I know I said it was background Atlanta and Troy? But alas; I am but a sap for soft goodnight scenes.
"You okay honey?" Troy asked as he started to drive her home. They'd been out for dinner. On base sure but it was still out-out at least. Atlanta had been looking forward to it for a week. Only: "You've been a little, well… tense? Not quite yourself tonight?"
Atlanta blinked, pulled out of her thoughts.
"Huh? Oh Sure Troy. I'm okay. Sorry, I guess it's just been one of those days." She smiled. Troy however looked perplexed.
"Really? Huh I thought things were kinda quiet today. I think that ladder falling over was the most excitement we had all shift! Even the patrols dragged on."
Atlanta winced at remembering the incident. And Marina… and that scar. Thankfully Troy's attention was that very second was back on the road.
"Then again I guess a quiet day for Stingray doesn't always mean quiet for the Control tower? You have everyone else to deal with." He said. Atlanta agreed, but didn't elaborate.
They sat in silence for a moment or so, Atlanta watching the Marienville scenery pass by.
"Say…Nothing happened at the party did it?" Troy asked cautiously. Then laughed it off a little. "I'm afraid my head's a little muzzy after we left the conference room and headed to Blue Lagoon. And I know there was some rowdiness-?"
"You fellas were perfect gentlemen, don't worry about that side of things." Atlanta reassured him.
"Well if you're sure."
"I am." She said;
Then teasingly added, "Although I am going to ban you and your crewmates from the pool table after you've had champagne."
"That," Troy agreed, complaining,"I'll hold you to it! You know I bumped into Mags Mackrell earlier putting those boxes and things of yours in the trunk? He is not going to let me live that down in a hurry." Troy sighed as if this was the worst thing in the world. And continued,
"Mackrell took four cracks to try and pass his basic training! Couldn't handle the missile tests. And yet I was the one who couldn't hold a cue straight last night?"
"You'd have only lost ten dollars if you hadn't let that guy get under your skin! You lost fifty because you insisted on playing best of three." Atlanta reminded him. "And Phones lost fifty dollars because you teamed up and played double or nothing doubles against both Mackrells."
"Yeah I know. Least it wasn't five hundred bucks for an old sea chart again. Ah but I'm sorry about that. I'm going to have to make it up to Phones. Especially as I talked him into it." Troy said. "You know what I really can't get over though? Marina won twenty bucks! And beating the younger Mackrell guy by herself two games to one!"
"Why Troy, are you jealous?" Atlanta asked.
"No! Well okay Maybe!" He laughed. "I mean, it was great to see, but jumping catfish! I don't think Pacifica or Titanica even have snooker and the like."
"I believe it serves Travis right for telling her 'Not bad for a Girl' after she potted three balls in a row." Atlanta said. "I'm not sure what makes it worse: The fact you and Phones were the ones to teach her pool? Or the fact she's only played it twice for fun just with our little group before last night? And she still wiped the floor with him where you couldn't."
Troy whistled.
"Owch! Atlanta honey-! That stung. No you're right though. I think I'll stick to playing poker with you three and the Commander! Least the money I lose there is for fun, and only ever on a scratch."
"Good thing too. It'd take you about six hundred years to pay my father back!" Atlanta replied. "You're awful at cards."
"Guess my luck is elsewhere." Troy grinned, in the most cheesy flattering voice possible.
Atlanta still melted. Her heart still flipped and her eyelashes fluttered.
"Keep your eyes on the road, Romeo." she told him. But she still Kissed Troy on his cheek. Even Leant in against him, Snuggling up as safely as she could on the long front seat. Troy couldn't very well put an arm around her, even at this cruising speed. But she could see his grin in the rearview mirror. Atlanta relaxed into it. she felt lighter, blues temporarily forgotten. As if nothing bad that day had happened.
But-
"Something else on your mind then?" Troy asked. And just like that Her light mood blew away on the same night breeze that was threatening to muss up her hair.
