[He's not really sure what to say, though he's certainly not angry or upset with her. After what she just said, he doesn't know if he could be angry or upset.]
It's just a kiss. It doesn't mean anything... and I don't want you to beat yourself up over it. You've been through enough. [Although it doesn't stop him from feeling incredibly relieved to know he wasn't competing with anybody that he knew of.]
Also, I don't recall having relieved you of your position, so you're stuck with me for a little while longer.
[She's silent for a moment, and then she lets out the breath she'd been holding. He is somehow always able to do this, to take away her fears with just a few words and the sound of his voice. She doesn't know how he does it but she hopes he never ever stops.]
Thank you. I'm glad you aren't upset. Not that you wouldn't have a right to be. I wouldn't hold it against you if you were.
[No, she'd just hold it against herself.]
[She smiles, at ease again, and her voice takes on even more warmth and the tiniest bit of mock-exasperation.]
Good thing, too, sir. I'm afraid to think of the trouble you'd have gotten yourself into without me.
It doesn't happen to me, though. I don't just kiss anyone. I hate how it seems so easy for the mist to get into my head. You'd think it would eventually get bored with me.
[And a light, joking sigh.]
Of course not, sir. But you are adept at attracting trouble.
I suppose there's a first time for everything, then, though I do understand your sentiments about the mist. I should consider myself lucky that I escaped it this time.
[...]
Which is precisely why I can't fire you.
...besides, I seem to recall having tried that once and you refused to be fired.
I would have to agree on that. At least the scars left by physical attacks heal relatively quickly. Those left by emotional injury and mental trauma tend to linger long after the event itself has passed.
It would be a lie if I said I mind being stuck with you, though I feel sorry for you having to be stuck with me.
[She's a little slow to reply, momentarily too busy wishing the mist would have given her the choice to add another ugly scar to her collection rather than having put him and herself through what had happened this last week.]
... very true. And old scarred skin can't do nearly as much damage as dredging up a painful memory.
[And behold, the subtle sound of a smirk in her tone.]
You're not so bad, Colonel. I would even say fairly tolerable. It also helps that I am extremely patient.
... yes. But there are some things, no matter how painful, which shouldn't be forgotten.
[She doesn't resent her own scars for that reason. All of them are lessons, things she should never forget written down on her skin.]
If I were the type to make bets, I'd know which of those to put my money on. I'm convinced you're just lacking the home court advantage. I'm sure before long, you'll be back to getting yourself into copious amounts of trouble.
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[He's not really sure what to say, though he's certainly not angry or upset with her. After what she just said, he doesn't know if he could be angry or upset.]
It's just a kiss. It doesn't mean anything... and I don't want you to beat yourself up over it. You've been through enough. [Although it doesn't stop him from feeling incredibly relieved to know he wasn't competing with anybody that he knew of.]
Also, I don't recall having relieved you of your position, so you're stuck with me for a little while longer.
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Thank you. I'm glad you aren't upset. Not that you wouldn't have a right to be. I wouldn't hold it against you if you were.
[No, she'd just hold it against herself.]
[She smiles, at ease again, and her voice takes on even more warmth and the tiniest bit of mock-exasperation.]
Good thing, too, sir. I'm afraid to think of the trouble you'd have gotten yourself into without me.
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[And in response to that mock-exasperation, he goes for feigned shock, though there's laughter in his tone.]
You make it sound as though I'm some sort of walking disaster!
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[And a light, joking sigh.]
Of course not, sir. But you are adept at attracting trouble.
[Then softer, warmer, and more serious.]
But that's all right. Because it's you.
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[...]
Which is precisely why I can't fire you.
...besides, I seem to recall having tried that once and you refused to be fired.
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Quite true, sir. I can't allow you to fire me while you still need me. So I suppose you're stuck with me as well.
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It would be a lie if I said I mind being stuck with you, though I feel sorry for you having to be stuck with me.
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... very true. And old scarred skin can't do nearly as much damage as dredging up a painful memory.
[And behold, the subtle sound of a smirk in her tone.]
You're not so bad, Colonel. I would even say fairly tolerable. It also helps that I am extremely patient.
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"Fairly tolerable"? I haven't gotten into nearly as much trouble here as I have at home, so either I've gotten better or I'm just getting warmed up.
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[She doesn't resent her own scars for that reason. All of them are lessons, things she should never forget written down on her skin.]
If I were the type to make bets, I'd know which of those to put my money on. I'm convinced you're just lacking the home court advantage. I'm sure before long, you'll be back to getting yourself into copious amounts of trouble.
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Well, I wouldn't stop you if you had something planned.
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...like another time such as this, or a second date, or something completely random.
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