*heads down the hallway with a purpose, looking back once to make sure B-9 hasn't broken loose again*

*shudders at the memory*

*keeps going*

*walks into what turns out to be the mess*

Oh! *blinks* I guess I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. Still, this might have promise...

*flash*

What a boring excuse for a place to eat. Makes Ten-Forward look positively exciting. Tell me, Vash, *how* have you managed to not expire of boredom in your visit here? I can't think that Archer's all that... entertaining.

Maybe you've been getting your entertainment quota by being carried off by big strong stupid androids? Is that the appeal?

*blinks. twice.*

What in the hell...?

*pats phaser pistol in case*

*plays it nonchalant, watching from his table while continuing to listen to Hess talk in her sleep*

This just gets better and better...

Q. Just my luck. The universe *is* out to get me after all.

Tell me, Vash, *how* have you managed to not expire of boredom in your visit here? I can't think that Archer's all that... entertaining.

*mutters under her breath* Want to try him out for yourself?

*clears throat* Well, boredom is an occupational hazard of mine. Occasionally I can find something that makes it all worthwhile, but the tin man wasn't it, no. Sic him on me yourself, did you? Damn it, I haven't screwed Jean-Luc *yet*, ok? Why don't you chuck dear Bev out an airlock or something? Maybe a one way trip back to her own little ship. Are you getting *your* entertainment quota in by watching the whole thing?

What--are you here for Vash? *walks over to the table and stands next to it*

*nods to Vash* Vash.

Not now! Why does my body always have to respond to him this way? A dangerous, exciting--no. Irritating, interesting, sexy--sigh. Not much point in denying it, really. Will you be leaving with...her, Q?

*feeling the desperate need to get away from Beverly and her endless breakfasts and hovering*

*quietly, as he's pacing through the ship* I've been avoiding eating much now for days, just to keep from having to sit across the table from her. It was different before. Before I didn't feel this incredible pressure bearing down on me. It was all friendliness and sexual tension. Now it's...it is the aftermath of sex and the expectation of more that's needed from me, radiating off of her in waves.

I thought for a long time that she was what I wanted. I had loved her once, and I thought I could do so again. At first I thought I held back because it would ruin things--make them more complicated. Now...I don't know. She wants something domestic. I don't do domestic. How did I ever get myself into this situation? Perhaps on a full stomach I'll be able to think more clearly.

*approaches the mess hall* Perfect.

*enters*

*notices Vash, and almost decides to leave again*

This is ridiculous. I am an adult. I can certainly handle an old ex-girlfriend.

*finds a table and sits for a moment to think*

::walks in trailing Porthos::

::sees Vash, Picard and someone he doesn't recognize clustered at a table::

::frowns::

Hmm.

::spots Foster and Hess at table in the corner, heads over::

Ensign...::looks at Hess, frowns again::...Is the Lieutenant all right?

*stands quickly at attention*

Sir! I...think she has a headache, sir.

*grimaces as he hears a soft snore from Hess*

::shifts attention back to other three::

Any idea who that...other guy...is?

::frowning again:: And why he's looking that particular way at Vash?

*leans a little closer to keep his voice down*

Sir, I was sitting here eavesdropping enjoying breakfast...with Lieutenant Hess *snirk*, and he just, well sir, he kinda just appeared outta thin air.

*whispers*

I know it sounds nuts but with the Plot Implausibility Factor and all, I figured it was probably pretty normal as things go.

*looks serious* But I have been monitoring the situation -- very closely -- for any juicy gossip sign of danger to the ship. Sir.

::blinks, still pissed::

::looks at Vash and Picard, then Malcolm, then around the room::

::fuming::

What the FUCK was that all about?!?

I'm sorry, sir.

::double-takes::

Sorry? For what?

Believe me, I do not want to dwell on it. *sighs*

*rubs forehead*

Odd. I think I feel a headache coming on. One of the outcomes of Q's little visit, I suppose.

Oh? But I enjoyed watching you manly men in action. You didn't enjoy yourself? *smiles sweetly*