[Deleted]

Fee exited the medical bay, leaving an appointment with Dr. Harrison. Her eyes were red from crying, though she wasn't crying then. She had had a rough session, telling the Doc about the feelings she had for her mother, and her stepmum, and the confusion she felt between the two. She knew that she would, one day, need to confront her mother, and she wasn't sure she could ever do that. It felt like a bit of a betrayal to her step mum, and to her father. 

She noticed a few other people in the waiting room-some of them looked at her, but most ignored her. She didn't mind. She had a few hours until her shift started, so she was just going to her room to read and think, and play with Jacques. Maybe later she'd have dinner with Koren, check in with him. She missed their deep chats, but there just wasn't time lately. They'd have to MAKE time, because she missed her friend. Not that everyone else was terrible, but he was special. She was distracted momentarily when she bent to pick up the tissue she dropped. She ran into someone-literally. It hurt, too. 

Oh, gosh, I am so sorry...but you're quite heavy. I think I hurt my head. She rubbed her forehead, where it had hit the man's shoulder. Did I hurt you?! Fee Maccafferty...you're Sargent Murphy, right? She'd met him momentarily on the day of the launch, but in the midst of craziness, she hadn't spoken to him much since, just simple Hellos upon passing in the hallway.

[Declan Murphy]

Medicals were not something Dec went to willingly like most servicemen he went because he was ordered to and that it was dependent on him actually going on this assignment. No medical. No travel.   He saw the seated waiting que to see the doctor, he saw a red head coming towards him, sure she had seen him, and he was palning on sipping right to take a seat. The dropped tissue was not something he factored in.   He took a step back cos of the impact, his face full of shock and worry, mostly at who he'd hit. Fiona McCaffarty. He want to meet with her he was planing on meeting with her. Telling her everything. Dec just hadn't planed on doing so right now and that threw him more than the colision.   "I'm terribly sorry. I was trying to avoid you, not you personally as in I have anything against you. I don't. I don't know well enough. I meant I was trying to avoid a colision." He had to stop speaking for a breath, at which point it registered he had been rambling. "Yes Declan Murphy, Staff Sergeant, USAF, I'm sorry I go off like that sometimes and you could probably do with out that, here I may have a clean hanky, Miss McCaffarty." He patted and then fished in two pockets before coming up with a clean white cloth with a blue Square printed on it about an inch from the edge, and offered it over. He felt a little awkward, comfort and consoling were something he was poor at. "Wa...whats the Doc like?" He asked eventually after a few awkward seconds that felt a lot longer.

Tag @ckitchens

[Deleted]

She pushed her glasses up her nose, and wiped at her face. She was more embarassed than actually hurt, though she had a bit of impact pain. She smarted. 

I'm terribly sorry. I was trying to avoid you, not you personally as in I have anything against you. I don't. I don't know well enough. I meant I was trying to avoid a colision. She nodded, regaining her composure. 

Tis ok. I understand. I wasn't intent on running into you. Did I hurt you? She was concerned for this man she didn't even know. 

Yes Declan Murphy, Staff Sergeant, USAF, I'm sorry I go off like that sometimes and you could probably do with out that, here I may have a clean hanky, Miss McCaffarty. She nodded. 

Pleased to meet you...that's not...thank you. She said, before she could turn him down. She took his cloth, and blew her nose. THen she made a face. Sorry. I shall launder it before I return it. THank you... This was getting quite awkward, even for Fee. Usually, she was the iniatior of such awkwardness. 

Wa...whats the Doc like? Fee looked at him. 

Doc Harrison is nice. Really easy to talk to, and intelligent, as well. Gentle. He makes the shots go fast. She was sniffling now, but had mostly recovered. She could use some water. Are you on queue for medicals? Fee, not being military, went as she pleased, but she knew that the military people had orders to go. How awkward must it be to be FORCED to see someone? 

Tag;Declan Murphy[/font][/b]

[Declan Murphy]

He bobbed his head vigorously and let a brief if nervy smile flicker on his features at Fiona's note that she would return the hanky at a later date, he thought for a second about saying she could keep it, but dismissied the idea not out of meanness but it might be taken the wrong way. "o' course, no rush, I can wait."   "Yep, no medical, no travel, 'tis the curse of the enlisted. Still got me out of ATC duty at Neilus." He answered he'd sliped into the 'at ease' stance, and slipped his hads behing his back, the urge to blurt out what he knew and what he'd found and how they were connected was becoming more pressing. He held off only to ask a few more, hopefully not so obvious, questions. "Your west coast, irish family, guessing by the hint in your accent?" Yeah, that probably was to obvious and personal, but it might just be taken as a passing recognition.

