#Miner'sRespite – January 22, 2018

Vasquez gives only a few unconvincing nods in response to Gage, her stare remaining distant. When she feels Priya's hand she flinches, pulling her arm back as her hand clenches into a fist. Her gaze snaps over to her and uncomfortable, perhaps embarrassed look briefly crosses her face as she relaxes, nodding softly again. "Yeah..." she sighs.

Cynthia lowers her gaze, sipping her beer uncomfortably.

Priya draws her hand back as soon as Vasquez pulls away, an apologetic look crossing her face as Vasquez looks her way.

Gage's smile dissipates as he notices Vasquez' reaction to Priya's attempt. He falls silent for a moment, merely looking down into his beer as he takes a long sip. He's seen more than his fair share of PTSD in his time with the Alliance. The distant gaze. The quick shifts in mood and demeanor. It's all too common for people in their line of work who saw combat. Hell, he himself has more than his fair share of nightmares to do

Priya allows a small smile to form as she repeats their mantra. "We all bleed, sir..." she says softly.

Gage gives a firm nod before looking back to Vasquez. "That's right. We all bleed. Together. And you're looking a little cut up tonight, Linda." He gives a small shrug, the smile slowly returning to his face, "So? We're here to bleed with you. You're having a rough time? I get it. But you don't need to do it alone." The sentiment causes his gaze to move to the door, concern over Sam slipping into his features.

Vasquez grunts quietly, shaking her head. "I don't need-... I'm fine." Her tone comes out harsher than intended, frustration in her face. She bites down on her lips, and after a brief pause, she speaks again. "Nothing you can do to help." She goes silent, and her gaze travels to the door, Gage's shift in attention not having gone unnoticed. A heavy sigh.

Cynthia looks back over her shoulder at the door for a moment, resting her arm on the backrest. "She gonna be okay? That's-... that's rough news."

David ever patient and understanding, merely nods in response to Vasquez' reaction. "Maybe not. But help isn't what I'm offering. I know my limitations." he shrugs. "Just some company. Few drinks?" He lifts his beer up slightly. "Some good food?" he continues, giving a brief raise of his eyebrows as he reaches out for a chip from the platter and pops it into his mouth. After a bout of chewing, he swallows hard and reconsiders

Priya nods along, her gaze moving to the door as well.

Vasquez seems like she's going to protest, but as Cynthia speaks up, and Sam and Shane step in through the door, she settles back into her seat and goes quiet. Maybe a distraction, maybe some other company than just her own thoughts isn't the worst thing right now. She scoots into the corner before reaching for a chip, scooping up some food from the platter and eating in silence.

Cynthia settles back into her seat when she sees the two of them on their way back. She scoots after Vasquez, taking the middle seat to make room.

Sam looks worse for wear. She's not even trying to hide the deep concern etched into her features as they return to the table. She gives a deep sniffle, rubbing at her nose with the back of her hand. The tip has gone slightly red from the outside chill. "...Sorry." she manages, looking Vasquez' way.

Shane leans over, pressing an exaggerated kiss against the top of Sam's head. "Nothing to be sorry about." he says.

Sam rolls her eyes, nudging another elbow into Shane's side which causes him to snicker to himself and pull his arm from around her shoulder. "I just-..." she begins again, her gaze moving between Vasquez and Cindy, "...I just needed a minute." she settles on as she tentatively slips into the open space beside Cynthia. "I'm good." she lies, sniffling loudly once again as her gaze comes to rest on the table.

Shane remains standing at the end of the table. "I-..." he starts, leaning across the table to collect the nearly-empty pitcher that's nearest Gage and Vasquez, "...think this calls for a whole lot more alcohol." he decides. "Anyone need anything...?" he asks as he begins to back away from the table.

Gage gives Shane a brief shake of his head, obviously distracted by Sam's state. His attention comes to a rest on her.

Priya gives Shane a soft smile. "I'm fine, thanks." she offers before looking back to Sam. Much as she did for Vasquez, she reaches across the table, planting a hand over Sam's. Unlike Vasquez, however, Sam reciprocates, grasping the woman's hand in her own and giving it a gentle squeeze.

Vasquez is in the middle of reaching for another chip when Sam and Shane arrive. She pauses before eating and looks over at Sam as she sits down, nodding slightly. There's sympathy in her eyes, but she remains silent.

Cynthia gives Shane a slight shrug. "Think we might need more snacks. Chief's gobbling them up. Eating for two and all that I guess, right?" she says, giving Vasquez a nudge with her shoulder and flashing a small grin.

Vasquez lets out an annoyed grunt.

Shane gives a point in Cynthia's direction. "More snacks. On it." he offers, big friendly smile still plastered across his face as he turns and starts back towards the counter, pitcher in-hand.

Gage remains silent, merely watching Sam.

Priya eventually brings her hand back to rest against the mug in front of her and lowers her gaze towards the table, finding herself uncomfortable with the idea of just looking Sam's way.

