OOM: Room #25 - For Doc Scurlock and X-23

[ikissdhimbck]

Christmas is over, and New Years is approaching. It's been a rather quiet week for Doc and Kate; there aren't very many good memories associated with this time of year for either of them. Kate's been craving the quiet, and solitude of being away from the bar, and Doc's been craving... well, her. So they've been passing most of their time in quiet togetherness, not caring about much outside their warm little cocoon.

But today, things are different. After several days of exchanging notes with the Bar, they are expecting company. X-23 received Kate's inquiry about the kittens, and has agreed to bring them back 'home.'

Kate is sitting on the couch with her knees tucked under her and an afghan around her shoulders, trying not to laugh out loud.

Why?

Because Doc is fussily moving about the room, 'cleaning' and making sure all the boy's toys are out and accessible, and all their dishes have been filled with fresh water and food. He has even 'accidentally' left a few of his neck rags out in the open.

"You're ridiculous," she eventually says, unable to bite back her smirk.

.

Comments

[scurlock]

"I want 'em t'be comfortable," he protests. "They've been away from home fer so long, s'only right t'make sure they know they've been missed."

Case in point: the pair of catnip mice that Doc pulls from the pocket of his trousers, tossing one into the air in a half-hearted 'juggle'.

[ikissdhimbck]

"..."

Kate watches the mouse arc through the air.




"Just how long have y'been carryin' those around?"

Another laugh, and a shake of her head.

"I'm sure Roz an' Goldie are gonna be quite all right. X has been takin' good care of 'em, but they know your smell. They'll just be glad t'see you again."

[scurlock]

"Ain't had 'em for that long."

He shakes his head.

"M'sure X has been takin' fine care'a them," he agrees. "And I'm real grateful that she did that for us."

(Not for 'him'. For 'us'.)

[ikissdhimbck]

"I am, too."

And she's grateful that they get to come back to their rightful home, with Doc -- even if they do belong to both of them, they'll always be Doc's cats, and the three of them will always be her 'boys.'

She smiles, and pats the cushion next to her.

"We'll hafta be sure we say so, when she gets here. But how's about you sit down in the meantime, an' stop wearin' holes in the floor?"

[scurlock]

"M'not wearin' a hole in the floor."

He pauses, then moves to sit down.

"M'just anxious t'see 'em. S'all."

[ikissdhimbck]

"I know, baby."

She sets her hand on her knee, palm towards the ceiling in a silent invitation for him to hold her hand.

"You were plumb near bein' their momma for a long time. You're treatin' 'em like lil' furry children."

[scurlock]

"Suppose they were awful small, durin' the time we spent t'gether."

Doc takes her hand and interlocks their fingers, smiling slightly.

"Just can't help but worry, I do care for 'em so."

[ikissdhimbck]

She smiles -- a secret smile, accompanied by two deep, bottomless pools of emotion as she looks at him -- and gives his hand a gentle squeeze.

[scurlock]

"Just 'bout as much as I care for their momma."

He brings her knuckles up to his lips, pressing a soft kiss against her skin.

[ikissdhimbck]

"Guess we better get on back t'Texas and find her, then," she teases, her expression warm.

[scurlock]

"Think I found their Texas momma right here, actually."

[ikissdhimbck]

She opens her mouth to say something, but stops herself.


Instead, she kisses him.




She doesn't say anything when she pulls back again. Just shakes her head a little, that secret expression on her face, and nuzzles against his shoulder.

[scurlock]

He wraps his arm around her once she pulls away, certainly not going to complain about that kiss, or that secret smile she's giving him.

He gently squeezes her shoulder.

"I love you, darlin'."

[ikissdhimbck]

"I love you, too."

He must have been a really great teacher.

And a really great father.

She picks at the afghan fussily, thinking of the conversation they had a few days back, in her room. She sucks in a deep breath.

"Doc, I--"

[cutting_edgex23]

X knocks on the door.

Two raps, quick and sharp.

Then she waits.

It is only polite.

[scurlock]

The raps on the door are quick -- and Doc is halfway off the couch and positioned with his body over Kate's before the second report fades from the still air of the quiet room, before he even realizes what he's doing.

(Protecting her.)




He waits.

[ikissdhimbck]

Kate's voice dies in her throat the second she hears the knock on the door. All the sudden movement startles her, and for a minute she just sits back, eyes on Doc, trying to figure out what he's doing.

(Protecting me.)

Her eyes slide from his profile, to the door, and back again.

"Doc."

She shifts the afghan off her shoulders, and gives him a look.

"The kittens."

[cutting_edgex23]

X is on the other side of the door, still waiting.

The kittens are growing restless.

And getting louder.

[scurlock]

"...oh."

Doc exhales, a sigh of relief leaving his lungs in a burst as he pushes himself up from the couch.

Right. The kittens.

They were expecting X to bring them up.

"I'll...jus'git the door, then."

[ikissdhimbck]

"You do that," she laughs, getting to her feet and straightening out the afghan. She lays it across the arm of the couch, and then walks over to join him.

"I got your back, cowboy," she murmurs against his ear, before stepping back to let him pull the door open.

She beams when X comes into view.

[cutting_edgex23]

One of the kitten is attempting to escape over X's shoulder, while the other appears to be falling off her hip.

X herself looks --

Well.

She looks startled.

Blame Doc.

"You do not smell dead."

[scurlock]

"That's 'cause I ain't."

A beat.

"And probably 'cause I showered, this mornin'."

His face brightens at the sight of the kittens as they crawl all over X.

"Boys, you've gotten so big!"

[ikissdhimbck]

"Oh."

She knew she forgot something.

"Miss X, hello. I'm sorry, I think I left out a few details."

Kate momentarily shifts her attention to the cats, beaming (Doc's enthusiasm is infectious) and parroting his sentiments.

"Please, come on in and we'll catch up."

[cutting_edgex23]

X hesitates, flicking a glance between Kate and the --

Between Kate and Doc.

Then, very carefully, she bends over and lowers the kittens to the floor, nudging the door shut behind her.

To be safe.

"Okay."

Beat.

"You are okay?"

[scurlock]

"The door got...tricky."

Doc waits until the door has been closed before he promptly sits himself down on the floor, snapping his fingers in an effort to get the attention of the kittens.

He might be 'nickering' under his breath, too.

"The older...timeline version...of myself...did pass 'way. But I managed t'find a door back before ten years, so...I ain't dead."