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]

...that gets Doc's attention.




"He talked t'you once?"

[ikissdhimbck]

Kate's jaw hitches. She looks from X, to Doc, and back again.

"Only the once, since I've been back from the other Doc's world," she murmurs quietly (guiltily). "I went t'see him. In the cells."

Her gaze slips back to Doc, expression pleading.

"I needed t'settle things."

[cutting_edgex23]

X's own gaze settles on Kate, now.

And holds.

"You will not fight again?"

Ramon will not try to kill her again?

X thinks this is relevant.

[scurlock]

"Ramon ain't gonna git close 'nough t'even think 'bout tryin'," Doc comments, looking at X. "I don't even want t'see him, but I ain't gonna start nothin'."

He might finish something, if he has to.

[ikissdhimbck]

Kate shakes her head, combing a stray tress of hair behind one ear.

"No, I... it wasn't like that. I pro'lly should've said somethin' earlier, it just slipped my mind," she says. "I begged him--"

She isn't expecting her voice to catch in her throat with the admission. She'd done what she needed to do to put things right, but it doesn't make the memory of being on her knees in front of the man any easier to bear. She looks down and coughs quietly, trying again.

"When he realized what he had done, what was at stake... he agreed t'let things lie. So long as I stayed away from him. Shouldn't be too hard a thing t'do."

Roz reaches out and latches onto one of Kate's fingers with his small claws, not trying to hurt, just holding her still long enough for him to gnaw on her knuckle.

[cutting_edgex23]

"No," X agrees.

Then she hesitates, frowning slightly.

"Unless he is stupid."

Beat.

"He is good at that."

Some of X's opinions are very -- inflexible.

Shooting her in the face did not help with this assessment.

[scurlock]

Doc would not consider Ramon to be stupid -- more like 'cold and uncaring of what happens after he acts', but not stupid.

Not all the time.

(Sometimes.)

"This...is over, then."

He hopes.

[ikissdhimbck]

"S'over."

Her tone is gentle, but insistent. Lifting her eyes from the little orange nomming machine, she peers at Doc with such depth and passion, such concern and regret, that it feels like her chest might crack apart. She lifts her hand as if to stroke Doc's cheek, shaking her head quickly.

"I promise I'm never--"

Her sentence cuts short and her hand falls away. They have a guest; this isn't the time to talk about her guilt and her mistakes again. Still, the heartbreak shines through in her eyes before she can look away to regather her composure.

When she looks up again, she focuses her gaze on X, and smiles.

"I may not trust Ramon not t'be stupid, but I meant what I said when I came back. I don't wanna cause no more trouble, an' I'll be careful. I won't be stupid."

[cutting_edgex23]

There are many responses X could make, and it's possible the one she chooses would be a surprise to some.

"I know."

It really is that simple.

Sometimes.

"It is okay."

[scurlock]

Doc isn't angry with her. And he's got no reason in his mind as to why she should feel guilty. Ramon shot and murdered him. Ramon should feel bad, not her.

He nods, slowly, glancing between the two of them.

"There won't be no more problems."

(He won't allow it. Neither will X, he assumes. Or Kate.)

[ikissdhimbck]

And Kate is surprised by X's response. Surprised, and relieved.

She nods once, seriously, because she means it: she won't be stupid. There won't be any more problems.

And then she smiles.

"What did, um. What did y'think of the boys? Fish tank aside, how were they?"

Goldie, momentarily distracted from Doc's affections, peers up at X's face and mewls expectantly.

[cutting_edgex23]

There is a minute shift in X's expression after that mewl -- in some kinds of light it might almost look like a smile.

"I like them."

Beat.

"They did not throw up. Much."





This may be a joke.

A little.

Go figure.

[scurlock]

Doc glances at the kittens, and then facepalms.





"If they've gone and ruined any of your things, just ask Miss Bar for replacements, tell 'er t'take it outta my tab..."

[ikissdhimbck]

"They like t'chew, too," Kate winces. "With a predilection for silk."

The question hangs there unasked between them.

[cutting_edgex23]

X shakes her head.

"It is okay."

Beat.

"I was careful."

That is another thing X is very good at.

(Her neighbors were helpful, too. Especially with prevention tips.)

[scurlock]

"Well thank the good Lord for small...or in this case, perhaps good-sized...miracles."

Knowing Roz and Goldie, it was nothing short of the Resurrection to keep them from destroying X's home.

[ikissdhimbck]

"They can be troublesome, but it ain't no miracle t'me that you took a likin' to 'em," Kate smiles, playing with Roz's tail.

Incensed, the kitten whirls around to attack, and misses by a good five inches.

"I think they took a likin' t'you, too."

She nods in the direction of Goldie, who still has his head tipped back so he can see X's face, but has begun to drift off and purr, eyelids slowly fluttering.

[cutting_edgex23]

X is silent for a few moments, flicking a glance between the kittens.

"I like cats."

It is not much of an explanation.

It's also not much of a thank you.

But X means it anyway.

[scurlock]

"Y'ever thought 'bout gettin' one'a your own?"

He looks up at her.

"Now that you've dealt with these two, y'should be ready for anythin'."

[ikissdhimbck]

Kate smiles.

(She understands.)

[cutting_edgex23]

X hesitates, looking startled again.

But --

"I do not know."

Maybe.

She will think about it.

It is -- It will be quieter. With them gone.

[scurlock]

"I think you'd be pretty good at it. They can be a..."

He doesn't want to say that the boys are a hassle, but...it's a pretty close description.

"...tricky t'handle. Especially when they're young."

[ikissdhimbck]

"They're a lot more cuddly than Ramon," Kate offers.

Also, they won't shoot you in the face.

"Y'might find one better behaved than our lil' scamps, too."

[cutting_edgex23]

"I did not mind them," X says.

She does not sound reluctant at all.

(That is because she is not lying. Or even stretching the truth.)

[scurlock]

"Well, I guess if we ever end up needin' a cat-watcher, you'll be the first choice one our list."

It's a vote of confidence.