hiding

Well damn

He leaned against the doorframe, watching her for a moment. Alexia was completely unaware of his presence. He had to admit, as he watched her take another swing at the dummy, she had improved on her form immensely. He frowned, look at the bandages that now adorned her hands, little splotches of blood coming through. She stumbled, before taking stance again. He couldn't watch anymore. He took a breath, trying to keep his composure.

"That's enough." Marco stated firmly, walking in. Alexia turned around her eyes widened for a second with shock, before glaring at the intrusion.

"I believe our training time was over commander. What I do on my free time is of my own concern." Alexia turned around to continue.

Marco grabbed her fist before it struck the dummy and shoved her lightly against the wall. Alexia had been so used to his contact from training that it no longer scared her, but she was angry.

"What the hell do you think your doing?" She hissed.

"I should be asking you the same thing yoi." Marco closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose before taking a step back.

"What does it look like I'm doing?" Alexia snarked, "If you won't continue to teach me then I've just got to train myself."

"What it looks like... no what you are doing, is disobeying a commander's orders." He snapped, "I'd be more than willing to train you. On my terms Lexi!"

"Like I don't notice you've been going easy on me! Is it because I'm not good enough?" Alexia was furious.

"This has nothing to do with your worth! Your destroying yourself!" Marco emitted a deadly aurora, "You just don't get it do you? You don't listen! Your body can't take anymore, your exhausted! Continue like this and the next battle we're in, you'll be destroyed easily because your body won't be able to keep up!" Alexia, turned away from Marco, heading towards the door. Marco reached out, grabbing her arm, forcing her to face him.

"What, nothing to say now? Aren't you so hell bent on your own destruction?" Marco stopped; his eyes widened slightly as he saw Alexia's were brimming with tears, "Lexi?"

"Please let me go."

"Not this time yoi," He tightened his grip on her upper arm, "You need to talk to me, if not me, then anyone. But your destroying yourself, and I can't watch it go on any longer. You need to let someone in."

"It doesn't matter Marco."

"It does matter, not just to me but the crew." Marco was at a loss for how to get her to open up, "If you won't think about yourself, then think about the crew. If you continue this path, when it comes to a fight and you can't handle yourself as well as you could, the crew could get distracted trying to save you, and then both of you could get injured."

"I am trying to think of the crew." Alexia let her head drop, "I'm too weak. I'm a burden. I need to get stronger, so you don't have to worry about me, I don't want you to feel like you'll always have to protect me."

"That's why you've been destroying yourself? Because you think you're a burden?" Marco shook his head, trying not to laugh at her foolishness, "Alexia, how many times do we have to tell you, you're not a burden to us. You've been improving so much over the last few weeks, even if I haven't said it. So, you need some work in a few areas, we don't mind watching out for you while you improve, that's what family does."

"Just because you say I'm not a burden doesn't mean I don't feel it. We aren't family, you shouldn't have to protect me."

"We are family, whether you realize it or not. All you do is have to accept; we want you with us. I wish you would believe us when I say you truly aren't a burden." Marco smiled slightly at her.

"I need to shower again..." Alexia murmured, heading for the door as Marco let go of her arm, "Marco?"

"Hm?"

"The reason I stay here all night, if you really want me to start being honest... I have nightmares... bad ones." Alexia refused to look at him, "I don't like going to sleep because of them. This helped occupy the time."

"If you want..." Marco started, Alexia stopping as she was about to leave again, "Doc gave me some medicine for you that should help with sleep, if you're willing to try it. I know you think he's out to get you, but I promise he isn't."

"Maybe I will try it." She whispered, walking out the door for her second shower of the evening.