The Right Question 5: Solution

[madimpossibledreamer]

Written before the previous entry but it ended up being very apopros for today.  Argh.
note for awake self: look at capitalization or not of technomage and make up your mind to streamline series please and thank you

Main Points:
Crusade (The Right Question)
Chapter Summary: Gideon is tired and frustrated.
Word Count: 565
Rating: Teen
could be read as gen or preslash

           Gideon is tired.  It’s been a long shift, with crisis after crisis, and he’s looking forward to collapsing in his own bed.  Given how exhausted he is, he probably wouldn’t even dream, which would be a nice change of pace.
           It’s actually a surprise to enter the shuttle to find Galen, gazing distantly out the window.  He’s solemn, thoughtful.  Usually, he’s far too smiley for Gideon to even consider being intimidated by him, but now…
           No, he decides, sitting down.  Galen doesn’t even turn his head.  Still not intimidated.  It’s hard to be scared of a man who makes a hobby of saving your life—though it’s clear not everyone is as safe from the wrath of the technomage.  He’s tempted to fall asleep here and now.  Knows that he’ll be safe, under Galen’s watchful eye.
           The man probably has some idea of what’s happened, given his contemplative mood.  The Captain searches his brain to try to remember if anyone had told him the technomage had arrived.  If nothing else, the flight deck crew had to know he was here.  But it’s a complete blank in his mind.  If anyone had, he doesn’t remember.
           It’s that same seriousness, the same frustration at lack of success, that prompts his next question.  “Could you cure the Drakh plague?”
           “Possibly.”  Galen’s tone is casual, undermining the sudden tension in the air.  He’s ready to bolt, depending on Matthew’s response.  From a moving shuttle, which would seem impossible, but Gideon’s seen a lot of impossible things lately. 
           Matthew tries not to sigh and startle him.  Instead, for the first time he follows up on the question.  “I assume there’s a good reason you’re not just waving your hand and making the disease disappear.”
           Galen’s posture doesn’t change, but the tension all but vanishes.  “It’s not a sure thing, and it would kill me.  I’m sure you see why I would seek an alternative.”
           Don’t trust him, whispers a persuasive voice.  Galen lies.  Gideon firmly squashes that voice.
           The technomage has no reason to reveal as much as he has.  If he simply wanted to avoid any possibility Gideon would betray him, betray his secret, he simply would say nothing.  Or would lie, saying a thing like that is out of even his reach.  Would have done, in the past.  This is a step for them both, proving trust.
           “I like having you around, too,” Matthew confesses.  Maybe it’s the tiredness speaking, words he didn’t mean to say out loud.
           Galen considers saying something, but doesn’t, remaining carefully still.  I startled him, Gideon thinks.  For once, he’s the vaguely amused one.  It’s probably a good thing he’s too exhausted to smile, though.
           Finally, having decided on an approach, the Technomage turns, intense eyes staring into Matthew’s own, pinning him to the spot more efficiently than any gravity.  “Well, I did promise to be there when you needed me.  I will do whatever is in my considerable powers to help.”  A kind, gentle smile accompanies his next words.  “Sleep, Matthew.  You deserve your rest.  Planets to discover, secrets to uncover, it will all wait for now.”
           Gideon isn’t sure whether Galen is using some sort of suggestion spell, or whether he’s using the more mundane magic of asking the captain to do something he already wants to do, but he obeys, laying down and falling asleep almost the second he’s horizontal.