Got Something to Say

Posted on Wed May 13th, 2020 @ 12:13pm by Lieutenant Colonel Johnathon Hayter

Mission: Around The World in 8 Days
Location: Hayter's Quarters - U.S.S. Gladiator / U.S.S. Astraea
Timeline: Flashback

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Watching as the Slipstream glow and shimmer like being in an under water craft, John took in a deep breath as he pondered if he was truly ready to take on a position away from Hawkins and the others once again. Most of the past couple years had been assisting and being near for them to call upon him to do what was needed to help those around them. But now, at the request of his friend and knowing that there weren't a lot of skilled or knowledgeable marines, the colonel was going to take on the new assignment.

The sound of Meeka, his canine, flipped around one of her chew toys before going back to her bed and made sure to show the toy who was the master. John smirked slightly and took in a deep breath again, knowing all to well that she was going to be there as well. Not many people could handle animals, and this was no difference. But unlike the Gladiator, she may not get as much free range. Only time would tell. She was still going to be there to assist him train the new batch of marines.

Siobahn was getting startlingly used to these calls. Without fail, each time she brought a medical kit, yet it was never required. There was always something else he needed or wanted. Pausing at the door, she hit the chime and waited to see if he would answer. Two minutes, then she'd use her medical override to get in, just in case.

"About time," John smirked slightly as he continued to fold clothes and packing them in his pack. Once he got done with that portion, he zipped the large bag and turned on his heel and walked into the living quarters. "So ready for round..." he paused as he thought it through for a moment before shrugging. "...twenty-seven?"

As she walked in, Siobahn glanced around his quarters, her surprise quite visible on her face. "You're going somewhere?" she asked softly, setting the medical kit down on the table and folding her hands behind her back.

"Just jumping straight to that, huh?" he replied as he looked her over. She was still in her uniform and this really didn't surprised him, but still. Would have been nice to see her more relaxed. But still... "So I hear the burgers and fries with the member from the Blue-Man Group went well?"

"Do you have my quarters bugged or something?" she asked, raising an eyebrow slightly as she watched him. "It was a perfectly pleasant evening. We had a few quiet drinks, we shared a meal, he went home."

"I had them installed in all quarters. How else am I supposed to gather dirt on people?" John smirked lightly as he offered her a seat on the couch, before he plopped down. As always, there was glasses and bottles on the table. He wasn't about to change things up.

Siobahn sank into the couch and watched him curiously. "So, are you going to tell me what this is about?" she asked softly as she watched him pour two drinks. "Or are we here to play charades?"

"Is there something wrong with just relaxing and enjoying each other's company?" he countered simply as he handed her a drink. "I mean, hell, Meeka even missed you."

"That's because she has taste," Siobahn countered with a smirk as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a handful of treats, holding them out toward the canine and calling her name quietly. "I replicate them fresh every day for when I see her," Siobahn explained.

The pup looked up from her toy and sniffed the air before standing up and moving quickly to the couch. She sat there and sniffed closely at her human female friend before allowing a low bark to roll out. With that, she received a treat and wagged her tail at a slow pace.

"Yeah, I don't think that matters to her," John grinned slightly before taking a drink of his liquid.

Feeding the treats to Meeka, Siobahn's hand moved to the dog's head, scratching absently behind her ears as she turned her attention back to Hayter. "The drink doesn't taste as bad as the first one you gave me," she said with a slight smile. "Either that or you've destroyed all my tastebuds."

"Well part of that was due to Shark. He helped out with this regular supply of medical grade liquor," he shrugged as he raised his glass. "And it sure does hit the spot."

"I don't think I've drank this much since I was at the Academy," Siobahn mused with a smile. "Alcohol makes me make bad decisions and I tend to regret it later."

"Like the time you tried doing surgery on me, after I came back from that away team on the Ranger? Damn, you were still drunk from the night before," he laughed for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, I learned to stop switching out that medicine for saline solution."

"Well, next time you'll think twice before you make up stories about being hurt and needing medical attention. Damn it! I could have seriously hurt or killed you!" she protested.

John just laughed as he nodded in agreement. "Yeah but I trusted us. It was a good prank though. The meds, not the getting shot. That freaking hurt. "

"Good," Siobahn sulked, not looking at him. She lapsed into a moment of silence. "What's this about?" she asked again. "Are you leaving?"

"Yeah, I'm leaving. Wanted to hang out with ya one more time. I was asked to help out an old friend of his, and she needs a proper marine officer to train the right marines for them," he explained as he made another drink.

"Oh..." Siobahn took the drink he handed her, finishing half of it in one hit before resting the glass on her thigh. "When do you go?" she asked quietly, turning to look at him. There was an unmistakable hint of sadness in her eyes a she watched him.

"You know that we are heading to Earth right now, right?"

Siobahn nodded, that much she was aware of, much to her own disappointment. Earth was not a place she was keen to be returning to.

"My team of marines and I head out during our time at Earth," John explained as he explained as he took a drink.

"Well, I guess that's that then," she finally replied, taking a smaller sip of her drink. "I'm sure you'll do well. Where ever you're heading, they're lucky to have your company."

He chuckled as he looked at her for a moment before shaking his head. "You do realize that you are drunk half the time you are around me, right?"

"Well, you're the one that keeps giving me alcohol," Siobahn retorted, turning to look at him. "So the blame for that lays squarely on you darlin'."

"Fair enough, but I didn't force it down your throat," Hayter countered as he took another gulp of his drink. "You weren't one of my torture victims. "

"You mean this hasn't been torture?" There was a look of mock horror on her face as she looked at him. "Sure has felt like it, you're positively wretched."

"What can I say, it passes the time for us marines," He shrugged as he took another drink. He took in a deep breath and sighed before leaning on her slightly. "I'll miss ya, miss Fallon. Been short but fun with ya."

Siobahn leaned against him, resting her head against his shoulder. "I'll miss you too," she said quietly.

There was a slight pause as he thought it all through before resting his own head on hers. "Yeah, I'm going to miss you, psycho red headed doctor," he smirked.

"Shut up and drink your drink, don't make me smack you!" Siobahn shot back, not bothering to move, instead closing her eyes as she continued to lean against him, realising the extent of the truth in her words. She really was going to miss him.

~ fade out ~

John looked through the new quarters view port into the darkness of the stars in space. Down below was the stars and below the curvature of the earth below. He took a deep breath and knew deep down that this was different. Did Siobahn really get under his skin?

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