[Joker was waiting in the clinic lobby for his sister to arrive; before they did any of this stem cell shit that Mordin had planned, he needed to talk to her. Just to be clear on a few things.]
[True to her word, Gunny made her way down to Mordin's clinic at a nearly breakneck speed (okay, so she jogged a bit), eager to see just how the very model of a scientist salarian planned on helping her big brother out]
[As soon as she spotted Jeff, she trotted on over, all smiles]
[She's used to Joker's sardonic attitude, enough so that she manages enough cheerfulness to cover the both of them. But with the way he spoke, Gunny figured that something was up. She just couldn't place what.]
What's wrong? Nervous?
[She placed her hand on top of his, still keeping the smile on her face]
[He wasn't worried about anything that Mordin could tell him. How could it ever be any worse than 'you're paralyzed from the waist down'?]
I wanted to make sure you knew that whatever Doc says, you're not obligated to do any of it. If you aren't okay with some part of this, you can say no and I'll be fine with that. So, y'know. No pressure.
[Look at this face. He was actually not kidding around for once, like he was right before he got kidnapped.]
It's not dumb. I don't want you to think that you have to go through with this because I'm your brother. You don't. This is just one option and Mordin can come up with others.
[That teasing grin that lit up her face just moments prior? Gone. It disappeared in a split second, replaced with a stoic anger reserved for that special kind of pissed off that only happened once in a blue moon.]
[Quietly, carefully, Gunny grabbed the ends of Joker's wheelchair's arms, bent down so her face was even with his, and, without batting an eye, slammed her foot down, just close enough to his to hopefully her following argument at least somewhat convincing:]
[He didn't think she'd actually made contact, because he would've felt the shock of it up, well, where he could actually feel. But the threat of it, even if she didn't go through with it, wasn't exactly something that he was thrilled about.]
And the point, Jeff, is that you're hurt. Badly. You're hurt and you're saying that it's okay if you stay like that, and it's not. It's not! Especially if I can do something to fix it!
[She tried really, really hard to hold back the waterworks, but damn those teenage hormones and those silly emotions. She did a pretty good job, too, at first, but as time went on her resolve slowly crumbled, her breath came in faltered, stuttering gasps and she eventually had to wipe away at her eyes and nose because hellooooo gross crying]
It's... it's not because you're my brother, and I don't care if it hurts or if it's gross or if it's dangerous. I just want to see you better.
Yeah, well, I care if it hurts or if it's dangerous. If you're going to get hurt trying to make me better, I'd rather stay this way and figure out something else.
[He grabbed her by the wrists in as firm a grip as he could manage.]
You're more important to me, Gunny, than whether or not I ever walk again, okay?
[IT'S WHAT TEENS DO BEST BRO: UNGRATEFULNESS FOR THE LITTLE THINGS AHOY!!!]
What? No! Don't be dumb! I mean, I probably should because you're a big, fat jackass, but I didn't.
[She paused, considered Joker's hands still wrapped around her wrists, and folded her palms so her fingers caught his thumbs in a pseudo hand hold. Once she actually let herself simmer down (it never took long, her temper flares were always just that: strong and quick to start, but they fizzled out just as quickly), and also mulled over his words, she sort of understood his view better. She didn't like it, abhorred it, in fact, but she understood.]
[Gunny hiccuped before she answered, her voice considerably softer as she jumbled over her words]
I'm really sorry I got mad. I just... I want you out of that chair. And I know what you're saying, I really, really do, but Professor Solus wouldn't suggest whatever it is he's suggesting if it wasn't good, and he's one of the best doctors out there, and if he's giving you a chance, I want you to take it because who knows when the next one is gonna come along, you know?
[Because if anyone was allowed to make jokes about bones, it's him.]
[There was something in his expression that softened a little, though, as it only ever did around her.]
I'm not saying that it's gonna be a bust and I'm not saying it's a sure bet. Doc's good, but I'm not expecting miracles here, y'know? All I'm saying is if it's not what we're looking for, I'm reserving the right to veto.
Okay, but if I say I'm fine with it, then you have to trust me.
[She's protective of her big brother; more so now that he's all she has left. Gunny isnt even sure how long that would last, as it's painfully clear either of them could disappear at any time for one reason or another.]
[Seeing Joker in his chair and realizing that it was actually better than what could have been served as a harsh reminder of that.]
[It was also a sign of just how much he cared about her in return. She never doubted her brother's love nor his dedication, not for a second, but she also hated the idea of taking precedence over his own well-being. He deserved to be happy. He'd earned it. And she wasn't about to take that away from him.]
I'll call when I can. Don't worry, I'm fine, I just can't talk right now. I'll explain things better when I get back, but let's just say the IID was extra shitty this time around and leave it at that.
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need somethin from outside ur cave?
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[FINALLY, SOMETHING HAPPENED THAT WASN'T SHITTY.]
