I. Jenara hangs out with Tiara
II. And then encounters Gelson
III. Tiara is split back into Naara and Tivir
IV. Jackson, Gary, and Leslie return from their time as Gelson
V. Je T'Aime: LeBean finally reveals his feelings to Lana



I.
Jenara: *walks up to Tiara's quarters and rings. Shoulder bag packed with things to share with the merged people she's been visiting*
Tiara:  *Stumbles to the door, grinning* Jenara! Hi!
Jenara: *slightly startled by the responce her arrival has* *smiles looking the lady up and down* Hello, let me see... Tivir and... Naara?
Tiara:  *Grins* How'd you guess? Tivir, yeah, but i'm certainly nothing like Naara *Only teasing*
Jenara: *giggles* If you let me in I'll share some snacks I brought!
Tiara:  Snacks? BRILLIANT! Come in!
Jenara: *With a wide smile she skips inside* It's not much, just a few yummies.
Tiara:  *Laughs* "Yummies"?
Jenara: *looks around for a seat, then decides to sit on the floor* *sits cross legged* Yeah, just some things I enjoy. *everything other than fish*
Tiara:  *Joins her on the floor* Cool!
Jenara: *gets out a cloth and layes it on the floor and then takes some Bolian 'oat' bars out of a container. Then opens a tub which has a sweet dip inside. Then takes out a knife and a fruit cake.* I haven't got a drink, this is all pretty sweet stuff... eat up! *helps herself to a bar, putting it into the dip before eating*
Tiara:  *Does the same* So, how are you? *Nibbles on the end*
Jenara: Hey! That's my question. *mock grumpy face*
Tiara:  *Pokes her tongue out* Tough!
Jenara: Humph! I'm wonderful thank you, now... how are you?
Tiara:  *Shrugs* Semi-blind, gonna be killed soon... Can't complain.
Jenara: *flinches internaly as she does evey time anyone says 'killed'* *serious* There isn't much I can do about that other than be here. *puts a motherly arm around her shoulder* ... Semi-blind?
Tiara:  Tivir was born blind. Combined with Naara...
Jenara: Tivir was born blind? I was sure he... you could see me.
Tiara:  Oh, Aenar have other senses to make up for it. Me... not so much...
Jenara: Oh! You'll give Tivir the gift of knowing what a different form of sight is like, even though it's poor. It may seem bleak but there are ways of thinking of this merging as a good experience... your both learning another way of living. *smiles sweetly*
Tiara:  Ehh, Tivir already knew what its like to see... And I doubt Naara would care about anything Tivir could teach her.
Jenara: Oh... well I don't know but I'm sure she'll have a lot to think about. *how to be nice for a start* Do you want a drink?
Tiara:  *Continues to nibble* Sure^^
Jenara: *hops over to the replicator and asks for two fruit mocktails, sits back down and hands Tiara one* I bumped into the Captain the other day, have you seen him?
Tiara:  Oh no, what happened to him?
Jenara: *giggles at the memory* He's a little boy! I said 'Hey little fella are you lost?' to him!!!
Tiara:  *Eyes widen* AWWWW!!!
Jenara: He got really angry, stood up tall and the little voice that came out was so squeaky... I didn't know whether to laugh or cry!
Tiara:  *Laughs* Lets hope he doesn't remember what happened.
Jenara: Let's hope! At the moment he's demanding cookies poor thing.
Tiara:  I mean, I hope he doesn't remember you being disrespectful. That might be... Bad...
Jenara: He forgave me... how was I meant to know? *slightly worried*
Tiara:  Well, I'm not sure... Neither of my components remember him being particularly... Agreeable.
Jenara: Really? He's always been nice to me... I only met him as an adult once though.
Tiara:  Well, Tivir doesn't like him, and Naara... Well, she doesn't really speak to him much...
Jenara: *cuts a slice of cake while thinking about what Tiara said* I guess you heard about me last week?
Tiara:  Merged with that mobile fungus we found? Yeah.
Jenara: Uh huh, imagine most of your brain being taken away... your head stuffed with cotton wool instead. *shivers*
Tiara:  I can; I'm merged with Naara!
Tiara:  *Raises eyebrow* You met her... What do you think?
Jenara: ... She might remember this... *bites lip*
Tiara:  She wont care, trust me.
Jenara: *Eyes Tiara for a moment* Well I only met her once, she seemed a little... blunt.
Tiara:  Mmm... Go on...
Jenara: If she has a go at me after all this is over I blame Tivir. I don't know she just seemed sower, like she needed to let something go... maybe something that hurt her in the past. She was a little rude but she said 'hi'... I'm sure she's not all that bad.
