TWENTY-THREE
The landing was rough enough to jolt Gaia out of her doze. She couldn't have fallen asleep, surely. She smoothed her clothes as the pilot walked around to her door and opened it for her.
Gaia hopped out, or at least she tried to. Instead, her stiff legs and heavy boots almost made her fall over as she crashed to the ground. The pilot caught her and she allowed him to keep holding her until she was certain she was steady on her feet. A quick glance back told her Jay hadn't seen her clumsiness – he was busy clambering out the other side.
She shook off the pilot and hadn't made it two steps before she heard him say, "Do you need me tomorrow, ma'am?"
Gaia pursed her lips. She had to do something to distract herself during the day. "Maybe. I'll let you know in the morning."
