Into the Black: Epilogue

[bring_a_sponge]

A silence falls over sublevel C, broken only by the occasional clatter of falling debris, and the quiet chatter coming over the MiB comm, as the surviving Men in Black escape from the DeNeuralyzation Room upstairs and fan out to see just how bad things are.

Well, they sure aren't good. But the destruction of N, Y, T in the shooting gallery has left the Oil for dead, apparently everywhere else in the Headquarters.

That wasn't supposed to be how the Oil worked. But then, Zed thinks, MiB got most of its data about the Black Oil from those same Agents.

He looks around what's left of the gallery, and of Marvin, and then finally the rest of his team.

A long pause.

"I'll say this much for Milliways."

"The place is a fucking nuthouse, and always will be."

"But the people there know how to kick ass like nobody else."

Comments

[bring_a_sponge]

Which Zed does. 'Gentle' is not usually Zed's forte, but he manages it surprisingly well as he raises one of the water bottles to Suzi's lips.

"Here you go, kid, take it nice and slow."

"You may not think it, Suzi, but you saved everyone's life today. And that means you saved my bureau and probably my planet. Don't let anyone tell you different."

[sime-channel.livejournal.com]

She first rinses her mouth out and turns away from both of the men to spit. Then she sips slowly. It's pretty obvious that she's not in total agreement with Zed. Or she's disturbed by the maroon vegetables tap dancing on his nose, one or the other. "Mmm." Is her comment.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

Ryan rotates her slightly so she has an easier time of spitting. He's also frowning at her.

"Suzi, you're the only one who was able to give us a warning as to when the Oil was coming," he starts, one eyebrow arched slightly.

[bring_a_sponge]

Zed nods. "That's right."

He grabs an absorbant cloth from the kit and places it in her hand.

[sime-channel.livejournal.com]

She blinks at the cloth (is it really glowing softly urple?) and then starts patting at her arms with it. They're covered in sweat and ronaplin. "'Kay." She says, then, "Is K alright? Everyone else?" She's not struggling to go help, but she's trying to look around

...

briefly. Then she's closing her eyes and holding her palms to them. Ow.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

"I believe we were the only ones eaten," Ryan says dryly, glancing at Zed for confirmation. He winces slightly when Suzi covers her eyes. "Take it easy," he orders, frowning with concern at her.

[k_in_black]

"I'm right here, tiger. Safe and sound, thanks to you."

There might be a glance from K at Zed, but if so, it happens much too quickly to be certain about it.

[sime-channel.livejournal.com]

"Just pointed the way." She informs him, relaxing against Ryan, "'M glad everyone's okay." Which is, really, all there is to say about that.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

Ryan shifts her weight a little so she's more comfortable against him. Again, he gets a feeling that this is right somehow, and suddenly he knows what it is.

Thrice damned werewolf instincts.

He pushes it all aside, and instead says with a faint smile, "You did more than that, Suzi. You gave us advance warning."

[bring_a_sponge]

Zed, apparently ignoring K's glance, at least for now, turns to the Agent.

"K, see if we have anything in the system yet about Sime physiology and PSD."

"Already checked, Chief. Nothing yet. Nothing we can access right now, anyway."

Zed grunts and looks at Ryan. "Might be best to get her back to the bar and to Whistler." He looks back at Suzi. "If you're feeling up to that."

[sime-channel.livejournal.com]

"I just have to ride it out." She asserts, "But I want Whistler's nager. Gen nagers are good. Really good. Dr. Ford has readings? For Sime? You can get them from her?" She's putting her face against Ryan's chest and breathing slowly, "I'm glad we won."

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

"Thank you," Ryan nods to the two agents as Suzi rests her head against his chest. It's nothing more than a pressure through the vest, but it's still there.

"You had doubts?" he asks wryly, glancing down at her as he starts to move towards where they came in.

His holster still has the P226 in it. He'll return it later. Maybe.