TAG @ckitchens  

[Deleted]

This man was acting strangely. Even compared to her. And that was weird. 

o' course, no rush, I can wait. She nodded, and put the soiled piece of cloth in her pocket. 

I shall launder it right away...you should have it back by end of last shift. Even if she had to slip it into someone else's washing up...

Yep, no medical, no travel, 'tis the curse of the enlisted. Still got me out of ATC duty at Neilus. Fee gave him a blank look. She didn't understand his military jargon. 

Neilus?! Perhaps he meant "Nellis," a base in Las Vegas, where NASA trained Air Force pilots to become astronauts. She'd never been there, but she did do some programming for one of their sims. 

your west coast, irish family, guessing by the hint in your accent? Fee shook her head. She wasn't surprised by this question-it was strange, the combination of her accent and her knowledge about American things often were confusing. But Declan was close, but not quite there. 

Close! Actually, I am from Boston, by way of Dublin-well, Rosemeade technically. And is it a hint? Most people get this look like they have no idea what I said. You must be used to it.... She raised an eyebrow. Perhaps, with his name, he too had some family from Ireland. 

Tag:@declan

[Declan Murphy]

Neilus?!
The man cringed visably at himself for slipping into non-common terminology and quickly sought to correct himself. "Sorry. Nellis I meant Nellis, I was posted to air traffic ontrol. We were told to say it that way over the radio. Aff...after two years it becomes habit. Dec explained in a apologetic tone, he was starting to feel this get way from him. Maybe it was time to make his excuses and let Fiona go for now, he had made contact, that was more than he hoped for.

Close! Actually, I am from Boston, by way of Dublin-well, Rosemeade technically. And is it a hint? Most people get this look like they have no idea what I said. You must be used to it.... Then again her responce to his question might just open things up again, but he would have to tread carefully. "I am that, I'm from Saint Louis a little ways inland, but me familys by way of Fenit, County Kerry. Well me dads dad is anyways." He left it there hoping for more questions but shifting his weight from one foot to the other fighting the urge to bring a hand from behind his back and have a nibble on a nail.

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[Deleted]

This was getting weird. Fee's "danger" radar was going off, slowly for now. She didn't think it was physical danger-truthfully, Dec didn't seem all that much bigger than she-TALLER, but not too big. She reached for her radio-it was still in her pocket, and she extracted it, holding it like it were a security blanket. It knd of WAS, really. She could get Aear or Koren here really fast, and even probably Fiala. She hoped she wouldn't have to, but she had no qualms about doing so. She was a survivor, but she also knew what steps to take to keep herself safe. She took a small step backwards. That was better. 

Sorry. Nellis I meant Nellis, I was posted to air traffic ontrol. We were told to say it that way over the radio. Aff...after two years it becomes habit.Fee nodded.

I understand. When I was at Moffatt, we all just called it LAC... She had worked at the Linear Accelerator, smashing heavy protons together to attempt to recreate the Big Bang. It was fun, but not really the "important" work she wanted. Now, at Pasadena, it was also an Accelerator, but this time, they were writing the codes to send large exploratory vehicles into space. She was excited to see what was out there. Now she REALLY got a chance, and a small part of her wishes she was back at Stanford*. 

I am that, I'm from Saint Louis a little ways inland, but me familys by way of Fenit, County Kerry. Well me dads dad is anyways. Fee nodded. 

A good friend of mine is from Kerry. Kenmare...you have more of a Cork slant to your words, though. Me mum was from Cor Fee dropped her gaze to the floor. She hated discussing her mum. I've never been to St. Louis, though...Just Boston, New York, and California. Now Colorado, but that doesn't quite count, since it was but a few weeks. She didn't know how or why she was sharing all this. 

tag:Declan Murphy

*Technically, Moffatt Field is in Mountain View, CA, but since no one knows where the heck that is unless you live here, I gave a name most people would recognize...the town of Stanford, where the University is...though there is acutually also a Linear Accelerator on campus. O.o Hope this makes sense.)

