[hr][hr][center][h1]Exit Stage Left[/h1][hr][b]Starring:[/b] [i][color=steelblue][b]Ash[/b][/color][/i] and [i][color=00ff00][b]Jack[/b][/color][/i]
[b]Location:[/b] Outside Medical[/center][hr][hr]
	As Jack headed out of the main infirmary area, the glass cases caught his eye for a moment. He didn't know most of the people memorialized there, but the ones he did know brought a sad smile to his face. It was a neat idea his wife had come up with, one that he figured helped a lot of people. If only it had been enough to help James as well. They'd need to collect items from today's deceased shortly and Jack couldn't help but wonder if they'd need to find something similar to do for those they exiled that day, in order to help the community heal. But this wasn't his area of expertise and he didn't have any authority there--that was for Tatiana to decide. 

	Jack just hoped that Miss Sally wouldn't be added to the collection of shrines that day. [color=00ff00]"Got anythin' for me, boss?"[/color] Jack asked quietly. 

	Ash glanced over to Jack as he asked his question, then back at the doors to their makeshift operating room. He sighed, somewhat frustrated that he could not do more than he already had and knowing that his presence would be detrimental to Sally's well being. If only they had a proper hospital, if only the Dead hadn't risen to eat them all, if only, if only, if only. He let the thought die there. Not a thing to do about it. This was the world. Plus, while they might not have the same kind of networked facility that existed Before, they had as good of a setup as anyone could really claim then. Miss Sally was in as good a place as was humanly possible. 

	To the question at hand, he cleared his throat and looked to his new Second, saying, [color=steelblue]"Yes, um, Than.."[/color] he shook his head, [color=steelblue]"Dr. Martin requested James's keys, schedules, and the like. Schedules are posted in Agro, but I believe that Security confiscated his keys and walkie. If you could get on the horn and locate those for her, it would help."[/color] Ash still had the notebooks that James handed him before his departure, he had tucked them into his back waistband when the emergency happened. But they were James's plans. Thana might have other ideas. Still probably something to hand over. 

	Jack nodded. [color=00ff00]"On it. And Ash...if you need anythin' at all, like to talk or somethin', I may not be a therapist but I'm a damn good listenah,"[/color] Jack offered. The day wasn't even half over and it already been filled with so much loss and tragedy. As a friend, Jack didn't want Ash to feel alone. He knew that he had lost his best bud that day and Miss Sally was in critical condition. It was a lot--it was too much for one day. Of course, Jack caught the near slip up with Dr. Martin's name on Ash's part. With any luck, the man was getting some. He needed it. 

	Jack then took out his radio, his mind back on the clock. [color=00ff00]"Security team - this is Jack. Need a location on James' walkie and keys."[/color]

	[color=steelblue]"I appreciate that, Jack."[/color] said Ash. [color=steelblue]"I'm not much of a talker, I'm afraid."[/color] But maybe he should be. About a year had passed since he withdrew into himself almost fully. People he had cared about died. People he might have become close to had died - gone out like heroes. He suddenly missed the pair that previously occupied Little Scandinavia, despite the current set of difficulties they had before them. Perhaps the exile of James and Sally's sudden health scare just got him thinking about the fragility of it all. And how he needed to take the absent blackneck's advice from a while ago, and let himself open up to people around him. Invite them in. [color=steelblue]"Whenever we're done for the day, there's a little ritual we have that I'd like you to attend. If it's alright with Tatiana, of course. When newcomers arrive or we have a round of promotions, we tend to meet in the back of the Hordebuster with a bottle of something flammable, talk things out."[/color] 

	[color=steelblue]"It's not mandatory, if you need to be with your wife."[/color] he started for the front doors, [color=steelblue]"Let's take a walk."[/color]    

	[color=00ff00]"I'll check in with Tati about it,"[/color] Jack said. He knew Tatiana couldn't drink and that the invitation was for him, but he wanted to run it by her regardless. It'd likely be good for Ash's spirits, something that Jack thought could use some lifting. And of course, the Boston native did enjoy alcohol, something that had become more of a luxury lately. [color=00ff00]"But I'd like to be there,"[/color] Jack added. He didn't want Ash to get the wrong idea and he didn't think it was a good idea for Ash to be alone. 

	[color=steelblue]"I'd appreciate."[/color] remarked Ash, still headed for the door. He looked at the notebooks in his hand. They were the last thing James had given him before his exile, mentioning that they were important. Likely his plans for the coming future, involving expansion, planting rotation, and several other things that the Captain only had passing knowledge in. But he seemed adamant about putting them in his hands. Perhaps there was something in there he wanted them to see. One good way to find out would be to review them as soon as the opportunity presented itself, then archive them in the same place he kept his own, similar notebooks. 

	He sighed, one among many in the past few hours, stepping outside of the building and into the light of the day.

	Jack figured he'd give security another minute or so before getting on the radio again. Things were a little bit hectic at the moment as it was. He followed Ash's gaze down to the notebooks, figuring that they must've been James'. Otherwise, Jack doubted they'd be in the man's hands at the moment and would've been abandoned at the ground back at the outer wall, in order to pick up Miss Sally. He wasn't sure if there was anything he could say to really comfort Ash, but if taking a walk with the man would help, then that's just what he'd do. [color=00ff00]"You did what you had to,"[/color] Jack then said, figuring that Ash could use some comfort. [color=00ff00]"And Miss Sally--she's strong as hell, she'll pull through. Makes me wondah what she used to do before. If she said she was a spy during some war, I'd believe her."[/color]