We May Have All Come on Different Ships, But We're in the Same Boat Now (ZAY)

[Gar]

The Zeltron stared at her plate, her fork suspended over the food ever since Zay mentioned returning to the nightmare. She couldn't look at Zay as she processed what was said, afraid that Zay might see a reaction that would put her into another state of distress. A flood of thoughts and emotions filled her mind. After a long moment of silence Ni finally set down her fork and turned to the clone, calmly folding her hands in her lap and inhaling slowly.

"You don't owe me anything, Zay. I don't want you to feel that you are indebted to me for doing what any decent person would have done if they happened across someone that needed their help," she explained carefully, "That is the answer to your previous question: why you? Because you crossed my path. Bugsie told me that he suspected you weren't being treated well. Then, at the night of the party, I could see that you were suffering..." she closed her eyes for a moment to will the memories away, "You opened my eyes to the plight of all clones. If it was in my power to free them, I'd do it in a heartbeat, but unfortunately this Bill for clone rights was the only option. I knew that if I couldn't free you, at least I could help set up laws to protect you and any other clones that were being abused..." She looked up at Zay and smiled sadly, adding with a sigh, "Anyway, I did the chancellor a big favor, and then she did one for me. I didn't even know she had done it until that night after the ceremony, when we met for the second time..."

Ni fidgeted with the hem of her t-shirt and hung her head, Zay's request for acceptance turning over in her mind. "That being said...If having someone to serve will keep you from running back to that bastard...then..." she began with some difficulty, grimacing with the effort, "then...I guess I have no choice..." she bit her bottom lip nervously and glanced up into Zay's eyes again. "Little by little, though, I hope I can help you adjust to what it means to be free..."