Private Flowers

[Fiona Tierney]

NABOO ROYAL MEDICAL CENTER
​

Grocery store flowers in one hand, Fiona stood in the lift as it quickly rose in the massive building. Word had reached that Tiberius Rath has been injured. There had been no surprise on her end. At his age plus a habit to be completely stubborn was a horrible combination. Don't get her wrong, the Commodore had stamina for days but it still remained he was no longer a young man.

Reaching the ninth floor, the mercenary stepped off the turbolift, examined the room numbers then turned to the right. Dressed in her typical garb of tactical pants and a tight shirt, no one batted an eye. Just another soldier coming to visit those who were injured in the battle of Thyferra. Another right turn and she reached the room. The door was nearly shut save for a small crack.

Without knocking, the redhead entered, shutting the door behind her. Tiberius seemed to be alone, propped up on the hospital bed and looking rather ornery. Hand without the flowers gave a quick salute.

"Commodore." A small smirk at her own foolishness before drawing closer. Cobalt eyes looked him over. Paler. "You're in pain and refusing medication, aren't you? Being a martyr won't get you back in action any sooner."

 

[Tiberius Rath]

Tiberius looked up from his perusal of the debrief from the battle at the sound of the door hissing open and such without a by-your-leave. A frown furrowed his brow, deepening when he saw it was that blasted mercenary woman, Fiona Tierney .

"You."

She saluted. Indoors. Again. He did not return it because as he repeatedly told her, the Republic Navy did not salute underway or, in this case, from hospital beds.

"I am being treated," he replied, tone that of an ox digging in its hooves.

In point of fact, he had received several kolto injections to assist in the healing of his herniated disc and currently had a bacta pad over his lower back. His dark eyes swung like gun turrets toward her fistful of flowers.

"Hmph. We could have used you that day. You might have made a difference."

Stood for something other than credits.

Fiona Tierney

 

[Fiona Tierney]

"A pleasure to see you too."

Fiona looked amused as she unwrapped the flowers, placing them in his hospital water pitcher. Carefully she arranged the stems to look a little nicer before placing the makeshift vase on the window sill. He continued speaking as she did so, and Fiona listened. Quite a bit of old man grumblings, compounded by the fact he didn't feel well.

Men didn't fare well when they had any sort of injury or illness.

"I wasn't invited."

The truth. Fiona suspected the Republic didn't trust her and for the most part she didn't trust them. At least they had a mutual understanding there. Turning back to the Commodore, she wasn't sure which direction to go in. Stay and annoy him or drop the flowers and go. She had wanted to see with her own two eyes how he had been faring.

He owed her a reek hunting trip after all.

"Need anything before I go?"

Tiberius Rath​

 

[Tiberius Rath]

“Wait.”

The word came out, sharper than he intended. More commanding, full of harsh, unalloyed ore. Because he did not wish to be alone, though he had only just now realized it.

“Sit… or stand.”

Dark eyes regarded her like the barrels of two guns.

“The Republic did not contract you for the battle?” Tiberius snorted. “Idiots.”

Whichever officer was in charge of her contract needed to be shaken by the lapels. He looked to the flowers, then back to her.

“Thank you.”

Fiona Tierney

 

[Fiona Tierney]

"Commodore's orders?"

Fiona lightly laughed at her own little quip, knowing Tiberius Rath would not entertain her. Given they had spent some time together in an intimate setting, the redhead knew Tibby was capable of humor. Just behind closed doors.

Dragging the chair across the floor, she angled it to face the Commodore, so they could speak face to face. There was a concern on his end turning his neck too much would aggravate his spinal injury in some form or fashion.

"Probably didn't think a mercenary was needed. I can be unconventional at times. I didn't take it personally. For the record, you called them idiots."

Legs crossed, resting her interlaced hands on her knee. Fiona harbored no romantic love for the Commodore. Romantic love got people like them in heaps of trouble. Yet she still considered herself compassionate enough to check in on him for more than just a roll between the sheets when she was in town.

"How long do they say you will be out? I can't see the great Tiberius sitting idle for a stretch of time."