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 Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 7:57 pm
"Which you would become unhappy with if they were neglected," said Beckham, and he looked a little relieved. (Considering his air of perpetual worry, this did not make a huge impact.) "Then your prospects are not so vile after all, are they?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:07 pm
"I don't recall saying they were," Serafima replied dryly. "It is you and Galatea who are worried without cause."
Galatea twisted her hands together, blushing. "I'm sorry, Captain," she whispered. "But you've been so angry. I didn't know. I thought something awful was going to happen."
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Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:10 pm
"It's because you care about her very deeply," said Beckham, and he laughed again - "Yes, I realise that now. But Galatea, do you think that I would let something like that happen to the Captain? I look after her, you know."
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Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:19 pm
"But you aren't here always." Galatea sank down to sit properly again and folded her legs once more into Indian-style. Shaking her head a bit, Serafima lowered her hand with its precious cargo to rest on the table. "The Captain came home from that conference so very angry. As if she wanted to hurt something very badly."
Serafima had the grace to look a bit sheepish at this revelation but she pulled herself together enough to snort. "You act as if I was out of control."
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Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:26 pm
"Sometimes you go a bit chevalier mal fet, Captain," said Beckham, and - "would it heal your heart, Galatea, if you let me stay with Serafima while you are gone? I worry about you as well. I wonder if the Captain would let me, so that I could worry about you in peace."
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Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:29 pm
Galatea's face lit up even as Serafima's went into a black scowl. "Would you?" she asked. "Or maybe visit often? I would feel much better and now that I know the Captain -wants- me to go on my quest."
"I don't need a babysitter," Serafima growled. "You need not stay and hold my hand, Doctor. I believe I can talk to the Admiral on my own."
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Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:31 pm
"Think of it as you doing me a favour, Captain," the doctor said easily. "We are both a little - isolated, maybe. I would be very grateful for a place to stay, at least for a few days, and then I could come and visit. Nobody else will listen to me worry about Galatea except Astru, and at least you have an obligation to."
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Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:36 pm
"... Do as you like. I suppose the house is not properly mine, anyway." Serafima did her best not to look in the direction of either her feien or the good doctor. She was certain one looked smug while the other looked pleading. "There are two spare bedrooms upstairs."
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Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:45 pm
"You're very kind," Colin said, with every show of demureness and not a trace of smug. (That was all on the inside.) "Thank you, Captain."
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Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:50 pm
"Thank you," echoed Galatea. She stood and awkwardly patted Serafima's thumb; adoration shone brightly in her eyes. Then she fluttered over to Colin and landed on his shoulder, reaching out a hand to pet his hair. "And thank you, too, Doctor."
Serafima rolled her eyes. "You will leave me alone, though, when I wish, of course," she stated flatly. "I do not plan on conducting private negotiations with you -hovering-."
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Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:53 pm
His face was as innocent as a baby's. "Do I hover?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 9:02 pm
"You hover worse than a mother hen, Doctor." Serafima glared at him but there was less fire this time, less cutting edges. "The only kindness to it all is that it is completely asexual for all of its invasiveness."
Galatea squeaked and tried to will herself to disappear out of embarrassment. It didn't work.
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Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 9:04 pm
"I am glad that you will not have to wrestle with your overwhelming attraction to me while I stay here," Beckham said cheerfully. "It wouldn't be at all appropriate, considering I am your doctor."
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Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 9:07 pm
"I'll do my best." Serafima stood, stretching like a cat, and picked up her teacup. "Just do be kind and don't wear those rubber gloves around me. Contrary to your belief, I'm only human."
Covering her face, Galatea began to wonder if it was truly safe to leave her Captain with the Doctor.
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