Crow made his way into Joel's cabin and stared at his injured, sleeping creator. Though he was unable to feel pain Crow was sympathetic toward Joel.
"Hm..." Crow quietly studied Joel's sleeping form. "Guess I should be grateful that Mike helped you." He turned and looked at Mike sleeping in the chair next to Joel's bunk. "Mike doesn't look any better than you do, Joel."
Feeling a little lonely but not wanting to spend time with either Tom or Gypsy, Crow climbed up onto Joel's bunk and laid down next to his creator. "You better wake up soon Joel, the ship's boring when you're not around."
Joel's hand reached up and patted Crow's beak. "I'm awake buddy."
"Joel?" Crow sat up and stared at Joel's pale face, his eyes still shut. "How long have you been awake?"
"Long enough to know you're grateful for Mike saving me."
"Oh... you heard that, huh?"
"Uh-huh."
"You're not going to tell him what I said, are you?"
"No." Joel opened his eyes. "But you should."
"What? Why?"
"Crow, your my friend and I love you, but sometimes you can be so cruel. Mike is a very good guy who, just like me, got caught in a bad situation. You've been pretty cold toward him and there's no reason to be."
"Well..." Crow felt a twinge of guilt. "it's just... he's not YOU, Joel."
"What's that have to do with anything?"
"You created me and Servo and Gypsy and Cambot, so I know you won't hurt us or, you know... do anything bad to us."
"Neither would Mike."
"How do you know?"
"Because, unlike you my gilded conspiracy nut, I've actually taken the time to get to know him. He's harmless. And as you've pointed out, capable of saving a life."
"But..."
"Crow, you don't have to be his new best friend or anything like that, but you should make an effort to be a buddy."
"Maybe..."
Joel winced in pain and put his hand to his injured ribs. "Thank you."
Crow looked over at Mike again and studied Mike's pale face. "What's his problem again? Concussion?"
"Yeah..."
"Weird. I thought you weren't supposed to sleep with a concussion."
"That's an urban legend. Resting is the best thing for any injury."
"Oh. So I don't have to wake him up?"
"No."
"Can I do it just for kicks?"
"NO."
"Can I at least stick his hand in warm water?"
Joel started laughing. "No!"
"Please?"
"No."
"I thought it'd be more fun with you awake again..."
"I'm fun. But only when I'm not hurt."
Crow looked down at Joel. "Oh, right..."
"Crow?"
"Yes?"
"Could you please be quiet so we can rest? I love having you around but I need to sleep some more."
"Fine..." Crow crawled off the bed and walked past Mike. He paused for a moment and climbed up on the edge of Mike's chair. Whispering Crow thanked Mike. "You're alright, thanks for helping Joel."
"You're welcome."
"Gah!" Crow fell off the chair. "Mike! How long were you awake?"
"Long enough to know you wanted to stick my hand in warm water and that you think I'm alright. You're alright too!"
"Shut up! I didn't..."
Joel defended Mike. "Did too!"
"Oh yeah? Well... Mike kissed you!"
Mike blushed. "It wasn't a kiss."
Joel smirked. "Crow? How do you know I didn't kiss him?"
"You... what? BLEGH!" Crow scrambled out of the room and into the corridor.
Joel started laughing to himself. "I couldn't resist."
Mike laughed a little too. "Now that he's freaked out, do you think he'll stop bringing it up?"
"Not a chance."
"Glad to see you awake."
"Glad to be awake."
"I hate to ask, but... the escape pod?"
"Destroyed." Joel answered flatly. "The meteor shower destroyed the heatshield before it struck the fuse box on Deck 14."
"Can it be repaired?"
"Doubt it, but we'll try anyway."
Mike smiled. "Does anything ever get you down?"
"Bad movies. And clowns."
"Wow. Me too." Mike was feeling tired again. "That and headaches."
"You should rest. You've already done so much for me and the rest of the ship."
"It's not a big deal."
"Actually, it is. You saved my life. I don't think the bots would've been able to do what you did and I wouldn't be here right now. Thank you."
"You don't have to thank me."
"You're right, I don't. But I want to."
"Well, you're welcome. I guess."
"Goodnight, Mike."
"Goodnight, Joel."
-The End
