Eugene seemed taken aback, but didn’t relinquish the bag. “If that’s what you want,” he agreed. “But I ain’t doin’ this ‘cuz yer a woman. I’m carryin’ it ‘cuz it doesn’t take a medic to see how tired you are. If you trained with Sobel, then I can ‘magine you need a day or two or three of straight sleep. I aim to see you get that. Now come on.” He jerked his head, indicating that she should get walking.
Sam shoved her hands in her pockets as she complied, chancing a peek at him from beneath the brim of her little hat. “Fine,” she mumbled, feeling a little silly. They walked in silence for a few moments, before the urge to speak got a hold of her. “So…it doesn’t bother you that I’m a woman, then? I mean…” Here, she finally grinned, and Eugene could see a little of the person she might have been back home, before she became so closed off and secretive. “-it don’t bother you that you got yer butt whooped by a girl?”