And we're up at this hour because...?

[ltcmdrtomparis]

::props door to Enterprise's obs lounge open with foot, studying padd in hand while waiting for jenay_paris to trail in::

::scratches neck, moving away from door as she moves further into room, trailing that teddy bear::

We can't be here long if we intend to get any sleep at all tonight...

::moves to glance out viewport briefly::

Comments

[ltcmdrtomparis]

And here we go. Thanks, Harry.

::glances down at toddler, scratching chin briefly::

Flotter is...well, he's...blue.

Similar to a rather tall Bolian. With gills. And more shiny.

::reaches over her knees, grabbing padd from where she had let it fall on cushion::

::pulls up actual picture::

There we go.

[jenay_paris]

::stares at image on screen::

Blue Bol'an. Blue Bol'an...

::amuses self, beginning chant::

Flotter's a blue Bol'an...

[lieutenantkim]

::grins at jenay_paris as ltcmdrtomparis slaps a hand over his eyes in agony::

Close enough, I guess.

I've got a whole bunch of the Flotter adventures saved, I'll put them on a padd or two for you.

::slants eyes::

If I can get permission, that is.

[ltcmdrtomparis]

Why not, she isn't likely to let it rest now anyhow...

::pauses::

A whole bunch? And you brought them with you here?

[lieutenantkim]

::flashes defensive look::

I've had them for a long time, Paris.

::shifts, transferring attention to Jenay and her study of the padd::

I got them from Sam before Andrew was born and I still tend to carry them around everywhere-

[ltcmdrtomparis]

Everywhere indeed.

::cocks brow::

But you know, I think Andrew would probably have appreciated the gesture of bringing him with you a little more this time.

::beat::

You haven't made any progress...?

[lieutenantkim]

::shakes head, staring unhappily forward and out viewport::

If I had made any progress, don't you think I would have told you by now?

[ltcmdrtomparis]

I don't really know, you've been doing such a spectacular job of avoiding me lately I guess I just supposed the paperwork got lost in the process.

::shifts slightly, bumping jenay_paris off sofa gently::

::hands her padd again, motioning a few feet away::

Why don't you got sit over there for a few minutes, sprite?

::waits for toddler to drag herself away, finally turning to face best friend::

I think it's time we talked about it.

[lieutenantkim]

I don't want to talk about it.

[ltcmdrtomparis]

::nods::

I see.

But does that serve an actual purpose, or is it childhood rheotoric sneaking back up on you?

I bet you were a positively repressed child, weren't you, Harry?

[lieutenantkim]

My parents insisted I feel free to express whatever was on my mind.

::yanks pillow from behind back, picking at it::

They also insisted that I learn certain moral codes. I don't know that it ever came up directly, but I'm pretty sure not kissing your father-in-law fell under the general ideal.

[ltcmdrtomparis]

Really.

Well, I guess it's lucky that I kissed you then, isn't it?

[lieutenantkim]

::tightens face::

That would have to depend on your definition of luck.

::forces self to relax, looking around::

Look, Tom, I don't think this is a good place to be having this conversation.

[ltcmdrtomparis]

::stares::

::finally shakes head, quirking lips::

Maybe not. But it's also just possible that I don't care any longer. Hell, damn the illusions.

[lieutenantkim]

::returns look::

I wouldn't do that if I were you.

::gestures to toddler on deck short distance away, clearly immersed in show::

A lot of people stand to be hurt if this Tom Paris reverts back to form.

[ltcmdrtomparis]

::snorts again, jerking upright::

Don't sit there and feed me that psychobabble bullsh...

::lowers tones, rubbing a hand across eyes tiredly::

::releases faint sigh, pulling it away and resting palms on knees instead::

I don't know what's going on, Harry, but frankly, it scares me.

And I'd appreciate your help figuring it out.