2/8/99

[The scene opens in Ela's room.]

Elasia is still curled up next to you, although at some point she's changed clothes.

Niko, stirring, makes a vague attempt to see a chrono without actually moving more than his head. It's entertaining. "Morning," he decides finally.

"But barely," Elasia replies with sleepy bemusement as she peers up at you with a bright if somewhat tired smile. "It's almost afternoon. How are you feeling?"

Niko considers that for a moment, taking a mental inventory. "Better," he decides. "Yeah. Maybe I can get Clara to knock down some of the drugs or something. If she's still allowed to come up here and all."

Elasia carefully eases her way from beside you, although not without some reluctance to leave her comfortable position. "Anything I can get you? And I'm not about to complain you slept as long as you did. It's good for you for one, and it let me spend half the morning downstairs explaining why I needed to get out of some meetings." There's a pause, "Still allowed?"

Niko eases himself to a sitting position. "Maybe something to drink, please?" He rubs lightly at his eyes. "And she's off-duty, I think til Riley gets off medical leave. Kramer's a genius."

Elasia climbs from the bed, chuckling quietly. "That is brilliant." She makes her way to the fridge, rummaging inside. "One of those perfectly tidy plans that ties all the lose ends together. The man would make a good diplomat probably. Heck, better than most we have here. Soda, juice, or water?"

Niko prods very gently at his shoulder as he considers your question. "Mmm. Water, I think. Thanks." Finally giving up as a too-enthusiastic poke elicits a wince, he asks, "They didn't give you a hard time downstairs, did they?" See, he's listening. It just takes a bit to process all the information.

Elasia has a quiet conversation with the fridge involving its heritage and the likelyhood that its paretns were married and finally manages to get it to cough up a bottle of water which she returns with and offers. "THey were pretty nice about it actually, willing to give me the time, I just had to get all my paperwork and presentation stuff done in advance so they could take it in for me."

Niko takes the bottle with a murmur of thanks. "In advance?" he queries. "Sounds like a lot of work." He pauses a beat, then asks, "I didn't sleep a whole day, did I? Though that could explain why I'm feeling so much better." He's really pushing that, isn't he?

Elasia settles herself on the edge of the bed, tugging her hair from its confining tail a moment. "Nope, just the night." She offers you a vague grin, "And feeling better is good, but you still hafta' behave. I'm far too attached now to let you go bolluxing your recovery. I want you all better so I can snuggle without worrying about putting an elbow into a broken bone and hurting you or some such. Yes, selfish I am."

Niko looks for a moment like he's trying to figure out where one can draw the line as far as 'behaving' goes, then chuckles carefully, taking a sip of his water afterwards. "Oh, yes. That's just awful and horrible." His tone is fond; obviously, he doesn't even remotely mean those words. "The broken bone can be fixed, though. Can't say as I wouldn't mind being rid of the cast. I kept waking up last night, afraid I was going to clock you with it."

Elasia tugs her legs around to sit tailor fashion, "Yeah, but only if you're feeling up to it, right? I'd much rather get clocked a few times with a cast than have you hafta suffer though that nightmare while you're already in bad shape. THose things -hurt-."

Niko takes another drink of his water, the better to delay answering for a moment or two. "Yes," he agrees finally. "Which is why I didn't ask someone to do it while I was still in STC. But," he adds, with an abashed little smile, "I really hate casts. Too many of 'em in Mathraki, I guess."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Elasia shakes her head slightly, reaching around to attempt to recapture her hair into its tail. "Maybe wait a bit more? There's no sense in compounding your troubles too much just yet, and it's not like you can get around anyhow." She manages the hair entrapment, "Although it's up to you, if it's bugging you as much as all that."

Niko nods very slowly, though he's peering at the cast with obvious dislike. "Another day or two won't hurt, I guess. Can't go back to work before then, anyway." He tucks the cast under a blanket--if he doesn't have to look at it, it's not there--and offers you a smile. "It's not that bad, I guess."

Elasia shakes her head with slight exasperation, "I'm willing to bet it'll be another couple of days before they let you go back to work. You're still a hurting frog and all." She can't quite restrain a grin and says teasingly, "Maybe I should tell them you're still feeling as bad as you were, I could get to keep you around longer."

Niko blinks twice. "A hurting frog?" he echoes, looking amused and puzzled despite that flicker of frustration at your first statement. At your last words, however, he grins. "I could play sick," he offers, mostly in jest. "Though Clara'd be able to see right though me."

"Yeah, but I bet she'd play along. Clara's nice." Elasia says with a pleased smile. There's a pause, "Hurting frog? It's a colloquialism." Obviously a southern one. ;) "Means you're still battered and beat up and not at all in good shape and hence don't need to be working security of all things."

Niko looks just a bit disappointed at that, despite a nod at the mention of Clara's niceness. "Oh," he murmurs. "I thought you meant--" He edits that, with a fractional shake of his head. "I'm not that bad," he protests, though it's more for show than anything else.

Elasia reaches over to rest a hand on your knee, pleased at the ability to make casual contact. "Thought I meant?"

Niko absently covers your hand with his own. "I... uh, it doesn't really matter." He mumbles something vague about frogs and princes, and the advangates of having sisters who read those stories.

Elasia's expression goes from vague confusion to delighted amusment as she laughs quietly at that murmur, "No, love, I'm afraid you're not green or an amphibian. I could kiss you though, see if it makes a difference?"

Niko privately curses the monitoring devices. After all, it's bad enough to know that your heart is beating faster, but to have -proof- of it, for the source of that beating-faster to see, is that much worse. "I would like that very much," he says softly, a slow smile crossing his face.

Elasia offers a slow smile in return, delight in her eyes mixed with a half dozen other emotions. Hey, Galahad's consenting to be kissed. She leans forward and with great gentleness and care kisses you. She's gentle, but thorough, leaving no question that kissing is most assuredly occuring. Let's hope Clara's not watching the monitors.

