Seeking Forever
Page 3
seen that type of reaction before, of symbiont activation that is. Are you feeling okay?"
Jennifer's voice croaked, but she managed to ask the question, "When did you do this to me?"
Garick looked at her tenderly, and responded, "The night we made love before arriving at Lincoln. The others, at least the survivors, I implanted just before you. You were the last, because I was afraid of losing you from a bad reaction to the symbiont." He touched her arm when she turned away from him remembering her moment of weakness to which he referred, "Jen? Jennifer?"
"How did you know about Camelot Forever? You've been here before?"
"Ironically enough, I was implanted here by Camelot Enterprises members, your husband and son actually, though they both died from symbiont reactions later. They spent 30 years trying to develop it, trying to make sure they would be meeting you when your team resurfaced. It was chance that brought you to me. Nobody would have greeted you here otherwise."
"The others, you told them about the symbiont?"
"Yes, I did, they all knew the risks. The ones that did not want to risk it were encouraged to leave. The survivors have all departed. They will probably wander much as I did at first until they remember how to pass it along."
"You might have killed me with it!" accused Jennifer.
"You were set to kill yourself, though, weren't you? Look, I didn't tell you because I feared you would reject the opportunity. You constantly drive yourself to the brink, and I feared what you would do when you did find this place. I did not want to lose you!"
The accusing look died in her eyes with the acknowledgement that he was correct, so she willed her eyes to close and spoke no more. He stared at her for a long while unable to determine how she was accepting the development. He finally turned and set his other foot on the floor.
"I don't remember how to live anymore."
"We can learn together, Jen. Will you let me be with you? Will you share your life with me?"
"I will have to think about it for a long while."
Garick sighed. "I understand," he said, "I'll wait for your answer." He edged to stand up when he felt her fingertips wrap around inside the crook of his arm, holding him down. He turned to look back at her.
"Until then," Jennifer began, "please hold me? Like you did that night we were together?"
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