#RedrockAgency – July 25, 2017

Gage has an arm around Jason's waist and one of Jason's arms across his shoulder, helping to prop him up as the pair enter through the front door. "Alright, Jay, ya gotta help me out here." he says through an amused snicker, "I'm not gonna carry you to your bedroom."

Jason half-heartedly tries to shrug Gage off, pressing a hand against the front counter to keep his balance. "I don't need-.... I'm fine." he assures with a bunch of nods. "I'm fiiiine."

Gage sighs, but nods along. "Right. Of course you are, buddy." he agrees dismissively as he gives a glance around the lobby. "Hello?" he calls out, hoping to get a hand.

Jason quickly brings a finger up to his mouth. "Shhhhhhhh!" he shushes Gage through a bit of drunken laughter, "Linda might be sleeping!"

Fergus materializes behind the desk, professional as ever. Not that any different would be expected of a machine. "Good evening, milord." he says with a sharp bow of his head.

Jason gives a loud: "Ayyyyy! Fergus!" as the VI appears before suddenly realizing his own volume and wincing. "Ayyyy! Fergus!" he repeats in a whisper, as if that might cancel out his first attempt.

Gage gives a sigh at Jason's reaction. "Uh-... Hey. He's had a little too much to drink-..."

Jason scoffs loudly over top of Gage. "Too mu-... I had like-..."

Gage pays him no mind as he continues to address the VI. "Any chance you could get someone down here to give me a hand? Or at least point me in the right direction so I can get him sat down somewhere safe? Hate to leave him to pass out right here on the floor."

Jason continues with his drunken ranting, "What? Two? Three beers? I can-... I can handle a few beers. I'm fine..."

Fergus pauses for a split-second as he processes. "Certainly. Would you like me to alert Dr. Halisi?"

Gage steps closer to the counter, making sure he's close enough to keep Jason upright if he does, in fact, tumble over. "You've got a doctor on site at this time?" he asks, glancing Jason's way.

Jason groans loudly. "Halisi is-... She's great." he nods a few times, completely ignoring the question, "She bought me a book!"

Gage gives an unamused sigh before glancing back to the VI. "If they're around, sure." he decides. It's late and he's in no position to be picky.

Fergus ' hologram produces a scroll and quill from out of nowhere, and starts writing. "Dr. Halisi is not on site currently, but I will notify her of your status."

Gage puts a hand up, hoping to halt the VI. "No. No! It's fine. I just-..." he sighs, passing a brief glance at Jason's condition, "I just need a hand getting him to his room. Really. Just point me in the right direction and I'll be fine." Despite being in a frustrating position, he still seems to be keeping his composure. "Come on, Jason. You gotta help me out, bud." he pleads as he looks to his old friend, "You don't want the VI

Jason sucks a deep breath, hanging his head in silence for a moment. "I'm fine. I'm good. Really." he says, eyes closed. With renewed confidence, he furrows his brow and nods a bunch of times as he pulls himself along the desk with one hand to maintain his balance. "Upstairs. Lessgo!" he cheers, bringing his other hand to Gage's shoulder as he pushes him forward towards the hall.

Gage mutters to himself at the mention of stairs, but pulls Jason's arm back over his shoulder and continues to prop him up as they set off down the hallway.

Fergus bows his head once more, lowering the writing implements. "Very well, sire."

Gage glances around as he continues to drag Jason along down the hallway and towards the staircase. "Here...?" he asks with a nod towards the staircase.

Jason gives a few subtle nods and an, "Mmhmm."

Gage takes it slow when they reach the stairs, making sure Jason takes them one at a time, lest they both go tumbling down. "Gotta say, this is a whole lot nicer than I was expecting." he says, attempting to make small talk just to keep Jason engaged so he doesn't fall asleep right there on the stairs.

Jason gives a couple more nods. "Mmhmm." As they reach the top of the stairs, he begins to shrug Gage away again and puts a hand against the wall outside of the rec room. "Just one-... I need a-..." he trails off as he pauses for a moment just to lean against the wall.

Gage lets a deep breath out through his nose, but obliges. He steps away from Jason to give him his space, but remains close enough to attempt to catch him should he topple over. "Yep... Take as long as you need, buddy."

Vasquez exits her and Jason's room, not really noticing the pair by the stairs at first as she's preoccupied with slipping on her favorite Eezo Credits t-shirt. "Jason?" she calls out fairly loudly, presumably having heard him downstairs. She's wearing the loose-fitting black concert shirt along with grey sweatpants, her hair loose. She freezes as she spots Jason and Gage at the top of the stairs, looking a little caught

Jason winces as he spots Vasquez. "Fuuuck. You woke her up..." he mutters, shifting blame onto Gage. "She is going to kick. Your. Ass."

