And...there it was. Marcello did not immediately respond, choosing instead to gaze at the skyline in silence. Still, he supposed this conversation was inevitable. Turning to face Leori, he fixed her with a serious expression. "Your question is vague. There already exists a great friendship between us. There is not much I would not so for you. What is it you -want- there to be?" He suspected he knew, but he wasn't sure he fully believed in such.
Leori narrowed her eyes for a moment, but relaxed again as she listened. She didn't react as she would have after his first comment which was a good thing. "Intimacy. An intimate relationship. Surely you know what I mean."
"Perhaps, but why?"
Now she did narrow her eyes. "Why do I want to be in a relationship with you? Because you aren't just anyone. And I know that because otherwise we wouldn't have met. There is something between us. I ignored it, and avoided it and ran away from it. Can you tell me that I'm wrong?"
Marcello exhaled heavily. "No, not necessarily. However, I can tell you that I refuse to let emotion run my life. Perhaps there is something...something so delicate that it cannot even be quantified. The fact that such a thing could have such a power over an individual is...unacceptable to me."
Marcello gave Leori an almost apologetic smile. "I don't believe in love or placing my heart in the hands of another, Leori. I'm no good in relationships."
Leori looked at Marcello "Do I seem the type that lets emotion run my life? I have always put my duty first. But why can't there be both? You're not good in relationships because you haven't given it a chance, with the right person."
There was an undeniable truth to Leori's statements, but that did not change the fact...he was not ready for a relationship with anyone really. More specifically he hadn't met anyone that could force him to abandon his perceptions. His life and attention beloved to the defenseless...those people deserved all of his love and devotion. Such was his role as a Jedi. To Leori, though, he paraphrased. "I can't Leori. I'm sorry."
Leori was quiet. What more could she say? Well, nothing that would get her what she wanted. "I don't think that you are, but thanks for saying so."
Marcello arched a curious brow, but it threatened to give way to anger. Instead he merely shook his head and started the engine once more. "I think it's time I took you home."
Leori nodded. She knew she should have kept her mouth shut. "That was out of line. I apologize."
"It's funny...how people make statements like that assuming it changes what already occurred." Pausing, Marcello merged into a high-speed traffic lane. "As my friend, however, I forgive you."
"I appreciate that." Leori said. "And it is one of those emotion things. Where you say things without thinking about them."
Marcello shrugged his shoulders slightly. "I understand, really." The return trip was much shorter and quieter in Marcello's end. When they'd arrived at Leori's residence, he turned and managed a smile in spite of all that had happened.
Leori leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I'll see you later."
Marcello nodded his head. "Have a good night Leori."
Leori climbed out and went inside.