Re-Opening Old Wounds
Posted on Fri Jan 18, 2019 @ 4:44pm by
1,201 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Plaga Navis
Location: Holbridge's Quarters
Jim lay next the sleeping form of Kathy Smith, he head on his chest and his right arm around her shoulders. He was unable to sleep despite the three-and-a-half hour sexual calisthenics session he shared with his now-bedmate. Sex had never been their problem, he mused quietly to himself. Even after five years apart, they had blended together fine. The problems come after the sex Jim thought darkly. Maybe shit's different this time. I'm not a pilot looking for loose ass, and she is a staff sergeant capable of kicking most beings' ass on the ship. We both done some growing so it just might work out this time
"You asleep, babe?" Kathy asked drowsily, her hand brushing his cheek.
"Yup, dreaming about huly-huly girls on Risa!" Jim fired back with a half-smile.
Kathy gently pulled his face to hers for a long kiss. "Bet their tits ain't as good as mine!"
Jim smiled at her, and nodded. "You got 'em beat in all departments."
Kathy rolled on top of him and looked down at him, smiling. "Where does this leave us?"
Jim shrugged his shoulders. "Damned if I know. I was content to be just friends, but this changes everything."
Kathy looked at him and pursed her lips. "We both wanted this, James."
Jim nodded in agreement. "I'm not gonna argue that one, and I have missed you these last couple years."
Kathy leaned down to kiss him again. "I missed you, too." She rolled to the left and landed on the balls of her feet and began to dress. "I need to get back to the barracks. I have the duty on third shift tonight!"
Jim sat up in his bed. "What about after your shift?"
"I'd like to come by again, if that is okay? I can make dinner."
Jim smiled. "That would be nice. I haven't had anyone cook for me since you and I were together."
Kathy came over and sat beside him. "I want you to know, what we just did, I hadn't planned on; but, once I saw you again I knew I wanted to be back in your life."
Jim hugged her tightly. "I really missed you, Kathy," he said softly. "My life hasn't been the same since you left."
Kathy returned the hug. "Mine either," she said softly.
TWO HOURS LATER
Jim wandered into the Intelligence spaces on the ship, finding them largely deserted. How the hell does the captain know anything without a staff to help her? he asked himself as he activated a console. "Computer, accept access code Holbridge nine-nine-four-zulu-xray."
=/\=Code confirmed. What can I do for you, Commander Holbridge?=/\=
"Status of my last message out?"
=/\= Message received and acknowledged. =/\=
Jim nodded, then took a seat. If I were a scumbag, where would I hide to keep the major powers of the Delta Quadrant from finding me and turning me into chopped liver? he mused silently. "Computer, display known and suspected hideaways of persons engaged in extralegal or illegal activities. Cross reference with targets of opportunity. Factor in known sociological and criminal information and generate a composite list of possible hiding places."
=/\= Requested program will take seven hours to complete.=/\=
"Transmit to my quarters when complete." Jim said, then spoke again. "Computer, access Staff Sergeant Kathy Smith's service record and display last duty station.
=/\=Staff Sergeant Smith was assigned to the USS Auckland before her current posting to this ship.=/\=
Jim leaned back and steepled his hands together. USS Auckland was an Akira-class cruiser commanded by Colonel David Lorenz, a one-time friend who blamed him for the loss of his left eye, and SSgt Kathy Smith, formerly known as Kathy Lorenz, was Lorenz's ex-wife. Why the hell is she on this ship, and how did she get an NCO Marine rating? I'll ask her later. Jim went back to work on the freighter mess.
1700 HOURS
HOLBRIDGE'S QUARTERS
The doors opened admitting Kathy Smith to Jim's quarters. Kathy came over to kiss him, but was stopped by Jim's icy stare. "What's wrong?"
"We need to talk. How long have you and Dave been apart?" Jim asked bluntly.
"We divorced after the War. I joined the Corps not long after," she answered.
Jim nodded. Did you tell him about us?"
"No, he had enough to deal with after the Wellington collision. Two starships, the USS Wellington and the USS Auckland collided in in the orbital space dock above Marine Base Mattis. Several dozen Marines, Starfleet crew, and civilians were killed, hundreds more were injured.
"You were there, Kathy, now you are in the Delta Quadrant with an NCO's rank. You were a lieutenant and the helmsman for Auckland now you're a staff sergeant. I don't believe in coincidences," Jim looked at Smith with a cold angry stare. "You sold him out, didn't you? You traded your guilt in exchange for ratting him out to Command! Didn't you?"
Kathy hung her head. "Yes,"
"Get out of here!" Jim hissed angrily "Leave me alone until this mission is over, then you, me, the major and the captain will decide just where in the Delta Quadrant we will be dropping you off!"
"Jim, please! don't do this..."
"Get out or I call Major Crowe right now!" Jim's fist pounded his desk.. "Because of you, my oldest friend refuses to talk to me!"
"You need to listen to what I have to say!" Kathy suddenly shouted. "I had to tell him about us, or he would have drummed you out of the service!....you don't remember?"
Jim's anger vaporized as he shook his head. "Damn!" He shook his head. "I did it again!"
"Did what?" Kathy asked, concern in her voice.
"Someone or something stole a year of memories from me. I think from Dave, too." Jim sighed heavily. "There's no way to prove it."
Kathy came over and took his shoulders. "This ship isn't exactly rank-and-file Starfleet, Jim. Captain Kennit might have the answers, or know who can get them for you." She looked him in the eyes again. "I'm not angry with you, but I'm going back to my barracks. You need to do some work. We will talk soon."
Kathy left the room, allowing Jim to try and wrack his memory for any traces of the lost year of his life. The only memory I have is me on a gurney being wheeled into a medical chamber....where? Does this have anything to do with the Auckland?.
CORRIDOR TO THE TURBOLIFT.
SSGT Kathy Smith was inwardly upset. She had been told to keep an eye on Holbridge and make sure the memory wipe held. If there was any signs he would remember anything he was to be terminated expeditiously. Seducing him was part of the plan, because men were easier to manipulate when you played with their johnsons. Why is Command so hell-bent on Jim being unable to remember? What the hell happened to him? Kathy made up her mind to keep him alive, at least for the time being.
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