Nothing about life as a Resistance member was rejuvenating, but surely one could be expected to sleep and eat every now and then. When Eli's daughter dragged herself out of Black Mesa East's underground passage at six AM for the third morning in a row, it made Judith scowl and shake her head at the silliness. The older woman's patience was already wearing thin from a failed calculation – and being up early wasn't helping. When Alyx trudged up the stairs, barely tossing a "Good morning" in her direction, something in her frustration broke through.
"Stop."
Alyx was clearly suppressing a groan as she turned around. "Dr. Mossman? I'm dead on my feet," she said, and it was quite plain to see she wasn't lying. She was covered in grunge, her headband missing and her hair flying out freely.
"Sit down. Actually, go scrub your hands. You haven't eaten in three days and it's getting ridiculous."
"I had a bagel yesterday."
"Miss Vance."
Pulling up her sleeves, Alyx ran water over her hands, the grime turning the water sewage-like colors. She looked over her shoulder at the redhead, eyebrows raised expectantly.
"Sit down," Judith repeated, snatching a bowl from the counter and pouring its contents onto a pan on the stove. "You're not eating and not sleeping. This is ridiculous," she said again.
"Dr. Mossman," said the exasperated young Vance, "I can cook."
"That may be, but I have never met anyone else who can make the mistake of exploding an egg instead of hard-boiling it."
"I don't want that."
Judith's face silenced her. "I will shove it down your throat if I have to. The last thing we need is you getting sick."
"Well, someone has to escort the citizens out," Alyx said nonchalantly, picking at a hangnail. "I'd daresay you'd stop eating well if it were you."
The redhead sighed. "Alyx, the last time I had to feed you, you were thirteen."
"You don't have to – "
"Apparently," said Judith pointedly, "I do."
There was an uncomfortable silence broken only by the clattering of pans and plates, and the latter slid across the table to the younger woman. Alyx glanced upwards, not sure how to respond.
"I can make a pancake myself," she said quietly.
"Then you'll have to show me sometime. Eat."
Slicing the pancake with the side of her fork, the young Vance tensed up when Judith placed herself across the table.
"Something wrong?" the older scientist asked with a tilt of her head.
"No, no." Alyx chewed thoughtfully, putting the fork down and looking at her colleague with a similar look. "I don't mean to make you cook for me."
"Oh, that's fine," Judith said. "You can repay the favor anytime you like." She moved from her seat to clean the pan. She didn't notice Eli's daughter grinning behind her.
"Sure, Dr. Mossman. Anytime."