Tiara:  *Smiles* You're right, she does need to let something go, she was hurt, and she's not all bad.
Jenara: *smiles* Knew it! Poor Naara... anyway, I'd better be going. *Collects up things* Keep the bars. *smiles*
Tiara:  *Grins* Thanks^^
Jenara: Thanks for the chat, everything will be ok... you'll see. *smiles kindly and leaves*
Tiara:  *Exhales* Yeah... Right.



II.
Gelson:  *wandering the halls of the Legacy*
Jenara: *Walking down the same hall as Gelson, eyes on a PADD*
Gelson:  *not wanting to talk to anybody, turns sideways and tries to edge past Jenara without disturbing her*
Jenara: *notes someone walking near her in the corner of her eye and looks up* Hey, I haven't met you before. *smiles*
Gelson:  *stops, caught* Um, yeah, hi. I'm Trixie.
Jenara: Nice to meet you, I'm Jenara. *Smiles and holds out hand to be shaken*
Gelson:  *shakes her hand quickly and then lets go* Nice to meet you too.
Jenara: So... what do you do? *looks at uniform... if she's wearing one*
Gelson:  *is not wearing a uniform, in fact* Er...nothing really. I'm sort of...between jobs at the moment.
Jenara: Oh, are you new here? *notes her unwillingness to talk and thinks shes shy*
Gelson:  Yes, I only just got here a few days ago.
Jenara: Oh, welcome! I'm quite new, haven't been here that long. How do you like the... *hang on how can she have come on the ship a few days ago... no ships have been near the Legacy have they. Unless... shes merged* ... the ship?
Gelson:  Oh, the ship's fine, I like it. Especially the Arboretum. I've been spending lots of time in there.
Jenara: The Arboretum is my favorite place on the ship too... you don't happen to be new to the ship as a merged person do you? I wouldn't know.
Gelson:  *looks a bit uncomfortable* ...Yes. I'm merged.
Jenara: Uh, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I guess that's why I didn't know you! *tries to laugh*
Gelson:  *weak smile* Yeah, I guess that would be why!
Jenara: *When you can't think of anything to say... offer them a yummy!* *rumages in bag and takes out a Bolian 'oat' bar and hands it to her* I've been giveing them to merged people... they make me happy so... *smiles*
Gelson:  *blinks and slowly takes the bar* Um...thank you? That's sweet of you.
Jenara: *giggles* Awkward moments call for the giving of yummies!
Gelson:  *grins* That's certainly one way to fix them.
Jenara: ...Ug here comes another one, want another bar? *giggles*
Gelson:  *shakes her head* No thanks, Jenara.
Jenara: Anyway, take care of yourself Trixie... bye. *smiles and turns to leave*
Gelson:  *small nod* Bye Jenara. *waits until Jenara's back is turned and she's taken a few steps before sprinting off in the other direction*
Jenara: *Turns to wave and sees her sprinting away* *Poor girl, helping merged people is draining after a while* *retires in her quarters*



III.
Chris:  *having been informed that Sciences, Medical and Engineering have come up with a (probable) way to de-merge the merged crewmembers, is now on his way to Tiara's location with Vekal*
Tiara:  *In Naara's quaters, having left a message on her terminal for her, now finishing the last of the oat bars Jenara gave her*
Chris:  *chimes at Naara's quarters*
Tiara:  *Stumbles to the door, and opens it* ...Oh.
Chris:  Can we come in?
Tiara:  I... I guess. *Steps aside*
Chris:  *enters*
Vekal: As I'm sure you've guessed, we've developed a way to reverse what's happened to you. *possibly using the word "reverse" ironically*
Tiara:  Didn't that reversing method actually cause me to exist?
Chris:  Sciences tells me that's not going to happen this time.
Chris:  *note of "they had better not be wrong" in his voice*
Tiara:  *Grins* Yeah, lets cross our fingers about that...
Chris:  I also hear you're one of the ones willing to go through with this. Is that still true?
Tiara:  *Nervous smile* Yeah.
Chris:  Vekal's going to explain the procedure to you. I'll expect you two in Sickbay in ten minutes.\
Tiara:  *Salutes* Yes Sir.
Chris:  *nods and heads out*
Tiara:  *Bites her lip*
Vekal: *still hasn't entered Naara's quarters, just waiting in the hall* The procedure is fairly simple. We'll inject you with a serum that will tag half your genome, allowing the transporters to separate out Lieutenant Tivir and Ensign Naara. You'll feel nothing.
Tiara:  Which half of my genome will be tagged?
