To Hell in the Express Handbasket

Posted on Wed Jul 4th, 2012 @ 8:39pm by Commander Oralia Zeferino & Jackson Banning V & Cassidy Wilde

Mission: Sections of the Delta Quadrant
Location: Nexus Club

* * Evening * *

Having spent more time in front of a mirror than she was used to, Oralia had finally given up trying to tell if her belly was more or less than it had been the day before. Instead of worrying over it, she’d donned a fire-engine red dress that hugged her breasts and ribcage and fell loosely around her hips and legs. It was a different style for her, but it worked. Mostly, it worked to ease her mind that no one else would be able to tell she was pregnant.

As she walked into the Nexus Club, she smiled as genuinely as she could, given her nerves, and greeted Cassidy, “Hey, thought I’d finally stop by for that drink and to see Jackson.”

“Hello Oralia. I’m glad ya came,” she smiled and gave Oz a quick hug. Dressed in a handmade reproduction of a vintage Versace gown in a pale gold color. The delicate lace covered the entire dress, while the beading was only on the bodice and upper half of the skirt.

“Ya look gorgeous,” Cass gestured to Oz from head to toe, then smirked. “There are times I wish I could fill out a dress that way, but it worked out better this way for me. These don’t bounce around too much while horseback riding.”

“Fill out?” For a split second, Oz wasn’t sure what Cassidy meant. One hand went to her waist and she had to stop herself from running her hand down the fabric of her skirt. Her brain kicked into gear as she realized Cassidy meant breasts, not bellies. “Oh, yeah, gifts from my mother,” she joked. “And thank you for the compliment.” Her gaze slid over Cassidy’s dress then moved around the room, looking for anyone she might want to avoid at the moment. Returning her attention to Cassidy, she smiled and asked, “Do you have time for a drink at the bar or should I just go bother Jackson?”

“I’ve got time. We had a rush a little while ago and I skipped my break, so I can take it now.” Glancing around, Cass spied Jan over by the bar. “I’m gonna go let Jan know I’m takin’ my break so she can cover for me. Did ya wanna sit at the bar or a table?”

“The bar’s fine,” Oz headed that way and blandly smiled at Janice as she passed her to spell Cassidy. She took a seat and Vic appeared with her usual: a glass of dark Cabernet Sauvignon. “Oh, actually, Vic, could I have a Tinto de Verano?”

He nodded and quickly produced the lighter version of red wine just as Cassidy took the seat next to Oz. “So how did a Southern Belle like you end up all the way out here?”

“I wanted to go somewhere new. Ya know...something about ‘the road less traveled’.” Cass shrugged. “Jackson asked me the same thing and honestly, I didn’t really have a reason for comin’ out here. Kinda like takin’ a road just because it’s there. I came out here because I could. That sounds really lame, doesn’t it?” she asked, then turned to smile at Vic. He’d already figured out what that particular smile meant, especially with the silly dramatic hand to her throat as if she were parched and dying of thirst. Lemonade. They were still working on the little cues for raspberry versus plain lemonade.

“No, not lame,” Oz shook her head and chuckled at Cass’s antics, “Maybe a little... directionless. But there are worse things to be.” Her smile eased any insult that might be taken from that. “It’s interesting being this far from home. Different races, different foods,” she sipped her watered-down wine and frowned at it.

Vic placed the lemonade in front of Cassidy, smiled at both women and moved off down the bar to tend to other customers. Picking up her drink, Cass took a sip and considered the other woman for a moment. “Not quite directionless, just unusual. I coulda gone anywhere I wanted to, but when it came down to it, I felt...I don’t know...drawn here. It’s not like I was runnin’ away from anythin’ back home, just wanted something completely new.”

“There are large parts of the Delta that are completely new to us. Places Voyager never made it to.” Places that Oralia would now never get to go to. She lifted her glass and looked at the contents. “That wanderlust, the wanting something completely new, I think that’s why my oldest brother joined Starfleet. He wanted to get off the fishing pier and go do something else, anything else. Ya got brothers, sisters?”

Cassidy nodded. “Four older brothers - Remington, Mason, Preston and Aaron. Remy’s a liar...I mean a lawyer,” she snickered. That joke never got old. “Mason’s an architect. Preston’s a neurology surgeon and Aaron works with the family business, like I did.”

“Four brothers? I have the same: two older, two younger. Oldest, Archibald, is in Starfleet; Hariwald is at home, in the family business; Thad is... doing something,” Oralia shrugged dismissively. “And the very youngest is here, dating Jackson’s ward, Eli.” She didn’t sound happy about that.