Niko is Galahad because of what he does, not because of what he -wants-, and there's a decided difference between the two. That fact is obvious in his response to the kiss, one of restrained enthusiasm. "I think," he murmurs, a delighted smile crossing his face as he reaches for your hand, "That I really need to get better." He shoots a wryly humorous look towards the monitor. "Keep waiting for that thing to beep at us or something."

Elasia weaves her fingers through yours. As she settles back to her former position she looks like a cat that's managed to get into the cream, or a ferret that's found a banana stash one. With a quiet contented sigh she nods, "I think you do." There's a glance towards the monitor and a quiet snicker, "Yeah, scaring poor Clara would be bad."

Niko manages to look sheepish and amused at the same time. "So would an interruption." He coughs once. He didn't -really- say that, did he? Anyway... "Uh, yeah. She likely wouldn't appreciate being scared, nor being pulled away from Riley."

Elasia's brows lift at that first, not having expected -that-. She doesn't look upset though, not even remotely. She unfolds to slide down next to you again, "Considering how upset I'd be if someone hauled me out of here, yeah, I think behaving sounds like a plan. It's bad to annoy doctors. They have odd ways of aquiring revenge."

Niko can't quite keep back a grimace. "Yeah, I know. She threatened a few of them, back when I shot Riley. Talk about inventive, youch."

There's a long pause, but Elasia's -far- too curious a person not to ask, "You -shot- Riley?"

Niko nods very slowly. "Yeah." His voice is just a little grim. "I thought the firing range downstairs was like the sims on Evinast--y'know, with a dampner field, so we could just have one firearm instead of drawing another one just for that type of practice." There's a brief pause, then he adds quietly, "Well, it's not."

There's a briefly horrified pause, and then Elasia realizes something and sounds a bit less startled, "Oh, with a tangler?"

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko nods emphatically. "Yes, thank -goodness-. I'm just very glad that I didn't often use the sims that -required- the weapon to be set to the plasma setting. Otherwise..." Well, no, he can't really finish that sentence.

Elasia hooks an arm around you as best she can, edging up against the backboard to sort of hold onto you. It's not easy, you have some many...what was tha phrase...ouchnesses? "But it wasn't, and now it's the kind of thing y'all can all snicker at. Although I bet it was a bit startling when it happened."

Niko doesn't really sound like he's going to snicker about it any time soon, though he seems more than willing to get closer to you. "No, see, Ela, he turned -green- when it happened. Admittedly, that part of it wasn't my fault, but I didn't know that at that time." He shakes his head, mumbling something likely -really- confusing about tangling coffee.

Elasia tries to edge in a bit to provide pillowage. Heck, tangling coffee is awfully confusing, but for that matter so is the first part. "Green? Umm, the tangling made him naseuous or something?"

Niko shakes his head. "It was part of a practical joke. There was a chemical in the coffee he was drinking. Apparently, the tangler blast catalyzed the reaction--still don't know quite how that happened." He takes advantage of having an Ela-pillow. See? You can crack the shining armor after all. "Have to work on that. Later."

Elasia prefers the shining armor peeled off and left in a closet. Galahad was human too, it's the inside squishy bits beneath the shell she wants, like shucking oysters. "Oh dear, you mean -really- green." She pauses and chuckles quietly, "It's a frogly world I guess." She reaches to smooth your hair gently with one hand, "Later indeed. You're supposed to be resting and all."

Niko says mildly, though his tone suggests that maybe he's thinking about something else, "I'm resting. I'm in bed. How much unrestful stuff could I be doing in--" Oh, now there's a question he just -doesn't- want to ask. After a pause that's almost painful, he simply repeats, "I'm resting."

Elasia does not -quite- snicker, although it's very close indeed to a snicker. She brushes lightly at your hair, "I know you're resting. I meant you should keep at it rather than going to shoot at things, Maybe take a nap."

Niko shakes his head a bit. "I'm not sleepy," he says, though he lets his eyes close just the same, content to quietly enjoy whatever it is you're doing to his hair for a moment. Then, of course, his mind changes tracks and he inquires, "Think they'll find Guido?"

Elasia's hand continues combing through your hair, gently setting it to dissaray and righting it again repeatedly. "Of course they will." Just like the sun will rise, or Zaeltans will get their tails caught in doors. "It may just take some time. From the way I hear it, Security and half a dozen bounty hunters are after him, and the planet's all but locked down. He's not getting away."

Niko's head bobs in the smallest of nods--just enough for the movement to register, but not enough that any hair-disarraying fingers would be moved too much. "His trial should be interesting," he murmurs. Of course, since he's speaking Hellenic, 'interesting' isn't really a good translation for the word; it has overtones of unpleasantness, that sort of thing.

Elasia continues to let her fingers trek idly through your hair, gently trying to soothe you into a further relaxed state. "It won't be pretty, no. But it depends if it's a military trial or a civilian one."

Niko blinks a few times. "I hadn't considered that," he murmurs. "I thought it'd be military--Guido's AF, after all. But if it's not..." Oh, yes, that's a decided note of relief in his voice. "That would be a lot better."

Elasia lets her fingers work down through your hair to your neck. Careful of the damaged shoulder, she carefully begins rubbing at the muscles there. "Your brother's the one who pretty much makes that call right? So the likelyhood of him being court martialed is pretty low I would guess."

The relaxation-inducing tactics are starting to work. "Riley wouldn't court-martial him," Niko agrees, voice starting to blur with sleepiness. "You're right. That's good. Don't want 'im court-martialed."

Elasia leans down slightly to drop a kiss on the top of your head. Shifting back she continues to rub gentle circles on undamaged body parts. "As much as I wouldn't mind having his head on a pike myself, I have to agree. Too messy, too much pain for everybody."