Vekal: The Lieutenant. It was more or less an arbitrary decision.
Tiara:  *Swallows* Ok... *Grins* Nice to meet you, by the way^^
Vekal: *inclines her head* It's nice to meet you too.
Tiara:  *Smiles* Thanks. Um... How many security guards have you got in sickbay?
Vekal: I'm not sure. I haven't been there yet. Why?
Tiara:  I... *Swallows, becuase this is gonna come out wrong* Naara won't be happy.
Vekal: If it would make you feel more comfortable, we could sedate you.
Tiara:  *Shakes head* No, sorry... Just try not to go near her... *Quietly, Vekal can hear if Rise wishes* People sacrificing their lives for her never goes down well in her world...
Vekal: *is Cardassian; doesn't have the greatest hearing* *nods* As you wish. Is there anything you'd like to do or anyone you'd like to talk to before we go?
Tiara:  *Inhales* Nope. *Stands*
Vekal: Then come with me.
Tiara:  Yes Sir. *Steps out of the room and closes the door* Oh! One request.
Vekal: And what might that be?
Tiara:  Something for Tivir to throw up into. He does that a lot.
Vekal: *brief frown, having been expecting something... anything else* I'll make sure there's a bucket nearby. *starts walking*
Tiara:  *Grins and follows* Looking forward to having everyone back?
Vekal: I'm only following orders. How I feel about it is more or less irrelevant, wouldn't you say?
Tiara:  *Smiles, pleasantly* Yeah, but I'd still like to know.
Vekal: Then yes, I'll be glad to have everyone back.
Tiara:  *Devious grin* Even Naara?
Vekal: *smile* Of course.
Tiara:  *Grins, giving no indication as to whether she believes Vekal or not* She'll be glad to hear that... Might cheer her up a little.
Vekal: Is that so?
Tiara:  Ehhh... Killing me isn't really gonna make her happy.
Vekal: So you've told me. But then, it's been my experience that very little short of everything going her way makes Ensign Naara happy.
Tiara:  *Looks hurt* She's not like that.
Vekal: Perhaps you aren't. But I'm afraid she very much is. Some people, Ensign Naara included, can't take it when people don't agree with their way of thinking.
Tiara:  *Shakes her head* No, I know her, she isn't like that.
Vekal: Mm, you know how she thinks of herself. Self-delusion is typical of such people as well. They can't handle being wrong, after all.
Tiara:  *Frowns* She's not self-deluded... Well, not self-deluded into thinking herself superior to everyone else and infallible... *Sighs* Quite the opposite...
Vekal: She's deluded herself into thinking it matters in the slightest what she thinks and that she has the right to take out her frustrations on others. Do you imagine I care whether she's happy to be alive or not?
Tiara:  Respectfully Commander, you're wrong, and it's rather telling that you refuse to accept this... *Slight hopeful tint in her eyes* And I know you care.
Vekal: *laughs* It seems you've inherited more of Ensign Naara's traits than I thought! *shakes her head* I do have a basic interest in everyone on this ship, but I don't waste my time on those who aren't worth it.
Tiara:  Respectfully, Commander… *Smiles* You're a very bad liar.
Vekal: *wasn't lying, and this time gives a more genuinely amused laugh* You're not the first person to tell me so, dear.
Tiara:  *Shrugs* Like my components, I choose to believe in the good in people.
Vekal: Are good people often bad liars?
Tiara:  Tivir is. And so is Naara.
Vekal: Ah, of course. That proves it. *SO AMUSED*
Tiara:  *Aware of being mocked* Sarcasm ill becomes you, Commander. I don't really see what my components respect about you. *They arrive at sickbay*
Vekal: *enters Sickbay, where a tense-looking Chris is waiting (though he conceals his tension somewhat well, it's not as well as Vekal ever does), as well as two attendant nurses*
Tiara:  *Claps her hands together* Right! Lets get down to the murdering, shall we! *Using bluntness to cover her fear*
Chris:  *less amused, and very much uncomfortable with this* Have a seat.
Tiara:  *Takes a seat, smiling* See you on the other side, Commander... Sort of.
Vekal: *follows Tiara, taking a hypospray labelled "ch'Vrootharia/Naara" from a drawer*
Tiara:  *Smiles, proffers an arm* See you on the other side too... Again, sort of.
Chris:  *gives Vekal a Look and holds out his hand*
Vekal: *gives him the hypospray*
Chris:  *injects Tiara*
Tiara:  *Doesn't react*
Chris:  Last chance to change your mind, Tiara.
Tiara:  *Looks up at him* No. And you'd never let me anyway.
