Home » The Archives » Chapter 9 » Regrouping and Recouperation
| Re: Regrouping and Recouperation [message #118 is a reply to message #117] |
Sun, 22 July 2012 18:46   |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma:
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Monday, Aug 6, 11 a.m., T. I. time, over the Pacific en route to L.A.(4 p.m., Aug 5, L.A.)
"So, what happened?"
John glanced over at his brother, whose brown eyes seemed to be staring straight ahead. John couldn't be sure though since Virgil was wearing his best, most concealing pair of Ray-Bans.
"What do you mean, 'what happened'?"
"You've been out of sorts since we took off," Virgil explained. "I want to know why."
John sighed and his shoulders drooped. "Have I been that obvious?"
"To me, yes. To Grandma, you scream discontented."
Virgil had gone back to use the single toilet a quarter hour previously and been collared by his grandmother on the way back with a single order, "Find out what's eating your brother."
Making a face, John shook his head. "I should have known. There's no having a bad mood around this family; someone is always going to try and jolly you out of it."
It was Virgil's turn to shake his head, and roll his eyes in the bargain. "I'm not going to try and jolly you out of it. If you want to have a snit, that's your prerogative. But I'd like to know where it's coming from so I can duck if necessary."
There was silence, and Virgil was ready to poke his brother again, when John spoke. "It's... it's everything, I guess. Mostly the hellish day we all had yesterday. Two rescues that turned into three; three of our operatives injured. Our stepmother in surgery; Seven in pieces; Scott telling Dad off; the farmhouse... I was so stressed out. Still am, in fact."
"And Kat?"
John groaned. "She picked the worst time."
Just before they had left, Kat had approached the plane, smiling. She and John had words together, the result of which had Kat's smile dissolving into a distressed look, and John frowning as he slammed his bag into the cargo hatch and stalked off.
"What did she say?" Virgil asked, trying to sound uninterested... and failing.
"She was very sympathetic at first; saying how glad she was to see me 'even under such trying circumstances'. But then she wanted to know if we could spend some time together while I was down. Offered to cook me a meal." John dropped his head, shaking it slowly. "I told her that I had other, more important things to do and I didn't think I'd have time." He sighed heavily again. "I was short with her, and I shouldn't have been. But... it was as if she didn't even care that all this stuff was going on in our family. As if the only thing that was important was our... relationship."
It was Virgil's turn to be silent, and John despaired of hearing anything more from his brother. "Well?" he asked.
"Well what?"
"What do you think?"
Virgil glanced at him. "I promised I wouldn't try to jolly you out of anything."
When John groaned, he added, "Listen. You're right about being sharp; whatever your current emotional status, you had no right to take it out on her. I'm sure she saw your being planetside as an opportunity, but I'm equally certain she is fully aware of what's going on."
"You are trying to jolly me."
"No," Virgil stated emphatically. "I am not. I'm just pointing out to you what you yourself have already realized, and a possible reason why she might have approached you. You owe her an apology, if nothing else."
The heavy sigh sounded again. "I know. And I'll apologize to her. But..."
"But what?"
"I don't know. I guess I thought she'd have more thought for me, for our family. Once she asked if we could spend time together, it sounded as if her opening sentiments were... insincere. Like her first words were just the opening to 'Could we perhaps spend some time together when you return?' Not thinking of me or our family, just... us -- whatever that might be."
"I think you've made that clear." Still, Virgil wondered about his brother and the friendship he was pursuing. I have a feeling that John doesn't put the same weight on this relationship of theirs as she does, at least, not yet. And one would think she'd be more sympathetic, especially since John was the only one who worked all three rescues... and simultaneously at that.
He glanced at John, who was leaning back, eyes closed. Relationships are the last thing on his mind right now. Kat probably should have realized that.
"Hey," he said, giving John a poke. "Why don't you go back and get some more rest? I'll be fine for an hour or so." He smiled. "Besides, I'd rather not hear you snore."
John nodded. "That sounds like a good idea." He took off his headset and hooked it over the copilot's steering yoke. "Holler if you need some help." He rose, then paused before he left the cockpit. "And for the record," he said, "I don't snore."
With that last shot he left, and Virgil snorted a laugh. "Wonder if Gordon still has that tape..."
Post by Tikatu on 10/20/2006
  
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