At the airship docks; New London, Britannia:
Yukiko (to Fiona): Welcome back, McGillivray! You know for a giant red-haired woman in a sea of tiny folks you are a hard woman to find? :-P
Fiona (to Yukiko): Wouldn't be any good at my job if I was easy to find, now would I? Heh. Who told you I was back?
Yukiko (to Fiona): Heh. Wilkes & Fox pulled some strings to get you ordered back… And, I've been following you for the last 2 weeks before you got on the airship… Or didn't you notice? :-P
Fiona (to Yukiko): COURSE I noticed. Weren't being too subtle about it, were you? I figured you had your reasons for tailing me. So what the bloody hell were they!?!
Yukiko (to Fiona): I was keeping a bloody eye on you, you daft bugger! You're the closest thing I have to real family. The lordling, Fox & I have been busting our arses trying to get you home. We made deals and this is the thanks we get. To hell with ya, then!
Fiona (to Yukiko): Come here you angry little bastard! Of COURSE I appreciate you watching my arse, you great rotting pain. But, I was on a list to be eliminated. As were you before me. I was trying to find out who else was on it. Don't like someone coming after the people I care for.
Yukiko (to Fiona): Wilkinson has been making his move inside ISS. He's trying to get the elder Wilkes removed from office. He's not hiding now.
Fiona (to Yukiko): Wouldn't seem so. Guess now that he's getting rid of the old guard he doesn't see the need.
Yukiko (to Fiona): Did you find out anything?
Fiona (to Yukiko): Nothing we didn't already know or couldn't guess. Wilkinson's in bed with CLANNG and Fox and Lil' Lord Wilkes are on his list. Seems Wilkinson has been using the Crown's contact list to get all sorts of shiny new material for CLANNG...
Yukiko (to Fiona): Well, that's not good... Any names?
Fiona (to Yukiko): Didn't need names. They were the same "secret ships" we have in Bunker 32. How do you think I was able to blow it to hell?
Yukiko (to Fiona): Heh. I'm sorry I doubted you… You should have seen Fox while you've been gone. He hardly slept or shaved until he knew you were on your way home. It was adorable.
Fiona (to Yukiko): What are you blathering about? The only time I've seen Fox not shave was during that stint in Budapest.
Yukiko (to Fiona): Heehee… He was really concerned. I've never seen him like that before.
Fiona (to Yukiko): Was he? Wonder what he was fretting on. Despite what you think, lovely, it can't be me. He knows I'm harder to kill than that.
Yukiko (to Fiona): … Fine. Maybe, he ruined a tie or ran his stockings. Anyway, I'm just glad you're back in one piece.
Fiona (to Yukiko): Heh. In one less piece than more. Not that it matters. Who the bloody hell needs pinkies? To tell you the truth, Kobayashi… I'm glad to be back. Go dtachta an diabhal thú is mac bhàdhair fhuileach thu! Listen to me. You've gone and make me soft! :-P
Yukiko (to Fiona): Heh. I bet you can get some nice new pinkies, what with all these mad scientists about… Hell, while you're at it, you could do something about those freckles. :-P
Fiona (to Yukiko): Why on earth would I want to do something about my freckles? Those are the spots the devil chewed me up. And from the looks of it, spit me out. Ha ha ha!
Yukiko (to Fiona): You're a right pain in the arse, McGillivray.
Fiona (to Yukiko): Aren't I just. Speaking of pains in the arses... Why are you here, babysitting me when you could be off with that pretty wee lad you've been shacking up with, hmmm?
Yukiko (to Fiona): Very funny. We do spend time apart, you know? He's off with his family on deliveries.
Fiona (to Yukiko): Is he? Well, that's a shame. I'm sure you could come up with better uses for him, couldn't you? :-P Alright! Alright! No need to point a weapon at me! I was only teasing you. Touchy, touchy.