Chris:  *guilty look that's as good as a confession* *takes a step back and taps his commbadge* Hayes to transporter room. We're ready with Tiara. *beat* Energize.
Tiara:  *Smiles*
~*transportersparklewhoosh*~
Tivir: *Beams back into sickbay, shaking and blinking* Ugh... Uhhh.... Bucket...
Naara:  *Beams in also, her eyes wide in horror, shivering*
Nurse:  *helpfully provides a bucket for Tivir*
Other Nurse:  *scans Naara*
Chris:  Welcome back, both of you.
Tivir: Thankyousomuchhwaaahhh! *Pukes into bucket*
Naara:  *Doesn't react, still utterly horrified, shivering still*
Vekal: *wrinkles her nose when Tivir barfs*
Nurse:  *scans Tivir*
Tivir: *Stops barfing, still wan and pale* Uhhh... Thanks Commander...
Naara:  *Still shaking, look of horror gaining hints of sadness and rage* *Weakly* You... Bastards...
Vekal: *sneers at Naara wordlessly, then takes out a tricorder to check the two of them over*
Chris:  Sorry, the decision's made.
Naara:  *Still weakly* You brought me back... You /killed her/ to bring /me/ back!... How... How dare you!...
Tivir: *A little perturbed by Naara, still clutching his bucket*
Chris:  Sorry?
Naara:  *Getting her strength back, hints of rage setting into the mask of horror she's wearing* What gave you the right to declare her life was less important than mine?! Who gave you that power to sacrifice her for someone worthless?!
Tivir: *Hey! They got me back too!* *But in truth, is also saddened by Tiara's death*
Chris:  ...Wow. *scowl* You want to calm down, Ensign. I offered her the choice. She took it. If you don't like that, I'm sorry, but it's a done deal. Nothing to be done.
Naara:  *Snaps back* And i'm supposed to be happy about it?! I was dead, damnit! Why couldn't you just let it rest?!
Tivir: *O.o*
Chris:  Because like it or not, you're on my crew. *scowling deeply* *nods to Tivir* So's he. That means I do my best for you, and I don't give a damn what you or anyone else thinks about the way I do it.
Vekal: *no comment*
Naara:  *Just cannot fathom right now that someone sacrificed /themselves for her/* Saving him I understand. Saving me was utterly pointless.
Tivir:  No it wasn't!
Chris:  So think of it as a convenient side effect if it'll make you feel better.
Naara:  *Snarls* How dare you try to make me feel better about someone DYING TO SAVE ME!!
Vekal: *quietly, but audibly* It's not all about /you/, Naara dear.
Chris:  *gives Vekal a glare*
Naara:  *Not looking at Vekal * I never said it was, /Commander/.
Vekal: Wonderful! Then you can accept that Commander Hayes did what he did to save Lieutenant ch'Vrootharia *says the name as if she says it every day* and stop making such a fuss, right?
Chris:  Both of you, stop it. *to Naara* I think you need to take some time to calm down. If you've still got a problem tomorrow, come and see me.
Naara:  *Still not looking at her, angry bluntness* I accept that readily, Commander. I just can't overlook the willful murder of someone far more important to the ship than one disposable Security Officer, Sir.
Chris:  Both of you, stop it. *to Naara* I think you need to take some time to calm down. If you've still got a problem tomorrow, come and see me.
Naara:  *To Chris* Sir. Can I be dismissed, Sir?
Chris:  *glances a the nurse scanning Naara, who nods* *nods to Naara*
Naara:  Sir. *To Vekal* Commander. *To Tivir* Lieutenant. *Leaves*
Tivir: *Still a bit taken aback by all this* ...Blimey...
Chris:  *nods* Of course.
Tivir:  *Swallows* Thank you Sir. *To Vekal* Commander Vekal. *Leaves*
And they continue demerging crewmembers, with Chris attending each one, unless someone doesn't want him there.



IV.
Molly: *found out when Gelson/Trixie's unmerging was scheduled and showed up to wherever they're doing it, is standing out of the way in a corner somewhere*
Terrence: *is there too, because best bud and subordinate*
Nic: *had no idea that Gary was even merged, just assumed he decided he wanted to stop being her friend after all and therefore is NOT there*
Erik: *is there because girlfriend*
Chris:  *already talked Gelson through the procedure and got his okay to go through with it (GM with permission) and is now in Sickbay with the serum in hand*
Gelson: *sitting quietly on a biobed, waiting for the procedure to take place, not happy about having an audience, but not going to say anything about it*
Molly: *trying to stay way out of the way, partially because she doesn't want to be in the way, and partially because Chris is there and she's not sure where they stand*
Erik: *wonders if this is murder*
Chris:  *injects Gelson and has the transporter guys energize*
~*transportersparklewhoosh*~
Gelson disappears as three officers materialize: Leslie, Gary, and Jackson, all three looking mentally disturbed and slightly disoriented.
