Once again, I insist that I was a very self-absorbed twelve year old. I hope I've matured...(Have I Elizabeth? Also, check your phone, you sociable poop.)... at least in the sense that all my characters aren't actually just me.
Regardless (Ooh, that was weird. When do I ever say regardless?) I noticed more people have read 31 than 30, and well, I was in mild hysterics. Because I mean, what?
Merry Christmas/Hanukah/Winter Solstice/Thursday and Friday, guys! I hope you like this little explosion of words. \I regret to say, I think we may be nearing the end... :(
Love you always,
Hannah the Hobbit Xx

Cal followed Ethan back into the side room. Two pairs of eyes glanced over paper cups of tea, one tearful and angry, the other judgement and very clearly sizing them up. Lucie looked down at her tea, refusing to make eye contact with Cal, whilst Hannah scoffed at the pair of them.

"Really? It takes two separate doctors to look after this little thing?" She demanded condescendingly. Lucie elbowed her.

"As hard as it may be to believe, these are actually my friends as well as my doctor." Lucie hissed in her ear. Hannah apologised discreetly, retracting the hostile glower from her eyes. However she was still highly suspicious of the pair of them. Especially Cal.

"Is this the guy I'm supposed to hate?" Hannah asked, not even pretending to be subtle about it. Lucie nodded, shrinking into her pillow. Hannah stood up, folding her arms territorial, and inspecting him up and down. Cal felt as though he was signing up to the army as she scrutinised him.

"At least he's cute." She relented. "You could have done worse." Lucie hid further in embarrassment.

"I assume you are Lieutenant Mortimer, the marine." Cal greeted politely. Hannah smirked.

"Oh look at that, he reads the newspaper." She drawled. She strode around behind him to the door. "Oh, and Captain Mortimer to you. I believe this when you salute, Caleb Knight." Hannah held open the door, mock politeness edging her movements. Cal stood to attention and saluted, sending Hannah hissing.

"Do not dare mock that signal." She growled, a deep and guttural sound rising from her stomach. Cal raised an eyebrow at her, an equal hostile glare sent towards her as he left.

Ethan fiddled slightly with the equipment to the left of Lucie's bed. Hannah leant against the wall, arms folded, but more open and friendly to him that she had been with Cal.

"You're friends with the first female marine. Of course." He muttered to her. Hannah cracked a smile over Ethan's bent back. Lucie smiled back.

"Naturally." She replied. "It's so perfectly ironic."

"How is it ironic?" Hannah asked puzzled.

"That you kill people for a living, and I save them... Theoretically. And we're kinda best friends."

"Kinda? Bitch, we are the best friends." Hannah grinned back at her cockily, wandering back over to perch on the edge of her bed.

"Says the girl who just called me a bitch. Bitch." Lucie retorted, smirking back at her. Hannah punched her lightly on the arm. Lucie winced. "Oi! I'm not just hiding in here for the crack, I am actually injured you know!"

"Wuss." Hannah teased, before swiftly apologising, surprisingly sincere for once. Ethan glanced at Lucie, worried.

"I'm fine." She insisted. "Just little miss murderess over there doesn't realise how strong she is."

Cal ran a hand through his hair distractedly. The wind just blew it straight back into place, as he slouched on the wooden bench. It was reasonably cold out here, and the wind wasn't helping, but it did aid clearing his head.

"I am actually trying to help, y'know." A voice called from behind the bench. Cal didn't have to look up to know the khaki-clad officer he would see.

"Captain Mortimer, I would salute but I wouldn't like to mock the gesture." He replied coldly. He looked up from his hands as she sat next to him. "Why exactly are you helping? You don't even know me and you hate me."

Hannah didn't deny it, in fact she made an agreeing noise in the back of her throat.

"True." She allowed. "But I love her. And she loves you more than anything else. So I help."

Cal looked straight at her.

"You love her?" He asked.

"Not in that sense!" Hannah snapped. "I'm engaged for craps sake. No, she's my best friend."

Cal shrugged, looking away. Hannah followed his gaze, watching a stray leaf dance across the Tarmac.

"Have you actually apologised yet? Tried to explain what happened? Why it happened?" Hannah prompted. Cal shook his head. Hannah scoffed in disbelief.

"Get your worthless arse back in there, and explain." She ordered. Cal began to reply but Hannah cut him off. "Look mate. You may not be the knight in shining armour that she deserves, but you are the douchebag in tinfoil that she's in love with, so. Go. Explain. Now."

When Cal still didn't move, Hannah stood up, grabbed him by the ear and pulled him upright.

"That was an order, civilian. Fulfil it."