6.3 Interplanetary space en route to Mars, Day 2

[dakota]

McKenna nodded in agreement, wondering if Foreman had meant that to have a double meaning. " It's okay Mrs Johnson. Ship's security will find out who is behind it soon enough anyways. You just relax and keep your husband company. I'm going to grab a bite to eat now, but page me on the ship wide comm if you need me."

Waiting a moment to see if Mrs. Johnson had anything to add, she let herself out of medbay . Once the door was closed behind Flip (assuming he followed) McKenna turned to him as she started down the corridor. " That was really nice of you to help out like that." She grinned.

[Dome]

Flip was more than happy to follow McKenna's shapely figure out of the med bay. When she says that he shrugs, "it just really looked like she needed a moment to let go. She's probably been putting on a brave face for the kids. Trying to be strong for them, and even her husband."

He nervously runs his hand through his hair before adding, "everyone needs a shoulder to cry on occasionally. I didn't really think, I just reacted as soon as I realized she was going to breakdown." He brushes at the tears on his flight suit, "Hope the captain doesn't say anything about my suit. You don't think anything less of me for being like that do you?"

[dakota]

McKenna smiled," I doubt that captain will say much at all. " Of course I don't think less of you, Flip. What you did was very considerate, and I'm sure Mrs. Johnson appreciated it." She started to get closer, but remembered Foreman's decision on how they should progress and started towards the galley.

[Dome]

Flip for a second looked relieved. Before getting to the galley. Flip stops short, he grabs the Doctor's arm to pull her to a stop and to face him.

Still holding her arm he looks at her and says, "hey MJ, about what we were talking about before Mrs. Johnson came in...well, I just... I want you to know...I mean I know I'm acting old fashioned but I don't want you to think its because I don't like you. I don't want you to think I'm not attracted to you because I am...very much. At the same time I would hate for you to think I'm trying to force a relationship where there isn't and may never be. Look, I know you just want something more um...let say physical. I just think you deserve better and I want to give you more than that."

He pauses and looks at her trying to gauge her reaction and thoughts.

[dakota]

" Flip, I told you up front." McKenna said with a bit of a sigh. " I'm not ready for a commitment yet because I..., " she paused as memories stirred a bit," I don't want to talk about it." She instinctively pulled her arm away. " Maybe in time I could get involved the way you're looking, but right now I need to be sure of things. It's only been a few months, so I'm not even sure my head is on straight when it comes to what I really want."

She smiled slightly and folded her arms. " I'm not trying to lead you on, I really do like you, but I want to be up front with you before we go any farther. I do catch myself thinking about you, but more of the time it's things like having you lay me back on your control console and..." she grinned mischeviously and blushed as she let her statement trail off.

[Dome]

Flip groans at her thought process, "damn MJ, you make being a gentleman really hard. The picture you paint ... geesh woman," he says as he pulls on his color as if it is hot in the passageway. His face serious though.

"MJ, I don't know what to do," his shoulders drop as if in defeat. "I mean you have been plain about what you want. I know your not trying to lead me on. I know what you want. At the same time I know what I want. I'm just having a hard time reconciling the two," he says bringing his hands together in a gesture of meshing up. "At some point they are definitely the same, but..." he says trailing off in the end.

[dakota]

"but for now we keep things the way they are. Got it." McKenna replied without any sign of emotion. She changed the subject and started walking again, " I think I'll just have a glass of milk. Not really hungry anymore."

[Dome]

"I got it MJ," he says supressing a sigh. He thinks, 'I just wish I understood the way things are now.'

"I know what you mean. I'll probably just grab a cup of coffee before my shift. Coming down with you wasn't about the food anyway, just the company," he says as he lets her walk into the mess area a step ahead of him.

[Renekin Skywalker]

Mr. Smith was at the base of the stairs. "Do you honestly think that is the kind of conversation you should be having with children around?" He asks, admonishingly, before heading back to the passenger berths.

[Dome]

Flip watches him go, he turns to MJ with a shrug, "I didn't see any children did you? Just an immature adult."

[Renekin Skywalker]

On the stairs...

Mr. Smith didn't stay long enough to hear Foreman's attempt at a burn, as he was more interested in pointing out good behaviour than hearing what people think of him for it. The door behind the pair sealed (ominously, as any TV viewer would know, if they were watching the clock) as usual as they made their way up the stairs. Kendall and McKenna were then sealed in the lower stairway, between levels 1 and 2 (though not the same stairway as where Mr.　Ｊｏｈｎｓｏｎ　ｇｏｔ　ｈｕｒｔ．

On the bridge...

Jessica eventually makes her way in to see the computer core and gets an idea of what was actually going on.

In Engineering...

Mensk got another flashing warning light...
NEW CHAPTER COMING!


Also... Dun dun dunnnnhhhh!

[Dome]

Foreman looks back at the doors closed behind them. He approaches the doors to the galley and tries to open them.

[Renekin Skywalker]

Will the door open? Will Foreman and McKenna get out of the stairway? Will Jessica answer the question of what exactly happened to Mr. Johnson? WIll Mr. Smith ever get a personality?

Find out this, and more, in the next chapter!!