« Prev 1 Next » Reply Share Thread Facebook Twitter Tumblr LinkedIn MySpace Email Go to Previous Thread Next Thread Please make a selection first Author Topic: Still Visiting Hours (Read 136 times) Aaron Silverman Legend Defense ... [send pm] Joined: November 2014 Posts: 3,701 Still Visiting Hours « Nov 19, 2015 3:00:57 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top (Thread takes place the same day as Strife/Best Care Anywhere, just much later, into the night hours.) Paradigm at night was almost an entirely different place, especially the infirmary. Barring unexpected missions or emergencies, there was hardly the usual bustle - no orders, no crying alarms, no urgency. Still medics on standby should anything happen, still people with a direct line to Dr. Husher if she had to be awoken and summoned to deal with something personally, but otherwise a sort of anticipatory stillness. People could rest, recuperate, prepare for tomorrow. Especially the agents and guests who had to make use of their hospital rooms - usually, you could be in and out in no time, but sometimes, just sometimes, something happened where they'd really rather you stay and rest for a bit. Aaron dozed lightly in one of those rooms, no heart monitor needed, sleeping quietly as if he were in his own pod. They'd said rest, and so he would. The only light came from a dim lamp on his nightstand, and the television, muted now, its screen showing some old movie he'd loved as a kid. He'd wanted to stay up and catch it but a few hours ago some boring sitcom combined with painkillers to put him out cold. And so the room stayed, utterly still, sterile, until there were three knocks at the door. Gentle, almost reluctant, but they were there, and gave the impression that the knocker would tear the door down if people got in their way. Back to Top   Some things are worth fighting for, some feelings never die... Sarah White Mentor Defense When Autumn Came... [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Gender: Posts: 2,037 Still Visiting Hours « Nov 19, 2015 3:05:55 GMT -6 via mobile » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Piper had been reading as he slept, glancing at him every few moments to make sure he was still asleep. The movie had been interesting, sure, but it was difficult for her to focus on anything except for him. A few times, she even reached out, needing to touch him to make sure he was still there, still real, still not a dream... When the knock sounded, she looked up, a tiredness showing in her gaze. She hadn't left his side if she could help it, still wearing an oversized jumper and leggings against the cold. At some point, a nurse had come in to bring her a blanket. Standing, she made her way to the door, making sure Aaron slept. She glanced back one final time before opening the door, moving to slip out and disturb him as little as possible. If she could, the green haired Aussie wold quietly close the door behind her, looking up at the guests. "Yes?" She'd ask softly, almost as if she worried about disturbing the quiet. Back to Top   Aaron Silverman Legend Defense ... [send pm] Joined: November 2014 Posts: 3,701 Still Visiting Hours « Nov 19, 2015 3:21:01 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top When Piper stepped out, she would see two figures that would look very familiar from her snooping around in files related to Aaron's. One, a man in a long coat with nearly matching features, a little shorter but stronger-built. A harsher edge to his face. The other, a woman well-preserved but probably in need of her file's picture being updated, who wore the darkness of the night around her like an old coat. They both looked at her as if silently wondering who the hell she was.  She would recognise them though, in all likelihood. Paul and Rachel Silverman. The folks. They looked at Piper, then each other, then back to her. "'Scuse me, Miss," Paul said, evidently the quick exchange of glances being a little unspoken discussion over who would do the talking. "We're here to see our son. We've already spoken to a nurse." « Last Edit: Nov 19, 2015 3:23:54 GMT -6 by Aaron Silverman » Back to Top   Some things are worth fighting for, some feelings never die... Sarah White Mentor Defense When Autumn Came... [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Gender: Posts: 2,037 Still Visiting Hours « Nov 19, 2015 3:28:05 GMT -6 via mobile » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Exhaustion pulled at her like a physical force, a heavy fog in her mind. It took her a few moments of looking over the strangers to realize she should probably recognize him, and it wasn't until the word "son" was uttered that the realization struck her. The green haired girl blinked a few times, as if blinking away the cobwebs. "I, um... your son... oh. Oh!" Her eyes widened and she stepped back a bit, shock appearing across her features. She was far too tired to monitor her expressions. "Mr and Mrs Silverman, right?" She tried to smile, but it looked tired. "Aaron's sleeping." As if that would stop them. It didn't stop her, after all, and he had already said that he was close to his parents. She shouldn't be surprised they came visit. "I, uh... yeah, sorry. Here." She very quietly opened the door, stepping into the room so that she could hold it open for the couple. Back to Top   Aaron Silverman Legend Defense ... [send pm] Joined: November 2014 Posts: 3,701 Still Visiting Hours « Nov 19, 2015 3:48:37 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "Thank you." If it sounded vaguely sarcastic, that might have been due to the way Paul had looked at her while she worked out who they were. Appreciative of the concern, softening when she noted Aaron was asleep, but certainly not patient. In fact, for a moment there he looked like if she didn't figure out who they were and move soon, he would simply make her move, but he gave a curt nod when she finally figured it out. He seemed to move like the wind itself as soon as the door was open, zipping as quietly as he could to the bedside and settling down on what had been Piper's seat. Rachel, for what it was worth, gave her a warm smile and entered the room in a rather more measured fashion, her steps carrying a sense of practised dignity. Or maybe she just didn't want to disturb the sleeping boy by sprinting across the room like her husband just had. "No, really, thanks; we mean it. You've been looking after him?" She hadn't lost that Texas drawl in all the years with Paradigm. "You look half dead on your feet yourself, y'know." Back to Top   Some things are worth fighting for, some feelings never die... Sarah White Mentor Defense When Autumn