Slumber Party at Alex's Place

Alexander shakes his head. "Honestly, I've been spending all this time trying to figure out why Chance asked me this question. Perhaps he's trying to determine if he can trust me, or maybe he wants to see my reaction to his question. Of course, he could just be trying to piss me off, but if so, I'll have to disappoint him."

He looks back at Chance, watching him closely. "Ask a surgeon if he's ever lost a patient, and if he says no, wait six months and ask again. I lost two patients during the trial run as a surgeon that the Technocracy set up for me. One died of a shotgun wound inflicted by their spouse. That was hard, but the damage was so massive that it was hard to blame myself. Two months later I lost a patient when they had an allergic reaction to a heart medication I prescribed after a catheterization. That was harder, because I had no way of knowing, as they'd never had any previous allergic reactions. It's even harder now, because I would have saved both of them if I had already been Awakened."

He sips his coffee. "Then I was shipped to Iraq to work as an army medic. But I'm pretty sure I've answered your question satisfactory."

Chance listens to Alex's answer, no real emotion on his face for the moment. There's a few seconds after Alex is done where Chance says nothing but just stares at the doctor, maybe considering the other man's answers or maybe weighing another question that goes unasked. "Thanks, Doc. I just wanted to know what kind of man we'd be following."

He looks around the room to each person in turn and as he turns back to Alex, his expression has a look of resolution on it. "If we're gonna be doing these...missions...together, someone's gonna have to lead. That's how it works." He starts in on what appears to be a line of reasoning not entirely new to him. Perhaps he's given this some thought over the last few weeks. He turns an eye towards Anya where she still sits with his arm around her shoulder, "I mean, Anya's our heart. She's sweet and salty, which makes for a good friend, or late night snack, but not a great leader. She couldn't make the hard decisions because she feels too much for everyone, and we're going to need that."

Next, he turns his attention towards Venisha, "Venisha's the spirit. She's the voice of reason the way I see it. She's going to think things through and make sure we're not going to all go arse over tits in this."

"Doc Brown...well he's obviously the hands. He's going to keep us alive and even the odds to give us a fighting chance against most of the shit we have to face."

To Alex, he turns and says "That leaves you as the head, Doc. You're the one most likely to know what's going on or find it out for us. As much as I hate to admit, because I'm not good with authority, we're going to look to you to make some hard decisions." There's a slight smirk that tugs at the corner of his mouth, "We won't always agree...hell I may not always listen to be honest, but that's how it is. I just wanted to see if you were worth it...and yeah I think you'll do. You care about those you're with and that's good enough to me that you aren't gonna go off your trolley at the first sign of trouble."

He sits back after this and seems finished with his assessment. There's a brief pause and a look on introspection on Chance's face, "I didn't think I had a place for a while...that's why I was on my way out..." his eyes flick to Anya when he says this. "But after Monster made me stop and think...I think I figured it out...I'm the feet of this group. Usually that means I'm walking out the door by now, looking for the next thing on the horizon. But someone's gotta keep us grounded in who we're fighting for and why...I guess that's me..."

Alexander listens as Chase speaks, obviously very interested in what he's saying. When Chance finishes, he sits down again, leaning forward over the back of his chair. "Are you sure you want the position of foot in this relationship? Because based on what you just did, I'd say you'd make one hell of a set of balls."

Alex chuckles as he sets his coffee on a small end table. "You must be out of your goddamn mind. I have trouble relating to people outside of clinical analysis and I'm less than trusting of this group of people I met a few weeks ago. I have never stayed anywhere too long and I am never satisfied unless I'm searching for the next accomplishment."

He looks around at the motley group. "That said, conventional wisdom flew out the window the moment I woke up in the underworld. Most of what I said before is a positive, or at least neutral, in our situation. I don't think any of us are looking to become soldiers in the Ascension War, but I also think all of us wouldn't might bloodying the Union's nose a bit. So if you think you need a leader and think I would be the best choice, I'll do it."

He picks his cup back up and takes a sip. "I think you're crazy, but it's a lovable sort of crazy."

Chance can't help but chuckle softly at Anya's comments, "What did I tell you? Sweet...and salty!"

"No one would follow me? I have 7 interns who would say different. But is not problem, I have enough trouble with them. Not needing or wanting to lead anyone else at this time. Besides, I get distracted easily and I don't think you're the type of people who would want to take care of the monkeys."

Alex looks curiously at Anya. "Something on your mind, or are you waiting for us to get back to the game?"