Fic: The Final Frontier (2/3) (Hockey RPS)
Title: The Final Frontier
Authors: Kathie & Ginny yakihngenit
Team: Red Wings with cameos by others
Disclaimer: Seeing as how we're talking about real people in spaceships in the future, this is absolutely not real. No harm is meant, this is supposed to be merely an exercise in entertainment.
Rating: FRAO
Word Count: 21,482
Pairings: Howard/Bertuzzi, Holmstrom/Zetterberg/Datsyuk, Lidstrom/Osgood, Draper/Maltby
Summary: Pirates in space. The crew of the Red Wings have to adjust to missing members, new members and the idea of brainslugs all while continuing in the epic battle to be the best team there is.
Author's Notes: Hockey. Space. Pirates. We decided to see what happens when you combine all of the above.
Part 1
~*~*~
Jimmy slammed his plate onto his tray as he walked through the line in the cafeteria for breakfast. He saw a few people glancing at him, but he ignored them. He didn't care that he was sulking - and he wasn't sulking, he was angry and righteously so.
Bert hadn't spent any time with him since he'd brought that other guy on board.
He'd caught glimpses of the new guy but hadn't talked to him. He was determined to hate him. A small part of him twinged and said it wasn't the new guy's fault, but he was doing his best to ignore it.
The new guy had taken his place, and he hated him for it. It was easy as that.
Food in hand, he chose an an empty table in the corner. The others were smart enough to know to leave him alone.
Apparently, not all of them, he thought when someone coughed and put his own food on the other side of the table he had picked.
"Can I sit here?" a voice asked softly.
He looked up and choked on a groan. Of course it was a new kid. He was still trying to say no when he sat down anyway.
"I don't think we've really met," the kid said with a small smile. Jimmy felt the irrational wish to punch him.
"I'm Drew," the kid pushed on. "I'm ... " he paused and gave a small shrug. "Seems like everyone knows who I am. I'm new."
"I know," Jimmy said and put his food down. He suddenly wasn't feeling very hungry anymore.
"You're not leaving, are you?"
"What?" He glared at Drew. "Leave?"
"The table," Drew clarified, pointing to Jimmy's full plate of food. "You just started."
"I'm not hungry anymore," Jimmy said pointedly.
Drew watched wordlessly as Jimmy stood and stalked out of the room.
His shoulders slumped. He didn't know what he'd done to deserve to be treated like this by the other man.
Over all, the crew had been welcoming, but he was still trying to tread lightly. Bert had mentioned Jimmy and sounded fond of him and Drew couldn't help the innate curiosity about anyone that Bert seemed to genuinely like.
In all the time he'd known the older man, he never had seen him get attached to other people easily. Drew knew that there were things in the other man's past, things Bert didn't talk about and didn't want anyone else to talk about, things he wasn't proud of. To get through Bert's defenses, Jimmy had to be a very special person.
This was why he’d attempted, despite the obvious signs that Jimmy wasn’t in a friendly mood, to try to get to know him a bit. He sighed softly and started eating. He hated having to get used to new crews.
"You know, he usually is not this grumpy," a voice said from behind him, and Abby slid into the spot Jimmy had been in just a moment ago.
"It's just me then?"
Abby shrugged. "I don't know, man, did you do anything to deserve his wrath?" He grinned.
"Didn't leave after Bert kidnapped me and brought me here?" Drew shrugged, but couldn't help but smile back.
"Ouch." Abby laughed. "Yeah, that might do the trick."
Drew gave him a confused look. "What? Oohh," he realized. He lowered his voice and said, "Bert and I ... we're not, I mean I'm not a threat or anything."
"Yeah, but try telling that to Jimmy," Abby said and took a bite of his food. "Actually, if you manage to get a hold of him and make him listen to you, you might stand a chance. He's really not that bad, all together." He grinned again. "For a pirate."
Drew chuckled. "Any suggestion on how to get him to listen to me?"
Abby shrugged. "I don't know, man, but I can talk to him, if you want me to."
Drew thought about it before shaking his head. "Thanks. Not yet. I'll figure something out."
Abby patted his shoulder. "Let me know if you want me to do something."
Drew nodded and gave him a small smile. It was a relief to know that he hadn't made enemies of everyone on the ship.
Now he just needed to find a way to talk to Jimmy, make it clear that he had no intention of taking Bert away from him.
~*~*~
"Jimmy!" Oz called, hurrying after his protégé when he caught sight of him in the halls. "I have a job I need you to do today."
Jimmy nodded and tilted his head to the side curiously. "What do you need me to do?"
"The new kid needs to learn about our defenses," Oz explained, handing Jimmy the stack of computerized notepads he was carrying. "Conference room C should have everything you need in it. At least for now."
"Great," Jimmy muttered. "Can't anyone else do that?"
"No," Oz told him. "Not today and Nick's wants the kid's official training started immediately."
"Of course." Jimmy grabbed the notepads, not caring that he was talking to the Captain's right hand and that his actions could have serious consequences.
"Jimmy!"
"What?" he snarled.
"Be nice."
"Sure." He turned around on his heel and left without waiting for Chris to say anything else.
Chris watched him for a few seconds before moving on to find the next person on his list. It was going to be a busy day.
Jimmy hissed in aggravation and went to find the new kid.
He was halfway down the corridor when he realized he was probably still eating breakfast. A scowl firmly in place, he turned around. Oz was going to owe him big time for this.
He feared that Oz wouldn't see it that way, but he didn't care at that moment.
He stopped just inside the cafeteria door. "New guy," he barked. "You're with me."
There were several amused glances thrown his way, but he ignored them.
The new guy stared at him for a few seconds before standing slowly, which just served to further irritate him.
"Drew," the guy muttered as he walked up to Jimmy.
"Whatever," Jimmy answered. "Right now, you're new guy."
Dr- New Guy, Jimmy thought firmly. He didn't get to have a name yet, looked irritated but didn't say anything else about it. "Where are we going?" he asked.
"Conference room."
Drew started to say something else before closing his mouth, shrugging and falling into step beside Jimmy. He could play things this way too.
There would be an opportunity for him to tell Jimmy that he wasn't trying to steal Bert from him.
"What are we doing?" he asked, trying not to sound tentative.
"We are going to the conference room," Jimmy pressed out between tightly clenched teeth.
Drew's lips thinned slightly but he managed to not snap back.
He kept his mouth shut during the entire time they spent in the conference room, paying attention to what Jimmy was saying and what he needed to know, only nodding occasionally to show that he was paying attention.
It was why when, hours later after he made a snarky reply to a scenario, Jimmy laughed that it caught him off guard. A quick look at the other man showed his surprise as well.
"Anyway," Jimmy hastily said and continued.
Drew didn't react outwardly, but inwardly he cheered it on as a victory. Jimmy didn't hate him as much as he let on.
Maybe there was hope for them.
"I'm not going to sleep with Bert."
As soon as he'd spoken the words, he regretted it. But it was too late, they were out there and all he could do was wait for Jimmy's reaction.
Jimmy stared at him, his mouth still open.
"If you were wondering," Drew said awkwardly. "I'm not. We're not. Look, it just isn't going to happen, okay?"
Jimmy closed his mouth audibly. "Okay?" he said.
Drew didn't say anything for a few seconds. "What's next?"
Jimmy glanced down. "More defensive maneuvers, or lunch, if you want," he said.
"Lunch," he decided.
"Okay." Jimmy rose and stretched. "I'll see you here in an hour, then, for the rest of this."
"Are you meeting someone for lunch?"
