Izzy would enter Nikki's quarters with Lizzy, offering Nikki a smile as spoke to her "Hey Nikki, how are you doing? It's good to see you out of med tech" she said as Lizzy spoke to Haley, with Izzy hesitating awkwardly as she tried to figure out how best to broach the subject before continuing "Um...Lizzy and I were talking and...um... If you and Haley were ok with the idea that if you wanted Haley could stop over at ours tonight so you could get some rest" she said pausing to see what Nikki thought of her offer to babysit Haley tonight so she could get some rest and recover from her injuries without having to worry about taking care of the young girl as well.

As he slipped his arm around her, Harry would quietly giggle as she rested her head against his shoulder as he continued the joke before saying that he wasn't worried about what she was wearing "Hmm good to know...but just you remember to make the right noises when I dress up special for you" she replied. It had been one of the things that had seriously bugged her when she was with Will, the way he would say that she looked good in anything which was nice and all but she'd put a lot of effort into looking nice for him at times and so she had kind of wanted to be told that she looked good...was that really too much to ask for?

Nic would continue to speak of the Vice Admiral and how he had failed to kill them with an ambush, prompting a derisive snort of Harry "He had twenty fighters and still failed to kill you? Yeah you're right he was incompetent" she said wondering how it was even possible to lose with those odds. Either way the guy was now dead and they had more important matters to discuss "ooh waffles would be nice, maybe with a little ice cream on the side?" she said smiling up at him from his shoulder with her finally finding a silver lining to the whole getting shot thing.

He chuckled at her. "Of course. I am pretty sure if you dress up in anything but a uniform of some sorts that I would get the idea that I should make noises of approval. Would a bark do? Or would you like me panting?" And he did both of those things briefly before laughing. "Or something else?" He grinned. If anything, his first reaction to seeing her wearing that nighty should have told her he wasn't likely to brush her off.

"Well the LC took the fight to them and we all surprised them and dumped at least ten in the first sortie. That's when the VA went for me apparently. It was a mess." He didn't really want to talk too much about it. "In the end, they are dead, we are alive." Until the fight had been over, he had focused on killing the enemy. Rank hadn't mattered too much. Though he was going to have to get the vid when he killed the Turk.

"So, what kind of ice cream flavor do you want, Harry?" That he could do for her. "And do you want them to drop it down on the waffle or on the side?"

Nikki had Haley answer the door. Haley forced a small smile and dutifully did so with the ever polite southern 'Yes Ma'am'.  She greeted Lizzy and Izzy both with a hug and let Izzy know Nikki was in the bedroom, she saw Izzy was hurt too.
Nikki smiled as they came in "Hey,.." she saw Izzy dinged up too "Oh dear.  You okay Izzy? Yeah, they had to pry me out my Mantis.  I feel like I need to start a quilting bee" she tried to laugh a bit then coughed "They got a few ribs too.  Aw well least I'm still here. Yeah I wanted Haley to have a bit of fun before becoming my little helper, on bed rest for 2 days at least then I think she said another 3 light duty.  If you don't mind I just need her watched over night so I can sleep.  I put her billet card in the back pack and some extra Jammies and clothes for tomorrow.  She is cool with card games, watching vids.  Dang near anything" she pointed at Her backpack that also had a few coloring books and crayon sticks as well as her Teddy bear head sticking out of the top "Me..I'm gonna sleep a bit and catch up on paperwork and watch a vid or two" she winked when Haley was not looking, indicating....not child approved.
"Sure you be okay?" Haley was still worried
"Be fine Lilliput.  You got stressed and scared, this is gonna help you and you will help me tomorrow.  If you don't go Your gonna have nothing to work of all that energy and see friends " With her good hand she reached and tickled her lightly making her squirm a bit as Haley giggle and back up a bit.  Nikki smiled "I hope it's not imposing.  I know you to would like some time too." she asked sincerely.

 Lizzy smiled at the very polite Haley, then hugged her close. Lizzy let Nikki and Izzy talk a bit as she kept Haley mostly occupied until it was time to go. Lizzy replied," Oh Nikki no problem it is our pleasure too look after Haley she is a wonderful young lady. Now Haley do you want to walk, or have me carry you in my arms, or you can piggy back ride me to the Rec Dec your choice Haley?" Lizzy smiled at Nikki , gave her a wingman wink and a thumbs up.

