VFF The Book continues 4
POSTED BY: Colt999
UPDATED: Saturday, April 26, 2014 13:20
VIEWED: 92029
PAGE 7 of 19
Mobbex is walking behind Oram as they enter the infirmary.
She flips on the lights and directs Mobbex to the table with a quick nod.
Oram: Take a seat, I need to have a clear look at it.
Mobbex lifts his bottom onto the stainless steel counter and stoops his head. Oram pulls on a pair of blue nitrite surgical gloves and starts feeling the lump on Mobbex's head.
Mobbex: *winces as Oram is fingering his wound* So, huh... Is it bleedin'?
Oram: Nope... it ain't pretty though. What did you say he hit you with?
Mobbex: 'Ain't exactly sure to be honest. My guess is it was one of Spots's hydro-spanners. 'Thing had a weight to hit, 'knocked me senseless in a flash.
Oram: Oh... *tries to hide her gleeful grin* So, hum... captain knocked you out?
Mobbex: *nods* Uh-huh. Captain's a scheming gent, 'had a plan. Me, I just went in thinkin' I could taunt him into lettin' the gloves go... 'played right into his hands.
Oram: So... you're sayin' he outsmarted you. Well that's a shocker...
Mobbex: *chuckles* I misjudged him is all. 'Didn't figure him for a down'n dirty type o' customer.
Oram: *frowns* Come again?
Mobbex: Well, huh... *clears throat* I've done some competitive boxing in my youth, back on Lilac. But I got turned off with all the rules'n stuff, so I picked up street fighting! *chuckles* 'My first time out, I got trounced...
Oram: *arches her eyebrows* Really?
Mobbex: Oh yeah... I mean, even then I's probably stronger and fitter than any guy they could throw at me, but... Y' see, back in the ring, y' come up against a fella' y' can't beat, you lose. But down on the streets, when you can't beat'im... you cheat. 'Guy threw a fistful o' dirt at my face and hit me in the temple with a rock. Knocked me right out. That's down'n dirty for you...
Oram: I see...
Mobbex: 'Course, I came right back and beat the living 
out o' the guy not even a week after...
Oram: *gives a half smile* Of course...
Mobbex: *chuckles* Yea, I bet his ears are still buzzin' from that pounding his head took that day... anyway. Tha' was an important lesson.
Oram: Yeah, reckon it was.
She pulls a flashlight out of her pocket and sets about inspecting Mobbex's eyeballs.
Oram, mumbling to herself more than anything: No sign of excessive photophobia... Pupils are even sized...
Mobbex: Huh?
Oram: *switches the flashtlight off and tucks it back into her pocket* How's your vision? Is it blurry? 'You seeing any bright lights?
Mobbex stares at her for a moment, looking a little unassertive, then shakes his head no.
Oram: Okay... are you filling dizzy or nauseous?
Mobbex: *grins wryly* Not any more than usual.
Oram: *giggles* Yeah, good one. How's your motor coordination? Are you having difficulties balancing and such?
Mobbex: *shrugs* I got here fine, haven't I?
Oram: *nods and takes a step back* Well, you look fine to me. Just be sure to check in if symptoms crop up within the next few days.
Mobbex: *gets to his feet* Thanks doc, I will. *gives her a nod of salute and walks out*
Abbey:...Pleasuretex?
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
*Mobbex runs into abbey on the stairs.*
Mobbex: What do you want?
abbey *smiling*: I just wanted to say thank you.
Mobbex *confused*: Huh?
abbey: For being nicer to Oram. I heard you down in the infirmary.
Mobbex *slightly uncomfortable*: Whatever… No big.
abbey *motioning towards her shuttle*: I have something for you. Will you follow me?
*She starts up the stairs and he reluctantly follows her.*
Mobbex: You’re not going to yell at me are you?
abbey: No.
Mobbex: You thinking on shooting me?
abbey *chuckling*: No!
Mobbex: Whacking me in the head with a hydro-spanner like the Captain?
abbey *stopping abruptly and turning around*: He hit you in the head with a hydro-spanner?
Mobbex *shrugs as they start back up the stairs*: We had a disagreement. I don’t know which is worse, that or the fact he stuffed me in a locker afterwards.
abbey *stopping again*: He put you in a locker? Do you even fit?
Mobbex: I think Sky helped him.
*abbey suppresses a laugh and starts again up the stairs.*
abbey: I think this might brighten your day then.
Mobbex: Shiny!
When they got up to her shuttle, she went behind the curtain where her sleeping quarters were. Mobs really wanted to know what it looked like back there but stayed where he was. He looked around the room.
abbey *from behind the curtain*: I got these from a dealer on Ariel. They are supposed to be very good. My customers like them.
