Coda

[onemorebounty]

*It was over. Phaaze was destroyed, her dark twin was dead (okay, she'd said that before), and if the little med-scanner in her new ship could be believed, the contamination in her body was gone. Certainly, she didn't feel any of the malaise that had accompanied her infestation, nor did she hear the discordant music that had followed her since

Comments

[vicioussweetie]

It's probably a good thing Samus is wearing her armor. After several attempts to contact her through her comm went unanswered, Ali decided she had to make good on her threats. None too soon there's a dot in the sky which resolves itself into Ali's ship, on a course to park as near to Samus as there is room for.

Ali can almost be heard yelling before she's entirely left orbit.

[onemorebounty]

*Ali's arrival startles Samus out of her reverie, but she's on her feet by the time the second ship has finished landing. She raises a hand in greeting when Ali emerges.*

I thought you'd be wrangling Dane a while longer. Welcome to SkyTown.

[vicioussweetie]

"Screw Dane," she growls, her hands curling into fists in an effort to stem her trembling. "Screw the Fleet. Screw the whole fucking galaxy. You were supposed to report directly to the medicos."

[onemorebounty]

*Ah. Right. There was that, wasn't there? She blanches, looking chagrined.*

I was supposed to, yes. I'm sorry. I checked out in the ship's scanner, and I... needed a moment, to collect myself.

[vicioussweetie]

"And we, I, needed to make sure you're not about to go crazy or explode or..." For a moment, there's a hint of why Ali's acting this way: there's scared. "There'll be time to reflect once we're sure you're okay. I'm your CO, remember? I can give you as much time off as you need."

[onemorebounty]

*Samus nods, closing with Ali to slip her armored arms around her lover.*

Right. We needed to make sure; I'm sorry, love. Now, let's get you out of this air, get back in your ship, and we'll go see the medicos.

[vicioussweetie]

Ali does not collapse with relief, much as she might like to, when Samus gives her consent. That would be an unfair burden on Samus, who has already been through enough. Instead she nods, stretching herself so she can kiss Samus' cheek. "Thank you. We can come back for your ship on our way to wherever you want to go on sabbatical."

[onemorebounty]

*Samus turns back only long enough to scoop up her helmet, tucking it under her arm.*

No need. This one comes when I call, after all. I'll just have it follow us up.

[vicioussweetie]

"Okay. Thank you for not making me try and drag you in by the shoulder-pads." Because she would have tried, if Samus had proven reluctant.

"After the medicos are done, I'll have to debrief you. Dane asked, rather politely, to sit in. I told him it'd be okay; I don't want to make things worse between us if I can avoid it."

[onemorebounty]

*The mental image of Ali trying to drag her away by the shoulders startles Samus into a laugh--not the high, half-mad cackle of a monster with a new toy, but a rich sound of unalloyed amusement.*

Mm, yes, I suppose it is best to try not to antagonize him more than necessary. So, debriefing after medical exams, hm? My day to be poked and prodded.

*Her tone is wry, more amused than irritated at the necessities of military procedure.*

Could you make sure I have a comfy chair for debriefing? Standard protocol is a hard little thing meant to keep the person uncomfortable--so it's harder to think of lies, I guess.

[vicioussweetie]

Ali startles at the laugh, but soon relaxes into a smile when it's a proper sort of Samus sound. "I figure you should be finding your appetite right around when the medicos release you, so I thought it could be over dinner. I see no reason to make you suffer any longer then you have to, and you'll be longing for proper food once you're feeling hungry again."

[onemorebounty]

That might be a while. Stims, you know.

*That said, she hustles Ali back into the ship. The air really is a little too caustic for the unprotected to stay out in it for long.*

Did the whole fleet chase me here?

[vicioussweetie]

Ali's happy to get out of the air, truth be told, and slides into the pilot's seat once she sees Samus comfortably settled. "No, just me. Dane has his hands full; the fleet lost about a third of its ships, and...well. I don't think he could spare anyone right now."

[onemorebounty]

A third?

*She sighs, where she's stripping out of her armor in Ali's couch. She's already given her ship orders to follow this one.*

Shards and dust. I finished it as quick as I could...

[vicioussweetie]

"Nobody blames you, Samus," Ali is quick to assure her. "Everyone knows things would have gone much worse if you hadn't been there. But we went after Pirates on their territory, and they knew we were coming. We were lucky to come back with so many of our own."

[onemorebounty]

Yeah... yeah.

*Tell her that enough, and she might start to believe it.*

I have to wonder how many would still be alive if I'd gone alone.