Gregor entered the reception room where the Duronas were assembling. He regarded them with curiosity. They were all alike, but all different -- different ages, some louder, some quieter, mostly women but also a few rather androgynous men. Gregor wondered how male clones could be made from a female source, but supposed that if anyone could figure it out, the Duronas could. He had the deepest respect for their progenitrix, not just because of how the Duronas functioned now, but because he knew that Lilly Durona had shrewdly bargained her way into making the Duronas survive and even thrive on Jackson's Whole for more than 50 years. Gregor also, of course, felt a deep gratitude towards them, especially Rowan, for bringing Miles back, thus precipitating his current happiness.
He circulated around, greeting his guests and chatting with a few about their current scientific work. They were remarkably focused, brilliant as individuals, beyond genius as a group. He only wished that he could have had more time to get to know them, but it was absolutely essential that they be as far from Barrayar as possible when the Cetagandan delegation showed up.
He heard a quiet, "Excuse me" from behind him, and he turned to find Rowan Durona. This woman was Miles' savior... and other things. As Gregor contemplated his developing relationship with Miles, he'd realized that Rowan Durona might give him another perspective to consider.
"I wish to.... thank you, personally, for your role in M... Lord Vorkosigan's recovery." Gregor knew he had little time to talk to her about Miles, what with him showing up any minute. Miles was embarassed enough about Gregor's knowledge of Rowan already; he'd be furious if he walked in on Gregor plying Rowan for helpful hints.
"You are welcome. He was... and is ... absolutely one of the most interesting patients we have had," Rowan replied. Gregor noticed her use of the word "we" -- not a royal "We" but an acknowledgment of the team that surrounded her.
"In what sense?" Gregor asked.
"He was... relentless. More than anyone I'd ever met, especially before his memories cascaded, before he recovered the knowledge of who he was, he worked so hard... We often found ourselves struggling to slow him down mentally until his body was strong enough for the next improvement."
Gregor smiled. This sounded very much like the Miles he knew. "I can't imagine him being any different."
"You know he escaped our facility, not once, but twice?" Rowan asked. "We actually had to move him into my personal quarters so I could keep an eye on him."
"How was that, for you?" Gregor asked.
"Oh, I wanted to strangle him within hours! He was... as I said, relentless. And, ah..." Rowan was blushing slightly, and Gregor was surprised to find himself equally reddening as he realized exactly what she was saying. This woman would miss nothing in his face... He lowered his head for a moment, trying to regain composure, to return to being casually interested.
"His seizures..." Gregor started. This would get them off that topic, though it was what he really wanted to talk about -- just not in the middle of a reception for Rowan and her undoubtedly equally perceptive clones. Hiding in plain sight? This is more like shouting from the rooftops in plain sight, or it's going to be...
After a moment, Rowan replied, "It's an unfortunate occurence, all too common in cryo-revival patients. He's actually much better off than most, though he's proving to be as relentless about getting them cured as he was about everything else."
"Is it possible..." Gregor felt a slight twinge of guilt for prying into Miles' medical condition, but with their lives already becoming so entangled...
"You really do care for him..." Rowan remarked without answering his question, a slight smile on her face. Gregor was fairly sure that Rowan knew exactly why he was paying attention to her... Suddenly there was a noise -- an explosion, somewhere outside the Residence, Gregor immediately realized. Rowan must have caught his alarmed look; she put a hand on his elbow as if to steady him, and maybe, given what was going on in his head, he needed it.
It's... no, it can't be... Miles? Gregor staggered a little, and pulled away from Rowan. "Excuse me" he said, "Please stay calm, please... Miles would want..."
Within moments, General Allegre was at Gregor's side. "Lord Vorkosigan's groundcar was just attacked..." he started.
Gregor could say nothing. Is he dead, just now that we have a chance at each other? The old fears -- new fears, really, though they were driven by Gregor's early losses -- his last memory of his mother, struggling against Vordarian's hold and grabbing for her son, Gregor feeling his shoe slip into her hand as he was pulled away -- were leaping up in his brain... along with an all too familiar rage. Whoever did this...
Gregor started running toward the stairs, with Ivan Vorpatril, Allegre, and several ImpSec agents right behind him. He had to know, now.
Allegre caught up with him first. "Sire! Please, they might have more planned, the Entrance Hall is too vulnerable, please stay back."
Gregor did not care. If Miles was... gone, so would be Gregor. He pushed Allegre out of the way, and continued on.