“So three of ya are in Starfleet? It must be nice ta have yore baby brother here with ya.” Cassidy commented, trying to focus on their conversation, but for some reason she was picking up a lot of stress coming off of Oralia. “Are ya okay, Oralia? Ya seem a bit stressed out.”

Shifting so she could look straight at Cassidy, Oz nodded. “I am. Stressed, that is. My little brother is mixed up with some kid who …,” she nearly revealed too much and reined herself in, “ah... who is not the safest choice for him. Meanwhile, I have this little monster running around the ‘base, getting shot at and causing commotions everywhere she goes. And, to top that off, Connor has gone off and I haven’t heard from him.” It all came out in a rush and when she was finished, she took a sip of her drink and then added, “Sorry, it’s all a bit much and that’s just on the personal side.” Given how quickly Oralia unloaded onto Cassidy, one might think she’d just been dying for a girlfriend.

Cass blinked, stunned for a split second by the deluge of information. Not many people actually opened up when you ask them if they are okay. Most give the standard dodge I’m fine, or yeah, why do you ask? Some flat out wouldn’t say anything. While she was sorry Oz was having trouble, she was glad she had opened up. Everyone needed a friend. Someone to talk to. Even the woman that Jackson either had been or still was in love with.

Sometimes being so perceptive really, really sucked.

Reaching over, Cassidy took Oz’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Where do I begin with all of that?” She took a breath. “Iggy’s probably the easiest problem yer facin’. Sure she’s a bit...startlin’ at first, but as soon as she starts talkin’ ta ya, she’s quite engagin’. People will get used ta seein’ her ‘round. As for yore brother and Eli, well...sugar...that’s between them. No amount of worryin’ on yore part is goin’ to do anythin’ more than just stress ya out.”

Oz smiled ruefully at that. Not because Cassidy was correct, but because there was more to the issue than just how well Chance and Eli fit together. Since it was an ongoing investigation, though, she didn’t want to go into any details.

Sitting back, Cass picked up her lemonade and took a sip, wondering how much to say about Connor. She didn’t know him or what their problems were, other than he was gone and hadn’t contacted her. Well, that and the fact Jackson had voiced doubts about the other man being right for Oralia.

“I’m not sure what ta tell ya about Connor, honestly. Out of everythin’ ya said, he seems ta weigh heaviest on yore mind and yore heart.” Okay Cassidy...shut up now, she chastised herself and watched Oz patiently.

Unsure of herself in light of her sudden and near-full disclosure to this woman she’d just met today, Oz bought herself time by sipping at her (really awful, watered-down) wine. Thinking about Connor made tears prick her eyes and she covered that by smiling and making a joke: “Geez, you’d think someone who has command of the whole station’s security force would have a better handle on her personal life, huh?” She laughed at herself.

“You’re right, Cassidy, Iggy is the least of my worries - or she will be, soon, if I can find a tutor for her. So far, three tutors have flat-out refused,” she chuckled, “Considering the student, I suppose I can understand. I don’t know if you saw the memo from the Admiral’s office? Iggy now has permission to wander freely; even has a computer chip that tells the turbolift to stop at every other Promenade level.” Effectively, Oz was warning Cassidy that she might see Iggy wandering into the Nexus all by her lonesome.

“The other two situations....” She lifted her shoulders in an exaggerated shrug. “Why are men such pains in the ass?”

“Yes, I did see somethin’ about our favorite arachnid before I came in ta work tonight. I’m sure Iggy will enjoy that, but I think that’ll make you more nervous until people stop reactin’ to her the way they do.” Cassidy couldn’t quite mask her surprise about the tutors. “Tutors? Are ya thinkin’ about givin’ her an education so she’ll understand everything from our point of view? That’s not a bad idea actually. Let me know how yore search for tutors goes.”

Looking over her shoulder at where Vic was further down the bar, she turned back to Oz. “As for why men are pains in the ass? Well, I suspect it’s somethin’ in their DNA. It’s a rather dominant gene. Causes ‘em ta live with their heads firmly implanted in their own asses most of the time...but that’s not all men, honey. Just some. There are good ones out there. Others need help extractin’ their heads from their other end. There’s hope for those men.” Picking up her drink again, she took a long sip, thinking about her own former betrothed. “And some aren’t worth the time it takes ta look at ‘em.”

“Sounds like you’ve had experience with the latter kind,” Oz commented, inviting Cass to tell her about it.

Cassidy sat silent, debating whether or not to fess up, but it was only fair since Oralia had opened up. Besides, she had nothing to be ashamed of. It wasn’t as if she had done anything wrong back then. Other than put her faith in a man that didn’t deserve it.

