video.

[micycle]

[For a second after the feed fizzles into life, Mike just sits there, blinking at his device in urgent confusion. Normally it would be astonishment, but the kid's been through hell and (part of the way) back, and it shows on his face; this is going to be the coolest once he gets a good night's sleep under his belt, but right now - ]

Um. [He pushes a pair of dust-coated goggles up into his hair, and coughs. The scarf below his chin seems coated with a similar substance.] Is there an Indiana here?

[A brief pause. He knows how dumb that question sounds.]

I really need to call someone.

Comments

[doubleblind]

My first week here I conducted a survey. [She sounds very proud of this fact.]

[micycle]

[Well that sounds boring.]

A survey on what?

[doubleblind]

Everything.

[micycle]

[He gives her a sardonic look that seems to say, "That's a hyperbole and not actually possible, so explain further."]

[doubleblind]

[Cosima can't quite stop herself from laughing.]

Sorry. Cop out answer, I know. I asked a lot of the basics, where they were from, if they had powers back there, why they thought they were brought here, what's their home like... It wasn't the most organized survey ever. Probably wouldn't have stood up to peer review...

[micycle]

[He doesn't quite know what "peer review" is, but this girl sounds pretty smart to him. He gives an appreciative hum.]

What's the weirdest answer you got?

[doubleblind]

I met a time traveler. I also married her.

[micycle]

You got married here?

[Sorry, Cos'. He thinks it's just as ridiculous as Sarah did.]

And you don't even know each other back home?

[doubleblind]

[So young, so judgemental.]

Yes. Yes, I did. Come on, does that really seem so strange?

[micycle]

[Mike shrugs awkwardly.]

I don't know. Maybe. [He certainly didn't mean to offend - this lady seems nice, and he has nothing against her. He's just a grouchy boy, especially today.] All I've been thinking about is getting out of here, but marriage is, like, permanent.

[Or at least, it's supposed to be. He's been questioning that more and more in the last couple of years, as he's listened to his parents fight.]

Would you guys go back to your worlds if you got the chance?

[doubleblind]

Going back home isn't really an option for everyone.

[micycle]

[Mike's grown goes from grumpy to concerned as he thinks over those words.]

What do you mean? [There's one awful possibility that's popped into his head, and he leans in a little closer, dropping his voice.] Is your world not there anymore?