“You’re insane you know.” Sam said to me. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.” I replied without missing a beat. We both chuckled at our banter. “If you don’t stop making jokes, you’re gonna make me drop these weights.” I grunted out between repetitions. As I finished twenty reps, I put the barbell back across it’s holding stand, and sat up from the bench. That felt good. Two hundred and twenty pound bench presses, sets of twenty. I don’t care what people say. For all the wonderful electronic muscle stimulation, clone grown musculature out there, nothing beats good old fashioned free weights. “And when are you gonna actually to do something at the gym, besides flapping your gums at me while I work out?” 

It was hard to believe Sam and I had only known each other a few months. The way we carried on, you would think we had been friends our entire lives. “Hey, I’m the brains, you’re the pretty remember?” He winked at me, and we both broke into laughter anew. That is what started this entire debate. “Well, at least that explains why your head’s so damn huge.” I grunted. “But seriously, do a set. It’s good for the soul. I’ll even drop the weights to girly level for ya.” I started removing weight plates, but Sam waved me off. “I’m fine, Roc, but appreciate the offer. Now back to business, there’s no way in hell you’re gonna do it.” He had a snicker on his face. “And why not?” I retorted with an equally mischievious grin.

“Admit it, you love all the attention you’ve gotten in the media. The commercials, the young female fans, the kickbacks. You’re just eating it up.” Sam was cutting at me deep. He knew how awkward I sometimes felt around others. Sure I could hold my own in conversation if it was a topic I had knowledge and passion for. Otherwise, count me out. I’d rather be hiding under my bed. “You know that’s not true, Sam. Take it or leave it really. I could care less.” That was somewhat true. Sure, I had never planned on even having my name recognized. Why would I? I’m just another soldier in another war. If anything, fame had cut me deeply. Not only did it make me primary target everywhere I flew now, but it stripped me of any privacy I had when travelling in Republic space. And I was one for my privacy.

“Uh huh. And the young hot girls that get you to sign their…ahem?” Sam was funny sometimes. When he would get frustrated trying to figure out some programmatic issue, he could muster together a string of curses that would make me blush, but when he was conscious of his thoughts, he couldn’t even say the word boob without turning crimson. “Well, there has to be SOME perks.” I emphasized. We both laughed some more, and finished up my workout.

As I headed for the showers, Sam asked me again, doubt heavy on his voice, “You really gonna do it?” 

I gave it some thought one more time. The answer that kept coming to mind was “Why the hell not?” I simply nodded to Sam.

“This is about Mynxee isn’t it?” he put forward. “Not at all, Sam. If it’s about anyone, it’s for you.” I winked his way flirtatiously, and we both broke out laughing. 

“Alright, well when you do it, I want to be the first to see.” he said. “Wouldn’t have it any other way. Besides, you think I don’t know you’re my biggest fan?” I waved goodbye to Sam, and hit the showers, leaving his laughter behind.