Yukiko (to Fiona): I need a bloody drink… See you around, Fi. Say hello to Fox for me when you see him. :-P
Fiona (to Yukiko): I will. Give my regards to the Magpie and her fledglings. And Kobayashi... Thank you. I'm lucky to have you watching my arse.
Yukiko (to Fiona): That's what partners are for. Besides, I figured I owed you for… Well, for everything.
Fiona (to Yukiko): Ha! I'm a dangerous woman to owe; I may just collect. Go! Get to your fluffy lad before you hug me & start bawling. :-P
Yukiko (to Fiona): Heh. You know where to find me if you need me.
Meanwhile, onboard the Maltese Falcon:
Zoe (to Colin, via phone): Um, hey Colin… I know I probably shouldn't be calling but I just wanted to check on you... Are you doing okay?
Colin (to Zoe): Oh. Um, hey. Yeah. I guess I'm alright.
Zoe (to Colin): That's good to hear… You don't really want to talk to me, do you? It's okay. I don't blame you. I was actually surprised you picked up. I'm not sure I would have if roles were reversed… Anyway, I'm sorry to have bothered you.
Colin (to Zoe): It's OK. I... Are you OK?
Zoe (to Colin): Yes… No… Maybe… It doesn't really matter. I just wanted to… I don't know… I missed you, I guess. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have called. It was stupid of me.
Colin (to Zoe): ... No offense, Zoe, but why did you call? I'm guessing you don't wanna get back together, so... What? I know everyone keeps telling me it'll get better and I'll get over it, but I'm not there, yet.
Zoe (to Colin): Weird things have been going on & I wanted to talk to someone that's not related to me. And, you were the first person that popped in my head… You're clearly still mad at me & rightfully so… I'm sorry. This was a mistake.
Colin (to Zoe): I really like you, Zoe... And I'm trying to be all, like, adult about this and shit, but... I can't talk to you like nothing happened, yet. It's just... I can't.
Zoe (to Colin): No, no. You're absolutely right… I wish I could say something to make you feel better. I hate that I hurt you… I should go.
Colin (to Zoe): Yeah. You should. I'll... Be safe, OK? Bye.
Zoe (to Colin): Bye, Colin.
A few minutes later:
Una (to Zoe): … Are you crying, Zoe?
Zoe (to Una): Please, leave me alone, Una.
Una (to Zoe): Your mother asked me to find you. She said she needed help with dinner.
Zoe (to Una): Well, you can help her… You're the one who wanted to have a bloody adventure. I just wanted to have a normal life & then I went and mucked it all up… I'm such a dumbass.
Una (to Zoe): I'm dreadfully sorry to interrupt your existential crisis, Zoe… I'll leave you to it, shall I? I know whenever Eva gets like that, it's always best to leave her alone. I'm sure you're much the same… Well, similar at any rate.
Zoe (to Una): … Does that mean you're going away?
Una (to Zoe): Yes… I'm sure you're going to have to come out of hiding at some point… Oh. Here. You might need this. Your mascara's running.
Zoe (to Una): Thanks.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Here's where you fucking are! Your mom said you were... (to Una) Oh. Hello. (to Zoe & Una) You alright, Zoe? Am I interrupting a moment or some shit?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Fucking hell! Can't a girl have any god damn privacy on this airship!
Una (to Nathaniel & Zoe): Hello, Nathani-- Nate. Don't worry, I was just leaving.