“You could say that. I was engaged ta be married two years ago,” she started off slowly. “I thought he was the man I’d spend the rest of my life with, obviously. Only somethin’ happened. I was in an accident. It was pretty serious and the doctors thought things wouldn’t improve for me. Long story short, he left. He quit on me at the first sign of trouble.” Smoothing a hand over her hair to make sure there were no pins sticking out, it was more a habit of wanting to run her hand through her hair.

“He left when I needed him most. I learned everything I ever needed to know about him when he did that.” Cass smiled suddenly. “You should have seen his face when I made a full recovery and was up walkin’ ‘round when the doctors said I would never walk again.”

That was another thing men were awfully good at: leaving just when a woman needed them most. “There are so many things to be happy about in that story, Cassidy. That you’re walking again; that you learned his true colors before being tied down,” Oz lightly gripped Cass’s forearm and smiled. “Speaking of men who leave just when you need them most, though, I need to talk to Jackson, find out how it is that he has Connor’s guitar.” She emptied her glass, mentally vowed never to order ‘summer wine’ again, and stood. “I’ll see you in a bit?”

“Oh trust me, I am very grateful and happy about how things turned out for me. I’m better off without him.” Nodding, she stood and smiled at Oz. “Sure thing, I’ll be around. I hope ya find out what’s goin’ on with Connor.” Cass almost said more, about Jackson, but it wasn’t her place to stick her nose into that. Not unless something drastic happened.

“So do I, Cassidy.” Just before Oz turned away from the bar, Vic appeared, another Tinto de Verano in hand. Oz smiled at him and decided that maybe watered-down wine wasn’t so bad after all. She took the drink and wandered back towards Jackson’s office.

Jackson was behind his desk, in tux pants and shirt, his tie and jacket hanging up to be donned for the evening. He examined the monitor before him, checking figures for the week, his customary lemonade at hand. The week had shaped up very well so far, and tonight looked to be no exception. The office was quiet tonight, no visitors, no farting spiders, no cursing. It was something of a miracle actually and he smiled.

Jackson’s pleasant evening was about to go to hell in a handbasket. The start of that trip was a knock on his door and then the appearance of Oz, the devil in a red dress, in his doorway. “Hey, you said you have Connor’s guitar?”

He kept his expression neutral as he looked up, but then found it difficult to breath. “Do come in Oz.” He paused a moment. “You look lovely.”

With her free hand, she touched the back of her nearly-bare head. “Thanks, Jackson,” she moved into the office and took a seat opposite him. There was something about a sharp-dressed man... and Jackson made even just slacks and a shirt look sharp. “Um... so how is it that you have Connor’s guitar, anyway?”

“He left it with me before he took off. I suppose he thought it made up for that last episode here but I can’t keep it. I told him I’d hold it till he got back but maybe it’s better in your hands.”

“Before he took off?” Oz recalled seeing the guitar with Connor when he’d told her what he was doing. That meant... “You were the last one to see him, Jackson. Do you know where he is now? It’s more than a little urgent that I get in contact with him,” Oz’s voice had risen an octave.

Jackson shook his head. “No, I don’t. He didn’t say, and when I let him out my back door here, I purposely closed the door so I wouldn’t see which direction he went either.” He frowned a moment. “What’s up?”

She didn’t want to tell him. “He’s been gone more than a week. He said he’d stay in contact, but he hasn’t.” The ice in her glass rattled as her anxiety ramped up again; she put the glass on Jackson’s desk. “How could you just let him...,” she stopped herself and pinched the bridge of her nose, right over her tear ducts to stop herself from crying. “Sorry, J. It wasn’t and isn’t your place to stop him from doing anything.”

“No, it isn’t.” His tone was soft despite the words. “You two are adults, Oz. It’s not my job to fix things between you, even when I see ya both do things that make me wanna scream.” He fidgeted with the glass of lemonade on his desk. “Why’d he leave you Oz?”

Which time?, Oz wondered, glad that Jackson couldn’t read her thoughts. “I’m not sure.” She could have expanded on that, could have told Jackson that Connor made her crazy, made her want to scream, made her want to write him off sometimes, but she didn’t. Telling Jackson all about the negatives of his rival wasn’t fair, wasn’t smart, particularly when she knew now what she knew. Irritation replaced her anxiety in a flash. “You know, he can stay gone. It’s fine. I’ll handle it on my own.” Her eyes met Jackson’s eyes and quickly found somewhere else to look.

“Don’t get angry with me, whatever it is has nothin’ to do with me.” He noted her avoidance and sighed. “Look at me Oz, what is ‘it’ that you have to handle?”

