Heiser-The-Facade - Sparkling Eyes

ornness.""I just have confidence in you. You aren't the type to be so easily beaten.""Do you always know the right thing to say?" she smiled."Actually, no," he said, returning the expression, grabbing his backpack. "Most ofthe time I'm fairly clueless when it comes to situations like that. I've usually ended upsaying nothing, but I've tried to be better since my parents died. Coming?" he headed forthe door.Melissa followed him to the door but stopped him before he opened it. He lookeddown at her in curiosity."Well said," she congratulated him, her voice lowering. "Thank you again fordefending me; it certainly would have been easier not to.""I don't want you to be uncomfortable around the others," he said good-naturedly."You're a wonderful man," she smiled back, and then, with-out warning, reachedfor him and kissed him softly on the cheek. Brian froze."Come on," she coaxed, and reached for the handle. Brian didn't move. Shescanned his face closely, trying to judge his hesitation. To her surprise his countenancehad changed to one of anxiety; he looked positively distraught."What's wrong?" she asked, concerned by the transformation."I don't ..." he caught himself and took a deep breath. "I think it would be best notto do that again.""Why not? I want you to know you're appreciated. To quote my favoritetheologian, `it was the right thing to do.'""I just . . . I just don't want things to change.""What do you mean?"He paused, gathering his thoughts. "It's been wonderful to have regular companyover the last few weeks, especially these last few days," he said, struggling to maintaineye contact. "To tell you the truth, I didn't realize how much I missed it all these years . . .I don't want that to change . . . especially with you.""Why would it change? I didn't exactly slap you. You're not making sense,Brian.""I can't explain . . . just so that you know I want to see you and be around you ...When we go back to the Facility and get down to work, I was hoping you'd still sit withme at lunch or something from time to time. I know you'll be busy; we'll all be busy. Ijust don't want anything to happen between us that would make you want to write me off.. . okay?""Well . . . sure . . . I had no intention, but—""Thanks," he said, visibly relieved, and opened the door. "We need to go; we can'tbe late for this.""Right," she said, still puzzling over both his response and their briefconversation.The two of them scurried down the stairs, entered the conference room, and satdown next to each other at the far end in the two remaining seats, positioned adjacent toNeil and Father Benedict. Brian expected to get a warm reaction from his friend, but Neilcould only manage a respectful nod, his face etched with apprehension. Brian thought itcurious that both Dr. Marcus and the Colonel were absent, but no sooner had the thoughtcrossed his mind than the latter appeared at the doorway.254