Chapter Text
Sunday was the one day where the aquarium was closed, although everyone still had to go to work and look after the animals so the staff decided to turn Sunday's into beach days. The aquarium backed right onto the beach, it was like they had their own private passage, so it was easy to keep an eye on the animals and relax. Jack wasn't feeling talkative today which wasn't much of a surprise, he got his surfing kit and refused to make conversation when he and Robby arrived at the beach.
Tori and Dennis were in the water together finding shells and crabs and jelly fish that drifted ashore. Trinity and Frank were swimming and racing each other then arguing when Trin cheated by kicking him in the ribs. All whilst Mel was running some sort of experiment with the water PH. Robby went and sat with Cassie and Dana who were leant back with their sunglasses on tanning. "Morning ladies"
"Hiya Robby" Dana smiles turning her head to look at him. "Jack still struggling?"
"Yeah, but he's here at least"
"Here and trying to take out his anger on a body of water" Cassie shakes her head watching Jack.
He was sloppy today, going at waves with bad form and falling. "Hmm, he'll be alright. How's Harrison Cass?" Robby changes the topic quickly watching Cassie light up when her son comes into conversation. "Oh y'know he's alright, he's randomly become obsessed with earthquakes"
"ah you've got a little seismologist on your hands"
"He's just trying to rebel by choosing a science other than marine biology or zoology" Cass rolls her eyes making Robby chuckle. "Well hey he lives in a good place for it" Robby muses "plenty of earthquakes round here"
"Hey everybody" A sweet mellow voice chimes from the path onto the beach, Robby turns to see Mohan back from North Carolina. "Oh hey kid" He smiles standing up and going over "glad you got home safe"
"yeah me too, got pulled over on the high way- don't even wanna talk about it" She sighs dropping her bag onto the sand and pulling off her shirt leaving her in a bikini top and jean shorts. She runs towards the water sliding her shorts off on the way before splashing into the water. Robby was now able to stand and watch all his kids in the same place, happy and safe.
It continued like that for hours, people occasionally stepping out to check on their animals or get some food. Jack only took a thirty minute break to shove a sandwich down him and sit for a moment before going back to surfing. Robby could see how his muscles were taut and his skin was becoming sandy and irritated, he wondered whether Jack would allow him to squeeze and rub the knots out of his muscles and apply lotion to his raw skin or not. When the sun started to set Trinity brought out the beers and other such drinks. Robby managed to coax Jack out of the water pointing out how dangerous it was to swim when it was dark.
Garcia showed up with her very own portable Barbeque thanks to Trinity probably. Everyone on this part of the beach could probably agree that there was no better food than evening beach Barbeque, it was warm and tasteful and perfectly nostalgic. They all sat and ate together, sharing anecdotes about their families or horror stories about their teenage years, when there was a lull in the conversation Frank spoke up. "So, I kinda need to tell you guys something" He mumbles staring at the table, Robby notices that Mel smiled at him and squeezed his hand under the table. "I've decided to take that research job, tomorrow is my last day"
It was silent for a while.
"You- what?! you didn't even tell me-" Robby accuses staring at him frantically.
"It’s okay Mel said she'll look after my turtles until you get a replacement- I know you have a list of people you could hire"
"That is not my point-"
Dana places a heavy hand on Robby's knee "I'm real proud of ya kid, I'm sure you'll learn a lot out there" Frank smiles nervously eyes flicking between Dana's soft smile and Robby's fierce glare. "There's no point in you coming tomorrow Frank, It's a training day, for staff" Robby grumbles earning himself a glare from Dana.
"Oh no its okay I want to wrap things up with my turtles before I go, I'll stay out of your way"
"mhm."
Nobody liked when Robby was angry, not because he would shout or get violent, but because he went quiet - he would always either isolate them or himself, it was immature if anything. Jack sighs deeply and stands up chucking his paper plate in the trash bag Garcia had supplied. "I'm going home" probably the first thing he'd said to the group today. Robby follows without a word.
"Oh I really fucked that up" Frank groans putting his head in his hands. "No no its okay I'm sure he'll get on board" Cassie soothes whereas Dennis just shakes his head "You're his favourite and you're leaving, he's pissed"
"Not the mindset we're trying to have right now huckleberry" Trinity rolls her eyes. Garcia stands up commanding the attention of the group "who gives a fuck what Robby thinks, go be the smartest person here screw him"
FUN FACT: Miami’s Liberty Square was the first public housing complex in the USA for African Americans
Neither Jack nor Robby were having a good night, Jack was still battling with grief and Robby had just been told that his protégé is leaving probably to never return. Earlier thoughts of caring for Jack and spending the night in comfortable quiet had completely exited his mind. "He must be insane, how does he expect to feed himself? The pay will be shit-"
"I have to assume they'll be feeding him in the middle of the ocean"
"Oh you know what I mean- I'm talking long term, sure It'll look good on his CV but nowhere will hire a smartass"
"You'll hire him" Jack sighs easing his leg off and lying on the bed. "What?"
"He's doing a three year research project and then coming back, he has plenty to return to" Jack looks straight at Robby putting an end to his angry rambles.
"I guess, I bet they won’t even let him do shit" That time Jack doesn't even reply simply turning off his bedside light. "Good night Robby"
FUN FACT: Earthquakes are more common than most realize. More than 1 million earthquakes occur annually worldwide