Sam also remains silent for a number of moments. Finally, with a deep sigh, she leans a bit to collect her beer from in front of Vasquez and drag it over to her end of the booth. "I don't need you all-..." she shakes her head as she finally looks up, passing a glance about the others through reddened eyes, "...getting all quiet on my account, alright? What's done is done. Liz is either alive, or-... or she's not, okay?" she

Vasquez pushes the beer part of the way when she sees Sam reaching for it. Her gaze soon turns away from Sam, going to the table in front of her as she grips her mug. There's no point in arguing Liz' chances, and besides, could she really say for sure there was no hope? She certainly wouldn't think any differently in Sam's shoes. Silence it is. Again.

Cynthia 's amusement fades as Sam speaks, a frown filling her face instead as she looks down at her empty mug for a moment before looking over at the woman next to her. For a moment she looks like she's going to say something, but the words don't come, and she turns forward once more, glancing briefly to Gage and Priya

Gage watched Vasquez' reaction. That, combined with everything she just told him has made it very clear that Sam's sister is probably a lost cause. But he forces a small smile, looking Sam's way with a nod. "...Of course, Sam." he says with that same level of patience and understanding he always seems to have. "Don't think anybody would expect otherwise."

Priya gives a few solemn nods in agreement with Gage. But, once again, silence falls over the table.

Sam allows the silence to persist for a few, charged moments before frustration creeps in once more. She gives a deep sigh and passes a glance to the others as if to say 'Really?'

Gage clears his throat a bit, shifting in his seat as he looks to Vasquez. More out of a desire to keep the conversation flowing and keep Sam from feeling awkward than any deep-rooted interest, he gives a small shrug of his shoulders. "So. Redrock." she says plainly. "What's the story behind the name there?"

Vasquez ' attention turns to Gage as she's addressed, forcing a slight grin into place as she does her best to put the discomfort behind them. "Not... much of a story, honestly." she says with a shrug. "Needed something solid that sounded right, and... well, at the time I wanted something that reminded me of home, I guess. Was... a lot of uncertainty back then." As if there wasn't now. But there was no denying that

Cynthia listens in silence, leaned back in her seat as she studies Vasquez.

Gage allows a small smile to show through as he listens attentively. "Nothing wrong with wanting a little souvenir to remember home by." he says.

Priya gives a small nod as Gage speaks up. "I've never been to Mars." she chimes in. "I've always wanted to go. I've seen plenty of pictures. It-... has its own beauty." she says, choosing her words carefully. And the sentiment seems to be sincere. "Besides, there is something wonderful about looking at our beginnings. It seems so small in comparison to everything that was to come after our discovery of the relays, but it was

Vasquez smiles briefly at Priya's sentiment, furrowing her eyebrows as she considers her response. "I hated it." she says, a small, sudden chuckle actually slipping out. "Just-... just sealed-up habitats, and dust... so much fucking dust. Couldn't wait to get the hell out of there and see the galaxy." She pauses for a moment, a slight frown crossing her face as she looks down. "I didn't come home very often after

Cynthia gains a strange look as Vasquez speaks, as if she knows something the others don't. Which she does, of course.

Gage gives a snicker in line with Vasquez at the sudden revelation. Her change in demeanor doesn't go unnoticed as she continues, but it's not his place to pry. "Well I've been to Mars..." he says once she finishes, giving a glance to Priya, "...And let me tell you-... Her description...?" he nods to Vasquez, "...Accurate." Another snicker follows before he quickly waves dismissively, worried his comment may have come off as

Samantha despite her rather dour mood, allows a small snort to slip out as Vasquez gives her opinion on her home planet. But she remains distant. Idly rotating her mug as she stares into the drink.

Priya maintains an amused smile as Vasquez and Gage both speak up. Perhaps misinterpreting Vasquez' parental guilt for a spell of homesickness, she decides to give her 2 cents. "I think it's only natural to hold such an opinion about the place you grow up. I was born in India." she reveals. "Mountains. The coast. Beautiful architecture in my city. Plenty of natural beauty beyond my city." she recounts, "But I did not

Gage gives a frown. "Hey now!" he threatens playfully.

Vasquez snickers slightly in response to Gage's final comment. "Yeah... imagine living there. There was no escaping it." she chimes in before turning her attention to Priya, silently studying her as she listens to her talk about her home, a faint hint of a smile lingering on her face. She nods slightly but offers no comment, going to lift her mug but frowning slightly when she remembers its empty. She quietly puts it back

Shane arrives back at the table, palm upward with a small serving tray atop it. On it is a fresh pitcher, which he quickly takes with one hand and tops off Cynthia's mug with before setting it down on the table. He then moves on to the basket of fry-like snacks made from a local Aitian vegetable drizzled with some sort of dipping sauce that he sets near the platter. "Drinks and snacks for my beautiful new friend." he says,

Gage gives a snicker to Vasquez' comment as Shane returns. He quickly waves off the shot. "None for me tonight. Beer will have to do." he says, "Someone has to make sure everyone gets home in one piece."