Gage stammers for a moment as Vasquez arrives, glancing back to Jason and giving him a deep frown as he speaks. It's not hard to figure out who she is given her casual attire and her presence at this time. With another sigh, he looks to Vasquez. "My apologies, ma'am. My name's Gage. I'm a friend of your fiancee." He extends a hand towards Vasquez as he introduces himself. "Not the first impression I was hoping to have, if I'm being

Jason winces once again as Gage admits they've had too much to drink, as if Vasquez couldn't tell just by looking at him. "Little drunk." he says, raising his hand to give her a small measurement between his thumb and index finger as he continues to lean against the wall, "Juuuuust a little..."

Vasquez ' stance starts out rather tense, almost combatative, but quickly relaxes when it becomes clear that Jason knows Gage. Frustration and discomfort linger in her face. Not her preferred first impression either. She brushes some hair out of her face - it's fairly messy, but nothing to be done about that. "Wouldn't be the first time..." she mutters as she approaches them. "Linda Vasquez." she says, shaking Gage's hand

Jason slides his arm across Vasquez' shoulder as directed and leans against her with a big dumb smile. "You.... are looking hot tonight." he says with a snicker before pressing a quick kiss against the side of her hair.

Gage steps back after shaking her hand to stay out of her way. "...Sure you don't want a hand?" he asks, quite clearly feeling a bit guilty over bringing Jason home in this state, regardless of whether or not it's his fault.

Vasquez lets out a grunt as part of Jason's weight shifts onto her, and she starts guiding him towards their bedroom. "I've got it." she says sharply. She mostly ignores Jason, aside from a quiet sigh.

Gage steps forward to try and assist, but halts as Vasquez speaks. "Yeah-... Alright." he nods as he watches the pair continue down the hall. "Again, I'm really sorry about this. Won't let it happen again." he assures, standing awkwardly in the middle of the hallway. "...Uhh... Goodnight..." he calls out.

Jason continues to press one hand along the wall as they move towards their room. "It was a good night." he says, big goofy grin still on his face, "You-... you should've come with."

Vasquez offers no response to Jason, continuing to guide him along to the door. "I'll be back!" she calls out to Gage as she fumbles to open the door without unbalancing, proceeding to head into the room and try and offload Jason into the bed with another grunt.

Jason plops into a seated position at the end of the bed and leans back to prop himself up with his hands. He gives a loud sigh before laying back flat against the bed, his lower half still in a seated position. Fully clothed. Jacket on. Phalanx still holstered. "You're the best." he says through a yawn as he stares up at the ceiling through glassy eyes.

Gage stays put, silently scolding himself for not having reigned Jason in sooner. He removes his cap and runs a hand through his dark hair as he gives a frustrated sigh.

Vasquez has a frustrated frown consitently etched into her face as she sits down next to Jason, pulling the Phalanx first and putting it in the bedside drawer. His comment causes her expression to soften a bit, and she lets out a sigh as she lifts him back into a sitting position to try and strip his jacket. "Coooome on... work with me here." she says quietly.

Jason gives an amused snicker as Vasquez helps to set him upright and begins to remove his jacket. "No-... no dinner and movie first?" he asks, swaying slightly as he attempts to get his arm free. It takes him a few attempts, undoubtedly made somewhat more difficult by the synthetic arms, but he manages to free himself with Vasquez' help. "I'm fine-... I'm fiiiine." he repeats his mantra for the day as he slumps forward a bit,

Vasquez proceeds without comment, tossing Jason's jacket on the sofa and helping to pull his boots off. "Get some sleep." she urges. "I'm gonna go have a word with your 'friend'." she adds before standing up from the bed.

Jason waves her off as he scoots up onto the bed. "You get some sleep..." he mutters back, seeming like he's already falling asleep mid-scoot.

Gage hasn't moved from his spot.

Vasquez emerges from the bedroom after a quick detour to the bathroom to wash her face and tie back her hair in a ponytail. She stops as she approaches Gage, rubbing her temple. "Tell me again who you are?"

Gage gives an apologetic tilt of his head. "Gage." he repeats. "David Gage. I did a few tours with your fiancee." he explains quickly, getting it out of the way so he can attempt to apologize once again, "I'm really sorry, ma'am. We just got a little carried away and he was-..." he forces a chuckle that implies he's well aware it's not actually funny and gives a shake of his head, "...He was really putting them down."

Vasquez glances back towards the door she came from with a sigh. "Yeah... doubt that's your fault." she says as she looks back to Gage. She furrows her eyebrows. "Tour-... you're part of his old unit. Here for the wedding." A faint hint of a smile tugs briefly at the corner of her lips. "Didn't realize you'd arrived."

Gage breathes a sigh of relief as it seems the blame isn't put solely on him. "Yeah..." he says with a nod, "We came in this morning, actually. Figured we'd have a few drinks and catch up-..." he tilts his head apologetically once again, wincing slightly, "...Guess the time just got away from us."

