*panic once more enters her eyes as he is suddenly there, her speed nothing compared to his and she finds herself against the wall...escape blocked by his massive form...like a deer trapped in the headlights she watches him, her wide gaze darting darting back and forth, never settling in one place for long, never meeting his eyes....for too long she had been under the control of others, too many times she was the submissive..even the recent years, her strive for control, none of it had overcome her past, a past she had tried so hard to bury... gradually as escape remains denied to her she admits defeat...the last tension drops from her form and her gaze no longer darts, instead it is hidden....hidden as she submissively lowers her head accepting defeat, the tears still running silently down her face as she merely waits, accepting of her fate...and whatever may come*

-=- He watches her for a long moment, failing to understand her utter fear. He had hit her, but it was no way to react like this. He watched her a bit more, watched her relax and lessened his grip. Nearly letting her go. Seeing a fair bruise swell over her cheek, and what he thought she considered her perfect skin. Perhaps this is what it was about. She didn't want to be seen imperfect. He looked away, and doing something, which was actually quite noble, picked her up. She was so incredibly light it nearly startled him, and carried her back towards his room. Almost ashamed in a way to try to look her in the eye. His emotions came in flashes, as he tucked a massive arm benath her legs, careful not to crinkle her evening gown. Carrying her lightly and opening the door. Sitting her gently, moreso than he had ever shown his prized pets upon the bed, and again wandered towards the bathroom. With a lack of things to say, he uttered stupidly, -=- Stay there this time. Please. . .-=- He shook his head, looking towards the shower almost tempted just to jump in placing the water on -ice- fall asleep, and hopefully wake-up seeing this as a bad dream. But instead he did what he originally set out to do. He snatched one of his washcloths, placing it under the facucet. Turning the water on cold, and odering the computer. -=- Colder -=- Until it almost stung like ice over his fingertips. He clenched the towel and rung it out, then to wandered back into the room. She was sorely mistaken, for any of his actions. He resisted her this long, he was not about to give in and 'have his way with her'. In a way he was she was there instead of blindly running down the hall. He looked almost childlike, his face and arms blotchy red. Carefully approaching her, again saying very light, as he pressed the icy cloth upon her cheek. -=- I did not mean to call you a 'bitch'. . .in fact I hate the word. . . I really do, I just. .. -=- There was no retifying his actions as much as he tried over and over in his mind to. -=- I just, I was so angry, you. . .all of this. . .you -=- He shook his head as he kneeled down to get a better look at the bruise, saying -=- Lights brighter -=- illuminating the room a touch more. Just a touch. -=- Everything this base, things you couldnt' even understand. . . why did you have. . Why did I have to do this? -=- Pressing lightly again adjusting the cloth and grasping her hand to keep it in place. -=-

*She offers no resistance as he picks her up, but also no sound....she is silent and motionless, almost like a barbie doll, a creation to be manipulated, played with, then discarded...She simply sits there, exactally where he had set her... a faint gasp issues from her lips as he places the cloth against her cheek, but wether from pain or the cold is unknown for no other reaction is shown, or if it is, it's hidden by her downcast eyes.....* I know, its my fault * the words almost a quiet whisper as she accepts the blame, taking it upon herself...her only motion is that guided by you, as you lift her hand to hold the cloth to her cheek*

-=- He lets go of her hand, then looking towards her ear, to check for bleeding, her mouth gentle to check there also. Finally when convinced she hadn't recieved a concusion he sat beside her gently again removing the cloth. -=- No, no and yes, I shouldn't have hit you like that. . . I was scared I guess I dunno I. . I can't control my temper sometimes, it. . .it's just been very stressful lately. I took it out on you in a way, -=- He didn't elaborate any further instead winced again at the bruise. Saying -=- I'll get you some real ice . . .hold on. . . -=- He wandered over to his fridge in the animal room, picking up her glove as he went, and retrived some ice. Still rambling, still seeming childlike, like a small kid who was trying to explain why the cat was lit on fire or something to that effect. He Returned taking the cloth and placing the ice inside still talking -=- I mean you shouldn't have done that either, but, I shouldn't have hit you, or called you what I did, hell. .. I don't even know if I should be here. . . -=- He tried a dry laugh, as he continued to explain, things she was most likely already aware of. -=- my. . . my temper stopped the truce at the tavern. . . my temper, my stubornness almost killed Warpole, and because of that. . .Well because of that I tried to not have a temper, and Vince was killed.. . . because I was stupid, I was just. . . here -=- He placed the ice on her face gently again, and shook his head handing her back her glove. He looked at her slouching a bit, saying as he say again -=- maybe you should lie down, you seem . . .dazed. . -=- It was one of those times he reaslized. . . where one rambles and rambles, and he felt his face grow redder. He didn't need this , not now. Or any other time, in France, he could have dealt with this, before Yvette he /could have/ dealt with this , with her attack without a bat of an eye. -=- I . .I'm sorry for talking so much. .. . I'm so . . so sorry for hitting you Rika. -=- He was sincere, and just stopped speaking, instead sat for a moment in silence, replacing her hand on her face, to hold the ice. --=-

