Caught in the Cretaceous

Chapter 18: Restless Nights, Early Mornings

Val yawns as she sits back down at her work station. She had a hard time sleeping and eventually just got out of bed and decided to get a head start on work. She picks up her tools and gets right to work. 

She isn't sure how long she's been working. She's so focused on what she's doing the rest of the world melts away. 

Apollo is also up early. He wanders the halls of the ship, deep in thought. He's nearly startled from his thoughts when he notices his niece hunched over her work station. Blinking out of the daze he was in he steps into the room. Her lack of acknowledgement to his presence shows just how focused she is. Checking his watch to confirm the time he sighs. Not wanting to startle her too much, he makes his way over to her. She jumps slightly when he places a gentle hand on her shoulder. 

"You're up early." 

She shrugs. "So are you." 

The medic fights the urge to roll his eyes at her response. "Couldn't sleep?" She doesn't answer. Apollo sighs and takes the seat next to her. "Need any help?" She only shrugs. "How about some company?" 

"Seeing as I know there's no getting rid of you," Valkyrie states, annoyance lacing her voice, "you can stay. Just please be quiet." 

Apollo grins at her. He pretends to pull a zipper across his mouth and lock it. Val rolls her eyes at him and returns her attention to her work. 

They have a comfortable silent few hours. It is only broken when a yawn draws their attention to the door. They both look up to see Alex entering the room. The man pauses in his movements when he realizes he isn't the only occupant. "Morning." They both just stare at him for a moment. Apollo can't seem to decide if the scenario is awkward or amusing. Alex clears his throat. "What are you doing up so early?" 

"Couldn't sleep," Apollo states plainly. "And you?" 

Alex struggles to come up with a decent answer. "I always get up this early." 

Apollo snorts. "Liar. You would sleep in every day in college is you didn't have morning classes." 

Alex sighs. He knows he can't get anything past. Apollo. "It's nothing. Really." He tries to insist. 

Apollo narrows his eyes at his friend. "It's okay to admit." Alex does his best to look as though he doesn't know what his friend is referring to. "You couldn't sleep either. Could you?" 

Alex sighs in relief. Nodding his head he answers with a bit of a chuckle. "You got me." They fall into a comfortable silence. Alex watches his daughter continue to tinker with the small device in front of her. he isn't entirely sure what exactly she's doing but he knows she does and it very good at this type of work. He wants to ask about what she's doing and when it will be done. But he doesn't want it to sound like he's pressuring her. he struggles for a minute, thinking on how to word it. "How's it coming along?" 

Val glances up at her father. "Don't worry, you should have them by this afternoon." 

Alex looks at her a little affronted, startled by her blunt answer. Apparently he wasn't as subtle as he was hoping. He tries to cover up his surprise and cover his obvious blunder. "That's not what I meant. I'm sorry." 

Val rolls her eyes but otherwise ignores him. He would get this done a lot sooner if they stopped interrupting her. She makes it a point to ignore them while she continues working. Alex and Apollo chat among themselves as he works. 

After another hour or so she sighs and sits back in her seat. "Alright. First one is done." 

This gets the attention of the other two in the room. "Really?" Alex asks.