Ethan and Emily starred at C.G. for a second. They weren't extremely upset. They were just kind of ticked she went shopping for presents without them. Luis hadn't noticed the stares given to C.G.
"Um, I suggest we dig up the rest of the crop, and gather the camera parts," C.G. said as she broke her face away from her friends' gazes.
Emily was more upset then Ethan, and out of her lack of sleep, head nausea, and general confusion about her feelings, she decided to take a stab at C.G. "Fine, me and Ethan will dig up the plant so you don't mess it up any further." As soon as she said that she regretted it. C.G.'s face flushed as she was lost for words, her face filled with pain. Luis looked up with disapproval and quite possibly disgust. Even the monster that is Ethan seemed to be disappointed. Emily put her hand on C.G.'s shoulder, trying to make things better. "Cege, I didn't mean it. It was a dumb thing to say. I'm really sorry!"
C.G. turned her head to look at Emily with watery eyes and removed Emily's hand from her shoulder. "No, you are right. I am incapable. I can't even pilot the time flyer without messing up. I am sorry for failing you all." C.G. knelt down next to Luis to help gather the scattered particles of what was once the gift she had gotten him. She picked up a handful and a single tear dropped on them. Luis saw this and looked down at the pieces in her hands.
"Um," Luis said gently and quietly, "can I have that piece, Cege?" Luis pointed down at the piece with the logo engraved in it. The company that made the camera just happened to be owned by C.G.'s father. Coincidentally the logo was a large C and G squished together, both C.G.'s and her dad's initials.
"I'm not sure why you would want it, but if it pleases you it was your camera," C.G. said as she passed the tiny bit, still looking away. Luis took it and stuffed it in his pocket.
As Emily started digging, Ethan stood there for a second, shaking his head at her before he started digging himself. "That was harsh Em," he stated as he plunged his shovel in the Earth around the tree. It hurt Emily almost more then it hurt seeing C.G.'s wet face. Emily sighed and began digging.
When the crew finished, they head back towards the ship, C.G. way ahead, Luis (holding the camera parts) and Ethan (holding the plant) behind, and Emily way behind with the Squibbon on her back. They were all submerged in their own thoughts, and the only sound heard was Squibby's quiet buzzing sound.
Back at the ship C.G. sat down in her pilot seat, and spun around slowly, back and forth. Her face had dried, but she still seemed miserable. The crew continued to be silent as Luis found his old camera and attempted to put the memory card in it. After a little struggling he managed to place the card in the slot, and went to play back mode. They watched Luis's face as he messed with the camera.
"C.G., come see this," Luis motioned. C.G. nodded and walked over. She watched the screen over Luis's shoulder; her eyes seemed to sigh in relief.
"The Squibbon ate the plant..." she said, almost with relief.
"Yah," Luis said as he smiled also. He was just happy he could control where the plant matter went. They continued watching the tape "and apparently he broke my camera, too." They continued watching the tape to make sure that was all that happened. Sadly, soon after they saw the tentacle grab the camera the footage stopped.
"C.G., Luis, I'm really sorry..." Emily said, making sure they could see her apologetic face. Emily was responsible for Squibby, not to mention what she said to C.G. earlier.
C.G. said nothing directly to Emily, and looked down at the ground, "I believe I shall turn in early. It has been a draining day..." She hung her head and walked out of the room.
Emily looked down, extremely upset with herself. Ethan looked at her sympathetically "Don't worry, Em. She'll be fine by tomorrow."
"Yah, you know Cege." Luis added. "By tomorrow her mind will be on the mission and she would forget all about it."
"Did you see the look on her face?" Emily said as she sat down in a chair. "I seriously kicked her when she was down!"
"You never kicked her!" Ethan said jokingly. Luis and Emily glared at him. "Okay, okay. To soon, but you know what?" Ethan said as he yawned. "C.G. had a good idea. I'm going to go hit the sack."
"Me to," Luis said as Ethan left, "will you be okay, Em?"
"Yah. I'm going to stay up a bit. Watch the ship. I'm a tad bit restless." Emily said, to avoid bumping into C.G. when she tried to get to her bunk. Luis nodded and left.
Emily ended up falling asleep on the control table, and Ethan saw this and carried her to her bed at midnight.
The next morning C.G. woke up to the smell of breakfast. Strange, she thought. Normally she was the first one awake. She saw Emily still wasn't in her bunk below. As she brushed her hair and put it up, she realized also that Ethan's snores and Luis's light breathing were missing from her morning routine. If it was honestly that late for Ethan to be up someone would have risen her. She hurried and head to the table.
"Would you like some tea, C.G.?" Emily asked as she filled a cup with steaming liquid, The smell was of peppermint and the aroma filled the room.
"Where are the others?" C.G. asked as she nodded and slouched down on the table. Her head hurt and her face was puffy.
TO BE CONTINUED