Molly: *just watching from the corner quietly, actually not going to approach Leslie first since Erik is there*
Erik: *makes his way over to Leslie, cautiously*
Terrence: *steps towards Jackson since Leslie has two people there for her already* Wright?
Leslie: *wan smile* Hey Erik.
Molly: *will go see if Gary's alright if he looks like he needs support*
Erik: You look nearly as worn out as I was.
Chris:  *heads over to some nurses and tells them to check out the three newly de-merged officers, and then heads out*
Jackson:  *snaps his head up* Yes Counselor?
Terrence: *starts slightly at Jackson's abruptness* How do you feel?
Gary:  *looking around and working on getting himself together; just looks a bit lost*
Leslie: I can't say, I wasn't there when you came back.
Elspeth:  *offers Gary a hug because SOMEONE has to greet him*
Jackson:  *blinks* Like I've been gone a week.
Molly: *heads over to Gary and then comes to an abrupt halt when a Wild Elspeth appears and uses Hug*
Gary:  *startled but hugs Elspeth back* *British accent* This is a nice welcome.
Elspeth:  Welcome back to the world of the existing! ^_^
Terrence: *little smile* I guess you'll want some coffee, then.
Gary:  *grimaces, working on pulling his accent back to American* Thanks, it's good to be back.
Elspeth:  Please sit for a routine examination?
Jackson:  Actually, no. I don't want coffee.
Erik: *grins* No worries. I mostly didn't exist.
Terrence: Can I get you anything else, then?
Gary:  *grin* Only if you're the one who administers it.
Molly: *decides that Elspeth is enough company for Gary and there's no way she's getting in the middle of /that,/ so retreats somewhere to possibly check on Leslie if she gets the chance and not interrupt awkward boyfriend/girlfriend time*
Jackson:  *shakes his head* No, thank you. I'll wait to be sure that I and the others are fine, and then if I am dismissed, I just want to leave.
Terrence: *nods once* Of course. You're free to go at any time.
Leslie: I know. I was very aware of you not existing.
Jackson:  Thank you.
Terrence: *concerned little smile* Get some rest, okay?
Jackson:  I intend to. *after I exhaust myself by working out for hours and hours*
Terrence: *looks slightly suspicious, but nods* Okay, good. *steps back to give him space, and looks to see how Gary and Leslie are doing*
Elspeth:  *winks* I would not have it any other way.
Jackson:  *What? Just because he's emotionally exhausted doesn't mean he'll rest. It has to be physical exhaustion*
Gary:  *griiiins* Then carry on my dear.
Elspeth:  *preforms a routine, if not entirely impersonal, exam on Gary*
Leslie: *small smile and leans into him, pulling him into a hug*
Gary:  Will I live, Doc?
Erik: *holds her tight* We should just stay like this until the ship stops trying to tear us apart.
Molly: *yeah, not interrupting THAT*
Elspeth:  Indeed, vivaciously I expect.
Terrence: *steps over to Molly and touches her arm lightly*
Jackson:  *gets examined and cleared and then stands up and moves to the side, to get out of everybody else's way*
Gary:  Marvelous. You are an excellent Doctor.
Leslie: That would hardly be practical, dear.
Molly: *jumps slightly, having been watching Erik and Leslie despite the nagging feeling it was rude and not noticed Terrence's approach* *turns to blink at him* Yes? *practically whispered*
Terrence: *small smile, speaks just as quietly* They're probably glad we're here, even if we aren't the main attraction. *SEE THAT. IT'S LIKE A PUN 8D"
Molly: *whispers back* Are you sure? I feel like we're interrupting.
Erik: I dun cur about practical. I love you.
Elspeth:  And you are a flatterer. ^_^
Leslie: *small smile and holds him a bit tighter* I love you too.
Terrence: *small repressed chuckle* Not from back here, we're not.
Leslie, Jackson, and Gary: *Nope. Woulda been better if there had been no one they knew*
Gary:  Indeed I am. But all of my flattery is, of course, genuine. ^_^ So could it even be called flattery at that point?
