Varik did not 'dream.'

The concept of dreaming was an odd, abstract concept that he just could not understand. Dreaming sounded pointless and hallucinogenic every time Varik heard the others speak of it. The only thing that seemed at least a little bit interesting: nightmares.

Mandarin frequently had them since he was small. He would always wake up in the late hours of the night, smelling of sweat and fear. When he was a child, he would run to the Alchemist's side whenever he had a nightmare, but now he simply paces down the dark corridors of the laboratory. Varik watches him every night from his perch in the beams.

He could see the chills rustle through Mandarin's fur, could hear his heart beating hard against his ribs, and could smell the intense fear rolling off his moving form. Mandarin would often mutter to himself as he walked, trying to make sense of his intense feelings. He was always alone and the feeling of the moonlight and the nightly breeze would soothe him until he would be able to return to his quarters and sleep again.

Varik would wonder what it was that scared Mandarin so much that he would spend hours trying to recover after. He refrained from asking the Alchemist so the scientist would not think he cared about that nuisance, but his curiosity persisted nonetheless.

One night, he followed Mandarin's path as he paced. Varik was far enough behind and quiet enough that Mandarin did not notice the extra presence. The closer he followed, he could hear Mandarin muttering to himself and saw him rub nervously at his metallic arm. Varik watched curiously before strolling up behind Mandarin.

"What are you doing." Varik said with a bored, monotone tone. He never questions these silly children, only demanded answers.

He could see the jerk of pure terror shoot up the orange monkey's spine as he let out an unflattering squeak, spinning around violently almost knocking himself off his own feet. Varik had enough control to keep his expression blank, but he felt complete amusement from the scene.

Mandarin clutched his chest and tried to ease his pounding heart. "God dammit, Varik! You don't just sneak up on someone in the dark!" He scolded as his terrorized expression turned to anger.

Varik raised a brow. "I do not 'sneak.' I always stay in this part of the laboratory during the night seeing as I do not sleep."

Mandarin takes a few deep breaths for he starts giving off a more poised air. He stands straighter and crossing his arms. "How am I supposed to know that? You're always hiding in the shadows; we'd lose you if you didn't gleam when someone shines a light on you." Mandarin jabs not so subtly, gesturing to Varik's sliver form. "Antauri's easier to track and he's the color of an actual fucking shadow."

Varik's eye gave an involuntary twitch at the mention of the black monkey's name and his tone came out sharper than he intended. "I would much enjoy seeing Antauri being swallowed by the darkness."

Mandarin furrowed his brows and his hands moved to his hips, his chest puffing out more. "That doesn't surprise me." He says bitterly. "You can go back to whatever you were doing. I'm heading back to bed."

As Mandarin turned away, Varik grabbed the orange monkey's upper arm tightening his grip just enough to be threatening without causing harm. Mandarin stilled immediately and he stared back at Varik with a look that flickered between surprise, fear, and expectation. Varik had a vague thought about if the snap of metal would be as satisfying as the snap of bone before speaking lowly:

"You did not answer my question."

Mandarin could only stare as he tried to form his words. He swallowed back the lump in his throat before he took a deep breath. Varik was clandestinely impressed when Mandarin was able to reply in a smooth, unshaken tone.

"What I do and why I do it is my own fucking business." He gathered enough strength to yank his arm away, Varik not bothering to keep his hold. "Why don't you go back to the hell pit you crawled out of?"

Not bothering to wait for a reply, Mandarin quickly walked off not seeing the sneer on Varik's face from the blatant disobedience. Varik stood in the middle of the hallway fuming with annoyance.

He starts to think that Mandarin has forgotten his place and must be reminded.

0000

The blood rushes through his fingers as he pressed them against the gaping wound. Short gasps and grunts of pain emitted from the monkey underneath him and Varik could only stare at the blood. It was so red. So dark, so red, so dark, so red…

He can vaguely hear Antauri's voice yelling out for Gibson. He can vaguely hear Otto panicking, crying pitifully. He can vaguely make out Nova and Sparx's frantic shouting, their voices overlapping each other. He can vaguely see anything other than that red, red blood slowly staining the orange monkey's fur.

Mandarin shakes from the shock of pain that is shooting through his body. His coal eyes wide with fear and slowly glazing over as he fights for consciousness. Varik kept his hands pressed against the wound and he kept a straight expression.

A hand landed on his shoulder and he felt like he had been shocked. He snaps out of his trance to look as Gibson kneels beside them. Gibson's eyes are focused and ready to work and Varik steps aside to let him work. Antauri stood by Varik's side and they could only watch as Gibson quickly, but efficiently attempted to stop the bleeding so he could properly tend to the wound.