Jimmy frowned again. "No."
"We could continue this over lunch," Drew suggested. "Save us some time this afternoon."
Jimmy hesitated, but finally he nodded. The sooner they were through, he thought, the sooner he would be rid of Drew.
He refused to admit that the morning had gone better than he'd expected.
Drew wasn't the monster he'd thought him to be - unless, Jimmy thought, he was lying and his intentions were more sinister than he was admitting to. And why not? Drew Miller was a pirate; had been born into a family of pirates; and most likely would be a pirate for the rest of his life.
If it was one thing a pirate knew, it was that you didn't trust another pirate until they'd showed you that you could - usually by doing something like save your life or the ship.
So far, Drew hadn't done either, which meant that he couldn't be trusted. And that meant, in turn, that Jimmy wasn't going to trust him.
Even if he didn't hate him quite as much as he wanted to.
In the end, he gave in and went to the cafeteria with Drew - only to keep an eye on him, he told himself, and not because he wanted to.
Because he absolutely did not want to spend any time at all with the new guy unless he had to. None.
And nobody, not even Nick and Oz and Bert combined, could force him.
If he saw Drew looking at him, he ignored it. He had a job to do. Once it was done, he wouldn't have to see the new kid hardly at all.
Despite his thoughts, lunch wasn't that horrible at all, until Bert dropped into the free chair at their table.
Jimmy couldn't help the pang of hurt. "What do you want?" he asked accusingly.
"I just wanted to see how things are going," Bert answered calmly.
"Ask him," Jimmy stated, nodding towards Drew.
Bert smiled. "How did you know I wanted to ask him?" he asked and reached for Jimmy's hand.
Jimmy pulled his hand away. "Because I know you and you know him."
Bert frowned. "I don't see where the problem is," he admitted.
"What problem?" Jimmy asked innocently.
"Your problem," Bert said, slowly growing irritated.
"I don't have a problem."
"Then tell me what is going on with you," Bert said, his voice quiet but sharp. "Tell me why you keep snapping at me."
'I don't know what you mean."
"Really, Jimmy?" Bert asked and leaned back. "Playing dumb now too?"
Jimmy just stared evenly at him.
"I don't know what the fuck is up with you," Bert said and pushed his chair slightly back. "What about you, Drew, are you settling in all right?"
"Sure," Drew answered with a shrug. "They're nice enough people."
Jimmy pushed his chair back. Its legs scraped over the floor with an almost painful screech, but Jimmy didn't pay attention as he left the room without a glance back at them.
Bert watched him leave. "And Jimmy?"
"What about him?" Drew asked back while still staring at the doors that had closed behind Jimmy, as well.
Bert sat in the abandoned chair. "I'm sorry, okay," he muttered, looking like it hurt. "I didn't think he'd react that way."
Drew moved his shoulders. "Maybe you should go after him now?" he suggested. "Convince him you're serious about him?"
"And maybe he shouldn't have reacted like a child by running away."
Drew rolled his eyes slightly. "You're kinda dense, aren't you?" he asked. "He thinks you're replacing him with me."
"I know he thinks that," Bert said irritably. "If he'd stop and think for a second, he'd realize that he's been ridiculous."
"You haven't given him reason to stop and think for a second," Drew pointed out.
Bert huffed softly, feeling annoyed. "I should have known better than to get involved with another kid," he muttered but stood up and went to go after Jimmy.
Drew shook his head amusedly and finished his lunch, taking his time. He figured that Bert and Jimmy needed the time together.
"Jimmy." Bert waited until he had almost caught up with the younger man before saying his name.
"What?" Jimmy asked back. He didn't sound angry, Bert thought - he only sounded sad and tired.
Bert put his hand above Jimmy's elbow, causing him to stop. "We need to talk."
Jimmy bit his lip. "Are you breaking up with me?"
"No!" Bert said in exasperation. "And if you would have stopped running from me, I would have told you that."
Jimmy looked at him confusedly. "But...why did you bring him here, then?"
"Because he's a good kid that deserves to be on a good ship," Bert answered, forcing himself to be patient. "I think he can add a lot to our crew."
When Jimmy didn't reply, he used his grip to pull him close, into a hug. "I'm not replacing you, you idiot," he growled quietly. "Okay?"
Jimmy nodded, suddenly feeling sheepish.
Bert sighed and held him close for a long moment.
"This means I should be nice to him, huh?"
"Nicer, for sure," Bert requested.
"Abby said he's a good kid," Jimmy admitted. "Eaves too."
"They're right. You should give him a chance. And stop by my place later."
Jimmy nodded. "'Kay."
"You'll stop by later?"
"Yeah," he promised. "After my shift."
"Good." Bert smiled. "Looking forward to seeing you there."
Jimmy nodded and gave him a small smile. After he was gone, he sighed softly. He should apologize to Drew too, he knew.
Speaking of him - Jimmy bit back a curse as he realized how much time had passed.
He hurried toward the conference room. "Sorry," he apologized as he walked in the door.
"No problem," Drew said and leaned back in his chair. "Did you and Bert talk?"
"Yeah. And I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been such an ass to you."
"No, you shouldn't." Drew shook his head. "But I understand. Bert can be pretty ...stupid sometimes."
Jimmy laughed, a sharp, short bark of amusement. "Sometimes yeah. You're telling me some things haven't changed?"
Drew shrugged. "Looks like it," he said carefully.
Jimmy stared at him for a few seconds before asking, "Were you and Bert involved before? I swear I won't throw you out an airlock if you say yes."
Drew shrugged. "To say we were involved is probably an exaggeration," he replied.
"How?" he asked curiously.
"I think I was just his stress relief," Drew said. "I'm glad he has someone he cares for now."
Jimmy half-shrugged, not sure what to really say.
"He's a good guy, when he's not off doing something stupid," Drew added. "Should we go back to those defensive maneuvers? I think I got it now."
"Yeah," Jimmy confirmed, relieved to have the topic diverted. He pulled up the last thing they'd looked at. "What do you remember?"
"I remember - " Drew frowned slightly, but then he started to tell Jimmy what they had already talked about, and although Jimmy had to correct him every now and then, he had managed to remember a big part of the information he had been given.
An hour later, Jimmy put the last computer pad down. "That's all of them," he said, sounding impressed. "I think you remember more than some of the kids who've been here a few years."
Drew laughed. "Remember, I've been doing this all my life," he said.
"In theory, so have they," Jimmy answered, but he was smiling too.
"Well, with my family, it's always helpful if you can remember this kind of thing," Drew grinned. "What about you? What turned you into a pirate?"
"Always wanted to be one," Jimmy admitted with a casual shrug. "Some of my earliest memories are of telling my parents I wanted to be a pirate when I grew up. They laughed but they've always supported me."
"They never were pirates?"
"Nope. First one in my family."
"Must be cool, not to be in the shadow of someone all the time," Drew grinned.
"Hey," Jimmy protested laughingly. "Not all of us have compared you to your brother." He paused before smirking. "To your face."
Drew laughed too. "My brother, my cousins..." he shook his head amusedly. "Seriously, if anyone ever wanted to arrest a nest of pirates, my family would be a great way to start."
"I'll keep that in mind next time I'm trying to barter my way to freedom," Jimmy said but made sure Drew knew he was just joking.
Drew grinned. "Stick with me, I'll keep you safe," he teased.
"Will you?" he laughed.
"Oh, absolutely," Drew replied. He looked serious suddenly. "I mean, I'd never abandon a teammate. Not voluntarily, if I can help it."
"If you were that kind of person, Nick never would have let you stay."
