gabriel_tam | (no subject)

(no subject)

The room is fairly nice, all things considered. There are several chairs, a porta-cot set up discreetly against one wall for visitors that for one reason or another are reluctant to leave, and it's clear that whoever designed this particular private room in the first place intended to make it seem as warm and welcoming as possible.

Of course, given that it's a hospital, there's really only so much that can be done.

Currently, the hospital bed is tilted upwards at an angle, with the evident intention of making the patient comfortable. It seems to be working, at least a little, because Gabriel Tam is asleep.

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"Not as often as I do," Mary says, and then, "How long is 'too long'?"

It's got the same plaintive quality as an 'are we there yet?'

"That depends largely on who is doing the waiting."

Galadn's voice is neutral.

"I'll find out soon."

He squeezes Mary's hand, gently.

"You must tell me," Mary announces, eyes swinging from Galadan to Gabriel relatively indiscriminately - the injunction applies to both of them - "when you do."

And then, finally, a question she hasn't yet thought to ask.

"Who did it?"

Galadan says nothing.

Though his look at Gabriel, one eyebrow raised, indicates that he may be very interested in the Senator's answer, himself.

"Someone," Gabriel says steadily, "who believed that it would be better for a lot of people if I were dead."

Mary's continued expectant look implies that she's waiting for a somewhat more specific answer than that.

Galadan's tiny smile may, for a moment, be directed at Mary.

Her dogged persistence is impressive.

And the Wolflord, too, is waiting for more elaboration on Gabriel's part.

That's unfortunate, as it seems Gabriel has no intention of explaining further.

Not yet, at least. Not until he himself comes to certain terms with what's happened.

"It's still being investigated, I believe."

"You did not see the person who did it?" Mary asks, rather incredulously.

Of course it would have been an assassin, and not the person who sent them; still, it's a start.

"He did, Mary. And so did I. But sorting out endless strings of aliases is a difficult and time-consuming process."

Beat.

"Be patient."

Gabriel Tam knows perfectly well who attacked him-- and knows as well that Raguel visits Milliways.

As he imagines Mary Lennox storming up to confront Raguel, he feels himself grow lightheaded as he pales, as the blood drains from his face.

"I'm afraid Galadan's right, Mary," he makes himself say, and his voice sounds distant to his own ears. "You'll have to be patient."

Mary opens her mouth, and then shuts it again.

She's not particularly observant, but her eyes are fixed firmly enough on Gabriel to note the lack of color in his face.

"- you do not look well. Worse than you did before."

"He may be tired, Mary."

Galadan's gaze slides sideways, studying Gabriel.

"And if that is the case, perhaps it's time we go."

"Perhaps a little," he manages, trying for a wry smile. "But I'm very glad you came, and I hope you'll come back."

Mary hangs forward a little, still.

It's fairly clear that she doesn't want to leave. But he does look worse (though she doesn't see why he couldn't sleep with her there; she does know how to be quiet, when it's necessary, though she may not demonstrate it often), and it's not her world, or even Milliways . . .

She shoots Galadan a plaintive, 'do we have to?' sort of look, even as she takes a step backwards.

"Mary."

Galadan's voice is quiet.

"I'll bring you back here as soon as may be."

It may be one day, it may be two--but no more than that.

Surely.

He squeezes her hand once more before he lets go.

"And I'll see you then."

Said with certainty.

It takes another long few moments before Mary finally transfers her hand from Gabriel's to Galadan's.

And once she does, she holds on almost painfully tight, as if to make up for it.

Galadan does not flinch at all, merely keeps a firm grip on Mary as, with a slight nod to Gabriel, he heads for the door.

Wolflord and girl both blur briefly into shadows before they vanish.

It is almost as if they had never been there at all.

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