(no subject)

[scurlock]

[oom: february 1884, dakota territory]

At least Bar was nice enough to route him through the wood on this entrance to the end of the universe; as the surrounding trees switch from the Dakota territory to someplace much greener, he realizes he's headed for the lakeside.

(He's grateful he didn't have to take Nova through the barroom proper. Very grateful for that.)

Doc gets the horse settled into a clean stall out in the stables, checks in on the other charges, and gathers his saddlebags over one arm. He's interested in getting the mud off of his boots and a meal into his system before finding his way upstairs to sleep. The dull ache between his shoulder blades is a constant reminder that he should probably stop by the infirmary, too -- but that can wait until after some of Bar's cornbread and chili.

He removes his hat as he steps in through the back door, allowing his eyes to adjust to the lighting as he kicks the snow off of his boots onto the mat.

(And he's checking the bar for familiar or unfamiliar faces, too. The weight of his gunbelt at his hips is a comfort after being gone from this place so long.)


[open 'til his next ep.]

Comments

[notabricklayer.livejournal.com]

At the bar, a lean man in blue scrubs is enjoying a very-well-earned nightcap.

[scurlock]

The outlaw approaches the bar and ends up leaning against the counter a few spots down from the man in scrubs. He deposits the leather saddlebags on the surface in exchange for a drink; the satchels disappear (taken upstairs to his room, for him) and a healthy glass of bourbon materializes in their wake.

He idly scratches his jaw as he turns to survey the room, pulling off his gloves before reaching for the glass.

When he spots Bones, he lifts said glass in salute with a half-smile.

"Evenin', Doc."

[notabricklayer.livejournal.com]

McCoy has been paying attention since the thump of the saddlebags caught it - and while he hasn't quite decided what is wrong with Doc... but he knows something is.

"Hello yourself, son - you've been keeping yourself scarce, of late."

[scurlock]

"It seems I have."

From the look of the bar, the Christmas holidays seem to have come and gone; from the look of the outlaw, he hasn't shaved in probably two weeks and his hair is long enough to be pulled back and tied in a short ponytail. It has definitely been awhile.

"But I'm glad t'have made it back in," he adds, lifting the glass. The movement of his left arm betrays an underlying stiffness to the muscles, though be it from overuse or injury it has yet to be seen. "How've you been?"

[notabricklayer.livejournal.com]

"Oh, more of the same." He shrugs, swirling the bourbon in his glass idly, marking the way his movement is more awkward on one side than the other. "Brief bouts of excitement interspersed with long periods of routine."

[scurlock]

"Sounds sort of like the last few months I spent out in the Dakotas," he remarks after taking a drink. "Minus the effects of bein' in space, I would presume."

(Things always seem like they'd be more exciting in space, in Doc's opinion.)

[notabricklayer.livejournal.com]

Doc is welcome to do Bones' paperwork, if he wishes to gauge the never-ending excitement of space.

(Space is disease and danger wrapped in darkness and silence. This is always true. It's just not always exciting.)

"You've had a bit of excitement lately, haven't you?"

[scurlock]

...dammit, he's been caught.

Doc nods, slowly.

"Y'could say that," he agrees. "But at least this time it ain't more than a good scratch."

Why does he even bother trying to hide these things?

[notabricklayer.livejournal.com]

"Don't tell me that doesn't hurt, or I will cheerfully knock you down out here, and have you dragged back by your toes." He grumbles, waving a hand at one of the waitrats - they know by now the signal that means 'yes, damnitall, get my bag again'.

[scurlock]

"Bar, could y'be so kind t'get the good man another drink?"

If they're going to do this, Doc at least intends on making sure McCoy is in a decent mood.

"And I won't lie, it stings like somethin' fierce, but I've got the feelin' back in my fingers for the most part?"

[notabricklayer.livejournal.com]

McCoy shoots Doc a death glare.
"And you didn't think this was something worth asking about? Dear God, man, one of these days I will die of shock because you'll ask for help up front."