Niko mumbles a vague agreement. "Pikes're overrated anyway." He lifts his head to offer you a drowsy smile. "M'gonna get that nap now, I think. 'kay?"

Elasia echoes the smile, if not the drowsiness. Once again gently stroking your hair she nods. "I think that sounds like a terribly good idea. The more you sleep, the better you'll feel. The better you feel, the faster they unplug those monitors."

Niko seems pleased at that prospect, if the sudden brightening of his smile is any clue. "Y'should go eat," he urges, letting his eyes close. "I'll sleep for a while."

Elasia continues acting in stead of a pillow and stroking your hair, "I'm not real hungry, later. Right now I just want to hold onto you. This is about as close to heaven as it gets. Sleep."

Niko curls an arm over you, with a mumbled acquiescence and a sigh of contentment. You better not want to go anywhere any time soon, as doing so would involve extracting yourself from Niko--a pretty fair task, at this point. He adds, clearly on the brink of sleep, "Love you."

Hello melt. Elasia's got a sleeping Niko in arms, he's being cute, -and- he's saying those words. All but sniffling, she replies, "I love you too."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko gradually makes his way to awareness, eyes opening the smallest bit. "Not morning any more," he mumbles drowsily.

Elasia hasn't so much as budged, and her hand still traces lazily through your hair. "No, it's in the afternoon now." She smiles fondly down at you, "Have a nice nap?"

Niko's eyes fully open, and a smile crosses his face. "Mmmhmm. Naps're good. Speshly waking up like this."

Elasia's smile widens at that, "Flattery will get you everywhere," she murmurs. "How're you feeling asks the broken record."

Niko muffles a yawn, gradually looking more alert. "Fine. Tired. You?" He shifts away from you a bit, but only long enough to straighten his shirt.

"The same," Elasia murmurs, setting your hair at last to rights, "And on cloud nine. A Niko in my lap, I'd've given my left arm for this."

Niko reaches to rub at your left arm. "Nope. Still there." He muffles a yawn. "Y'don't need to give your arm. I'm here anyway. 'sides, I need your arms. Can't give hugs and such without 'em."

Elasia hmphs softly with amusement, bending down once again to plant a kiss on the top of your head. "True enough. I'll keep them then, seeing as they're useful. It really is wonderful to have you here, even if the circumstances aren't the best." She straightens the edge of the quilt.

Niko smiles up at you, looking decidedly content. "S'wonderful to -be- here. No more getting shot, though. We decided."

Elasia nods at the wisdom of that, all but chuckling, a quiet fond sound. "Getting shot is right out. You're welcome here all the time you know. So there's no more getting shot that needs to be done. No more banana yellow vinyl getting melted, yup." She does chuckle then, "Hey, look at it this way, the longer you're out of work, the less horrifying things you have to wear."

Niko nods a fervent agreement to that. "And some of them have been scary, if the list I saw is still valid. I remember something about rattan." He pauses a beat at your first statment, then says softly, "As for staying here once I've recovered... I'd like that. Would you mind too much? I don't know... there's something about waking up next to you that just makes me -happy-. I'm not one to turn down a little extra happiness."

There's a definate overtone of delight to Elasia's reply, "I wouldn't mind in the slightest. There's more than enough room for two people, and .... Niko ... I love you so much, I wouldn't turn down any opportunity to see more of you. I couldn't. Spending time with you is just too amazing." She pauses a beat and chuckles, "Hey, and I could have somebody to force into taste testing."

Niko leans closer to kiss your cheek. "You wouldn't have to force me, hon. I'm always willing to eat your cooking." He pauses, then adds softly, "Looks like you're stuck with me, then."

Elasia sighs softly, but it's a sound of mixed contentment and thrilled delight. "Stuck is good. I can handle being stuck. As long as -you- don't mind being stuck with -me-."

Niko blinks at that. "Mind? Of course I don't mind. Having you here... being with you..." He shakes his head, with an abashed little smile. "I'm surprised the monitors don't have Clara up here."

Elasia glances at said monitors, chuckling quietly, "The monitors are good. They're keeping me honest and all." Her hand resumes its way through your hair, "It's settled then. We'll get everything re-arranged when you're back on your feet."

Niko smiles at that. "Yet another reason to get better as quickly as possible. Talk about motivation, goodness."

Elasia chuckles quietly, "Hey, you have all the time in the world though to take to get better. I don't want you going off and not being as well as you think and getting in more trouble." The laughter fades from her voice, "You could have been killed so easily as it was..."

Niko shakes his head, fumbling for your hand. "No I couldn't," he says softly. "I don't kill easily, Ela. And Guido didn't want to kill me. He wanted to -stop- me. Besides," he adds voice still quiet, "I've got you. I'm not going anywhere. Not for anything."

Elasia slides her hand into yours, squeezing it gently for comfort. "Good," and her reply holds an edge of fierce determination. "Because if you went off and got killed, well, I'd have to do something truly awful. Like tell everybody the story about you and the chickens. And see, you wouldn't want that now would you? So live you must."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko releases your hand, but only to attempt to put his arms around you in a rough approximation of a hug, as much as the obnoxious monitoring devices will allow. "We -can't- have you telling the story about me and the chickens." Mainly because that would involve inventing one. "That would embarrass me enough to bring me back. So I'll just have to stick around."

Elasia shifts down into the embrace, returning it rather gingerly in deference to the burns. "Exactly, sticking around is good." She snuggles in all the closer, face half buried in the besnapped top. "My Niko." That sounds like a really disturbing children's toy.

Niko chuckles very quietly at that. "Your Niko," he echoes, embrace tightening fractionally around you. "Nobody else's." He nestles his head against yours, really sounding wonderfully content. "'m glad Clara suggested this, uh, sleeping arrangement. Otherwise I never would've had the guts."