"Yeah… Something else is on my mind." Atlanta said, sighing.
"A problem shared is a problem halved?" He reminded her.
"I know. But it ain't mine to share if you know what I mean." Atlanta complained and squeezed his arm affectionately. "I wish I could Troy. I really do."
"Alright. If you're sure." He said, again.
I'm not. Atlanta thought. I'm really not sure at all…
They were quiet for the rest of the short drive and turned into that led up to her accommodation row. Even from here, she could see, bar the porch one, all the lights at the Shore's place were off. Although it wasn't late, it meant her father was probably already in bed. Pity. She had hoped to put on a disc and stretch the evening out.
"Would you like to come in for a coffee?" Atlanta asked. Troy made to say yes. then reluctantly thought about it. Atlanta twigged why, "Or are you on an early shift?"
"The early shift. I forgot to tell you, Stingray swapped routines with the Waveskimmer Seven given the recent missing tugboat situation." Troy groaned.
"Troy you shouldn't have let me keep you up then. We could have rescheduled-!" Atlanta scolded. But was unable to hide her smile when Troy shook his head.
"I wanted to!" Troy argued. "Let me walk you to your door at least."
"Such a charmer!"
"I try." Troy said, as they pulled into her driveway. "I better remind Phones about that when I get in or I'll sleep in. Marina too, I'll give her a call if she's home."
"She should be back from the pool by now. Say, Troy? Speaking of which, did you notice anything about Marina?" Atlanta asked, unable to help herself.
"Marina? Like, today?"
Atlanta nodded. Then hastily added "Or Phones or Fisher for that matter. You know just, how was everyone doing today?"
"Last time I saw Fisher he had his head in a sink." Troy muttered, turning off the engine. He climbed out Going around Atlanta's side to hold the car door open for her.
"M'lady?" He grinned in bad british accent and offering her his arm. It made Atlanta smile again at least.
"Phones was alright. He was getting ready for a video-phone call with his sister and the kids." Troy continued with a shrug, Walking her to the door as promised. then frowned. "Marina… yeah, Marina was a bit on edge now that you mention it. Not so much while we were on Stingray but. Beforehand? And as we left for the day she said she was gonna head to the beach for a bit... There was a lot of socialising last night though. That's why I figured she'd gone to the coast."
"She looked so scared earlier." Atlanta pressed.
"Yeah but there was no harm done? Why? Has something else happened?"
"No no. Just wondered that's all." Atlanta stopped and turned to Look at her. Really look at her.
"Atlanta, if something was wrong or funny going on with my crew you'd tell me right?
Those are our friends we're talking about but I also need to rely on them."
"Of course I will! I mean I would. Nothing happened Troy. I was just worried about..something else…" Atlanta huffed. She was starting to get a headache. The sort she always got when Singray was in some terrible peril. "Sorry I guess I have been out of sorts tonight I guess."
Troy was still frowning but fell in step as she started walking again.
"Everything okay with the Commander then?" he asked as they reached her door.
"Yes? Least I think so." Atlanta said, puzzled. But Troy chuckled and wrapped her up in his arms.
"You don't have to fix everyone's problems honey." he told her, kissing her forehead. Well he missed and kissed mostly her fringe, but the thought was appreciated. As was the Proper kiss on the lips. Atlanta sighed and leaned in Letting herself enjoy it. Then letting herself into the house after they broke apart.
"You okay?" he asked again.
"I am Troy I promise."
"Good. And don't forget your old man's as tough as nails. See you tomorrow." He said and after one last Peck on the cheek made to leave.
"Father? Oh. Why yes of course. Goodnight troy."
"Night. Sleep well." he replied, striding back to his car.
Atlanta stayed at the door and waved the captain off. She waited till he was out of sight and closed the door; resting her thumping head against the cool glass panel with a quiet groan. Of corse father would think she was worrying about Troy! Of course Troy would think she was worried about her father! It was normally one or the other she was normally stressed about, Atlanta supposed…