Antauri was silent and he held a very poised air around him, but Varik could see the slight tremor in the other's hands. Varik could feel the anger raising from the black monkey and it oddly interested him.

"Where were you?" Antauri asked calmly not looking at Varik, but obviously addressing him.

Varik keeps his blank expression and he answered dully, "Is that an accusation."

"Yes," Antauri stated boldly. "You had been paired with him. You should have kept your eye on him. If you had been where you were supposed to be…"

Antauri flinched as Varik suddenly rounded on him. Their faces were only inches apart and Varik stared coldly into the other's eyes. He spoke low and sharp, his breath hard against Antauri's muzzle.

"You do not make the orders, Ashalyct. I do not report to you and you have no right to question my actions," He states, neither of them moving an inch away; both standing their ground. "Question me again and I will personally see to your punishment."

They stood in silence staring into each other's eyes stubbornly. The air crackled with tension and no one dared to get between the two of them. Varik seemed content and start to step away, but of course Antauri was just as stubborn as the silver monkey.

"Fail to perform your duty as Captain improperly again," Antauri started defiantly. "And I will be forced to overtake your rank...sir." Antauri practically spit 'sir' out as if it was bile.

Varik clenched his blood stained hands and he could vividly imagine his fingers wrapped tightly around Antauri's neck. The image of Mandarin's blood on Antauri's crush throat was more than satisfying to Varik. He started forward as if he was going to act on his thoughts until that accented voice cut through him like fire.

"You two, please!" Gibson scolded, his eyes glowing with frustration. He gestures to an unconscious Mandarin crudely wrapped up and being carried by Sparx and Otto back to the lab. "This is not the time or place to be fighting. Antauri, report to med bay for your injuries," Varik had not even noticed that the black monkey was littered with minor cuts; the silver monkey was impressed by the doctor's keen eye. "And you, Varik, come with me. I won't be having you two alone together anymore."

They were silent, but they followed the doctor's orders. You do not fight with the doctor.

0000

Gibson was beautiful.

Varik never understood the word, but seeing the doctor covered in old blood, sterilizing his surgery tools, brought the word to mind. His hands were sure and nimble as they work. Those hands had worked for hours on Mandarin's quickly failing body. He stayed calm and steady as he worked and he was successful. Mandarin survived and would make a full recovery which Varik could see greatly pleased Gibson.

Varik did not understand the appeal of saving someone's life (everyone is destined to die after all), but anyone could see how it made Gibson thrive. He had such a warm heart for others despite his grumpy attitude towards certain people (named Sparx and Otto). Such a clean soul compared to Varik's.

The Captain has attempted to convince himself that his interest in Gibson is purely scientific fascination, but he found that it was becoming difficult to continue using that excuse…

Gibson looked to the robotic monkey standing stiffly by the door, arms folded behind his back professionally. The blue simian smiled softly as he wiped his hands with a beat up rag. "Are you feeling alright? The others experienced some light injuries…"

Varik's mechanical heart swelled (which angered Varik; metal does not swell, dammit) from Gibson's genuine concern, but he shook his head calmly. "No thank you, doctor. I was not harmed and I do not have flesh for you to heal."

A lost expression crossed Gibson's features before he let out a pitched chuckle, shaking his head. "I am still capable of mechanics, Varik. Otto is not the only one who is good with steel," He smirks teasingly. "And please, call me Gibson. I do not have a doctorate."

There was an odd feeling spreading comfortably in his chest (fondness, he later found was the feeling and it made Varik extremely bitter), and Varik held a breath he did not even need.

With his brows furrowed, Gibson eyes the other with a mix of confusion and concern due to Varik's sudden silence. "Is everything alright? Did I say something inappropriate?"

Varik shakes his head before giving Gibson a fond smile which earned a smile in return (which of course didn't make his heart swell even more, shut up). He spoke softly as if he did not want to scare Gibson away. "No, I only found your statements amusing. You are quite right; you are incredibly talented."

Gibson lets out an embarrassed laugh from the compliment. "I wouldn't say that, but thank you. That means quite a lot, Varik."

Varik's eyes softened and yes, he thought…

Gibson is beautiful.


A/N: Yeah, this story is a very jumpy one, some taking place further apart than others, but they're all linked. More details of what the hell happened to Mandarin will be explain later :) Sorry, no one can resist Gibson, not even Varik.

I hope you enjoy!

Oh! And Ashalyct is a made up word of an alien language Varik knows and it roughly means "unwanted bastard," as in bastard child. That will be explained later, too ^^