Author's note - I'd just like to say thank you to E.S. Simeon and G-Anakin13 for reading both stories of mine. And Princess, hopefully Allen comes out okay in this chapter!
Allen was shaking his head as he left the bridge. After the fight he'd just witnessed, he was beginning to believe that the Captain, Tony, and Hammer had been together just a little too long. While it was inevitable that being with the same people day in and day out would start to wear thin every once in a while, the Elsa's crew rarely spent time apart. And now that they were stuck together for an unknown length of time while searching for Lost Jerusalem, it was becoming painfully obvious that they were driving one another crazy. Knowing that he could do nothing to stop them once the yelling, shouting, and posturing had begun, Allen had simply made a mad dash for the door.
He started toward the elevator, knowing he had to go down and see the Professor and Scott. They were working on a new project, and Scott had asked him for his help, although Allen had the feeling that it was designed to keep his mind off of Shion. That was something that he needed to speak to Scott about, but he'd wait until after they were done working and the Professor had disappeared. He'd almost reached the elevator when he heard the door to the men's cabin slide open and then Jr. appeared. Allen stiffened slightly and came to a halt. Jr. turned in Allen's direction, plainly intent on heading for the bridge. His eyes met Allen's and the look he gave Allen almost caused Allen to jump back a step. Jr. abruptly turned and made his way to the lounge.
Allen was very confused. Why would Jr. give me a look that plainly says he hates me? If anything, I'd think I have more of the right to be aiming those kinds of looks in his direction, but since I don't hate him, there wouldn't be much sense in it. Resolving to put it out of his mind, at least until he was able to talk to someone who might have some clue as to why Jr. would be aiming deadly looks in his direction, he hurried onto the elevator.
He quickly made his way down the hallway and came upon the Professor and Scott arguing over what was the best way to accomplish something. "But Professor, I don't think that way will help at all. We need to make sure they're able to get through the atmosphere. They won't be worrying about how amazing it looks!"
The Professor waved Scott's concerns away. "Nonsense, Assistant Scott! If we're to be building them a shuttle that is able to get them down to Lost Jerusalem just in case the Elsa encounters resistance, it needs to have my signature! It has to have something that links it to Erde Kaiser!" He suddenly spotted Allen in the doorway, laughing silently. "And what are you laughing about, Assistant #2? Get in here and stop lounging around! We've got work to do!"
After a good two hours of much work and very little talking, the Professor brought a halt to everything. He cackled. "See, what did I tell you, Assistant Scott? It's going to be a beauty! They've got to go down in style, you know. And now, I think I'm off to have a drink. All this work has given me a sudden craving." He left the room, ignoring Scott's annoyed sigh.
Allen eyed Scott suspiciously, and Scott looked at him, squirming slightly. "Why are you looking at me like that? I just don't want the Professor going off on one of his binges. If I lose him to one of those, we'll never get this shuttle done in time."
Allen decided it was best to simply ask Scott directly why he'd invited him to work on the shuttle as well. As he'd thought, Scott stuttered the answer that he didn't want Allen moping over Shion. He'd figured that with his mind occupied, he wouldn't have time to think about Shion at all.Allen put a hand to the back of his head and sighed. "While I'm glad you're trying to be a good friend and help me out, you don't have to worry, Scott. I'm not moping over Shion. Yeah, I'm a little upset that it didn't work out. I loved her very much and I always will. The thing that matters the most to me, though, is her happiness. She seems happy with Jr., and that's all I can ask for. Although the strangest thing just happened to me before I came down here, you know. I ran into Jr. and he gave me a look that should have had me on the floor, crying in agony. I'm a little lost as to why he seems to dislike me so intensely all of a sudden."
Scott pondered on this for a minute, but ended up shrugging. "I honestly can't think of any reason Little Master would have to not like you."
Allen raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "And just when did you start referring to Jr. as 'Little Master'? I know you and the Professor were on the Foundation, but you didn't have that much interaction with him, did you?"
Scott turned a dull red. "Most everyone on the ship calls him Little Master, so I just thought it's what I should call him too. Anyway, to get back to the subject at hand, are you absolutely sure that you're okay with Shion not being with you anymore?"
Allen looked a little thoughtful for a moment. "I can't say that I'm okay with it, but I can say that I'm not moping about. Like I said before, I just want her to be happy." He gave Scott a small smile and left Scott marveling at how selfless his friend was.