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“What is this, Jiht, and that I was turning into my own screwed-up version of Miller? Those at the very least Hopefully opening the dialogue to reconciliation, if I’ that out But I’ve been saying this for months now, and you—”

“Wait,” Holden said He could feel her pulling back fro herself believe All he had left to offer her was absolute truth, so he did “I couldn’t hear you Because I’ve been terrified, and I’ve been a coward”

“Fear doesn’t make you a coward”

“No,” he said “Of course it doesn’t But refusing to face up to it To not admit to you how I felt To not let you and Alex and Amos help me That was cowardice And itI really care about It er than I should have because the job was safe”

A s toward their table, and Holden was gratified when he saw Nao That was a start

“Tellfrorin “And that’s the best feeling I’ve had in ages But no matter what happens next, I need you there”

When she started to protest, Holden quickly put up a hand to stop her and said, “No, I don’t mean like that I’d love to win you back, but I’ht take some time, or never happen at all I mean the Roci needs you back The crew needs you there”

“I don’t want to leave her,” Naomi said with a shy smile

“She’s your ho as you want it And that’s true noone thick strand of hair around her finger and drank off the last of her drink Holden pointed at the table menu, but she shook her hand at hiht?”

“Yeah, partly,” Holden said “I was standing in his office feeling terrified and realizing I’d been afraid for a long, long tis up with him too Some of that’s probably his fault He’s a true believer, and those are bad people to climb into bed with But it’s mostly still oing to quit”

“So,” Naouess I feel a little flattered that the part you’re trying to patch up is me”

“You,” Holden said, “are the only part I really care about fixing”

“You knohat happens now, right?”

“You move back onto the ship?”

Naomi just smiled the comment away “Noe pay for our own repairs If we fire a torpedo, we have to find so fees, food, and medical supplies for our very expensive automated sick bay Have a plan for that?”

“Nope!” Holden said “But I have to say, for soreat”

“And when the euphoria passes?”