25 Unicorn Street, Saturday Morning

[on_her_korhal]

The house was steadily becoming emptier. It hadn't been very full to begin with, but as she slowly pawned off, packed, or otherwise removed the few belongings that had been around, it was...

It seemed to be getting bigger.

Now, Kerrigan sat quietly on the couch, Mustang-the-kitten making a home of her lap, and stared at the wall.

[ open to five ]

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[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"So she decided to bring you here." Kerrigan shot Harriet a look over the girl's head.

And then peered down at her. "Reports are important," she said, warily. "Come in. You can give me one."

[idontlooktired.livejournal.com]

"She did indeed," Harriet agreed, guiding Lauren into the house. "It seemed the best place to bring her. I do live in the same house as Professor Stinson, and no child of mine," no matter how she arrived, "is going anywhere near him."

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"Probably a good idea."

Kerrigan stayed by the door, staring after them-- pensively, more than anything-- then shut it. "Any clues on how this happened--?" Pause. "Damn island."

[mymumkicksass.livejournal.com]

Lauren's attention was immediately caught by the kitten. She paused long enough to say, "Mum says you're not supposed to say those words in front of me," before holding out a hand for the kitten to sniff.

Always approach an unfamiliar situation with caution, and it was an unfamiliar kitten, which was almost the same.

[idontlooktired.livejournal.com]

Harriet's lips twitched with the effort of holding back laughter at the idea of her telling Kerrigan not to swear in front of their child. "If it's any consolation, Lieutenant, it's not the first time this has happened. If it's anything like last time, it won't be permanent."

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

Mustang crept closer. Closer. Closer. And then sniffled. He didn't really get enough attention.

But Kerrigan just watched them, something in her face tightening a little-- "Good," she said, simply, and turned around. "Tea?"

[idontlooktired.livejournal.com]

"Please." Harriet watched Lauren, who was holding still - very still, in a way most children couldn't - then glanced at Kerrigan. "If you want to add a dash of something stronger to it, I wouldn't say no."

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"One whisky tea, coming up," Kerrigan snorted, slipping quietly into the kitchen.

She might go for an Irish, herself. And fixed it up with deftness.

[idontlooktired.livejournal.com]

Harriet leaned against the arm of the couch, watching the girl play with the kitten. Amusing as Kerrigan's reaction was, having Lauren appear out of nowhere was more than a bit of a shock. Tea with a bit extra was definitely called for.

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

And it was with tea-and-a-little-extra that Kerrigan returned, wordlessly holding the cup in front of Harriet-- blue with a crack in it, so little left to clean out, really.

Then she took a big swig of her own coffee, barely avoiding burns to her mouth. "Must've been a shock."

[mymumkicksass.livejournal.com]

Lauren looked over from petting the kitten. "You always say that after I do something new," she said with a put-upon sigh (which sounded remarkably like Harriet's). "I didn't even do anything interesting this time."

[idontlooktired.livejournal.com]

"I hate to think what interesting entails," Harriet muttered and took a long sip of her tea. "And it was, yes. She popped out of nowhere with a cry of mum."

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"So much for stealth," Kerrigan said, dryly. She found a spot to sit on-- floor, but that wasn't anything out of the usual. "You came here through a portal. That qualifies as interesting."

And shot Harriet a look. "You don't want to know."

[idontlooktired.livejournal.com]

Harriet gave her a dry smile in return. "It sounds as if, in her version of the future, at least, I don't have a choice."

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"Me neither," Kerrigan said, slamming back another sip of coffee.

[idontlooktired.livejournal.com]

"Stand easy, Lieutenant," she murmured over her tea. "It won't last."

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"I know," she replied, without any emotion whatsoever. "She can stay here. I've got an extra room."

[idontlooktired.livejournal.com]

"I'll be back. I won't leave you to look after her yourself." Harriet took a longer sip of her tea, almost a gulp, the extra a welcome warmth. "If you could find out exactly how this came to pass, it would be appreciated."

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

Kerrigan rubbed at her face with one hand, closing her eyes. "Sure," she said, "One not-an-interrogation, coming up right ahead."

[idontlooktired.livejournal.com]

Harriet drained her tea and went to put the empty cup in the kitchen. As she walked back, she hesitated, then dropped her hand briefly on Kerrigan's shoulder. "I need to go and see what we're dealing with, whether it's simply her, or if the island is now awash in children."

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"Probably the sane thing to do," and she barely reacted to the hand at all, except to-- glance up. Slightly. "I'll catch you later."

[idontlooktired.livejournal.com]

"Indeed." With another swift look at Lauren, she headed for the door. "I'll be in my office if you need me."