Chapter 7: Lunch Time Blues

Just as the kiss starts to really heat up there is a knock at the door.

"Nosis?" Gwen asks through the door. "Are you there?"

Saul sputters and laughs. "We haven't has so many visitors in a year. and you are here for a month."

"Here!" I call out and slowly unwind from Nimrod's warm lap.

"And what do we think the universe is trying to tell us." It is Nimrod's turn to look smug.

"Do not presume old man." I intone and look down my nose at him.

He laughs even harder. I leave him to his laughter and go to answer the door.

"Gwen, my friend. Please come in." I invite her. "just ignore the men, they are hungry." I warn her as she eyes Saul chuckling at the stove and Nimrod wiping his eyes.

"I see." She looks around timidly. "If this is a bad time..."

"Never." I cut her off with a smile.

"Please, Gwen dear girl, come in." Nimrod stands and gestures to a seat. "Join us."

"Thank you." she smiles shyly.

I am not used to seeing this side of Gwen. She is close to 6 feet tall with beautiful long blond hair. Her stature is that of Nordic descendants. And she has always moved like she was meant to lead. Seeing her so shy and retiring left me shaken. What has happened to my friend?

"I ... um." She starts as she sits down. "I saw Diana and she said you where home too."

"Yes we got in very late last night." I nod my head and take a seat next to her. "As you can see everyone is alright." I take her hand. I can better judge what is going on if I have contact.

"hmm ... I am glad." She looks over at Saul then her eyes to flicker to Nimrod.

"Did you want to talk to me?" I ask watching her nervousness increase the longer she sits there.

"It's ... I..." Her face crumples into tears. "I broke up with Saber." She wrenches out. "I couldn't do."Tears pour down her face.

"Gwen, it is my understanding that Saber thinks you only want to put off getting married. Not the never you are making it out to be." I relay the conversation I had with Saber that morning to her.

"But I can't..." She hiccups.

"Can not what?" I gently prompt.

"When he and I." She start to hyperventilate. I rub her arm.

"Shush." I say and wipe some more tears that have started to fall again. "We are all healers here. We are all your friends here." I remind her.

"When we kiss and make out like we used to." She get out rapidly. "I want..." She ducks her head.

"Do you like it when you two kiss." Nimrod prompts as he see me floundering out of my depths.

"I do, but he shouldn't want me. It is not fair." she shakes her head, briefly looking up at me. "I am dirt."

"Gwen." I let out a small gaff. "Even if every man on the planet stepped on you, you would still be better than that. You could never be dirt, even if you tried." I take her chin in my hand and lift her face up.