Room 527, late Monday night

[solo_sword]

It was the middle of the night when Jaina's comlink started going off, and groggily she dragged herself out of bed. She was used to having to get up at weird hours to answer calls or go to work, but she didn't tend to have to worry about things like finding clothing in the dark before she answered a call from work.

So there might have been a muttered string of "Don't hang up don't hang up don't hang up," as she searched for and finally found something that was probably a shirt.


[For he whose room it iiiiiis, and probably post-radio.]

Comments

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

Rolling instinctively toward her place on the bed, John wished for a clapper when he realized she had moved. "Where you goin'?" And what was that noise that was stopping sleep from continuing on?

[solo_sword]

"I have to take this," she said, pulling on the shirt that was too big to be hers, but she'd just make sure to not turn on the holo settings. "Go back to sleep, I'll be back in a minute."

And she rushed into the bathroom so she wouldn't bother him too much, turning on the light and leaving the door open a crack. She'd try to keep her voice down.

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

As if he could. Spotting the bathroom light, John stretched, rolling his shoulders and tossing his legs over the side of the bed.

In the cold, he reached a hand down to feel for something to toss on. His hand came back with her shirt. Yeah, that wouldn't work.

[solo_sword]

It was a couple minutes before Jaina emerged from the room with her comlink off, leaving the door open for light in order to go to her drawer. Much easier to just get new clothes than to rummage around for whatever got thrown wherever earlier.

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

John rubbed his eyes and watched her cross the room, using the light to locate his pants much more quickly.

If she was going for clothing..."Something up?"

[solo_sword]

"Yeah. I have to go," she said, getting dressed with what may have been record speed. "The transport's already in orbit to get me."

Not that she was worried or anything.

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"What?" Tugging on pants, and rubbing his hands through his hair, trying to wake up enough to process this news. "Now? You're leaving now?"

[solo_sword]

"Have to. It shouldn't be long," Jaina said, though she was still scanning the room. "It doesn't sound like a work thing. Where are my boots?"

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"So I'll come," he decided, padding toward the dresser. "I might've kicked 'em under the bed."

[solo_sword]

She didn't know why that surprised her, but she was blaming it on the fact that she'd been sleeping three minutes ago. "John... They just called for me." And she felt really bad saying it.

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

Did she just hit him? He was pretty sure his face was stinging. The dresser drawer slammed shut and he leaned back against it.

"Right, naturally."

[solo_sword]

"Don't," she said, shaking her head. "It's nothing against you at all. But they won't tell me what's up. All they'll tell me is it's news on my family." And she was more than a little terrified at what that news could be.

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

He nodded, she was right. It wasn't like he was family or could do anything to help.

"Sorry, I guess good luck then?"

[solo_sword]

"Thank you," she said genuinely, "but I also need shoes."

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"Maybe you should pay better attention to where you kick things," he mused, dropping to his knees to check under the bed. It was a good way to hide the look on his face that could betray his words.

[solo_sword]

"Something to work on for next time," she said, spotting one next to the TV. She wasn't going to ask how it got there.

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

Climbing back to his feet, boot in hand, he offered it up to her. "Let me know how things go?" The unspoken part was that if she didn't, he'd know where he stood. It was amazing how quickly he could revert to shutting himself down and separating out pesky emotion.

[solo_sword]

She sat on the bed to pull her boots on, nodding. "I'll call as soon as I know what's happening. Let you know how long I have to be there." If it was a funeral, of course, it might take longer.

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

John stuffed his hands in his pockets, feeling cold and considering looking for a shirt.

"If you need anything..." He wanted to say like me but couldn't get the words out and trailed off, figuring she'd get the point.

[solo_sword]

"I know," Jaina said, standing and walking over to him. "I just..."

Maybe a little tiny part of her was scared of her reaction if it was something horrible.

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

John couldn't help the attempt to move his arms around her in a crushingly tight hug. Well, if she was normal it might crush.

She hadn't been home without him since the summer, his fear was only natural. His worry was self-centered.

[solo_sword]

"It'll be okay," she assured him, though it didn't stop her from hugging him back just as hard. "I love you."

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"I love you, too." Like he could deny it with his face buried against her neck. "Be safe," he ordered, relaxing his hold and kissing her hair.

[solo_sword]

"I will," she promised, and gave him a little lopsided smile as she reluctantly pulled back. "I'll call. Swear to it." It was the deal-breaker, after all.

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

He'd be glad to know she remembered that. "I'll try to answer," he promised.

[solo_sword]

"Just listen to the voicemails," she told him, willing to compromise. She backed away towards the door, knowing she needed to do a quick packing job in her room before going out to meet the transport. "I'll see you soon."

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

He stayed where he was, and raised his hand. It was better that way. Or at least easier. "So long, Jaina."