A Different Can of Worms (4/4)

[Charlotte Matsumura 0]

A Different Can of Worms (4/4)

LTJG Charlotte Matsumura

CDR Malcolm Alexander

Dr. Elisabeth Blair

LCDR Ronin Matsumura (Ret.)

 

***

 

It was rumored among her students that Doctor Elisabeth Blair had eyes in the back of her head. There was no other way, they said, she could be so perceptive and know exactly what mischievous plan they were hatching. The reality was that experience itself was a good teacher: As original as her students believed themselves to be, they weren't – it had all been tried before. But if they wanted to mark it up to the supernatural, who was she to argue?

 

Occult powers or no, the strange interaction between Charlotte and Malcolm Alexander caught her completely off guard: His hand hovering at the small of her back; the way he assisted her to her seat; monopolizing her time on the dance floor. There had also been no small amount of silent communication between the two, much conveyed with a single glance. They were all little details – things a stranger might miss. But as mother, friend, and nosey professor, Liz noticed. She wasn't yet sure how she felt about it.

 

Then again, she thought, she wasn't quite sure what 'it' was. Friends? Lovers? Partners? There was a gamut of possibilities. She knew, too, that time in the field encouraged close relationships. Mal and Ronin became brothers, often capable of their conversations without a word spoken; there was a bond of shared experiences even she could not entirely understand. Between a male and female operative, Liz could see where such a relationship could be easily misconstrued – especially when combined with the innate chivalry Mal possessed. Still, there was something...off. Liz just couldn't quite put her finger on it.

 

She looked to her daughter, seated next to her. The young Starfleet officer absently scraped at a flaw in the tablecloth, lips taut and brow furrowed in contemplation. It was a trend that began in the flyer, and carried over well past dessert. "Farthing for them," she said quietly.

 

Blinking, Charlotte looked up. She gave a sheepish smile, her fingers still playing with the pick in the fabric. "Sorry, Mum. I don't mean to be so quiet."

 

"S'alright, love." Liz reached and placed her hand over Charlotte's. "I'm sure there's a lot running through that head of yours. But I am here, if you need to talk."

 

Charlotte visibly struggled, casting a sideways glance toward her father, Ronin, and Mal, now standing across the room. They were speaking quietly with the interim Director of Operations, Roane Thompson. When she finally spoke, her voice was low and barely audible over the background hum of the club. "Mal and I have led others to believe that we are...involved, or at least close. Aboard Camelot, it gives us cover to spend time together, where the truth might be uncomfortable. But all of this" – and here, Liz knew she referred to the inquiry – "I need time to deal with it. I just don't think I can, if I'm continually worried about being blown." She paused a beat. "I need some time to be myself, and I'm never going to find that so close to Headquarters."

 

Well, that answers that, Elisabeth thought. She frowned. "I'm loathe to suggest it, but have you thought about leaving San Francisco for a few days?"

 

"I'd thought about it, yes," her daughter replied, "but I just got home. I didn't want to pick up and dash away again."

 

Movement to her right caught her attention, and Liz looked up as Ronin and Mal approached the table. "Well, I'm in no hurry to let you go again, but this isn't like you, love. If you need time, you should take it."

 

Mal lowered himself into his seat. "Need time for what?"

 

Liz looked to their old friend. "To recoup – recover. To deal with all of the goings-on." She waved her hand, as though indicating the situation surrounding them. "She's apparently feeling smothered by the uniform."

 

"There's a feeling I understand." Alexander gave a snort, then took a sip from his wine glass. "And not for the first time, either."

 

"I was just suggesting she duck out for a few days." Elisabeth turned her attention to her husband. "She could head to Niigata?"

 

"If she chose," Ronin replied with a nod. "Though staying with her grandparents may not be as restful as she may hope."

 

Charlotte chuckled. Older they may have been, Miya and Kaemon Matsumura had not slowed down; volunteer work, training, consulting and, for Miya, the occasional new holo role kept them extremely busy. "No, it usually isn't."

 

Mal cleared his throat as he lowered his wine glass to the table. "What about London?"

 

"London?" Arching her brows, Elisabeth looked to Mal. "It's not very restive, either, Mal."

 

"No," he conceded, "but it's not here. And I happen to know her English is much better than her Japanese."

 

Lottie straightened. "My Japanese is just fine, thank you. Better than your Welsh."

 

Liz bit back a laugh even as Mal winced, shaking his head. "Point taken," the old friend replied. "If you wanted, you could even stay at my flat in town proper. I've got a bit of a guest room – hardly more than a closet, really, but it's yours if you want it."

 

"I-I don't know. It's your flat, and –"

 

"You know as well as I do that I've a lot to do here." Mal leveled a gaze at her and another silent conversation ensued. Liz couldn't be sure what was intended, but it was a long moment before he spoke again, smirking. "Either that, or you can stay with your cousin, Enid."

 

At this, Liz laughed. Enid Fulton was her niece, and probably one of the most shallow individuals she'd had the displeasure of knowing. Takes after her father that way, she thought, inwardly grimacing at the thought of her former brother-in-law. They were the few members of the family that drove Charlotte to threats of physical violence.

 

Beside her, golden eyes danced with amusement as Ronin regarded his daughter. "It would seem he knows you, Matsumura-chan."

 

"Not helping, Papa."

 

Her father only grinned in return.

 

Charlotte looked to her, and Liz could only smile. "When do you pack, love?"

[KhreRiovtRex 0]

Nice set of logs Charlotte.