Elasia mumurs a soft sound of contentment, lids drooping down over dark eyes sparkling with delight. "Remind me," she says softly, "To send her a thank you card." There's a quiet chuckle, "In full flowerdy language. That'd be fun. 'In formal appreciation of your advice to Niko in regards to snuggling, I offer thanks.'"

Niko laughs at that, the sound cut off with a soft hiss. "I'm sure she'll appreciate that," he says, after a moment or two. "Get a laugh out of it, at least."

Elasia's eyes startle back open at the hiss, and she looks at you with worry. "You okay? Need anything?"

Niko shakes his head. "No, hon. It's okay, I'm fine." He does, however, shift to sit up somewhat. "Just got to remember not to do that again is all."

Elasia disengages, moving to rearrange pillows so that your position is supported. She sits back, legs crossed tailor fashion, looking a bit sheepish. "Do what?"

Niko mumbles something vague, even as he reaches for the water bottle that he assumes is still somewhere near the bed. "It's okay."

Elasia leans over to snag the bottle, handing it to you so you don't have to stretch. "Lemme comm Clara..."

Niko shakes his head quickly. "It's okay," he repeats. "Really. Please. Don't bug her, Ela."

Elasia's not buying this, and she clambers out of the bed and over to where her gear from earlier is. She tugs the comm unit from it. "If you're hurting, something's up. She said to bug her."

Niko shakes his head once more, moving to follow you then arresting that movement. "It's just because I was laughing, that's all. I'm fine. It isn't even hurting much any more."

Elasia just drops back down onto the edge of the bed with the comm unit. She's stubborn, but quietly so. She couldn't have gotten this far without backbone.

Elasia says "Clara? Ma'am, I hate to interrupt, but Niko seems to be in some pain." into her communit.

Niko protests, "Ela! It -isn't- that bad."

Elasia's communit crackles to life and blares "On my way." in Clara's voice.

What, is someone speaking? Ela doesn't seem to think so. She waits for a reply. Absently she reaches out to rub at your knee gently, as if she weren't doing a thing objectionable in the world.

Elasia says "Thanks," Her tone is laden with relief, "I appreciate it." into her communit.

Niko has backbone, too. This could be an interesting combination. "You didn't have to do that," he grumbles.

A soft knock can be heard at the door, along with with a quiet soprano, "Ela? Niko? It's Clara..."

Elasia regards you with one brow lifted and a sad shake of the head, "Yes I did Niko, I don't know wnough about medicine to know if you're all right, and I know she said I was supposed to call. I'm not taking any chances with you under the circumstances. You got shot, -twice-, we're not talking about just another broken bone."

Elasia calls, "Come on in."

Clara enters from the Elevator Lounge.

Clara has arrived.

Elasia looks more than a bit relieved at Clara's entrance, "He's hurting, but he's being too male to own up to it properly."

Niko is sitting somewhat upright, looking more annoyed than anything else. "Because I'm -fine-." Oh, yeah. He's a guy. "Clara, you didn't have to come all the way up here."

Clara hurries in, her medkit in her hands since wearing around her leg would be a little unladylike at the moment. "Naturally," she offers with a soothing smile at Ela. "We'll fix him up. Niko? Fess up. What's going on. Tell me, or I drag you back down to Medbay."

Niko grimaces at the threat. "It's not a big deal," he mutters. "I just laughed, and it hurt, that's all."

Elasia nods her thanks to the other woman, moving back off the bed and sitting against the back of the couch to watch. Poor Niko, he got saddled with a woman who may be silly and all, but she's also used to dealing with diplomats all day and can be impossible to budge.

Clara sits down on the edge of the bed without further ado and clicks open her medkit in her lap, pulling out a portable scanner. "Hold still," she orders, and promptly unsnaps the shirt top without much decorum, running the scanner over the bandage at the abdomen before peering up at Niko with irritation. "Nothing. Nothing?" She snorts and rolls her eyes. "Lay down, Casymed. Now."

Niko looks for a moment like he's going to refuse, then realizes that this is an evil sneaky wench medic-lady he's dealing with here, and quietly acquiesces. "Nothing," he mutters.

Not to mention he'd have to take Elasia on as well, who is not only bigger than Clara, but she knows...the chicken story.

Aieeeee!

Clara tugs a scalpel from her kit and starts to slice through the bandages. "Elasia, you may want to look the other way," she notes without looking up from her work. See, she doesn't know the chicken story, so she's keeping a straight face. A hypo comes from the kit to press at the edges of the plasma burn before she sends a probe into it from the scanner. "Infection. Damn. Niko, this isn't nothing, mister. How long has it been hurting?"

Elasia doesn't look away. This is Niko, she's not about to not watch. She watches and all, really. (She also tosses in laundry, and hence idles a bit.)

Niko closes his eyes, so he won't accidentally see the infection. "Yesterday," he says indistinctly. "Clara, I -thought- it was nothing."

Clara glances up to note Niko's closed eyes, approval in her own before she starts to assemble a bit of tubage into a syringe to drain said infection. "This shouldn't be hurting right now, since I gave you a local. And when it comes to a plasma burn, please don't think? I'll let you think when it comes to chemistry, you let me think when it comes to your innards."

Niko mumbles a sheepish affirmative. "Don't think. I can handle that, I th--uh. Bad phrase."

Elasia looks worried, which is not unexpected, and more than a bit guilty. She doesn't however say anything, simply hanging back out of the way and waiting.

Clara chuckles softly, all sorts of interesting sounds occuring at Niko's midsection that her player won't detail. This is good for lots of reasons, not the least of which that she hasn't a clue. Another hypo gets pressed into a muscle at Niko's side. "A stronger antibiotic. Stick to a bland diet for tonight, okay?"

Niko bobs his head in a short nod. "Okay." One eye cracks open, to see if peeking is safe yet.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

"Close your eyes," Clara warns gently, not looking up as she starts to remove the tubing and does a quick inspection inside the wound, then sighs. She plucks another instrument from the kit, shining a laser into the wound, leaving behind a lovely sound. *crackle* "You're not going to want to sit up tonight, either. Ela, can you keep him from doing that?"

