xp_logs | Moira and Theo, Wednesday evening (Reply)

Moira falls asleep at her desk, and wakes up to Theo, who has a typically-bizarre-Theo conversation with her about her lack of sleep, Nate, and vacations.

Moira slowly started to wake up, vaguely aware that the top half of her was sprawled over her desk and books and that it was rather uncomfortable. But there was a part of her brain that was begging her to go back to sleep and she wondered if Nathan was using the link while he slept in order to make she'd be okay. There was a small murmur that escaped her as she shifted, not quite able to lift her head up yet. It felt like someone had slipped something in her drink, almost anyway.

There was a sudden realization that there was a very large shadow encompassing her. And the desk. And the floor. Curious, she looked up and bit back a startled yelp as she saw Theo staring down at her. "Bloody 'ell!"

"Bad words," Theo said cheerfully. "And a bad place to nap, doc. Should I act on Nate's behalf and carry you upstairs?"

She clutched her heart and glared up at the large man. "Did 'e give ye instructions ta give me a 'eart attack as well?" Moira asked and pushed herself up into a sitting position. Several joints snarled in protest and cracked loudly. "Dinnae mean ta fall asleep 'ere, tha's for sure."

"You're not sleeping enough," Theo said almost chidingly. "You're prettier when you get enough sleep."

She blushed slightly and waved at him. "Theo, I never get enough sleep, this weeks' jus' a wee bit worse. But thank ye." At times, it was hard to anticipate what Theo would say or do next.

"Nate only ever looked at women who looked like you, you know. I mean, when we weren't on Muir. And then he never did anything but look."

Moira stared up at him, mouth slightly open. "Nay, I dinnae know," she responded, curious now. Really curious. "...really?"

"Really," Theo assured her, looking around for a chair that would bear his weight. He settled for the couch, which creaked alarmingly as he sat down. "Very unnatural. We'd go out celebrating a job and he'd sit in the corner, drink, and growl at any women who tried to be friendly. Including Dom a bunch of times."

The couch looked a little strained but Moira was suddenly glad that Charles, apparently, had incredibly sturdy furniture. "'e never said anythin' 'bout tha'. I know 'e said 'e'd 'ad feelin's but..." She shrugged. 'Never thought it came out in ways like tha'."

"He's weird," Theo said cheerfully. "Love the guy, but... yeah, weird."

Moira couldn't help but laugh. "'e's nay tha' weird," she said, shaking her head as she relaxed in her chair. "Jus'...stubborn."

"He won't let you down," Theo said. "Ever. You know that, right?"

"I know tha', Theo, but does *'e*?" The chair she was sitting on squeaked slightly as she moved it to face him better. "'Tis like 'e's so afraid 'e'll fail me an' I keep tellin' 'e won't but 'e doesnae listen."

Theo gave it obvious thought, his bear-ish face settling into a contemplative expression. "I don't know, Moira," he finally said, looking troubled. "Tell you, though... I'm awful glad you weren't hurt any worse. Not just because I like you, either. I don't think he would have wanted to make it if you didn't."

Moira's face fell a little and she nodded, shiving a bit at the thought. "I--I know. Kind o' scary when I think 'bout it. Bad enough now but if'n it 'ad gotten worse...nay somethin' I'd like ta picture. Ever. Nay been in anythin' like tha' before. Pot shots from th' government before dinnae count. They werenae tryin' t' 'it me."

Theo gave her a sympathetic look. "You shouldn't have to be used to stuff like that," he said almost gruffly. "You do important stuff. Good stuff. People who do stuff like I do shouldn't get to try and kill you. Not right."

She smiled. Theo's nature had always been something Moira loved. Very worldly at times and yet very young, at the same time. "I wish th' world worked th' way it was supposed ta as well. So many thin's shouldnae 'appen an' yet they do." She sighed.

"You two should go away," Theo said. Moira blinked at him, and he explained. "Once all these exams and stuff are over and he's okay to travel... I mean, you get some holidays, right? Go somewhere quiet, talk about all of this..."

Her mind darted back to the cabin in the mountains and Moira sighed, happily. "Ye know, I might take ye up on tha' suggestion. Thin's 'ave been so 'ectic 'round 'ere, 'ard ta keep track. Time away would be good for us, aye..."

"Then you came come back, and Nate can start this teaching stuff." Theo chuckled, a vast rumbling noise. "Going to drive him insane. I can tell that already, just from what he's said in his emails."

"Hah! Aye, it will be but it'll be amusin' ta watch." She grinned evilly. "I'll get ta make fun o' 'im. A lot."

"He likes these kids, though," Theo said a bit wistfully. "Can't blame him. Guess they make him think about Tyler."

Moira blanched a little and nodded. "They remind me o' Kevin sometimes," she responded, remembering the incident where it had been nearly too much to handle. "I guess we're bot' tryin' ta get over those wounds."

"Surrogate den-parents?" Theo suggested, and winked.

Really, she couldn't help it as she tossed a small plushie at his head. "I really would like ta keep me natural 'air color tha' way for a while longer," Moira said, dryly, laughing.

"We redheads have to stick together," Theo said solemnly.