
“Would you like a drink?” Theicebreaker would give him a few minutes to think of something.
“Not coffee,” she answeredshaking her head. “Anything except coffee. I don’t need anything else to keepme awake.”
“Betelian wine?” he suggestedcheekily, receiving the response he expected from such a suggestion. Hequickly found two glasses and a bottle of rum. “Sit –”
She already had.
“Down,” he finished.
She made herself quitecomfortable on his lounge, he noticed. He put one glass down on the coffeetable and poured a small amount in the other.
“I’ve got Coke if you like, but Ihaven’t got any lemon,” he offered, recalling her preference.
“Thanks.”
“I should also warn you that Idon’t keep a supply of straws.” He was making the effort to keep the moodlight.
“I think I can manage withoutone,” she smiled, appreciating his effort. She took the drink and sippedslowly, closing her eyes for a moment in contentment.
He poured himself straight rumand sat down beside her – not too close. Before she arrived he’d been sprawledcomfortably across the lounge.
The silence between them becametense. He was not good at this. He needed a distraction. “Gillespie got me acopy of the World Cup, if you want to watch it.”
“What? Soccer… rugby…?” Hertone remained as neutral as her mood.
“Cricket.”
“Oh… Who’s playing?”
“Australia and Sri Lanka.”
“I’ve never been able to fullyget into cricket.”
“That’s probably because you’vetried watching tests. Ever seen a one day game?”
“No,” she shook her head. “Iwouldn’t mind, as long as you explained some of the rules.”
John turned the console on. Thedisk was already in. It continued from where had been watching earlier. Hemade himself comfortable, his feet slipped onto the coffee table.
“Get your feet off the table,”McReidy told him.
“It’s my table,” he answered back. It was his table, his quarters – he would do as he liked.
McReidy was surprisinglyinterested in the game. John explained the subtleties in the rules as theycropped up. He was relaxed; he let his guard down. She seemed to be enjoyinghis company and he wouldn’t admit he was enjoying hers. They began talkingmore freely, the long silences between becoming more comfortable.
*
It had been quiet for a while. John felt McReidy’s head on his shoulder. It slowly began to feel heavier. Heshifted slightly. She snuggled in closer and relaxed completely.
He carefully took the empty glassfrom her hand. Leaning as far forward as he dared, he couldn’t reach thecoffee table without disturbing her. Instead, he swung his arm over the sideof the lounge and placed the glass on the floor.
There were fourteen overs left toplay – a little under an hour. For the time being, he was comfortable. Aftera day with Cush, her mind needed the rest, and he didn’t have the heart todisturb her.
At the conclusion of the innings,he flicked the screen off. He leaned forward and gently tossed the remote ontothe table. If he didn’t put it there, he knew he wouldn’t be able to find itagain.
He turned his attention toMcReidy. Her hair had fallen over her face and he gently brushed it away. Herhead moved slightly under his touch. A tiny hint of contentment crossed herlips.
“McReidy,” he whispered.
“Hmm?” The vague response showedlittle signs of consciousness. If anything, it made her snuggle in closer.
“McReidy, wake up.” John’s voicewas firmer this time, appearing to penetrate a little deeper. “Come on, wakeup. Time to go home.”
Her eyes flickered open, slowlyat first. She suddenly shot upright. “I’m sorry –” she began hurriedly.
“Forget it.” He brushed away herapology with an amusing smile. “How’s your headache?”
“I don’t have… Oh, yes I do.” She raised her hand to her forehead and grimaced.
“Drop in at sick bay and getsomething for it. I’ll take you if you’re not feeling up to it.”
“No, I’ll be all right.”
She eased away and he felt thatinvisible wall begin to creep back up.
She caught sight of the blankscreen. “Who won?”
“It’s not over yet. I’ll bewatching the second half tonight if nothing else crops up during the day. Doyou want to join me?”
“I’d like that.” She tried tosmile, her head preventing any successful attempt.
Why couldn’t he be like this allthe time? she wondered. It would save them both a lot of anguish. There was alot to like about him. A softness she had seen years ago. On the rareoccasions that he dropped his guard, she saw it surface. Just as quickly, itsubmerged beneath a cold exterior.
She had asked Gillespie about itonly a few weeks ago when she stayed behind to help him clean up after poker. He had known John from their time on Magellan and the blank years between thenand now hadn’t affected their understanding of each other.
At first, Gillespie had beenreluctant to say anything. She felt she was touching on personal ground andexpected him to use that as an excuse.
His discomfort was obvious as heavoided her look, slid his hands through his hair, paced his loungeroom andfinally told