Nathaniel (to Una): Later! Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out. (to Zoe) What? You want me to leave you alone with the Children of the Corn version of you? Cause I can do that. Just seemed like the smeared 3 pounds of eye makeup might mean you wanted company. My fucking mistake.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): … I called Colin.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Oh. I'm guessing that went real fucking well.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): He didn't want to talk to me. Not that I can blame him. I don't know why I fucking did it. Or what I expected to happen. I mean, I have all this stuff in my brain and every single bit of it was yelling at me not to do it, but I did it, anyway. I just wanted to hear his voice… And, he sounded hurt & he hates me.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): I'm sure he doesn't completely fucking hate you. If he did, he wouldn't have picked up the phone, right? That's not fucking helping, is it?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Not in the slightest… So, what brings you onboard? I thought you were off in West Piedmont. Or did you just miss me so much that you couldn't stand being away from me? Heh… And yes, I'm totes changing the subject.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): So I fucking see. Yes. I couldn't get enough of you. You're my heterosexual pass, you know.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): I didn't mean it like that, you perv.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): I didn't think you did, weirdo. ... I just wanted to check on you. I know you just broke up with your hot slice of boy, and you were here on the ship with the Bobbsey Twins from fucking hell.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Oh... That's nice of you. The twins aren't that bad. They act like people who've never been outside of a library. Wait… Hot slice of boy? You think Colin is hot? Ooooo. Does Aiden know?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Oh don't fucking change the subject. You were the one who said you wanted to tear his pants off with your teeth.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): I know… The sad thing is I still do. Being physically attracted to him was definitely not the problem.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Good on you for not letting you keep continuin' on then. More than some people can say.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Yeah… I'm a really swell person. And, if he showed up right now, I'd probably jump his bones.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): You know, just because you break up with someone, or they break up with you, doesn't mean you stop getting a hard on for them. How fucking long did I pine after stupid, fucking Tim? ...Wait. DID I pine after his stupid ass? I... I did. Didn't I?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Pined? No. Was a whiny bitch? Yes… OW! Don't smack me, you abusive bastard!
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Well, don't be a dick, then you dick! But, uh, yeah. The point still stands, though. Just give it some time and distance... Holy shit. Tim's alive in this timeline, isn't he?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Yeah… I believe the last time you spoke to him, he was applying to college & he was wondering how you'd feel if he applied to the Piedmont… I think you said 'Uh, yeah, what the fuck ever. It's a free country.' or something to that effect. And then, went & smoked a shit ton of cigarettes… You don't remember any of that, do you? You're still holding onto the other timeline shit, aren't you?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): ...What would it matter if I was?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): I'm not sure. I didn't really think it was possible. But, maybe because you're sort of from the other timeline you can keep those memories more easily… Or you're going to go insane.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Gee. Thanks for the vote of confidence, shortie.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Heehee, I'm just kidding… So, silly question. Know any hot, single, teenage boys that might like a weirdo girl? I need a distraction… Oh, and preferably straight. I seriously don't want to go through chasing after a gay boy again. Not that I really did any chasing, it was more like a minor crushing.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Heh. I don't know anyone right now. But I'll keep my ears open.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Heh. Thanks… Maybe, I should just become a nun. I've got the wardrobe for it.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Are you done, Sister Mary Joseph? Or should I give you more time to genuflect?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Hmmmm, I don't know I may need more time. Heehee. I'm just kidding. So, are you really here for me or because of the twins?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yes. I'm going to make out with them instead.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Stop fucking around, Nate.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): I'm not fucking around, shortie. I'm just... Come on. You can't expect me to be all hunky dory about a couple of chicks running around that look like Hiiri, and ask me NOT to be a paranoid dick...Heh. You know that ain't gonna happen.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): They're based on Aunt Emma, not on Hiiri. If they're bad folks, they're just normal human bad not psycho-android crazy bad.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Well then, I haven't got anything to worry about, then have I?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Look, just talk to them & you'll see they're nothing like Hiiri.
A little while later:
Una (to Poppy): Excuse me, Mrs. Potter, but I need to give you back your small child… It seems to have developed an odor.
Poppy (to Una): Oh honey, that just means his diaper needs to be changed. You're a smart girl, you can handle that, can't you?
Una (to Poppy): … Oh, I'd really rather not. I don't have a lot of experience with small children.
Poppy (to Una): Well, it's about time you got some, honey. This is practical experience. I'm sure your sister is learning tons of things in the engine room with Victor & my husband. Let me get these pots on simmer & I'll walk you through it.
Una (to Poppy): Oh… Joy of joys.
