[SH] Packing (for sevenvirtues)

[shepcrew]

After his conversation with Elizabeth, John headed back to his office and put things in order there. He left detailed notes on everything, so Lorne - whom he assumed would be in charge while John was away - could find his way around. Once all his work responsibilities were taken care of, he headed to his quarters to pack.

"Hey, whatcha doing?" McKay asked, as he sauntered into the room several minutes later. The scientist eyed Sheppard the way one would eye a feral beast ready to strike.

"Going on vacation," John replied, matter-of-factly.

"Ah...wait, hold it," McKay began, pausing in his retreat. "Since when do you go on vacation?"

"Since Elizabeth made me." John's tone brooked no argument.

"Right," McKay said with a nod, apparently understanding that John didn't want to talk about it just yet. "Well, I suppose asking if you wanted to grab some lunch is out of the question, then?"

"Yeah, pretty much," John replied. He gave McKay a weary look. "I'm sorry, Rodney, it's just." He sighed. "Look, I'll take a raincheck, okay? You'll be the first person I have lunch with when I get back, deal?"

McKay thought about it for a moment. "Deal. I'm gonna hold you to that, you know," he promised, heading out the door to find someone else to nosh with.

John watched as the door closed behind his friend. "Yeah, I'm sure you will," he said to the empty room, with a wry grin.

He turned his attention back to packing, pondering where he might go for two weeks...

Comments

[sevenvirtues.livejournal.com]

"Ahh-hh." And that right there slides the pieces into place for her. At least enough to form a theory.

Still, she won't ask. "John, you're too stressed, I don't want to see you not goofing off for the next two weeks, that sort of thing?"

Yes, she's making a joke of it. Because it seems like it would be easier to talk around it than talking about it.

[shepcrew.livejournal.com]

He dips his head shyly.

Quietly, "More of a, John Sheppard, you're making too many mistakes, which isn't like you, get the hell out of here and sort yourself out, sort of thing."

[sevenvirtues.livejournal.com]

Oh. Oh, John.

She hugged him a little tighter. If it had gotten that bad, then it could have been worse. Much worse. "How are you planning to... go about it?"

[shepcrew.livejournal.com]

He sighs, shrugging lightly. "No clue. Like I said, I have no idea where to go. I figure Earth would be good, get back to basics, and away from the surreal nuttiness of Pegasus."

Plus, it keeps him out of all sorts of trouble. We hope.

[sevenvirtues.livejournal.com]

She nods, slowly, keeping any signs of dubiousness from her face. "Going back home sounds... good."

Except he hardly ever talked of Earth, and usually referred to the Pegasus galaxy as home.

"Take some time to sit and think..." Which was sorely lacking on Pegasus, there usually being one crisis after another.

[shepcrew.livejournal.com]

He smiles wryly. "Never said I was going back home. But yes. Time to sit and think is available in large quantities back on earth."

Another shrug. "At the very least, I can hit a training session or something."

Yes, he's pondering taking a military training thing. It may just be all talk, though.

[sevenvirtues.livejournal.com]

Inara nods slightly again, resisting the urge to curl up against him. Definitely not inviting her along, then, and she can understand why. Sometimes...

But that didn't mean it wouldn't hurt. And it didn't mean she wouldn't miss him. Wasn't missing him already.

"I hope it helps..." One hand lightly traced the upper curve of his bicep.

[shepcrew.livejournal.com]

The fact that she doesn't curl up around him hurts in its own way. He shifts to face her, and cups her face in his hands.

"It's only two weeks. I'll be back before you know it," he says, thumbs brushing over her cheeks lightly. "And I'll send you a message with the weekly status reports."

[sevenvirtues.livejournal.com]

Something about the touch shakes her, not to further nerves, but to slightly watery eyes and a smile that's less reassuring (she thinks) than she wants it to be.

