Reality Is Stranger Than Fiction

Old Time Rock & Roll (Bob Seger)

It was late at night, or well, as late as it was gonna get for you. Over the past week or so you'd started messing with your sleep schedule once more. The cold of the North was starting to set into your bones rapidly and you found it far too difficult to sleep alone at night. This had lead to all three of you being up at the same time, around twilight, to eat and get ready for shifts. You and Ford took the day shift, where Stan had the night shift, as, by the time he'd curl up in bed, the room would be warm thanks to breakfast and various other experiments.

This was how you found yourself, in the cabin of the ship, with the radio blasting Old Time Rock & Roll by Bob Seger, the three of you singing along to the song as you bounced around the cabin, cooking dinner for yourselves and breakfast for Stan.

"Just take those old records off the shelf!"

"I sit and listen to them by myself!"

"Today's music ain't got the same soul!"

"I like that old-time rock and roll!"

You swerved around Ford, grabbing the pepper off the shelf above him. He chuckles, ducking so it's easier for you to reach. Stan grabs one of the wooden spoons from their container, bringing it to his mouth like a cheesy microphone as he continues the song with the radio.

The calm days were good. Enjoyable and easy to lay back and relax while Ford took notes and observations. They were the days you treasured in your heart, being able to relax and enjoy the small anomalies that would coast by your ship. You particularly enjoyed when you could catch the glowing jellyfish late at night, or a pygmy seabird whenever it landed on the roof of the ship. It was peaceful. All alone out here with the two of them, it brought back memories of the cabin.

A sigh left your lips before you could stop yourself as you stare down with a small frown at the food you'd been cooking.

"What's the matter, sweetheart?" Ford asks, picking up on your mood instantly.

"It's nothing, Ford... just... homesick." This was not the first time you had this conversation. It most definitely wouldn't be the last.

He wraps his arm around your waist, leaning his head down and kissing the top of yours.

"So am I. The ocean's fun, but... the cabin's something special."

"I think we plan shorter voyages after this," Stan comments from behind the two of you. You vaguely notice the song had switched.

"I don't want to take away from your dreams. I don't mean to, it's fun out here, really. I just miss the cabin, that's all," you instantly backtrack, trying to apologize. You didn't want to cross a line, especially out here in the middle of the ocean.

"No need to apologize, kid. I'm not getting any younger and the ocean's not getting any easier," Stan chuckles, cracking his back.

"We're almost at the center point of the anomaly. I'd say a day or two ahead. If we feel this way after, we can always head back early."

Early was subjective. It had been nearly four months to reach the anomaly. It would take four months to return. Early meant not sticking around after discovering the source of the anomaly.

"I want to know what's causing this first," you hum. Anomalies, despite the travel distance, fascinated you to no end.

"I know you do. So do I. I'm simply saying we can leave when we know what it is," Ford hums, giving your side a reassuring squeeze.

"If you're sure," you agree, slowly stirring your dinner.

"Absolutely," Ford assures you, letting go of your waist and straightening up.