[033]

[oliverplus]

[Oliver is sitting on his bed, still in his orange jumpsuit, and looking rather disoriented--but cheerful]

Well, that was fun. [puts a hand to his head, blinking as if to clear it] Um...out of curiosity, how long has it been? I don't quite remember... [trails off thoughtfully] ...I'm not sure what, actually. But I feel like this wasn't

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[bit_impossible]

[just the voice he was waiting to hear! he's been waiting for a moment outside in the hallway since he awoke in his room--and gave the tardis a big hug before he left--and now he's all smiles.]

Ollie! Yes, we're back on the ship, can I come--no, never mind, I'll just go in. [scans his barcode and throws open Oliver's door.]

You really are back...

[oliverplus]

[smiles are contagious! although he wasn't expecting you to just burst into his room. and back from where? aren't we all back?]

Doctor! That was fast. I see you got back the suit I ruined.

[bit_impossible]

That's twice now! I really shouldn't wear this one around you.

[strides over and gives his friend a bear hug]

[oliverplus]

[laughs and hugs him back] Good to see you so cheerful!

[bit_impossible]

[let's him go and plops down in a nearby chair.] Well, why wouldn't I be? We're off that planet! No more of that blasted pear-flavoured fruit! I have all the tea I can drink again!

And I've got you back. You and everyone else.

[oliverplus]

[grins] But the tea comes first, of course.

So uh...what did I miss? Has it been long?

[bit_impossible]

Tea is a very serious thing.

[his smile fades ever so slightly] You were gone for three days. Just...disappeared into...[he's not quite sure what Oliver disappeared into]...well, whatever it was, you weren't there any longer.

[oliverplus]

Three days...could've been a lot worse, I guess. [tries for a cheerful smile, but it's a little wan; he feels bad for doing that to the Doctor]

I don't really remember what happened... I was searching for the commander, wasn't I? Did we find him?

[bit_impossible]

[he knows how bad it could have been, but doesn't think Ollie needs to be beaten over the head with it just now.]

No. No one did. Except Ganymede's corpse.

[oliverplus]

[blinks] What do you mean? What happened?

[bit_impossible]

Well...that part's a bit hazy... Literally hazy. I'm only speculating that Ganymede's body was still there, but from the look of the final transmission sent out to us, Orion was on the bridge. How he got there and managed to evade all the search parties that had gone into the ship... [shakes his head.]

[oliverplus]

[makes a face] Kinda makes it all feel a little...I don't know, useless, doesn't it?

And here we are again.

[bit_impossible]

Now, now, no existential talks before tea.

We just have to figure out the best way to break the cycle. It's very, very hard to do, but it can be done.

[oliverplus]

And I'm sure you've done it before.

[bit_impossible]

More times than I like to admit, yes...

[oliverplus]

Then there's nothing to worry about!

And I'd offer to make you that tea, but we'd have to move to your room for that. Assuming you have some?