Susceptible

I stared up at Albin and froze. A million scenarios played in my head just to answer that simple question: where have I been? Despite it, what ended up coming out of my mouth was, "nowhere, really." The lame response almost made me wince, but I didn't want Albin to see how cornered I felt.

His brows knitted together in confusion, "wasn't that Geo's car that you got out of just now?"

"Oh, that?" I feigned innocence as a nervous smile crept onto my lips. Quickly running out of ideas I decided the truth would be best. "I was feeling exhausted and ended up falling asleep during my exam. Geo kept me in the exam room for observation while I rested."

Albin stared at me for a minute. His eyes were void of all emotion making it difficult to determine what he was thinking. "Did anything...happen?" he finally asked, his expression still stoic.

"No, of course not!" I said truthfully.

"Good," Albin said with an easy smile. "You don't want to get involved with him. He's always been a bit of an odd one, keeping to himself in his lab. As soon as your health is in the clear you should avoid him when possible. His friendship won't do you too many favors."

I nodded in response but could feel my heart clench with pity for Geo. "After I am well I doubt there will be much of a reason to see him. He just feels responsible for me since he is the one who woke me."

"For both our sakes I hope that is true," he said with a smirk. "You know that Geo and Thana are betrothed, right? Thana does not take kindly to those who take what is hers, so I'd be extra cautious if I were you and not leave room for misinterpretation. Like today, for example."

At a loss for words I once again nodded in agreement. My heart raced a little at the thought of being caught, and Albin must have noticed how flustered I looked.

"Do not worry," he said as he placed a hand on my shoulder to reassure me. "I won't mention anything to Thana about today, but don't let it happen again. If Geo gets too close, you let me know and I will gladly straighten that hermit out." Albin's grip tightened on my shoulder making me uncomfortable. He quickly caught on and removed his hand with an apologetic smile. "I am sorry, Flora. I got a little carried away."

I rolled my shoulder back to stretch out the minor ache left there. "What is the history between you and Geo?" I finally asked. "You both don't seem to get along."

Albin seemed reluctant to talk about it but eventually sighed in defeat. "Geo believes that I am responsible for his mother's death." My eyes went wide with shock as I urged him to continue. "She was a scientist working under me on Ilterra. There was an accident and she had died. Geo was a boy at the time but has never stopped blaming me."

My heart ached for Geo and his loss. "I had no idea," I said quietly.

"It wasn't my fault, and as tragic as it was, his mother's death is what got him to where he is today. Thana's father took pity on Geo and his sister after her passing and looked after them. Despite all his faults and birth rank he was still selected to marry Thana," Albin said with disgust.

Was he suggesting that Geo should be thankful his mother died? It made me look at Albin in a new light, one where it wasn't all easy smiles and cheer. Geo noticed me staring and his brooding expression once again broke out into that same easy smile.

"How about we pretend these last few minutes did not happen and get started on some work? I trust you are well rested after your extended visit?" he asked. Truth be told I was still quite tired, but I hoped that if I went with him he would hold up his end of the deal and not mention anything about this morning.

"I am ready to work," I said while turning to his car.

"Where are you going?" he asked as I walked away.

"To your car?"

Albin laughed and shook his head. "We can walk to our destination today. Follow me."

After several minutes of walking my body began to feel a little more energized, and I took it as a sign that the day would improve. A few minutes later we inside of a small office building at the edge of the docks. The metal walls were old and rusted inside of the narrow waiting room which led to a dimly lit hallway. I followed Albin as he disappeared into an office and was stunned to crates stacked upon each other in the small room.

"These are all the soil samples from Ilterra," Albin said gesturing to the many crates. "Each sample has been labeled with the time, date, and location ID where it was collected. Your task is to examine these samples to see if any microbes have taken and enter it into the system." My eyes followed his hand as he pointed to a small desk with a microscope and computer system hidden behind the stacks.

I scanned the room and took it all in. "This will take me some time," I admitted.

Albin chuckled, "I imagine it would. We have been short staffed, and I know you will do well with this assignment. Take as long as you need, and we will check in again in a few days. Lena will come pick you up this evening to take you home."

"No!" I nearly shouted, surprising both of us. "I -I mean I can walk from here with it being so close. I wouldn't want to waste her time."

"Nonsense, part of her job is to do what I ask her, so if I ask her to take you home she will."

"Thank you, but I prefer to walk. In fact, I would like to get my driving certification so that I can get from place to place without taking one of you away from work. It doesn't seem too much different from Earth driving" I said confidently. When Albin did not immediately agree I added, "if that is alright with you, of course."

"No," he said flatly. I leaned my head back in surprise by his blunt delivery. "I need to know where you are until you are a full member of this pod." I smiled bitterly at the reminder of being an outsider but shook away the small pang of hurt. Seeing that I was upset by his response, Albin gently added, "maybe we can revisit this at a later date. When you work here at the docks you may walk, but Lena will be picking you up for your appointment."

"Thanks," I said with small smile.

"I will check in with you tomorrow," he said before leaving me in the office. I looked around the room and was overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of crates and samples. I scrambled my over to the small desk, and with a sigh began to tackle the samples closest to me. The work was tedious yet brainless, and I was thankful for that because I was still able to work despite the throbbing headache that settled itself along my skull.

I steadily began to feel worse as the day continued and was grateful when it was time to go home. I sluggishly made my way back to my apartment on foot and collapsed on my bed. I hoped that I would sleep it off and that tomorrow would be better, but I soon started feeling that familiar tingle along my skin suggesting a fever. I crawled from my bed to the comms system and selected Geo's number from my preprogrammed contacts.

"Flora?" Geo asked in surprise. "Is everything ok? It's late."

"I'm not feeling well," I said, my voice hoarse from sleep.

"What is wrong?" he asked with concern.

"I'm not sure. I have this awful headache that won't go away. And I think I have started another fever."

"Damn!" he said bitterly. "I will be there in a couple of minutes. Unlock your door for me and get into bed. You need to rest."

"Mhm," I hummed sleepily before switching off the comms system. I did as he asked and curled myself up on the bed, relieved to know that he is coming.