|
|
Post by Evangeline on Nov 6, 2008 18:52:29 GMT -5
"I can do that." Bree came up beside Ebony. "I'm feeling a bit better now, Lieutenant, thanks for asking. But what's this I hear about you not eating?"
"I just didn't feel up to having anything, ma'am." Stokes answered. His words were respectful, but his eyes didn't miss the rug, and the concerned followers. I'm sure you weren't so chipper either, they seemed to say.
"Morning, Ebony." Bree acknowledged the Viper, having known her too long not to twig that Ebony had some kind of agenda going. She gave Shale a reassuring nuzzle as he came up, telling him that she HAD to straighten this out as she turned back to Stokes. "So is something getting you down, then?" Maybe she wouldn't have to do the social equivalent of pulling teeth if Ebony filled her in on what was going on...
"You should take a break." Dawn answered. "You don't have to stay anchored here all the time."
"That's right." Marty seconded.
|
|
|
|
Post by ebonyviper on Nov 6, 2008 19:11:56 GMT -5
Ebony figured she had to take the cat out of the bag, "Well, it's about Freda..."
Shale returned the nuzzle, but seemed to take the hint that Bree could handle herself, but remained close in case she needed him. He turned to Ebony as the Viper and, even though he didn't know who Freda was, asked, "What's wrong with her? Is she sick too?"
"No..." said Ebony, "She's just been very mopey lately... I figure she met a very nice cutter and misses him at the moment." She turned to look at Stokes as she said this.
*****
"But I don't have anything to do right now," said Freda.
|
|
|
|
Post by Evangeline on Nov 6, 2008 19:25:15 GMT -5
"You mean... she really likes me that much?" Stokes seemed to perk up.
Bree couldn't help a little bit of a laugh at this. Lovesick... I should have known. "Look, I'm not gonna be in any shape for flying for the next few days, so I don't think we'll have anything going on this week. You've got the whole day to yourself, barring any catastrophes, of course."
"Really, ma'am?" Stokes almost couldn't believe this.
"AFTER you get something in your tank." Bree waved her nose towards the fuel outlet. "Then you can go see Freda."
"Thank you, ma'am." the cutter finally started to take in his fuel so that he could leave the dock.
Bree returned a THANK-YOU glance to Ebony. "OK, now you all can take me back to bed."
"You never know what might happen." Dawn said. "So don't give up hope, OK?"
|
|
|
|
Post by ebonyviper on Nov 6, 2008 19:48:18 GMT -5
"Have an awesome time," said Ebony, "You two deserve it."
Ebony nodded in silent confirmation to Bree's unspoken words. Heh, first Ricardo and Phoenix and now Freda and Stokes. I'm on a roll, she thought, proud of herself for her accomplishment, I should start a matchmaking business.
Shale edged closer to allow Bree to lean against his side as he helped her back to the hangar.
*****
"What are you talking about?" asked Freda, looking down at Dawn on the raft.
|
|
|
|
Post by Evangeline on Nov 6, 2008 20:02:01 GMT -5
"Thank you, Ebony." Stokes jigged anxiously in place while his reserves were topped off, then let loose from his berth and made his way out.
Bree was grateful for Shale's support as he held her up for the short trek back to the hangar, and for getting back onto her mat. Greg sighed manfully and put an extra layer of flannel blankets on her to protect her from drafts. She gave each an affectionate nudge in return.
Guy watched from the doorframe, no longer showing any testiness or resentment, but thinking.
Dawn sat down, pulling her knees up to her chest. "Oh, I think Ebony and Delfina were up to something last night. And Ebony went to town this morning, she didn't say for what, but I think she was going to have a talk with a certain someone."
|
|
|
|
Post by ebonyviper on Nov 6, 2008 20:21:24 GMT -5
Shale settled down beside Bree to let her know that he's not leaving her.
Ebony waved as Stokes headed off then turned to see where the helos have gone.
*****
Freda blinked for a moment as what Dawn had said sink in, "Wait, what are saying? She's gone to talk to Ben?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Evangeline on Nov 6, 2008 20:38:03 GMT -5
"I love you, hon." Bree gave Shale a lick before putting her cheek against his and closing her eyes.
"I think that's the idea." Dawn nodded. "They didn't tell me any particulars, but I can do the math as well as anyone."
"That would be great." Marty concurred.
|
|
|
|
Post by ebonyviper on Nov 6, 2008 20:42:26 GMT -5
"I love you too, Dear," Shale replied softly, a smile on his face as Bree leaned against him.
*****
"So you think Ben really likes me?" asked Freda.
|
|
|
|
Post by Evangeline on Nov 6, 2008 21:25:52 GMT -5
"Anyone can see how he seems to float on air when he's around you." Dawn nodded. "He just has to work up the nerve to say it."
Bree drifted off to sleep again, cuddling against Shale like a child.
Greg couldn't help but smile as he saw the two nesting together. He heard a sigh from the doorway and observed Guy looking on with something in his eyes that might signal the beginning of final acceptance.
Sharon turned back to check out Ebony, her nostrils flaring as she checked out the Viper woman. "We haven't met, but Bree mentioned you once or twice. I'm Sharon, her mother."
|
|
|
|
Post by ebonyviper on Nov 6, 2008 21:44:03 GMT -5
"I hope so," said Freda, "I really like him."
*****
Shale stayed where he was.
*****
"Oh, hello," Ebony looked up at Sharon, "Nice to meet you, Ma'am. Name's Ebony Massey."
|
|
|
|
Post by Evangeline on Nov 6, 2008 21:54:09 GMT -5
"Pleased to meet you." Sharon smiled. "Thank you for helping out my daughter with the Shy Boy over there."
As Bree drifted off, a purring undertone came to her breath as she snuggled against Shale.
"And I think he knows that now." Dawn replied. "It's just a matter of nerving up to tell you for real."
|
|
|
|
Post by ebonyviper on Nov 6, 2008 22:06:34 GMT -5
"No problem," Ebony said with a nod, "I always help out a friend."
*****
Upon hearing the purring, Shale smiled and was content. He was glad that Bree was finally able to let herself rest.
*****
"I think I should tell him how I feel as well," said Freda as she began to raise her anchor.
|
|
|
|
Post by Evangeline on Nov 6, 2008 22:22:03 GMT -5
Dawn raised a fist in a "power" salute. "Go for it!"
Even Guy couldn't resist a smile at the sound of his daughter's purr. It reminded him of when she and her twin brother would join their parents in bed in the mornings.
"And I can see my daughter has some good ones." Sharon nodded as Robin and Jordan came back after checking on Bree.
"You should see her and Shale nesting together." Robin grinned. "It's actually kind of cute."
|
|
|
|
Post by ebonyviper on Nov 6, 2008 22:33:46 GMT -5
Freda smiled and as soon as her anchor was brought up and secured, she moved off out of the cove. As she passed through the entrance, Nerisa gave her a encouraging blast of her horn.
*****
Shale began a soft purring of his own to sychronize with Bree's.
*****
"Yep. Even human ones," said Ebony as Robin and Jordan came back.
|
|
|
|
Post by Evangeline on Nov 6, 2008 22:47:36 GMT -5
"Speaking of humans - they're camped out a few miles down the shore, aren't they?" Robin asked.
Greg finally allowed himself a few minutes of relaxation after twenty-four hours without sleep. Guy shrugged and assumed an "on guard" posture over them.
Stokes heaved to and paused as he heard Nerisa's horn, and deduced the meaning. He plowed on and added a few more knots to his speed.
|
|
