Back on the ship

Posted on Mon Oct 6th, 2025 @ 3:56pm by Executive Officer Jake Ford & Ka'see 'Cassie' Anderson (*)

Mission: Shackles
Location: SS Mary Rose - Cassie's Quarters
Timeline: After the crew return to ship
1171 words - 2.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Cassie slept deeply trying to sleep off the painkillers and trauma from the poison on the arrow. She wanted nothing to do with whoever was pressing the chime repeatedly. She had slowly gotten up from the bed and stumbled clearly holding her arm protectively again her damaged side and pressed the door release and looked up at him confused that he had not just come in.

“Why did you not just come in?” She wondered sleepily. She had left sickbay thanks to the emergency labour but it was for the best, she slept better in her own bed. She had considered his bed but she had no idea when he would be back and if sickbay needed her she would be easier to find.

"I guess I forgot you were out of it," Jake replied, apologetically looking at her post-injured state. "Wait, did I wake you? Oh - I should've figured the medics would prescribe something to make you sleep." He went into gentle mode and started to guide her gingerly back towards the couch. "C'mon, I don't want you wandering about like this."

"You woke me, but it's okay." Cassie looked up at him, confused, as he shooed her back. "That does not explain why you did not just come in." The woman pointed out as she sat back on the couch.

"Was hoping not to disturb you. And, honestly, felt a little guilty not coming back up to the ship with you when you took that arrow. What's the verdict on that? Nothing permanent, I hope?"

“It was a logical decision to make.” Cassie said winced a little as she settled back on the couch. “I would have made the same choice in Starfleet .We shall see tomorrow but I am okay to move around i am just tired.” She looked him over and leaned out to touch his hand with her good one. “Are you okay?” She asked.

Jake shrugged, not from dismissal but more to acknowledge that it had been 'a day'. "Been worse. I didn't take an arrow." He set down with her, trying to position himself not to bother her injury. "Finally had a bit of a chat with Liha about the whole 'thing in my head'. She was pretty skeptical at first, but I think she understood. Promised to kill me if I went crazy." He snorted slightly at the notion.

The woman smiled a little at the concern he was showing her but she was okay for the most part. She just wished she could have been a little more help than being a liability on the planet. Her former career in science and biology would have been a help. “You are not going to go crazy.” Cassie said firmly. She was pretty sure that was not going to happen but she did wonder if he did. “Is that what you think is going to happen?” She wondered as she searched his face.

"Honestly? I don't know." He leaned back, his fingertips tapping on the back of the couch a little pensively. "It...'she'...has been quiet for a while now. So maybe it'll just go away by itself. But with everything else that has happened to us over the years, you can never quite tell." Jake allowed himself a reflective moment before looking back to her. "Are you worried about it?"

Cassie let the silence reign before she raised an eyebrow at the way he asked if she was worried. Was she worried? Was that the weird sensation her stomach every time that they spoke about the other woman? She was not convinced it was worry over that, it was worry for him. “I am worried about you but not it.” She finally explained.

"You are?" He was about to grumble that she shouldn't, but he held himself back. "Well. That makes one-and-a-half of us...?"

“Whilst there is a third party in this relationship I do not believe that it will consume you and destroy you more than any other situation we have faced over the last 3 years.” She assured leaning out with her good arm to touch his hand.

"Yeah. Right. Given everything else we've come across." Jake chuckled. "Enough to write a holonovel has already happened to us, right? What's one more thing to add to the list."

“I would not change it, though. What does not kill you makes you stronger according to Leiddem.” She said quietly as she offered a smile to him.

"Easy for him to say without something buzzing around inside your head..." He mumbled.

Cassie offered a sad smile. She had not meant to belittle him or cause distress with her bluntness. “I have to go back in the morning. There was a medical situation with that labouring mother from the surface before the slavers turned up.” She explained shifting a little closer, reassuring him that she was okay. Stiff and tired but she would be okay.

He rested an arm on her shoulder, letting her take the moment to pause. "How are things down there? Any updates you heard of?"

"Not in the slightest. I was in sickbay, the ship battled the Orion's, and then I was not in sickbay and asleep." The woman admitted. It was not a complete timeline of events, but it was a surmise for now and what she knew. She knew very little if she was honest. "But what about you? What are your plans now?" Cassie asked him trying to work out where his head was.

"Shower. Sleep. Drink. I'm flexible on the order in which those things happen." He allowed himself a reflective grin. "A few people are talking about a vacation, and honestly I couldn't think of anything better. When you're healed up maybe we should put something in the diary? Doesn't have to be as classy as Risa, but just...somewhere to relax together?"

Cassie glanced up at the man and nodded slowly. “I… I would like that.” She admitted smiling a little before she glanced over at the old fashioned cabinet that had not been changed since the ship had been new. She would not be able to have a drink but there was nothing stopping him. “There is that earth drink you like left if you want a glass to relax now. I can find a film and we can just fall asleep.”

"After the last few days? I'd love that," he agreed, pouring out the last of the old bottle. Making a mental note to nudge Gregnol to let them stop off for some more supplies, he sank down next to Cassie, one hand wrapping around hers as the other cradled his glass. "I could get used to this," he murmured. "Imagine that."

"It is here whenever you want it." Cassie finally said, trying to decide her words carefully. She was trying not to force anything letting him come to her. She offered a small smile and settled down for a moment as she found an old film and stuck it on.