Office Hours, Tuesday

[on_her_korhal]

Kerrigan had given up on her syllabus.

Well, okay, she hadn't given up, because she was a dogged sort of person, but it had finally found its way to a pile. It was just being worked at from a distance.

She made herself some noodles and spent a goodly period of time staring at it.

[ open hours! ]

Comments

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

After an instant or two, Kerrigan reached up, plucking the airplane neatly out of the air. "But you can't give students thoughts as a hand-out," she said, dryly.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"I could interpret," River offered, already folding the next page.

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"So could I," she replied. Then glanced up at River, thoughtfully.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

She offered Kerrigan the second paper airplane. "I'm your TA. I can help."

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

Kerrigan took the airplane and regarded it, dryly, for a minute. Then sent it flying into the room, herself. "I think this thing's a lost cause," she confided.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River just looked at Kerrigan, head tilted, waiting for her to elaborate.

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

It's just not happening.

She watched the airplane float gently down.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River shrugged. "Works anyway." She thought for a moment. "How would you take down a secret military training facility?"

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

Kerrigan's eyes shot back away from the airplane, and fixed on River in a flash.

She didn't say anything. Just let a few choice memories of the raid the Sons of Korhal held on the Ghost Academy float up to the surface.

Skipping over any choice bits involving Rumm, of course.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"I might need to some day." She tried to hold on to the memories. "Teach a class on it?"

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"Maybe," she replied, running a hand through her hair.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River suddenly smiled and threw another paper airplane in the air.

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

Kerrigan smiled, half of it wry, and she followed the airplane quietly with her eyes.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

Before it touched the ground River caught it. Adah prefers Lee. She threw the plane up in the air again, still watching, still smiling.

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, Kerrigan replied. She didn't take her eyes off the airplane.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

Shouldn't care. Should have expected it. She caught the plane again and handed it to Kerrigan, then started to fold a third. "If I gather more intel will you give me advice on the plans?" She had now returned to the subject of secret government facilities.

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

We tend to end up caring anyway.

Kerrigan's gaze shifted to her cooling coffee. Barely had any of it. Huh.

The noodles were probably lost, too. "Sure. Just don't get yourself hurt doing it."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River looked at Kerrigan, letting her pain and sadness show for a short moment, then pulled the walls up around that part of her mind again. She sipped her coffee. It was getting cold too. "Long term project. Need your assistance." She couldn't guarantee the not getting hurt part.

Then suddenly she slipped off her chair and walked over to Kerrigan, flinging her arms around her neck.

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

There was a moment's surprise on Kerrigan's face-- not something that happened often-- and it took her a second or two before she wrapped her arms firmly around River, too.

"Don't worry," she said, pulling the girl closer, "I'll help out."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

Perhaps it might seem strange, but very few people could comfort River like Kerrigan could. She gave a content sigh, her arms still around her neck, feeling herself for a moment transformed into a little girl.

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"And I'll make sure you keep safe," Kerrigan added, tilting her head slightly so she could cast a quick worried glance at River's face. "Don't want you heading out into enemy territory without backup."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River smiled back at her. "Won't if you're there."

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"Then I'll be there," she replied, simply.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

Slowly, River released Kerrigan. "Could make you another cup if you'll drink it this time."

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"Worth a try," Kerrigan said, smirking a little. "Can't promise you anything."