Elasia looks a bit relieved, Clara hasn't mentioned hauling Niko back downstairs. "Yes," she affirms, "I sure can. If I have to go down to maintenance for rope I'll do it." And she would too, from the sound of it.

Niko's eyes snap shut, and he grimaces just a bit at the crackling sound. "I won't sit up. No need to get the rope."

Clara clears her throat, hiding a flash of amusement even though her back's to Ela. "I have straps for difficult patients in Medbay if you need them. Giani knows where they are," she notes calmly, then trades the cauterizer for a resonator, starting to reseal the wound. "You sure, Niko? It's no trouble."

"Straps, I'll have to remember that. Giani." Elasia repeats the name so as to memorize it, "If he should attempt to misbehave I'll be right on it."

Niko shakes his head quite firmly at that. "Won't be necessary." He pauses a beat, then notes, voice somehow both disturbed and amused, "You two are -scary- when you're in the same room."

Elasia seems to find that somehow amusing and chuckles, although the sound is more laced with worry than humor. "I think that might be a compliment."

Clara lifts a hand absently to ruffle Niko's hair while the other continues to seal the wound. "Thank you, thank you. I'm taking it as such, definitely," she agrees with Elasia. "Okay, good," she mutters, and starts more gauze over the wound.

Niko shakes his head. "I'm doomed," he mumbles. "Anya -and- these two. I don't have a chance."

"Nope," Elasia agrees softly, "You're simply going to have to get better to escape."

Clara snickers and finishes rebandaging, then even goes so far as to snap Niko's shirt shut. She's nice today. She tugs the blanket back into place, then rises to start adjusting the IV. "Do you -really- want to escape?" she asks, glancing down wryly.

Niko takes the sounds of the snaps being closed as a sign that he can open his eyes. "Well, no. I just want to get better." He casts a look at the monitors, then grins towards Ela, a hint of mirth in his eyes.

"Better is key," Elasia agrees, missing the look which is good because she'd be hard pressed not to poke Niko and snicker most likely. As it is she's just trying not to look too worried.

"The prosecution rests its case, your honor," Clara notes with a fond smile, making the final adjustment, then checking the monitor before she starts to reassemble her kit. "There now. All better. Niko, if you hurt again, listen to Ela. Do not try to think on your own, got it?" Still, she's grinning as she says this. "Ela? He's going to be fine. Beat him regularly about the head and shoulders, then call me in the morning."

Niko nods agreeably. "No thinking. Listening to Ela. Okay, Clara."

Elasia starts to make a reply, discards it, starts another and gives it up as no good as well. Niko's words however tear it, and she can't help but snicker softly. "Beat him, call you in the morning, check."

Clara snaps her kit shut and straightens the rest of the way, exhaling a deep breath. "Okay, emergency averted. Anything else I can do for you two? Anything you need?"

Niko shifts the position of the pillow under his head, but does not, it may be noted, try to sit up. He wouldn't do that with Clara in the -room-. "You could make Ela go eat," he suggests, though without much fervor. "Uh... how's Riley?"

And if he tries it with just Ela in the room, he's likely to meet with as much success. "I ate earlier, goodness. I was up long before you Niko, after all."

Clara glances over at the young woman with raised brows inclining her head. "Just don't forget to eat," she admonishes, then smiles down at Niko warmly. "Sleeping, but he was awake most of the morning. Glad you're up here," she notes evenly, looking up to include Ela in the smile.

Niko flickers a smile towards Ela as well. "Well, that makes two of us. Can I come down and see him sometime? Maybe? I won't stay long, I just... word of mouth isn't the same."

Clara considers this, lips thinning for a moment before she nods slowly. "Tomorrow, I think. Not tonight. I want you flat on your back until morning to let that incision rest. I moved him to a private room, too."

Elasia nods amiably to Clara, "I shall endeavor not to do so." There's a grin in the tone. She listens quietly to the rest.

Niko nods quickly at Clara's words. "I won't move unless I have to," he assures her. "And it's good that he's out of STC. Very busy place. Not the best for recovery."

Clara shakes her head slowly, a faintly troubled look coming into her eyes. "Not good at all," she agrees, then moves over to Ela and lowers her voice to a murmur that won't carry...hopefully. "There's a group of bounty hunters after the shooter...and want to interrogate Riley and Niko both. I tossed them out of Medbay last night...and they don't know where Niko is now. If they find out, comm me, please?"

Elasia's eyes widen a bit but she nods, "I'll keep the door locked and all and comm you and Anya if they show, suits?"

Niko catches fragments of the muttering, and his brows lift. "What's up, ladies?"

Clara inclines her head calmly, then pushes back her hair again. "Very satisfactory. Anya knows what's been happening," she adds, then flashes a grin and crosses back to ruffle Niko's hair again. "Nothing for you to worry about, tiger. You just get well, okay? If there's nothing else, I'm going to go grab a few things from my room and head back down..."

Niko shifts up on one elbow, the better to peer between Ela and Clara. "The easiest way to get me to worry about something," he notes, "Is to tell me it's nothing to worry about."

Elasia nods to Clara with a grateful smile, "Check." She erks softly at the elbow getting up onning, moving that way, although Clara's closer. "Nobody's going to tell you anything if you don't take to behaving. I'll tell your mother on you..."

Clara's smile fades. "Lieutenant, lay -down-," she snaps, then sighs and lets a faint, apologetic smile return. "Valentine and DeMario want to badger your brain. I told them they weren't to bother my patients, in no uncertain terms. Okay?"

Niko stays upright a moment longer, enough to make his point, then settles back once more. "Don't tell -Mom-," he mumbles. At Clara's words, however, he looks confused. "Valentine and DeMario? Why?"

