<blockquote><div><cite>Forgotten Wolf wrote:</cite><span style="font-weight: bold">â€œI could helpâ€¦â€ Veronica called out suddenly. â€œI have to report to the captain later today for not being at my station and well it would be nice to be able to bring her something that will help to distract her from that point even if it is just for a little bitâ€¦â€ she said with an easy smile, hoping he would agree to allowing her to help him even if it was to mainly keep him company.</span><br/><br/>Jared stopped suddenly and spun around, â€œYou werenâ€™t at your station!?â€ Jared knew Veronica and for her to not be at her station was completely unlike her. â€œWhat the hell hapâ€¦ you know what, never mind Iâ€™ve got good idea.â€ He turned around again, his exhaustion seeming to hit him hard again. â€œCome onâ€¦â€ He mumbled in his horrible state.<br/><br/>Jaredâ€™s interaction to others seemed to just deteriorate to nods of gestures, too stressed or tired to really say anything. Most got the hint to keep their distance when he seemed to lean more towards the angry side of his condition. He wasnâ€™t sure if Veronica being there was helping him or notâ€¦ He was glad to have her there but since they had jobs to do which prevented really â€˜beingâ€™ with her and her not being at her station was bother him.<br/><br/>With the report finally in hand, Jared promptly headed out with Veronica in tow to see the Captain. Jared maintained a brisk walk the whole way but during the time it seemed like some sort of tension was building. Finally, just before they got to the office, the tension burst and Jared grabbed Veronica pulled her into a small alcove out of sight. He just held her tightly to him as if afraid sheâ€™d disappear or something. â€œPleaseâ€¦ donâ€™t disappearâ€¦â€ He whispered not even quite sure what he entirely meant by his words. <br/><br/>He just held her for a while before composing himself and going to Captainâ€™s office. He gave a proper salute, â€œHereâ€™s maintenance report maâ€™am. It looks like the Stalking Cat is going to be down for while.â€ He stated plainly as he handed her the datapad. Somehow he found the resolve not to appear as if ready to fall apart as he stood there. Sooner or later it was going to fail though.</div></blockquote>