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

[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."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

The smile turned into a grin, and she turned to make the coffee - only one cup this time. "Don't need that kind of promise."