Enjoy the adrenaline rush, it never lasts long.

[linnis_paris]

::circles lab table to check mirror_renara and kes_ progress on serum...better than expected, at least

Comments

[andrewkim]

I didn't say anything. I wasn't gonna say anything.

::reluctantly hands warm, sweat-damp kelsie_wildman over to her mother, watching her latch onto bottle with no hesitation::

I just hate to have her so out of it at a time like this.

[_naomiwildman_]

What do you expect her to do if she's lucid, Andrew, pick up a phaser and defend you from the big bad intruders if they stomp in?

::softens snap with a smile before turning to friend::

Thank you.

You could stick some of that in with his inoculation too, if you like.

[linnis_paris]

Don't think I haven't considered it. The only thing stopping me is the knowledge that I'd be hearing about it for eternity.

::reaches up to lift son's chin, giving his cheek a light smack just because::

Andrew, breathe. You're making everyone else hyperventilate too.

[andrewkim]

::shakes off both touches, crossing suddenly empty arms in annoyance while deliberately focusing eyes across room::

::narrows them when a certain other quarter Ocampan hits view::

Sorry we can't all be perfect.

[linnis_paris]

::twists to follow his gaze::

:: releases a very deep sigh::

::turns back, replacing slap for a cheek peck::

Nobody's perfect. And you're mine. That counts for more than something.

[andrewkim]

Aw, Mom!

::hastily scrubs cheek with sleeve, pretending not to hear not even much muffled laughter from everyone nearby::

Go back to not caring, before you convince me we're all gonna die.

[linnis_paris]

::parts lips for a retort, but ends up reaching out to grab an arm instead when ship rocks again and lights flicker::

::follows own advice and breathes, releasing his sleeve and smoothing it down while trying to force some calm into tone, for everyone's sake::

I'll just go back to work, how's that? I think it's time we inoculated.

[andrewkim]

Whatever makes you feel better.

::swallows pride and draws rest of present family a little closer, tucking the both of them securely under an arm::

::has to admit, whatever was in that bottle worked...the kid is out, and looks a lot more peaceful than she has for hours::

::catches half-Ktarian's eye, trying for reassuring grin::

Hey, don't worry. We don't need K's help for defense, Mom will catch them at the door with loaded hypos.

[_naomiwildman_]

::gives automatic return smile of own, brow still furrowing::

::smooths hand over kelsie_wildman's back, glancing to biobed area, where a certain Vulcan and certain Delaney lie::::

I know I shouldn't, but I can't help but feel useless. I should be in engineering, or on the bridge, or...somewhere.

[andrewkim]

There's not a whole lot either of us could be doing besides standing around waiting for something to fail, Naomi. Ship's as tight as she'll ever be. If we're needed, we'll hear about it fast. Obnoxious not even officially on the chain of command Klingon.

Right now, I think this is the most important place we could be.

::looks around too::

Though, it would've been nice if they'd decided to hole us up somewhere more fun. Maybe a holodeck...

[_naomiwildman_]

There's one problem there. The holodecks don't have your mother guarding the doors.

::catches faint upturn of linnis_paris' lips from all the way across room...pointy ears, pointy ears::

You're right.

[andrewkim]

I'm always right. It just usually takes a while for people to realize it.

::absently teases a flyaway strand of strawberry blonde hair, impressed by own sudden onset of calm::

Guess we'll have to come up with our own distraction. What do they do in the stories at times like this?

Maybe I should be all romantic and tragic and ask you to marry me.

[_naomiwildman_]

::rolls eyes::

You already asked me to marry you. Three years ago.

[andrewkim]

Oh. I guess I did.

::half-shrugs, tightening hug::

In that case, I guess I should offer to go through with it. I would, too, but I think Chakotay's kinda busy at the moment.

[_naomiwildman_]

Aren't you lucky?

::loses a bit of placidity when doors sweep open, barely clearing ltcmdrtomparis and mirrorlinnis when they enter::

::watches the other Linnis bristle as her counterpart sails past en route to the office after sighting mirror_renara

::frowns when pilot and first officer grab an arm and lead the doctor to a quiet corner::

What do you think is happening?

[andrewkim]

You gonna make me poke into his head and find out? I hate doing that. It always gives me a migraine.

::still, focuses, glad anxiety is good for opening up the channels, so to speak, if nothing else::

Whine, whine, bit...

Ow, Naomi!

::refines vocabulary to avoid another one-handed stomach punch::

The Captain finalized the mission roster. They're taking two shuttles he thinks...

::furrows own brow::

Dad and Seven are going. He's not too happy about it. And Mom's about to be just as unhappy, when he tells her he's planning on taking the new Flyer out too...