*She notes none of his uneasiness, in fact she notices almost nothing around her...The Rika he knew has retreated to be replaced by the Rika that once was, the Rika that she had always tried to hide from everyone, but that she knew still existed...* Its my fault, not yours, I shouldn't have * the words still quiet..recited almost like rote, like words she had repeated hundreds maybe thousands of times before..wordlessly she accepts the glove back her other hand reaching up to hold the ice in place*..Its ok, it was my fault, I deserved it

No, no one deserves to be hit, not like that for those reasons. -=- He continues to sit, then looking towards her, blinking, a few times as she says next to nothing. Offering an uneasy laugh as he says lightly -=- you must really hate me now. . .I don't blame you. -=- He rested his elbows on his knees, allowing his hands to drape between them. He watched the ground for a long while and asked quietly. -=- Do you think you'll be okay, or would you like to see a memeber of the Med staff? I can . . -=- He looks towards her finally looking her in the eye, her near catatonic stare. . ..quietly. -=- Are you afraid of me now Rika? -=- He backed away ever so slightly, moving so he'd fall into her line of vision. He didn't understand her past, or even if they was a ploy to attain guilt from him. Or another sick twisted ploy to bed him. He watched her for a moment, not putting the later of the three past her. He searched her eyes for something any kind of emotion, narrowing his eyes slightly. -=-

I did *she shakes her head lightly, her blonde tresses hanging in a disheveled mess half fallen from the coif she earlier sported* I don't hate you *Only now when he asks if she wants med staff does she raise her gaze, her eyes still not quite meeting his, but coming close.* I'll be okay *..afraid? yes, she was afraid..afraid of her past, afraid of what she was, but of him? she didn't know..right now she couldn't feel anything, it was once more like the past, everything locked up, fear, hatred...those and others are things she couldn't afford to feel, so she didn't allow herself too, not back then, and not now... he obviously wants her to look at him, as he purposely moves into her sight, so she does..but even now she remains submissive, her gaze never quite meeting his....his last question remains unanswered*

-=- This act. . . as he precieved it began to piss him off, but that quickly subsided into fear of his own. He said then near bitterly, as if to get it through her head . Repremanding a small shild-=- No you did NOT, . What you did was WRONG, but you did NOT deserve to be hit, or called a bitch. . . -=- His voice then instantaly swiched back, trying to be calm, -=- . even if you were being wrong, I mean doing something like that.. I don't know what's wrong with you, I don't know if I want to know. . . but stop this. . please. .. don't do this. . you don't sound right. I scared you, I don't care if you hate me. -=- He watched her as she never met her gaze, her tear streaked face from her earlier burst to the hall never met his. He moved a hand very slowly towards her, as if not to frighten a small animal. Saying as he brushed moisture that lingered from her other cheek away. -=- But now you are really scaring me. I don't want you to hate me, or fear me . . . shit. . -=- Again the word seemed awkward with him using it. He looked at his hand as he spoke. Slowly then taking her hair trying , attempting to put it back in whatever hairdo she had it in earlier, with failed attempts. -=-

Fine *she nods in agreement, thought she doens't really believe it, its just back to her old life of compliance and agreement with everything...in effect she is once more a child, or as much of a child as she ever was* I'm fine *she shakes her head* nothing is wrong, I don't hate you, I don't fear you I am fine *..and it is true..she doens't fear, she doesn't hate, she doesn't feel...after your failed attempt she reaches up and straightens the hair putting it in some semblence of order*