Came... [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Gender: Posts: 2,037 Still Visiting Hours « Nov 19, 2015 3:59:24 GMT -6 via mobile » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top The condescension was not lost on her, no matter how tired she was, but she reminded herself that it WAS his son, and he HAD been blown up and impaled. Still, she gritted her teeth as he blew past her and took her spot, trying to take note of where her book had gone in the process. Expecting the same from Rachel, she was pleasantly surprised to glance up to see a smile. The woman was being quiet, and she appreciated that, but she wouldn't be rude and offer no answer. Sleepily, she said, "Yes, ma'am. I've been here since they brought him in. We put in a movie he likes a bit ago, and he fell asleep. Thankfully." Yes, he had been resting, but she still worried. She glanced over at his sleeping form and affectionate warmth crossed her face, making her look young again, despite the aging sleep deprivation. She reached out and rubbed one eye with her wrist. "They said he was stable, now, and that he just needed sleep, but I asked the nurse if I could stay with him. I didn't want him to wake up alone." Back to Top   Aaron Silverman Legend Defense ... [send pm] Joined: November 2014 Posts: 3,701 Still Visiting Hours « Nov 19, 2015 4:14:37 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Paul gently placed the book on the nightstand before he sat down, trying not to disturb the glass of water there or the best-wishes cards people had left his son. Right now, he was just watching Aaron, occasionally running a hand gently through the boy's hair. Didn't look like the Director himself could move him from his spot. "We appreciate that, hon, we really do. Even if Paul over there's a bit of a blunt old warhorse about things." Rachel kept up the smile, though it turned slightly knowing as she spotted the shift in Piper's expression. "Don't mind him, really; we called, and called, and called, but I think Aaron's phone's off. He hasn't been able to talk about anything else since we heard the news..." Right there, understandably, the smile wavered, but there was a valiant effort not to let her expression crack. Even as the room got visibly darker immediately around Rachel, who returned her attentions to Piper after a moment. "You should go get some sleep, yourself; you'll be no good to anybody if you just keel over." « Last Edit: Feb 9, 2016 0:28:37 GMT -6 by Aaron Silverman » Back to Top   Some things are worth fighting for, some feelings never die... Sarah White Mentor Defense When Autumn Came... [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Gender: Posts: 2,037 Still Visiting Hours « Nov 19, 2015 4:21:41 GMT -6 via mobile » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Despite the blunt behavior he had offered her, watching how he responded to the sleeping Aaron warmed her heart. She seemed to relax, shifting her weight to one leg and watching them for a moment. Her heart squeezed. He had told her they were close, but... she never thought parents could actually care for their children like that. There was an underlying sadness to her smile as she remembered her own mother. Still, when she turned back to Rachel, she had tried to swallow her sadness. "I figured I could sleep once he got out. I'm sure he's going to try and get released before his classes, and they've already told me I can skip my classes tomorrow. I'm ahead in my work, anyways, and the Pod will be quiet." She chuckled, shrugging, and wrapped the blanket tighter around her thin body. "So it all works out." « Last Edit: Nov 19, 2015 4:22:15 GMT -6 by Sarah White » Back to Top   Aaron Silverman Legend Defense ... [send pm] Joined: November 2014 Posts: 3,701 Still Visiting Hours « Nov 19, 2015 16:12:35 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "Means a lot to you, huh?" Rachel chuckled a little, not unkindly, more as if she had just put the picture together from what Piper told her. "Think he'd rather you not run yourself into the ground, then." She looked away, watching her husband and son for several long moments. She almost seemed to forget Piper was there, until she shot the younger woman a glance out of the corner of her eye. "If it's the same to you, I think we'd like some time alone with our lil' boy anyway. We can come getcha, if he needs, an' I'm sure he'd feel better knowing you're takin' care of yourself." It was less trying to get rid of her, more a well-meaning request, mixed with perhaps a bit of concern. Back to Top   Some things are worth fighting for, some feelings never die... Sarah White Mentor Defense When Autumn Came... [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Gender: Posts: 2,037 Still Visiting Hours « Nov 19, 2015 16:46:25 GMT -6 via mobile » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top For a little while, they stood there in silence, and Piper was smiling despite herself. Tired or not, he was resting, and when he woke up... his family would be with him. She wasn't worried about it. He would be happy. "Sure," she said, softly, and brushed her fingers through her green hair. "I'll go down to the cafeteria and get something. Would either of you like anything? Coffee?" She glanced between Aaron's parents, still smiling that soft, affectionate smile. Back to Top   Aaron Silverman Legend Defense ... [send pm] Joined: November 2014 Posts: 3,701 Still Visiting Hours « Nov 19, 2015 20:23:04 GMT -6 via mobile » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "Oh, that'd be just fine. Thank you. Paul, you want any?" Slowly, reluctantly, Paul looked at them over his shoulder. Uncomprehending for a moment, before he tried to smile. "Ah, yeah. That'll do, thanks. Not too strong? Don't want the smell to wake him." It had been a long trip for them both. She could see dark circles under Paul's eyes if she looked. « Last Edit: Feb 9, 2016 0:30:52 GMT -6 by Aaron Silverman » Back to Top   Some things are worth fighting for, some feelings never die... Sarah White Mentor Defense When Autumn Came... [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Gender: Posts: 2,037 Still Visiting Hours « Nov 19, 2015 20:28:47 GMT -6 via mobile » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top She smiled at Paul, offering a nod. Quietly, she said, "We have matching baggage." To explain, she gently drew her fingers along the undersides of her eyes, but said nothing else. She turned to leave them alone with their son, but as she slipped out the door, she cast one look back at him, and her smile returned. Back to Top   Reply Share Thread Facebook Twitter Tumblr LinkedIn MySpace Email Go to Previous Thread Next Thread Please make a selection first