Thank you for all of your reviews and advice, Cozzizzie. I'm really grateful. :)
And to TGP212TH for the amazing cover she made for Tales of Coruscant! Isn't it cool guys?!
I'm feeling super lucky right now ~_~
This chapter is so full of fluff. Such silly fluff. I should probably be embarrassed. Surge is just my fluffy guy, I guess. Back to serious stuff next chapter with Trust and Hatch, but I hope you guys enjoy this one. Takes place between the Ravi and Net chapters.
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Surge ran the scanner over the little boy, trying to be as quick yet thorough as possible, studying the readings by the dim overhead lamp. A few faint fingers of morning light reached through the colored panes of the window beside them and cast pale rainbows across the tiles at their feet. The boy fidgeted on his mother's lap, squirming and trying to wrestle his way free of her arms, although without as much fire behind the gesture add Surge would've liked to see. The woman looked up at Surge with an expression part embarrassed apology and part deep gratitude and he shook his head at her with a small smile.
The readings confirmed his suspicions and he smoothed back some of the sweat-slick hair from the small feverish forehead. The boy grumbled a bit but didn't shy away from the medic's hand or resist as he rubbed a thumb there softly while speaking to the mother.
"He's got a virus. Nothing too dangerous or overly contagious, but it's not very comfortable. And it can drag out if untreated. I can recommend something that will help. It doesn't require a prescription and is fairly inexpensive." He scrawled something on a piece of flimsi from the small stash in his med-kit and held it out to the woman before pulling out a hypo.
"This will help with the fever, but it will come back and you'll have to keep a close eye on it."
The woman nodded and watched as he injected her son, who had given up fighting completely by then and now merely looked on with tired eyes. Surge replaced the hypo in his kit and ran a hand over the small head before standing.
"Good to go, little buddy. Don't give your mom too hard a time on the way home, ok?"
The boy gave a tiny nod before tucking his face into his mother's shoulder, gripping the fabric of her shirt in his hands. The woman wrapped her arms around him and stood, the edge of her skirt sweeping the floor as she walked, flimsi clutched tightly in her fist as she made her way to the door. Surge stepped quickly to overtake them and held it open as Aiya pulled on a jacket and grabbed a bag from the counter and took up pace beside her.
The woman turned and looked up at him with a grateful smile and he nodded, before they stepped out onto the permacrete and the early morning wrapped its pale and chilly folds around them. He followed them with his eyes until they turned the bend at the cross street, then stepped back inside.
Loreen was sitting at one of the shop's tables with a sleeping Fayna blanket-bundle across her lap and she looked up at him with a serene smile before rising and hefting the little girl in her arms. She began making her way to the stairs at the back of the shop and jerked her head, indicating she wanted him to follow. Through the doorway at the foot of the stairs, the clinking of pots and pans told that Oma was beginning breakfast.
Surge stood at the doorway of the small bedroom, a hand on the trim and watched as Loreen lowered Fayna into Oma's bed, tucking the blankets over and around her before padding back over to him. He stepped out into the living area and she pulled the door shut behind her before crossing her arms over chest and looking up at him.
"Thank you. You're wonderful. You know that?"
"It's no big deal." He shrugged. "What I'm here for."
"You just got off watch, right?"
"Yeah. Gotta head back and get some sleep. See you later today? Redecorating the shop right? "
"Yep. It's my favorite." She smiled to herself for a moment before looking back at him, eyes narrowing and poking a finger at his chest. "You're not going anywhere, though."
Surge blinked down at her.
"Is someone else sick? "
"No. You're just sleeping here."
"Here?" He looked around the room. "You're sure that's ok?"
"Of course it is."
After a pause he nodded and walked over to the couch, replacing his helmet temporarily and Loreen guessed he was checking in with his squad via the comm within. Afterwards he sat and set his helmet on the coffee table and began removing his armor beginning with his shoulder bells, which he stacked neatly on the floor.
Loreen snorted from the doorway of her room, arms crossed and reclining against the frame. Surge looked up at her, confused.
"In my room, silly. With me."
She beckoned with a finger and laughed as he froze, blinking at her briefly before a deep blush spread over his face and he linked his eyes to his boots.
"You want to. ..?"
"Sleep. We're both going to sleep."