Molly: *lets out a quiet sigh* Okay. *finds a wall to lean back against and tries not to stare at Erik and Leslie*
Terrence: *steps over to see if the nurses need help sorting anything*
Erik: *certainly doesn't plan to let go*
Elspeth:  I suppose at that point it is simple compliments and flirting. Your compliments and flitations are accepted. ^_^
Molly: *not gonna interrupt, but reaaaalllyyy wants to check on Leslie*
Leslie: *gets cleared to go and tries to pry herself out of Erik's arms so she can stand up and move around without a human growth clinging to her torso*
Erik: *reluctantly lets her go*
Gary:  *smiles* That's certainly better news than what I heard earlier from you.
Leslie: *stands up and holds onto his hand instead, looking around Sickbay, a little lost*
Terrence: *looks up from whatever he found to do and smiles at Leslie, but sense that Molly wants to see her more so doesn't move yet*
Molly: *decides tact can be shelved for now and approaches Leslie* Hey! *smiles* Good to have you back.
Jackson:  *sees that everybody is cleared to go, and quietly makes his exit unless he is stopped*
Terrence: *lets him go*
Leslie: *smiles tiredly* Hey Boss. Nice to be back. How are things?
Molly: *kind of a "e.e" moment, since when does Leslie call her Boss?* Ah... things are interesting. Should be getting back to normal now, though. Or, you know. /Our/ normal.
Erik: *kept things going smoothly, thanks*
Elspeth:  *bites her lip* I apoligize for my behavior. I did not mean to make things difficult.
Leslie: *Never calls Molly Boss. Ever. Except now for some reason* Good. I know you missed me and my incredible work abilities.
Molly: Mostly I just missed you. *oops that was the wrong thing to say good job Molly* ...not that you're not good at your job. *flushed*
Gary:  You didn't, my dear, you didn't. I just thought it was entertaining to see you so snippy.
Leslie: *smiles and flushes a bit* Thanks. *quietly*
Molly: *escape initiated* Anyway, just wanted to check up on you. Don't come back to work until you feel like you can, we've got things under control. *gestures to Erik*
Elspeth:  I do not like it when I am a rude one with others.
Erik: *nods* No rush, love. I can handle things in Communications till you're ready.
Leslie: *nods* Okay. I'll see how things are tomorrow and work it out from there. Is my schedule the same or no? *remembers that Molly threatened to cut it but promised to hold off until Erik was back*
Molly: ....I don't know, should it be? *critical stare*
Gary:  Did I say that I minded?
Erik: *steps back*
Elspeth:  You did not. ^_^ Still, it is unlike me.
Leslie: *starts to nod and say that yes, it should be the same, but stops* No, it shouldn't be.
Gary:  Then don't worry about it. I knew it was unlike you, and I dealt with it. Okay?
Molly: *folds her arms, not in an unfriendly or defensive way, just listening* Okay. Go on.
Elspeth:  *hugs him again* You are most kind.
Leslie: *sighs* I can't manage two full time jobs. I just can't. I know my limits and I exceeded them about two months ago. I need a cut if you can afford it. If not, I'll cut my Sickbay hours. Either way, something has to give.
Molly: *tries really hard not to say "I told you so"* I told you so. *dammit* I mean, yes. You did. I'll cut your hours. Let me know if you need more or less once I do.
Erik: Speaking of hours, boss, I have a shift in a minute. Leslie, see you tonight?
Elspeth:  In any case, you are in perfect health. Do be on your way, I need to see to other patients. Even you cannot pull me away from duty so easily. *winks, and sashays away*
Leslie: *nods at Erik as he leaves and then turns her attention back to Molly, looking a bit relieved* Thanks, Molly. I didn't want to get you to cut them because of all stuff I asked you to do when I was trying to leave. But, I can't. I just can't.
Lisery: *THAT'S OKAY SHE'LL TAKE THEM*
Gary: *dammit* *gets up and heads out of Sickbay because Elspeth abandoned him and he has no other friends*
Nic: *;___;*
Gary: *What kind of friend hides away in Engineering, not even coming out to see if the other friend is still around or /anything/?*
Molly: I've been waiting for you to say that for a while, actually. Consider it done. Now go get some rest, okay?
Leslie: I will.
Molly: Good. *nods decisively and then heads out of Sickbay to go rearrange shifts*
Terrence: *pads forward once Leslie is abandoned* Can I walk you to your quarters?
Leslie: *quiet as she thinks. This is a very complicated decison*
Terrence: *just waits*
Leslie: *nods* Yes please.
Terrence: *smiles and makes a gesture with his hand towards the door* Ladies first.
Leslie: *small nod and heads for the door*
Terrence: *follows next to her and a little behind, watching her body language and what he can see of her face to see if she's okay*
Leslie: Stop staring at me you're making me uncomfortable. I'm not going to explode.
