for ZEX

[bornsnarky]

[scowling at the communicator]

Yeah, but what the hell happened to him? You could give me a little more-

[Jim barks something curt about not having time and you'll just have to deal with it, Bones]

Oh, great. Just great. Guess I better get ready for anything from the Antares Two-step to Denobulan Mudfever.

Comments

[bornsnarky]

[telegraphing every move so you can refuse if you want, I'm gonna put a hand on your cheek, to hold your head still while I inspect cuts]

[though it might be possible to interpret this as a gesture of tenderness, too]

Pretty easy to screw up when it's something this big and horrible.

[zexyandiknowit]

[For the first time in a long time, lets his eye slide closed]

I did not want you to see this, Doctor McCoy.

[bornsnarky]

[not immune to that emotionally]

[dabbing at the cuts, but they seem to be healing all right without further intervention from me]

I'm not taking it as a weakness, if that helps.

[zexyandiknowit]

[Noncommittal noise]

[bornsnarky]

[small smile]

[man, I wish I were better at this emotional stuff, I just don't have the words]

I'm not.

[zexyandiknowit]

[Opens his eye again, just as the spines retreat an inch or so]

I would not blame you if you did.

[bornsnarky]

[smile broadens just a little, still tense and worried and pained for you, but... you're you]

Hey. Self-hate is my load of bullshit. You get your own.

[zexyandiknowit]

[Raises a glance at McCoy]

Your taste in people to hate is terrible.

[bornsnarky]

Pfft.

My taste in people to like is damn good.

[zexyandiknowit]

[Deep breath, ending in a sigh. More spine retreating.]

[bornsnarky]

[softly] If you want to talk about all this, I've got time. But if you want to sleep or work out or whatever, that's fine too.

[zexyandiknowit]

...I do not know... what to say. The only person who has asked is DAX, and I did not so much explain to him as destroy my quarters.

[bornsnarky]

[pleased about the spines, still worried generally]

Ah. You're big on healthy emotional reactions, too.

You want to start at the beginning? When you first had an encounter with slavery?

[zexyandiknowit]

...First--are you certain that the rest of the landing party will not need your assistance any time soon? I believe I have stunned all of the slavers, but if not...

[bornsnarky]

[nods] They'll let me know if they need me. Unless you'd prefer to do this when there's no likelihood of being interrupted?

[zexyandiknowit]

[Thinks for a moment, then makes to stand]

I would prefer to know that everyone is safe, before proceeding.

[bornsnarky]

C'mon, then.

[zexyandiknowit]

[Walks to the communicator and checks in with the bridge, asking for updates and inquiring after specific people's positions]

[ZEX knows pretty much all 400 crew members' names, surprising no one who knows him]

[bornsnarky]

[listens, arms folded]

[zexyandiknowit]

[Everyone seems to be cool--they're transporting the remaining slaves aboard. Sounds like most of them are human or humanoid.]

[ZEX acknowledges and signs off, rolling a shoulder like he has just realized it's sore.]

[bornsnarky]

Excellent.

All right, I need to give some instructions to my staff, then I'm all yours. And that's a promise and a threat.

[zexyandiknowit]

Understood.

I will put on a shirt.

[bornsnarky]

Shouldn't be too much for them to do, and of course they can page me if they need me. But they're experienced enough.

[and I'm needed here]

[nods, strips off gloves]

I'll be back shortly.

[darts out the door]

[zexyandiknowit]

[Hate to see you leave, love to watch you go, even at trauma times]

[Gonna grab a shirt from over here]

[bornsnarky]

[oh, you]

[does the necessities, comes back in calmly enough]

You wanna stay here or head to your quarters?