"Oh." He looked back up at her and a sheepish expression crossed his face, but he stood quickly and picked up his helmet and plates and padded over to her. He came to a stop beside her and she grinned, raising herself on tip toe to whisper in his ear.
"But we can do that later."
..
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Decorating the shop for the spring season had been a favorite past time of Loreen for as long as she could remember. As a small child she had followed in Oma's footsteps, a light-footed shadow carrying the basket of lights and streamers and flowers that were hung, scattered and placed about the shop just so. Doling out the decorations like gifts to their surroundings, which seemed to beckon to her with an unspoken voice for the whimsy. There was a method to it, a tune.
And now, many years later, the magic was still there.
The outside of the shop was alight with blooms and vines and leaves, crisp and curling in ribbons, softening the edges of the sharp building. The windows spoke boldly with painted scenes and tissue stars. And the door was freshly painted and propped open with a stool on which a colorful basket of treats and flowers for the passer-by had been placed.
A welcome and promise of the good things within, and in good company with the soft music and laughter that spilled into the street.
Inside the shop was busy with customers and friends alike, and Loreen gave a young couple a smile as she placed their cups on the table before returning to the drink bar which hung with glasses, lit like lanterns by the tiny lights draped behind. Juni stood there behind the counter placing freshly cleaned dishes on the shelf at her back, stacking plates tidily and turning each cup handle side out with care. Ravi, Hatch and Trust sat upon the stools across the counter from her, whisking cloths over dishes and lining them up for her to take.
Across the room Surge sat with Fox, taking intermittent sips of caf and tossing jokes between them while folding some flimsi decorations under Aiya's practiced guidance. Turns and Fayna sat on the floor at their feet playing a clapping game of sorts and Loreen stepped past them and made her way around the bar, then motioned for Juni to come stand beside her.
"Ok. You ready to try it on your own?"
Juni looked at the ancient caf machine before her in doubt for a moment, but when she turned her head to the other woman her mouth played a small grin.
"I'll give it a go."
"Alright, it's all yours."
Loreen and the three troopers sitting opposite watched as the younger woman took up the process. She pulled the shot and began steaming the milk as she had been taught with the same cautious care she had bestowed on the dishes. The high-pitched whine of the steam wand became a smooth hiss of spinning liquid, folding about the small thermometer placed within the pitcher until it frothed.
Juni switched off the steam and poured the milk into the cup of caf, tilting and swirling, and finally dipping and trailing the tail end of the small thermometer across the foam to form a design. She looked at it for a moment before shaking her head in a small motion of satisfaction and sliding the cup across the counter to Hatch. He picked it up and stated into it, a goofy grin spreading across his face.
"Aw. A heart." He winked at her. "I love you too, Miss Juni."
She blushed as she began pulling the next shot and Trust punched his arm. Ravi laughed.
"Don't get too excited there, trooper. That's the only foam art I've taught her so far." Loreen shook a finger at him as she tamped the last puck with her other hand.
Hatch was unfazed, raising his eyebrows as he sipped the caf. "She served me first, too."
"Because you're the closest." Trust reminded him and slipped his hands around the next cup Juni slid over, accepting it eagerly. Used to the no-frills caf of the mess, the drinks served at the shop were always a welcome treat to be savored and marveled over. This one was no different, as delicious as the others he had tried and had begun to acquire a taste for. He gave Juni a nod of admiration. 'It's great."
The two sipped in silence as she pulled the last shot and frothed the milk in the small alloy beaker, her eye on the thermometer within, monitoring the temperature before moving on to complete the drink as she had with the previous ones. She played around with foam a little longer this time around before pushing it into Ravi's hands.
After taking his cup Ravi stared at it for a few moments in contemplation, head tilted to one side before his eyes slid to the others.
"Ha. She loves me like a...tornado." He announced, flashing Juni a cheeky grin and she laughed.
"It's supposed to be a rose!"
"Oh."
"She's just kidding. It really is a tornado. She's giving you a hint, vod." Hatch made a rolling motion with his hand in the direction of the door and Trust snickered. "Fwoosh."
Ravi stuck his tongue out in response and Juni came around the counter to have a seat with them. He lifted her purse from the chair beside him and placed it on the counter so she could sit.
