Reed

Hours upon hours of staring at nautical miles of water, and still nothing to see. Reed passed a hand over his eyes, making sure he wasn't getting hypnotized, and glanced at the time monitor. The shift would soon be over, they'd head back to HQ to regroup, debrief, and change aircrafts and support teams, and then come out again. He and Zheezill. Whether she was keeping an eye on him or just intently looking for the shuttle... At this point, he'd say she was looking. Initially, he'd thought the Eylordenes could be pulling a long con, but all of this was overkill for a long con. Zheezill was adamant they would find them. And she had a point. With all of these crafts crisscrossing everywere, they had to find something. And she kept repeating that the Ia'O would eventually release their catch. He hadn't dared ask what state they'd find the catch. He had to believe they'd be whole, steel himself against the possibility Hoshi...

He checked the course again, sighed. He simply couldn't get his mind to consider the possibility. And he shouldn't. Zheezill was right. They'd find them, pluck the shuttle out of the drink and get on their way home, nobody the worse for wear. All he had to do was keep staring at endless waters and hope against all odds something foreign and non-aquatic and metallic and Starfleet-issue-like would break the horizon. Soon.

A large wave rose below him and he felt his throat tighten. He mentally checked the last time he took one of Phlox's pills, physically feeling for them in his pocket. Good. He had enough left, and when he got back to the command center there'd be a new package waiting for him. Along with a full set of replacement cartridges for the breathing crystals. Phlox had been able to produce another four or five cartridges, that would hold them till the end of the festivities. Actually, they wouldn't even need that many. They'd find the shuttle before then. Way before.

And then he and T'Pol would be back on Enterprise, where it was dry, and safe, and she could breathe normally and he didn't have to calculate so exactly when to take one of the doctor's little pills. Because of certain side effects. Phlox had listened quite intently when Reed told him about the, hmm, sexual fantasies. If he was amused, he kept it to himself, explained instead how it was a consequence of being back on dry, safe land. At sea, the anxiety overwhelmed all of the feel-good hormones the pills produced. Reed was given instructions to call if there were any unpleasant side effects, Phlox didn't see that one as unpleasant at all. Denobulans thought sexual congress and sexual thoughts were the most normal of topics. Phlox really should have grown up with a navy family in England...

Reed took a step back inside the cabin, trying to escape all the water around. He surreptitiously palmed a pill and coughed it in, swallowing quickly. He didn't want any of the Eylordenes to see, and have to explain to a water planet species that he was afraid of water. It could be a placebo effect but he could already feel the pill working its magic. In more ways than one. He was surprised to find Zheezill at his elbow, he hadn't seen her come to him. Her robe was undulating in waves of frustration and Reed could relate. In another few hours he'd head back to the ceremonial facilities to tell T'Pol... there wouldn't be much to report. Yet again.

Zheezill bent over to him, "Meester Reed, we head back."

Reed nodded. That was the plan. He was fine with it, the pill would last the entire shift and more. By the time he saw T'Pol again the meds would be well beyond their half-life and he'd be safe from any sexual fantasies.

"Next shift is still in this quadrant?" he asked for confirmation. He was starting to read the differences between each quadrant. The oceans may all be one water but there were subtle differences in the height and rhythm of the waves. Now that Phlox's meds were starting to work he could actually almost see the beauty in it. Almost.

Zheezill agitated her robe in what he now knew was a negative, "No, we go closer to Ia'O."

That drew a sharp look from him. Did it mean that the Ia'O were closer to expelling the contents of their meal, or was it that the Eylordenes were getting anxious that nothing was happening. As he started asking her, the copilot came by with what seemed to be an urgent message. Zheezill went to talk to him. She came back to Reed, "The dignitaries are going to the sacred grounds. We go back." she said.

"You mean, we go back to headquarters for the next shift?" Reed confirmed.

But Zheezill shook her robe 'no'. "You go back," she replied, "I keep looking."

Oh no! no, that's not happening! Reed looked at Zheezill through narrowed eyes, scowling. Like hell he was going to let them look for the shuttle on their own. That wasn't part of the plan. And all the king's men and all the king's horses wouldn't keep him away. But he couldn't just come out and say it, and offend some sensibility of the Eylordenes. God knows there were plenty of those, they spent so much time on decorous nonsense it was a wonder they got anything done. Plus the 'sacred grounds' didn't sound like something to be toyed with. He looked around the cabin, trying to find a way out.

"Gentlebeing..." Zheezill prompted him for an answer.

So we're back to 'gentlebeing', Reed thought... That was it! The way out! The Eylordenes were were nothing if not exquisitely hierarchically-minded. He saw the sliver of opportunity, grabbed at it. He looked at Zheezill as if he had no choice in the matter. "Commander T'Pol ordered me to keep searching," he said, "I need to confirm my orders with her." That was said with as if the weight of the decision rested heavily on his conscience.

Zheezill shimmered in understanding, "Yes, of course." She turned back to the copilot and they retreated to a corner. Reed saw her say a few words, then a few more as apparently what she was hearing was not what she had expected. Soon the two of them were deep in a conversation, communicating in an orgy of robe movements. Reed watched in fascination. Finally, Zheezill came back over in somewhat of a state, he could tell by her robe, "Gentlebeing, the dignitaries have gone to the sacred grounds. The Honorable Gentlebeing Commander T'Pol is with them."

Reed cautiously said nothing, unsure how to react.

"The dignitary Commander T'Pol is already at the sacred grounds. You cannot talk to her until she is back," Zheezill explained gently.

Perfect. Just make sure to act as if you're disappointed, Reed told himself. "I cannot deviate from my orders without Commander T'Pol agreement... ," he let his voice trail for a touch of indecision, as if he truly was torn between two imperatives.

Zheezill ruefully shook her appendages in agreement, "I am truly sorry, Gentlebeing Reed," Her robe took on the deep hue of regret, "It looks like you must remain with us."

"I must do what my Commander ordered," Reed nodded, eyes downcast, hiding his relief.

Zheezill suddenly brightened turquoise, gestured at him encouragingly, "The preparations for the Joining are long," she said, "we may be back in time! The sacred grounds are not far from the ceremonial grounds."

Careful there, don't overplay it! Reed admonished himself. He smiled brightly back at Zheezill, "That's great!" As if it mattered. All that mattered was that he'd be on the next shift.

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