[gathering] official opening of the operating room

[daretodo]

It's taken months to pull this all together, but a part of me can't help but think it shouldn't have taken years to so much as start. I've spent most of my spare time working on the operating room this past while, ducking in to tinker with bits of machinery and conduct tests in between classes and my work with the Council, hoping all the while that

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[daretodo]

Heart stuck in my throat, I contemplate the mangled bit of boar sandwich as I lean against one of the walls of the O.R.'s exterior. A nearby tree puts me in the shade, not invisible to the others by any means, but out of the way, at least, not as easily accessible. I'll have to make the rounds later, I know, but for now I need the semblance of privacy, just long enough to collect myself so I can mingle with an easy smile instead of something forced. The metallic glint of the commemorative plaque carrying Major Shaw's name catches my eye, and I stare at it for a moment before returning my attention to the food, knowing for sure, now, I won't eat it. Setting it back on the plate, I sigh.

So much for lunch.

[getemtiger]

"There you are," Mary Jane said, as if she'd let herself lose sight of him from the time he spoke. There were a lot of reasons for which this was a good, happy occasion, but she'd have been lying to say that the dedication didn't get to her, too, Kendra's name alone bringing with it a rush of unpleasant memories and feelings she typically fought to keep buried. She didn't let it show on her face for a second, stepping in close to drape her arms around his neck and press a kiss to the corner of his mouth, grinning brightly when she eased back. "You were wonderful, Tiger."

[daretodo]

"Really? 'Cause I'm pretty sure I rushed the ending, and I may have said goodbye to my breakfast behind those bushes over there," I reply, managing a crooked smile for her benefit, as I nod with my chin towards some point in the distance. The last part's categorically untrue -- I wouldn't've let her get so close if that had really been the case -- but there had been a sketchy couple of seconds, just before, that it could've easily been made fact.

The corners of my mouth pulling into something more natural, which in this case means something a lot more subdued, my gaze softens as I add a murmured, "Thank you."

[getemtiger]

"You've got nothing to thank me for," Mary Jane insisted with a shake of her head, voice lowering in turn, and briefly pressed one finger to his lips, as if to cut off any further gratitude he might insist upon. It was the least she could have done, really, helping to prepare food, keeping close and telling him only what was the truth. Maybe it required a bit more effort to save face and not start dwelling on that night back in January, but that wasn't anything she needed to tell, at least not here. "Come on, you're the one who did all the hard work."

[daretodo]

"I wrangled some scientists for a few months. You're signing on to wrangle me for the rest of your days," I point out, pursing my lips slightly once she's withdrawn her finger. Holding out my plate away from us to make more room for her, I curl my other arm around her waist. "I'm pretty sure you're the one who got saddled with all the hard work."

[getemtiger]

"Does it count as work if I'm glad to do it?" Mary Jane asked, feigning ignorance on the matter, as if she really had to ask. She knew full well that she would never have qualified it as such, and guessed that he would've known she felt that way. Easing closer, she bit her lip, barely managing to seem anything close to thoughtful. "'Cause I really can't think of anything I'd rather do."

[daretodo]

"Only 'cause you're crazy," I say, obviously joking and sounding nothing but fond, though sometimes I wonder. Never seriously, of course, otherwise we'd have no business getting married, but the question pops up at the oddest of moments, of what, exactly, she sees in me that I don't. "Just a little bit."

[getemtiger]

"Not any crazier than you," Mary Jane quipped in response, her tone similar to his, if even more teasing. It struck her as the slightest bit ridiculous, to be standing around having a conversation like this now, of all times, but then, she supposed they needed it, too. Anything was better than focusing too hard on the dedication of the building. "Maybe that's what makes it work."

[daretodo]

"That we're nuts?" I ask, pretending to give the notion some thought. The distraction's welcome, though our present location means it won't last for long, for more reason than one. "You may be onto something, Red."

[getemtiger]

"I try." Flashing him a wide smile, Mary Jane wrinkled her nose a little, not yet pulling away. She would've been content to stay right where they were and not worry about anyone else all afternoon, and while she knew it was an impossibility, she wanted to make it last while she could. "'Course, there are plenty of other good reasons, too."

[daretodo]

I arch an eyebrow, dubious, but only playing at such. Canting my head to the side, the plaque catches my attention again, but I pointedly keep my eyes locked on Mary Jane, though the reminder of where we're standing -- and why we're standing -- is enough to make easy work out of biting back a smile. "Such as?"

[getemtiger]

"Mm, you really want the list now?" Mary Jane asked, skeptical, like that ought not to have been the case. Any answer was halted, though, by her leaning in to brush her lips against his, barely putting any distance between them before she spoke again. "I'm pretty sure the last time I did that, you wound up proposing. Pretty hard to top that."

[daretodo]

"We're getting married on Sunday," I say, my other eyebrow matching the first so that they're both arched, now, as I look down at her. My lips quirk in the barest of smiles as I inhale deeply through my nose, the impulse to just get out of here almost overwhelming. Still, as much as I couldn't have completed this project without the help, it's been my baby for months, and leaving it now just doesn't seem right. "I'm already topping that."

[getemtiger]

"Yeah, but I mean right now," Mary Jane replied with a tilt of her head. Just the mention of their upcoming wedding was enough to prompt a full, genuine smile from her, but that didn't mean she was without apprehension about it. There was nothing she wanted more than to actually marry him, but some part of her had to wonder what might happen, if this ceremony would be interrupted by some trick of the island's, too. It wasn't a possibility she liked, and for that reason, wasn't one she wanted to dwell on. "You'd be marrying me either way."

[daretodo]

Hopefully, I silently add to myself. Given our luck so far, the lingering doubt that this ceremony will be anymore successful than the last is hard to shake, whispering to me in the back of my head these past few weeks since I woke up in a coffin on the day of my would-be-wedding.

"Okay, okay, okay, right now, that would be pretty hard to top," I concede with a slow nod, mulling it over. "I mean, I could always try, but..."

[getemtiger]

"But it still wouldn't be easy," she finished for him, wry and still obviously teasing. It was the least she could do to try to keep the mood light; regardless of what thoughts were in her own head, this conversation was better than several alternatives that came quickly to mind. She wasn't about to give that up for a second. "Not that I'd object to you trying, but I'm just saying."