-=- He stood finally, scared. Far too afraid to have her wander out into the base like this. Finally realising how submissive she was being. He glanced back towards her, saying lightly. -=- I know I am going to regret this, but you can't go out like this, you know how many men would . . . take advantage of this situation? -=- He shook his head, /thinking/, very quietly, just in case she could hear, - I doubt you'd care all that much. - But he was worried. he had seen men do crazy things for her. Absolutely crazy things. He'd hate to see her run into a techie, or night shift like this. He'd never forgive himself. So instead he wandered towards his dresser removing a pair of GUARD Flannel shorts and a GUARD tee-shirt. Saying again, -=- Go into the bathroom, change into this. . . come back here lie down, get some sleep or something okay? -=- Tossing the items towards her, and then pulling back the bed. She would sleep there. He pulled an extra pillow from beneath the bed, along with an extra blanket and set it upon the far side of the room, right next to the door. He set up his 'bed' sighing. This was not the way he wanted to spend his night off. Not in the least. For a moment he could hear Vince laugh at the whole sitation. 'Muscle head, you have a beautiful woman who would do anything you ever desired sleeping in your bed, and you sleep on the floor. You're gay. I knew it. " He smiled faintly at echoes of ghosts, and then wandered towards his music which was still playing. He turned it off, setting the clock, and other various things he had failed to do prior. Awaiting her return from the bathroom. Not glancing over, unsure if she even closed the door, or even went in. Perhaps his substandard clothes would snap her out of her state. He sighed heavily, saying then. -=- You can sleep on the bed, . . . um if you get cold just tell me. . . please. .. . Lights dim. -=- He adjusted a few more things as she did what she did, checking on all the animals, who were still very startled after the entire fiasco. -=-

*she nods as she accepts the clothes from him and leans over to remove her shoes then she stands and heads into the bathroom where she changes and takes the time to neaten her her hair and wash her face..she then neatly folds her dress and nylons, setting them in a corner and leaves the bathroom..she stands there for a few seconds the shirt hanging loosely on her like she was a child playing dress up* But its yours..you should have it

*he stood there in front of her for a long moment, a small half hearted smile left his lips. A hand was trying to prevent her from proceeding further. In the most non-aggressive way. He knew nothing he would say to her would probably matter. -=- I think that outfit suits you better than the . . . -=- He was unsure how describe the clothing she wore politely. -=- attire you usually wear. Like the night at the French base. You're a lot prettier when you don't try so hard. .You prolly' get a lot of people telling you that you're pretty though. . -=-He cleared his throat. He felt the compliment was odd, out of place. He stood for a long moment in silence, almost waiting for her to say something like -Oh I'll change my wardrobe. - or - Oh you are right, throw away that dress. - This made him feel even worse. His huge massive frame towering over her frail body. Taking his arms, lightly, as if she were a cousin or something giving her an embrace. A hand pressing over her blonde hair, falling to her shoulder. -=- I am very Sorry Rika, . . . so very sorry. File a report tomorrow if you need to. You can say something like. . You returned the stupid rabbit, and I couldn't contain myself or something. ... and when you refused I hit you. They'd believe that. They can demote me.-=- He released her as quickly as he embraced her. Finally after giving her a friendly tap on the shoulder he wandered towards his 'bed'. Kneeling, and then crawling onto the cold floor, under his cover. He instantly saw flashes of his rank fly out the window. The disapproval over every soul on the base. Ridicule. . . shame. Instead he offered a mild laugh. -=- And nah, it's okay, this is probably better for my back, the floor that is.-=- He lied, but it sounded good. People always used that excuse he rationalized. And he doubted she knew all about his healing factor, or would care at this point. His head resting on the semi flat pillow. Curling up a bit tighter and closing his eyes, for the moment. A very quiet whisper. Something perhaps he was too stubborn and embarrassed to have her hear him say. But noble enough to say loud enough to touch her ears. -=- When you are yourself again. . .forgive me. I didn't mean for this to happen. -=- The first time a woman had ever slept in his room. It was incredibly awkward for him. Sheesh he had attended an all boys school until he was 17. He partly hadn't the chance. . partly was a bit frightened. He did fear rejection, failure, the situation as a whole. That he seriously believed those precious acts were best left to two people who were in love. They were after all acts of love, not lust like people skewed them. Maybe if he had explained to her that in the very beginning she'd have understood why he wouldn't just have a fling. Or not, he didn't know, and frankly was beginning not to care. He was very tired. -=- If you're thirsty I can get you water. . . -=-He tried to close his eyes, his back to her, finally turning towards her, to watch her. Almost to make sure she was indeed okay. He had been a fool, and he knew he was going to pay for it. And honestly all things considered he wouldn't have it any other way. He again hadn't controlled his temper. He again allowed something serious to arise from it. He hated himself at the moment for it. Loathed it. He inhaled deeply a few times, as to relax. Preparing for a long night of listening to her breathing. Watching her sleep until his clock alerted him it was morning. Perhaps then he could actually talk to her about the entire thing. His thoughts drifted almost instantly, even before she would wander to the bed, if that was what she was to do. They fell on what was plaguing his mind for a few days now. His father, his family. Thoughts so quiet he himself could hardly hear them. Keeping an ear open. Just in case she needed anything. -=- Sleep Well. . . -=- -=- He wouldn't. He hadn't for days. His voice trailed off, and silenced. -=-

