[Milliways: Suite 132]

[slayer_fray]

[OOC: After this]

Mel climbs up on to the balcony without a problem. She's still got three working limbs and her foot is already feeling better. She heals fast.

Swinging herself over the railing, she still doesn't put most of her weight on the left. It's not like she needs to put on a brave face for anyone. So she limps lightly through the living room, not noticing the blood she's treading into the carpet, and heads towards the main bathroom. If she washes in the hot tub she's less likely to be found by people she doesn't want to explain this to.

Her head is buzzing, and not because of the blows she took. Something happened, something Raph didn't seem to recognise, and she doesn't know what or why or how, and she doesn't know what it means.

All she wants is to dress her foot, take a bath, and curl up in bed. And if she can do that without needing to think about anything, then good.

Comments

[mnt_mike]

"Someone just won themselves an additional Christmas Present. I'm not going to say who specifically, because it'll ruin the surprise...but it's someone in this room."

[slayer_fray]

Mel grins against him.

"Senior Squeakins V?" she hazards, as that is the duck currently in her vision.

[mnt_mike]

"And lo' upon him I will bestow the vibrating cucumber of his choice, so sayeth the Geek."

[slayer_fray]

She laughs softly at that and squeezes him gently.

"They do vibrating cucumbers?"

[mnt_mike]

He nods in a solemn-esque manner.

"Oh yes, there are vibrating veggies for all tastes and pursuasions."

[slayer_fray]

Ths is good, this. The banter and the jokes. It almost feels normal.

Almost.

What the Rut is wrong with me?

"Like... eggplant?"

[mnt_mike]

"Lady, if you can eat it...we can make it jiggle on command."

His arm stretches out before the both of them, as if to illustrate just how wide the world before them is.

"Heck, we can even make things you wouldn't eat jiggle. It'll be a jiggle'gasm. Jiggle-topia! Jiggle-po-looza"

[slayer_fray]

"Wouldn't the ducks get jealous?"

[mnt_mike]

"Not with the right amount of cucumbery distraction they won't. In fact, they might forget about us entirely.
...
Huh, maybe this isn't such a great plan afterall...."

[slayer_fray]

"I don't know," Mel says, with as much joviality as she can manage, and squeezing him again. "I'm sure we can keep ourselves occupied..."

[mnt_mike]

"You really think so? Because, I was starting to worry that maybe we'd lost our imagination in some sort of horrible industrial accident. Or maybe...in 'Nam."

She's happier, and that makes him happier.
Now to keep her from seeing the trail he used to follow her here...

[slayer_fray]

"You were?" She's happier, but not by much. It's all an effort, and he's bound to notice. "What was making you worry about that?"

[mnt_mike]

"It's okay Mel, I already know. I found the pamphlets. So you want to be a librarian. It's just a rebellious phase, and we'll work through it. I promise."

He gives her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

[slayer_fray]

"Oh, really?" Mel asks with a faint smile, snuggling into him. "You don't mind?"

[mnt_mike]

"I love you, Mel. And if I have to prove that by still loving you as you wear knee length pencil skirts, sensible shoes, horn rimmed glasses and your hair in a severe bun, then so be it."

He turns to look at her.

"Wow, that'd be so super hot."

[slayer_fray]

She smiles up at him, and opens her mouth to reply...

...only to suddenly burst into tears.

[mnt_mike]

"Mel, baby...what's the...oh sweetie I was just kidding about the glasses and the shoes. I didn't mean it. I love your shoes and your better than average eyesight!"

[slayer_fray]

She nods against his chest, looking straight down at her foot that's still sitting on his lap.

After a few sobs, she manages: "It's not... I'm sorry."

[mnt_mike]

Mike wastes no time scooping her into his lap and holding her close.

"i don't care one way or the other. it's going to be all right."

[slayer_fray]

But what if it isn't?

What if it happens again? What if it's someone else, someone who can't look after themselves? Lilly or Ace or even Indy?

What if she doesn't wake up before delivering that final blow?

What if it never gets easier?

She just nods against his shoulder, hugging her knee with one hand.

[mnt_mike]

Mike knows one thing for sure, that this outburst of hers has nothing to do with librarian jokes. He rocks her ever so slightly.

"shhhh. let it out. it's going to be okay. i promise it's going to be okay."

[slayer_fray]

Deep breaths. Slow, deep, cleansing breaths.

Pull yourself together, Melaka

Slowly, steadily, she calms down a little, but she doesn't let go off him.

"Sorry"

[mnt_mike]

"there's nothing to be sorry about. these things happen. heck, you even chose the absolute best room in the flat for this very purpose. no better place to spring a leak than in a room with tiled floors."

He says mildly, before kissing the top of her head again.

[slayer_fray]

She laughs there, and it feels good. Just that relief, and she feels better for the crying as well.

Still just sitting, covered in blood and mud except for her foot and tear streaked face, it's comforting just to be in his arms.

But she's so scared.

[mnt_mike]

He wonders if she feels as safe in his arms as he feels holding her. So safe, that he doesn't even hesitate when instinct tells him to lean over the edge of the tub and rise the facecloth. After squeezing out the excess water he places it on the back of her neck.

Warm and soothing, he doesn't let go.