"This? Oh no this is nothing, It's just sore is all" Izzy replied, downplaying her injury before listening as Nikki let her know that Haley already had a bag packed and what games she liked to play with her quietly laughing as Nikki then told her that she intended to watch a couple of vids "Take my advice, ditch the paperwork and watch the vids, you've earned it" she said suspecting that Nikki was intending on taking advantage of not having a child around for the evening. When asked if if they were ok with taking Haley for the night, and whether it messing up any of their plans Izzy would quickly shake her head to show they had nothing planned and that everything was alright with her "Honestly Nikki don't worry about it, you relax and get better, Liz has been dying for a chance to have Haley over and we'll have more than enough alone time once your better...also I promise I'll make sure Haley eats some real food" She said suspecting that Lizzy would let Haley gorge herself on jelly and ice cream otherwise.

After collecting Haley's bag from where it was sat Izzy would turn to speak to Nikki one more time before they departed for the rec dec betraying that although she lacked Lizzy's natural ability with children and was nervous about taking care of Haley for the evening that she would do her best to do so "so...um...is here anything I should know, or anything you'd like before we head out?" she asked just in case there was anything that Nikki had forgotten before calling for Haley to wish Nikki a good night and heading out of the door with Lizzy and Haley.

Harry would giggle delightedly at Nic's little show before replying "something else sounds nice, not that I object to panting" before listening as he finished off his story about his encounter with the Vice Admiral, feeling a little sad that she hadn't been there with him "Can't say my day was anything to boast about; I had a scrap with a couple of Avian's and then fainted in Meari's arms...all in all not my finest moment" she said with sigh that betrayed how much she missed not being out there with them and how little she thought of what she'd done today.

When the subject turned to that of Ice cream she would pause to give it a bit of thought before replying "Have them put the ice cream on the waffles and as for the flavour...well...why don't you surprise me?" she said, with there not being any flavours that she didn't like...in fact was there even such a thing as a bad flavour of ice cream? "...also perhaps you could bring an overnight bag with you?" she suggested, having enjoyed the previous morning they'd had together, and inviting him over for another if he was interested to do so.

Nic smirked a little at the mention of something else, chuckling as she turned the joke back on him. He nodded. "You helped, that is what mattered and you helped even though you didn't realize you had gotten badly injured. Probably the adrenaline doing that. It might not feel like your finest moment, Harry, but I am proud of you for doing your best despite everything."

He nodded as she pretty much said she didn't care what flavor though he was surprised at her next suggestion and considered it a moment. "Are you sure? I mean with your shoulder and all?" He didn't want to accidentally hurt her or make it uncomfortable for her. "I can do that." He had enjoyed the company of the woman sitting beside him and was in no rush to hasten their relationship any faster than she appeared to want.

"No, just really gonna take time to nap"  When you're on rec dec I'm gonna sneak outta bed and breakdance" she smiled and winked "Right now just enjoy your selves"she began shooing them all with her good hand.

 Lizzy smiled and said," Ok Nikki so glad your ok, come on Haley lets go have some fun." Lizzy motions for Haley to come with them as they head for the the door. Lizzy turns to Izzy to see that she got everything and she said to her ," Thank you Izzy Nikki really needs the help and you will do great, just keep me from spoiling her too much ok." Lizzy giggled and then when everyone was ready headed for the Rec Dec  with Haley.

--->>>>>> To Rec Dec w/Haley

Haley waved at Nikki as she said good bye for now , gave a skip and then followed Lizzy and Izzy with a skip.

===> to the rec dec

Nikki, for her part, as soon as everyone left.  turned down her lights.  She turned on her monitor to watch a few shows including Capt. Lightning.  She got comfortable as she could.  and just lightly napped.

Harry would hesitate uncertainly when Nic questioned whether him stopping over was such a good idea with her beginning to worry that she was back to her old habit of rushing into things "Yeah, I mean...maybe...I...um...wasn't planning on putting out tonight, it's just that I really liked last night, It was nice being able to have a cuddle and waking up with someone next to me" she explained, hoping that it wasn't just her that had felt like that with her starting to feel rather uncertain over whether she was doing the right thing "I'm...I'm rushing things again aren't I?" she asked in a quiet voice before gently biting her bottom lip fearing that she was letting her feelings get away from her again and acting on her impulses rather than thinking things through.

