31} just like a needle in a haystack, another day when we run with the wolfpack...

[theresalwayshope]

{forward dated to tomorrow, because the mun is impatient. :P}

[ACCIDENTAL PUBLIC VIDEO]

[When the feed flickers to life, it shows an unconscious Allison Argent, head half-buried in her pillow. The arm she has flung out towards the camera, fingertips looming large in the shot, show that she's the culprit who activated the transmission: more likely than not, she roused just enough to roll over and, in a sleepy haze, shut off a nonexistent alarm, inadvertently flicking on her video feed.

The dead transmission continues on until it is interrupted...she may be asleep, but Allison Argent's coma is officially over.]

[OPEN SPAM]

[Allison is in a miserable mood by the time she finally showers and gets dressed, heading to the dining hall to eat. For a while, she walks the corridors of the ship, just to stretch her legs and really start to feel awake again, with stops to pick up Brownie and Duchess along the way.

Once Brownie has been walked, unwilling to separate from them just yet, Allison finally heads for the pub. The keys jingle in her hand with a sad, hollow sound.

She files in with Brownie on her heels, surveying the place with a sigh. She'd requested custody of the place just after she realized Duke was gone, then fallen into another stupid coma before she could take proper care of it.

She missed him...Jesus, she missed him.

Taking a deep breath, she walked over to slip behind the bar, setting Duchess down on the end with her bandanna, some hay, and one of her chew toys to amuse her. Ever the responsible "mother," Brownie planted herself to lay on the floor directly under Duchess's perch while Allison began to shuffle around, looking over the glasses, booze, and anything else Duke might have left behind.

It was her place now...she had to learn how to keep it running.]

Comments

[no_tell_belle]

[It's fortunate Venus hasn't taken a drink yet because she would've spit it out, a very unladylike move, when Allison imagines the worst. It's true Alexander has a penchant for shocking people and he can be inappropriate but he'd behaved himself that night.

More or less.]

No, they were regular old swim trunks. Though Iris managed to divest him of his trunks at one point so for a while, skinny dipping was the order of the day.

[theresalwayshope]

[Allison groans and giggles at the same time as she covers her face with both hands, shaking her head.]

Omigod, I'm glad I wasn't there! I'd have had to gouge out my eyes from the horror of naked dad ass! Thank God you were there to keep him in line.

[Letting her hands fall with more laughter, her expression soften as she regards Venus, then reaches out to lay her hand over hers.]

I really am glad you're here, I hope you know that. You're so good for him...and for me, because I know he'll graduate with you around.

[no_tell_belle]

He wasn't the only one to lose his trunks that night, though I suppose the other fellow's bare ass wouldn't have caused you the same psychological trauma. [She does try to step in when she feels Alexander's about to get into some kind of real trouble but he and Iris acting like a couple of ten year olds? No, that had been essentially harmless from her perspective.

Venus smiles and lays her other hand over Allison's.] That's very sweet of you to say. I'm confidant he'll graduate regardless of my presence--I know you've worked with him diligently--but I do hope I've been good for him, as good for him as he's been for me.

[She hesitates almost imperceptibly, but there's no reason to keep this bit of information from Allison, and as his warden, quite possibly very good reasons to share it.] He allowed me to read his inmate file.

[theresalwayshope]

[With a grin, Allison nods.] There is nothing more horrifying than dad ass. Not old man ass, not hairy ass...dad ass beats them all.

[She sobers, eyes widening at the mention of Tig's file...because if Venus read it, then she knows...well...everything.

After a moment she sighs shakily, reaching up to rub a hand over her mouth before propping her chin in her hand to meet Venus's gaze gravely.]

Then you know why I hate comas so damn much. [It's a small part of the reason, but a contributing factor all the same.] And why I might have been...more than a little overprotective the first time we met. It wasn't just the werewolf thing. I won't--I can't let him get hurt like that again, like when he lost his daughter.

And that's why I'm glad you're here. I know you won't hurt him...I trust you to help him.

[no_tell_belle]

[Venus chuckles softly. Nero was the closest she'd ever had to a father figure and while she'd never go looking to see him naked, as far as she could tell, he had a fine ass. She didn't think she'd be traumatized by seeing it. Then again, Venus has seen a lot more naked asses in general than Allison so maybe she's somewhat immune to any adverse effects.

She nods, solemn. She'd understood Allison's protectiveness before but knowing what was in his file added an extra dimension to it. She herself had already been very protective of him. She knew how deeply he felt things, but now she had a greater understanding of just how easily he could be hurt and how devastating it could be.]

