Change Of Plan

Posted on Sun May 1st, 2022 @ 3:20am by Ka'see 'Cassie' Anderson (*) & Executive Officer Jake Ford

Mission: Mission 15: Adrift
Location: Cassie's Quarters
Timeline: MD-01
2266 words - 4.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Cassie looked up from where she was sitting in her quarters and frowned at the fact someone was disturbing her night by pressing her chime. She had finally finished moving her few belongings to her third quarters on the ship but this time it was a fresh start for her. It was desperately needed and had been suggested by several people over the last few weeks to the point Nollel had practically packed her quarters up to pay her back for the time Cassie had helped her move New Laurium.

“What? I mean enter.” She called standing from where she was shoving popcorn into her face to face to greet whoever was venturing to seek her out.

"Hey..." Jake poked his head into the room a little cautiously at first. "You all right? Someone said you were looking for me earlier. Was just clocking off a bridge shift."

"Oh Hi... um..." Cassie remembered that she had been searching for him to ask about Eden and if he had heard from her in the last three months. "Yeah... I was I needed your signature for something but I managed without it." She shrugged and held out the popcorn to the man. "It was not important. You did not need to venture here." It was unlike him to seek her out and she avoided him if she could but she had really wanted to know if he had heard from Eden. She was still embarrassed by Jake, Liha and Angel finding out in a vulnerable situation on the Holoship.

"Fair enough." He motioned to the popcorn. "I didn't realise it was movie night. Anything good in mind?"

“I just like popcorn. It’s an easy dinner when you are feeling lazy but I am watching something from earth. Vox Machina.” She said sitting back down on the old sofa. “It’s in the ships collection and I thought it reminded me of our DnD sessions. Something different. Did you want to watch?” She wondered.

Jake thought about it for a second, then smiled and hopped onto the couch next to her. "It's been a long day, I'm tired as hell, and I never thought I'd miss Gregnol all that much...so yes, I definitely need something fun." He stole a handful of popcorn from her box. "What is it with this crew and cartoons, anyway?"

“I will not tell Gregnol that you think that.” Cassie quipped setting the popcorn closer to him. She knew a lot of people were thinking the same, Gregnol was a solid presence that seemed to be missing from the ship despite how little he said. It seemed he did a lot that people under appreciated. “Do other people want cartoons? I cannot claim to watch them often I just liked the name it reminded me of our adventures.”

"I guess so. Seems weird to think that the last time we played together we had Eden and Jinx along..." he faltered half a step at that name drop. "Ah well, it is what it is. We'll have plenty more adventures of our own, won't we?"

“I played on Holoworld so only of them counts. You went off to have adventures when that happened.” Cassie said before she looked back to the projected screen as she mentioned Holoworld. “Yeah… is what it is.” She agreed for a long moment before she focused on the screen pulling a blanket over her lap.

He just nodded his agreement and shoved some more popcorn into his mouth to at least give himself the excuse for not talking about it.

The silence settled in as they watched the episode and Cassie found herself deeply invested in it showing her love for action and intrigue. “How are you doing?” Cassie asked as the episodes credit rolled breaking the comfortable silence.

"Depends. That question has a lot of meanings," he replied, a faint, tired smile forming. "If you're asking about Eden and me..." he let the sigh escape and pushed the box so it was a little less easily reached. "Yeah. It wasn't great. But time has passed. I'm fully invested in doing things right by Gregnol, and Rosie is still my home even if it might have been hers first. I guess it's probably for the better, all things considered."

“You and Eden or lack of you and Eden is not my business. I am just glad to see that you stayed as it does not matter who’s home it was first or not. The ship was never her home properly even when her and Sebastian. But does not matter now I guess everyone moves on eventually.” Cassie stumbled through what she was trying to say.

"You've not talked much about things yourself lately. Wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't flip this round and check on you too. Coping all right?" he asked, partially diverting away from his own troubles but also genuinely trying to get a feel for her frame of mind.

“Aye. Me and Johnathan should have called quits way before now.” Could only give someone so many chances after then ran around after someone else. “and we would have after the holodeck we were on if he had not been killed. It is complicated but I do not know if I said thank you at the time for saving my life.” Cassie could barely remember what had happened on the holoship after the realisation of the tsunami hitting them thanks to the shock and practically dying.

"Oh, well. It wasn't just me..." he mumbled quietly. He wasn't always that great at taking those sorts of compliments. "We look out for each other round these parts," he smiled, giving her a nudge with his shoulder. "I'm glad we found you when we did. Ship wouldn't be the same 'home' without you."

The woman nudged him back. “I’m glad for it. I have thanked them, Liha reminds me weekly that Romulans are better swimmers.” Cassie laughed a little. It was a foreign sound to most people but it showed the growth that she had gone through. “Do not get me wrong i am frustrated with it all but I am trying to work through it all. You should too.”

"I wouldn't know where to start," he chuckled back. The thought of conversing with Liha about it filled him with dread. A conversation was probably overdue, but with everything that had been going on - losing Eden just one part of that - he was putting off addressing that particular issue. "Seems like you're well on your way, though. Any tips?"