“I’m not angry with you, J. Though next time you see Iggy, could you teach her something other than the use of foul language?” She joked and smiled. “I’ll handle him being gone. That’s all.”

“Will you? When are you gonna wake up and make this relationship liveable? I’ve already bitched at both of you about not talkin’ to each other. Then he shows up here, plannin’ to disappear for a while. This solves nothin’.” He rose and paced around his office. “An’ I know you’re wound up about somethin’. Let’s hear it.”

She glared at him as he paced. How dare he lecture her and still look so damned good to her? “Me? You think I’m the one not making this relationship liveable?” She stood and got in front of him so he couldn’t pace as she railed at him, “I’m not the one who resigned his commission and went off for a ‘walkabout’! I’m not the one who went off and disappeared without so much as a ‘hey, here’s my number, give me a call, maybe?’” Her anger boiled over and her voice rose, “I’m not the one who disappeared, leaving the pregnant girl behind!” Her eyes went wide. She hadn’t really meant to tell Jackson. Certainly not in that manner.

“And yet you stay with him in spite of all that and --” Her words suddenly hit him. He blinked and realized he felt utterly and completely numb. “Pregnant?”

Deflated, she nodded and softly answered, “Yeah. Found out earlier today. I don’t know why I stay with him, J. Misplaced loyalty? I love him, but... dammit, he’s aggravating.”

“Loyalty is not why you stay anywhere. It should be good Oz, and when was the last time you came here to tell me how good things were? Not once. You show up when you’re angry with him, or pissed off, or he’s accused you of cheating on him with me. He shows up to try and turn you over to me like some piece of furniture. I think now, it’s time that you two faced reality. You are the Chief of Security. Goddammit, go to your office, do a scan, and find him. I can’t be your buffer anymore.”

Perhaps it was hormones. Perhaps it was Iggy’s influence. But suddenly, Oz wondered if everything wouldn’t just be easier if women ate their mates after all. Her jaw set and she nodded. “You’re right. You couldn’t ever be my buffer. Or anything else.” She recalled now why she’d earned the “Ice Princess” nickname on a past ship; getting involved with people on the same damned piece of space junk was never a good idea.

“I wanted to Oz, you know that. You also know that I won’t turn my back on you completely but I have to get out of the crossfire. I told you I’d do anything for you but I can--”

“Stop, Jackson,” she interrupted him, one hand held up, palm towards him. “Let’s leave it here, before anyone says too much.” She backed towards the door, that one hand now giving him a slight wave. “You’re free and clear, J; I won’t bring this to you again.” Or anything else, she promised herself.

“You need to figure out your life, Oz. Make it what you want it to be, not just react. But you have to do that. As much as I want to tell you....convince you....it’s too late. I’ll help with the baby issues if you need it but I won’t run interference anymore.” He bit his lips to stop it from trembling and closed his eyes, forcing himself to keep it together.

Men. Why were they such pains in the ass? Cassidy probably had it right: it was hardcoded into their DNA. Jackson just had to say too much, didn’t he? In the moment that Jackson had his eyes closed, Oz, who’d heard more than she wanted to hear, more than what Jackson had even said, left his office and hurriedly walked through the Club, avoiding letting anyone stop her, even Cassidy. Especially Cassidy, with her sympathetic manner and willing ear. She was on the turbolift when the tears came.

Back in his office, Jackson finally opened his eyes when he heard the doors close. The numbness left as suddenly as it came, leaving him raw and empty. His eyes stung and he fought back the tears, determined to keep himself together till he got out. He, too, left his office and stopped briefly at the bar. “I’m out for the night Vic.”

Before Vic could answer, Jackson vanished through the doors by the bar.

Cassidy had felt Oralia coming before she caught sight of the other woman in the red dress. The emotions swirling around and through Oz were raw and painful. Too much to stop her and ask what was wrong. That would have thrown the switch right there, so she let her go. No one was waiting to be seated, so she headed for the bar. Before she reached it, Jackson came out, said something to Vic and was gone. Even at this distance, what she felt from him almost buckled her knees. It was overwhelming.

Vic watched him go, then turned back to Cass. “Gonna be a long night honey.”

“Yes, I know.” She looked back at the doors, concern evident in her expression. Sighing, she turned to make her way back up front. She hoped Jackson wouldn’t do anything he’d regret later.

**********

Jackson Banning V
Owner & Knocked Out
The Nexus Club

Oralia Zeferino
In Need of Something

Cassidy Wilde
Hostess & Way Too Perceptive
The Nexus Club