But he does take the drink. And he does manage to thank the rat who brings him his bag in a fairly reasonable tone.

[scurlock]

"I'd hate t'kill you. Then how would I get patched up?"

He glances from the bar and the surrounding quiet chaos, to the door that will lead them to the infirmary.

"Any preference on where y'put the stitches in?"

(Doc personally would prefer not to show weakness in front of potential attackers, but he'll leave it up to McCoy to choose whether they move or not.)

[notabricklayer.livejournal.com]

He sees the look, and moreover, he knows the man - while he might not be big on personal modesty when it comes to injuries, he knows that might not be the best idea in this case.

"Do it when Olga is around - she'd never let me slip away so easily. Come on, bring your drink." He slings his back over his shoulder, and picks up his own glass.

[justdidntseeit]

If Doc heads for the counter, he might spot a familiar flash of blond hair.

Kate's bent over a legal pad, scribbling a quick note.

Absorbed in what she's writing, she's paying zero attention to the comings and goings of the room at large, or to the cooling latte in an oversized mug at her elbow.

[scurlock]

He does indeed head for the counter, and after depositing the saddlebags he's carrying onto the surface, he gratefully accepts the glass of bourbon Bar offers him and heads over to say hello to Kate.

"If that ain't the biggest mug of coffee I ever seen," he offers, not wanting to completely interrupt her note.

Doc waits for her to glance up, though he will excuse her if she doesn't notice him right away. A two-week beard and his hair pulled back into a short ponytail (he'll make the excuse of not trusting any barbers near his neck these days) might give her a moment's pause as well when it comes to recognizing him.

But the duster and the boots are a dead giveaway.

[justdidntseeit]

The scratch of her pen goes silent; she glances over, half-distracted.

"Yeah, it's kind of ridic— "

She blinks, and then smiles, wide and genuine.

"Hey, mountain man."

[scurlock]

"Mountain man?" He returns the smile, amused. "I can't say I've heard that one before."

Even if it is fitting, given the circumstances.

He motions at the empty barstool beside her.

"Mind if I have a seat?"

[justdidntseeit]

"Like you even have to ask," she says, and gestures toward the empty stool.

"Sit down, I'll buy you a drink."

A beat; she spots the glass in his hand.

"Another drink."

[scurlock]

There's only a finger's worth of liquor left in his current glass, so he tosses it back (with a wince, but the beard and dust on his features do help to disguise it a bit) and places the empty tumbler on the counter.

"I'd be much obliged."

He climbs onto the stool and turns to face her and her giant coffee mug.

"How've you been?"

[justdidntseeit]

She pulls the enormous mug closer, giving Doc an extra couple inches of elbow room, and asks Bar to provide Doc with another round.

"Stir-crazy," she says, light and matter-of-fact. "I think I need to cut myself off from remodeling. I've created a monster."

She lifts her hands and curls her fingers into claws, a wry interpretation of what she's unwittingly become.

[scurlock]

"I bet it looks awful nice, though, with your taste in things."

Doc nods his thanks for the refill and he'll sip this one slower.

"Are you all doin' his entire place?"

[justdidntseeit]

"You're sweet to say that," she says, unable to mask a light, low laugh. "But when you're working with bachelor couture, up is the only way to go."

Doc's been to Bill's house; he's seen the plaid couch that the sheriff loves like a toddler with a security blanket.

"Not the entire place, just yet." She shakes her head, and smothers a smirk. "Slow and steady wins the race."

[scurlock]

Doc likes Bill's couch! It's...festive.

"One room at a time'll give him ample opportunity to adjust t'things being different," he agrees. "And he likes you, so he shouldn't mind."

If he knows what's good for him.

"Have you moved into his world for full time, then?"

[justdidntseeit]

Surprise lights her eyes.

Soft: "No."

A faint flush blossoms on the apples of her cheeks.

"I've been staying there for a lot longer than I thought I would, but I have to get back to L.A. sometime."

[scurlock]

He ducks his head in apology.

"Forgive me, I ain't meanin' to pry, Kate."