Shinobi/Moira

[x-mactaggart.livejournal.com]

Moira stirred slightly in her bed, joints aching from standing in the rain that long last night. She rolled over, ignoring the disappointed twinge when she noticed Nathan was no longer there. But she smirked when she saw the note reading: "Gone to find something to eat...will brave kitchen...you'll eat or I'll sit on your head" She sighed and laid back down, curling up into a ball again.

A knock came from the door, but it was most definitely not Nathan - but then, he wouldn't be knocking at his own door, would he? After a moment, an english-accented voice sounds off, muffled by the door between it and the interior of the room. "Doctor MacTaggart? It's Shinobi. Are you up…is Nathan there?"

Moira raised her head and blinked. This was unexpected. She suddenly wondered if Sarah had told him what happened...probably, considering that she had told Nathan... "Jus' a minute," she called out, rolling stiffly out of bed. She cleared some sleep from her eyes before stumbling to the door "Shinobi? And, nay, Nathan’s nay ‘ere right now." She wondered briefly why he had asked.

Shinobi offered a sheepish smile as the door was opened to reveal the very recently roused doctor, ducking his head slightly in apology, hands held behind his back. "I knocked on your door, but you, obviously didn’t answer. I hope I didn't wake you.. can I come in for a second? Won't take long, I promise."

Moira rubbed her eyes and yawned, nodding. "Aye...I'm nay exactly in good enough spirits ta venture out o' here," she said wryly, opening the door all the way. "An' ye didn't wake me, jus' got me out o' bed. If'n ye dinnae mind, I'll be sittin' right back down there...Nathan'll 'ave me 'ide if'n I'm up fer t' lon'."

"Well, we can't have that," Shinobi agreed, matching her wry tone as he stepped inside, a brief glimpse of gold visible behind his back before he's turned to face her again. "I can be out of here before he gets back, and he'll be none the wiser that you got up at all."

She laughed and moved back to the bed, before curling her legs under her. She glanced around, trying to see what exactly Shinobi was holding. "I take it yer 'ere 'bout yesterday?" she asked, softly.

He smiled slightly, nodding once as he cast his gaze down to his shoes. "After a fashion, at least," he confirms. Deep breath, boyo - you've done nothing wrong. "Sarah wanted to make it up to you, to apologize, but didn't know how to. She's not used to feeling like she should apologize, you know?" He looked up again, grinning and, after a brief moment's hesitation, brings his hands around to offer what he'd been hiding behind his back towards her. The original, torn picture of Moira and Kevin has been tucked into one corner of a rather ornate gold frame, a slightly larger version of the picture, all cleaned up and reprinted, set within. "This was what we decided on."

Moira sucked in her breath and reached for it with shaking hands. "I..." She blinked back tears. "I dinnae know wha' ta say..."

Shinobi didn't let go of the frame until he's sure Moira wouldn't accidentally drop it, slowly shaking his head and grinning faintly as he shifted his hands into his pockets. "It seems to be going around. It was a little faded, so I tried to freshen the colours up a little.. it doesn't look too bad, I hope?"

She clutched the frame tightly, -really- fighting back the tears now. After the emotional rollercoaster the past week had been, this was the last thing she had expected. "Shinobi, it looks...-amazin''-. I jus'..." She took a shaky breath and then smiled. "I guess I'll 'ave ta put it out where everyone can see it now..."

"I should hope so. The frame is begging to be shown off." He waggled his eyebrows playfully, unable to help himself. "I, ah.. do you want a tissue, or a hug, or anything?" he asked after a moment, smiling awkwardly as he nodded back towards the door. "Or should I sneak off and let Nathan handle that end of things?"

"I think 'e's beatin' up th' fridge downstairs in me 'onor, so I think a 'ug could be fitted in," she said smiling, holding out her arms, and completely ignoring the last part of that comment.

"The refrigerator is most surly, but I think he can outmatch it," Shinobi agreed seriously as he stepped forward, smiling and bending down to give her a warm hug. "If you find yourself needing anything, give a hollar. I don't think there's a shortage of people here willing to take care of you for a change, if you need it."

"Thank ye," she whispered, hugging him tightly for a moment before letting go. "An' thank Sarah t'...I'll probably stop by an' talk ta 'er on me own, but I need ta get me bearin's a wee more." She smiled. "This means a lot ta me...if I can do anythin' fer ye two, let me know."

He gave Moira a quick squeeze before straightening back up, smiling lopsidedly. "Yes'm. And you're very welcome. I'm just glad fixing it up for you wasn't a step out of line." He rubbed the back of his head, chuckling sheepishly. "As for doing anything for me.. well, I can always use more company when I go out for coffee.."

"Nay, trust me...this..." She looked up at him. "It didna make everythin' better, but it's givin' me a damned good steppin' stone ta use." She grinned. "I'd like tha'...next time ye go out, let me know an' I'll clear me schedule."

Shinobi nodded, smiling. “And now I take my leave before I anger one of our local giants.” He winked and headed out. “And…Moira…” He glanced back, his face serious. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of with him.”

He left quietly and Moira sat, cradling the picture in her hands. In Kevin? No. In herself…that question had gotten quite muddled lately. She set the picture next the bed, promising that when she woke up, she’d take it to her office.

And then, she’d find Miles.