12 - Video

[bodilesswarrior]

[Barbara looks exhausted, but if anything, the light in her eyes is fiercer than ever. She was thrown some curve balls, sure, but nothing that could crush her.

She's becoming inured to trauma, she thinks. She's not sure how to feel about that.

Her voice is a bit dull when she speaks, thick with deep weariness and deeper aches, but it's steady.]

If you know me at all, please check in.

[The worst part, really, was what she couldn't see. She hadn't contacted anybody, save her hijack of Iris' call, and it ate at her, what the people she loved might be facing.

She needs to know they're all right.]

Comments

[itstopped]

No. I'm fine. [He's not, but he's just as bad as the two of them, if not worse; he's been dealing with all his other problems by burying them under work, so why not this?] I'll see you then.

[bodilesswarrior]

[Barbara doesn't try to hide the concern, but she doesn't push, either.]

Okay.

You ever change your mind, I'm here.

[itstopped]

I appreciate that. Thank you. [But when they're in the engine room, he'll be even quieter and more intent on the job than usual, closed off in a way even he hasn't been before.

Then again, she might catch him looking at her in a strange way sometimes, when he thinks she's not looking, something both worried and wary in his eyes.]

[bodilesswarrior]

[Barbara can only take so much of that sort of thing without comment, so finally, she catches his gaze, arching an eyebrow.]

Something on your mind?

[itstopped]

[He looks away instantly, feigning nonchalance, like he's been caught daydreaming.] No, not especially. I was just thinking about this set of recalibrations. I guess my mind wandered.

[bodilesswarrior]

Uh-huh. [Barbara turns back to her own work, tone light.] If you don't want to talk about it you can just say so.

[itstopped]

[This time, he doesn't soften at the implicit offer the way he has before. His mouth thins, tense, his voice still neutral but cool.] I'd really just rather work.

[bodilesswarrior]

[A slight nod as she meets his eyes.] That's fine, too.