Sam quickly leans forward, having to awkwardly stand a bit to reach across the table and scoop up Gage's turned away shot. "Won't go to waste." she mutters. Unwilling to wait for a toast, she immediately slams one of the shots back as soon as she settles back into her seat. She still has another, right? With a deep grimace, she sets the empty shot glass near the end of the table.

Priya pulls her shot glass in close, giving an appreciative nod Shane's way.

Cynthia seems amused by Shane's persistance, lifting the mug slightly in thanks as he tops it off. She's quick to relocate her hand to the shot glass when it's placed in front of her, rolling it slightly between her fingers as she waits for the others. She ends up leaning back as Sam suddenly reaches across the table, raising an eyebrow. "Shit, you're fast."

Vasquez shoots the glass a skeptical look, but pulls it closer regardless, and gives an appreciate nod when Shane sets down the fresh glass of water. She reaches for one of the new snacks as she waits for him to sit down, guessing there's a toast of some sort on the way.

Shane settles back into his seat and reaches for the shot, holding it up a bit. "Alright, someone start us off before Sam doesn't have anything left to toast with." he teases.

Sam passes what would almost pass for a smile Cynthia's way. "Gotta be around here." she says somewhat hoarsely. As Shane speaks up, she flips him the bird non-chalantly.

Gage grips the handle of his mug and gives a small shrug. "Your shots. You start us off." he offers.

Shane shifts a bit in place, reaching with his free hand to grab the chair between his legs and pull it in closer to the table. "Yeah-... Alright." he nods, giving a quick roll of his shoulders. He bites at his lower lip as he glances about the table before his smile slowly returns. "To the baddest motherfuckers in the galaxy." he decides on proudly, "Nothing tougher than an Alliance marine! Oorah!" It gets a quick cacophony of

Priya gives a timid shrug of her shoulders as she purses her lips together, glancing down to the table for a brief second. "To friends and family." she says, deciding to dedicate her toast to something a bit more earnest, "Both old-..." she glances about to those she's served with and fought alongside before then turning her focus to Vasquez and Cynthia, "...and new." With that, she turns her attention to Gage.

Gage turns his mug of beer a bit to get a better grip on the handle. It takes him a moment before he glances across to Sam. "To Liz." he decides on, his own eyes growing a bit glassy as he says it. He pauses before going on, swallowing and giving a small nod. "Wherever she may be. I'm sure she knows we're rooting for her-... That we-... That we love her... And-... And yeah..." he nods, suddenly having to clear his throat before

Sam is unable to keep a few stray tears from breaking free as Gage speaks. She blinks away a few more, giving a small, appreciative nod his way as they lock eyes before his attention is turned on Vasquez.

Cynthia chimes in with the others after Shane's toast.

Vasquez does not, however. She listens to the toasts in silence, giving Priya a small nod as their eyes meet. Gage’s toast elicits a somber expression. Despite having listened to the others she seems a little caught off-guard when they look to her, and an uncomfortable look briefly crosses her face. "I don’t-... yeah, alright..." she says quietly, taking a deep breath. "To Jason. The biggest jackass and the most amazing

Cynthia rolls her shoulders a little as she waits. She shoots Vasquez a brief look, but when it’s her turn she looks out at the others. "To letting me drink this damn thing already!" she calls out, flashing a grin as she lifts the glass a little. The impatience is obviously an act. Well, mostly. She shows no sign of being in a rush as she looks to Sam, waiting for her to say her piece.

David despite the obvious emotion bubbling up in him over Sam's predicament, responds to Vasquez' toast with a sincere, if somewhat somber, nod of his head. "To Jason..." he agrees.

Priya remains silent as Gage gives his toast, growing a bit teary-eyed herself. Though as Vasquez begins hers, it gets a half-sob-half-chuckle out of her and she lifts her glass a bit.

Shane gives a few solemn nods to Vasquez' words in turn. Cynthia gets a chuckle out of him and he gestures towards her with his shot. "You? I like you." he decides with a big grin.

Sam doesn't bother wiping away the tears on her cheeks. She just looks into her shotglass, nodding distantly as both Vasquez and Cynthia take their turns. She doesn't speak up immediately. She just... stares. Finally, she takes in a deep breath. "To the Collectors." she decides, lifting her shotglass up and passing a stonefaced look around the table. "May they enjoy these fucked up 'victories' while they can... Because it

Shane's smile has faded away entirely. "You better believe we will." he adds in quietly.

Cynthia frowns as she listens to Sam, but she nods several times, and by the end she exclaims "Hell yeah!" before downing her shot.

Vasquez sucks in her lips as she listens to Sam. She doesn't say anything. She doesn't share her optimism, but she hopes she's right. And she sure as hell wanted that revenge. A single nod as Sam finishes, and she shoots a brief glance down at the unknown juice before drinking it.