Lighter

Notes: This ficlet has been made redundant with "Aye, Aye, AGNIS"
Date/Timing: 8 January 2019
Setting: around the Jaeger simulator, The Shed; Vaucluse, NSW, Australia
Inspired vaguely by the "Darling Nate" scrap
.
Jackson's meander (not his 'mope'; whatever Jamie says, he's /not moping) has him four steps past the door to the science wing when his mobile chimes. He sighs, checks the message.
AGNIS: Your presence in the simulator control room would be appreciated.
Jackson blinks at the screen. "Wha—"
AGNIS: There is a bit of a situation. If you would hurry along ....
He doesn't like the sound of that, so he's off for the sim, double-time. Pokes his head in the door.
There's Vos, fighting to stay awake it looks like, with—Jackson's suddenly cold—Chuck, eyes closed and slumped against his side.
He slides inside. "Is she—"
Vos smiles reassuringly, mimes sleeping.
"Uh, cool." Rubs his neck. 
Vos gently touches below his own eye.
Jackson huffs, "Walked into a door."
Vos raises an eyebrow, but lets it slide.
"Switchboard says there's a problem in here?"
Vos nods, taps at his mobile, offers a view.
- Sleepy 2 but can't move -
- Don't wanna wake her -
- Or drop her -
"Where's Chuckles?"
Vos shrugs extravagantly.
Jackson sniffs. "Figures."
- Kids - 
Vos sighs.
Jackson snickers. 
Vos snorts.
"Soooo, what do you want me to do?"
Vos scoops up something imaginary, cradles it to his chest.
"Carry her to bed?"
That came out a little squeaky.
A nod—yawn.
"Know where her room is?"
Sad head shake.
"Gimme a sec." Fumbles out his mobile, thumbs it on. "AGNIS?"
""How may I assist you, Ranger Jones?""
"Where, uh, does Ch—Rapun—" Swallows. "Where does Officer Darling here belong?"
""That is a rather philosophical question, Ranger. I am afraid it is beyond my—""
"Oh fer—" Jackson gazes heavenward. "Where are her temporary quarters?"
""You didn't say—""
"/Please."
""Officer Darling is assigned to room six-three-six of the main residential wing.""
"Thank you, AGNIS."
""You are welcome, Jackson.""
He frowns. "Do you mess with everyone like this or is it just me?"
""Which is more disturbing, Ranger?""
Jackson disconnects, mutters, "No one'd better give anyone deadly neurotoxin."
/chime
AGNIS: It would be for science.
Jackson glowers at his mobile, jams it in his pocket. 
Vos dozes on. 
Jackson nudges his unoccupied side. 
Vos forces his eyes open, smiles hopefully.
"Know where her room is now, so—" Carefully drapes Chuck's braid over her shoulder, gets an arm under her knees, the other behind her back, lifts, tucks her against his chest.
She sighs quietly, snuggles closer.
Vos smiles, slides to his feet, nestles Chuck's drop bear in her arms, staggers for the door.
Jackson pads as smoothly as he can in his wake.
Chuck huffs a little, squirms.
Vos holds the door—
Jackson steps through.
—squeezes Jackson's shoulder, drags himself toward /Lucky Seven territory.
Jackson aims his feet the opposite direction, toward the general staff rooms.
"You're lighter—" Swallows. Swallows again, blinks rapidly. "You've lost a little weight, there, Rapunzel." Considers rubbing his eyes with his shoulder. 
Chuck snuffles. 
Jackson opts not to potentially drop Chuck, blinks a few times instead. "You'll fly away on a stiff breeze if you keep this up."
Lift.
Jackson sighs, comes to a stop. "AGNIS?"
""One moment, please,"" says his mobile.
Chuck finds a better spot for her head against his shoulder.
A nearby speaker crackles.
""You were saying?""
"Will you call the lift, please? I've got no hands."
""You do have hands, otherwise your Ranger kit would include prosthetics. Your hands, are, however, occupied.""
Chuck hugs her drop bear closer, exhales.
""Lift called.""
She mumbles.
"Thanks, AGNIS." Shifts Chuck. "What was that, Rapunzel?"
Chuck looks up at him, smiling. "You love me."
Jackson preens. "What the hell are you talking about?" 
Chuck tucks her head against his neck.
He huffs, steps into the lift. 
Tags: Ficlet, Skeleton Key, Go, Team Science! arc, Jackson, AGNIS, Pietr, Chuck D, Jackson (ficlet), AGNIS (ficlet), Pietr (ficlet), Chuck D (ficlet), Portal (reference), Conversations via SMS, Conversations on phones, Chuck H (mention), AGNIS ships Indiana Darling, Jamie (mention)
Category:Ficlets made redundant
Category:Comments
Category:Ficlets with comments
Category:Ficlets (incorporated)