Short Story: The Captain's Angel

(This was written for a writing challenge.)

"Hey, Felicia. Wake up."

"No, thank you. I'll just stay asleep, thanks." Felicia pulled the blanket over her head, only to have it suddenly yanked away. "Hey!" She sat up, grabbing at it and trying not to laugh as Charlie held it out of her reach. "Okay, okay. I'm up."

"Better hurry," Charlie advised sweetly as she folded the blanket and set it on the bed. "You know. Starship to run and all that."

"...right. Thanks." Felicia kissed Charlie's cheek and scrambled off the bed. "I'd ask you to join me, but..."

Charlie giggled, pushing her away toward the head. "Go on, crazy. You'll be late."


Felicia paused, looking back at her. "Late? What time is it?"

"Seven thirty."

"Crap." Felicia darted into the head, leaving the door open. Soon there was the sound of running water.

"Seriously, Felicia? You still use the water showers?"

"Hush, you!" Felicia could hear Charlie giggling over the water as she washed her hair. She grinned, shaking her head. She'd never invited any of her other civilian dates aboard the Valley Forge and didn't know why she'd made an exception for Charlie at all. Not like they ever stick around. It's great fun to date a starship captain, but who wants to be dragged all over the galaxy? She shut off the water and dried off before brushing her teeth. Just as she came back into the bedroom, she heard the whir of the replicator and looked toward it.

"Here." Charlie handed her a clean uniform, with socks folded on top. "The one you pulled out of the closet last night had a tear in it. I think your fox was playing with it while we were sleeping."

Felicia gave Shadow, who was curled up on her pillow, a look. The little fox yawned at her and flipped his tail against the bed, making a mewling sound as if to say 'then you shouldn't ignore me.' Scratching his ears, Felicia rolled her eyes. "Jealous."

"Seven forty five."

"Oh right. Work." Felicia sighed and got dressed, pulling on her boots before pausing to run a comb through her hair. "You know, I could just give myself the day off. Who's going to tell me 'no'?"

"Uh, Starfleet Command?"

"Besides them. They don't count."

"Aren't they, like, your boss?"

"Well, yeah." Felicia shrugged, trying to tie her wet hair back. "But this is my ship. They can tell me where to go and when to leave, sure. But I don't have to give the order to move out. Alex can."

"I don't know, Felicia." Charlie took the comb and elastic out of Felicia's hand and pushed her into a chair. "Sit still."

"I didn't know you liked it rough."

Charlie coughed, pulling the comb through Felicia's hair. "I don't think this is the time for that talk, Felicia."

"Flick."

"Huh?"

"Call me Flick." Felicia flashed a quick smile over her shoulder. "My nickname. I don't let a lot of people use it. Just friends. And uh..."

"And...?" Charlie ran her hands through Felicia's hair, gathering it at the base of her skull and working it into a braid.

Felicia blushed slightly, glad that Charlie couldn't see her face. "Um, you know. My...partner."

"You mean your lover." Charlie fastened the elastic around the end of the braid that she'd put in Felicia's hair. "There's no reason to be embarrassed by it, Flick. You're attracted to other women. Big deal. So am I." She patted Felicia's shoulder. "Hair's done."

Felicia grinned, getting up from the chair. "Thanks. You have no idea how meaningful that is. Seriously."

"Parents don't approve, huh?"

Felicia shook her head. "Not at all. A lot of people don't, even in this 'enlightened age'. It's a shame, really."

"Don't listen to them." Charlie kissed Felicia's forehead. "They don't matter. Now go, before your crew starts looking for you."

"Yes, ma'am." Felicia giggled a little, going to the door and nudging Shadow back when he tried to follow her. "Hey, Charlie?"

"Hmmm?"

Felicia bit her lip. "Are you...going to stay on the Valley Forge? Like, permanently?"

Charlie gave Felicia a look of surprise, raising her eyebrows at the question. "Would you like me to?"

"Only if you want to. I mean, we have the space, if you wanted to stay. I won't lie to you; it's dangerous. I think this ship has run into more trouble than the rest of the fleet combined..."

"Felicia."

Felicia stopped talking and looked over at her. "What?"

"You ramble when you're nervous. Did you know?" Charlie smirked at the scowl Felicia gave her. "Well you do. And I'd like to stay, but all of my things are on Jupiter Station..."

"I have a transporter. And my cabin is bigger than your apartment on the station. And..." Felicia paused, grinning just a little. "I have a fox. A fox you adore."

"Ohhhh...all right. I'll stay." Charlie smiled, shaking her head. "Two minutes, Captain Quinn."

"Damn it. Bye. I love you!" Felicia darted out of the cabin, still grinning as she made her way up to the bridge.