Purpose

I smiled to myself as I watched him fast asleep in the chair. The position his neck was in looked terribly uncomforable, but his face was peaceful and content. I wish I could say the same for myself. Ever since I had come out of hibernation I have been sick or in pain, and quite frankly it has gotten old. This being my new norm, I could push past and ignore the physical pain. What I could not ignore was my restless mind.

There were so many questions left unanswered, so many new projects just started and left untended. All the while the looming threat of needing to be useful echoed in my mind. I decided then and there that I could not continue to be solely on bed rest. I had already taken several days as it is, and I needed to work.

I slowly pried my hand from Geo's grasp, careful not to wake him. I felt victorious when I snuck out into the hallway undetected, but the feeling quickly vanished when I realized I didn't know what to do next. I couldn't leave while I was still sick, if not for me than for the rest of the pod's health. Even if I did have a clean bill of health I still didn't have my driver certification. My eyes narrowed with anger as I recalled Albin's refusal to let me get it. It's such a powerless feeling when another person can make such decisions for you. I don't want to be powerless anymore. I will just have to keep showing my worth until they accept me as one of the pod.

I let out a deep sigh to release the negative tension in my chest and closed my eyes with the realization of what I needed to do. I wouldn't enjoy it, but it must be done. With a new sense of purpose I turned to the second exam room and let myself in. The room looked the same as it had the last time I was here. I slowly started opening the cabinets and drawers taking inventory of what was there: beakers, flasks, thermometer, clamps, tongs, droppers, and the like. Satisfied I moved on to the old microscope sitting on the countertop, taking a seat in front of it. My fingertips grazed the knobs as I peered down the eyepiece. Despite the rust that had formed over its body and the sticking knobs the microscope still worked.

I fished out a small wire brush I had found in one of the drawers and gently began to scrape away at the rust. The task was mindless and tedious, but watching the corrosion flake away to reveal the microscope's true form was incredibly satisfying. I could feel the fatigue start to settle into my limbs, but I ignored it and pushed on, eager to finish my task.

"What are you doing?" Geo's cold voice startled me as I whipped around to face him. His eyes went to the wire brush in my hand to the microscope, but when they fell on me I could see his anger. "What are you doing?" he angrily asked again.

I blinked in shock and confusion as I guiltly hid the brush behind me. "I- I was cleaning the microscope," I finally uttered, my voice laced with uncertainty.

Geo's eyes narrowed. "And who said you could go around and touch things that don't belong to you?"

I was at a loss for words and froze for a minute. "I'm sorry. I didn't think you would be upset," I said softly.

I could see Geo's hand tighten into a fist as his lips formed a line. "Get out," he said, his voice tight with anger.

For a moment I couldn't believe this was happening. "What?" I asked incredulously.

"I said get out," he said slightly louder. "Just go to your cot, now!"

My chest felt heavy with the realization I had made him angry. Without another glance I quickly got up and headed for my cot next door. I wrapped myself in the blankets and listened for him, hoping that he had calmed down and was coming back to me. I must have been waiting a long time because it wasn't until I was dozing off that I heard footstep enter the room and take a seat by my cot.

I turned expeciting to see Geo, but instead I saw Thana's worried expression. "What happened while I was gone?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" I asked, trying to play innocent.

"Geo's in a foul mood. Something must have happened while I was away," she said as she attempted to peer into my soul with her unrelenting gaze.

With effort I tore my gaze from hers and weakly admitted what I had done. "I crossed a boundary and touched something I shouldn't have."

Thana's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "What did you touch?" she asked calmly, but I could detect a hint of anger.

"I touched the old microscope in the other lab," I said with a heavy sigh. Thana's eyes softened a bit, but she shook her head with pity.

"You should go talk to him," she said. "He doesn't upset easily, but when he does it can take some time before he cools down." Just as I was about to open my mouth to protest she quickly added, "for all of our sakes. I am sure he will calm down faster if you both talked." I sighed in defeat and nodded.

"Good," she said flatly. "Now let me check your temperature before you get out of bed." Satisfied with the reading, Thana helped me out of the cot and ushered me to the door. "He is in his lab. Make it quick, you should not be out of bed too long." She quickly closed the door behind me, leaving me in the darkness of his lab.

I weaved my way through the piles of junk to the middle where I knew he would be. Coming to the clearing, I stopped just before the light's rim to keep from being seen. I watched Geo while he worked, debating on whether or not I should turn back now and sit with Thana, as unappealing as that would be.

"I know you are there," Geo said quietly, still focused on his task. He looked up at me and my heart stopped. I took a deep breath and stepped into the light towards his work bench.

"Geo, I'm sorry," I said earnestly. "I didn't mean to upset you."

He put down his tools and looked up at me with sad eyes. "No, I am sorry. I should not have gotten so upset about it. It's just that it was my mom's, and no one has really touched it since she died."

My eyes widened. "I- I didn't know. I am so sorry," I said as I dropped my gaze to the ground.

"Of course you didn't know," he said softly. "It isn't your fault. She would have been happy that it was being cared for. I am sure it will look even better when you finish."

Suprised by his response, I looked up to see a soft smile on his lips. I return it with one of my own, feeling a weight being lifted from my chest.

"Though I do have to ask, what possessed you to do it?" Geo asked with a serious tone.

I hesitated, but eventual shared my intentions. "I want to begin working again. My body is resting, but my mind is restless. Just before I fell ill Albin had given me a task to examine and log soil samples from Ilterra. I was hoping I could do that while I'm here."

Geo's expression hardened when I mentioned Albin. Just as he was about to open his mouth to reject my proposal I cut him off. "Please, Geo," I pleaded. "I need to prove my worth, that I am of use to the pod. I need to gain some control back over my life instead of sitting here wasting away."

After a moment Geo sighed in defeat. "Very well, I will see about getting the samples to you. But you will make sure to take breaks whenever you start feeling fatigued, understood? I do not want you relapsing."

"Thank you!" I said with a large smile. "I will take breaks and rest if I feel fatigued, I promise."

"Can you promise me one more thing?" he asked, a smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth.

I froze, eyeing his suspicious smirk. "And what promise is that?"

"Promise me that you will not touch my things without asking first," he said with a full on grin.

A slight blush of embarrassment rose to my cheeks. "I promise," I said quickly.

"Good," he said, satisfied. "You should go back to the cot and get some rest. I will work on getting your samples in the morning."

Unwilling to argue I nodded in agreement. "Thank you. Good night, Geo."

"Good night, Flora," he said softly.

I headed back to the cot with a smile on my lips. Thana was waiting for me, eyeing me as I walked in. "Things went well I take it?" she asked.

"Yes, I don't think he will be mad anymore."

Thana watched me as if waiting for me to continue, but I just turned away and laid down on the cot. "I need to rest some more," I said to avoid talking with her further. After a few seconds I could hear her begin to walk away, but just as she reached the door I looked over my shoulder. "Thank you, Thana," I said. Thana stopped in the doorway. Without turning towards me she nodded and walked away.

I bundled myself in the blankets eager to fall asleep. For the first time in a while I knew I would have something to look forward to when I woke up.