Health Check

"Thank you," I said again, "for looking out for me." Geo didn't say anything for a while, he just looked at me with an expressionless face. "You can remove your mask. And I told you that I didn't wake you just to have you die," he said flatly.

"From my own stubbornness you mean," I said with a small smile as I took off my mask. He let out a tired exhale, "from any stubbornness, and that includes Lena of Navis's."

"You know her?" I asked, curious about this mysterious, scarred woman. Geo shrugged, "Who doesn't know Lena of Navis in Arca? She is a brash, cold woman from the Navis pod. They were once a large pirating pod, pillaging any planets and pods they came across. It wasn't until a few generations ago that they agreed to stop pillaging Arca in exchange for resources. In return we get a form of protection from other pirates, but the alliance is fragile. One day Albin showed up with Lena after a trip to the Labyrinth and she hasn't left his side," Geo said with a slight shiver of disgust.

"Do you think they are, you know," I said looking at Geo, hoping he would catch my meaning. He just looked at me with confusion, so I sighed, "intimate?" Geo's eye widened with horror at the thought. "I definitely do not think that is the case!" Geo said with confidence.

"How can you be so sure? Even though Albin is a bit older and has a slightly crooked nose, he isn't unattractive. And he can be quite charming from what I've seen so far," I said nonchalantly.

Geo's eyes hardened. "Are you worried you might have competition," he asked cooly. Suddenly it was my eyes that got big with shock. "Just what are you implying?" I asked with an offended tone.

"You seemed awfully eager to go with him at the trial," Geo said. He sounded distant and uninterested as he riffled through a drawer of instruments, but I could tell he was unhappy with my decision. "Was it that charming smile I hear so much about from the women in this pod?" he asked with a hint of irritation.

I glared at him and my frustration built. "Well it is better to look at than a scowl," I said and could see the corner of his mouth twitch. "And I wouldn't say I was eager. Councilwoman Thana gave me only two options and I picked the one that was closer to my task." Geo tensed when I mentioned Thana's name, and I could no longer contain my curiosity. "Councilwoman Thana abstained from the vote during your portion of the trial. Why? What is your connection to her?"

Geo paused for a moment as if he was thinking of how to respond. He put down the instruments and looked at me. "Thana is my betrothed," he said bluntly. My mind blanked. I just couldn't put the pieces together. This quiet, blunt scientist with that regal, collected councilwoman just did not make sense to me. Geo was searching me for a reaction, and I was fortunately able to gather myself before making any expression.

"It's a relief I chose the docks then, don't you think? I'd imagine your betrothed would not appreciate me living with you," I said with a carefree voice to mask my surprise. I could now understand the icy looks and wicked smirks Thana was giving me during the trial. Who wouldn't be suspicious of a person being hidden away by their betrothed?

Geo walked towards me, forcing me to look up at him from where I was seated on the exam table. He looked into my eyes softly and said, "it does not matter if she likes it or not." I could feel my heart start to race and my face flush as I gazed back at him. My mind stopped and all I could think about was how handsome this tall man is. Geo started to lean forward and my breath hitched, causing just enough irritation in my lungs to start a small series of coughs.

The coughs snapped me back to reality and I blinked away the strange fantasies that had just plagued my mind. He was betrothed! He shouldn't be getting so close to me, and I need to get a grip on myself!

Geo looked at me with concern, "are you ok?"

I nodded my head, "I am ok. But you should be more concerned about your relationship. You wouldn't want it to turn sour," I chided.

Geo took a step back and his demeanor became distant again. "Thana's and my relationship isn't your concern," he said icily. "But she isn't one to get jealous, so you wouldn't of had to worry if you had stayed here." His eyes narrowed, "if you had waited till after the trial to talk about it like I asked-"

"She asked me to make a decision right then and there!" I said defensively.

"You could have asked for more time!" he said angrily.

"I was not going to risk angering her! You clearly missed the looks she gave me during the trial, so maybe your relationship is not as secure as it seems!" I shouted. Geo glared at me and I could feel the anger rolling off of him which just provoked my own. The anger I felt made it so I couldn't think straight, and all I wanted was to have him back off. "Why does it matter to you where I stay anyhow? I am not family, you haven't known me long enough to be a friend, and I'm certainly not your lover! I can take care of myself and make my own decisions, and if I had to choose all over again I would still pick the docks!"

The small exam room went silent, the air heavy and tense. Geo inhaled deeply as he tried to control himself before turning and walking towards the door.

"Where you going?" I asked with frustration. "I'm leaving," Geo said without emotion, his hand on the door. Suddenly all the anger I felt drained way when I realized he was truly leaving. Why do I keep sabotaging myself like this? I could really use an ally in this new life and I keep pushing him away at every turn.

"What about my exam?" I asked hurriedly.

"If you are able to yell like this you are well enough to last another 24 hours," he said matter of factly. With his hand still on the door he looked over his shoulder at me, "and make sure they bring you to lab tomorrow." With that he left.

I let out a long, tired sigh as a single tear slipped down my face. After putting my mask back on I made my way back to the waiting room. Despite the room being packed, I found Lena easily. If her dark hair was not enough to make her stand out, the fact that every seat near her was empty despite the crowd made her even easier to spot. People watched me with curiosity as I walked across the waiting room, but their eyes became wide when I approached the dark haired woman.

Lena looked me up and down before nodding. "Let's go," she commanded. I wanted to ask where, but I knew she couldn't understand me. It didn't matter so long as it could get Geo out of my head, or so I thought. Before I knew it we were back at the docks. Lena was looking at me with a cruel smile pasted across her face while I, with a knotted stomach, stared at my new enemy: a space going ship.