Elasia settles down half cross-legged on the bed by Niko, ready to stand guard over any further up getting attempts.

Clara's expression hardens only for a moment in stubbornness as she deftly clicks open her kit again and preps another hypo, then holds it out to Ela. "Sedative. Press it against his neck if he acts up." She shrugs at Niko, then. "They're on retainer to find Guido."

Elasia accepts the hypo with a brisk nod, tucking it lightly into the pocket of her vest with a nod of acknowledgement.

Niko starts to protest the exchange of that hypo, then shakes his head, apparently finding it wiser not to complain. "Valentine and DeMario," he murmurs. "I guess that makes sense. Why shouldn't they talk to me, though? I can see keeping 'em away from Riley, but I'm not that bad off."

Clara folds her arms and peers down at Niko thoughtfully. "I'll leave that up to you," she says finally, but doesn't seem happy about it. "No more than a half hour, though," she adds, glancing up at Ela.

Elasia just nods, rather expressionless at that particular allowance. She's not thrilled either.

Niko lifts his head--but not the rest of him--high enough to grin. "Can we work out some code word, Ela? That way, if they get obnoxious, we can kick them out." He chuckles guardedly, then adds, "Seriously. If I can help them bring back Guido, I want to do it."

Clara glances at her comm briefly, then sighs. "If you insist, Niko. I'm not happy about the idea, and you know the restriction, though." She hesitates, then grins slightly. "Tell 'em the whole story in Hellenic," she suggests.

Elasia nods to Niko, still obviously less than thrilled. "Code word, sure, can be done." She hmphs softly at Clara, amused. "That would be worth it for the confused looks alone."

Niko nods agreeably. "It's worth a shot," he says cheerfully. "For the beginning, at least. Would kind of defeat the purpose if I never actually spoke Standard, after all." He doesn't seem to notice all this less-than-thrilled-ness. "And I'll do whatever you want, Clara. Want to get better, after all." He mumbles something about getting rid of the monitors.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Clara simply looks thoroughly amused by that mutter, and shakes her head, vaguely poking at the monitor. "Oh, no. Gotta keep this another six weeks," she notes innocently, then winks. "Two. Tops. But if the two of you will excuse me? I need to grab some things from my room and go make sure my other patient's still out cold."

Elasia nods quickly to Clara, "Thank you for coming up so quickly. I appreciate it."

Niko makes a muffled acking noise at 'six weeks', then relaxes. "Evil," he murmurs good-naturedly. "Yeah, thanks, Clara. Say hi to him for me, if he makes an appearance again?"

Clara reaches down to poke at Niko's good shoulder lightly. "Heartrate 85," she mutters then nods. "Will do. Hopefully I'll be able to get some real food into him tonight. Evening, folks," she offers with another grin, then turns to head for the door, skirt swirling slightly.

Clara leave the room.

Clara has left.

Elasia tugs at the quilts, sighing quietly. "Niko, what am I supposed to do with you..." She doesn't seem to expect a response however, instead easing down flat beside you.

Niko guesses now is not the time to remind you that Clara said to beat him. That would be bad. "I'm sorry," he murmurs, honestly sounding contrite. "I didn't know anything was wrong. If there was, I wouldn't have complained when you commed Clara."

Elasia edges under a blanket of her own, her tone softening. "It's okay love, I understand. But there's no reason for you to have to be in any pain, see." She brushes feather light fingertips against your face.

Niko reaches for your hand, saying softly, "But it doesn't really matter, Ela. As many bones as I've broken--and had regenerated--I'm used to hurting." He pauses a beat, then concedes, "I'll try to pay more attention when I do, though, how's that? And tell you or Clara."

Elasia squeezes your hand carefully, "You shouldn't have to be -used- to hurting. Especially not like this, when pain's a symptom something's wrong." She's mollified by the last however, actually edging a bit closer to you. "Please do. It's an important thing."

Niko nods agreeably. "I will. Promise." He fumbles for the water once more, then pauses to shove another pillow under his head. He's not sitting up, though. Yet.

Elasia clambers from beneath her blanket to offer the water with one hand, and gently rid you of the other pillow with another. "Niko," she chides tiredly, "I'll use that sedative if I have to."

Niko looks irritated for a moment, then subsides. "I wasn't sitting up, though, was I?" His tone is apologetic, even if his words aren't.

"You were headed that way... Please Niko. Don't do this. Is it going to kill you to lie on your back for one night?" Ela's reply is pleading.

Niko looks decidedly sheepish. "I'm sorry, Ela," he murmurs. "I'll do what Clara said. Won't sit up. I'm just... it's frustrating, that's all. I'm used to injuries that go away fairly quickly. Haven't been confined to bed like this since that hang-gliding incident freshman year." He sighs quietly. "I know it doesn't excuse any of this, but still..."

Elasia nods sympathetically, reaching up to gently brush your hair back once before clambering back down beside you, although she keeps enough distance as not to jostle you. "It's not easy, no. But if you don't just go with it, you won't get well. And people need you. Getting well is important."

Niko manages a sip of the water--we've got straws, right?--then nods his agreement. "Getting well is key. Two -weeks- on this monitor, that's insane. That's better than six, though."

Elasia peers up at the monitor a moment from her nest of sorts. She does however say, "If Clara says two weeks, then two weeks is probably best. Six would be bad. So you'd better to cheese her off, hmm?"

Niko nods his agreement, taking another sip of water before setting aside the bottle. "Yeah. I'll do what she says. She knows what she's talking about, after all." He muffles a yawn, then asks, "Could you do me a favor, Ela? Not now... just when you get a chance."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Elasia shifts up onto her elbows to regard you with dark eyes, "Sure, anything, I'd do anything for you..."

