After the battle. . .

Gabriel Keats sits by Rae's bed, touching her hand. "I'm sorry. . ." His voice is hoarse.

Rae Overholt 's only response is a slight twitching of her pinky finger.

Gabriel Keats closes his eyes and sighs, knowing that what he's saying is useless. Gets up to get a change of dressings for her wounds.

Rae Overholt 's lashes flutter slightly as she dreams, incorporating Gabe's speech into her dream. She see's her brother, alive holding out a stone to her. In the background a voice says over and over "I'm sorry."

Gabriel Keats walks back to the bed, carrying the gauze. After a moment of hesitation, he starts to remove one of the patches on her back, touching her skin in the process

Rae Overholt hears her brother repeat, "earth, from earth." and then the voice is matched with a face, Marcus stands before her, holding out her necklace, sadness on his face.

Gabriel Keats has the fleeting impression of. . .something. He pulls away sharply. "What the hell?"

Rae Overholt slumps back onto the table

Gabriel Keats looks at her, questioning. "Rae? Can you hear me?"

Rae Overholt's head moves slightly and her arm slides its way off the table.

Gabriel Keats waits for a long moment. He's about to go back to changing the dressings when he sees the movement. Takes her hand gently. "Are you there?"

Rae Overholt let's out a small noise, almost as if she is still dreaming

Gabriel Keats gets another fleeting impression. He figures he's tired, shakes it off. "Rae, it's Keats. . ."

Rae Overholt blearily opens her eyes, trying to focus on the voice, a blurry shape comes into view and she mumbles, "marcus"?

Gabriel Keats looks at her, concerned. "It's Keats, Rae. Are you awake?"

Rae Overholt blinks a few times and says in a hoarse voice, "water please?"

Gabriel Keats sees something, thinks he's seeing himself. . .blinks and squeezes her hand

Gabriel Keats snaps to attention, hurries and comes back with a glass of water and a straw

Rae Overholt takes a sip of the water only to realize it might not be the best idea and pushes it away.

Gabriel Keats sets the water down near her.

Rae Overholt: what happened? shen? lexi? *she murmors*

Gabriel Keats: They're okay. . Lexi took it pretty bad, but the doc patched him up. Shen's all right, too.

Rae Overholt nods, not trusting herself to talk much and motions a hand to Gabe.

Gabriel Keats creases his brow.

Rae Overholt lets out a breathy "sorry, you?" before clamping her lips shut again

Gabriel Keats looks down. "I ain't hurt." He swallows. "I wasn't there."

Rae Overholt nods slightly

Gabriel Keats forces a smile. "I was a mite worried about you, though. The crew'll be happy to have their Captain back."

Rae Overholt closes her eyes tightly and frowns, thinking how she screwed up and let everyone get hurt..."shouldnt be captain" she thinks

Gabriel Keats looks at her. "Yes, you should. People get hurt. . .no one got dead."

Rae Overholt opens her eyes and gives him a startled look

Rae Overholt lays there wondering if she is going crazy and thinking out loud

Gabriel Keats looks at her, expression very confused. "I--" He shakes his head as though to clear it, as though he's distracted by something. "We've got a couple of the pirates. . .I think the rest of the crew locked them in a crate." His expression goes dark. "Wasn't my first choice"

Rae Overholt reaches out to him, "s' kay gabe."

Gabriel Keats: "They shot you. Ain't like they should be walkin' round"

Rae Overholt lets her hand drop when he doesn't take it, "shot them too gabe." She blinks a few times, trying to ignore the nausea.

Gabriel Keats's face is still angry. "They started it." He stalks to the corner and returns with a basin, holds it out to her worldessly.

Rae Overholt looks at the basin, taking deep breaths trying to settle her stomach, only making it worse with the smell of blood. She lets out an indistinct noise one second before she rolls to the side and heaves, spitting up the small amount of water she drank.

Rae Overholt leans back looking utterly embarrased and miserable she throws her arm over her eyes.