"You better," she murmurs, covering his hands with hers for a moment before mirroring the gesture, then letting her hands fall to rest against his chest. "Even if that's only two reports."

[shepcrew.livejournal.com]

He gives her a sad half-smile, before pressing his lips to hers softly, and briefly.

"I will. Promise."

[sevenvirtues.livejournal.com]

She kisses him back softly, and with a bit of a sigh.

And then she does, despite her misgivings about it being the right thing to do, snuggle into his arms. Kiss him again, more lingering this time, one hand and then her arm curling around his shoulder.

She won't cling. She doesn't want to be that girl. But she's worried about him, and he'll be gone for two weeks and she'll be worried.

[shepcrew.livejournal.com]

He wraps his arms around her, returning the kiss and all it entails. He doesn't mind the clinging. No one's ever done it sincerely before, and he's surprised at the different nuances it carries.

And he's worried about himself, too, but there's no way he'd ever express that to anyone.

[sevenvirtues.livejournal.com]

She'd love to stay here. For a while. The night, the rest of the next day, the rest of the week. Maybe longer.

She doesn't even know what to say anymore. Just huddling into him, fingertips tracing the curve of his shoulderblade along his back, taking this moment for what it is now.

[shepcrew.livejournal.com]

He ought to be packing, but he can't let her go. He won't be seeing her for two whole weeks, and he wants to imprint as much of her into his memory as possible.

and the only thing he can think of to say, is, "I miss you already."

[sevenvirtues.livejournal.com]

"I know."

She doesn't want to let him go either, or she doesn't want to let go, or something like that. Something that keeps her snuggled up against him, warm and safe in his arms for the moment and already feeling the cold of his absence.

"Only two weeks right?" She won't sniffle. Won't sniffle. Won't.

[shepcrew.livejournal.com]

"Only two weeks," he affirms. He gives her a gentle squeeze and kisses her on the crown of her head.

[sevenvirtues.livejournal.com]

She sighs. That does relax her a little, at least. Only two weeks. She can last that long, and it'll either be good for him or she'll do something about it when he gets back.

Only two weeks.

She smiles a little. "And I'll be right here when you get back."

[shepcrew.livejournal.com]

When he senses her relaxing, he does too, a bit. And he knows he'll last two weeks without her. It's sort of a prerequisite for this whole trip.

He grins. "You better be," he replies light-heartedly, yet all at once earnestly.

[sevenvirtues.livejournal.com]

"Mm, I will be." She's smiling now, calmer. Him relaxing helps her relax further. "I promise."

[shepcrew.livejournal.com]

"Good." He kisses her lightly.

Then he's sighing and glancing behind him. "Wanna help me pack?"

[sevenvirtues.livejournal.com]

"I don't know..." her smile is brighter now, her touch more sure but no less gentle as she reaches up to slide her hand through his scruffy hair, cup his cheek. "Wouldn't that be just encouraging you to run off for far-off lands?"

Teasing, just teasing. She kisses him softly, smiling. "Of course I will."

[shepcrew.livejournal.com]

"Hmmmmpossibly," he allows, with a grin. "But Elizabeth's the one dialing the 'Gate. She'll be sending me to earth, most like. But hey, I can dream."

[sevenvirtues.livejournal.com]

"Mmm." She kisses him again. Because she can. Because she wants to. Because he's leaving for two weeks and she does miss him already. "Well, you have exotic locations on Earth, don't you?" She did seem to remember reading about such things.

[shepcrew.livejournal.com]

"Yeeeaasorta," he allows, after kissing her back. "I mean, they aren't as exotic as some of the places you'll find out here, but they're nice."

He uses that opportunity to go back to packing, tugging her with him.

[sevenvirtues.livejournal.com]

She laughs, getting up to follow him, to help if he wants it or just to stay with him. Packing one-handed is cute. Not entirely practical, but cute.

"Well maybe the lure of the exotic combined with the reassurance of the familiar," she teases with a smile.