After the Second Fall

"So she just... Okay, yes, it is very good. How long does it take to make this dish?"

"About three bells."

"So she made this at the same time they were making lunch for everybody else?"

"Yes," Rachel replied. "She said she was looking forward to trying something new, and she agreed that it might be good for the Adams, but didn't want to change the whole menu on such short notice, so this is just a trial. If you both like it, which it seems you do, I'll let her know and she'll work it into the normal meal rotation."

"That easy?"

Rachel nodded. "Yep, that easy."

"And you just..."

"Um huh."

John raised his finger to say something, and when it didn't materialize on his lips, he lowered his finger again. "You know what, Rachel?"

Rachel shook her head.

"I think I have an opening for a personal assistant. Are you interested in the job?"

Rachel looked at Pip and smiled, then walked over to him, laying her head over onto his shoulder. "No thank you, Mr. Rogers. I think I'm where I am supposed to be." Pip was surprised at the display of affection, but didn't say anything.

John slowly waved his finger at her, "I think you might be right." Spinning on his seat, he stood and then paused, "Thank you very much for lunch. It was delicious, and I would very much appreciate it if you give my compliments to Madame Snow. I would love to have this kind of thing on a regular basis." John walked away across the courtyard, hands in his pockets, clearly deep in thought.

Pip raised his shoulder just enough to let Rachel know that he wanted to look at her. "How did you know I like spicy food?"

Rachel shrugged again. "You put pepper sauce on your food yesterday, and I saw you eating some of those spicy little purple peppers raw a few days before. I figured it was a pretty safe assumption."

Pip sat quietly for a short while. "So you like working out this kind of thing?"

Rachel beamed at him. "Yes. I like feeling useful, and I like making things go smoothly. I know it doesn't really matter that much compared to what you have to do, but if I can make your life easier, then I think it's worth it."

"And you think you can be happy here?"

Rachel nodded again. "As long as I can spend some time with you, I'll be happy."

Pip turned to face her fully, and took hold of one of her hands, which promptly disappeared in his grip. "Rachel, you barely know me. Why are you so focused on me?"

The young woman's eyes started to tear up and she looked away. For several long moments she didn't say anything, but rather than speaking, Pip just waited for her to be ready, gently rubbing circles on her wrist with his thumb. After a deep breath, she said, "I can't really explain it to you, or even to myself. You saved me, so I know part of me is really grateful, but that isn't all. I don't have a schoolgirl crush, and I'm not trying to live out some fantasy..." Another pause after her words trailed off, this time longer.

"Do you believe in fate, Pip?"

Pip thought briefly, then replied honestly. "Not really."

"Me neither.

"And yet, I have this feeling deep inside, in my stomach, in my bones, in my heart. I'm supposed to be here, with you, with Rosie, with Maggie. I had this moment of insight when I saw you through my door, even with my eye half swollen shut. It was almost like a... like... a flash? Not angels singing or anything quite so dramatic, but I saw you, and the purpose I've been looking for snapped into place. In the last weeks, that feeling, that moment, has been reinforced every time I see you." Rachel looked down. "I know I am probably coming across as obsessive, especially since we've only talked three times, but it's so obvious to me now. I can help you, and you can help others. Does any of this make even a little bit of sense to you?"

Pip looked away, staring off into the distance, turning over in his mind what she had said. "Actually, it does. When I was younger, I was always the smallest, and it wasn't close. I still am for that matter. Most of the Adam's are two or even three hands taller than me, and somehow, I knew it didn't really matter. I never knew how, or why, but I knew... And now, I'm absolutely certain of it."

Pip looked at Rachel seriously. "Rachel, there is a very good chance that I will go to fight for the city before very long. John thinks it will be before the end of the year. Do you know what that means?"

Rachel nodded.

"Then you know that there is an even chance that I won't come back."

Rachel smiled and shook her head. "I don't believe that, Pip. You will come back, over and over again, and Rosie and Maggie and I will be waiting for you with open arms."

"Rachel, that is a lovely thought, but..."

She silenced him with a kiss and was once again gone before he could react. That fact that she had done it twice in two days had him seriously questioning his fighter's reflexes.