Gabriel Keats holds the basin. "It's all right. We all do it sometimes. One time, over at Rol's. . ." He smiles, trying to make her feel better.

Rae Overholt 's mouth twitches as if she is trying to hold back tears and she goes to raise her other arm to cover her face as well only to realize it throbs like mad.

Gabriel Keats: ". . .Rae? I know this ain't the time to be askin', but. . .are you all right?

Rae Overholt mumbles, "dont worry 'bout me. You okay? Why arent you restin, why ya here?"

Gabriel Keats looks at her, giving her an almost amused look. "Couldn't have you sittin' here all by yourself."

Rae Overholt notices gabe's state of undress quizically, "why ya half nekkid Gabe? Got designs on me while I'm helpless?"

Gabriel Keats has the decency to look abashed. "No. Doc said to dress the wounds, and your shirt was wrecked. Thought you might be. . .cold."

Rae Overholt takes stock and notices the shirt half draped over her, "sorry gabe, your nice shirt too, and I ruined it."

Gabriel Keats: "Ain't nothin' I can't take care of."

Rae Overholt: you get any rest? You look so tired Gabe.

Gabriel Keats shakes his head. "Naw. . .didn't want to leave you alone. I ain't tired, though."

Rae Overholt: Doc told you I'd be ok.

Gabriel Keats looks at her, quizzical. "Seein' it and hearin' it are two different things."

Gabriel Keats: "Don't worry about me"

Rae Overholt looks at the bandages piled on the counter, ready to go. "those for me?"

Gabriel Keats walks over and takes them from the counter. "Yep. Doc said to change them every four hours"

Rae Overholt: I's out four hours?

Gabriel Keats nods. "You gave us all a fright"

Rae Overholt looks skeptic

Gabriel Keats "You don't believe me?"

Rae Overholt: Why, I'm replaceable enough, dont owe me nuthin.

Gabriel Keats: "You're our captain." He smiles. "Ain't so easy to replace that. You worry 'bout that too much."

Rae Overholt: Well, as your captain, I order you to tell me why you're so wild eyed. *she tells him groggily*

Gabriel Keats sighs. "Just worried. I guess I am tired. . .I. . .there were things I'd see when I'd nod off. . .I'd see someone who looked like me. . .a stone. . .a rich family on the core. . ."

Rae Overholt frowns slightly, getting goosebumps, "When was that?"

Gabriel Keats shrugs. "Just before you woke up. Why?"

Rae Overholt blinks, "Nothin, just worried. You need some rest."

Gabriel Keats: "Naw, I ain't that tired." He uses all of his willpower to keep from yawning. "Sides, with all the racket around here, it ain't like I can sleep."

Rae Overholt: Racket?

Gabriel Keats: "Yeah. Everyone talkin' about what happened and all."

Gabriel Keats: "They're bein' awfully loud about it, ain't they?"

Rae Overholt listens to the silence, getting more goosebumps, "yeah, guess they are. Could you help me out?"

Gabriel Keats: "Sure. Do you need the water again?"

Rae Overholt shakes her head, "no, gotta clean up, can't stand, blood, smell. Need some clean clothes from my bunk, locker." she gives him a hopeful look

Gabriel Keats moves towards the door. "I can get those. Anything in particular you want?"

Rae Overholt shakes her head, trying to sit up without loosing the loosly draped shirt so she can get to the shower outside. "just clean." She grimmaces as she feels the aches from her various scrapes and wounds.

Gabriel Keats steps to the door. "I'll see what I can find. Then I'll help you clean up." He exits the room, heading towards Rae's bunk.

Rae Overholt watches him leave, wondering what could be causing him to hallucinate . Her stomach turns cold with worry as she tries to think of ways to keep an eye on him. Wondering if maybe he CAN hear thoughts, and if he can hear what she is thinking now. If he can then she was screwed, she'd not be able to keep an eye on him. She begins to formulate a plan she hopes will work. Relying on his apparent fondness of her to help her pull it off.

