Subservience by Chandra Ryan

Author:Chandra Ryan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2014-03-19T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Harlow lived in a shadow world for the next three days. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion and she had a hard time focusing on what was going on around her. It was made worse by how easily Parker seemed to be taking their time apart. Each day appeared to get a little better for him but worse for her. And this morning it’d gotten so bad she’d walked behind his console just to see if she could smell him.

She groaned in misery at the memory and buried her face in her hands. How had this happened?

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah. Just ready for this run to be over. I think everybody could use a little shore leave. Myself included.”

But Parker didn’t seem convinced. He studied her for a moment before turning to one of the other crew members. “Ensign Locke, get the captain some coffee. Better make it hot and black.”

“On it.”

Damn the man. He was still trying to look after her. But he didn’t need to. She could take care of herself. “I’m good. Really.”

But Parker shook his head. “No. You’re not. You need a good meal and some sleep, Captain.”

Her jaw clenched at the title. He never called her Harlow anymore. But she could play that game just as well as he did. “I need a lot of things, XO. I need your report. I need an updated prisoner list. I need to work out.” And she needed a shower. Not that she was going to tell him that.

“We’ve got a handle on this. Why don’t you go get some rest and I’ll give you my report this evening?”

It was so tempting. If she could just get a little rest she’d feel so much better. “We’re going to be at Salaan in a couple of hours.”

“I’ll make sure you’re on the bridge when we make contact.”

“Captain.” Barkswell’s voice demanded her attention instantly.

“Yes, Lieutenant?”

“The ion cannons are showing a malfunction.”

She should consider herself lucky that this was the first malfunction they’d had since the glitch with the nav systems. Still, she didn’t feel overly lucky right now. They were too close to Salaan. She didn’t have time for anything to go wrong. Hitting her communications badge, she tried to relax. “Engineering, this is the captain.”

“Engineering here. Go ahead.”

“Tactical is reporting an ion cannon malfunction.”

“We’re on it.”

“Captain out.”

Hitting the badge to turn it off, she stood and stretched to help alleviate the aches and pains from sitting too long.

“Are you going to rest, sir?”

“If I can find the time.”

“Captain.” His concern for her radiated through his thoughts. And strangely she found that irritating. He worried about her. But not enough to actually stop by her quarters and talk to her.

“We have a job to do. Sleep will come later.” She shook her head to end the conversation before addressing the crew. “XO has the bridge.”

As she walked off the bridge she could feel him staring at her. She couldn’t fault him for it. She had a hard time not watching him when they were in the same room.

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