"Pip, I know how the fights work: it was almost all my husband talked about. I could name you the outcome of every fight for every city going back ten cycles." Pip raised his eyebrows at this. "Really, I can," she confirmed, "but that doesn't matter at the moment. What matters is that you understand that I know -- as in, I am absolutely certain -- that you will not die in the Arena. You will do so much more than fight, and when your time really is over, the whole world will mourn."

Pip let go of Rachel's hand gently and leaned back, crossing his arms as he considered what she had said. "I really don't know what to say to that, Rachel. I would say it doesn't make sense, but some, uh, recent developments make it seem more plausible than it might have been in the past."

"I understand."

"You do?"

Rachel nodded. "I know there is something about you that is different, Pip. It doesn't really matter to me what that something is specifically, because I know that it is what sets you apart, not just from the other Adams, but from all of us. I saw it when my husband died, and I've seen it when you are training."

Pip was once again quiet, and then nodded. "You're right, of course, but it's best if we don't talk about it."

Rachel smiled. "I don't care what it is, Pip. I told you, it makes no difference to me. All I know is that I'm here to help you, and that's enough."

"What about us?"

Rachel raised her eyebrows suggestively, but Pip remained serious. "I mean it, Rachel. We barely know each other, and yet you've kissed me twice. I care deeply for Rosie and Maggie, and I won't hurt them if I can help it. You've already shown that you can make my life easier, but I don't need drama if that's part of the package."

Rachel's expression was earnest as she replied. "I'm sorry, Pip. I was just showing how much I like you, and teasing you a bit at the same time. You did say that you don't mind, right?"

"And that's it?"

Rachel turned to the table and propped her chin on her hands. "I don't know. I was in such a bad situation for so long, I really don't want to think about relationships." She turned to look at him. "Pip, I won't get in the way of Rosie and Maggie, and I will not cause trouble. If something deeper develops over time naturally, then so be it, but I don't have some goal in mind."

After another pause, Pip asked, "How did the discussion with the girls go?"

Rachel smiled. "Fine. Maggie was enthusiastic and Rosie said 'Thank the Lord', so I assume she is okay with me helping."

"No drama?"

"No drama," replied Rachel reassuringly.

"So what now?"

"Now, you go to meet Mr. Max for the afternoon session. You're already a quarter bell late, but I told him this morning that we needed to talk, and that I didn't know how long it would take."

Pip cocked his head and looked at her. "You mean you told him this morning about the conversation we just had?"

Rachel confirmed with a nod of her head.

Well," Pip said, drawing out the word, "thanks. I'm starting to get the feeling that I'm not the only one at this table that is a little... different."

Rachel gave another of her characteristic shrugs, but was grinning this time, so Pip smiled back. "Thank you for lunch. You were absolutely right about me enjoying it."

Following in John's footsteps, Pip walked casually across the courtyard, not hurrying because he apparently already had an excuse for being late.

Chapter 15

"Do you think I need a personal assistant?" John asked Lilith as they sat next to each other in his suite. Although hers was the bigger set of rooms, they always met at his place. John suspected that Lilith wasn't comfortable with the idea of him seeing all of her secrets just yet, but didn't mind, because his rooms were convenient and familiar.

"What is a personal assistant? Like somebody to do your laundry?"

"No, like... you know what, never mind. Just a passing thought." Lilith raised her eyebrows, but didn't push. "Listen, can we talk about Pip for a little bit?"

"Sure: you're the one with the rule about not discussing Complex business in the evenings."

"Okay, true, but this is important." John took a deep breath before continuing, steeling himself for the pending argument. "I think it's time to push for Pip to step into the Arena."

Lilith's eyes narrowed suspiciously and she let him wait for several heartbeats before responding. "How much do you know?"

John was taken completely aback. "Uh, nothing. What is there for me to know?"

Lilith remained silent as she weighed answers. Finally arriving at a conclusion, she started slowly. "Do you recall that there was a Council-only discussion yesterday?" John nodded. "This topic comprised the entire agenda. The meeting lasted four bells, and would have gone longer if the Executive Director hadn't stepped in."

John was barely breathing. "And?"

"And... Pip will fight in three weeks."

"What?" shouted John, rising quickly to his feet. "That's not enough time. And that means the fight with Marbelo! Why would they start him with one of the Big Three? Adams usually start with one of the smaller states."