”Ok Nikki we’ll see you later, try and get some rest and if you need anything call us” Izzy said before following Lizzy and Haley out the door with Haley’s bag slung over her shoulder. As Lizzy thanked her once again for agreeing to look after Haley, Izzy would smile up at her as she replied ”hey don’t mention it, like you said Nikki needs the downtime and I know for a fact that you’ve been dying to spend time Haley, also it wouldn’t hurt for me to get a little practice in” with it having become very apparent that children would be in her future if she was to stay with Lizzy. The woman just loved children far too much not to have any in her life, whether they were her own or someone else’s ”…also just you remember you have to give her back in the morning, ok?” she teasingly said as the three of them stepped into the lift.

——> Rec Dec

His eyes widened a moment as he turned towards her. "No, thats not what I meant, Harry. I am not looking for you to 'put' out and you are not rushing. I just mean with you being injured." He stopped then and studied her. "Just how bad is it right now? I wouldn't want to accidentally nudge you and cause you pain, that is all."

He kissed her forehead and then pulled back to smile at her. "You know what? Let me go get something from the Rec Dec and i'll come back here and we can eat. Sound good?" He was all for skipping the party because he was still pretty new to the Hermes and for him, it seemed a bit too much right now for him.

There was a relieved look when Nic said he had questioned her decision due to her injury and him not wanting to hurt her as opposed to anything else. She hadn’t been worried that he wanted her to put out, after all he’d had chance to do so before and hadn’t, but that he’d  thought that she had wanted to do so ”you’re sure I’m not rushing things?” she asked, continuing to anxiously bite her bottom lip before going on to answer his question on how bad her injury was. As tempted as she was to downplay the full extent of her injuries Harry would reluctantly tell him the truth ”it hurts…it’s like a constant dull throb and its really painful if I try to move my arm past a certain point” she replied knowing that she was probably talking herself out of the affection she wanted by telling him this.

It was then that he would surprise her with his offer to skip the after party entirely in order to stay with her ”are you sure? I wouldn’t want you to miss out on the party because of me…I’m only planning on watching a film” and no doubt fall asleep half way through she silently added to herself.

Nic chuckled. "No, you are not rushing things at all." He gave her a light hug at the mention of the pain. "You got your meds right? It won't be something that heals instantly I hate to say." But she did know that much.

Sighing at her question, he shook his head slightly. "A party for the dead. People I didn't know. I felt awkward the first time and there is no doubt I'd feel even more awkward there if I stuck around. Besides, after telling Lizzy I didn't think the sun rose and set on the LC's ass, she's a bit upset with me probably still." He snorted at that. "Anyways, I'll go get our food and then bring it back and we can watch what ever you want till you fall asleep."

Harry would nod her head in response to Nic's question about meds "Yeah I've got some for what they're worth...the problem with being a long time party girl is that I've built up a resistance to them so they don't work as well as they should" she said, with her also being a little reluctant to take them in case she developed a taste for them again, though that was perhaps her being a little paranoid.

She would listen as Nic gave his reasons for not really wanting to go to the party on his own, with her quirking an eyebrow at the mention of his falling out with Lizzy "Well I wouldn't worry about Lizzy, her moods swing all over the place and she's not normally one to hold a grudge...as for the party, it's more for the living than the dead, it's more of a chance for everyone to unwind and celebrate the fact that they've dodged a bullet again" she quietly explained as she gently nuzzled the side of his neck and he hugged her "...think of it more as the wake, the send off is for remembering the dead...but if you're sure you would rather spend the evening with me I'm not going to say no, I just don't want you to feel that you have to stay"

He eyed her a moment at the mention of being a party girl and perhaps he understood her concerns because he rested his hand over hers. "You've been doing good with not drinking and I haven't see you doing anything else. I think you'll be fine and if not, I am here Harry." He gave her hand a squeeze after.

Nic shouldn't worry about Lizzy, that's what she said but he offered a short chuckle. "Well when the woman doesn't even acknowledge you standing right there one has to wonder." He gave a shrug. He was just going to let it go because there was nothing he could do about it and he wasn't going to push things.

"Harry, I am perfectly happy with spending time with you here and unwinding. I don't need to get drunk or what not. And there's time to get to know people. I really still don't know that many but... I'll go if not to talk a little then. But i am coming back so don't fall asleep," he said with a smile and then hugged her.

"Thank you, it's an old habit so it shouldn't be a problem but I just don't like tempting fate, The way I see it if you're going to stop doing something then you stop doing it altogether" she replied smiling as he placed his hand over hers. As for his falling out with Lizzy, without knowing what exactly had happened or was going on between them she couldn't really comment, though she decided to she may need to talk to Lizzy about it and find out if she really had fallen out with him or whether it was all just a misunderstanding.

