Paul sat on the couch going over some archeology journals he had found in the stations library, but they didn't hold his attention. His body was still stiff from his injuries, though Dr. Cherrin told him he would be ready to return to duty in another day. But he needed to let his body completely heal. That also meant that he was to rest and basically do nothing. Something he wasn't good at. What he wanted was a drink, but under doctor's orders he was abstaining. At least until this evening . . .
Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by the door sensor.
"Come een," he called out.
As the door slid open, he watched who his visitor was. In walked Kassia with her green eyes sparkling and her face lit by a gentle smile. In her hands, she carried a wrapped box with a blue bow on top.
"Hey, Paul," she said, "Thought I would stop by and see how you were doing. Dr. Cherrin told me you'd be back to work soon."
"I ope. Zhere is nozing to do around ere! I am bored out of ma mind!" he said, then gazed at what she held. "Whats in da box?"
"It's for you," she replied. Here smile was still bright, but there was a seriousness to her eyes that hadn't been there before. She handed him the box.
Paul took it and slowly opened it. Inside was a small dagger.
"What is zis?" asked Paul.
"This is the ceremonial dagger of a tribe on Galos V. They used it in certain rituals. I thought you might like to have it for its anthropological value," she replied, not mentioning that this had been hers and what she had done.
"Galos V eh?" said Paul as he took the dagger out and eyed it. "Looks like it was a ceremonial dagger, no?"
She nodded. "From what I understand it was used in a few ceremonies . . ."
"It was used in ritual sacrifices. Look. Zis image ere is zeir God of sacrifice, with zhe god of blood and God of death on each side of im. I sink I know what zis is! It would be zhe dagger used by zhe high priests. Zhere were only ever five of zhese and zhey were passed down from priest to priest. Zis is immensely valuable! I can't accept it," shaking his head slightly.
"Paul," she said, "I want you to have it . . . I . . . would rather you have it than I . . ."
Her answer was filled with unspoken words. There was more to this than just a gift.
"No no. You keep it," he said putting it back in the box. He looked up and noticed Kassia's expression had changed. "What's zhe matter?"
"I can't keep it," she replied. The emotions running through her were still strong though she was controlling them better as each hour passed. But she knew the pain she had almost caused and could not stand the reminder of the dagger. "I look at it and I no longer see the thing of beauty that it is. I see something different entirely."
"What do you see?"
She turned away from him for a moment and gazed at nothing. Tarik so far had been the only one she had discussed her feelings with. She hadn't even talked with Troy . . . "I see the pain that I caused and almost caused . . ." She could feel the sting of tears, but fought them back.
Paul, a little confused, painfully stood up and walked over to her. "What pain? Tell me what iz wrong?"
Silently brushing away a stray tear that had managed to escape her eye, she looked at him. "This is what I used . . ." she explained, finding it hard to form the words. "I know you heard about what I did . . . This is what I used . . ." she echoed again.
He noticed that she ran her fingers over a spot on her wrist that he could just make out a faint scar on.
Paul looked at the small box on his table. "And you want to give zhat to me? I go out and risk my life for you to get your brother back! And zhen, in return, you give me zhe dagger zhat you tried to kill yourself with? I don't mean to sound ungrateful or nozing... but you can keep it or give it to someone else. I don't want no dagger in my quarters zhat someone tried to kill zhemselves with!"
"You don't understand," she replied, with a smile having expected his response. "And that's okay . . . I wanted you to have this because . . . Because you have been one of my protectors . . . I wanted to give this to you, not just because I knew you would appreciate it . . . but as a promise that I would never do anything like that again . . . Dr. Cherrin told me my actions were because of the head injury . . . but I have been dealing a lot with the emotional repercussions of the event . . . It hasn't been easy . . . And, Paul, you risked your life for me . . . for my brother . . . and I felt that you deserved this pledge from me . . ."
"I am sorry" said Paul, feeling a bit guilty about what he had just said. "It's just zhat . . . it seemed a bit freaky . . . zhats all. I mean, it's not everyday zhat someone come to your ouse and offers you a dagger zhey tried to kill zhemsleves with."
With a soft laugh she gazed at him. "I know . . . I realize it seemed strange . . . But I hope you'll accept it now . . . and if not . . . maybe you'd be willing to keep it for me . . . until a time I can look upon it without the pain I feel . . ."
"I shall keep it for you. You shall not try anysing again with zis dagger. Just give me your word you won't buy another one?" he said smiling back
Taking one of his hands, she laughed again. "I promise," she said, hold his hand to her heart as if sealing her word with this gesture.
Paul pulled his hand away and sat back down. "Ow iz Troy now?"
"He's completely recovered and started back at work yesterday," she said. "Thanks to you he's alive and I can't thank you enough for finding him . . ."
"Well, I add to! I mean, I couldn't let you ave loose im now could I?
What kind of a friend would do that ah?"
She smiled. "So what are your plans today?"
"Sit on ma ass all day reading whatever I can find in zhe database."
"Dr. Cherrin has told you that you couldn't say . . . go out to lunch?" she hinted with a smirk.
"Not in so many words.. no... But I shouldn't eat no spicy foods."
"It doesn't have to be spicy," she replied. "Do you think you'd be up for joining me for lunch?"
"I should be able to. Beats sittin round ere"
"Good!" she replied. "So what are you in the mood for that's on the bland side?" she asked, as she watched him stand once more.
"Your choice" he said.
"Hmmmm," she said thinking, "I think I have a place. They serve just about anything."
With that, they headed out the door and to the commerce section.