Niko chuckles very lightly. "It's not that big a deal. Just... my journal and a few other books are in my desk downstairs. I need to come up with something to write to Mom and Dad, and that'll help. But there's no rush on that. Have to sit up to write, so I can't do that tonight." And he doesn't sound obnoxious about that last bit. He's just stating a fact.

"But you can read down like that, hmm?" Elasia unfolds herself from the nest and clambers off the bed for her shoes. "It won't take me two shakes. Anything else I can get you while I'm down there?" She pauses a looks almost hurt, "This isn't some ply to get me to leave so you can sit up is it?"

Niko is silent for a moment, then says, very quietly, "I told you I'd do what Clara said. That involves not sitting up until tomorrow. If you'd rather wait until tomorrow to get the journal and all, that's fine with me."

Elasia looks more than a bit relieved, shaking her head and bending down to tie her laces. "No, I'll get it now. I was just a bit thrown by all this, sorry."

Niko shakes his head. "Don't worry about it," he says, shifting his head enough that he can see you. No, he doesn't lift his head, he just turns it. "I'm sorry. You really -can- wait. It's okay. I'd rather talk to you than read, anyway. Unless you've got things you need to do?"

Elasia sits back down on the edge of the bed on your side, brushing back your hair. "I can run and do it and be right back, love. And snag anything else you might want? That way if I do get hauled back downstairs you have something to do. You slept through it this morning, but I can't swear as to when they'll decide I'm required."

Niko wrinkles his nose just a bit. "They make you work too hard," he murmurs, with a fond smile. "If you don't mind going, I'd really appreciate it. It's just the books--my journal, and my album, and the other book."

Elasia tousles your hair lightly offering you a fond smile. She leans down to drop a kiss onto your lips, a careful one. "To remember me by, be back in a bit."

Niko says softly, "I'll be here waiting." Like he'd go anywhere else.

Elasia leave the room.

Elasia has left.

[Time passes. Really.]

Elasia enters from the Elevator Lounge.

Elasia has arrived.

Niko has, in fact, not moved since you left, from the look of him. His eyes are closed, though he doesn't look like he's asleep. At the sound of the door opening, he opens one eye. "Still here."

Times passes. No really. Admittedly, not a vast amount of time, it's just down one level and around the hall. But Elasia returns carrying the indicated volumes. She steps quietly through the door, on the off chance you'd drifted off. As you speak however she takes less care, setting the books on the table next to your side of the bed. "Got them. Hungry at all?"

Niko considers that for a moment. "Not really. But I should eat anyway, right? Haven't had much today, and I have to eat to get better." He's definitely got a goal, yup. "And thanks for getting that stuff."

"Not a problem." Elasia chuckles a bit sheepishly as she heads to the kitchen area, "The only tricky bit was restraining the urge to flip through the pictures. Talk about will power." She clatters about with dishes and pans, "Okay, Clara said bland. And something you can eat flat on your back... Well, this should be an adventure. Any preferences?"

"Not a problem." Elasia chuckles a bit sheepishly as she heads to the kitchen area, "The only tricky bit was restraining the urge to flip through the pictures. Talk about will power." She clatters about with dishes and pans, "Okay, Clara said bland. And something you can eat flat on your back... Well, this should be an adventure. Any preferences?"

"And while that would admittedly be fairly amusing," Elasia agrees, "It wouldn't really be very efficent." She rummages through several cabinets, pulling out various ingrediantage. "How bout souvlaki cubes and fries? Without the tziziki. That too evil?"

Niko's nose wrinkles a bit, but his tone is light as he says, "That sounds... good, yeah. And I don't eat tziziki on fries. That's Riley."

Elasia pauses a beat, "Tziziki on the fries?" This is obviously a foreign concept, "I meant none on the souvlaki. Although it sounds good on fries mind you..." She pauses in the rummaging, "You sure? You don't look thrilled. It was just a random suggestion."

Niko chuckles very quietly. "No, it's fine. I'm not going to look thrilled at anything that would qualify as 'bland'. Rather have it -with- the tziziki, that's all."

Elasia ahhs in understanding, rummaging in the fridge for small plastic containers and in another drawer for skewers. "I get the picture. I think that's comprehenisble. Still, mollifying Clara sounds like an idea. She looked tired, probably bad to chance her wrath and all." A bag of frozen fries gets hauled out as well, rather prosaic amidst Ela's more normal cooking junk. "I'll make it up to you when you're well."

Niko mumbles an agreement to the statement about Clara looking tired. "Probably up with Riley and all." He turns his head in an attempt to see what you're doing, then grins cheerfully. "I'll not say no to your cooking, that's for sure." He didn't get anything else out of that final statement, nope.

Elasia sets about skewering cubes of meat and clipping the shisks into a roasting pan designed for such. The she sets about tossing the fries in a cooker. A squeeze of lemon gets added, and everything gets tucked away to cook. "Probably. Worried about him and all. Still, she got him out of that ward. A good sign, that."

Niko nods as emphatically as he can. "Yes. Very much. And Kramer's fixed it so she can stay with him, which is even better. Just hope she does let me visit him tomorrow."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

The odor of food starts to wend through the room, and Elasia returns to the bed to sit cross legged next to you on the bed. "Guess it depends on how you're doing. Gotta rest up and all so she'll let you."

Niko turns his head to watch you, a wry smile crossing his face. "I'm flat on my back in bed, and I just woke up from a nap not too long ago. I think this counts as resting." He does reach for your hand, though, interlacing his fingers with yours.

Elasia chuckles softly, squeezing your fingers lightly. "It does," she agrees. "Or if it doesn't, I'm vastly mistaken. Still, you need to keep it up." She pats at your leg lightly. "I think it'd do the both of you good to get a chance to visit for that matter. The only real trouble with getting the both of you out of that place."

Niko nods once more, with a frustrated little wiggle of his foot. "I know he's okay, but I'd still be happier if I could -see- that, y'know? Might not have known him for that long, but he's still my brother." And, as family-oriented as Niko is...