“Me on my way. Goodness no. I scare half the crew and the rest feel sorry for me for what happened. Then I feel angry for seeing it as a blessing and thus restarts the circle of hatred.” Cassie mumbled leaning int to pause the show seeing neither of them were watching it right then and there. She turned a little pulling her legs up to get comfortable.

"I don't think you scare people, Cassie," he replied, frowning. "I think we're all a little messed-up. Feels like a requirement for being here, some days. Goodness knows I've got a pile of problems..."

“One question to see if you need tips from me of all people. Where is Stan?” She questioned teasing him. They had always got on professionally and in the DnD game they backed each other up so it was nice to just be able to see him as something other than Eden’s boyfriend.

He snorted a little. Eden's pet spider, which he had expected her to want to take with her, had remained behind. "Jinx said something about Zambi and training her to hunt. I wasn't going to argue." He leaned in to add quietly, "I always hated that damned spider, you know."

”Oh I know. You never made that a secret Jake.” The woman shook her head at the secret that he was telling her. “I always was concerned you were going to wake up in a cocoon or something. Would be a terrible waste of you.” Cassie revealed seeing they were sharing now.

He visibly shivered at the thought of being cocooned by a giant spider. "Ugh, thanks. The stuff of nightmares. I guess won't be sleeping tonight." He glanced at her, noting her last comment. "A waste? Not so sure about that some days."

“Oh do not fret. The spider is with Jinx on her adventure on Freecloud with the rangers. Plus you have moved back to your quarters again.” Cassie laughed nudging him. “Very much a waste. You are a good guy, good looking and for whatever reason have a soft side that not many people see so yes it would be a waste if you got cocooned by your ex girlfriends spider.” She said before laughing. She had not realised she needed a laugh but she did.

He laughed along, but in the back of his mind he was processing her compliment. He'd never seen Cassie flirt, per se, so if this was her sharing some hidden feelings, he wasn't expecting it. Or perhaps he was reading too much into that. She could just be genuinely trying to cheer him up. "Now I have a 'soft side'? I guess all my secrets are coming out tonight." He let his arm drift over the back of the couch, almost tucking behind her head but not quite. "What else am I missing?"

“Oh without a doubt. You cannot hide from me it seems. Not sure you are missing anything Jake.” She shook her head looking him over for a moment and shrugged. “Cannot see it but my opinion is 150 years out of date.”

"I don't know about that. Perspective is a rare thing. And it seems I have something of a track record with 150-year-old women..." he noted. "I just hope you're not hiding a spider around here," he added, glancing quickly around the room.

The room was barely decorated with items still in a couple of boxes and clothes neatly piled up on the other chair. “Nowhere to hide one I swear.” She assured quickly. “I am not the type of keep a pet if that helps.” Neither parent had been fond of pets growing up.

"Well, I guess it means I'm safe for one night at least." He looked around the boxes. "If you need help unpacking I can give you a hand? I know how it feels to be doing this on your own."

Cassie put her hand on his and shook her head quickly. “I am fine. Just have not bothered with it yet. Nollel and Burnie only helped me move yesterday. And you are always safe with me. I have a nearly spotless track record.”

"Nearly spotless?" he smiled, looking down at her hand on his and giving it a squeeze. Was it worth the risk? "What if I don't want to be safe?" he asked softly.

“Well no one is perfect. I know my limits.” She said looking down at his hand on hers. It was warm against her cool skin. “Then take the risk but if end up cocooned it’s not my fault.” She teased looking him straight in the eyes smirking.

He met her gaze. It was strange, he noticed, how an evening could turn on its head in such a way. And how you could start to notice things you'd never noticed before. Still clasping hold of her hand, he leaned in closer, his eyes drifting closed-

BANG

The deck pitched, the ship reeling with a sudden lurge. Instinctively, he put his arms out to cradle her from the fall. He landed on his back on the floor next to her couch, with her on top of him. A second passed, his arms still holding her as he let out a little grunt of confused discomfort.

"What...are you okay?" he asked, still not sure what had happened but concerned for her safety.

Cassie let out a shocked sound as she stared down at Jake. “That was not how… yeah I am okay.” She assured quickly as her shock wore off. She looked around trying to find a way to move off of him that would not cause injury.

"All right. What was that? We should check in with the bridge..." he said, shifting around underneath her.

“I am going to have to get off of you.” She said pushing away using the couch to pull herself out of the gap before pulling him up as the deck beneath them vibrated and plunged the compartment into darkness.

As the darkness swept over them he held on to her hand, both for stability as well as comfort. After a second, the emergency lights flickered on. "Something's definitely not right. I should...find out what's going on." His eyes lingered on her for a moment, her hand still in his. This was nice. Weird...but nice... He said in his head, caught in two minds whether to admit it out loud.

“Well you are Captain.” Cassie reminded with a nod as she looked around her quarters before back at him. It was not how she had planned her evening or even considered as an option but there they were stumbling over words and duty. “Better go.” She prompted letting go of his hand.

"Y-yeah..." he mumbled with a quick nod. Straightening his uniform he gave Cassie a gentle smile and headed for the door, all the while making the call to engineering for an update.