On a Corridor somewhere on the ship (original) (raw)

*looks up, startled*

*is so tired - having trouble breaking in the new mattress, and has been run ragged doing menial tasks*

*smiles as he realizes who is calling to him*

Hey!

*reaches out to touch him, aware of their very public location, but needing to touch*

*smiles, can't help it*
*notices that Stephen wants to reach out*

Where the blood hell have you been all week?

*flinches back*

Working my ass off trying to redeem myself. You?

Me too...

*looks at him closely and gets silent for a moment*

Did you know that Chris got her baby on Valentine's Day? I've wondered why you hadn't dropped by, you know...

Really? Wow, that's great news. I hadn't heard.

*scuffs the deckplate, feeling a little awkward*

How have you been?

Yeah, her water broke at work...

*gazes at Stephen a little wantonly*

I missed you. Especially on Valentine's Day... Not being able to talk to you, hear only via others or the grapevine on what you're doing and not even finding a message from you in my ship mailbox.

I was busy but I still felt forlorn without you.

*takes the sideways criticism with a small wince*

Sorry..*smiles sadly* Y'know, I didn't even realize the date. I'm sorry.

What's wrong, Stephen? We used to find the time for us.

*steps in a notch closer*

Even when you couldn't speak about any problems you had, I could still find you coming to me despite everything.

*rubs head*

Sorry, I've just been run off my feet...literally. *manages a weak grin* I think orders have been cut to have me run off my feet so I collapse in exhaustion each day and can't make more mischief!

*smiles slightly*

I felt like that lately too...

Or when I was talking to Izzy or the Admiral, I wondered if folks are going on tiptoes.

Speaking of... I didn't know the Admiral knew your first name?

*blanches*

*stalls*

And I didn't know you talked to Admirals

*notices him blanching*

Not in plural but in singular - I met Forrest in the lift and we talked.

So what happened, Stephen?

*shakes head*

Nothing, nothing. *tries to change the topic of conversation*

Is Chris still in sickbay, or has she been moved to quarters? Is she up for visitors?

I don't know if Chris is still in sickbay.

*steps another bit closer; almost touching Stephen now*

What's going on, love?

*feels a little...trapped

Going on? Nothing is going on....*looks at hands* Except this. *waves padd* Must get it done right away, so sorry, have to dash, will look in on Chris later, talk to you soon, bye...

*all but sprints back down the corridor*

*blinks*

What the hell???

*goes after him*

Stephen!

*catches up with him*
For godssake, wait!
*grabs him by the arm*

*slighly annoyed voice*

Dammit, I'm not some no-name crewmember of your staff. I'm your friend, and I'm your fiance. If there's one thing that shouldn't be a problem is *talking* about problems. Not after the last stunt you pulled with me after that cutting incident of yours.

*breathes deeply, trying to get rid of that unexpected anger*
Please?

*feels his skin twitch again, the slow crawl that has been dogging him ever since he saw the Captain step through the hatchway at the party*

It's nothing...really. *forces a faux-bright smile*

But I really do have to dash. Have you eaten? Maybe we could do lunch or dinner or something...

*looks down at the deathgrip that Michael has on him*

Please, let go.

Nothing, huh?

Yeah, we could eat together, or something... but that still won't solve your problem...

I don't believe that nothing has happened.

*glares*

Fine. Something happened. But I can't talk about it. Not with you. Not with anyone!

*wrenches arm free*

You've gotta learn to leave things the hell alone, Michael. For everyone's sake.

*turns and begins to walk away*

*walks after him*

So you don't trust me with your secrets anymore..?

How do I know it won't get you end up in sickbay again..? Or worse... get you killed?

*blocks his way*
*tries to meet his eyes*
*is afraid*

Why don't you trust me with this too?

*sighs*

*leans against the wall - so tired*

I do trust you. *looks him right in the eye* I do. But this is not just my secret, and as such it is not entirely my story to tell.

*straightens*

Trust works in other ways too, Michael. Some days you're gonna just have to trust me when I say its something I can't discuss.

*gestures past him*

Now, if I walk that way, are you going to dive in front again?

Not just your secret, huh? So it's also Forrest's...

*looks at him for a minute or two, not saying anything*

Now, if I walk that way, are you going to dive in front again?

Since you're the wrong place to ask, I guess I have to accept that.

*shrugs*

Whatever, man.

*leaves*