Caught in the Cretaceous

Chapter 2 Survival Plan

Val wakes up a few hours later feeling simultaneously well rested and like she need several more hours of sleep. With her eyes still closed she pats the bed beside her to find it empty. Her eyes fly opens and she looks for Mars in a panic. Then the previous days events come flooding back to her. After catching her breath, she gets up and makes her way to the infirmary. Upon arrival she spies Mars in his bed in the corner and goes over to him. Mars raises his head a little in greeting. She smiles and sits down next to Mars and starts to calmly pet and scratch his head. 

"I thought you'd be in here." 

Val turns to the door in a flash to see Apollo leaning in the doorway, looking down at her with a slight grin. "I got a notice that your heart rate jumped again. When it started to go down on it's own I thought, well I know my niece." Apollo pushes off the doorway and shoves his hands in his pockets. "Want to talk about it?" 

Val shakes her head and mutters an almost inaudible response, "Not rally." 

Apollo nods in understanding with a small smile. He gestures to Mars on his bed. "You and that dog are close. You have a connection I don't really understand. It's different than the rest of us. I'm glad you have each other." 

Val gives a smile and looks at the dog next to her. Her smile turns sad looking at the bandaged and usually energetic animal. "What happened to him? How bad is it?" 

Apollo's smile falters hearing her slightly broken voice. "He's going to be fine. I promise." 

"That's not what I asked." 

Apollo sighs. "He bruised his ribs, sprained his shoulder, and fractured his leg. But he's going to be fine. No permanent damage. As long as he rests and takes his medication and does what I tell him, he'll recover in no time. He's lucky he's young. It could've been worse." 

"You always say 'it could've been worse' like that's supposed to cheer us up." Val states critically. "I'm starting to wonder what you think the worst case scenario is." Apollo smirks at his sassy niece. "Let's hope we never have to face a worse scenario. That's why I'm here, isn't it? To keep you all alive." 

At that very moment Meg is walking past the infirmary and hears his statement. She pauses in her walk and pokes her head in the room. "Is your uncle having delusions of grandeur again, Val? Because I could've sworn I just heard him say something along the lines of him being the sole reason we're all kept alive and never in a worst case scenario. And that's about the most laughable thing I have ever heard! I mean, this guy, keeping us alive. That's so cute." Meg is laughing by the time she's done. 

"Well, I'm pretty sure keeping the crew alive is part of my job description as the medic, wouldn't you agree, Val?" Apollo looks at Val for confirmation. 

Val, in turn is trying really hard not to laugh at the shared antics of her uncle and long time family friend. Everyone knows that their long time professional and personal rivalry is nothing short of entertaining at best, and annoying at worst. Though given their current stranded status, a poorly timed or located argument could be a very bad thing, and a far cry fro entertainment. 

Luckily, before their entertaining argument can continue much further the intercom turns on. "Good morning crew, can we all meet in the meeting room soon please? We have some things to discuss." The intercom turns off so does her mother's voice. 

Val glances between the two adults and grins a little, almost mischievously. "You heard the boss. Let's go ladies." She gets up from her sitting position and pushes past both of them and out of the room. They both just look at her in mild shock at her statement. 

"Did she just-?" Apollo starts. 

Meg nods. "Yeah. She did." Meg shakes her head and fights a chuckle, a smile making it's way on to her face. "But she's right. We should go."