The Living Dead

Posted on Tue Nov 20th, 2018 @ 10:23pm by Lieutenant JG Siobahn Fallon

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/5
Location: Aft Lounge

Curled up on one of the comfortable arm chairs near the door, Siobahn tucked her feet up under her, alternating between staring at the PADD in her hand and glancing distractedly at Andrew and Paul. It didn't take a rocket scientist to work out that they were dealing with some kind of a temporal or alternate reality, given that people were coming back from the dead, but still, the whole situation left her uneasy. She knew first hand how hard Andrew had found dealing with Paul's death, and now that he was 'back' she honestly wasn't sure how it would be handled when he went away again.

Coby had been watching her as she flitted around the room, laughing and talking to everyone that she encountered. From the moment she walked into the lounge he had felt his heart sink into his gut. Maybe he was wrong, maybe it wasn't her, but there was no mistaking those eyes, or that laugh. Now, watching her as she watched her... who was he? Her boss? Her friend? Her lover? Regardless, the crease in her brows was one he knew well, one he suddenly found himself longing to trace over with his fingertips before kissing it away. He looked quickly down at the drink in his hand, turning the glass, the dark amber liquid swirling around the ice cubes as he stood up abruptly and walked across to her, sitting on the small table in front of her. "Kiss me if I'm wrong, but dinosaurs still exist right?"

Siobahn looked up from the PADD in her hand, the expression on her face stuck somewhere between mild annoyance and mild amusement. "Excuse me?"

He smiled vaguely, a smile that just didn't quite reach his eyes. "You said the same thing the first time I ever used that line on you," he said quietly. "I know you aren't really her, it's okay... it just took me by surprise, it's been so long, I didn't think I'd ever see you face to face like this again."

Clearly confused, Siobahn set the PADD down on her lap. "I'm sorry, do I know you?" She paused momentarily before laughing. "Gosh, that sounds so rude doesn't it? I'm sorry, clearly you know me... I just..."

"You don't know me," Coby nodded. "I know, it's okay. I look at you and I need to keep reminding myself that you don't know me. You're not really you, at least, you're not the you that I knew..." he paused and laughed. "That's a tongue twister, try saying that ten times fast!" he replied in a vain attempt to change the subject.

"So how exactly is it that we know each other?" Siobahn asked curiously, not to be deterred.

Finishing his drink, Coby set the empty glass down on the table next to him, watching her for a moment in silence as he contemplated how to answer her question. "You are, or at least where I come from you were, my wife."

Feeling the breath rush out of her, Siobah leaned back in her chair, staring at him, her expression nothing short of incredulous. "Your... wife?"

Coby didn't reply, instead he waited for her to process what he had just told her.

Siobahn cast a glance at Andrew and Paul before looking back at Coby. "But... how?"

He exhaled slowly. "Malachay introduced us during your first year at the Academy. We got married a few weeks after you graduated."

"I see..." Siobahn replied dumbly, reaching blindly for the PADD and holding it tightly against her chest.

Not hearing the sound of the doors to the lounge opening, Siobahn found herself startled by the sudden pressure of a hand on her shoulder. Glancing up, eyes wide, she found herself staring directly into the face of one of the marines.

"Sorry Ensign, didn't mean to startle you," Andi said with a slight grin. "I just got asked to make sure everyone in here was okay. No problems I need to report back?"

Clambering awkwardly to her feet, eyes widening with surprise, Siobahn shook her head quickly. "No, we're all good. I was just getting things wrapped up, I'll be out of here momentarily. Just let me grab my things..."

As she stood up, Coby jumped to his feet, grabbing her hand and holding it tightly in his as his lips brushed lightly over her fingers. "Come back tonight?" he urged softly. "I just want to see you one more time." His posture relaxed as he smiled easily. "It was a pleasure to meet you Ensign," he said loudly. "And thank you."

Flustered, Siobahn nodded slightly before pulling her hand away. She cast another quick glance at the marine, one she didn't recognise, and smiled slightly, colour flooding her cheeks. Without answering, Siobahn walked quietly across the room, nudging Andrew on her way past before gathering up her medical supplies to head back to Sickbay.

=/\=

Ensign Siobahn Fallon
Medical Officer
USS Wellington