4. Alyssa

CHAPTER 4

ALYSSA

" A walk will do us good," I say, gesturing towards the arboretum's winding path. Raaj nods, his eyes darting around as if cataloging every detail. I can't help but wonder what's going through his mind.

We fall into step, the soft crunch of gravel beneath our feet filling the silence. The dome above us filters the harsh Martian sunlight, casting a warm glow over the carefully cultivated greenery.

"So, Raaj," I start, desperate to break the ice. "How are you finding Mars so far?"

He chuckles, a low rumble that sends an unexpected shiver down my spine. "It's... different. Less sand than I expected."

"You were hoping for a giant red beach?" I tease, nudging his arm gently.

"Maybe," he admits, his lips quirking into a half-smile. "Though I suppose the lack of an ocean would make that difficult."

We pause by a small fountain, its gentle trickle a soothing counterpoint to the hum of the life support systems. I watch as Raaj trails his fingers through the water, his brow furrowing slightly.

"You know," I say, leaning against the fountain's edge, "I never properly thanked you for what you did on Horus IV."

His hand stills, water droplets clinging to his fingertips. "Alyssa, I?—"

"No, please," I interrupt, my heart racing. "I need to say this. You saved my life, Raaj. I don't know if I can ever repay that."

He looks at me then, his eyes a storm of emotions I can't quite decipher. "You don't owe me anything," he says softly.

"Maybe not," I concede, "but I want to help you recover. It's the least I can do."

Raaj turns away, his gaze fixed on the distant curve of the dome. "You're kind, Alyssa. Too kind, maybe."

"Is there such a thing?" I ask, trying to lighten the mood.

He doesn't answer immediately, and I find myself studying his profile. The strong line of his jaw, the slight furrow between his brows. There's a weight to him, a gravity that goes beyond his physical presence.

"Sometimes," he finally says, "kindness can be... dangerous."

I frown, confused by his words. "How so?"

Raaj sighs, running a hand through his hair. "It can make you trust people you shouldn't. See things that aren't there."

"And is that what's happening here?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

He turns to me then, his eyes searching mine. "I don't know," he admits. "I honestly don't know."

I watch Raaj's face, noticing the flicker of emotions he's trying to hide. There's something haunting him, lurking just beneath the surface. My heart aches, knowing he's carrying burdens I can't even begin to imagine.

"Hey," I say softly, reaching out to touch his arm. He flinches slightly, but doesn't pull away. "You don't have to pretend everything's okay, you know."

Raaj's eyes meet mine, a mix of surprise and wariness in their depths. "What do you mean?"

I take a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "I've seen enough soldiers come through here to recognize the signs. The nightmares, the tension, the way you're always on alert. Horus IV... it left its mark on you, didn't it?"

He stiffens, his jaw clenching. "Alyssa, I?—"

"You don't have to talk about it if you're not ready," I assure him quickly. "I just want you to know that I'm here. Not just as a rehab specialist, but as... as a friend. If you want that."

Raaj's expression softens, just a fraction. "A friend," he repeats, as if testing the word. "It's been a while since I've had one of those."

"Well, then it's about time, isn't it?" I smile, trying to lighten the mood. "And as your newly appointed friend, I hereby declare that we're going to have some fun today. Doctor's orders."

He raises an eyebrow, a hint of amusement breaking through his guarded exterior. "Fun? On a rehab station?"

"Oh ye of little faith," I tease, grabbing his hand and tugging him towards a nearby bench. "Sit. I'll be right back."

I dash off, returning moments later with two cups of synthesized ice cream. "Ta-da! The ultimate cure for... well, everything."

Raaj looks at the cup skeptically. "Ice cream? Really?"

"Trust me," I say, handing him a spoon. "One bite and you'll forget all about the red planet's lack of beaches."

He takes a tentative taste, his eyes widening in surprise. "This is... actually good."

"See? I told you. Now, spill. What's your favorite color? Favorite food? Most embarrassing moment? These are vital friendship-building questions, Raaj."

As we sit there, trading silly questions and savoring our ice cream, I see Raaj's shoulders relax, just a little. It's not much, but it's a start. And I'm determined to help him find his way back from whatever darkness is haunting him, one scoop of ice cream at a time.

I watch Raaj's face soften as he takes another bite of ice cream. It's a small victory, but I'll take it. Feeling emboldened, I decide to open up a bit more.

"So, you've heard all about my thrilling career as a rehab specialist," I say, licking my spoon. "But there's more to me than just dispensing ice cream and physical therapy, you know."

Raaj raises an eyebrow, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Oh? Do tell."

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. "Well, for starters, you thought you were just protecting Admiral Dash's daughter. But what you don't know is that I'm his ONLY daughter."

His eyes widen slightly, but he doesn't interrupt.

"Yeah, that's right. Growing up it was just me and the Admiral himself," I continue, trying to keep my tone light. "Though between you and me, I just call him 'The Admiral.' Even at family dinners."

Raaj chuckles, surprising me. "Must make for some interesting conversations. 'Pass the salt, Admiral?'"

I laugh, grateful for his attempt at humor. "Something like that. But here's the kicker - I was supposed to follow in his footsteps. Join the IHC Navy, work my way up the ranks. The whole shebang."

"But you didn't," Raaj observes, his voice softer now.

I shake my head. "Nope. Much to The Admiral's chagrin, I decided I wanted to help people in a different way. Don't get me wrong, the Navy does important work, but..."

"But it wasn't your calling," Raaj finishes for me.

"Exactly," I nod, surprised by his insight. "I wanted to heal, not... well, you know."

Raaj's expression turns thoughtful. "It takes courage to forge your own path, especially when expectations are high."

His words catch me off guard. It's the most he's said about anything personal since we met. "Thanks," I murmur. "It wasn't easy, but I don't regret it. Even if The Admiral still introduces me as his 'rebellious daughter' at official functions."

Raaj snorts. "Rebellious? For becoming a healer?"

"I know, right?" I roll my eyes dramatically. "In his world, anything less than full military commitment is practically treason."

We share a laugh, and for a moment, the weight that's been hanging over us lifts. I realize I've been leaning towards him, our shoulders almost touching.

"What about you?" I ask, seizing the moment. "Any parental expectations you spectacularly failed to meet?"

Raaj's smile falters for a second, but he recovers quickly. "Let's just say my family had... different ideas about success. But that's a story for another day."

I nod, recognizing the deflection but not pushing. "Fair enough. More ice cream?"

"Yes," the big red warrior says. "This time I want some sprinkles too, please."