“I might have before I met you, but now I do not.”
“Why?” The barest hint of a grin started. “Did you realize I’m wonderful at everything?”
“Ah.” Atlas rapidly processed. “I’ll agree you’re wonderful at baking.”
“Hey!” She smiled softly. “Ouch! Really?”
“No.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Yes, you’re wonderful.”
Anna’s smile widened. Then she pursed her lips looking away. That heartbeat of hers, picking up.
He tugged on his chin, processors now overheating. “I mean, I don’t think you need it because there is something still beautiful about humanity and its imperfections. I don’t want to ruin that.”
“Oh.” Her cheeks flushed. “Sweet talker.”
“Is it sweet talking if it’s the truth?”
“Still is to me, but . . .” She lowered her voice. “Hey, Atlas? You’re my doctor. So you’re in charge of me, right? Not Sterling?”
“Sterling was planning on taking over, but if you want, I will be.”
She visibly relaxed. “Good. Good.”
Something about Sterling scares her?Over all these years, Sterling had been one of the few constants in his life. Like Zero and his model’s counterparts, he and Sterling usually thought along the same lines. “Do you not like Sterling? He wanted to meet with you in the morning, actually.”
Anna visibly shook, then straightened her back. “I saw the humans, the ones in the back room.”
Atlas’s processors whirled. He pulled up his sweater sleeves to help himself regulate better.Sterling has been very careful with the other humans’ care. Does she not approve of something? Maybe she is afraid of sickness?“Those humans are at the end of their lifespans. They are not sick, Anna. You are not in any danger from them. No disease will spread to you.”
“That’s not what . . . it just doesn’t seem right. Something about it seems wrong. I can’t really explain. Like they’re . . .” Her voice lowered. “Like they’re pets being kept alive.”
“Ah.” If he had a heart, it would have sunk. “If it helps, the ones there chose that level of care.”
Anna took a deep breath. “That does help, actually. Maybe we do think differently. I would . . . I would hate that.”
“It scares you.”
“Yeah. I can’t really say why. But it does.” Anna put down the aloe vera and again fidgeted with the bagel. “Atlas? I don’t want to just live here, day in and out. I want to be useful and do something.”
Atlas stilled. “Work? Like you said before.”
“Yeah. I would. I know everything is automated, but if you could tell them. I will too. There has to be something I can do here. Otherwise, I might have been better off staying back on Earth.”
He patted her knee, desperately wanting to soothe her.Distressed over being taken care of?The same thought that always played on his processors came back.They are not like the other humans.But . . . “Give it some time, okay? I’ll stay right outside tonight if you need me again. But try to sleep. You cannot make rational decisions with a tired mind.”
Anna stood up. “Yeah, tired, nauseous, and hormonal. Great combination. The bagel helped. I’ll lie down.”
Atlas pulled down the comforter. “Here, I’ll fix your bed.”
She stepped back as he fluffed up the pillows and turned down the comforter. “You do this for all your patients?”
“Only the lucky ones.” His eyes softened. “But you really need to sleep. It soothes my medical side to at least see you try.”
Anna gave him a smile. “Thank you, Atlas.”
“You’re welcome.”
“. . . I mean it.” She reached out and touched the back of his hand. “You made this whole day better.”