You don't ever have to worry about that. I will do always everything I'm humanly capable of to help and never hurt him.

[theresalwayshope]

I want you to do more than that, Vee...I want you to promise me you'll protect him. If anything happens to me.

[She lowers her gaze, drawing a shaky sigh. One of the disturbing things about being in another coma now is Duke: he slipped into one, and then he was gone. The idea that she could have left Tig, when he needs her most...

Reaching for Venus's hand again, her expression is haunted, pleading.]

If something happens to me...if I go out again and I get taken away, you need to protect him for me. Stay with him...lie, if my pack will help you. Just save him if I can't. Don't let losing me do to him what losing Dawn did.

[no_tell_belle]

Nothing's going to happen to you. [She can't know that. She can't know that anyone will be safe. In fact, what she knows is the opposite but she can't live that way. She can't live in the constant anticipation of loss. She can't ignore the reality but a little denial makes life easier.]

If you need to hear it, then yes, of course I promise. I will do everything and anything I can to keep him safe. [She has an uncharacteristically fierce look as she grips Allison's hand to cement her promise.]

But darling, the truth is that I won't do it because of a promise and I won't do it because of anything that's in his file. I'll do it because I love him.

[theresalwayshope]

I know you will. That's why I'm asking.

[She grins as she leans over to enfold Venus's hand with both of hers, just before impulsively leaning across the bar to drop a friendly kiss against her cheek.]

He loves you, too, y'know. Just thought I'd mention it, 'cause it'll take him forever to say it.

[no_tell_belle]

And I know I can trust you to do the same. [Allison's already proved she will. She's been looking out for Alexander since well before Venus arrived on the barge. For that alone, she would've earned Venus' respect, but she has grown fond of the young woman on her own merits, and she's touched by the kiss.

She shakes her head slightly, looking almost shy but it's not true shyness in her expression. It's that she still gets a little flutter in her chest whenever she remembers.]

As it turns out, not actually forever. [Admittedly the circumstances had been a bit extreme and maybe he wouldn't have said the words had emotions not been running high. But he did say them, and she knows he meant them.]

[theresalwayshope]

[Allison's eyes widen with a delighted little gasp. She shifts her grip on Venus's hand, clutching it giddily between hers and lifting it to press against her own chest...hugging her hand, basically.]

Omigod, he didn't! He said it, didn't he?! I knew it! I knew he had it in him! This is huge and awesome and...God, I'm either gonna shriek like a little kid meeting Mickey Mouse or cry happy. That is so totally badass.

[no_tell_belle]

He did.

[Venus is positively beaming because it is awesome. Not so much that he said the words though she's not about to pretend those are not powerful words. Maybe the most powerful words in the English language. It's that now she knows everything he's been through, she knows just how much courage it must've taken for him to allow himself to be that vulnerable again.]

I'm not sure how I got this lucky but trust me, I know what an amazing man he is and I know I am a very, very lucky woman.

[theresalwayshope]

He's as lucky as you are...God, y'know? Have you guys even had a proper date yet? Like, a real one? Going out, dinner and candlelight, or even just drinks?

[She suddenly gasps, eyes widening with a delighted smile as she releases Venus's hand to sweep her own hair off her face.]

Omigod, you two are going to have a date right here. I'll reserve the pub for just the two of you, clear everyone out, move aside some tables so there's room for dancing...this is the best idea I ever had. I may ask Lydia to help.

[Giddy teenage girl is giddy, Venus.]

[no_tell_belle]

Well, there was New Year's Eve.... [Which is nearly six months ago now. Life on the barge simply isn't geared toward formal dating. Alexander really isn't either. Most of the time, she doesn't mind. A nice date once in a while would be nice but they get to spend as much time together as they wish and that's what really matters.

She almost startles at Allison's gasp, thinking something bad was to follow. She relaxes with a laugh, however, when the young lady starts planning a date for them.]

You might want to get the okay from Alexander before you get too far in your plans. [She's not entirely serious. They both know there's little chance he would refuse a request from Allison. He might groan and grumble about it but it's damn near a certainty he'd give in.

Whether the date ever happens, however, she is genuinely touched. She knows very well how fortunate she is to be among people like Allison who don't even think to judge Alexander for being with Venus. She knows it would likely be much more difficult at home and she is grateful for the support he and their relationship have received.]

You really don't have to go to all that bother. I am grateful, however. Really, you have no idea how much it means to me.