[025]

[oliverplus]

[Oliver is sitting by a tree somewhere in the midst of the forest. He is soaked to the bone and looks tired, ragged, and shaky]

I just... [stops, swallows, and tries again, keeping his voice as steady as possible, but his fear is evident] I just wanted to say that... [trails off again, his voice growing very soft and tight] I saw it...it's

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[bit_impossible]

[watches him for a moment before he speaks, ignoring the noises that have been following him all day]

Oliver. Do you really think that's going to work?

[bit_impossible]

You just take it!

[oliverplus]

[shakes his head, determined] No. I refuse to hurt anyone from the ship.

Don't you get it, Doctor? I saw it. Myself. And it wasn't a nightmare. I was wide awake.

And if I was seeing things, then... [shudders, his voice growing quieter] What would that mean? That I'm losing my mind?

[bit_impossible]

This planet has been nothing but trouble since we crashed here. Didn't it ever occur to you that it is the problem and not you?

[oliverplus]

[stares--no, that hadn't occurred to him, actually]

But the pollen is gone.

[bit_impossible]

The pollen may be, but the flowers are not.

[oliverplus]

You think...it was an illusion of some kind? That could...

[shakes his head; sorry, too paranoid] No. No, I can't do that. Don't you see the risk, Doctor? You of all people should be stopping me!

[bit_impossible]

I do see the risk! Why do you think I'm talking to you right now?

But I suppose what I really should be asking you is how would you like me to stop you?

[oliverplus]

[nods; okay, that's more like it] I...I don't care. Keep me away from the others. Whatever it takes. You'll know when it's gone wrong.

But don't get near me if you don't have to--especially not alone.

[bit_impossible]

Oliver Day, I've faced greater dangers than anyone can ever dream of. One scared--and very stubborn, might I add--human is not going to make my knees shake and quiver. I can handle myself pretty damn well, thank you.

[oliverplus]

[frustrated] Doctor, will you listen to me!? It's not just me that I'm afraid of!

[bit_impossible]

Ohhh, I'm listening loud and clear.

[oliverplus]

[he's losing it a little here, cold and soaked and hungry and miserable, and adding frustration to the mix just isn't working well] Then what do I do!?

[bit_impossible]

Well, take a breath for one. You're going a bit red in the face.

[oliverplus]

[sighs, sagging against the tree] [bitterly] Problems with my temper already. That's a promising sign, isn't it?

[bit_impossible]

More like your attitude, but since we're on the subject, yeah. Getting upset over the planet's hallucinatory properties is not going to improve your temper.

But you mentioned you weren't only afraid of yourself. Who or what else are you scared of then?