While John was animatedly going on, Lilith rose and gave him a hard stare. "John, stop."

He didn't stop immediately, but wound down quickly, collecting his thoughts. "Lilith, it just doesn't make sense. I have more faith in Pip than anybody, and I mean that literally, but this is a big risk."

Lilith sat back down and motioned with her head at the spot next to her. Once John was sitting, she relaxed some and softened her countenance. "John, you don't have to argue with me. I was not in favor of this approach, but there are some very compelling reasons, which I will not go into now." She cut off the protest forming on John's lips with another stern look. "The directors went through all of the arguments, and this is where we landed. You will not change the Council's decision, so it's best to figure out what we can do to ensure Pip is successful."

"Why wasn't I told?"

"You will be, tomorrow, by Director Humbolt. I overstepped by telling you tonight, but I didn't want to lie to you. And no, you don't have to feign ignorance: just tell him that I told you tonight and saved him the hassle of arguing about it."

John leaned forward, resting his head in his hands. Eventually, he sat up and looked to Lilith. "Can you tell me the main reasons? I don't need to know, but it would help me get fully on-board."

Lilith looked at him seriously before responding. "John, I will tell you, but you need to know that when I do, I am risking everything I have worked for over the last 20 years. If anyone on the Council learns that I told you, they will throw me out in the street. Do you understand?"

"Lilith... you don't have to tell me."

"Actually, John, I feel like I do. You need to be completely behind Pip on this, and if you are second guessing the motivation for the fight from the beginning, Pip will pick up on it."

She took a deep breath, then began. "In the extreme Northwest of our territory, we have a mining camp that has been excavating limestone for a long time. The district in which this camp sits is bordered by Marbelo on the West, but since limestone isn't particularly scarce, there was never reason for them to challenge for it. So why did they do so at the last forum?"

John shook his head, indicating he didn't know.

"We didn't know either, until we dug deeper, as in, by using mining equipment. We excavated several exploratory pits right at the border, and instead of limestone, we found iron. What's more, the ore has more than 50% iron."

John whistled appreciatively and Lilith nodded. "Now you're starting to understand. It's not a make or break challenge, but the winner will control the entire deposit, or at least everything we currently know about. We had planned to put a mid-tier Adam into the fight --"

"Lance" interrupted John without thinking.

Lilith barely paused before continuing. "That's right, because we didn't want to risk one of our top Adams on low value challenge. However..."

John nodded, satisfied. "I understand, and you're right that there is a good reason. So why Pip and not Stash or Rix?"

"Well, that is probably Max's fault. He's kept Director Humbolt informed of Pip's progress." John nodded. "Apparently, Max is very, very impressed. He doesn't know what you now know, but he made it clear to Director Humbolt that Pip is ready for the Arena. What's more, he thinks Pip could beat the other two; I believe he said nine times out of ten."

John continued nodding. "Okay, I'm on-board. The rub is that Pip is going to be going up against their best, or close to anyway. I'll talk with Geo tomorrow, and then Max and I can start the final prep." He took a deep breath. "Okay, so we have three weeks to prepare.

"Lilith, I'm afraid this is the time when my job is all-consuming. I won't be able to see you very much in the run up to the fight -- I hope you understand."

Lilith smiled as she stood. "Of course, John. This is what all of the effort is about." She pulled him down by his shirt front and gave him a sound kiss. "Good luck, and let me know if you need anything."

John nodded and smiled, but she could tell that his mind was already elsewhere. As she reached the door, she felt his hand on her shoulder a moment before he turned her around and picked her up, kissing her again, this time much more passionately. "Thank you for trusting me. It means more to me than I can easily say." He looked deeply into her dark eyes before giving her a final kiss and setting her down again. "Goodnight, Lilith."

She smiled warmly. "Goodnight, Honey."

When the girls found out, their reactions were mixed.

One might have thought that Maggie would be used to the Adams getting ready for fights, but this was the first time that her Adam would go to the Arena, and she was an absolute wreck. Gone were the bubbly personality and the carefree attitude, replaced instead with an almost obsessive need to be around Pip as much as possible.

Rosie was much calmer, having full knowledge of Pip's altered perception of time. While she did have some growing anxiety as the fight approached, she found that the biggest issue to be tackled was comforting Maggie.

