Subterra Heart

Chapter 50 - Connor Rocha

It was a lot to take in. Connor took a slow breath and looked Marina in the eye. She returned his gaze without flinching.

"I – " he began, and then paused, thinking of Bastet. Marina was right to avoid discussing Bastet's fate out loud, but Connor wondered how much the Dweller already suspected. She wasn't stupid. Still, best to keep things quiet for now.

"Tess and I didn't have much of a choice when we got dragged into this," he said. "I did what felt right, and I stuck around because I care about you. Even then, what else was I going to do? Roam around the Greens with a stolen shae band and the identity of a dead man?" he chuckled, hoping to play it for laughs. His mind kept wandering to the last line that Marina had written: I need you.

If the two vials of parlin were any clue, Connor really wouldn't be able to stick around much longer, no matter how much Marina needed him. He'd be dead. That didn't scare him, but it did bother him. With any luck, he'd be able to stretch his meds for a few more days – maybe even a week – but it wouldn't be pleasant.

He still held one of the parlin vials, and he tapped it lightly against the table. Marina frowned at it.

"Tess will show up again at some point," said Connor, trying to think of more things to say. "She has an annoying habit of doing just that. I'm sure you two will figure out your differences then."

"Perhaps," said Marina, slowly. She leaned back in her chair and folded her arms. Then, she crossed her legs. And she narrowed her eyes. Something about Connor's answer wasn't sitting well with her, but she hadn't gone back to using the notepad. Was she expecting him to promise to keep helping her? He couldn't!

The silence stretched out between them again. Dr. Yellen was taking a hell of a long time for just one cup of water.

"What?" said Connor, finally. "You look annoyed."

Marina took a brief moment to chew on a nail, and then she sat up straight, smoothing out her skirt as she did so. She fixed Connor with a stern look.

"Several years ago, when I first started at the pharmacy, I was sure that you were going to try asking me out. You never did. Why?"

Connor's jaw dropped. This was the conversation that she wanted to have in front of Bastet? As if in response, a dry chuckle emitted from the backpack at Marina's feet.

"Be quiet, Bastet," said Marina. "Well, Connor?"

This was not something that Connor wanted to deal with right now. Maybe not ever. Especially not with this damned throbbing headache. He tapped his parlin vial against the table again. "Seriously, Marina? You already brought this up at your aunt's place. I'm not –"

"I was emotionally compromised at Aunt Lena's place, and I was an ass," said Marina. "But really, Connor. Even before this whole mess, I had thought that you might be interested. And then you go out of your way to help me find Tess? Simply because you 'care' about me? Need I even begin to touch on the fake husband scheme, Tim?" At her feet, Bastet continued with her muffled sniggers. "What I would like to understand is why –"

"I'm dying, Marina!" Connor shook his parlin vial under her nose. "My meds are expensive, and they don't make this shit outside of the Greens. Why the hell would I want to saddle you with this or pass it on to any kids? I don't even have a choice anymore – I've just got two doses left, and who knows how long the transports back home will be shut down. Who knows if we'll even have a home? Best case, I've got a week left. Worse case, two days."

Connor didn't know how he expected Marina to react. Maybe she was supposed to apologize or at least act a little upset. He'd rather she didn't start sobbing, but this wasn't a joke. He waited, and then a very small smile began to play out across her lips. Well, that was...unexpected. Marina leaned towards him.

"You've put a lot of thought into this, haven't you?" she asked.

"No shit." This was pissing him off. "You're not taking this seriously."

"No," said Marina, "But then, I've never had free rein of my own lab or access to Dr. Rocha's notes. I'm a pharmacist, Connor. I will make your parlin. I can't lose you."

Marina kissed his forehead. Her lips felt cool against his skin, but it was very brief. Connor held his breath. His throat felt strangely tight, but he couldn't tell if the shock was from Marina's kiss or her promise to keep him alive.

A knock sounded at the door, and Marina jumped.

"That will be Dr. Yellen, I – I expect," she said. Her words were rushed and a bit stuttering. She shot Connor a sharp look and snatched one of his parlin vials from the table, holding it up in front of his nose. "Promise me that you will take your meds, please."

The door opened, and Dr. Yellen waltzed back in with that cup of water he'd left for. Connor glanced back at Marina. She was still watching him intently with the parlin held between her fingers. He might as well trust her on her promise.

He nodded, and he held out his hand for the parlin.