Loreen shook her head at their antics and stepped over to the counter on the far side of the room where Oma was forming some pastries. Her gaze fell on Lex, who was working alongside the other woman and mimicking her with a dedicated precision, unrolling any twist of dough he deemed unsatisfactory and beginning again. Loreen giggled at him for it and he looked up at her with an embarrassed smile.
"It doesn't have to be perfect, you know." She reassured, patting his shoulder.
Rolling back her sleeves, she plucked up a piece of her own as she scanned the shop for anyone who might need her. Everyone appeared fine, content in their drinks or crafting so she returned her attention to the dough in her hands and began weaving knots.
She was working on her third when she felt a light touch on the small of her back and looked up to see Surge step in beside her. She gave him a small peck on the cheek and pressed some dough in his hands, and they all worked together for a while, rolling and twisting and filling. Oma hummed lightly, her off-key notes hovering between them and painting their faces with smiles. Her voice and the rhythmic sound of their hands on the bread boards beat a silly and comforting tune, the dough slipping and folding between their fingers was meditative in its own simple way.
A muted crash came from across the room and they turned to see that Hatch had toppled from his seat, and sat half-upright on the floor pointing a finger at Trust, his lips moving in a slew of rapid accusations. He pushed himself to his elbows, about to rise, but Fayna came bounding from across the room and jumped on his middle. The unexpected collision set him clattering back to the floor and he lay there for a few seconds blinking up at Fayna in surprise. She ambled her way to a sitting position and sat, perched like bird on his chest, looking down at him curiously. Trust and Ravi were doubled over in their seats with laughter and Juni was giggling into her hand.
Surge shook his head, chuckling under his breath and Loreen snorted, her eyes slipping to Lex.
"They must drive you crazy."
Lex glanced at them over the dough he was pulling in front of him and a look of practiced patience came over his face. "They...keep me on my toes." he answered honestly, and shrugged his shoulders with a grin. "I'm hardly bored, at least."
"Poor guy." She gave him a sympathetic smile and reached across the counter to pat his arm. "You should come get a massage from Aiya one of these days. She's amazing and you deserve it."
Lex lifted his head to look over at Aiya briefly before staring hard at the pastry he was forming on the counter, and shaking his head mutely. Loreen wasn't quite sure if it was the thought of the small intimacy offered by a massage or the fact that Aiya was the commander's "girl" in the sergeant's mind which lent itself to his reaction, but it made her giggle. And Surge beside her. Aiya and Fox looked up from their folding at the sound, or perhaps sensing they were being spoken of and Loreen blew them both exaggerated kisses, wriggling her eyebrows for good measure. She got some grins and head shaking in response.
Across the counter Oma watched them all with playful eyes as she unscrewed the lid of a jar of preserves and began spooning small amounts onto some of the pastries. The scent was rich and lovely and both men at the counter paused their movements to observe her with interest. Loreen looked up and caught sight of the jar and the two men staring at it and smiled. She motioned for Surge to scoot from in front of the drawer below the counter and when he did she retrieved a couple of spoons. She gave one to each man and pointed at the jar.
"Try some. It's cactus jelly we made last year."
They both looked at Oma who nodded and held the jar out to each. "Good stuff."
They both seemed to enjoy it and Oma tutted, placing a dollop on the last filled pastry. She put the lid back on and gave it to Lex. "You take that home." He took it and placed it to the side, without protest but with grateful eyes. They'd all learned a while ago that Oma wasn't someone you said "no" to.
Fayna came over to squeeze her way between them all then, fingers gripping the counter and nose peeking over the edge. Surge pulled up a chair from a nearby table and placed her on it. The little girl held out her hands for Oma to spritz with some sanitizer before grabbing a chunk of her own to work with. Turns approached a few minutes later and Loreen stepped aside to let him work beside Fayna, dusting her hands on her apron. She caught Oma's eye across the counter and the older woman smiled.
"You two heading out?"
"Yeah, I think we are. You need me to do anything before I go?"
Oma shook her head.
"No. You two have fun." She shooed them away from the counter with outstretched hands. "Go on."
