Issue 1 Downtime

Bobby was in a large, quiet, secluded room with a large domed window showing the vastness of space.

The large window had a HUD, displaying a large amount of plotted points with notable heavenly bodies displayed. There was one that Bobby had highlighted, flashing blue periodically.

He sighed, poking some of the manual controls and trying to decipher the large planetary database.

"Anything exciting?" Rachel asked, taking a seat on the floor.

"Just realizing how far out of the shallow end we are."

Bobby pointed at the blinking blue ball.

"That's earth, I think. One planet. Know how many the Shiar once had?"

He hit a few Buttons, causing several hundred of the spots to light up.

"Or the Kree, just a couple decades ago?"

Another series of button pushes caused half a million lights to blink, filling the room.

"God, thats a depressing thought." Rachel said, staring at the plot.

"Quasar, the Starjammers, Frankie Raye, hell, even Michael Korvac. Once you get you eyes open to just how much stuff is out here, I don't blame them for ditching earth. Everything is.. We're like ants. Ants with powers, but ants still."

"Especially out here. We're alone, and home might as well not exist."

"there are so many things that need to go right just to get out of this galaxy.. Multiply that by a few exponents, and we might see earth again."

He sighed.

"Right now, I just wish I cared about that." Rachel said.

"What do you care about?" he inevitably asked.

"Right now, not a hell of a lot." Rachel replied.

Bobby nodded.

"Just.. Kinda numb."

"I really haven't felt anything since we-y'know."

Bobby nodded.

Hitting a big button, the HUd shut off, leaving the window dark, but clear.

"The door has a lock on it.."

"Sounds like a plan." Rachel said, managing to force a smile.

Bobby nodded, clicking the lock closed on the door.

((FTB))

(some time later)

"Thanks." Rachel said, resting her head on his shoulder "It was nice to feel something for a little while."

"You'll feel more.. It won't be like this all the time." he replied, stroking her hair slowly.

"It doesn't matter. Bear's gone, and she was what held Ryan and me together. Without her, we're a bloody mess. Even if I make it home....there isn't anything for me."

"You'll find something. Where it's here or one where else.. You'll find something new."

He was a little hesitant, allowing himself to think back to the darkest day in his life for a painful moment.

"Do you get over it?" Rachel asked, feeling the spike of pain "Or do you just learn to live without it?"

"It scabs over, like a scar.. It's always there, but one day, you realize you haven't thought about it for days. Other things fill in the cracks." he said, from sad experience.

"Yeah, that sounds awesome." Rachel replied

"It'll get better. That's all I'm saying."

"If you're lying, I'll kick your ass." Rachel said, but she smiled a little as she said it.

"you'll break your foot, you know. Brass ass." he replied, chuckling a little with a smile.

"I'll wait until you're meat." Rachel said "I'm patient."

"It's still pretty lean, even as meat." he replied, smirking.

Rachel laughed "I'm an equal opportunity ass kicker. I don't mind beating your skinny white ass."

"Not skinny, per se. I'd call it toned- that ass has been though a lot of danger room sessions." he said, trying not to crack up.

"Po-tay-to, Po-tah-to." Rachel said, giggling.

"No, much larger then potatoes. weren't you paying attention?" he said, finally bursting out in laughter.

Rachel stuck out her tongue.

Bobby returned with a warm smile, glad Rachel was happy. At least for the present.