You can't run away from me

Posted on Mon Feb 4th, 2019 @ 2:42am by Lieutenant Commander Angus Murphy

Mission: Run Afoul
Location: Brig
Timeline: A few hours after "I'm not running"
996 words - 2 OF Standard Post Measure

Murphy in the brig. Patrick couldn't believe what he was hearing, but the gossip was persistent. After striking a commander he'd been seen getting dragged away. Slowly, he made his way down there, wondering if Murphy would see him, or turn him away.

"Murph..." The single word was spoken quietly but with clear concern, as he approached the cell, Patrick having eyes only for the redhead held within. "Why?" It was a simple question which likely wouldn't have a simple answer.

Murphy's head throbbed to the beat. He looked up at call of the familiar voice, let out a sigh, and rubbed his temple. "Patrick," it was impossible to tell if he was glad to see the younger man or not. "Why are you here?"

"To see you, obviously...." Patrick stepped closer to the forcefield. "What happened?" His expression was wrought with worry. "Do you need anything?"

"A drink, a pain killer, and a three day shore leave, for starters," Murphy replied, pushing himself up from the bunk and walking over to the forcefield. "Are you cleared to be here? I don't want you to get in trouble with the captain."

"I won't get in trouble," Patrick promised, "I was on my way to my quarters. I wouldn't be a very good friend if I didn't stop by. I'm sure I can arrange for something to drink and a painkiller...but leave is something I can't do anything about." He smiled thinly. "I think we all need a vacation." He stepped closer. "How do you feel? What did happen?"

"Pat..." Murphy sighed, "I don't want to talk about it right now. I don't need you to bring me drink and medicine. I'm just being dramatic. Dramatic. That's usually your department."

"I never said that I would be bringing it, I'd alert the doctor," Patrick answered timidly. He wasn't in the mood for a fight and he didn't want to fight to begin with. "I don't understand how this is my department. I'm not being dramatic... But if this is how it's going to be then I'll leave you to your drama and you can come to me when you're done."

Murphy didn't like it. He didn't understand why Pat was even here. It hurt to push the man away, but he felt it was ultimately for the best. "I'll be okay," he assured him. "Maybe we'll talk in a few days or something. Or maybe it's just better off for you if you just move on without me."

Patrick shook his head. "No Angus," he said at last, "I'm not going anywhere. So...deal with it. I'm here for you, no matter what."

The engineer kicked at the forcefield lightly with the toe of his boot. "Damnit, Paddy. You don't get it, do you? I'm trying to help you. I'm toxic. Too broken to fix. I'm not going to change."

The younger man flinched as the forcefield crackled. "I love you as you are," he answered softly, "I don't need you to change. You wouldn't be you if you did. All I ask is that you let me take care of you once in a while. Hurts heal, they just need time. We're both broken, maybe we can heal each other."

"I don't think I can," Murphy said after a long moment. "I don't know if I'm capable of that anymore."

"Please give us a chance?" Patrick pleaded, "I love you Murph... I never thought I'd fall in love again but here we are. Please?"

Murphy wanted to tell him things. He wanted to say a few things just to get the man to leave, to stop trying, but Patrick was pretty persistent and he knew, somewhere inside, that he did also care deeply for him still. He didn't really want to hurt him with words, even if it would have been the easiest thing to do right then. "Pat. I-- I'm sure you mean well. I know you do. I just need some time tonight. Let me sort through my own stuff and we'll talk. When we don't have an energy field up between us and a Wexler trying to listen to everything we're saying," he shot the brig officer a glare.

Patrick ignored the brig officer but nodded. "When you're sober," he agreed, "come talk to me when you're ready, but please don't expect me to let you go just like that. You're special Murph...remember that." He lifted a hand up to the forcefield, fingers almost touching it. "I love you..."

Murphy put his hand almost opposite of Patrick's and held it there for a moment. He nodded. His head hurt. His heart hurt. He couldn't find the words to reciprocate Patrick's sentiment, so he just turned and walked back over to the bunk.

The gesture was enough and Patrick smiled ever so slightly. It meant more than words to him. "I'll come back later," he promised, "if I'm allowed to. Can I bring you anything when I do? Anything to work on?" No food, no drink since he didn't seem to want any of that. But surely something to keep him occupied?

Murphy shook his head as he sat on the edge of the bed. "I'm sure I'll be out of here before morning. Don't worry yourself, alright?"

"I'll try." That was all he could offer. He could try not to worry. "You try and get some sleep. If you want..." He hesitated. "If you want, you can still stay with me... until your quarters are fixed." He smiled encouragingly. "Get some rest Murph, you earned it."

Murphy was pretty sure he hadn't a earned a rest. Lhaes Sommers would definitely say he'd deserved to be here on less than honorable terms. Lhaes Sommers was probably right. The engineer layed down and pulled the blanket over his head, but good, restful sleep eluded him all night long.

---

Patrick O'Malley
Chef
pnpc Lhaes

Lieutenant Angus Murphy
Chief Engineer and Drunkard
USS Majestic