Drew smiled again. "See, there you go, you're safe with me too."
"Yeah. You are too ... I mean, you're safe with me."
"Great," Drew said. "You keep me safe, and I keep you safe, and all is well with us?"
"Yep."
They grinned, at peace with each other for the first time since Drew had come on board.
It was almost enough to make Jimmy see why Bert had brought him on board.
Almost.
Still, he wasn't going to let Bert off the hook that easily. He smirked as he finished gathering their supplies from the day. It wouldn't hurt Bert to worry that he'd gone too far for once.
~*+*~
Chris looked up as Homer slipped in the free seat next to him. "Hey."
"Hey." Homer shifted slightly and stared at the computer screen in front of them. It showed the schematics of several trade routes; trade routes Chris was more than familiar with. "How are you holding up, Ozzie?"
"Fine," he answered, twisting to try to unkink his back before settling back down. "How about you?"
"I'm good...almost." Homer shrugged. The truth was that he hadn't seen Pavel in days, and while he was relatively sure that the other man couldn't have disappeared from the ship, it was still bothering him. "How's Nick?"
"Working too much and too caught up in things he couldn't change," Chris said honestly with a frown.
"For sure, sounds like Nick." Homer sighed. "What are we going to do about him?"
"I'd say wait him out, but it's Nick, I think he could outwait suns going supernova."
"Yeah." Homer shook his head. "We need to do something."
"Other than trapping him in a corner and torturing him until he talks?" Chris asked with a hint of a smile.
"We have a corner?"
"We'll find one somewhere? It's probably where Pavs is hiding."
Homer chuckled. "You noticed that, huh?"
"Kind of hard to miss when you and Hank both look like someone kicked your puppy," Chris said. "What happened?"
Homer shrugged. "We had..." he trailed off. It hadn't been a fight, he thought, "...a misunderstanding."
"And now he's being stubborn?"
Homer shrugged. "I tell you when I see him."
Chris laughed and then sighed. "I'll talk to Pavs for you if you talk to Nick?"
Homer thought for a moment. "Deal," he finally said. "But for sure, if Nick hurts me, I'll blame you."
"You're his best friend, he won't hurt you," Chris said confidently. "Just give me a few minutes warning if you do blame me though."
Homer laughed. "Maybe I will," he said. "You'll see."
"Now I'm worried," Chris teased. He was silent for a few moments before saying, "We've been doing this a long time."
"Yes." Homer gave him a smile. "A very long time. You, Drapes, Nicky, me..."
"Do you ever think about stopping?"
Homer tilted his head to the side as he thought. "Not really - not as long as I still can do this job," he then said slowly. "Are you?"
"No," he said quickly. And then shook his head. "I hadn't been until I talked to Drapes. I'm still not I'm just ... thinking," he floundered slightly as he tried to figure out how to explain what he'd been thinking.
Homer waited patiently. "What are you thinking?" he finally asked, his voice gentle.
"I love it here. This place is different, you know?" he asked and Homer nodded. Chris didn't regret the couple of years when he'd spent most of his time on other ships finding out how things worked there and helping train some of their other young guys - he was still sorry that DiPietro's injuries had sidelined him so early into a promising career. "Suddenly there aren't as many of us left. How do you know when it's time to stop?"
"You just know," Homer said, deeply convicted of his own words. "When you don't like what you're doing anymore, when it's not fun anymore, then it's time to stop."
"Makes sense," Chris murmured.
Homer looked at him calmly. "Are you feeling like that, Chris?" he asked.
"I'm not," he denied before hanging his head. "I think Drapes is."
Homer hummed softly. "I think Drapes misses Malts, for sure," he said thoughtfully. "But he's not ready to go yet."
"I hope not," Chris said, but he worried that Drapes would decide he missed Malts too much.
Homer laughed. "For sure, the kids look up so much to him, he would miss that," he said.
"He's good with them."
"They love him, and he loves them back. Trust me, Chris, he's not ready to go yet."
Chris nodded. "I believe you."
"You better." Homer reached out and squeezed his shoulder. "Okay, if you find me Pavs before tonight, I even won't blame you if Nick hurts me."
"Then I'd better get looking."
Chris stood, and Homer craned his head to stare after him as he left.
Something, he thought, was wrong with his friend, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.
He'd worry about it after he talked to Nick if things didn't get better soon.
One problem at a time, he told himself. First, he would talk to Nick, then he would try to get Pavs to see reason and then - then he could worry about Oz. Or Drapes. Or both of them.
Trying to do too much at once never ended well. That decided, he stood and headed for the door. He knew right where to find Nick.
~*++*~
"Are you busy?"
Nick looked up from the screen in front of him with a frown. "Not really," he admitted, "just doing some research."
"What are you researching?" Homer stepped around the edge of Nick's desk and leaned against it. "Brainslugs? For sure, Nicky, I thought you were against those."
"I think I was wrong about that," Nick said.
Homer sighed. "You sure?"
Nick's jaw clenched. "It's been pointed out that my close-mindedness is what caused Mike's injury."
"By who?"
"By him. He only confirmed what I'd been thinking."
"Nick, did you hit your head?" Homer asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
Nick finally looked up from what he'd been reading, eyes full of irritation. "What do you want, Tomas?"
"For sure, I want to know if someone sucked your brain out," Homer said.
"Something I'd worried about," Nick muttered. He pushed the screen toward Homer. "What do you think?"
Homer didn't even look at the screen. His hand shot out and curled around the back of Nick's skull. Holding him, he forced Nick's head to the side, to check along his hairline for marks.
"Homer! Tomas!" Nick protested, trying to pull away.
Homer brushed his thumb carefully along Nick's neck and throat. "Sorry," he said without loosening his grip, "Have to make sure that you didn't catch any brain-eating parasites!"
"I didn't," he said firmly. "Haven't you told me too that brainslugs would be a good idea?"
"This isn't like you," Homer argued.
"I've always listened to you people have suggestions," Nick insisted.
"Reasonable suggestions," Homer said and finally released his grip on Nick's hair. "Rational, reasonable suggestions, not influenced by...whatever it is that's influencing you right now!"
Nick pushed himself away from Homer. "This is rational," he snapped. "For years, all of you have asked me about brainslugs. Hank, Pavel, Kronner, Chris, you. I refused to listen because I was afraid of consequences that aren't true anymore. And that cost us."
"Nicky," Homer said slowly. "Are you even listening to yourself?"
"Yes. Every crew out there that can afford them has upgraded to brainslugs. If we were to poll the crew, what do you think it would tell me?"
"They would tell you that you're making a stupid decision right now," Homer replied. "And you know it."
"Why? Because I'm finally willing to admit I might be wrong about something?"
"Because you are letting your feelings tell you what to do, and not your brain."
Nick sighed deeply. "Believe it or not, but it's something that I have considered before," he said, voice quiet. "This might be the push I needed."
"But is it a push in the right direction?"
"You've argued for brainslugs before. If the right ones are chosen."
Homer frowned unhappily. Nick was right, but that didn't mean that Homer had to like it.
"You're really going to tell me you're not interested in brainslugs anymore?"
"No."
"Then why are we arguing about this?"
"Because you're normally smarter than this," Homer said quietly.
"How am I not being smart?"
"You're doing this for not the right reasons," Homer told him and reached out again. Nick flinched slightly, but he didn't try to fight the other man off as he was pulled into a tight hug.
"What if next time it's you? Or Oz?" Nick asked, voice soft.
"Then...Nick, we'll deal with that if it happens. Which it won't."
