Page 173 of Every Almost

"I know you understand," Reyna interrupted. Charlie heard the insistence in her voice, realizing Reyna was here to make this apology. She looked behind Reyna to the bay door and saw Torvax hovering. "But that's not the point, Charlie."

Charlie turned back to look at her closely. Everything about Reyna's demeanor made it clear she needed to say this, that it truly mattered to her, and she wanted Charlie to hear it.

"I said I would be there, and I wasn't." Charlie quieted at Reyna's word. "And Charlie," Reyna lowered her voice. "I really am sorry."

Charlie settled on her gaze, watching the seriousness play across Reyna's expression.

"Okay," Charlie said softly. "Okay, apology accepted. You're forgiven."

Reyna smiled, but it wasn’t full, and something about it caught Charlie. It wasn’t the one she was introduced to in Borran's kitchen in the middle of the night.

"Torvax told me it was quite something," Reyna said, her voice returning to normal.

Charlie is slightly shocked. "Torvax said that?"

"He did."

"'Turbo' Torvax?"

"He said the laughter was 'significant,'" Reyna answered. "And, between you and me, that's practically a standing ovation for Torvax."

"That is not entirely true, Captain," Torvax said as he walked towards them.

He jingled.

Charlie's head turned. Reyna's did too.

Torvax crossed the Engineering Bay with his usual measured, upright stride, and with each step, a faint, bright, entirely incongruous sound came from the small brass bell now affixed to the front of his uniform, just below his Coalition insignia patches. It was precisely centered and regulation-neat, as though it had been standard-issue his entire career.

He stopped in front of them, hands clasped behind his back, and said nothing.

Charlie looked at the bell. Then at Reyna.

"Is he—" Charlie started.

"Torvax," Reyna said carefully. "You're wearing a bell."

"You indicated a bell was required," he said. "I acquired a bell. You did not jump this morning when I entered your office. It has proven effective."

Charlie made a sound like she couldn’t breathe properly.

Reyna pressed her lips together, hard. "I appreciate the thoroughness. Truly.” She cleared her throat. “But you don't need to wear it. It was, more of a figure of speech."

Torvax considered this.

"Understood, Captain." He reached up, removed the bell, and tucked it somewhere inside his uniform without further comment.

"Thank you, though," Reyna added. "For making it happen."

"Of course, Captain."

Charlie was still staring. "I have so many questions."

"No," said Reyna, looking at her from the side. But Charlie watched the corner of her mouth slowly slide up, the composure she'd been holding through the entire bell exchange beginning to give way.

Charlie laughed, she couldn't help it. Reyna's smile slowly became more expressive, but still not the one Charlie knew.

Since when do I know Reyna's smiles?The thought immediately stops her laugh. Charlie saw Tavi lean over from his console and look at her, but she pretends to ignore him.