Towards the End of a Very Long Day

[Annabelle O'Halloran 0]

Note: This log takes place before last week's sim.

 

Anna stood quietly, arms folded across her chest, hip leaning against the door frame, watching him work. He hadn't yet realized she was there and she didn't want to interrupt him. She'd gone to his quarters after finally leaving the science department and when she hadn't found him, the computer had informed her that First Lieutenant William Tomlinson was still on the Flight Deck. Not a big surprise--he'd been a lot busier since Angel had left. So, she stood, and while waiting for him to notice her, simply enjoyed the view.

 

Will was brooding something fierce. Outwardly, the squadron was doing as well as ever but underneath a slim facade of normalcy there was a storm simmering. The morale of his fellow pilots, including his own, was low and going lower every day. Ever since Angel had left the squadron under very mysterious circumstances, to say the least, the squadron felt lost. Will knew that he had done his level best to keep the squadron functioning at an optimum level but without an official CAG on duty, the squadron felt as if it were bereft of solid leadership. A fill in leader was only a stop gap measure, just as an XO could only command a starship for so long before a new Captain had to be named. He took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to alleviate the headache that was threatening to form, when he stopped suddenly. He took another deep breath and smiled slightly. He knew that scent when he smelled it and turned around to find his lovely Anna leaning against the doorway, watching him quietly. Will smiled as he approached her, "Hey, Beautiful. Come here often?"

 

Straightening away from the doorframe, Anna smiled and tipped her head, meeting his eyes as he walked up to her. "Only when I'm tracking down devastatingly good looking wayward pilots."

 

Will gently caressed her cheek. Right now, this woman was exactly what he needed. "Well, fortunately, there is one of those left here."

 

"And luckily for me, he's the one I came looking for," she murmured, leaning into his touch, her eyes still on his. For the first time since transporting back from the Juno, she felt herself relax. It was over; everything was back to normal. He was safe. Intellectually, she'd known it, but the physical confirmation was very comforting.

 

He got lost in those beautiful eyes of hers for a moment and then remembered something. "If I remember right, we haven't looked at room configurations. How about we do that right now?"

 

"That's a great idea," she agreed, her smile widening. "I'm so looking forward to getting everything into--" She broke off and looked past him to the desk before glancing back, a frown starting to form. "I did interrupt you, Will. Are you able to get away right now? You don't have to drop everything if it's not convenient."

 

Will's smile faded slightly. "Actually, it would probably be good to drop this for awhile," he said, motioning to the desk as he spoke. He took her hand and led her out of the flight office. "So, since you are here with me, I assume you made it through decontamination just fine, yes?" He widened his smile again trying to forget what would be waiting for him when he returned.

 

"I've been assured by Medical that none of my cells have started mutating but we'll know for sure later on tonight when we turn down the lights and I don't give off an eerie glow." Anna stopped in front of the turbolift and searched his expression while they waited. His smile seemed forced. "Nothing happened while you were on patrol, did it?"

 

Will shook his head, "No." he replied a little shortly and sighed, "It's...other things." He gave her a brief glance and decided to talk about it, "Morale is low among us pilots. Between Tabor's problem, Angel just up and leaving with absolutely no warning or explanation, and Command being VERY slow in naming a new CAG or telling us that Angel is coming back, we're...lost." They entered a TL and Will leaned against the wall a little. "We don't have a definitive 'who's in charge' any more. I've done my best as a fill in but without an official nod from the higher-ups, it just isn't enough." His tone was quiet, almost introspective. He looked over at Anna, "Sorry, I'm rambling."

 

"No, you're not. I'm just surprised." Anna fell silent as the lift doors slid back on Deck 8. She'd never heard Will talk about his work with such frustration. It had been going on since Angel disappeared and was apparently growing worse. This was the first he'd mentioned it and it bothered her that it hadn't come up before. She stepped out and waited until he joined her and they were walking towards his quarters. She glanced at him as they moved along the corridor. "You haven't said anything till now. How come?"

 

Will thought about his reasons for a moment before replying, "Well first, I figured that Command would move faster than this. By now, we should have a clear idea of who the CAG is, whether it be myself, Angel or whomever. Second, I've done a pretty good job of keeping things together in the squadron but I have to admit that it is approaching the breaking point." They got to his quarters and then entered as he spoke again, "Ah well, enough of that." He smiled at her. "Let's get started. Oh and by the way..." His grin got positively wicked. "Let's leave the bedroom configuration for last, ok?"

 

Anna wanted to talk to him about what was happening with the squadron but she recognized that grin and felt an answering leap of anticipation. "Save the best for last? I can do that," she answered with a look that made promises of its own.