"Because it's easy to fix," Nick said, turning once more to the computer screen. "The new brainslugs have years of research behind them proving that they're incorruptible."
Homer slowly released his grip on him. "Still, please be careful," he said. "Talk to someone about it and listen to them. Please?"
Nick waved a hand toward the other chair next to his desk. "Want to talk?"
"If it helps, for sure." Homer sat down and leaned onto his elbows. "So...you want brainslugs."
"I think the crew does and it might be good for us."
"I think the crew follows your example no matter what - if you say they are bad, nobody hates you for it."
Nick's eyes narrowed slightly in frustration. "I get that. But there has been a lot of new development in brainslug tech over the last years. I can't simply say no if I don't know what the options out there are."
"Okay." Homer shrugged. "Let's find out what options there are."
Nick showed him the data on three different types. "This is what I've narrowed them down to."
Homer frowned as he slowly read through the information. "There are still some risks," he said.
Nick nodded, looking grim. "Less than there were. What I need to know is if the rewards outweigh them."
"I don't think so," Homer muttered. "They didn't last week, why should they now?"
Nick handed Homer the list of things brainslugs brought with them. "Last week you mentioned that they'd be useful," he pointed out. "If they're something that most other ships use then I can't dismiss them because I don't like them."
Homer sighed, but he didn't say anything else about that topic. He could see that Nick had made his mind up, and arguing wouldn't change it now.
"Would you put one in your head?"
"Would you?"
Homer shrugged. "I don't know," he said honestly. "I'd have to think about it."
Nick sighed. "You didn't come here because of this," he then said.
"Maybe I did," Homer said. "For sure, Nicky, you haven't been yourself."
Nick managed a small smile. "How do you figure that?"
"Besides the conversation we just had?"
"Which you didn't know about yet when you came here," Nick pointed out.
"I've seen you the last few days," he said. "And I talked to Ozzie."
Nick narrowed his eyes slightly. "So? What did you two say, talking about me?"
"That you're working too hard. You're too caught up in things you can't change."
"What are you suggesting I do?" Nick asked and leaned his head back against his chair.
Homer shrugged. "For sure, we're pirates. We steal things. Let's steal something to cheer you up."
Despite himself, Nick laughed softly. He sat back in his chair and asked, "Any suggestions?"
Homer grinned widely. "For sure," he said. "Okay, listen to this - we should go to the western planets of the Canadian space empire and see what they have to offer. Last time we went there, for sure, we lost some but we also won a lot of things, gems, coffee, money, everything. We should try for that again."
Nick was silent as he thought about it for a minute. "It's a long trip to get there," he said slowly, which was true, but it was always an adventure they enjoyed. "Okay. Inform the crew that we'll leave for there tomorrow."
"Aye, Cap," Homer grinned. He stood and reached out impulsively to close his hand around Nick's upper arm, squeezing briefly before he turned to leave.
"Homer?"
Homer turned back questioningly.
"Thanks."
"For sure, you're welcome," he replied before leaving.
He had held up his part of the bargain, he thought as he slowly made his way to the quarters he shared with Hank and Pav. Now it was Chris' turn to find Pavel for him.
The ship was big, but it still wasn't big enough to keep a grown man hidden infinitely, he thought. There weren't that many hiding places he could think of, at least none that were big enough to hide a grown person, no matter what planet they were from. And yet, Pavel had managed to find such a hiding place - but then, he was sneaky like that.
He just had to hope that Oz was sneakier.
~*~*~
"You can stay there all night," Chris said into the dark room he was sitting in. "But I can wait you out."
It had been a coincidence that he'd found Pavel's hiding place, but he was thankful for it now. If they were preparing for the long trip to the outer colonies, they needed all hands on deck, or they would suffer some pretty bad losses on this trip, and they all needed to be in top condition. They couldn't afford being distracted by personal problems, like Pavel seemed to be right now.
There were another few minutes of silence and then a soft ruffle of clothing. "I here," Pavel said, almost reluctantly as he moved into the chair next to Chris.
"I know," Chris said. "But what I don't know is why you're hiding here. Why aren't you with Hank and Homer, Pavs?"
"Can't," Pavel said miserably. "They can't know."
"What can't they know?" Chris asked gently. This, he realized, was dangerous territory, and he had to be careful.
"It secret," Pavel whispered. "If they know, they reject me."
"You've been sharing quarters with them for years now," Chris pointed out. "It's hard to believe that there is anything you don't know about each other."
"They not know this."
Chris was silent for a long moment. It had to be something really big if Pavel had managed to keep it a secret for so long.
"What do you want to do about it now?" he asked.
"I not know. I ..." he sighed hard and hesitated a while longer. "Hank and Homer the best."
"They love you. They also miss you pretty fiercely, you know." Chris tilted his head to the side. "Whatever it is you're not telling them, I'm sure they would still love you," he pointed out gently.
"Maybe," Pavel whispered. "Or they be mad I not say anything before."
"Not if you explain to them why you haven't," Chris answered.
Pavel shifted uncomfortably. "I can't."
"Why not?"
"Secret. No one know."
Chris sighed. "Well, no matter what you decide," he said quietly, "you'll have to do it now - we're having a job to do, and I need you to do yours."
Pavel nodded. "I try. Ozzie? What if they hate me?"
"What if they already know and you've worried for nothing?"
Pavel was silent for a long moment. "That impossible," he finally said. "They can't know."
"Are you sure?"
"Very sure."
Chris shrugged. "You might be right. Just be sure that they love you and will do their best to understand."
Pavel sighed.
"Anything else you want to talk about?"
"No. Tell me more about new job."
Chris laid down the basic idea behind what they were doing; just what he'd learned in the brief minute he'd talked with Homer before he finally found Pavs.
Pavel nodded. It was barely visible in the darkness of the room, and not for the first time, Chris wondered why there weren't any lights installed in this particular cargo bay, or if someone had uninstalled them.
"Is tricky," Pavel finally said. "They have good team. Young, quick team."
"But we have experience," Chris said. "I think that should be enough to beat them."
"Young have fast legs, can catch us," Pavel pointed out. "We have injuries. Mike out with wrist. Who replace him?"
"For right now, no one," Chris said. "Jimmy thinks Drew can handle things and Bert agrees."
Pavel nodded again. "When we arrive?"
"Two days."
"Two days," Pavel repeated quietly. Two days would give him enough time to prepare, and maybe it was also enough to build up his courage and face Homer and Hank.
And if it wasn't - he could always leave the ship at one of the colonies and find a transport back to the central planets, to find a new crew there.
"We need you here," Chris said as if he could read Pavel's mind. "You're one of the best we have."
Pavel sighed. "I not leave," he promised. "Please not tell anyone you find me here?"
"You'll have to face them eventually," Chris said. "But I won't tell them where you hide. Promise."
"Thanks, Chris."
Chris felt the air move around him as Pavel stood. He didn't hear a single footfall as the other man left, but there was no doubt that he was alone now.
He closed his eyes and sat back in the chair. Keeping things running smoothly was a tiring business.
It wasn't just the crew he had to keep an eye on. Their ship was old enough that sometimes, they had to buy spare parts and fix broken pieces while on the run, and while he was sure that they had one of the best crews of engineers, he still worried about the ship he had called home for almost his entire adult life until now.
With that thought in mind, he gripped the sides of the chair and pushed himself up. He should check on a few things in the engine room, and some other departments, before heading back to his quarters.
He sighed. Hopefully, Nick would wait for him there - he missed having the other man in his bunk and close to him.
Things just weren't the same when things got busy and kept them from spending as much time as usual together.
