Artificial

Recovery

Operator Apex

Wraith rushes me and takes me in her arms, squeezing me tight.
It's funny, I didn't realize how much I'd loved her warmth until I thought I'd lost it.
Finally, she releases me, but takes my hand, not wanting to let any more distance grow between us.
"Apex, you're alive!"
"You're not looking too dead, yourself," I respond, and she laughs, then punches me lightly on the shoulder.
"I heard what you did for me. For my honor. How'd you get out alive?"
"Well, it was pretty easy to do, once everyone was dead or dying," I answer, cracking a cocky grin.
"Amazing," she replies, eyes wide, looking awestruck.
"Oh," I interject, turning to Velox and retrieving the stimulant injector from its pouch. "I believe this is yours. Thank you."
She takes the device, tosses it once in her hand, then nods and continues sipping Evo's beer.
"Vel lent me some of her stims," I continue, retrieving a drink of my own and returning to Wraith. "I don't think I would've survived without them."
"How many were there?"
"At least a platoon. More of those Special Forces guys. Let me tell you: they mean business."
She steps a little closer, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"That didn't stop you, did it?"
"Nope. I thought they took you from me, and I was gonna make them pay."
She slides up next to me, her movements so smooth and fluid I almost don't notice until I feel the curve of her hip press up against my side.
"Aw, you tore through all of those baddies just for me?"
"But of course," I answer, smiling. "Anything for you," I reply, and close my eyes as I move in for a kiss.
They pop open when she places a finger to my lips instead.
"Not yet," she playfully warns, staring deeply into my eyes. I slouch a little. I've been playing it cool, but I've missed her a lot.
"It will be worth the wait," she promises, smiling. Her finger traces down my jaw to my chin, and leaves me longing for her return as she turns to walk to the bar. "Trust me."
"Okay, Wraith, I trust you," I respond, barely above a whisper.
My eyes follow her hips, swaying easily to and fro as she approaches the bar.
She speaks to Reaver, who nods and hands over a set of keys and winks, then she waves to him as she rejoins me.
"What was that abou—"
She interrupts me by pressing her lips against mine and pulling me close, an interruption I will never find annoying. With my questioning silenced, she picks me up swiftly and effortlessly in her arms.

As she carries me through the door, I can't help but notice how her gentle grasp feels so strong, and capable. Safe, even. I feel like I could fall asleep in her arms. She opens the door to a room behind the mess hall, and walks inside. As the light inside clicks on, I see a king-size bed is the main attraction of the barebones room, accompanied only by a small closet and a holographic display projector on the wall. She tosses me lightly onto the bed, then pulls off her tank top, revealing her toned, athletic abdomen.
"Whoa," I interrupt. "What are you doing?"
"Well," she replies, turning to reach for her discarded top. "I was gonna crawl into bed with you and seal the deal, but if you don't want to..."
"No no no no," I reply urgently. "Believe me, I do. I just want to make sure you do, too. Are you sure you want this?"
"Well, that depends," she responds, removing her yoga pants and exposing her flawless legs.
"Depends on?"
"You," she replies, standing in front of me in her underwear.
"You already know I—"
She silences me with a raised index finger, her other hand forming a fist that rests on her hip.
"I know you want this," she begins, paired with a sweeping gesture that covers the whole of her body, from her strong, defined shoulders, to her dainty, agile feet. "But Apex, do you want me?"

I'm stunned silent. Here stands in front of me, confident, strong, and proud, easily the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. Every perfect curve of her fit, athletic body is like that of a Greek goddess, with a beauty that could stop the world itself dead in its tracks, and she looks for reassurance. Reassurance that she's making the right choice with me. Reassurance that my attraction is more than physical.

Her beauty compels me to tell her the truth.

"Well?" She demands, bold and unafraid despite her lack of clothing.
I take a deep breath, then let it out and answer.
"Wraith, I fought my way through an entire platoon of elite troops all by myself before I'd even seen you out of of your armor, just to honor your memory! I'm pretty sure I can honestly say, without a single shadow of doubt in both mind and heart, that I love you for so much more than your looks. Every little thing about you is perfect, and I can't see myself living without you."
Her eyes begin to get misty, but she quickly composes herself, a genuine smile stretching across her face.
"Good answer," she replies, eyes locked on me. "I've no doubts anymore. Let's do this."
She crawls into the bed, and neither of us leave for the rest of the night.