*She stands there, her eyes downcast* thank you *the words coming out soft.. not really as an acceptence of your statement but because it is expected...she returns the hug, her powers instinctively unleashing slightly* I am sorry *she shakes her head as he steps back* I won't *she simple stands there as she watches you crawl into your 'bed' then after a few moments she sits on the bed and gradually she crawls under the sheets..after all, its expected...then she lays there, staring at the ceiling*..have a good night

-=- He watched her for a long time, watching through the dim light until he felt his eyes close. He didn't sleep, instead just thought. Thought about everything in full detail. How he over-reacted about everything. Regretting everything he over-reacted about in his life. Regrets. Loathing. Discovering, the harder he tried to become the man he wanted to be, the more he hated himself. Something that too scared him. Things he was supposed to do. Ways to behave. They all flashed through his mind. Things that held like granite, he would never sway from, things he wondered why he started in the first place. Things he'd never fully understand. He turned back towards the door watching it for a long time. Watching the night time lights turn off, watching the shadows of the early morning crew wander in front of his door. The crack so incredibly minuscule, but still he watched. He heard Dayre, heard her wander off towards the conference area. He listened until the sounds of people faded, and his alarm clock, rang loudly. He sat up slowly and turned the clock off with a few commands, a few words. He stood, folded his blanket, placing his pillow beneath his bed. Not wishing to disturb Rika, still sure that his rank, his honor would be gone when she stepped out of his room. He thought dully, what was honor? He thought he knew, until he skewed the meaning of that word so far it nearly broke. He moved to his bathroom, to prepare for the day, the day there could be no way to prepare for. -=-

*She merely lies there, staring at the ceiling, memories of her past running through her head...troubled memories following her into her few brief moments of resteles sleep...she would awaken suddenly cries of pain echoing in her ears, wether these were merely remnents of dreams or if she did cry out she wasn't sure...confusion was her first reaction upon awakening each time, then her gaze would travel the room and rest upon the still form by the door and once more memories would resurface, memories of this night and those it brought back...tears she doesn't remember shedding moisten the pillow at her head..this continues throughout the night, perhaps she occaisonally whimpers,or perhaps a word might pass softly through her lips during those few brief interludes of sleep even she doesn't know....then dawn, the alarm startling her to instant clarity as its goes off, not that she had been sleeping just staring, not thinking, not really doing anything except staring blankly at the ceiling..she hears him get up and move quietly towards the bathroom, then after a few brief moments she too arises her glance moving towards the bathroom where she had left her clothes the previous night then she moves towards the door, not really caring if someone sees her on her way to her room*

-=- He hears her get up, washing his face, his hands, pulling a brush through his hair. Saying very lightly, through the silence, hearing her pad gently towards the door. -=- You are forgetting your dress. -=- He didn't even bother to look towards her. Instead took a towel and dried his face. Not understanding why she would leave. . .unless she was really scared. He had been for a long time too enveloped into his thoughts to hear gentle whimpers, or anything for that matter. Saying then as he moved to fold and replace the towel, -=- Guess you're leaving. . .Take care. -=- He meant it, looking at his face. It was still youthful, no real sign of strain, thanks to his powers. It looked as if he just returned from a week long vacation in fact. He blinked a few times at that reflection, and turned from it, not wanting to confront her, but hesitant to let her go. That though being a part of her power. A drug. . . he shook his head. Saying in addition. ** Oh, and Thank you for returning my rabbit.

*her hand is about to open the door when his voice stops her, and she turns back towards the bathroom * I did, thank you*she pauses in the bathroom door for a second before entering and grabbing her clothes then once more turning towards the door* if you want me too *she turns back towards him, the dress hugged to her chest* your welcome *She nods* I will *she watches him grab his uniform* Nothing is wrong *she turns once more towards the door* Yes, I must go *the door opens and she stands framed in it as she turns* Later? *she doesn't wait for an answer she instead turns and heads down the hallway to her own room*

=- He is a bit perplexed by her question, about to ask what she meant to only notice she was gone. He shut his eyes stepping into the ice shower, only afterwards bothering to remove his night-things. He sat there, the water finally invigorating him, stimulating his tired limbs awake. He stood there finally sliding down the side fo the tub, to sit, while the water cascasded over him. He sat for the longest of times, simply thinking. Finally getting out, drying off and dressing. Affixing his GUARD uni perfectly,. Making sure the cuffs were buttoned, and the jacket straight. He looked at his reflection, still displeased with what he saw. And he fathomed he would be displeased for a very long time