Binary: Rough Draft Edition (Sword Dancers, Book 1)

Chapter 8: Tyree

Olivia sat on the bottom of the stairs that lead to her apartment. She had too be cold he thought as he try to be quiet and not disturb her. He realizes that he could smell her scent and that it was sweet. He could also hear her heartbeat. In fact, his senses where on fire from everything.

That's a side effect of the promotion Crush told him in his head. Crush explained that when he promoted the athleticism, that the senses were part of that. You need to be able to see to be accurate after all. 

He sat next to Olivia and looked at the moon. Peace. Doesn't feel like there is a war about to start. 

"I told you I needed some time," she said. Very blunt.

Tyree just sat there and didn't know what to say. He remembered that Olivia had issues with her father. She had once walked in on him as he was pleasuring himself to videos of other women. She couldn't understand why men needed extra stimuli when they had their wives or serious girlfriends. Tyree was actually abstaining from all that for her sake. He was doing a pretty good job at it too, but he admitted it was a weakness of his as well. 

He knew that had to part of their breakup too. He had too many spiritual weaknesses and she was looking for a spiritually strong man. They made it far because he made it point to show her he was trying to be that man. They still had sex and he didn't mean for it to happen, but she always gave in and felt guilty afterward. They got to the point where she just accepted it, but he still wanted "more" and well when he didn't come right away after she needed his help, the next thing he knew they were breaking up

He knew he was selfish, but he didn't mean to be. At his core, he knew he was a people pleasure, but for some reason, in relationships, he took them for granted. He loved being with Olivia and seeing her in pain, imagined or real, hurt him.

"I didn't mean for this to happen. I know you don't believe me."

"why should I? Remember how many times did we agree not to have sex and then you seduced me."

Tyree remained quiet.

"Don't get me wrong, I know I could have just stopped or said no, but you know the sex, intimacy. You know I'm weak in that area. You knew and you still did it."

"It was selfish of me, I know, but it's a weakness for me too. I love sex and intimacy."

"More than you loved me." She said standing up. Her eyes focused on him and he could see a tear forming. 

"Olivia, I'm working on it, I'm sorry I couldn't be that guy for you. I did love you. I mean I do love you, but you made the right call. I wasn't' ready for you. I didn't merely fail you, but I also failed God. I'm just a failure."

"Oh please, don't try to make me feel sorry for you. Besides, it's my fault too. I knew you weren't' ready. I mean you just got divorced. I was stupid to think that you could be where I need you to be."

"No, I thought I could be, I wanted to be. I'm not saying you should pity me. I mean I still think it's messed up that you use one miscommunication error to break up with me, but I know, especially now, that it was a multitude of things.  I'm really sorry to drag you into this. Colin and I were drinking earlier and talking about you and Ashley. When I met the Sparks and they said they need a medic and an engineering host, you popped up because I know you're good at your job and well I still have feelings for you. Crush used that to send Haze to you.

Crush was in his head telling him to stop being a pushover. He kept ignoring his robot partner.  

"If there is a way to have Haze go to one of my friends in the military or someone Colin knows, maybe we can have her transfer hosts."

"Unlikely," HAze cut in. "The fusion process can only be transferred if I drain Olivia or if I find a stronger host. The four of you are rare that you meet the same psychological, physical, and emotional needs as us. "

"Speak for yourself Haze." Crush said.

"I was speaking for myself. It's clear that the only reason you bonded with Tyree is that you are both...jerks."

Olivia cracked a smile and then tried to hide it. Tyree wouldn't let her. 

"I"m a jerk?" He didn't that about himself often. In fact, this would be the second time in his whole life that someone called him that and meant it. Olivia used to say it to him as a way to tease each other. Now she meant it, but right now he didn't care because he rather sees her smile than frowning.

"You have to admit that you are." she shrugged.

"I guess so."

"PUSHOVER!!" Crush yelled.

"At least he can admit when he's wrong," Haze said to Crush. "unlike you."

"YOu're just mad because I left you."

"and you left because I'm too prude for you."

Olivia and Tyree exchange glances. Another lovers quarrel was the last thing they needed. 

"How does your promotion work?" Olivia asked holding her hand out to help Tyree up. He took it and stood. 

"I'm not sure. Crush took over at the point."

"You don't need me for promotional abilities.' Crush said. "Try it."

Tyree looked around and could see more than he has ever seen before. He could see the ants far away as if he had both a telescope and a magnifying glass. Every window in the area was closed and no one was peeking. The night didn't bother his vision either. 

He took off running laps around the complex. He took about three of them jumping over cars, performing gymnastic routines, and finally, he took a rock and threw it. The rock ricochet of a building, a car, and the sidewalk before returning to his hand.  He felt like Captain America throwing a shield.

"Wow, that's impressive." She said. 

"No, your healing ability is impressive." He said and leaned in for a hug. She poked him with two fingers into his arm and it went limp. He couldn't move it at all.

"She paralyzed our arm." Crush said, "Cant' trust females, I tell you."

"Cant' trust males." Haze said. 

"That's really awesome, but do you think you can fix it now. I need it for this mission." He said smiling. 

"Let's get one thing clear, " Olivia said. "I'm coming on this mission too. Don't' think we're back together."

"Of course not."

"I don't forgive you, not yet, but if we live through this, maybe I will." 

"Well if you stick with me, I will try not to let anything else happen to you. all  can do is try, Olivia."

"I know, but sometimes, you have to stop trying and you need to just do it." she responded.

He could move his arm again. After ensuring his had all full range of movement they looked at each other. He wasn't' sure if she still loved him, but that's okay. Sometimes you have to let something you love go. This was one of those times. IF she loved him, maybe she'll come back, but right now his only goal in life was to try and protect her. He got her into this, he would make damn sure he got her out.