[Declan Murphy]

Dec noted when Fee took a step back that concerned him again and pushed him back towards ending this little chat right about now and maybe picking it up a little later. But he nodded politely when she mentined Moffat and LAC, he was quite sure thay was something to do with the NASA work that went on there.

Then once more an opening Fiona noted his accent and then he froze when the red head mentioned her mother and then trailed off and switched subjects. Had he let on to much, had she worked out that there was a connection and was discreetly trying to side step the issue.

He was so confused and conflicted, now he sensed the point had come where he could bring up that subject....

"I know of Kenmare, its....its just shy of hundred km's south. Its....when me and me sister went back home with me dad. The folks there said same thing, they kept saying 'their mam must be a Cork girl.' Ye see, she was........

(Made sense. No worries. )

[Deleted]

Fiona's mind was confused. A part of her was saying to run, but she was oddly rooted to her spot, as if some force greater than she was forcing her to stay and engage in awkward conversation. Maybe she was a glutton for punishment. 

I know of Kenmare, its....its just shy of hundred km's south. Its....when me and me sister went back home with me dad. The folks there said same thing, they kept saying 'their mam must be a Cork girl.' Ye see, she was... Fee nodded. It made sense. 

Yes, 'tis the way. Like that for me, too, though Boston has a good mix of Bog trotters and City slickers in it...not too sure how slick one is when they live in Jamaica Plains, though. Where about in Cork was your mammy from? She might know mine; most of those villages were tiny. Wouldn't that be something? Fee wondered. It would be odd, but not totally surprising. Fred's mom and her aunt went to the same school in Cork...her dad's sister in law, that was. Ireland was a small island. And Irish immigrants were all related by someone's old oun who was from this village but moved here. 

Tag:Declan Murphy

(So pick a village....make up a name!)

[Declan Murphy]

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Yes, 'tis the way. Like that for me, too, though Boston has a good mix of Bog trotters and City slickers in it...not too sure how slick one is when they live in Jamaica Plains, though. Where about in Cork was your mammy from? She might know mine; most of those villages were tiny. Wouldn't that be something?

An opening for sure, maybe this way round it would be less of shock or it could end up being more of one. Only one way to find out.

Deep Breath Time.

"It would that. Me mammy was from Ballinadee, Cork. Family name was.....was....O'Carberry." This was his turn to take a step back at than gave her nervy smile, his uncomfortableness was growing to a point where he wished the ground would open up or he was back in his lab working on something."Does that ring any bells?"

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[Deleted]

Fiona was still sniffling a bit, but feeling a little better. She was ready to get back to work, to conquer her day and all that it would present. She always felt a little more empowered after a session, particularly one where she discussed her mother with the Shrink. It hadn't taken her that long to trust Dr. Harrison-his warm demeanor and way with words filled her with a sense of acceptance. She felt safe in his office. She was getting just a bit bored with this Sgt. Murphy, though. BUT she wasn't ready for what tumbled out of his mouth. 


It would that. Me mammy was from Ballinadee, Cork. Family name was.....was....O'Carberry. Does that ring any bells? She stumbled a bit, and her mouth went dry. That was her mum's maiden name. And her mother had no sisters. SO if her mother didn't have any sisters, and his mother's name was the same as her mother's name, that meant...what?! DId she WANT to know? With a breathy sigh, she nodded, and spoke, staring at Declan, measuring him to see if he was lying, or if this was some not-very- funny prank someone was pulling. But he looked serious. Deadly serious. Maybe it was a cousin Fee didn't know about. 

That's my mother's name, too...Maureen O'Carberry... She wanted to shake this Declan Murphy, ask him what the HELL he meant, what was going on, but he couldn't. She needed to go. She needed to flee. She felt her feet move as she pushed Dec out of the way. The tears started again, only this time she didn't stop them. She wanted Jacques. She wanted someone to make this make sense. Declan Murphy, if he were smart, would follow her and explain-probably in a more public place where her Irish temper wouldn't cause him bodily harm. 

Tag:Declan Murphy

[Declan Murphy]

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He stood rooted to the spot as Fiona rushed passed him, only swaying slighty where their shoulders concected. Dec was expecting a reaction and he was also expecting it to be awkward at least If not painful. But the reality of it was somthing else, her face, the shock, the realization, the pain  dredged up from sometime ago. He swivled on the spot, hand came to mouth a little nibble, he wanted to follow but he also had an appointment to keep. He turned into the wating area and took a seat. His mind raceing as to how to approach Fee next.  