Mobbex notices that there is a very large intimidating lock on her bar now. He smirks. The place looks a lot different now that he’s had time to look around. There is a couple of snazzy looking end tables and a sofa up against the wall. There were two large cabinets on the opposite wall. Other than that, it seems kinda simple.
Mobbex: Where’s all yer stuff? Though you’d have more. Life you lead and all.
*abbey comes back out to where Mobbex is. She points to end tables.*
abbey: Those are the tables for card games. That one is a roulette table.
Mobbex: Don’t look like one I’ve ever seen.
abbey: New models. All electronic. By the time they come together, you’d never know they had ever looked like this.
Mobbex *still looking at tables, amazed*: Huh!
abbey: I keep the chairs, cards, other accessories in the cabinets.
Mobbex *grinning at her*: What about the loot?
abbey *laughs*: I’m not telling you that. Let’s just say that it is safe.
*She hands Mobbex three really nice, fancy cigars. Mobbex gapes at them.*
Mobbex: Are those what I think they are?
abbey *nods head*: Yes they are.
Mobbex *excited*: SHINY!
abbey: I just really appreciate it… And I was a bit dramatic in the infirmary the other night.
Mobbex: Ah… Knew you didn’t mean it.
abbey: Didn’t say that. I meant it. Just I came across a little…
Mobbex: Scary?
abbey *amazed that she pulled off intimidating a man the size of Mobbex*: Really?
Mobbex: Yeah. Scary abbey is a little… unsettling. Caught me off guard.
abbey *changing the subject*: Well, I thought that you might like them.
Mobbex: Do these have hearts on them somewhere too? *abbey rolls eyes*
abbey *pointing to door*: Out!
Mobbex chuckles as he tucks the cigars gently into his pocket. He closes her door behind him as he leaves. He passes by Colt on the way to his bunk.
Mobbex *with a sloppy grin on his face*: With perks like these, I might just like having her around. *looks straight into Colt’s face* She give treats like this to everyone?
*Mobbex keeps walking towards his bunk leaving Colt on the catwalk. Colt looks over at the doorway to leads to abbey’s shuttle. He could feel his anger rising.*
Colt: Perks?
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Perks?
* I walk in Abbey's shuttle without knocking*
Whats going on in here?
Abbey: What are you talking about?
* I look around her shuttle, not sure what exactly I'm looking for.*
Mobbex said...
Abbey: Said what?
What was he doing in here?
Abbey: I was just thanking him. He.... Why is this your business?
Thanking him how? I mean for what?
Abbey: I think we're finished here Captain Colt.
* her formal dissmissal, doesn't go unnoticed.*
You think we're finished here? Did everyone here forget this is my goram boat?
Abbey pushing me towards the door: I understand its your boat but this is my shuttle. So until I'm behind on the rent, your authority ends at this door.
You think so? *The door shuts in my face*
Abbey: What is wrong with that man? What did he think I was doing with Mobbex? *suddently realizing * He wouldn't. He couldn't . Either he has a very low opinion of me.....or he was...no it couldn't be he agreed it was an accident. He couldn't be jealous.
Stan: One of his prairie dogs could have outsmarted him.
http://hometown.aol.com/colt9999/myhomepage/index.html
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
* I'm fuming as I leave her shuttle. Shut the door in my face. I should have Spots rip the damn thing off again. Oram sees me passing through the cargo bay.*
Oram: Captain did you really hit Mobbex with spanner?
Pretty sure it was a wrench.
Oram: You can't go around hitting people in the head with wrenches. You could have killed him.
He'll live.
Oram: Yes he will no thanks to you.
* I spin around and get in her face* is it that much different than you throwing a book at Abbey? She has a bruise big around as her head now. What was that all about?
* She looks at me horrified and starts to cry.*
Thought she was your friend *rubbing it in for no reason but pissed*
Just patch up my crew Doc.
* I leave her crying and head to the galley*
Stan: One of his prairie dogs could have outsmarted him.
http://hometown.aol.com/colt9999/myhomepage/index.html
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
*abbey hears a commotion coming from outside of her shuttle. She comes out to see Colt leaving and Oram in tears. She rushes up to Oram.*
abbey *angrily*: What did he say to you?
Oram *sobbing*: He told me that your bruise was as big as your head! Tell me that’s not true!
Abbey *hugging her tightly*: Wish I could mei mei. It is pretty nasty, but don’t you worry none. It’ll heal. I’ll be good as new. *Oram pushes abbey back a little and looks under the collar of her shirt to see the bruise. Her eyes grow wide.*
Oram *horrified*: I am so sorry! No wonder he said that I wasn’t a good friend. *lays shirt gently back into place.* I’ll go get you something for the pain.
