Her family has been coming the end of the universe for weeks now, but this afternoon, when the door opens between her study and Carlisle's, it's the first time it's opened for her without warning. Esme stood on the threshold, pausing to brushed the fabric of her skirt at her thigh and look over the tables nearest to her.

Then she stepped in, fingers lingering on the handle as she pulled the door closed behind her.

The day had been particularly long with the weight of coming home from another trip she could discuss with no one.

Lyta was grateful Ivanova had been able to clear the docks for her (/their/) arrival. The commander grimaced and managed it, while bearing a half frown that gave the message of owed favors. At disembarking, Ivanova's expression had well concealed her curiosity at the request's reason while she'd smartly doled out the news which had hit the station during the last week.

Bogged down, Lyta kept conversation as best she could. She knew it had added to Ivanova's incertitude when she turned down a meal in favor of reporting the Ambassador and a shower. She'd make it up later.

That shower was something she'd been counting down for the last day.

After returning Kosh and a brief discussion about what was on the roster for tomorrow he released her.

The gloriousness of the shower distracted her from the empty feeling settling inside of her. Standing in the spray with her hands resting on the wall, it fell down on her forehead and across the back of her hair in a red river. Her mind spun outward, thinking about food and space travel and how different life could have been, against the gentle chattering thoughts of the couple in the next room over and the Narn prayer being said two rooms above hers.

Stepping out of the shower Lyta grabbed one towel, wiping her face with it before wrapping it around her. Her brush wasn't on the counter where she expected it, so she opened the door to the bathroom to look for it on her bed table--