Terrence: *holds up his hands* Hey. On this ship, you /never/ can tell. *nearly said "with you, you never can tell", phew, dodged a bullet there*
Leslie: I was just /surrounded/ with tricorders. If there was a risk, I think we would know.
Terrence: *laughs* It's good to have you back. *steps into a turbolift and calls out her floor*
Leslie: Thanks.
Terrence: Let me know if you need anything. Just don't comm me in the middle of the night. :I
Leslie: ...That sort of makes you insincere, hm?
Terrence: *looks guilty* I'm...I didn't mean that. You can comm me at night too.
Leslie: Good. I would have anyway.
Terrence: *little grin* To spite me?
Leslie: To test your friendship.
Molly: *would not be happy to be woken up, or to have Terrence leave*
Terrence: */does/ like to avoid the Ginger Wrath* Phew, glad you told me in advance. I always did terribly on pop quizzes. *probably not true because he probably read all his books the summer before the semester even started and then just skimmed them a second time before every class*
Leslie: *shakes her head* Not a pop quiz. This is a mother fucking exam.
Terrence: Well! I never liked getting exams sprung on me either.
Leslie: Tough.
Terrence: *steps out of the turbolift on her deck and pads along the hallway for her door* Comm me if you feel like having tea anytime soon.
Leslie: Don't I always?
Terrence: Yeah, but this way I feel like /I'm/ the one arranging the tea party.
Leslie: /Oh/. I get it. Power trip.
Terrence: *bobs his head cheerfully* ^___^
Leslie: *shakes her head* Strange person.
Terrence: Nah. I'm just a guy.
Leslie: And so you're all strange.
Terrence: Oh! Glad to be in the majority, then. *stops in front of her door and smiles* Get some rest.
Leslie: *makes a face at him* Since when do I listen to nurses?
Terrence: *makes a ;___; face*
Leslie: Oh that's right. Never.
Terrence: No /wonder/ you would have called me in the middle of the night.
Leslie: Hm? Why's that?
Terrence: Even if I told you not to, you wouldn't listen to me.
Leslie: Oh, right. *shakes her head* No, I wouldn't. You know why? Because nurses are laaaaaaaame.
Terrence: *shrugs* I'll be a doctor, someday.
Leslie: *possessive face* No. That's /my/ department. I have to have /somebody/ to boss around.
Terrence: 8I I didn't say I would be a /medical/ doctor. I don't know yet.
Leslie: Oh. /Well/ then. *opens her door* Goodnight Terrence.
Terrence: *smiles* Night, Leslie. Glad you're back.
Leslie: *nods at that because saying she's glad she's back just feels weird, slips into her room, and shuts the door behind her*



V.
LeBean:  *searching for Lana, all whole and himself again, just wearing the black pants and the uniform t-shirt, no jacket.*
Lana:  *searching for LeBean, haha*
LeBean:  *comes around a corner nearly face-to-face with her and reels back before there's a collision* Lana!
Lana:  Louie! *eyes wide* I heard you got back! You OK?
LeBean:  *hesitant chuckle, gestures to himself with both his hands* But of course.
Lana:  *would glomp, but no* *grins widely instead* Awesome! How're you? How's Lise?
LeBean:  She is well. *hesitates, nervously wiggling his fingers at his sides, then sets his expression determinedly and glomps Lana himself*
Lana:  *muffled squeak, but then glomps LeBean back* Glad to see you too!
LeBean:  *hugs her breathlessly, completely unable to force out the words he wants to say*
Lana:  *This is too long a hug for Just Friends.* *pulls away, or tries to* Hey... Sure you're OK, Louie?
LeBean:  *loosens his grip so he can look down at her, but doesn't release her completely* *brow furrowed and jaw working a little while he concentrates before he finally manages to blurt out* Je t'aime! *and then winces and flushes and yanks himself away when he realizes his failure to speak in Standard*
Lana:  *has an idea what it means but no* Um... parlez-vous anglais? *parl-ays-voos aang-lays*
LeBean:  *eyes wide, splutters a bit and works his hands while he tries to get it right* Je t'aime, je t'aime! Je...I...I /love you/. *completely red by now, his expression stricken because my god, that was a horrible pickup line*
Lana:  *can't help herself* *GLOMP*
LeBean:  *nearly overbalances, but throws one hand out at the wall to catch both of them, plants his feet, and hugs her tightly, babbling in French again*
Lana:  *wouldn't have cared if they'd both ended up on the floor* *laughing a bit breathlessly* Louie - Louie, stop! I don't speak Fancy!
LeBean:  *well it's not like he speaks not-fancy at this point* *stops chattering and presses his lips to Lana's in a sloppily executed, though heartfelt, kiss*
Lana:  *kisses him back passionately before realizing oh god this is going to get NSFW fast and pulling away* L-Louie!
