Freak of Nature by Julia Crane Page B

You weren’t programmed that way.”
    As soon as the words slipped out of his mouth, he wished he could take them back.
    Her face went still, as if a mask had dropped down. “You’re right. I wasn’t programmed that way.”
    “Kate, please…” he said, “you don’t understand. Yesterday, I found out there was an error in your coding that would leave you vulnerable to forming attachments. Forming attachments like…but I fixed it. So this can’t be. It shouldn’t be possible.”
    He knew her mind was whirring, processing the information. There was a certain look to her eyes when it happened. Maybe nobody but Lucas could tell, and only because he had studied her for so long—and not just as a robot.
    “You fixed me?” she asked coldly.
    “I didn’t mean it that way. I meant I fixed the coding. If you still feel this way, it’s amazing. It’s astounding….” He shoved a hand through his hair, trying to pick his words. “It shouldn’t be, but it is. There’s more to it than coding, here.”
    “So when you ‘fixed’ me,” Kaitlyn said, as if he hadn’t spoken, “I was no longer supposed to be attracted to you?”
    Lucas paused to take a deep breath. “That’s what I expected, yeah.”
    “And you did it anyway?” Her grey eyes flashed with anger and her jaw tightened.
    Oh shit, she’s pissed . He scrambled to think of the words to right the situation. “You don’t understand. I did it for you.”
    Her voice raised. “For me?”
    “Yes, it could be a liability when you leave here. I couldn’t stand the risk of you getting hurt.”
    “So you wanted to take away what little feelings I had left? What little there was of my humanity?”
    Lucas looked down at the ground, shame settling over him.
    “Well I’m sorry to inform you, but it didn’t work.” She moved to stand up, and Lucas grabbed her arm.
    “Kate, please just hear me out. You’re leaving in a couple of days. I don’t know if we will see each other again. Do you really want to waste what little time we have left together arguing? I’m begging you. Please, I was an idiot, but I really thought I was doing what was best for you.””
    She pulled her hand away and stared at him. Several emotions flashed across her face. Lucas saw the moment logic took over her thought processes, and her grey eyes softened. He was thankful she was able to see the situation objectively. Even though she was clearly upset only a moment ago. If she never talked to him again he would never forgive himself.
    One dainty, long-fingered hand flitted to rest on his arm. Lucas stood up to tentatively pulled her towards him. When she didn’t resist his shoulders relaxed.
    “As much as I hate to admit it, I can comprehend why you would think it was a good idea. But you should have asked me first. I deserve a choice. You took that away from me. You can’t imagine what it’s like having others make ever decision for you.”
    “You’re right. I should have talked it over with you. I’m sorry. I really am.”
    “So, I shouldn’t have feelings for you, but I do. What does that mean?” Kaitlyn pulled back to look up at him.
    His lip twitched. “That I’m irresistible?” He looked away, bashful. That was so lame.
    “It does seem that way, doesn’t it?” She looked pensive. “I guess I don’t understand why they don’t want me to have feelings or emotions. There are soldiers everyday that do their jobs well, and they have families and people they care about.”
    “You’re not supposed to be any old soldier, though,” Lucas said. “You are supposed to surpass the best soldier. And emotions get in the way.” Lucas touched her cheek; her skin was warm.
    There was a long silence before she spoke again. “Are you going to tell Professor Adams?”
    Lucas stuck his hands deep in his pockets and looked off in the distance at the towering trees. The sun was gone completely; night had fallen. He knew he should tell the professor. “Not unless you want me