Vasquez crosses her arms, looking back yet again with a nod. "Guess you had a lot of catching up to do, huh?" she asks, turning back to Gage and studying him for a moment. "Thanks for getting him here." she says, letting out a long breath. "If you want s-..." she grimaces, closing her eyes for a moment and letting out a quiet grunt as a knuckle presses briefly against her lips. "Sorry, I-... hmgh. We have a kitchen. If you

Gage allows a sincere smile to cross his face and he gives a nod. "We sure have. We've kept in touch well enough, but it's not the same. Was nice to just relax and... talk. Been too long." he says with a sigh, "And don't mention it. Bringing my people home safe is kind of my job." he adds with a snicker, implying he still very much thinks of Jason as one of his own. At the offer of food and drink, he puts a hand up, waving the offer

Vasquez flashes a brief smirk, nodding. "Alright, fair enough. I'm sure we'll talk later. I should go make sure Jason hasn't fallen out of bed." she says, pointing a thumb over her shoulder, an exasperated expression on her face.

Gage gives another snicker and a nod. "Aite isn't exactly the easiest place to schedule transportation to and from." he says, echoing what others have already stated, "So we're planning on sticking around for the next few weeks. I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to talk." He gives a glance over Vasquez' shoulder towards the door she and Jason had disappeared through. "Just... go easy on him. He's a good guy. And, from the sound of

Vasquez ' smile briefly returns despite her lingering frustration, and she nods. "Yeah. You too..." she says before turning to head back to the bedroom. "And welcome to Aite." she adds before making her way down the corridor.

Gage gives the briefest of waves before turning around and heading back down the stairs, a bit of his own exhaustion setting in after the long day he endured.

Vasquez steps back into the bedroom, letting out a long sigh and running a hand over her head as she rounds the couch.

Jason has managed to get his shirt halfway off. One arm and his head is free, but his it seems to have gotten stuck on the anchor point on his chest for his left arm. "You get some sleep!" he repeats when Vasquez re-enters the room, as if she had never left and may have just not heard him the first time, big dumb grin still plastered across his face.

Vasquez stops on her way to the bathroom. "We're gonna have a talk tomorrow..." she half-mumbles before grimacing and stepping into the bathroom, door closing.

Jason sucks in a deep breath, holds it, and slowly lets it out, Vasquez' apparent frustration with him seeming to settle in a bit. "That... doesn't sound good." he mutters mostly to himself.

Vasquez remains in the bathroom for several minutes before coming back out - after several flushes and the water running for quite a while. She has the trashcan with her as she moves to her own side of the bed, sitting down on the edge, but not lying down - partly because Jason is still lying sideways across the matress. "Move, asshole." she mutters, her voice tired.

Jason's goofy grin- or at least what was left of it- fades away as Vasquez tells him off, replaced by a frown. With a number of grunts and groans, he slowly rotates until he's properly situated in bed. "You're angry." he says aloud, stating the obvious. His gaze moves to the trashcan and his frown deepens. "You're not planning on hitting me with that are you?"

Vasquez remains seated on the edge of the bed, hunched over the trashcan as she holds it between her legs. "No... I'm pl-" she's cut off by hurling noise that turns into a grunt halfway through as it becomes clear it's not going anywhere. She lets the trashcan drop to the floor with a clank, letting out a frustrated noise and looking over her shoulder at Jason. "Could've told me where you were."

Jason winces as Vasquez lets out a great number of less-than-ideal sounds. "I'm sorry..." he says as he struggles for a moment to reorient himself once again and then scoots to the edge of the bed beside her. He studies her for a moment through glassy eyes. Her obvious displeasure with him is somewhat sobering. "I wasn't-..." he begins but stops before shrugging, "...Guess I didn't realize how much time had passed. I fucked up.

Vasquez turns back to the trashcan, her shoulders dropping. "You wanted to spend time with your old unit. I g-... hguh... I get it. Well I've had kind of a shit evening. Would've been nice to h-... ha-..." There's an unpleasant sloshing as she doubles over, vomiting into the trashcan.

Jason winces once again. The last thing he needs after all that alcohol is to watch someone else puke, but he manages to hold it together. "I'm sorry..." he repeats, suddenly feeling a whole lot more guilty than he did ten minutes ago. He scoots a bit closer and, after a moment or two of drunkenly wrestling with it, finally manages to tug his shirt the rest of the way free. After tossing it aside, he reaches down to grab the edge

Vasquez lets out a quiet groan, shaking her head slightly. "I'm-... I'm good." she mumbles. "I'm good." She lingers for a moment before guiding the can back to the floor, glancing Jason's way. A sudden chuckle escapes her. "Bastard's not even an inch yet an already kicking my ass..." she says quietly, looking more than a little exhausted.

Jason gives a quick snort as he leans against Vasquez. "Takes after it's mother..." he mutters, his drunken grin somewhat returning. His hand snakes around her waist and comes to a rest on her side opposite of him as he attempts to give her an awkward, drunken side-hug. "What'd you expect?"

Vasquez lets out a half-sigh, half-snicker, nodding faintly. She grimaces slightly as Jason leans in closer and she smells his breath, however. "Okay, you-... you get sleep. Now." she says, looking a little queasy still.

Jason gives her a sidelong glare. "You get some sleep." he repeats, his stupid grin widening before he instinctively leans back in case a swat is coming his way. "Fine, fine..." he groans as he begins the sluggish process of climbing back into his spot on the bed.