LeBean:  *breathless* Oui, oui, of course. *releases her and grabs her hand, not really sure whose quarters are closer but aware that the first step is to get to a turbolift, so pulls her in the direction of the nearest one*
Lana:  *has a weak will, yep, and she's just so happy to have LeBean back and HE LOVES HER! so she just lets herself be pulled*
LeBean:  *gets them both into a turbolift and sets it to go to his floor, then gives Lana a hesitantly triumphant smile*
Lana:  *a little bit red* Je t'aime too. *terrible pronunciation, of course*
LeBean:  *laughs and slips his hand into hers, almost shyly*
Lana:  *kisses him on the cheek, holding his hand and trying very hard to keep herself from glomping him again*
LeBean:  *steps out of the turbolift as the door opens and leads the way to his quarters, which have remained untouched since his merger, aka they look fine because he always keeps his quarters ready for Company*
Lana:  *feeling a bit light-headed, stupid girl* Best day ever.
LeBean:  *leads her further into the room and releases her hand (if he still had it) to lean against his desk, starting to flush again* Mais non, I am not so much ze best.
LeBean:  *tilts his chin up slightly in a sort of nod and folds his arms across his chest, but the gesture doesn't look as casual and assured as it normally would* But of course. *sort of starts when he realizes he's being a bad host* Seet down, seet down. You would like a drink? *gets up to sort of waffle in the middle of the floor, trying to figure out the best course of action*
Lana:  Sure. *as usual, leaves the drink decision to LeBean, because she's a beer girl*
LeBean:  Ah, oui. *waffles for another moment before retrieving a bottle of wine from a drawer and pouring out two glasses, giving himself a mumbled peptalk in French as he does*
Lana:  So... *reddens* Lise kicked your butt?
LeBean:  *guilty chuckle as he holds out one of the glasses to Lana* You could say so. She was not happy to have known my mind.
Lana:  *takes the glass* Poor girl. *but can't manage sympathy because she's still giddy* Memories ought to fade, though. I barely remember Ilanis.
LeBean:  So I have heard. *swirls the wine in his glass a little but doesn't drink any yet, trying to broach the subject at hand* But now what?
Lana:  *little grin* So this isn't gonna be a like a fairy tale?
LeBean:  ....wheech ones?
Lana:  Y'know, people say "I like you" and they kiss an' go out to, like, movies and... *grins and says NSFW things which will not be typed out because PG-13*
LeBean:  *raises his eyebrows and shrugs* Zat I can do.
Lana:  *grin* Promise? *then a bit more serious, though she's still grinning* So how was it bein' half Tellarite?
LeBean:  *laughs and smacks a hand over one eye* Zank god I kept a human body.
Lana:  *GRIN* Pretty good-lookin' one, too.
LeBean:  Ah, oui. She enjoyed zat.
Lana:  How'd it feel having the boobs on your body for once?
LeBean:  *flicks up his eyebrows with a smirk, then laughs* Mais non, she was in control. I did leettle.
Lana:  Good thing or you might've been in trouble. Girl's got a temper, I think.
LeBean:  *makes a little face and rubs his chest absently* Tu as raison.
Lana:  Huh?
LeBean:  *smacks his hand to his face again* Oui, yes. You are correct. Pardon.
Lana:  I've gotta start wearin' a UT 'round you.
LeBean:  *flushes* I will get better. I forget how to speak when I am... *gestures to himself while he thinks of the word, then takes a deep breath and exhales quickly* Nervous.
Lana:  *exaggerated sadface* *hops over and takes his hand* C'mon, don't be nervous.
LeBean:  *nervous chuckle* I am good at many sings, but ze "boyfriend" *makes finger quotes with the fore- and middle fingers of the hand with the wineglass, his two other fingers still curled around the stem to hold it* is not my forte.
Lana:  Hey, having one isn't mine either. *leans against him* But it doesn't seem hard. *grin*
LeBean:  *extricates his hand from hers and slips his arm behind her and around her waist* You sink not?
Lana:  One way to find out, right?
LeBean:  *sets that glass aside too, turns back, and pulls her into a brief kiss* We will find out togezzer, mm?
Lana:  *puts her arms around his neck and grins* *quietly* Je t'aime. *No, don't worry LeBean, she's not going to say that often, but she likes learning new words*
LeBean:  *manages not to snort with laughter at her pronunciation* *murmurs back* Je t'aime. *kisses her again*
Lana:  *gives him a mock-glower and kisses him back. And then things got NSFW.*