23rd July 2013 Tuesday

Day 204

Ok, all set till the end of the…month, but that's all I need for now. Hopefully updates will still come with uni closing in again.

Also, to the anonymous reviewer, that was such a lovely review you left for me, it means more to me than you believe. Unfortunately, once this year is over, I'll be more than relieved to stop, but I wouldn't mind seeing if anyone else could do this. I'd love to read what other people can come up with.

Also, we all welcome to the world the new little prince. Long live the king!

Disclaimer: I own my thoughts…at least I think I do.

Inside one of the beetle's enclosures stood Dex, a confused expression on his face as he stared at the unattended feed bag.

"Where is Zap?" he questioned aloud, flicking his head from side to side. "He's supposed to be on duty here."

Unable to spy the pilot anywhere in the area, Dex flipped open his wristcom, hoping to get in contact with Zap. Static filled the screen.

"That's weird," he mumbled, closing his com.

With brisk footsteps, the leader made his way towards the pilot's bedroom. Although he wanted to suppress the emotion, he could feel his blood boil with annoyance. This wasn't the first time in the past couple of days that Dex had caught Zap slacking off; yes, it was to be expected of the pilot, but lately due to the wedding planning, he had found many more excuses to be absent when help was needed.

'I just need to write all the place cards.'

'Someone needs to make sure the flower arrangements are the perfect size.'

'I promise you I'll be back once all these invitations have stamps.'

Those were only a few excuses the leader had heard, but enough was enough. Disregarding an insect's well-being for tedious tasks that Dex knew the betrothed couple didn't even care about was more than the leader could handle.

"Zap?" Dex roared as he entered the room. The pilot scrambled to his feet at the call of his name, leaving Jenny on the ground with a magazine in her hand.

"Hey, we were just going to get something to eat."

"And the food distributions?" the leader questioned, abnormally quiet at first.

Zap rolled his eyes as though remembering something, giving Jenny a knowing look.

"I swear I was just coming back out there," Zap began quickly, before looking down and laughing a little with Jenny. "But we got a little side tracked-"

"It seems all you're doing lately is being distracted," Dex interrupted, unaware at how stern his voice was. The smile dropped from Zap's face almost instantly.

"Zap, I can understand that you're planning a wedding, but you're unfocused, you're distracted, and frankly you're being a pill. Everyone still worked while my wedding plans were under way. The habitat doesn't take a break, mate."

"Stop yelling at me!" the pilot shouted, standing his ground. "And trust me; I know the habitat doesn't stop. Who has to do all the work when everyone else is asleep because he's fast?"

"This isn't you, Zap," the leader's voice had softened, leaving just the right amount of shame and disappointment. "You're a hard worker, and I expect you to continue it."

The sliding door closed immediately after his exit, leaving an eerie and uncomfortable silence. Zap raked his hands through his hair, feeling humiliated at the childlike lecture in front of his fiancé. Jenny, who had been sitting in the corner, stood up and took quiet steps towards the pilot.

"Zap?" she questioned softly, holding her hand out gingerly. He immediately moved away, shaking his head in the process.

"No, no, just," he stuttered, holding his hand splayed out to push her away.

"Dex is still under a lot of stress about this, he's just-"

"Still, I don't need this right now," his head dropped in sadness, moving towards the door. "I'm going to get something to eat; just…I'd like to be alone for a bit."

The doors slid closed again, leaving the engineer by her lonesome in her room with the uncomfortable silence still hanging in the air.

Still stretching for ideas, but trust me you'll love it all by the end of the month. Sorry, in advance, but we won't actually see the conversation between Zap and Jane. Why you ask? Well, you'll just have to wait and see. R&R! Ideas for a random one-shot would be great. This chapter may be confusing, but trust me it'll make more sense later. Remember how I always tell you to remember parts of the story because they might come back...