Reunited

Posted on 14 Nov 2019 @ 2:00am by Captain Jonathan Reynolds & Lieutenant Commander True Keading

Mission: Mission 2 - The Agora crossroads
Location: Observation Lounge
Timeline: MD3 15:45
1181 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

That was the longest debriefing Jon had ever experienced. As they finally filed out he gently placed a hand on Trues elbow. "Counselor, could you stay back I need a word,"

She nodded, a sense of nervousness flared up in her though. He knew she'd been kidnapped, was she about to get a lecture about being more careful? He hadn't wanted to send her in the first place and she'd assured him she'd be all right. Now look where they were.

As the last person left and the door shut, he pulled her into his arms. Placing a quick kiss on her lips he pulled back and said simply, "Tell me everything and are you okay?"

True blinked in a little bit of surprise but didn't stiffen as Jon pulled her close. "Yes. It's kind of a short story. Rose and I noticed Haulval was gone, we started to follow him and we ran into a couple of . . . . lizard like beings. We tried talking to them and the next thing I know I was waking up in a cell. My clothes had been changed and I was being auctioned off as someone's slave or play thing."

"If that had happened I would have put everything into getting you back just like we are going to with Aidan," he said simply relaxing as he could feel her, smell her hair even. "So intel on this place, they have a slave trade as colourful as the Orion's do then. Which is interesting considering we had a "guest" came to peer at us but didn't actually show their face in the end. Nor did we follow them."

He pulled her back to the chairs and sat down keeping her hand in his. "They didn't …. nothing untoward to you and Rose?" he asked. "I have been so worried."

"No, I mean we did wake up in new clothing . . . which I'm trying hard not to think too much about. But while we were awake we were left alone. It must have been going for a while now. Some of those women in there had been in that situation before and had completely given up. It was the scariest thing I've ever seen." True put her head against him grateful that his arms were wrapped around him and she could feel his warmth. He didn't even seem to be upset, other than worried which she knew he would be when he found out what had happened.

Jons face screwed up as he processed everything. He was not happy about anyone stripping down and seeing his girl naked. It even made him feel jealous for a moment which was crazy."Its not sitting well with me either."

She could feel him tense up. "Then don't think about it. I'm sure nothing happened." Taking a deep breath she pulled away from him again. She was just glad he wasn't angry at her though that response would have been silly as she hadn't done anything wrong. "The important thing is I'm all right, Sickbay checked me out. Nothing to report really."

He nodded. "Easier said than done."

He went quiet for a moment before adding, "And in your professional opinion Rose is okay after that ordeal? And Fox in the events of getting you back?"

"Honestly Rose was the best of all of us. Her head was cool and clear the entire time. I wasn't around Fox until the end but she seemed to be alright."

"And we can hope then that if your sure nothing happened then Aidan is okay in that respect too. Well at least until he got bought. I had Sherlock appear in my quarters in the middle of the night and his wife down. They are both very worried," Jon said. He wanted to kiss her senseless, try let her know everything was alright but they were in the observation lounge and there was all this other fall out to consider.

"Yes, I'm sure Aidan is fine." She wanted to believe that and so she would hang onto it with both hands. "He's been in rough spots before, with Emme in fact so this is probably harder for her, being here alone. Do you want me back on duty right away?" True asked, not sure if she was being dismissed or if he wanted to lock her in a closet to make sure she was safe. Now that she knew he wasn't upset the thought was sort of amusing to her.

"No …. I …. I want …. "He wasn't sure what to say. He wanted her safe in his arms but not in this room talking shop. But he was still on shift and duty always calls. "Its up to you. If you feel okay and ready to work then sure. If not, take some time and relax. You have just gone through something … awful."

"If Rose or Amelia needs me I'd be happy to talk to them but I think otherwise I'll just rest. Should I wait in your quarters?" True wasn't sure where Eddie was this time of day. To be honest she didn't know what time it was.

"Yes .." Jon said much faster than he had wanted too. He hadn't actually expected her to suggest that but now she had it was all he wanted in the universe right now. Everything just felt right when he was with True and right now he knew he needed too be and hoped she felt the same.

"Yes," he said slower and kissed her again. "Make yourself at home and I'll be back soon. Hopefully I can help you relax," he smiled. "And hopefully I will have some better news on Aidan later," he said squeezing her hand.

His response made her giggle a little bit. "Sure, I'll be fine. I was just thinking of a nap on the couch or maybe a good book to distract me." She'd known he wanted her there. He was easy for her to read and she didn't find that odd. True gave him a peck on the cheek. "Don't worry about me, I'm safe now."

"I know. Now I'm worried about whatever mess Eddies left lying around," he answered honestly. His son was so messy. It did wind him up.

"It's fine," said True with a big smile. She reached over, grasped Jon's face with both hands and pulled him to her, not to kiss but to rub her nose back and forth across his. He probably had no idea what this meant but it was something from her childhood, an ancient tradition in Alaska, where she'd grown up.

"Okay," he said confused but happily confused.

"Captain to the bridge …." Jon groaned.

"Your going to have to explain that to me." He could however sense it was important to her. A sense of familiarity. He stole one more kiss and headed to the door. "See you later True."

---

●●● Commander Jonathan Reynolds
Commanding Officer
USS Andromeda


●● Lieutenant True Keading
Chief Counselor
USS Andromeda