Abbey *anger rising*: No need to. I’m fine. *She looks toward where Colt had disappeared to.* It is him that won’t be. *She turns back to Oram.* Now go down to your room and rest. I will take care of him.
*Oram nods and goes down stairs. Abbey walks briskly into the galley, where she catches Colt alone. He is pouring a drink.*
abbey *angry*: What in the Hell is wrong with you? *Colt snorts in response as he downs his drink quickly before refilling. She crosses her arms and continues.* You enjoy making Oram cry?
Colt: You enjoy doing… whatever it was you did with Mobbex?
Abbey *anger rising more*: What do you think happened?
Colt: I don’t want to know.
Abbey: I gave him some cigars to thank him for being nicer to Oram. She doesn’t need the added stress.
Colt *nearly choking on his drink*: Cigars?
Abbey: Cigars. *She crosses the room to stand straight in from of him.* What exactly do you think I am?
Colt: I don’t know.
Abbey: I can tell you what. I am a Gamer and a dear friend of that young lady down there. I can tell you that I am NOT a whore or anything along that lines. I do not do things like that on a whim. I have standards.
Colt: Like that Grayson fellow?
*abbey smacks Colt hard across the face. He is stunned.*
Abbey: I am not going to dignify that with an answer. *she points her finger in Colt’s face* And if you ever hurt Oram again. I’ll… I’ll…
Colt: Why do you defend her?
Abbey *yelling*: Because it is my job!
Colt: Your job? What does gaming have to do with holding the hand of someone who would do that *gesturing at her shoulder* to you? Does she even appreciate you?
Abbey: You don’t understand what we have been through. What we have given up! *her eyes get wide and she stops abruptly*
Colt: Can’t be much. Life you lead. Money you make. You could have anything you want.
*That comment cut more than Colt could ever know. She turns to start to leave, but Colt grabs her arm.*
abbey *softly*: Just leave her alone.
Colt *not yelling anymore*: She hurt you. *He turns her around to face him. He is surprised to see tears welling in her eyes.*
abbey: That’s enough, Colt. Please drop it.
Colt *losing the anger he had pent up inside. It has gone past that*: What exactly did you do to make her think she can hurt you?
abbey *pleading*: Please drop it. That’s in our past, Colt. Oram’s and mine. I don’t owe you an explanation.
Colt: But she…
abbey *wiping away the first of many tears that are now streaming down her face*: Please? For me? Please just leave this alone?
*Colt opens his arms to pull her into an embrace, to try to comfort her, but she pulls away from him.*
Colt *softly and with concern*: abbey…
*abbey’s eyes are filled with pain and emotion. Wanting to avoid any further conflict, she retreats quickly and runs from the galley.*
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Mobbex climbs up the stairs to the aft hallway and takes a left, heading for the engine room.
Mobbex: Spots? Y' in there?
Spots: *waves a hand at Mobbex from under the engine core* Down here!
He worms his way out and stands up.
Mobbex: Huh... hey. Would'y happen to have some scrap metal lyin' around?
Spots: *scratches the back of his head* Well... sure, there's the offcuts from the old starboard shuttle hatch... *nods toward a heap of rubbish piled up next to the hatchway* What for?
Mobbex: Well, as my pa used to say... *grabs a sheet of quarter inch plating roughly the shape and size of a dish plate* "Only a foolish tree leaves his roots for all to see." Thanks pal.
Abbey:...Pleasuretex?
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
****hits com****
rodger that capt. we are air borne
****** notices brit walk in and sit in the next chair************
So how are you?
I am a leaf on the wind
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
*I walk onto the bridge and stand behind Wash. She has us on course and everything seems fine. I move to my seat. Brit looks worried but before I can ask her about it she leaves.*
You ever regret leaving that guy at the alter?
Wash: Not so much regret. More wonder what my life would have been.
*I nod an understanding*
Wash: I like the life I’ve carved out. If I had stayed I would have never learned to fly. I like to think I did a good job in the war, so, no regrets. *she gets up to remove one of her wandering dinos form my console. I wave her back to her seat and pick up the plastic dino. What about you Captain? Ever marry?
Not the marrying type.
Wash: Mind if I ask you a personal question?
Isn’t, “ever marry” kinda personal?
*She grins*
Go ahead.
Wash: Is Colt your first name or last?
*I sit for a few seconds just staring at the stars* Both….neither.
Wash: Oh I love riddles. Did you hear the one about the guy that dies and goes to hell and there are two doors…
*I look at her and she gives me an easy smile*
Ok…Colt’s the name I’ve had since the war. The one before doesn’t matter anymore.
Wash: What did you do in the war?
I was Alliance.
*Shocked* Wash: ALLIANCE?
Yeah, joined soon as I was of age. I was on a surveyor ship, spent most of our time out in the Black. Till the war… then I saw the real Alliance. What means they would go to, just to say they won.
