Dumas was forced to concede that Mari had a point.  Once she admitted that she couldn’t remember how she’d been cut, any competent doctor would immediately have concerns which went far beyond her injured leg.  And, although Dumas thought it would be a good idea for Mari to be examined by a doctor, he also understood her reluctance.  No one wants to be told that they’re crazy.  “At least let me take a look at it,” he insisted.  “After our shifts end tonight.”<br/><br/>Despite his worry about Mari, Dumas smiled when she promised to inflict her grumpiness on him.  “You’re always welcome to drop by my office.  DEE enjoys having you around.”<br/><br/>Mari’s childlike excitement made Dumas feel even worse about deceiving her.  He couldn’t help thinking about all new recruits that he’d dealt with, their hearts full of naive idealism and the desire to be a hero.  They didn’t belong on the battlefield, just as Mari didn’t belong in this wicked world.  But what could he do?  The same thing that he’d always done -- try his best to protect the people he cared about.  And maybe Mari would be luckier than some of the others had been.<br/><br/>Reaching into his jacket pocket, Dumas produced the necklace.  He’d actually spent a long time agonizing about its design.  Even beyond practical issues, like being able to effectively conceal the tracking chip, there were other considerations.  It needed to be neutral enough to be worn with any outfit.  But at the same time, Dumas didn’t want it to be boring.  He wanted it to be like Mari herself -- pretty, delicate, slightly whimsical.  In the end, he’d settled on a little brown rabbit, wearing a tiny pink bow, suspended on a copper chain.<br/><br/>“I saw this, and I thought of you.”  That, at least, was partially true.  Staring at the floor between them, Dumas offered the necklace to Mari.  “I hope you like it.”<br/><br/><br/>(Here's a picture of the necklace:m<a class="postlink" href="http://www.loveheartsandcrosses.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/700x895/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/0/1045-1641.jpg">http://www.loveheartsandcrosses.co.uk/m ... 5-1641.jpg</a>m)