With him reiterating once again that he was more than happy to spend the evening with her rather than the party, Harry would chuckle as she was instructed not to fall asleep as he would be coming back "ok, I promise I will try to stay awake, if only for the ice cream and waffles you're bringing me" she said with a mischievous grin as she returned his hug...albeit with only the one arm.

Nic chuckled at her and brushed his lips affectionately over her cheek. "Ok." He tightened his arm around her briefly before reluctantly letting go and standing up. "Don't get into any trouble while I am away," he teased. "I'll be back," he said before leaving her quarters to head to his own and pack up a over night bag. Leaving that by the door, he exited and went to the lift a few minutes later to head to the Rec Deck.

[To Rec Dec]

"Aww and where's the fun in that?" Harry pouted playfully as Nic got up to leave, smiling as he promised to com back before heading out the door. It was strange to think how spending a little time with someone could put her in such a good mood despite everything that was going on, with her enjoying every one of those little kisses and touches he'd given her even as he teased her mercilessly.

Alone in her quarters, Harry would set about making herself comfortable within her bed after having awkwardly removed the scrubs bottoms and tossing them onto the floor so she was just in her knickers. Despite her best efforts to be careful she would still hiss in pain a few times as she'd been moving around with her giving the small bottle pain meds a longing look only to decide to go without for now. If she was to stand any chance of still being awake when Nic returned she would have to put off her pain medication for awhile longer at least.

Dimming the lights she would then indulge in one of her few remaining guilty pleasures and find herself a rom-com to watch whilst she waited for Nic to come back. She'd seen this one in particular several times now but still enjoyed it, even if the storyline was a little silly and more than a little predictable, not that she would ever admit as much to anyone. After all she had a reputation to maintain!

[From Rec Dec]

Nic figured that Lizzy and Billy were busy so he headed back to Harry's via the lift and then a stop at his quarters to pick up his overnight bag. With the bag slung over his shoulder and food in hand, he knocked on Harry's door and waited. Probably was a good thing because he might tease her a little, just a tad, about her taste in movies.

Hearing the knock on the door, Harry would quickly fumble for the remote and switch the TV off so as not to reveal that she’d been in the middle of watching a rather girly rom-com before calling to whoever was at the door ”Just a minute I’ll be there in a…arrgh you bastard!…minute!” she shouted, cursing midway through when she jarred her shoulder getting out of bed.

Dressed in only a pair of knickers and the baggy medical top Harry would open the door just enough to see who was there before opening it fully with a broad smile when she saw it was Nic ”Hey Nic come on in” she said waiting until he was inside and the door was closed before leaning up to give him a quick kiss ”So did you get me something nice?” she asked with a mischievous smile before turning and heading back into the bedroom, beckoning for him to follow her, not that she needed to ask him to join her.

Nic winced a little knowing why she was swearing, she must have jarred her shoulder a little. She opened the door for him to come in and he grinned at her. "Yes, it is me and I come baring gifts to appease the angry one," he teased after he got a kiss. Chuckling, he stepped in side and then dropped the bag off next to the door and eyed her a moment. "Shouldn't you be in bed?" He pointed towards the bed and then turned to her kitchenette and looked for a spoon and forks for them then brought them back to the bed.

Nic waited for her to settle back before offering her the waffle and ice cream with three different scoops of ice cream. "Figured you got your choice of one or three," he said before she opened the container. He sat down on the edge of the bed and set his down just so he could watch her to see if he had done the right thing. Never knew, she might have told him she liked everything but sometimes it wasn't so true. And if not, well he would do better next time.

Harry would pout in a playful manner at being called the angry one before doing as she was told and going back to bed ”ooh you’re lucky I like my men to have a firm hand” she said chuckling mischievously as she went and putting a deliberate sway in her hips as she does so. After carefully climbing into bed and shuffling over so that there was space for him to sit on the edge and later join her, Harry would watch as Nic came over and opened the box in front of her to reveal a waffle with three scoops of ice cream; Strawberry, Vanilla and chocolate ”Oh wow, I see you don’t mess around when you tell a girl you’re bringing her ice cream, thank you Nic this is really sweet of you” she said as she took a spoon and started to eat her bedtime treat ”Why don’t you make yourself comfortable and join me?” she then asked, nodding her head at the space beside her on the bed.