Wash: What did you do?
Deserted. Found an Independent unit. Turned myself in. Sat in holding cell at prison camp for a few months till my story checked out. They offered me a commission, made me a Captain in exchange for information. Alliance didn’t take to the idea of me turning on them. Since they couldn’t reach me they reached my family.
Wash: oh…
Yeah... War turned in their favor. We saw the end coming. I had a Major with a similar story. The two of us created our new lives. I became Colt.
Wash: You ever see the Major?
He was in a rush. Didn’t cover his tracks well enough. Alliance caught him.
*she flips a few switches and we sit in silence*
Wash: Takes a big person to do what you did changing sides like that. Most people see a wrong, do a wrong, they just keep on going.
*I think back to my fight with Abbey and the Doc*
*Handing her back her dino* Well you seem to have all this in hand. I got something I need to see too.
Wash: Thanks Captain
For what?
Wash: Sharing this. Shows you trust me.
You’re my crew Wash.
*Later I’m standing outside Abbeys door, thinking about what Wash said about being in the wrong. I knock gently on the door.*
Stan: One of his prairie dogs could have outsmarted him.
http://hometown.aol.com/colt9999/myhomepage/index.html
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Mobbex strolls down the stairs from the catwalk, an eight foot skipping rope swung around his broad neck.
'I end up stickin' around, I'll prolly be gettin' a threadmill in here somewhere. This rope skipping drill's gettin' wearisome...
He settles on a spot between two stacks of boles and starts doing criss-crosses.
'Prolly should ease off on the tokin', too... but these vintage mocambos are just sweet...
He dips his head in greeting as Sky walks by. She notices the rather atypical knob around his groin area and shoots him a look of disgust before storming off.
Mobbex gives a mental shrug and presses on with his aerobics.
Abbey:...Pleasuretex?
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by Colt999:
*Later I’m standing outside Abbeys door, thinking about what Wash said about being in the wrong. I knock gently on the door.*
*abbey hears someone knock on her door. She knows it is Colt, but she isn’t sure if she wants to talk to him. So she doesn’t answer. He knocks again. Doesn’t he get the point? She hears her door open an inch.*
Colt: abbey? I know you are in there. Can I come in?
abbey: Please go away.
Colt *insistent*: I’m not going anywhere. Let me in. I’m not leaving until you do. *tries to sound upbeat* And you know I am a very stubborn man.
*After a minute, abbey goes to the door and opens it so he can come in. The first thing Colt notices is that abbey looks miserable. Her eyes are puffy from crying. Colt wipes a lingering tear from her face with his hand.*
Colt: I wanted to make sure you were OK. You were so upset before… I’m sorry.
abbey shrugs and retreats further into her shuttle. Colt follows her but she keeps her back to him.
abbey: It was nothing…
Colt: Seemed like something.
abbey: I don’t want to talk about it. *Colt’s hand reaches out and touches the sleeve of her robe. He turns her around to face him.*
Colt: You don’t need to. I just needed to know… if you were OK. I really am sorry.
abbey looks like she is going to cry again. He hates seeing her like this. Without another word, he pulls her into an embrace. This time she lets him and she buries her face in his chest, fisting her hands in the material on his shirt. He exhales and kisses the top of her head.
Colt: I’m sorry. I wish you knew how much…
They stand like that for what seems like hours. Then Colt feels her arms wrap around his waist. Electricity races up his spine. He holds her a bit tighter and kisses the top of her head again. Her hair smells of strawberries. He breathes in the scent, reveling in it. He rubs her back, now noticing that she is dressed for bed. Her robe is so soft, so silky. He pulls back enough for her to look up into his face. Even teary, she is beautiful. He leans down and softly places his lips on hers.
He kisses her and suddenly she kisses back. Their kisses become more passionate, but in the back of Colt’s brain, he is reminded that she had been upset and as much as he doesn’t want to stop kissing her, he knows he has to. He pulls away from her slightly.
abbey: What’s wrong?
Colt: Don’t take this the wrong way… but this ain’t right. You’re hurtin.’
abbey: I’m better now. *Colt sighs and slowly pushes her further away from him. The hurt look on her face makes his heart ache.*
Colt: As much as I would like to, I can’t. It wouldn’t be right.
abbey: I guess so. *Her arms cross in front of her chest. She is distancing herself from him, but Colt didn’t want her to go too far away. He didn’t want to loose this feeling.*
Colt: I do have to say one thing… *he pulls her close again and plants a tender kiss* This wasn’t an accident.
*abbey smiles a bit as he parts and leaves her shuttle. Once he is outside, he leans up against the bulkhead.*
Colt (exhaling): Wow…
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME