48

The command center buzzed with excitement. Eyes stared at Chase. The people knew their transhuman was back in full service. He could hear every whisper across the room. Sure didn’t take long for news to travel in this place.

Chase pulled up a chair and sat next to Mel at her work station. She lifted her gaze from the computer screen. No smile. Not even a welcoming gleam in her deep brown eyes.

“Mel, I can’t help it if people back at the Helgen can visit me through the exoself.”

She focused on work in front of her. “We shouldn’t have allowed the exoself back in. I didn’t know you were going to get another visitation right off the bat. We would have been fine without—”

“I’m a transhuman, Melody. Can you live with that?”

She dropped her hands from the keypad and swiveled in her chair. Her expression softened. “I love you.”

That ever-present giggle of teenage girls rippled through the space between Chase and Mel. He smiled.

“Can we go someplace a little more private?” He took her hand and rubbed her fingers. “I’ll leave the door open.”

She smiled at last and rose from her seat. She said nothing, but tightened her grip on his hand and led him down the hallway to her room.

He followed her in. As he said he would, he left the door cracked. But it made no difference to him—he took her in his arms and kissed her. “Can you?”

She seemed dazed, and said nothing before her lips met his again. Then she fixed her eyes on his. “Can I what?”

“Live with the fact that I am a transhuman.”

“Oh, that. Can you live with the fact that I’m not going to let you take Amos to Gagnon?”

He dropped his hands from her waist. “What if Robert says it will work? That it won’t harm either Amos or me?”

“That’s a big if.”

“Well?”

“You get me conclusive information about what might happen, and I will consider the two of us taking Amos to see Dr. John.”

“You’d leave your post? You’re the boss now.”

“Well, that doesn’t seem to matter to you. You’re going to do as you please. And I’m going to follow you wherever you go.” She cupped his face in her hands. “I just have a bad feeling, Chase. Like if you leave we might not ever see each other again.”

He took her hand and held it to his lips. “Mel, you’ve got to believe me. I will do whatever it takes to make sure that never happens. I can’t live without you.”

“Then don’t go.”

A young man pushed the door open. “Sorry to interrupt,” he said. “Amos seems to be getting worse. Mr. Sterling, your mother wants to see you.”

Chase pivoted toward the door and heaved a breath. “I’m coming.” He faced Mel. “Let’s go see him. He might not approve any more than you do, but I want to tell him.”

“All right, but—”

“I know. Robert’s got to show up again and give his approval.”

“I hope that crazy old doctor—”

“Mel, be nice. And don’t be afraid, sweetheart. Don’t be afraid.”