To be Concluded
Authors: Kathie & Ginny yakihngenit
Team: Red Wings with cameos by others
Disclaimer: Seeing as how we're talking about real people in spaceships in the future, this is absolutely not real. No harm is meant, this is supposed to be merely an exercise in entertainment.
Rating: FRAO
Word Count: 21,482
Pairings: Howard/Bertuzzi, Holmstrom/Zetterberg/Datsyuk, Lidstrom/Osgood, Draper/Maltby
Summary: Pirates in space. The crew of the Red Wings have to adjust to missing members, new members and the idea of brainslugs all while continuing in the epic battle to be the best team there is.
Author's Notes: Hockey. Space. Pirates. We decided to see what happens when you combine all of the above.
Part 1
~*~*~
Jimmy slammed his plate onto his tray as he walked through the line in the cafeteria for breakfast. He saw a few people glancing at him, but he ignored them. He didn't care that he was sulking - and he wasn't sulking, he was angry and righteously so.
Bert hadn't spent any time with him since he'd brought that other guy on board.
He'd caught glimpses of the new guy but hadn't talked to him. He was determined to hate him. A small part of him twinged and said it wasn't the new guy's fault, but he was doing his best to ignore it.
The new guy had taken his place, and he hated him for it. It was easy as that.
Food in hand, he chose an an empty table in the corner. The others were smart enough to know to leave him alone.
Apparently, not all of them, he thought when someone coughed and put his own food on the other side of the table he had picked.
"Can I sit here?" a voice asked softly.
He looked up and choked on a groan. Of course it was a new kid. He was still trying to say no when he sat down anyway.
"I don't think we've really met," the kid said with a small smile. Jimmy felt the irrational wish to punch him.
"I'm Drew," the kid pushed on. "I'm ... " he paused and gave a small shrug. "Seems like everyone knows who I am. I'm new."
"I know," Jimmy said and put his food down. He suddenly wasn't feeling very hungry anymore.
"You're not leaving, are you?"
"What?" He glared at Drew. "Leave?"
"The table," Drew clarified, pointing to Jimmy's full plate of food. "You just started."
"I'm not hungry anymore," Jimmy said pointedly.
Drew watched wordlessly as Jimmy stood and stalked out of the room.
His shoulders slumped. He didn't know what he'd done to deserve to be treated like this by the other man.
Over all, the crew had been welcoming, but he was still trying to tread lightly. Bert had mentioned Jimmy and sounded fond of him and Drew couldn't help the innate curiosity about anyone that Bert seemed to genuinely like.
In all the time he'd known the older man, he never had seen him get attached to other people easily. Drew knew that there were things in the other man's past, things Bert didn't talk about and didn't want anyone else to talk about, things he wasn't proud of. To get through Bert's defenses, Jimmy had to be a very special person.
This was why he’d attempted, despite the obvious signs that Jimmy wasn’t in a friendly mood, to try to get to know him a bit. He sighed softly and started eating. He hated having to get used to new crews.
"You know, he usually is not this grumpy," a voice said from behind him, and Abby slid into the spot Jimmy had been in just a moment ago.
"It's just me then?"
Abby shrugged. "I don't know, man, did you do anything to deserve his wrath?" He grinned.
"Didn't leave after Bert kidnapped me and brought me here?" Drew shrugged, but couldn't help but smile back.
"Ouch." Abby laughed. "Yeah, that might do the trick."
Drew gave him a confused look. "What? Oohh," he realized. He lowered his voice and said, "Bert and I ... we're not, I mean I'm not a threat or anything."
"Yeah, but try telling that to Jimmy," Abby said and took a bite of his food. "Actually, if you manage to get a hold of him and make him listen to you, you might stand a chance. He's really not that bad, all together." He grinned again. "For a pirate."
Drew chuckled. "Any suggestion on how to get him to listen to me?"
Abby shrugged. "I don't know, man, but I can talk to him, if you want me to."
Drew thought about it before shaking his head. "Thanks. Not yet. I'll figure something out."
Abby patted his shoulder. "Let me know if you want me to do something."
Drew nodded and gave him a small smile. It was a relief to know that he hadn't made enemies of everyone on the ship.
Now he just needed to find a way to talk to Jimmy, make it clear that he had no intention of taking Bert away from him.
~*~*~
"Jimmy!" Oz called, hurrying after his protégé when he caught sight of him in the halls. "I have a job I need you to do today."
Jimmy nodded and tilted his head to the side curiously. "What do you need me to do?"
"The new kid needs to learn about our defenses," Oz explained, handing Jimmy the stack of computerized notepads he was carrying. "Conference room C should have everything you need in it. At least for now."
"Great," Jimmy muttered. "Can't anyone else do that?"
"No," Oz told him. "Not today and Nick's wants the kid's official training started immediately."
"Of course." Jimmy grabbed the notepads, not caring that he was talking to the Captain's right hand and that his actions could have serious consequences.
"Jimmy!"
"What?" he snarled.
"Be nice."
"Sure." He turned around on his heel and left without waiting for Chris to say anything else.
Chris watched him for a few seconds before moving on to find the next person on his list. It was going to be a busy day.
Jimmy hissed in aggravation and went to find the new kid.
He was halfway down the corridor when he realized he was probably still eating breakfast. A scowl firmly in place, he turned around. Oz was going to owe him big time for this.
He feared that Oz wouldn't see it that way, but he didn't care at that moment.
He stopped just inside the cafeteria door. "New guy," he barked. "You're with me."
There were several amused glances thrown his way, but he ignored them.
The new guy stared at him for a few seconds before standing slowly, which just served to further irritate him.
"Drew," the guy muttered as he walked up to Jimmy.
"Whatever," Jimmy answered. "Right now, you're new guy."
Dr- New Guy, Jimmy thought firmly. He didn't get to have a name yet, looked irritated but didn't say anything else about it. "Where are we going?" he asked.
"Conference room."
Drew started to say something else before closing his mouth, shrugging and falling into step beside Jimmy. He could play things this way too.
There would be an opportunity for him to tell Jimmy that he wasn't trying to steal Bert from him.
"What are we doing?" he asked, trying not to sound tentative.
"We are going to the conference room," Jimmy pressed out between tightly clenched teeth.
Drew's lips thinned slightly but he managed to not snap back.
He kept his mouth shut during the entire time they spent in the conference room, paying attention to what Jimmy was saying and what he needed to know, only nodding occasionally to show that he was paying attention.
It was why when, hours later after he made a snarky reply to a scenario, Jimmy laughed that it caught him off guard. A quick look at the other man showed his surprise as well.
"Anyway," Jimmy hastily said and continued.
Drew didn't react outwardly, but inwardly he cheered it on as a victory. Jimmy didn't hate him as much as he let on.
Maybe there was hope for them.
"I'm not going to sleep with Bert."
As soon as he'd spoken the words, he regretted it. But it was too late, they were out there and all he could do was wait for Jimmy's reaction.
Jimmy stared at him, his mouth still open.
"If you were wondering," Drew said awkwardly. "I'm not. We're not. Look, it just isn't going to happen, okay?"
Jimmy closed his mouth audibly. "Okay?" he said.
Drew didn't say anything for a few seconds. "What's next?"
Jimmy glanced down. "More defensive maneuvers, or lunch, if you want," he said.
"Lunch," he decided.
"Okay." Jimmy rose and stretched. "I'll see you here in an hour, then, for the rest of this."
"Are you meeting someone for lunch?"
Jimmy frowned again. "No."