Elasia pats at that leg again, in what's an attempt at a comforting gesture. "Well, tomorrow'll have to do. Not to mention she said he was out cold, right? Letting him sleep's good too." As the over chimes, hey it's the future, cooking times are fast, she disentangles her fingers reluctantly and goes to the kitchen.

Niko nods his agreement. "He needs his rest," he murmurs. "Tomorrow will do. If she lets me." He peers after you, into the kitchen. "Smells good," he notes. One would assume he means the food.

Elasia tugs the tray with the skewers out, leaving the other in for the moment. Using a knife she scrapes the cubes into a bowl, setting them aside to cool a bit. "We'll see, we'll see." She rummages then for the fries, "Finger food. All we need now is a soccer game on or something." This last is said with a teasing tone. The fries get scooped into a bowl as well. Snagging another bottle of water she heads to the bed, setting the bowls at an easy range for you to get at. "Voila." This is said as she snags a fry. "Nothing amazing, but hey, it was quick at least."

Niko nods his agreement. "And I'm hungry." He sounds surprised by this fact. He scoops up a fry or two, munching absently. "S'good. Thank you. Thanks very much."

Elasia has made enough for both of you easily, and hence snags a square of beef. "Not a problem. I love to cook. It's amazingly relaxing. There is however, a limit to what I can -eat-. The other folks in my group have gotten used to the fact that the crazier a week is, the more they have to nod and smile and take home with them. See, now I can be evil and start making you branch out the feeding of people as well."

Niko grins brightly at that, munching at a few of the cubes. "I will gladly eat your cooking, hon. Gladly. Your cooking's almost as good as Gigia's." And that says a lot. "Don't tell her I said that, though, okay?"

Elasia's eyes widen, obviously she realizes how much that says. "I'd never so much as breathe a word to her about it." She grins, "You're too sweet to be legal I think."

Niko stifles a laugh. "Well, you've got me under house arrest already, so I guess I can just keep being sweet." He munches for a moment or two longer, then says thoughtfully, "This actually tastes pretty good. Even without the tziziki."

"I'm glad you like it," Elasia snags another fry before settling back against the headboard and leaving the rest to you. "And I think I can manage to deal with you being sweet. Kinda," she pauses to yawn, "Part of who you are."

Niko turns his head to smile at you, though he's still nibbling a bit. "Tired?" he inquires. "Just how early did you wake up this morning, hm?"

"Pretty early," Elasia admits. "And I'm a little tired, not quite gone enough to sleep yet though. Maybe in a bit."

Niko nods agreeably to that. "You know when you're tired," he says amiably, polishing off the last of the food. Looks like he -was- hungry. "Just keep me posted, hm? I'm about where I can sleep at will, so if you want to sleep, let me know, hm?" All right, that wasn't all that coherent.

Elasia snags the bowls, chuckling quietly, "Want anything else?" She slides from the bed with the dishes, "You can use all the sleep you can get."

Niko shakes his head. "Not hungry any more, thanks. That was great, though. And sleep is good, yeah... but not yet. In a bit."

Elasia takes the dishes to the washer, as well as putting away the ones she used to cook with. Returning to the bed she keys the lights to dim a bit and crawls back into her nest from before. "In a bit, yeah. And then lots of sleep, so you can go visit your brother."

Niko chuckles very quietly. "You're really big on the whole carrot thing, aren't you? Better than a stick, though."

Elasia regards you rather fondly, but rather sheepishly as well. "I'm just worried about you Niko. I want you to be better. Anything I can think of to try and make that happen."

Niko says softly, "I know I really shouldn't say this after today, but I really am going to be fine, hon. I'll do what Clara says, I'll take it easy. I'll only complain a little." He grins rather drolly, then adds, his wondering words more to himself, "How in the world did I get so lucky."

"What, to be shot and end up in this situation?" Elasia muses quietly as she curls up beneath the blankets. "Must've pissed off some random deity. Probably has to do with all the evil you perpetrated when you were younger."

Niko reaches under the blankets to prod at your side. "I didn't perpetrate -that- much evil when I was a kid," he says, with a careful laugh. "I -meant-," he adds, more gently, "How did I get so lucky as to have you."

Elasia squirms away from the tickling with a giggle, "Evil..." She edges in closer to you. "Once again, you must've really offended a random deity. Still, won't catch me complaining any."

Niko mumbles something vague about making a sacrifice to Aphrodite. No, he doesn't follow that particular religion, but he'd know about it, at least, considering his heritage. "Good," he murmurs. "I'd hate to have that happen."

Elasia seems to find that even more amusing and snickers softly. Gently she moves in to rest her head on your good shoulder, almost hesitant. "No complaints at all. Wonderful, wonderful, knight 'shining armor. And cute too, talk about best of all posible worlds." Okay, maybe she wasn't exactly being entitely honest earlier when she said she wasn't quite that tired.

Niko puts the arm attached to that good shoulder around you. "You sound beat, hon," he murmurs. "Why don't you try to sleep, hm? I'll be here when you wake up." Wow, talk about deja vu.

Elasia murmurs quiet aquiesence after a moment. On one hand, she's supposed to be keeping an eye on you, on the other, she's tired and it'd be awfully tricky for you to go moving off without her noticing considering her position. "A plan," she says quietly. "Tired." There's a pause, another quiet yawn, and then a murmured, "Love you, thanks." And with that she's snoozing quietly.

Niko shifts very carefully--not sitting up, mind--to kiss the top of your head. "Sleep well," he murmurs, albeit a little belatedly. "Love you, too."

Elasia murmurs to herself as she sleeps, "Love's friendship set to music." Gee, can't tell what -she's- dreaming about, can you?

Niko smiles fondly, then shifts very carefully. He's still flat on his back--which is likely why he's still asleep--but he's a little closer to you.


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