22. The Last Chapter
Miss Pauling awoke to the sounds of disassembly. Loud clankings, bangings, and even the noises of a blowtorch were happening on the other sides of the medibay. She glanced around, although her vision was somewhat clouded, and saw that people were tearing apart the teleporter. Somehow it was funny, she started giggling like a madwoman.
" Hey." She heard the scout say somewhere on her right. Turning her head, she saw him perched on top of a table.
" Hey." She giggled some more.
" Take it easy, you're on a lot of pain meds and they're making you a little loopy."
" Howdyou know, I just woke up-" Her words were slurring together
" Like now? No, you've actually done it like six times and every time we have about the same conversation."
" Mmmmm, you're patient."
" Thank you. How are you feeling?"
" Like I got run over." Another burst of giggles bubbled forth. Her chest did hurt like hell, but it would be a lot worse if she didn't feel high as a kite. Scout was being so funny, woke up six times?
" You think you'd remember that huh?" Scout interrupted her thoughts.
" Wha-?"
" You were rambling about being a kite, and then waking up and stuff."
" I didn'say anythin'"
" Yeah you did."
" Nu- uh." Now the scout laughed.
" This is pretty funny seein' you like this. Not gonna lie. Almost funnier than the first time my older brother-"
" I'mgonna hold yer hand okay?"
" Wait, what?"
" I'mgonna hold yer hand. And yer gonna hold mine. And we're gonna stay like thatforalittle." She giggled some more, and grasped for the scouts fingers.
" Okay, but if you suddenly snap out of pain med limbo don't hit me or something. This was your idea."
" I wasn't gonna hit you." She chuckled, clumsily interlocking her fingers with his. Her motor skills were practically non existent.
" Hey scout."
" What?"
" Scout."
" What?"
" I have no idea how I am going to tell the administrator about all this. I mean, the bit about the australian minister was a tough sell but this I gotnoidea howto handle."
" Well, I-"
" Help me, okay?"
" You need my help?" The scout was a little bemused.
" Yuhuh dumbo. Will you help me?" Her thoughts were starting to slow down, and Miss Pauling felt exhaustion creeping up on her. " Help me, okay?"
" Always." She heard from a far away place. She liked the sound of that.
And with that she was unconscious again. No grandiose finale of the adventure, no big bang, just two wounded people holding hands. There is no more to tell.