"We could continue this over lunch," Drew suggested. "Save us some time this afternoon."
Jimmy hesitated, but finally he nodded. The sooner they were through, he thought, the sooner he would be rid of Drew.
He refused to admit that the morning had gone better than he'd expected.
Drew wasn't the monster he'd thought him to be - unless, Jimmy thought, he was lying and his intentions were more sinister than he was admitting to. And why not? Drew Miller was a pirate; had been born into a family of pirates; and most likely would be a pirate for the rest of his life.
If it was one thing a pirate knew, it was that you didn't trust another pirate until they'd showed you that you could - usually by doing something like save your life or the ship.
So far, Drew hadn't done either, which meant that he couldn't be trusted. And that meant, in turn, that Jimmy wasn't going to trust him.
Even if he didn't hate him quite as much as he wanted to.
In the end, he gave in and went to the cafeteria with Drew - only to keep an eye on him, he told himself, and not because he wanted to.
Because he absolutely did not want to spend any time at all with the new guy unless he had to. None.
And nobody, not even Nick and Oz and Bert combined, could force him.
If he saw Drew looking at him, he ignored it. He had a job to do. Once it was done, he wouldn't have to see the new kid hardly at all.
Despite his thoughts, lunch wasn't that horrible at all, until Bert dropped into the free chair at their table.
Jimmy couldn't help the pang of hurt. "What do you want?" he asked accusingly.
"I just wanted to see how things are going," Bert answered calmly.
"Ask him," Jimmy stated, nodding towards Drew.
Bert smiled. "How did you know I wanted to ask him?" he asked and reached for Jimmy's hand.
Jimmy pulled his hand away. "Because I know you and you know him."
Bert frowned. "I don't see where the problem is," he admitted.
"What problem?" Jimmy asked innocently.
"Your problem," Bert said, slowly growing irritated.
"I don't have a problem."
"Then tell me what is going on with you," Bert said, his voice quiet but sharp. "Tell me why you keep snapping at me."
'I don't know what you mean."
"Really, Jimmy?" Bert asked and leaned back. "Playing dumb now too?"
Jimmy just stared evenly at him.
"I don't know what the fuck is up with you," Bert said and pushed his chair slightly back. "What about you, Drew, are you settling in all right?"
"Sure," Drew answered with a shrug. "They're nice enough people."
Jimmy pushed his chair back. Its legs scraped over the floor with an almost painful screech, but Jimmy didn't pay attention as he left the room without a glance back at them.
Bert watched him leave. "And Jimmy?"
"What about him?" Drew asked back while still staring at the doors that had closed behind Jimmy, as well.
Bert sat in the abandoned chair. "I'm sorry, okay," he muttered, looking like it hurt. "I didn't think he'd react that way."
Drew moved his shoulders. "Maybe you should go after him now?" he suggested. "Convince him you're serious about him?"
"And maybe he shouldn't have reacted like a child by running away."
Drew rolled his eyes slightly. "You're kinda dense, aren't you?" he asked. "He thinks you're replacing him with me."
"I know he thinks that," Bert said irritably. "If he'd stop and think for a second, he'd realize that he's been ridiculous."
"You haven't given him reason to stop and think for a second," Drew pointed out.
Bert huffed softly, feeling annoyed. "I should have known better than to get involved with another kid," he muttered but stood up and went to go after Jimmy.
Drew shook his head amusedly and finished his lunch, taking his time. He figured that Bert and Jimmy needed the time together.
"Jimmy." Bert waited until he had almost caught up with the younger man before saying his name.
"What?" Jimmy asked back. He didn't sound angry, Bert thought - he only sounded sad and tired.
Bert put his hand above Jimmy's elbow, causing him to stop. "We need to talk."
Jimmy bit his lip. "Are you breaking up with me?"
"No!" Bert said in exasperation. "And if you would have stopped running from me, I would have told you that."
Jimmy looked at him confusedly. "But...why did you bring him here, then?"
"Because he's a good kid that deserves to be on a good ship," Bert answered, forcing himself to be patient. "I think he can add a lot to our crew."
When Jimmy didn't reply, he used his grip to pull him close, into a hug. "I'm not replacing you, you idiot," he growled quietly. "Okay?"
Jimmy nodded, suddenly feeling sheepish.
Bert sighed and held him close for a long moment.
"This means I should be nice to him, huh?"
"Nicer, for sure," Bert requested.
"Abby said he's a good kid," Jimmy admitted. "Eaves too."
"They're right. You should give him a chance. And stop by my place later."
Jimmy nodded. "'Kay."
"You'll stop by later?"
"Yeah," he promised. "After my shift."
"Good." Bert smiled. "Looking forward to seeing you there."
Jimmy nodded and gave him a small smile. After he was gone, he sighed softly. He should apologize to Drew too, he knew.
Speaking of him - Jimmy bit back a curse as he realized how much time had passed.
He hurried toward the conference room. "Sorry," he apologized as he walked in the door.
"No problem," Drew said and leaned back in his chair. "Did you and Bert talk?"
"Yeah. And I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been such an ass to you."
"No, you shouldn't." Drew shook his head. "But I understand. Bert can be pretty ...stupid sometimes."
Jimmy laughed, a sharp, short bark of amusement. "Sometimes yeah. You're telling me some things haven't changed?"
Drew shrugged. "Looks like it," he said carefully.
Jimmy stared at him for a few seconds before asking, "Were you and Bert involved before? I swear I won't throw you out an airlock if you say yes."
Drew shrugged. "To say we were involved is probably an exaggeration," he replied.
"How?" he asked curiously.
"I think I was just his stress relief," Drew said. "I'm glad he has someone he cares for now."
Jimmy half-shrugged, not sure what to really say.
"He's a good guy, when he's not off doing something stupid," Drew added. "Should we go back to those defensive maneuvers? I think I got it now."
"Yeah," Jimmy confirmed, relieved to have the topic diverted. He pulled up the last thing they'd looked at. "What do you remember?"
"I remember - " Drew frowned slightly, but then he started to tell Jimmy what they had already talked about, and although Jimmy had to correct him every now and then, he had managed to remember a big part of the information he had been given.
An hour later, Jimmy put the last computer pad down. "That's all of them," he said, sounding impressed. "I think you remember more than some of the kids who've been here a few years."
Drew laughed. "Remember, I've been doing this all my life," he said.
"In theory, so have they," Jimmy answered, but he was smiling too.
"Well, with my family, it's always helpful if you can remember this kind of thing," Drew grinned. "What about you? What turned you into a pirate?"
"Always wanted to be one," Jimmy admitted with a casual shrug. "Some of my earliest memories are of telling my parents I wanted to be a pirate when I grew up. They laughed but they've always supported me."
"They never were pirates?"
"Nope. First one in my family."
"Must be cool, not to be in the shadow of someone all the time," Drew grinned.
"Hey," Jimmy protested laughingly. "Not all of us have compared you to your brother." He paused before smirking. "To your face."
Drew laughed too. "My brother, my cousins..." he shook his head amusedly. "Seriously, if anyone ever wanted to arrest a nest of pirates, my family would be a great way to start."
"I'll keep that in mind next time I'm trying to barter my way to freedom," Jimmy said but made sure Drew knew he was just joking.
Drew grinned. "Stick with me, I'll keep you safe," he teased.
"Will you?" he laughed.
"Oh, absolutely," Drew replied. He looked serious suddenly. "I mean, I'd never abandon a teammate. Not voluntarily, if I can help it."
"If you were that kind of person, Nick never would have let you stay."
Drew smiled again. "See, there you go, you're safe with me too."