Gabriel Keats comes back after a few minutes holding a pair of pants and a loose, comfortable t-shirt

Rae Overholt gives him a greatful look, "thanks. Mind helping me to the shower? Maybe turning it on and all. You can finish what you started when I get out?"

Gabriel Keats is concerned. "If you think you can stand. I'll help you walk."

Rae Overholt nods and holds an arm out to him, bracing heavily on him as they make their way to the shower.

Gabriel Keats walks slowly, so that she isn't pushed too much. ". . .you all right, Rae? You seem a mite edgy."

Rae Overholt: Just not feelin well Gabe, sorry to be such a bother. "she looks at her feet as they walk to hide the concern in her eyes"

Gabriel Keats laughs. "You're not a bother."

Gabriel Keats arrives at the shower, hesitates outside.

Rae Overholt nods to the door and says, "turn it on for me? Close your eyes if ya gotta, but I need help with buttons" puts one hand on the buttons on her pants."

Gabriel Keats's sense of propriety battles with his sense of chivalry. "All right. . ." He undoes the button for her, maintaining a detached expression."

Gabriel Keats he then moves to turn on the shower, trying very hard to avoid looking.

Rae Overholt: Rae Overholt lets out a sigh at his seeming hesitancy and says somewhat bitterly, "Not like I'm gonna force myself on ya Gabe." She waits for him to turn on the water and slowly makes her way in, closing the door behind herself and trying her best to wriggle out of what clothes she has left, "Be out soon." She steps under the water and stands motionless, letting the water rinse the blood off and sting her scrapes and cuts. Once she is sufficiently clean she exits, finding a towel and doing the best she can. She looks at her clothes in misery wondering how she's going to manage that.

Gabriel Keats frowns, and stops avoiding looking. "I'm just trying not to make you uncomfortable."

Gabriel Keats: "I can help you with the clothes. If you're not averse to the notion."

Rae Overholt reaches out and takes the t'shirt begins struggling into it, working it over her injured arm first and then sliding it over her head and on her other arm, she then sits down and stares gloomily at the pants. "Might need some help." Figuring he was fibbing anyhow, with how all the men here acted like she had the plague.

Gabriel Keats takes the pants and bends down to help her put them on. Doesn't shy away from touching her; in fact, at least once, he might almost be copping a very slight feel.

Rae Overholt sighs and stands up, grabbing one side of the pants to help pull them up, "Thanks, wanna do the bandages now?" She does not seem to notice his sudden eagerness to put her pants on, being lost in thought of what to do next in her plan.

Gabriel Keats nods. "I'll have to go under your shirt and disinfect it. That okay, Rae?"

Rae Overholt nods and uses one arm to try to lift up her shirt slightly to help out.

Rae Overholt: You took it off, not much to hide now.

Gabriel Keats takes some disinfectant and cleans the wounds. "Sorry--this is probably going to sting like hell."

Rae Overholt keeps her eyes closed, focusing on an image in her mind to distract herself.

Gabriel Keats finishes disinfecting and starts putting the gauze on.

Gabriel Keats shakes his head slightly, distracted., then continues

Gabriel Keats finishes laying the last of the tape. "That should do it. Not as pretty as the doc's, but it'll hold"

Rae Overholt nods and releases her shirt, holding her arm up to him next.

Rae Overholt see's the image in her mind and hears water in her ears.

Gabriel Keats takes her arm and walks a bit, then pauses. "Ai ya. . .I'm more tired than I thought." He enters the hallway. "Wish the ruttin' crew'd shut it"

Rae Overholt looks to gabe, "you think of something else, you think of running water, block it out." She nervously bites her lip, wondering if this is going to work. "I dont feel so good gabe, you mind bunkin in the top bunk, keepin an eye on me for awhile?"

Gabriel Keats looks at her, startled. "What?"

Gabriel Keats notices what she said, and smirks. "Xiao Li is gonna have a field day with this"

Rae Overholt: Got the extra bunk, not askin ya to sleep with me Gabe. *she said iritably*

Gabriel Keats stiffens slightly. "Ain't what I meant."

