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"I hope so," he said, his voice low. He didn't know what Claire could do either; if he knew that, he would have suggested it from the beginning, rather than having her jump through all the emotional hoops of story time. "I really do..."

He took the colander anyway, positioning it over the sink with one hand and pouring the pasta with the other. Luke himself wasn't quite sure what had inspired it - perhaps the inefficiency of using two people for a one-person job, or perhaps the distant thought that he owed Claire more favors than he would ever be able to offer. Either way, the process of straining the various noodles was well underway, and he continued to hold the draining colander over the sink as he looked to Claire for her next instruction.

He nodded and did as Claire instructed, stepping aside after and watching her adjust the sauce and retrieve bowls and silverware. At her suggestion, he moved to dish the various noodles into a bowl, dousing it with the warmed sauce and promptly moving out of the way so Claire could do the same.

He accepted the Parmesan, giving it a couple shakes over his pasta, and returned it to Claire for her use. He mixed the cheese into the sauce idly, abandoning the task when his company made motions towards an isolated table. He joined her there, seating himself with little regard to the uncomfortable chairs. Deliberately, almost hesitantly, he twirled the fork in the pasta and extracted a bite. It was good, as expected. Unfortunately, social graces of a rock was a proper evaluation of Luke's conversation skills, and he would likely go the whole meal without saying a word if Claire allowed it.

He enjoyed the pensive silence while it lasted, turning his eyes from the meal to Claire when she suddenly spoke. "Besides Morrison, there was Elisa," he answered, resting the handle of the fork against the side of the bowl momentarily. "She was a member of the weapons technology subdepartment, so she collaborated with Lucas and Morrison on a regular basis." For as long as he had been acquainted with Elisa - even indirectly - he could have delivered what was essentially a massive rambling description, but he instead decided to spare Claire from hearing things she didn't care to know and waited for specific questions.

"Infrequently. I gave her mission reports from time to time so that she could tailor more effective weapons, but to the best of my knowledge she was never aware of any difference between Lucas and myself." Well, not apart from the initial odd look or two, anyway. It was equally likely that Morrison had told her some time in private and she was simply less prying than others. He hummed thoughtfully before answering her second question, "She was diligent and hard-working, if not a bit stubborn, but also deeply kind. She was a good friend to Lucas."

He nodded, having another couple of bites of his own meal before directing his attention to Claire's words. His eyes narrowed slightly at the thought. "When Lucas returned without Morrison, she stopped speaking to him, even when he approached her directly. A while passed like that, and then she transferred. Never said why nor where. Rumors cropped up fairly quickly that he had killed Morrison, and Lucas felt that Elisa's cold shoulder was a result of that, that she was afraid of him or disgusted with him. He still feels that way." And it was best if he felt that way forever. Luke had only speculation, but his own feelings toward the incident pointed to something much more grim. "She had always been there for him. Her sudden distance and disappearance were wounding." A quiet sigh passed his lips as he idly twirled his fork in the pasta.

Luke nodded. "He had to - or at least, he felt he had to. He was still an elite, and he was expected to perform up to par. He keeps a friendly expression for speaking with others, no matter the expression he wishes to wear." Ten years was a terribly long time to hide within oneself, and this concern was what had driven the alter-ego to make his request in the parking garage. He wasn't sure exactly how much progress had been made on that front, but part of him wanted to trust that Claire would continue to move forward. It was an odd feeling.

"No, I don't know the exact reason. I... have a theory, though." It was a theory that he hesitated to voice out of a profound fear that it was true. He pushed the remaining pasta around in the bottom of the bowl, his features slightly disquieted. "I worry that she did betray Lucas. Lucas and Morrison both."