Rae and Marcus, May 3, 2513 Getting to Know You

He has almost dozed off when she sits straight up and then flops back down on the bed, out again. He sits up straight and watches her, reaching out to replace the cold pack. In a few moments, she slowly opens her eyes and looks around, tensing. Spotting him she asks, “Are you the guy?” Confusion plain in her face along with nervousness she watches him. “Why am I here? Where is here? Who are you?” He stands, fumbling with his glasses, “What? I, I’m, my name is Marcus. I found you. On the ground.” He grimaces slightly and restates the obvious again. “I found you, outside in my alley, there was a noise. I saw some drunks and you were out so…” He trails off for a moment. “Are you alright? Who are you?” She blinks and tries to sit up very slowly, wincing. “Are you really not him?” Marcus looks at her in confusion. “Who is him? Is that the one who beat you up? Why would I beat you up? Were you doing something illegal?” Marcus eyes her with concern. “Is the Alliance looking for you?” She gives up on sitting up and rolls over on her side to eye him better. “No, they might be after him though. You should have seen him. He was amazing.” She gets a dreamy look in her eyes and sighs. Marcus looks at her, an odd light in his eyes. “Who is him? Who is amazing? Are you on drugs?” She snaps back to reality and gives him a grumpy look. “Him is the guy in black who I spared with, if I knew who he was I wouldn’t tell you I don’t know you well enough. He was amazing with his fighting technique. No, I’m not on drugs, but I’m sure I’m going to wish I was tomorrow.” She winces again as she shifts. “Can you help me sit up?” He moves to support her head and help here sit up. She appears woozie for a moment, and then sits unsupported. “You think the man who beat you up is amazing? You’re sure you don’t know this man? He’s not your boyfriend?” She closes her eyes for a moment and gets a very annoyed look on her face. She misses the amusement on his face before he slips back into character. “You shouldn’t let men beat on you.” Opening her eyes she addresses him. “It’s my fault Okay? I followed him and asked him to spar. He could have killed me you know. He didn’t. I thought I could learn something. He was so good, I couldn’t resist. It’s my own fault. I’ll be out of your hair if I annoy you so much as soon as I can move without passing out.” She puts a knuckle in her mouth and bites it, closing her eyes and breathing shallowly. Marcus leans over her. “No, you stay. Are you hurt anywhere besides your neck? Do you need another cold pack? What is your name?” She opens her eyes and smiles slightly. “You’re sweet. I’m Rhiannon. Where am I exactly? Maybe another cold pack if you have it?” He nods and heads for the door, fumbling clumsily with the knob as he tells her, “You’re in my home, my shop. I’m an antiques dealer. You’re..ah, you’re in my ah.. That’s my bed.” There is a slight flush when he tells her this. He exits and returns quickly with two more cold packs. Knowing he hit her in more than just one other place and she’s probably worse than she looks. He almost drops the packs as he hands them to her. “Duibuqi. Do I need to, to call a doctor, to check you?” She grimaces as she holds a cold pack to her side and one to her neck, wondering how to put the other on her stomach as she sits up. “Huh? No, I just need a little while. I can sit in the chair. You can have your bed back. I wont be any trouble. I’m just not up for walking back to my room yet.” She gives him an embarrassed and apologetic look. He stands there, looking at her with a blank expression while his mind works. This girl amuses him, and it’s a nice change, he’s been bored lately. He can sense her discomfort and embarrassment at needing help and he makes up his mind. “N no, you sleep here tonight. I’ve got ah a couch. You stay as long as you like.” He gives her a shy smile. “You, you need help laying back down?” She bites her bottom lip as a grateful expression crosses her face. “Yes please?” Once she is settled, he leaves, grabbing a blanket and pillow and heading for the kitchen and lounge area. Marcus smiles widely as he wonders what he’s gotten himself into, and oddly he begins to think about the kiss she blew him in the alley.