“It’s a lot quieter.”
Sadie Prentice glanced up from the bed where she lounged. Her husband, William Prentice, stood at the window of their now-shared quarters on the USS Olympic. Husband. That word still felt new. Here he was, in her quarters, and assigned with her on her ship. He had been the one to suggest it well before the wedding, and the conversations through the various chains of command had taken their time. She felt that coy smile returning to her face. She’d loved him since the second date, and had refused to accept any excuses preventing them from having dates. Even being separated by assignments, it couldn’t come between them. That last hurdle had fallen during the wedding when Captains Walton and Halsey presented Prentice’s approved transfer order. She replied, “It’ll surprise you. Ensign Tran seemed happy.” It had given Sadie pause when Marisol had volunteered to transfer to the Mackenzie. Tran was quiet, and her introverted nature hadn’t given many of the crew the chance to get to know her.
Will scoffed softly. “Seemed. She always that serious?” He turned to Sadie, a frown creasing his brow. She could tell he was worried. The old Prentice, the academy shock jock flyboy, wouldn’t have let Marisol Tran trouble him a second thought. The Prentice that had come to her from the Erigone, the Edinburgh, and the Mackenzie, that William Prentice had learned to care a great deal about others. Falling in love with that part of him had been easy.
Sadie chuckled dryly. “Always. She kept her circle of trust small. She and Jordan were friends. You coming back to bed?”
He winked as he slunk back to where she lay. “Always.”
“The final report from departments.”
Captain Leopold Halsey accepted the PADD from Lieutenant Commander Jordan Reid. She slid into the seat opposite him in his ready room. He asked, “You recover from shore leave?”
Jordan groaned softly. Nothing got past Leopold Halsey. Nothing. His eyes glinted with something resembling amusement. “Ask whatever it is you need to ask, Leo.” She saw through his reply of shock and rolled her eyes. “Spare me the theatrics.”
Halsey whistled low, a crooked grin splitting his lips. “Just trying to make use of those high school drama classes.” She stared at him, annoyance filling her features. “Okay, okay. You spent some time with Commander Rowan Hale during the wedding festivities. One might even suggest you went on a date. Or two.”
She intensified her stare, but couldn’t ignore or stop the slight warmth developing across her face. “I can neither confirm nor deny specifics.” It was Halsey’s turn to give her a long stare, his eyebrows moving up and down in disbelief. “Fine. There might be something there. Or a few things.” She watched Halsey’s face for his reaction. There wasn’t one, or at least one she could read. He was an exceptional poker player. It was her turn to frown. “You always have thoughts about stuff like this, Leo.”
He nodded slowly before he spoke. “Two dates. One that ended in a hug. And you both looked back at each other with an expression I am still attempting to quantify.”
She was incredulous. “You spied on us?”
He shook his head. “My wife is far more invested in the success of your relationship with Mr. Hale. The combination of human and Vulcan can bring out some…fun personality traits. Theodora likes to keep an eye out. I get a full report whether I want one.”
Reid did not find it amusing. She was…what was she feeling? Betrayal? That was too much. Worried? Theodora Walker-Halsey was mostly harmless, unless you pushed her buttons. Weirded out? Jordan settled on that. “You can see how this is all a bit…odd.”
Halsey shrugged. “She cares, Jordan. You’ve both built a strong friendship. I feel pretty strongly about my crew. She feels more. And that level of care can feel…weird.” He folded his hands, letting a moment pass before he continued. Jordan felt her curiosity grow. “We didn’t have children. Sometimes Theodora feels strongly because she wants to feel a part of that connection that she never had. It’s hard for her. Two sides of her heart and mind battling it out over her feelings.” He looked her in the eye. “It used to be more frequent. I don’t know why she chose you, or why she’s put more focus on you. You could always ask her.”
Reid felt her eyes widen. “Ask Theodora Walker-Halsey about…why she’s stalking me?”
Leopold chuckled nervously. “When you put it like that, Jordan.”
She nodded. “A little hyperbole. Sorry.” She stood up. “You think I should talk to her?”
Halsey stood, letting out a long sigh. “I think it’s worth asking. Her answers might help you understand her more.” Reid’s face held a “what?” look, and he explained, “Theodora is many things, but malicious or nefarious are not among her qualities.”
Jordan pursed her lips and stood at attention. She regarded him, finding new ways to respect Captain Halsey. “Thank you, sir.” He inclined his head, and she turned on her heels to return to the bridge. All the while, the warm memories of her time with Rowan Hale danced in the back of her mind.
