(JP) Lt. Robin Hopper & Ensign Nathan Richards - Dear To Me (Part 2)
Travis St. John
((Some Time Later – Archer Station, Habitat Ring))
By this point, Robin was beginning to fade. The initial wave of terror that had struck her had begun to wane, now that the majority of the beer had left her system – ejected at the strike of midnight onto Nathan’s shirt. The train ride, mercifully smooth thanks to its interior dampeners, had also given her some time to recuperate. The first, and worst, stage of her reaction was beginning to pass and now her body was going into ‘shutdown’ mode. She felt as though she’d just run a marathon… and then vomited.
Nathan helped Robin off of the train, and looked through the crowd of civilians and crew heading home after New Years festivities. He took a deep breath, looking down at Robin.
Richards: I hope this is okay…
Nathan bent down and picked Robin up, one arm on her upper back, the other wrapped just behind her knees. Robin offered no objection, just grateful not to have to use her own two legs to walk, her sense of balance nearly as depleted as her energy reserves. She wrapped an arm around his neck, and rested her head on his shoulder.
Hopper: ::Weakly:: Yes… Thanks…
Nathan moved as carefully as he could through the crowd, making it into the Beijing District fairly easily. Had it been any occasion other than New Years Eve, they might have elicited more dubious stares – and any concerned glances Robin noticed, she answered with a little wave of approval. He climbed the stairs to the front door of Robin’s apartment which opened on their approach.
Richards: Here we are.
Hopper: In there… ::She gestured roughly in the direction of the conversation pit:: Just drop me there. I’ll be okay…
Nathan carried her deeper into her apartment, stepping down into the conversation pit which lit up as the small fireplace came to life in their presence. As he deposited her on one of the couches which lined the room’s recessed sitting area, Robin groaned. Her abdomen ached, her throat felt raw, and her head was still spinning. She imagined how she must look, piled on the couch in a heap in her dress, looking like some tragic beached mermaid.
Richards: Alright, what do I need to do to get you comfortable?
Hopper: Nothing… Just, you can replicate yourself a new shirt and then go back to the party. It’s okay… You can still have fun tonight.
Nathan raised an eyebrow at her. oO She really thinks I’m just going to leave her like this? Oo
Richards: Nah, I think I’ll stay. I don’t think you should be alone right now.
Hopper: Really, I’ll be okay. You’ve done enough for me… I’m sorry I ruined your night… oO Again. Oo It’s a habit I’m trying to break… ::A small, sad chuckle:: Maybe that should be my New Year's Resolution.
Richards: ::Chuckling:: You didn’t ruin anything. I’m sure *someone* at *some point* would have thrown up on me. There was a lot of booze flowing up there. ::smiling:: You just happened to expedite the process.
Hopper: We always did have… Synergy.
Richards: Yes, yes we did. ::Chuckling:: Consider me your ‘caretaker’ for the evening.
She did her best to move into a more comfortable position, resting her head on one of the pillows, but she felt like she was drowning in her dress and could hardly work up the strength to turn on her side.
Hopper: Please, take care of yourself first. ::Looking up at him, bleary-eyed:: Then water. A lot of water…
Richards: ::Looking down at himself:: Yeah, I’ll do that.
Nathan turned and made his way to her replicator, pulling his dirty shirt off and placing it inside the tray to recycle. He picked a simple design for a plain t-shirt. He looked down and decided he would change his pants as well. oO Might as well get comfortable. Oo Once the clothing was replicated, he put in the request for a pitcher of water with a glass. He quickly changed while the replicator lit up and deposited the requested pitcher and glass on the tray.
She watched as he left, tried to shift positions, but couldn’t find one that made her feel any better. There was probably no way for her to be comfortable now – not for some time. She found herself, as many do when they are beside themselves sick, thinking longingly to a simpler time when her mother might have held her and comforted her. She sighed.
Hopper: ::Trying to speak to him in the other room:: I can’t help but think this is a bad omen.
Richards: How do you mean?
He’d come back and she gratefully took the water, using all her remaining strength to pull herself up to a sitting position, and gulping it down. It was about the only thing she could imagine stomaching at this point. She tucked her legs up towards her body, in a sort of sitting fetal position, cradling the glass of water in her arms.
Hopper: ::Holding the glass out, asking for a refill:: How many ‘good years’ start like this? ::Glancing his way with gratitude in her eyes:: Then again, I do feel thankful… You came back at just the right time. For me, anyways. Really bad timing on your part.
Richards: ::Refilling her glass from the pitcher:: I mean, I wouldn’t say it’s all bad. Look at it this way, It can only get better, right? ::Warm smile:: As far as the timing goes… ::Shrugging:: I’m just glad I was there to help.
Nathan set the pitcher down, taking a seat next to Robin.
Hopper: Thank you… For saving me – ::sighing:: – from my own idiocy. I should have been more careful. I was just… Trying to have fun. Trying not to think so much.
Richards: I wouldn’t call it idiocy. ::Smirking:: Recklessness…maybe. But all the same, You’re welcome.
Hopper: I’m glad you came back… I’m glad you’re still here. That you’re staying with me. I can’t imagine what I would have done without you.
She reached out, resting her hand on his cheek, slowly and gently running her hand along his face. Nathan reached up, lightly touching her forearm.
Hopper: I have someone like you looking out for me… Someone I know I can trust… And I guess that’s a pretty good way to start off a new year.
Richards: ::Smiling, shrugging:: What are friends for, afterall?
She shivered slightly, despite the fire. The final stage of her reaction was beginning to set in. A fever, cold sweats, and a feeling like rocks were being rolled about inside her stomach. In truth, she probably wouldn’t feel like herself again for a couple weeks, but at least it would be a slow painful crawl up hill, rather than down, from here.
Hopper: ::Shivering again:: Cold.
Nathan shifted how he was sitting, holding his arms open towards her.
Richards: Come on, bring it in.
As he opened himself to her, she nestled up against him, tucking herself under his arm and resting her head on his knee. She set the glass of water down on the table in front of her, and felt another wave of shivers roll over her. There was a little moment of quiet – the first peaceful moment since she had first started to feel sick – as they both sat there, staring at the flames in the bronze fireplace.
Hopper: Maybe you can stay… A little longer? I’d sleep better knowing you were here.
Richards: ::Nodding:: I’ll stay for as long as you need me. I’ll sleep on the floor if I have to.
Robin felt her eyes trying to shut. Her head felt like it was made of lead. For the first time in what felt like forever she actually felt as though the world were getting more still. The thought of movement seemed like torture.
Hopper: No… Stay here. ::Resting a hand on his chest:: Right here. Please.
Richards: ::Chuckling:: As you wish.
As if almost by instinct, Nathan began to gently run his hand along her upper back from shoulder to shoulder. He looked down at her, seeing her fluttering eyelids, and smiled.
Hopper: ::Eyes closing:: That’s… Nice…
He watched as her eyes closed, listening to her breathing become deep and rhythmic. He moved his hand from her shoulders as he stretched, beginning to feel tired himself. He looked back down at her, hair falling down into her sleeping face. He carefully brushed it back, hooking it behind her ear. He felt himself begin to drift off, warmed by both the small fire, as well as Robin laying next to him. He laid his head back and drifted off to sleep, gently running his hand through her dark brown hair.
END
((OOC — The name of this JP was inspired by the song “Dear To Me” by Electric Guest))
Lieutenant Robin Hopper
Chief Science Officer,
Amity Outpost
V239806K11
&
Ensign Nathan Richards
Engineering Officer
Amity Outpost
A239905NR1