(Untitled)

[simon_doctor]

Lavinia
September 12, 2522In the spaceport, Simon finds a seat near the exits to the commuter monorail and taps out a quick textwave to let his father know he's here. Sends it, and then rereads the original reply from the person he intends to meet: the perfunctory agreement that confirmed this trip

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[walk_ins]

Ed almost -- almost -- asks how that works, with the double Uncle Andys around at once --

But those aren't the answers he's looking for. If he's got anything he's looking for, in particular.

"Okay, so -- " He's still got his hand around his cup of tea. "He died back then. And came back. Obviously. How long are we talking before he miraculously shows up?" Beat. "And what difference would it make, anyway, considering what's in the feeds? I mean, stuff's going to be in motion to start declaring him legally dead any day now -- "

[simon_doctor]

He shakes his head, and takes a first sip of his as yet untouched tea.

"I don't think there's anything to be done about him being declared legally dead -- not before he comes back, at any rate. And ... " A sigh. "I wish I knew how long it would be. I don't have any idea."

[walk_ins]

"Well," practically, "how long did it take last time?"

He's not letting it sink in yet. He's not, because it might not be true, Simon might not know all the details. It's not advisable to let it sink in yet.

[simon_doctor]

"Some months. I think. It was ... the timescale was confusing."

[walk_ins]

"So you can't say how long we're looking at now." Ed glances at the cabinets. Works on his tea, some.

Lets the cup rest on the table.

"Anything else you think I ought to know?"

[simon_doctor]

The thing is: he can't tell whether Ed believes him or not.

Quietly: "I think that's all."

[walk_ins]

"Then have a sandwich." Ed reaches for one. (Watercress.) With his mouth full: "The thing is, doc -- if you -- " He swallows. "If you were me -- would that make a difference to you?"

[simon_doctor]

Simon takes a sandwich, more or less automatically. (Some kind of soft cheese, with bits of green olive.)

"To know he could be coming back?"

[walk_ins]

"Yeah. And not knowing where -- " He takes another bite. "Or when. So for all you know -- it's not going to be any time at all. Or I might just be last on the relatives list to find out."

Like I apparently am right now.

[simon_doctor]

He's quiet for a moment, chewing.

Finally: "Obviously I can't tell you it should make a difference to you. If you're asking if I thought it would ... yes. I wouldn't be here if I didn't."

More tea.

[walk_ins]

Ed polishes off the last bite of his sandwich. "Well." And now -- now it's a little wry. "Thanks for the time and expense. I guess."

[simon_doctor]

"I can cover the expense," he says.

A touch more stiffly than he means to.

[walk_ins]

Now -- now -- Ed looks and sounds a lot more like himself. "You're picking now to get all offended?"

[simon_doctor]

"I'm not offended."

And he's not, not really; just weary, and starting to feel as though he's made a fool of himself. Again.

"I was prepared for the chance that you'd think I was crazy. It didn't occur to me that you might believe what I told you and not think it mattered."

[walk_ins]

"...doc, how many times do I have to say he's family?"

More like himself, maybe -- but distinctly unamused. "It matters. You think I want him dead forever?"

[simon_doctor]

He looks up at that.

"Why do you ask if I thought it would make a difference, then?"