Even after all this time it's hard not to miss that look in Gideon's eyes, and it does not fill him with the dread he was expecting. The mutual apology has a lot to do with that, given that Gideon used to be just as disposed towards intransigence as he was.

"None of us are perfect," he said, reaching across the small table to place a place his hand other the one Gideon had on the tablet. It was a startling reminder of the first time they been together in that tiny Kekropian hotel, and the memory itself springs rather vividly to mind along with the impulse to duplicate it further by leaning over for a kiss. He stops short, but the desire is easy enough to recognize.