Gabriel Keats leads her to her bunk, silent.

Rae Overholt: Good, then ya will. *nods*

Gabriel Keats opens the door, looking slightly hurt.

Rae Overholt looks at him in confusion, just happy enough she can keep an eye on him for awhile longer. Looks down the ladder, "You first"

Gabriel Keats nods quietly, then climbs down. Stands behind the ladder, holding out a hand to help her down.

[Rae Overholt turns and slowly makes her way down the ladder, coming to an abrupt halt at the bottom and rocking back against him, "I'm gonna sit for awhile, you get some rest. Try thinking bout a waterfall. Helps block out noise for me."

Gabriel Keats steadies her. "All right. . .already thinkin' bout one to tell you the truth. Don't know where in the hell it came from."

Gabriel Keats moves to try and help her to sit down

Rae Overholt: Good. Thanks.

Rae Overholt closes her eyes and again, focuses on a waterfall, getting the surreal feeling that he isnt hallucinating at this point and wondering what the hell she's going to do.

Gabriel Keats climbs onto the top bunk, eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling.

Gabriel Keats is focusing on Rae, making sure she's still breathing...

Rae Overholt is still focusing on the waterfall, hoping it helps to sooth him so he can rest.

Gabriel Keats eventually drifts off to a light, fitful sleep.

Rae Overholt sighs with relief and sends a thanks to buddah, wondering how the crew is going to react to his new behavior.

Gabriel Keats's sleep is punctuated by the occasional violent tossing motion.

Rae Overholt stands up, bracing against the bunks, she reaches out to put a hand on his forhead, trying to think of soothing things, rain on rooftops, waves on the oceans, soft music

Gabriel Keats's expression softens, stops moving.

Rae Overholt removes her hand and watches him a moment, wondering if he will be okay.

Gabriel Keats stirs without opening his eyes. "Rae?"

Rae Overholt looks at him, wide eyed, "gabe?"

Gabriel Keats: ". . .I was really worried. I'm glad you're okay."

Rae Overholt curses to herself and laments she didnt give him the bottom bunk.

Gabriel Keats: "Do you want me to move?"

Rae Overholt: s ok Gabe, I'm fine.

Rae Overholt wonders if he is awake or asleep as he talks to her, looking around the room for a chair she eyes the bunk as well. "if'n you're awake, ya might be more comfortable on the bottom bunk." she whispers.

Gabriel Keats: "I'm more worried. . .want you to be comfortable. . .can you climb?" His eyes move beneath his lids. "I wanted to fucking kill him. I wanted to put a hole in his fucking head." His voice is calm, sleepy.

Rae Overholt exhales a small puff of air, "I'll be fine gabe." figuring at this point he is mostly asleep. Looking around again she grimances, knowing this is going to hurt. She carefully moves a chair close and uses it to help her climb onto the top bunk as carefully as she can, knowing she'll probably scare the bajeezus out of him if she wakens him, but more worried about keeping him calm and resting to give it too much thought. Halfway up she pauses to catch her breath, feeling slightly lightheaded. Gritting her teeth she pulls herself up at the foot of the bunk and tries to figure out how to do this comfortably.

Gabriel Keats murmurs. "Wanted to see him bleed out on the gorram floor. . ." He continues drifting, still muttering. "Who's Marcus? Am I Marcus?"

Rae Overholt pauses and stares at him in shock at the mention of Marcus, she takes a moment to center herself, hoping nothing horribly embarrasing has slipped from her mind as she edges up and tries to get comfortable next to him, thinking of as many positive calming things as she can.

Gabriel Keats settles down, breathing becomes mostly even.

Rae Overholt lets out a sigh of relief, praying this can be taken care of before Xiao Li gets her feathers ruffled and starts throwing accusations around, and before she does any damage to her stitches, being this uncomfortable.

Gabriel Keats continues to sleep, undisturbed for the moment

Rae Overholt closes her eyes and tries to doze as well, trying not to drool on his shoulder.