It turned out that Rachel was the one that broke through, with nothing more substantial than her unshakable faith that Pip would return. Maggie didn't understand it, but it was the lifeline that she hung onto as the final days passed.

For Pip, it was essentially business as usual. The rigor of his training wound down dramatically so that his body would be fully rested for the fight. In place of sparring, he did cryotherapy. Weight and resistance training was replaced with deep tissue massages. Instead of the bed in his room, he slept in a hyperbaric chamber. All-in-all, Pip wasn't finding fight preparations too bad at all.

The thing that bothered him the most was, oddly enough, that he wasn't bothered by the prospect of the fight itself. If historical averages were to be believed, there was a fifty percent chance he would die during the fight. That should have made him anxious, or nervous, or scared, but it didn't. He talked this through with John and Max, and subsequently received a long, stern lecture on overconfidence, but Pip didn't think that was the issue. It was more like a general feeling of rightness. He was finally going to be able to do what he had been designed, born, and raised for, and that by itself was tremendously satisfying.

And, if Pip was being honest with himself, he was also looking forward to vindicating himself, and John, and all the others who had kept him in the program, despite his obvious physical limitations. So, as the day approached, Pip was quite content.

The day after John learned about Pip's selection, so too did everyone else in the Complex. Many of the staff started finding excuses to be around wherever it was that Pip found himself. In particular, Pip found that the Courtyard was busier than he had ever seen it during midday as more and more people started eating outside.

At first, it was John and Rachel eating with him. When Maggie found out about the "lunch date", she invited herself and Rosie to join. A week later, Max was called over when he happened to stroll by, and in the final week, Lilith began attending as well. Of course, other colleagues would join their group from time to time if they happened to be in the area. Oddly enough, thanks to some sort of pseudo-precognition that Pip couldn't figure out, Rachel always had enough food.

By the time Lilith had joined them, it was common for more than seventy people to be sitting in the grass or standing at the ever increasing number of tables. Immediately after the announcement, it was evident that most of the conversation centered on Pip, given that people would sneak glances at him when they thought he wasn't looking. After days of ignoring it, Pip became annoyed and decided to turn the tables. In the middle of lunch, he clamped down on the Effect and surveyed the field in front of him, spotting a middle aged woman looking at him over a half eaten sandwich. Without warning he stood up, knocking over his stool, and snapped his hand up to his face, pointing his first two fingers at his eyes while staring intensely at the woman in a classic 'I'm watching you' gesture. The woman's mouth fell open and when he pointed at her, she dropped her sandwich.

It was only a moment before Pip dropped the stare and smiled at her, finishing with a wave before picking up his stool and resuming his meal. While he sipped his carefully prepared protein and mineral shake -- the worst part of fight prep, in his opinion -- the others stared at him with wide eyes. Except for John, who just shrugged and kept eating the newest offering that Rachel had gotten Madame Snow to prepare: stuffed peppers.

"What was that, Pip?" asked Rosie, alarmed.

"She was looking at me, but trying to be sneaky. I don't care, but it bothered me that she thought she was getting away with it."

"Makes sense," John said. "You're the talk of the Complex. Why wouldn't they want to see you up close?"

"Yeah, but it's the sideways glances, and the pretending to be looking at something over my head.

"John, I'm five or more hands taller than most people when I'm sitting down; there isn't much that is over my head."

John waved a fork full of food at Pip. "Fair enough, but is it really that bad?"

"Not really. I was just having some fun." Pip grinned. "Did you see her face, though? I feel a little guilty about it, but it really was funny."

Rosie punched him in the arm and gave him a stern look, then laid her head on his shoulder. "Meany."

"I am not. Look, watch this." Pip raised his arm, the one that Rosie wasn't leaning on, and motioned for the woman to come over. After the third time motioning to her, she slowly stood and walked toward them, looking as if she was going to the Headmaster's office. Pip smiled brightly at her and introduced himself and the others around the table, offering her some food, which Rachel quickly produced from the magic food dispenser on her cart. The woman apologized for being nosy, but Pip just waved it off, apologizing himself for startling her. In the end, she walked away with a smile and a stuffed pepper to replace the dropped sandwich.