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Re: [text]
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should i bring anything? cake? we have to celebrate
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should b there soon gonna stop texting
rly happy bout this jeff :)
[action; clinic lobby]
[
Please don't punch him, Gunny.][action; clinic lobby]
[As soon as she spotted Jeff, she trotted on over, all smiles]
Hey, Jeff!
[action; clinic lobby]
Hey, Gunny.
[The lobby was empty for once, thankfully. He really didn't want anyone to overhear the conversation.]
Doc's waiting in one of the exam rooms. I just wanted to... talk, for a minute. Just before we hear whatever he's gonna say.
[action; clinic lobby]
What's wrong? Nervous?
[She placed her hand on top of his, still keeping the smile on her face]
[action; clinic lobby]
[He wasn't worried about anything that Mordin could tell him. How could it ever be any worse than 'you're paralyzed from the waist down'?]
I wanted to make sure you knew that whatever Doc says, you're not obligated to do any of it. If you aren't okay with some part of this, you can say no and I'll be fine with that. So, y'know. No pressure.
[action; clinic lobby]
[Because clearly, he was joking and just being an ass]
[action; clinic lobby]
[Look at this face. He was actually not kidding around for once, like he was right before he got kidnapped.]
It's not dumb. I don't want you to think that you have to go through with this because I'm your brother. You don't. This is just one option and Mordin can come up with others.
[action; clinic lobby]
[Quietly, carefully, Gunny grabbed the ends of Joker's wheelchair's arms, bent down so her face was even with his, and, without batting an eye, slammed her foot down, just close enough to his to hopefully her following argument at least somewhat convincing:]
...You didn't feel that, did you?
[action; clinic lobby]
[He didn't think she'd actually made contact, because he would've felt the shock of it up, well, where he could actually feel. But the threat of it, even if she didn't go through with it, wasn't exactly something that he was thrilled about.]
[action; clinic lobby]
[It's not, but hey, 15-year-old logic WOOO]
And the point, Jeff, is that you're hurt. Badly. You're hurt and you're saying that it's okay if you stay like that, and it's not. It's not! Especially if I can do something to fix it!
[She tried really, really hard to hold back the waterworks, but damn those teenage hormones and those silly emotions. She did a pretty good job, too, at first, but as time went on her resolve slowly crumbled, her breath came in faltered, stuttering gasps and she eventually had to wipe away at her eyes and nose because hellooooo gross crying]
It's... it's not because you're my brother, and I don't care if it hurts or if it's gross or if it's dangerous. I just want to see you better.
Re: [action; clinic lobby]
[He grabbed her by the wrists in as firm a grip as he could manage.]
You're more important to me, Gunny, than whether or not I ever walk again, okay?
[action; clinic lobby]
...Fine.
Sorry.
[action; clinic lobby]
...Did you really break my foot?
[action; clinic lobby]
What? No! Don't be dumb! I mean, I probably should because you're a big, fat jackass, but I didn't.
[She paused, considered Joker's hands still wrapped around her wrists, and folded her palms so her fingers caught his thumbs in a pseudo hand hold. Once she actually let herself simmer down (it never took long, her temper flares were always just that: strong and quick to start, but they fizzled out just as quickly), and also mulled over his words, she sort of understood his view better. She didn't like it, abhorred it, in fact, but she understood.]
[Gunny hiccuped before she answered, her voice considerably softer as she jumbled over her words]
I'm really sorry I got mad. I just... I want you out of that chair. And I know what you're saying, I really, really do, but Professor Solus wouldn't suggest whatever it is he's suggesting if it wasn't good, and he's one of the best doctors out there, and if he's giving you a chance, I want you to take it because who knows when the next one is gonna come along, you know?
[action; clinic lobby]
[Because if anyone was allowed to make jokes about bones, it's him.]
[There was something in his expression that softened a little, though, as it only ever did around her.]
I'm not saying that it's gonna be a bust and I'm not saying it's a sure bet. Doc's good, but I'm not expecting miracles here, y'know? All I'm saying is if it's not what we're looking for, I'm reserving the right to veto.
[action; clinic lobby]
[She's protective of her big brother; more so now that he's all she has left. Gunny isnt even sure how long that would last, as it's painfully clear either of them could disappear at any time for one reason or another.]
[Seeing Joker in his chair and realizing that it was actually better than what could have been served as a harsh reminder of that.]
[It was also a sign of just how much he cared about her in return. She never doubted her brother's love nor his dedication, not for a second, but she also hated the idea of taking precedence over his own well-being. He deserved to be happy. He'd earned it. And she wasn't about to take that away from him.]
Please?
text; after the return of the Normanderps
[And by that he means 'get absolutely shitfaced', but he doesn't want her to worry.]
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im so glad youre okay. can i call? i know you have post mission stuff or whatever but i just want to make sure youre fine
where did you go?? was it a surprise mission or something???? are you hurt at all? do you need anything for when youre all the way back???
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no subject
ill be around if you need me. sorry about spamming your messages.
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I'll get in touch with you soon.
no subject
ill be waiting