To Cross Or Not To Cross

Posted on Thu Aug 20th, 2020 @ 2:29am by Lieutenant Samantha Leyton & Lieutenant Aurelius Davis

Mission: Mission 3 - 100
Timeline: Aftermath of bridge battle
2159 words - 4.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Aurelius kept a close eye on Sam after the development with the Vrav. He felt helpless and guilty that he hadn't been able to do more and angry and guilty again that she had to take the responsibility for it. "Hey," he said as he came up behind her. "You okay?" Honestly he expected tears over the vent and thought she probably needed to get if off her chest.

"I...I think I'll be ok," she said blinking away tears that started to form again." With things getting back to somewhat normalcy on the bridge, she turned and nodded to a crewman that she knew could at least keep the ship on course. "I need to get outta here. Wanna join me?" she asked as she stood.

"Sure, probably a good idea." Aurelius followed her out. He wondered if she was one of those people who didn't like to show emotions in public but he didn't say anything. "So . . . do you want to talk about what happened or do you want distracted because if we keep walking I'll probably fall over my own to feet and create a great excuse for you to roll around on the floor in a fit of giggles."

Samantha grinned at the comment and turned as they stepped into a turbolift, selecting E Deck. "I should probably get changed before the captain says something about my outfit...this was my first time in combat. The first time I ever killed someone else," she said softly.

"Yeah," Aurelius answered back. "Well I've been in a fight before but I've never killed anyone. And that's probably a good idea though I wouldn't worry about the Captain reprimanding you, I mean there are more important things going on at the moment. Do you want me to walk you there? I can always scream like a little girl if I see another Vrav."

"No," she replied as the lift slowed to a stop. "It's not that I'm worried about the captain reprimanding me, I know it was combat and that people die, I just never took a life before, even if it was alien. And sure, I'd like the company," she stepped out into the corridor--the same one that a few short hours ago she, Aurelius, and others had fought through the Vrav and made their way to the bridge. "How are you doing?"

"Oh you know, still kicking like everyone else." he shrugged. "It certainly could be worse." To avoid any awkward silence he asked, "I can't remember if you ever told me where you were from?" He thought back to the conversation in his quarters that one night when he'd passed her the wings but couldn't remember if that subject came up.

"Oh, I'm from Virginia in the North American Continent on Earth," she said as they made her way to her quarters. "Come from a big military family. What about you?" she asked, thankful for Aurelius being there.

"Montana. And I just have the two siblings, two elder sisters. One uncle I think but I never met him and one cousin though I never met her either. Davis family is weird. We kind of spread out and stopped talking to each other. If anyone knows why they're not talking. Were you close to your siblings?"

"Very. I'm especially close to my grandfather whom got me interested in flight," she explained. "He owns several antique fighters and a hangar. My favorite to fly was the Spitfire--a World War 2 aircraft.

"Oh nice! Funny but I never picture myself a pilot, I just seemed to be good at it the minute I tried so I went with it. I got to see a B-17 once, got to crawl through it and imagine what it was like to fly it. That time period fascinates me. Why did you become a pilot? Something you always loved, taking wings?"

"To be honest, yes," Samantha explained, unable to stop a smile from forming. "It was also my grandfather who got me interested in flying. He was a retired aviator in the old United States Navy. I used to love hear him tell stories of his time in--he fought in the final years of World War Three. He also helped me to become a certified pilot when I was 15. Been loving it ever since...."she trailed off as she spotted the blood stains still on the deck from Lexi's wounds as they moved past the area. She hoped the engineering crews would get the place cleaned up soon. "You seem to be settling into your new role nicely."

"Eh, well I've always believed in making the best of things. I've had my bad days same as everyone else. I guess I just feel lucky that I'm with this great crew. I mean I've made a couple of friends, Beth, Matt . . . . and then there's you." Aurelius had to admit that he was confused about Samantha, but he didn't say that out loud.

Catching his change of tone when he mentioned her caused her to turn towards him as they neared her quarters. "And what about me?" She wasn't sure what she wanted with Aurlieus. She enjoyed his company and talking with him but a part of her wanted something more.

"I don't know honestly." He answered her with a bit of a shrug and a smile. "When I'm with you . . . it's weird. I mean I just do stuff without really thinking about it. It seems to come naturally. Like giving you those wings, taking your hand in the jefferies tube, rubbing your shoulders on the bridge. I didn't think about any of that first, I just acted. It's got me a little confused I suppose. Here I am following you to your quarters now."

His response caused Samantha to smile as she arrived at her quarters. "Well, I did ask you to come with me...but you're right. It does feel natural being around you. I would like to see where this goes if you want."

Aurelius didn't think it was a good idea to mention to her that if he thought about all of the things he did with her, without thinking, then it freaked him out a little bit. He glanced up at her as if he thought she was teasing him. "Yeah? Okay." He nodded. "Just don't point it out, unless I do something that makes you uncomfortable, then you can slap me or something."