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Looking around the corner then pulling back with back flat to the wall Dec told himself he had to see this through. That there were people there made it both awkward, but he felt it leveled things, she had an excuse should she need it. That said he really wanted to get this in the open and hoped this time around was a littke more successful. He pushed off the wall and walked into the bay. "Miss McCafferty I need a moment of your time if its convenient? Can we speak over here?" Dec gestured to an area currently not occupied but still with in view and earshot of those working. He hoped this would be enough a little privacy but not to quite so as to be threatening.  

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[Deleted]

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Fee wouldn't stop for anything. She needed to find that box that Koren had put away. Damn it, it was too far up for her. She'd ask him to dig it back down for her. Or the colonel. Or hell, anyone. In it was a picture of her mom. She needed to see if she was only dreaming Declan's resemeblence to her mum. She had another photo on her phone. That would do. She locked herself in her quarters, and pulled the photo up on her phone screen. SHe fell to the floor, and stared at it. She could see the resemblence. And a tiny bit to herself-mostly in the nose. At least Fee had more of her father's features. That made it hurt just a TINY bit less. She felt herself start to cry. For once, she just let it happen. She had several hours until her shift, so she could have time to recover. 


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Fee was wandering the base. She liked to move as she thought-it helped to speed up the process, or so she believed. She found herself in the mechanic's workshop. She was actually kind of looking out for Koren near the Hangars, but she hadn't spotted him. She didn't want to bother him, so she hadn't knocked on his door or messaged him, either. She COULD see James, though, so she headed his way. 

She was foiled. 

Miss McCafferty I need a moment of your time if its convenient? Can we speak over here? Fee sighed. She thought about it for a moment, and then nodded. She had a few things to say, as well. She followed the Sgt. to the quiet corner, still in view of the Hangar bay in case she had to act quick. 

Explain please. Did...did Mum put you up to this? Is this yet another one of her attempts to hurt me? You'd better explain and make it make sense. THe last time she'd lost her cool, an alien was tied to a chair. She hoped she wouldn't have to do that again. 

Tag:@declan

[Declan Murphy]

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"She doesn't know. Not that I know, less talkin' to you. She couldn't know, she couldn't tell me." The panic and fear had him rambling again, the expression painted on Fionas face had him cut back to the reason, he blurted out. "She be witness protection."   He stood there wating for a reaction growing more tense and uptight as the seconds ticked by. The tension pushed him to prove he was telling the truth. "I swear its the truth on me life, on me dads life, on Nicoles life." He instantly regreted that outburst, bringing his kid sister up this soon was probably a bad thing. "Nicole, be me kid sister...........But that little revelation could have waited." His arms and hands which had been flying around as he tried to convince Fiona he was telling the truth were now held up in a surender pose. "Does the name O'Carson ring a bell?"  

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[Deleted]

Fiona listened to Dec's story. She wasn't yet sure if she BELIEVED him, but she heard his words. 

She doesn't know. Not that I know, less talkin' to you. She couldn't know, she couldn't tell me. COULDN'T tell him? Fee raised an eyebrow. She let him continue. Then he dropped a bomb. 

She be witness protection. Fee shook her head. That wasn't right. 

NO. She LEFT. She dropped me at school and never came back. She KNEW where she was going. I found her once. She was in Philly... Fee trailed off. 

I swear its the truth on me life, on me dads life, on Nicoles life...Nicole, be me kid sister...........But that little revelation could have waited. Does the name O'Carson ring a bell? Fee's quick mind made the correct correlations. 

There's a SISTER? O'Carson?! Yes, that was our neighbor... Fee turned to leave again. A sister changed all of it. She needed to figure out how to get off of this God-forsaken planet and back to Boston where life made sense. How could she do it?! She could have a baby...but that would involve a man, and she was fresh out of those. She could kill someone, but that seemed so...violent. Never mind. She turned around. 

I need a while to process this. Leave me be. 

She turned away, and headed for her quarters. 

Tag:@declan

(OK, so..he can go after her, or maybe try Koren, or the Doc perhaps. She's not mad, just in shock.)