Doorways Chapter 6c

Zach sat in Darius' rooms and tried to think of something to say.

“Master Tomas covered your classes today.” He tried.

“Yes I asked him too.” Darius replied.

“Netty around? I'd love some tea.”

“No, Netty's gone too.” Darius sighed. “I'll get the tea.”

“Darius wait.” Zach shook his head. “Forget the tea. Look, you can't stay holed up in here for the rest of your life.”

“I'm not hiding.” Darius said. “I have no intention of running after anyone, even if I had the leverage, or the right, to do so. I'd have to have a bloody good excuse to approach the Samsons' Villa, wouldn't I? She knows where I am. I can't do anything else.”

“You stubborn mule!” Zach said in exasperation. “Back down a bit, eh? Some things are worth running after.”

“Not at the expense of what little dignity I have left. Tea?” Darius walked off into the kitchen.

Zach had a mental debate with his own dignity after he'd left his friend's rooms. His dignity lost, hands down.

“Master Perrin! How nice to see you!” Helga Samson let Zach into the Villa. “They're both in the library. I swear they spend day by length in there.” She laughed and showed Zach into the sitting room.

“So they're getting along OK then?” Zach asked casually.

“Fabulously. She's a lovely girl. This is not my forte but the Board of Agriculture loved her plans! Axel is delighted. He's so lucky to have snapped her up.” Helga said proudly.

“Yes, isn't he.” Zach forced a smile as Helga headed for the library. This didn't look at all promising for poor Darius. Alexandria and Axel seemed to be on the up and up, rather rapidly. Zach knew that Darius only had himself to blame but he still felt hugely sorry for his friend. Alexandria had something that appealed to Darius and had had him hooked right from the start. That just didn't happen often in Darius Hawk's life. Zach had often joked about Darius' fabled type of woman, insisting that it would have to be a custom made cyborg. No wonder he'd never pinpointed a type. Darius' type simply didn't exist in the world Darius lived in, in the Sector he lived in.

“Hello Zach.” Alexandria was standing in the doorway dressed in typical fashionable jeans and a short shirt. Her hair was dragged back into a cascading pony tail that fell down her back.

“Alexandria.” Zach stood up. “Er ... congratulations on the engineering plans.”

“Thanks. I can also read and write enough to do basic descriptions now, using a dictionary, of course.” Alexandria smiled.

“That's fantastic.” Zach looked over an example of Alexadria's written work. “This would pass for just bout any every day purpose, Alexandria. You've done remarkably well. You should be very proud of yourself.”

“I am, yes. Axel knows who I am, Zach.” Alexandria said quietly.

“I thought so. Yes.” Zach nodded.

“I honestly don't know if Dr and Mrs Samson do or not.” Alexandria shrugged.

“He's not a bad lad, isn't Axel.” Zach said casually.

“Far from it. He's wonderful.” Alexandria nodded, so did Zach. “Tell him I'm fine, Zach.” Zach went very red indeed.

“Darius didn't send me, I swear. He doesn't even know I'm here. I just wanted to see you were happy, Alexandria.” He said weakly.

“He was still my doorway, that can't change. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him.” Alexandria hung her head.

“I know. It wasn't done properly, Alexandria, we all know that now, especially, Darius. He ...”

“Zach, don't. It's done, over with, gone. Darius doesn't have to feel bad about me because I'm doing OK and it's still down to him, no matter how badly it was done.” Alexandria tried to smile.

“Master Perrin.” Axel wandered in and stood behind Alexandria. “It's great to see you here.”

“Yes I came to offer my congratulations on the water turbine.” Zach smiled brightly. “I'd better get going. It's late.” Axel opened the door for Zach.

“Zach? Is he OK?” Alexandria asked suddenly.

“He will be. Goodnight Alexandria, Axel.”