outer_divide | [Voice; Monday morning]

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[Voice; Monday morning]

[When Christine awakes to the sound of the pod's door unlocking, she's disoriented for only a moment before she remembers what happened. Her second death. She didn't like that (who would, though?). She was on her third life now. How many more would she get?

But, not willing to look a gift horse in the mouth, she pushes open the pod and opens the trunk at the foot, getting dressed. Once that's done, she sits for a bit to cry before finally turning on her communicator and addressing everyone.]

It's Christine. I'm... back again. From the pods. Did those monsters come back? Is everyone safe?

[She pauses to take a shaky breath.]

What day is it?

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No sign of them so far. The attack was four days ago, give or take a few hours.

Four days...

[Well, her body is completely back to normal. Maybe that's how long the pods take.]

And I'm guessing no one survived once infected?

If anyone has, they're keeping quiet.

[Not that he's been anywhere near the hospital. Cowardice, maybe, but he's been able to justify it by telling himself he's doing more good up at the ship.]

Need anything? I'm just down the hall.

Oh, thank you, but no. Unless you were on your way out and could give me a lift? Sorry, I don't know what time it is either.

[There's a brief pause as he checks the time - that he's been working for a few hours, he's certain of. How many "a few" might be, on the other hand...]

Morning. I can give you a ride into the city. You going to want to find McCoy?

That will be my first stop, yeah.

[Both because she wants to see her friend but also because a checkup feels like a good idea.]

Thanks.

[There's a brief pause in which he waves off the thanks, invisible to the audio-only feed, and not exactly audible.]

I'll meet you by the exit in fifteen.

See ya there.

[And now she's off to accidentally run into Steve Rogers.]

You're awake. Good.

[Bones isn't trusting himself to pull off properly composed if he had the video on, so audio is what Christine gets in return for her own speech.]

Nurse Chapel, if you wanted time off from work, all you had to do was ask. This is over the top, I'll have you know.

[She hears his voice and the tears start up again. But she presses a hand under her nose so she doesn't sniffle and then her lips part in a smile. It's so obvious he was going to say something to that effect.]

Well, people think you're a slave driver. I was just helping you keep up the act for appearance's sake.

Miss me?

Terribly.

[And with the video off he can pretend like that isn't so close to the truth. If it wasn't for the fact that the days she's been gone have been filled with enough work he could barely (intentionally) stop to think...]

There's not a person on this planet who can make a decent cup of coffee, I swear. And don't even get me started on patient management.

Well then, I guess I'll just have to turn up to put things in order, won't I? I'm getting a ride into the city in a bit, and the hospital will be my first stop.

Belay that, you should be heading to your apartment. I won't kid myself into thinking you'll rest, but at least get a shower and some space to clear your head first.

Humour me and I might even cook for you.

[There's a pause before she answers and when she does, she sounds upbeat.]

Bring your scanner with you just to check me out, okay? That was my main reason for wanting to come to the hospital. And what'll you be cooking for me, hmm?

[He doesn't buy that upbeat, but if he's not asking questions of her, maybe she won't be asking questions of him.]

Scanner and brunch, got it. And as for what I'll cook, you'll just have to consider the mystery an incentive to come see.

[It's a decent trade off, not asking how the other one feels.]

You sure know how to intrigue a girl. Okay, I'll call you after I've cleaned up.

They haven't been seen again since what happened. But afraid in the meantime, you weren't the only loss.

Yeah, I remember others in the hospital ward.

[Her voice is quiet, knowing that the civilians didn't get the chance to come back like she did.]

I'll talk with the doctors. See if they found out anything from the poison that could help in case this happens again.

Do you think there's a chance that it will?

I think, if it has something to do with that spreading dead zone. This may nor be the end of it.

I had hoped that it was...but I fear you may be right.

[She pauses to draw in a breath, thinking heavily.]

I need to do something. But right now I'm unsure as to where my assistance would be best put to use.

Can you help the Outer Authorities in some way maybe?

Maybe. I'd like to, if I could...but so far the enforcers here don't seem to be entirely trusting of outsiders. I'm not even always allowed to know much outside of my day-to-day duties for the sheriff.

I don't know... there must still be things to clear up at the market, or defenses to build. I can't imagine everything's gone back to normal. Depending on what you're willing to do, maybe you could just ask them to set you up somewhere?

I'll certainly try.

I feel bad enough that, ultimately, there was nothing I could do at the market.

There was no way to know what was coming, or to prepare for it. Running out of there was all any of us could do.

That isn't good enough.

There were warning signs, there had to be...the way plants and livestock were dying, the portents of that vague woman on the network...if only somebody had been paying attention!

I'm tired of this. I used to lead armies and fight curses, once. It seems like all I ever do anymore is show up too late, with too little firepower, to do anything but clean up other people's messes.

[Whoa, that was intense.]

But people have tried. I know there were people trying to study the phenomenon with the dead zone, and getting straight answers out of that woman is difficult. It isn't for lack of trying, Mulan. And yeah, I really wish we could've been better prepared, believe me. I didn't want to wake up to hear that this many people died. I didn't want to die in the first place. But answers are hard to come by, even when we seek them out.

[Sorry Christine; guess you got to be the first one to finally trigger that. Once the words are out Mulan is immediately sorry, but it's too late now to take it back. She wouldn't, anyway.]

If the answers are so impossible to get to, then what are we to ever do but continue fleeing and hiding? I'm used to determination being able to eventually make a difference. To reach my goals so long as I keep trying. But this place doesn't operate that way. It's so frustrating.

It is frustrating, yeah. But there's this saying: Live to fight another day. We may have to run and hide, but it won't always be that way.

In my experience, once you start running, you run the risk that you never stop.

I don't disagree with what you're saying, exactly...but that day you speak of has been too long coming, now. When does it finally change?

[She sighs.]

Yeah, I dunno the answer to that. It's frustrating all around.

I guess there's nothing but for us all to keep on working at it. Maybe together we will find that answer.

All the same, I definitely plan to try much harder from here on out.

I think we all will be. If anything good's come from all this, it's how our experiences motivate us.

Oh, Christine. I am so relieved to see you awake.

Hi, Helga. Sorry if I worried you.

Do not trouble yourself about me. How are you? Would you like me to come and fetch you from the ship?

Thank you, but Tony's giving me a lift.

[She sighs.]

I'm... okay. Thankful to be alive again.

All right.

Is there anything that I might do for you?

I'm not sure. My head is all jumbled up.

[She pauses to think, then sucks in a breath.]

Oh no, I hope my plant's okay. It's been four days since I watered it.

[Yes, this is the first place her head goes when trying to clear it.]

Oh, Christine. They are more resilient than they appear. I'm certain it is fine.

[ Helga does not say it. Her expression may imply it. But that plant is the last thing she should be worrying about. ]

When you return, do you wish to have company?

Yeah. Yeah, you're right.

[She has no idea why that thought entered her head first. Maybe because she's had enough of death and doesn't want even a plant to die around her.]

Maybe tomorrow? I need to get a checkup with Dr McCoy once I get back.

Of course. Do not hesitate to let me know should you need anything.

Thank you. I will.

[It will probably just be her company.]

I'll call you tomorrow?

Of course. Whenever you have time.

All right. I'll see ya later.

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[Voice; Monday morning]

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