"Yeah. You are too ... I mean, you're safe with me."
"Great," Drew said. "You keep me safe, and I keep you safe, and all is well with us?"
"Yep."
They grinned, at peace with each other for the first time since Drew had come on board.
It was almost enough to make Jimmy see why Bert had brought him on board.
Almost.
Still, he wasn't going to let Bert off the hook that easily. He smirked as he finished gathering their supplies from the day. It wouldn't hurt Bert to worry that he'd gone too far for once.
~*+*~
Chris looked up as Homer slipped in the free seat next to him. "Hey."
"Hey." Homer shifted slightly and stared at the computer screen in front of them. It showed the schematics of several trade routes; trade routes Chris was more than familiar with. "How are you holding up, Ozzie?"
"Fine," he answered, twisting to try to unkink his back before settling back down. "How about you?"
"I'm good...almost." Homer shrugged. The truth was that he hadn't seen Pavel in days, and while he was relatively sure that the other man couldn't have disappeared from the ship, it was still bothering him. "How's Nick?"
"Working too much and too caught up in things he couldn't change," Chris said honestly with a frown.
"For sure, sounds like Nick." Homer sighed. "What are we going to do about him?"
"I'd say wait him out, but it's Nick, I think he could outwait suns going supernova."
"Yeah." Homer shook his head. "We need to do something."
"Other than trapping him in a corner and torturing him until he talks?" Chris asked with a hint of a smile.
"We have a corner?"
"We'll find one somewhere? It's probably where Pavs is hiding."
Homer chuckled. "You noticed that, huh?"
"Kind of hard to miss when you and Hank both look like someone kicked your puppy," Chris said. "What happened?"
Homer shrugged. "We had..." he trailed off. It hadn't been a fight, he thought, "...a misunderstanding."
"And now he's being stubborn?"
Homer shrugged. "I tell you when I see him."
Chris laughed and then sighed. "I'll talk to Pavs for you if you talk to Nick?"
Homer thought for a moment. "Deal," he finally said. "But for sure, if Nick hurts me, I'll blame you."
"You're his best friend, he won't hurt you," Chris said confidently. "Just give me a few minutes warning if you do blame me though."
Homer laughed. "Maybe I will," he said. "You'll see."
"Now I'm worried," Chris teased. He was silent for a few moments before saying, "We've been doing this a long time."
"Yes." Homer gave him a smile. "A very long time. You, Drapes, Nicky, me..."
"Do you ever think about stopping?"
Homer tilted his head to the side as he thought. "Not really - not as long as I still can do this job," he then said slowly. "Are you?"
"No," he said quickly. And then shook his head. "I hadn't been until I talked to Drapes. I'm still not I'm just ... thinking," he floundered slightly as he tried to figure out how to explain what he'd been thinking.
Homer waited patiently. "What are you thinking?" he finally asked, his voice gentle.
"I love it here. This place is different, you know?" he asked and Homer nodded. Chris didn't regret the couple of years when he'd spent most of his time on other ships finding out how things worked there and helping train some of their other young guys - he was still sorry that DiPietro's injuries had sidelined him so early into a promising career. "Suddenly there aren't as many of us left. How do you know when it's time to stop?"
"You just know," Homer said, deeply convicted of his own words. "When you don't like what you're doing anymore, when it's not fun anymore, then it's time to stop."
"Makes sense," Chris murmured.
Homer looked at him calmly. "Are you feeling like that, Chris?" he asked.
"I'm not," he denied before hanging his head. "I think Drapes is."
Homer hummed softly. "I think Drapes misses Malts, for sure," he said thoughtfully. "But he's not ready to go yet."
"I hope not," Chris said, but he worried that Drapes would decide he missed Malts too much.
Homer laughed. "For sure, the kids look up so much to him, he would miss that," he said.
"He's good with them."
"They love him, and he loves them back. Trust me, Chris, he's not ready to go yet."
Chris nodded. "I believe you."
"You better." Homer reached out and squeezed his shoulder. "Okay, if you find me Pavs before tonight, I even won't blame you if Nick hurts me."
"Then I'd better get looking."
Chris stood, and Homer craned his head to stare after him as he left.
Something, he thought, was wrong with his friend, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.
He'd worry about it after he talked to Nick if things didn't get better soon.
One problem at a time, he told himself. First, he would talk to Nick, then he would try to get Pavs to see reason and then - then he could worry about Oz. Or Drapes. Or both of them.
Trying to do too much at once never ended well. That decided, he stood and headed for the door. He knew right where to find Nick.
~*++*~
"Are you busy?"
Nick looked up from the screen in front of him with a frown. "Not really," he admitted, "just doing some research."
"What are you researching?" Homer stepped around the edge of Nick's desk and leaned against it. "Brainslugs? For sure, Nicky, I thought you were against those."
"I think I was wrong about that," Nick said.
Homer sighed. "You sure?"
Nick's jaw clenched. "It's been pointed out that my close-mindedness is what caused Mike's injury."
"By who?"
"By him. He only confirmed what I'd been thinking."
"Nick, did you hit your head?" Homer asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
Nick finally looked up from what he'd been reading, eyes full of irritation. "What do you want, Tomas?"
"For sure, I want to know if someone sucked your brain out," Homer said.
"Something I'd worried about," Nick muttered. He pushed the screen toward Homer. "What do you think?"
Homer didn't even look at the screen. His hand shot out and curled around the back of Nick's skull. Holding him, he forced Nick's head to the side, to check along his hairline for marks.
"Homer! Tomas!" Nick protested, trying to pull away.
Homer brushed his thumb carefully along Nick's neck and throat. "Sorry," he said without loosening his grip, "Have to make sure that you didn't catch any brain-eating parasites!"
"I didn't," he said firmly. "Haven't you told me too that brainslugs would be a good idea?"
"This isn't like you," Homer argued.
"I've always listened to you people have suggestions," Nick insisted.
"Reasonable suggestions," Homer said and finally released his grip on Nick's hair. "Rational, reasonable suggestions, not influenced by...whatever it is that's influencing you right now!"
Nick pushed himself away from Homer. "This is rational," he snapped. "For years, all of you have asked me about brainslugs. Hank, Pavel, Kronner, Chris, you. I refused to listen because I was afraid of consequences that aren't true anymore. And that cost us."
"Nicky," Homer said slowly. "Are you even listening to yourself?"
"Yes. Every crew out there that can afford them has upgraded to brainslugs. If we were to poll the crew, what do you think it would tell me?"
"They would tell you that you're making a stupid decision right now," Homer replied. "And you know it."
"Why? Because I'm finally willing to admit I might be wrong about something?"
"Because you are letting your feelings tell you what to do, and not your brain."
Nick sighed deeply. "Believe it or not, but it's something that I have considered before," he said, voice quiet. "This might be the push I needed."
"But is it a push in the right direction?"
"You've argued for brainslugs before. If the right ones are chosen."
Homer frowned unhappily. Nick was right, but that didn't mean that Homer had to like it.
"You're really going to tell me you're not interested in brainslugs anymore?"
"No."
"Then why are we arguing about this?"
"Because you're normally smarter than this," Homer said quietly.
"How am I not being smart?"
"You're doing this for not the right reasons," Homer told him and reached out again. Nick flinched slightly, but he didn't try to fight the other man off as he was pulled into a tight hug.
"What if next time it's you? Or Oz?" Nick asked, voice soft.
"Then...Nick, we'll deal with that if it happens. Which it won't."
