Double update cos this chapter ran away with me (again)
"Said she wasn't feeling well." Phones announced, coming back into the lounge. Well translated. Atlanta's hand shook, rattling the ice cubes in her drink.
"That's the third time this week!" Troy complained. "Do I need to go fetch the Doc?"
Phones shook his head but he was still frowning when he took his seat.
"Marina wasn't in when I swung by to see if she'd want a lift." Fisher put in.
"Are you sure?" Atlanta asked. She had to set her drink down, lest it give her away.
"No." Fisher admitted. "or at least, if she was in, she wasn't up."
"Did she look sick?" Troy pestered Phones, who shrugged.
"Hard to tell. Marina didn't answer the main videophone-."
Because nowadays it has that new fangled 'caller id' Atlanta thought. Of course Marina wouldn't answer Phone's on the videophone if it said Shore on screen. She hadn't so far this week.
"So I went outside and used my wrist-com." Phones continued, "The image's too small to make her face out real good. I could only just see what she was saying if you know what I mean."
he sighed looking at the empty chair and chips they'd set out for her.
"It took forever for her to answer the radio, so maybe she does just need some rest?"
Troy disagreed.
"Marina went straight to the pool after work," he said. "She wouldn't have done that if she was sick or unwell."
"I saw." The commander nodded.
Then, at the surprised looks all round, clarified with a cough. "I er. Well, I had Physio in the gym this afternoon.''
He gave Atlanta and the boys a withering look as if daring them to say anything pityious or patronising. No one did.
"It overlooks the training tanks and the swimming pools. If that mermaid of yours needs rest, then it's because she was up and down that lane like she was training for the olympics. You'd have thought her flippers were on fire!"
The Commander's face softened just for a moment. And he said with much less of his signature tone, "Marina must have been in there at least a good ninety minutes...she looked mighty tired when she got out, Troy."
"Marina can swim for hours and be fine usually." Troy said, puzzled. "She's been alright at work and on Stingray?"
"Then what's up with her in the down time?"
"Damned if I know. Any ideas?"
No one knew. Well Atlanta had an idea. But she wasn't able to say anything.
"Should we go over?"
"Now? No."
"Maybe I should call the doctor."
"Now fellas if she doesn't feel like coming out, we can hardly force her".
They discussed and argued. Atlanta must have zoned out, not really listening until Troy turned to her.
"Atlanta, can you try talking to her?" he said. "Maybe she'll tell you what's wrong."
"I have tried! I tried talking to her every day." Atlanta replied. More curt then she meant it to be. "Marina's not said anything to me!"
That last bit came out louder than she meant as well. Atlanta hid her sudden blush behind taking a drink. Again ice cubes clinked unsteadily. Troy, unused to being dismissed or snapped at, sat there stunned; as if she'd slapped him. All eyes on her too,much as she tried avoiding any eye contact. Atlanta set down her drink and realised she was almost crushing her cards in her hand. She hadn't even counted what she had.
"Fold." she sighed, putting them face down on the table.
The fella's blinked and looked down at their own cards, remembering they were playing.
"Already?" Her dad said.
"Have you actually played any rounds yet?" Fisher teased. Atlanta shrugged, and made some excuse blaming her delt hand, rather than her physical jittering ones.
She probably would have won that round really. Troy's poker face was terrible but Phones always played it safe anyway. But her heart wasn't in the game tonight. Or her head for that matter.
The evening began to blur. Atlanta, despite her best efforts, was not paying attention and kept losing track of how many chips she'd lost.
"Atlanta, we're waiting." Her father said, complaining. "It's your turn."
"Huh? Oh." Atlanta was just her and Phones left to play. But it was like the suits and numbers were swimming in front of her and so she played two at random.
"Easy!" Phones grinned, laying out his hand and winning. "No offence Atlanta."
"Best I had." She lied. Then gave up. "Count me out the next deal, father."
"You sure? Well okay."
"Honey-?" Troy started but Atlanta shook her head, splitting her remaining chips between the four of them. And pulled her chair up closer to his. Wasn't exactly a cuddle but it'd do.
She sat at the table a little while longer. enough for Fisher to lose the chips she'd gifted him. before getting up, collecting empty glasses as she did.
"Anyone want anything? I'm getting some air. And then I'll say good night if you don't mind."
"Oh Atlanta not you too?" Troy lamented.
"No carry on without me." Atlanta insisted from the kitchen putting the glasses in to soak. "Sorry fellas. I guess I'm a little tired."
"You as well?" Her father frowned.
"Guess things were more hectic on your shift then mine?" Fisher smiled.
"Yeah. Kind of." Atlanta said. It hadn't been. But the commander didn't call her out on it. Even though he didn't sound or look too happy about it.
"Yeah. Kind of... " He said. "Alright, goodnight then sweetheart."
"Don't stay up too late." Atlanta replied.
Then with A kiss on her father's cheek, a squeeze of Troy's shoulder and "night fellas" she Left them to it for the night…