Loreen placed a hand on Surge's arm and pulled him along as she hung up her apron behind the counter and then headed over to the table where Fox and Aiya sat. Surge retrieved his helmet and Fox gave them a nod. Aiya stood to hand Loreen her jacket from the back of her chair, then fetched her own apron, slipping it on.
She winked at them both and walked them to the door, hands on their backs and pressed them out with a grin, before going back inside to grab some finished pastries from the counter and restocking the basket on the stool.
...
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"Do you really need that one?"
Surge watched Loreen hoist the large container of milk onto the convenience store's counter for purchase, confused.
"They have smaller bottles..."
"This one is perfect." She held up the jug in the bag, a sly grin curling her lips. Her eyes were mischief as he took it from her to carry.
"One more stop."
The eatery they stepped into was tiny, smoky and dingy, a mere crevice between a packaging shop and a shady-looking pharmacy. Hot and greasy wafts of smells and spicy steam clung to them as they stood in line, and Surge was surprised at the sheer volume of people packed within the crumbling and patched walls.
Beside him Loreen rocked lightly on the balls of her feet to the tinny music spilling from the overhead speakers. The moisture in the air clung to her hair like dew beading a web, and a sprinkling of sweat dotted her brow. She caught him looking at her and grinned, linking an arm with his.
"They have the best spicy noodles here. Wait till you try them."
The square was busy that day, but they managed to find a vacant spot by the fountain and Surge watched as Loreen spread out the carryout dishes between them, placing the jug of milk in the middle and pulling out the holozine she had purchased alongside it. After setting out their feast she tucked her legs beneath her and motioned for him to sit.
He sat across from her, pretzel-style as well and observed with open interest as she plucked some of the noodles from the food box with her set of chopsticks and held it out to him. Surge raised an eyebrow, but ate what she offered, the spice of it making his eyes water even before it touched his tongue.
One bite in and his eyes were streaming. He breathed open-mouthed, willing the heat to leave, fanning his face in involuntary response. He tried to speak but ended up just choking and cringing, shaking his head.
Loreen sat watching him, arms wrapped around herself and shaking silent mirth.
"Oh my force, you..." She twisted the cap off the milk and handed it to him, cracking up. He chugged it, swishing it around in his mouth as he swallowed.
"You look so adorable." She gave him a look of sincere sympathy and grasped his shoulder companionably before shoveling some noodles in her own mouth.
Within seconds she had brought a hand to her mouth and sat chewing with a pained expression, tears running paths down her cheeks.
Surge was watching her like she was crazy, blinking the tears from his own eyes and scrubbing an arm across his face. His mouth was still on fire, and he rolled his tongue in his mouth trying to dissipate it. He took another swig of milk.
Loreen reached for it after him and she swallowed a mouthful before swishing another gulp against her tongue and cheeks. When she looked back at him her eyes were streaming and her cheeks were rosy. She stuck out her tongue and fanned it before pointing to the noodles, and speaking with her tongue still out.
"This stuff is righteous, right?"
She looked so ridiculous Surge laughed and shook his head at her. His mouth was finally starting to calm down. He sat aghast as she took another huge bite.
"That stuff can't be good for your insides." He watched her squeeze her eyes shut and and shake her head against the spice, swallowing and then inhaling more milk.
"Probably not. Bottoms up, Mr. Medic."
"You're nuts."
"A little." Loreen gestured for him to take another bite and he eyed the noodles warily as he brought them to his mouth. Across from him she was panting as she picked up the holozine and began reading it aloud, blowing out breaths between words.
"Alright, you have to answer as honestly as possible. If you were stranded on a deserted planet with only one person for the rest of your life...who would it be?"
Surge swallowed the fire in his mouth and coughed. "Ask me when I'm not dying."
"Nope. Words spoken under duress are like secrets to your soul. You need to answer because you're dying. "
At that moment he wasn't sure if she was joking.
"Not you. You're evil."
She pouted at him then and took another bite, her face pinching, before she reached over and cupped his face in her hands and brought her lips to his.
They kissed for a few minutes before the burning at the corner of their mouths forced them to pull away and they both ran their arms over their faces, scrubbing desperately.
"Ok, maybe you." Surge admitted after another swig of milk, although he was still eyeing her weirdly. Loreen gave him a wink and a thumbs up, then blinked her eyes a few times before looking down at the holozine again and reading the next question.