"Because it's easy to fix," Nick said, turning once more to the computer screen. "The new brainslugs have years of research behind them proving that they're incorruptible."
Homer slowly released his grip on him. "Still, please be careful," he said. "Talk to someone about it and listen to them. Please?"
Nick waved a hand toward the other chair next to his desk. "Want to talk?"
"If it helps, for sure." Homer sat down and leaned onto his elbows. "So...you want brainslugs."
"I think the crew does and it might be good for us."
"I think the crew follows your example no matter what - if you say they are bad, nobody hates you for it."
Nick's eyes narrowed slightly in frustration. "I get that. But there has been a lot of new development in brainslug tech over the last years. I can't simply say no if I don't know what the options out there are."
"Okay." Homer shrugged. "Let's find out what options there are."
Nick showed him the data on three different types. "This is what I've narrowed them down to."
Homer frowned as he slowly read through the information. "There are still some risks," he said.
Nick nodded, looking grim. "Less than there were. What I need to know is if the rewards outweigh them."
"I don't think so," Homer muttered. "They didn't last week, why should they now?"
Nick handed Homer the list of things brainslugs brought with them. "Last week you mentioned that they'd be useful," he pointed out. "If they're something that most other ships use then I can't dismiss them because I don't like them."
Homer sighed, but he didn't say anything else about that topic. He could see that Nick had made his mind up, and arguing wouldn't change it now.
"Would you put one in your head?"
"Would you?"
Homer shrugged. "I don't know," he said honestly. "I'd have to think about it."
Nick sighed. "You didn't come here because of this," he then said.
"Maybe I did," Homer said. "For sure, Nicky, you haven't been yourself."
Nick managed a small smile. "How do you figure that?"
"Besides the conversation we just had?"
"Which you didn't know about yet when you came here," Nick pointed out.
"I've seen you the last few days," he said. "And I talked to Ozzie."
Nick narrowed his eyes slightly. "So? What did you two say, talking about me?"
"That you're working too hard. You're too caught up in things you can't change."
"What are you suggesting I do?" Nick asked and leaned his head back against his chair.
Homer shrugged. "For sure, we're pirates. We steal things. Let's steal something to cheer you up."
Despite himself, Nick laughed softly. He sat back in his chair and asked, "Any suggestions?"
Homer grinned widely. "For sure," he said. "Okay, listen to this - we should go to the western planets of the Canadian space empire and see what they have to offer. Last time we went there, for sure, we lost some but we also won a lot of things, gems, coffee, money, everything. We should try for that again."
Nick was silent as he thought about it for a minute. "It's a long trip to get there," he said slowly, which was true, but it was always an adventure they enjoyed. "Okay. Inform the crew that we'll leave for there tomorrow."
"Aye, Cap," Homer grinned. He stood and reached out impulsively to close his hand around Nick's upper arm, squeezing briefly before he turned to leave.
"Homer?"
Homer turned back questioningly.
"Thanks."
"For sure, you're welcome," he replied before leaving.
He had held up his part of the bargain, he thought as he slowly made his way to the quarters he shared with Hank and Pav. Now it was Chris' turn to find Pavel for him.
The ship was big, but it still wasn't big enough to keep a grown man hidden infinitely, he thought. There weren't that many hiding places he could think of, at least none that were big enough to hide a grown person, no matter what planet they were from. And yet, Pavel had managed to find such a hiding place - but then, he was sneaky like that.
He just had to hope that Oz was sneakier.
~*~*~
"You can stay there all night," Chris said into the dark room he was sitting in. "But I can wait you out."
It had been a coincidence that he'd found Pavel's hiding place, but he was thankful for it now. If they were preparing for the long trip to the outer colonies, they needed all hands on deck, or they would suffer some pretty bad losses on this trip, and they all needed to be in top condition. They couldn't afford being distracted by personal problems, like Pavel seemed to be right now.
There were another few minutes of silence and then a soft ruffle of clothing. "I here," Pavel said, almost reluctantly as he moved into the chair next to Chris.
"I know," Chris said. "But what I don't know is why you're hiding here. Why aren't you with Hank and Homer, Pavs?"
"Can't," Pavel said miserably. "They can't know."
"What can't they know?" Chris asked gently. This, he realized, was dangerous territory, and he had to be careful.
"It secret," Pavel whispered. "If they know, they reject me."
"You've been sharing quarters with them for years now," Chris pointed out. "It's hard to believe that there is anything you don't know about each other."
"They not know this."
Chris was silent for a long moment. It had to be something really big if Pavel had managed to keep it a secret for so long.
"What do you want to do about it now?" he asked.
"I not know. I ..." he sighed hard and hesitated a while longer. "Hank and Homer the best."
"They love you. They also miss you pretty fiercely, you know." Chris tilted his head to the side. "Whatever it is you're not telling them, I'm sure they would still love you," he pointed out gently.
"Maybe," Pavel whispered. "Or they be mad I not say anything before."
"Not if you explain to them why you haven't," Chris answered.
Pavel shifted uncomfortably. "I can't."
"Why not?"
"Secret. No one know."
Chris sighed. "Well, no matter what you decide," he said quietly, "you'll have to do it now - we're having a job to do, and I need you to do yours."
Pavel nodded. "I try. Ozzie? What if they hate me?"
"What if they already know and you've worried for nothing?"
Pavel was silent for a long moment. "That impossible," he finally said. "They can't know."
"Are you sure?"
"Very sure."
Chris shrugged. "You might be right. Just be sure that they love you and will do their best to understand."
Pavel sighed.
"Anything else you want to talk about?"
"No. Tell me more about new job."
Chris laid down the basic idea behind what they were doing; just what he'd learned in the brief minute he'd talked with Homer before he finally found Pavs.
Pavel nodded. It was barely visible in the darkness of the room, and not for the first time, Chris wondered why there weren't any lights installed in this particular cargo bay, or if someone had uninstalled them.
"Is tricky," Pavel finally said. "They have good team. Young, quick team."
"But we have experience," Chris said. "I think that should be enough to beat them."
"Young have fast legs, can catch us," Pavel pointed out. "We have injuries. Mike out with wrist. Who replace him?"
"For right now, no one," Chris said. "Jimmy thinks Drew can handle things and Bert agrees."
Pavel nodded again. "When we arrive?"
"Two days."
"Two days," Pavel repeated quietly. Two days would give him enough time to prepare, and maybe it was also enough to build up his courage and face Homer and Hank.
And if it wasn't - he could always leave the ship at one of the colonies and find a transport back to the central planets, to find a new crew there.
"We need you here," Chris said as if he could read Pavel's mind. "You're one of the best we have."
Pavel sighed. "I not leave," he promised. "Please not tell anyone you find me here?"
"You'll have to face them eventually," Chris said. "But I won't tell them where you hide. Promise."
"Thanks, Chris."
Chris felt the air move around him as Pavel stood. He didn't hear a single footfall as the other man left, but there was no doubt that he was alone now.
He closed his eyes and sat back in the chair. Keeping things running smoothly was a tiring business.
It wasn't just the crew he had to keep an eye on. Their ship was old enough that sometimes, they had to buy spare parts and fix broken pieces while on the run, and while he was sure that they had one of the best crews of engineers, he still worried about the ship he had called home for almost his entire adult life until now.
With that thought in mind, he gripped the sides of the chair and pushed himself up. He should check on a few things in the engine room, and some other departments, before heading back to his quarters.
He sighed. Hopefully, Nick would wait for him there - he missed having the other man in his bunk and close to him.
Things just weren't the same when things got busy and kept them from spending as much time as usual together.
To be Concluded