"Deal. You can come in if you want while I shower and change," she offered as she took his hands into hers. "Besides, I could use someone to scare away any Vrav that may be in my Quarters with screaming," she joked.

In that moment he realized what had first attracted him to her. He like banter and she gave it right back to him. He followed her a bit stunned for a moment, his thumb rubbing over the back of her hand. He'd flirted with plenty of women before and while they sometimes responded with a smile or a roll of their eyes, he didn't think he'd ever met anyone who returned it so easily to him. "High pitched girly screaming," he corrected her. "And I'm your man for that. I've been practicing."

"Come on in and have a seat then," she laughed, glad that he had accepted to stay while she changed. She looked about as they entered. "Well, nobody here so no need for your high pitched girly screaming. "I'll be a few so no peeking," she waved a finger at him with a mischievous grin.

"Oh I can behave myself. It's my mouth that's another story." Aurelius joked, though it was true. "Enjoy. I'll just be sitting here looking for your secret journal to read." He made himself comfortable on the foot of her bed since there wasn't a good place to sit in these tiny quarters.

"Do and I'll kick you out the nearest airlock," Samantha teased with a grin as she made her way into the lavatory and shower.

"Wait, does that mean there is a secret journal? Am I in it?" He grinned as she disappeared and leaned back. He would do no such thing of course. Instead he closed his eyes for a little waking rest while she showered.

After a several minutes Samantha stepped out after her quick shower, having dressed in her uniform. "Wow, you actually behaved, sleepy head," she teased as she sat down next to him.

"You sound so surprised. I can and do behave myself all the time. I mean I was tempted . . . . but still. So, now what?" He looked at her honestly unsure of what they should be doing or saying.

Samantha wanted to get back to the bridge but with all that happened, she reckoned she could use a break. However as she looked at Aurelius in the eyes, she smiled. "Thanks for being here for me," she said before leaning in to kiss him.

He was actually surprised by the kiss but didn't pull away from her. She was soft and warm and any idiot on the ship could see she was gorgeously attractive. He returned the kiss slowly, his hands brushing her hair that he'd been curious about since he'd met her. It was as soft as he expected it to be. "I think," he said pulling away slightly. "You should sit here, right next to me and we can talk. Maybe even get some sleep. It would probably do you a world of good."

"Probably, but my shift isn't over yet," she replied with a smile. Sleep sounded like the best thing right now because she felt exhausted from the mornings' happenings and the fighting. "But sure, we can sit here for awhile. I think the events will have alot of people on edge...you might have your work cut out for you, Mister Morale Officer."

"Don't I know it." He smiled as she gave in. Aurelius moved over a little bit for her to sit next to him then slipped off his shoes and pulled his legs up on the bed. "And I don't even have much training. We all might be nuts in a few years, unless we find our way home." he shrugged. "Do you . . . do you think I'm okay for the job?"

"Yeah, I think so...or else the Captain wouldn't have assigned you the role. You're at least doing a good job of keeping my morale up," she smiled at him. It was true--Aurelius had always been there to lighten the mood or to say something to make her relax.

He gave a single nod. Even knowing that he had helped one person made him feel better. "So . . . why me? I mean, why did you decide you liked me?"

"Have I decided that?" she teased before pausing a moment to think. She shrugged. "I don't know...kinda did ever since we first met. Thought you were handsome. So...what about you?"

"You laugh at the things I say. Most women just give me this strange look like they think I'm off my rocker. They might not be wrong there, but I'm harmless. I happen to think I'm funny, it's nice to find someone who also thinks so." He stopped then realized he left an important part out. "And of course you're beautiful too. I love your hair." He sighed. "I feel like I'm rambling."

"You are," she admitted. "But keep it up--especially the compliments, I like it," she let out a chuckle. "I'd better get back on the bridge. Still have a couple hours left on shift," she sighed, not wanting to leave for duty with all that had happened.

"Sure you're feeling up to going back?" Privately Aurelius was thinking that Samantha was a lot braver than him. He thought he might need to take a bit more time to come to terms with what happened. "Oh, before you go, do you mind being called Sam or would you prefer Samantha?"

"Sam is fine," she grinned. "As for being sure about going back?" she shrugged before shaking her head slowly as the thoughts of the recent events occupied her thoughts. "No, I'm not sure. I want to stay here in my quarters, lock the door, and just hide. But it's my duty to be on the bridge--especially with our current situation of being lost."

"Awfully brave of you. You know what, I'll go with you. That might help, despite my girlish scream tendencies." He moved, though he didn't want to. "It will be over before you know it, then you can get some restful sleep. I could stay here with you tonight? You know, just sleep."

Pausing after standing, she nodded. "Sure, I'd like that. Come on," she offered her hand to him.

Aurelius let her pull him out of the room and back toward the bridge. At least this time leaving her quarters she was wearing shoes.