For two days, at least that's what I estimated by the meals, I refused to speak or even look at anyone. Rafe told them before that I demanded respect and they only pretended to give it to me.

The doctor and nurse both tried to get me to look at them by promising me a new room if I would. One with a more comfortable bed. The floor was more comfortable so I just curled up on the floor.

The doctor or nurse or perhaps some other person would bring me meals, so at least that was better than when I was first brought on board. But I still refused to speak to anyone or look at any of them no matter how they pled.

Then someone enters my room after knocking first. I didn't answer but that didn't stop the person from entering. I didn't look just kept to my nest of blankets on the floor.

Whoever the person was they didn't try getting me to talk or even look at them. I felt myself being lifted from my blankets and settled on their lap. I didn't look, I didn't need to, Rafe is the one that picked me up and settled me down on his lap. At first I stiffen, but his playing gently with my hair gets me to relax. He doesn't speak and neither do I, soon I find myself falling asleep. My arms finding their own way around his neck before sleep claims me completely.

She feels so tiny in my arms. I know she's not, not really. She knew it was me without looking and I find myself pleased. At first she stiffened so much and I thought it wouldn't work but then she relaxes and breathes out a sigh, it sounded like she was almost contented.

Feeling her arms go around my neck make me smile. Perhaps she hasn't fully forgiven me, but she has at least a little. I pick her up and carry her to her new room with a real bed. I don't blame her for preferring the floor to that table they call a bed.

The nurse runs ahead of me and turns down the bed covers. I frown, Maha hasn't been cleaned since her accident. Blood still stains her clothes and hair. I'll have to make sure that she gets a shower tomorrow and some clean clothes. I settle Maha down and try to leave but she just tightens her arms that are still around my neck. This is starting to turn into one of those human romance stories here.

I try to disengage her arms from me without waking her up, but it's not possible. "Rafe," she whispers my name and I see her eyes open.

"Maha, go back to sleep. I'll bring you some clean clothes and take you to shower in the morning okay?" I want to stroke her hair like I used to but the memory of her hate filled look keeps my hands to myself. I'm not going to push my luck tonight.

"Don't go, Rafe. Stay by me." Maha has no idea what her request does to me.

"Last time you saw me you ended up getting stitches and a concussion trying to get away. I don't want you waking in the morning and hurting yourself because I'm in your room with you. Get some sleep Maha and I'll see you in the morning." I smile at her and tear myself away. It was one of the hardest walks I've ever had to make.

My commander once more waits for me in the hall way. I notice the tension that she tries hard to disguise, "Did it work Lt? Will she accept you back?"

"She allowed me to hold her and bring her here. She wanted me to stay, but I think that's mostly from being sleep fogged. I will know more in the morning when I return and she's actually awake." I report and wait for my Commander to respond.

"I guess that's about as good as we could hope for. She is your only priority Lt. Depac. Like before, but do your best, whatever you have to do, to get her to trust you once more."

"Respect is all she's ever asked for and seems to be the one commodity that we have yet to give her. If you truly mean what you say sir, I will answer all her questions if I know the answer. No matter what the question is. If you or any one else orders me to lie to her again I won't do it, and you might as well kiss whatever hopes you have of gaining her trust out the window."

"Do whatever you deem best Lt. If we had followed your recommendations earlier she might be trusting us instead of slowly dying."

Her words bring a pang to my heart. The reason that the Commander ordered me back to caring for Maha, she was dying.

It is the knocking on the door that wakes me from the best sleep I've had since I've come on board. Since I woke up alone on Earth actually. Whoever is knocking is waiting for me to answer either by opening the door myself or by giving a vocal response. They've never bothered with that before.

The novelty of it gets me out of bed where nothing else would have. I stumble as I realize that this isn't the same room as I went to sleep in, nor was that my nest of blankets on the floor. I was in a new room with a real bed.

That meant I know who is behind that door. Only one person has ever given me any respect here. "Rafe," I say as I open the door.

He's loaded with food and clothes. I look at him curiously, but I'm still not sure how to be around him.

"After you eat I thought you might like a shower and a change of clothes." Rafe's smile is genuine and his smile reveals a dimple.

I drop my eyes, "Thank you, Rafe."

"Maha? Did I do something wrong again?" There is an undercurrent of panic that he tries to hide as he speaks.

I shake my head. It truly is sweet that he's thinking of things like this. No one else has. I stink, it surprises me that no one else has thought of it, but it makes me embarrassed that Rafe could tell.

Seeing her blush and refuse to look at me I panic. I did something wrong again. But when I ask she shakes her head, so what could be wrong?

"I brought the clothes because the ones you're wearing are stained in blood from when you fell. I don't know why they haven't had you shower before. If you don't wish my company I'll send someone in about an hour to take you to where you can clean up. You need a real shower and the rooms only come equipped with sonic cleaners. It gets you clean but they can't handle the blood."

"You did nothing wrong. Stay please and share my breakfast with me." I can't believe what she's saying.

"Are you sure?" I'm so scared of making the wrong decision that I have to make sure this is something she wants, really wants.

"I'm not very hungry, but I would like some company. I got so tired of always being under observation. Why did they give me a real room?"

"I told them they needed to start giving you some respect and for once they listened to me." The urge to touch her is almost overwhelming.

"I will be happy to stay while you eat but I've already eaten my breakfast. If you'd like for lunch we can go to the cafeteria."

The shy smile she gives me makes my heart beat harder, "I'd like that." Her reply is little more than a whisper but I feel like I could fly. Perhaps there is hope yet.