The Deviants, part eleven

Pacing outside of her door, Nash wasn't sure if he should say goodbye for the next few days or just leave. He usually didn't say bye, or care about what people thought of his missions, but she was different, and he wanted to be considerate.

And the longer he paced with his hands behind his back, his mind racing about various scenarios happening while he was away, the more conflicted he became.

However, the door opened, and Ava frowned, then smiled, "Hey, I heard pacing. Didn't think it was you."

"Yeah," Nash rubbed the back of his neck, "I just wanted to tell you that I will be gone for a few days on a mission."

"Is it dangerous?"

"No more than usual."

She nodded, "Well, thanks for telling me."

"You're welcome."

"Who's gonna train with me while you're gone?"

"Hmm," he leaned back, "I'm sure someone will be willing to work with you."

"Okay."

This wasn't the reaction he'd been expecting. And Nash was kind of disappointed, swallowing the lump in his throat. "Well, I should be going now."

Ava smiled, "See you in a few days."

He turned away, a strange feeling filling his stomach.

Nash marched his way to the Deviant, not making contact with anyone. He was no longer in the mood to participate in casual conversation. And people must have noticed because they moved out of his way quickly.

He plopped himself into his seat, making sure everything was ready to go. The mother ship couldn't know they were rebel spies, and Nash had to match their systems with the enemy ships.

"Ready to go?" Galen slipped into the copilot's seat.

Nash didn't respond, turning on the ship's flying systems, the engine roaring to life. Not even the purr of the Deviant could calm him.

"Well, something is bothering you." He swiveled his seat to face Nash. "Wanna talk about it?"

"No."

Galen smirked.

"What?"

"You are so easy to read sometimes."

Nash wasn't sure he wanted to know what that meant, raising a brow.

"Don't pretend not to know what I'm talking about." Galen put his headset on. "Did a certain someone upset you?"

"Let's just go."

"Fine, be that way."

Nash sighed, lifting the Deviant off the ground, "Yes and no."

Galen lifted an eyebrow, helping him steer.

"I told Ava I was leaving, and she didn't seem to care that much."

"That does not sound like Ava." He set his systems to auto-run, turning his chair. "But she doesn't seem to be the most emotional human female I've seen either."

Nash exhaled loudly, the ship lifting higher off the ground.

"Aren't you glad she isn't pleading you to stay?"

"I don't know what to feel."

Galen rolled his eye, "You're overthinking things, my good friend."

Nash wanted to hit him but kept both hands on the controls. He didn't understand how or why he felt this way and did not appreciate Galen saying he was overthinking things.

They soon left the atmosphere, the weight lifting off his body. Nash closed his eyes for a moment, allowing his Earth-bound problems to flow away to clear his mind, then punched it, speeding towards the mother ship.

***

Still standing at the closed door, Ava's confusion hadn't lifted. So why had Nash come to say goodbye? It was not something he normally did. And did he seem upset with her when he marched off?

Sure, she wasn't a sobbing mess about it, but had he wanted that? Ava shook her head. Men. Being overly emotional about his missions wouldn't help anyone anyways, and it wasn't a part of her character traits.

Besides, she knew Nash was good at his job and trusted he would return. He always did.

Ava moved back to her bed, picking up the book she had been reading before he showed his face and sat down. She was still a bit tired from her mission, so she felt staying in her room was the best choice.

There was a knock, and Skye walked in with a tray of food. "I didn't want you to miss out on dinner."

Ava grinned, setting her book back down. "Is it really dinner time?"

"Yep."

"Huh. Time flew by fast." She grabbed the tray, stomach rumbling. "Well, thank you for thinking of me."

"No problem," Skye shrugged, "I'm used to serving people food."

Ava stirred her soup. "You can sit if you wanna."

Skye pulled up the chair, folding her hands in her lap. "Feeling any better?"

"A little," Ava ate at her dinner. "Mainly tired now."

"Yeah, that's a side-effect of the anti-nausea shot."

"Goot to know."

"You really think you will require another shot?"

"Who knows."

Skye shrugged, "Good point."

Ava set her tray down, "Hey, did you see Nash before he left?"

"Only for the medical exam. Why?"

"Was he at all upset?"

"No."

Ava shook her head, "Then I did upset him."

"That doesn't sound right to me, but why do you say that?"

"Because he was agitated after telling me he would be leaving for a few days."

Skye squirmed in her seat, looking uncomfortable.

"What is it?"

"Oh, it's nothing."

Ava knew she was lying. "You know something. Spill."

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I promised not to."

"Skye."

Her friend pursed her lips together, "Please don't make me tell!"

Ava glared at her, ripping a bite out of her toast. "Spill it!"

"Nash is in love with you and wants to mate with you!" Skye blurted out, slapping a hand over her mouth, "Oh shit, he's gonna kill me."

Ava stared at her, her mind blank. Nash in love with her? She thought back on their interactions. He did pay much attention to her, more than he was required.

So Ava supposed there were signs he had a more than only friends interest in her. But in love? That seemed to be a bit of a stretch. Besides, how would it work? A human and a Wanderer. Was it possible?

Skye looked like she was going to jump out of her skin. "Please say something. Anything."

Ava blinked, "Sorry, I'm just trying to process what you just said."

"I wasn't supposed to say anything."

"Don't worry. I won't tell him you told me." She pulled her knees to her chest.

"Thank you." Skye released an audible sigh, body relaxing, "You are a great friend."

"Uh-huh."

"I think I'm gonna go, though. I'll let you sort this out."

Ava didn't hear her leave, thinking about how she felt about the new aspect of the situation.

Oddly enough, a smile grew on her face, and butterflies filled her stomach. Although Ava wasn't prepared to say she was also in love yet, there was no point in denying how she felt about him anymore.

Maybe she should confess her growing feelings for him when he returned and figure the rest out later.

Yeah, that was a good plan. So now, all Ava had to do was wait patiently.