Stroll of Shame

[Tory Knight 0]

Stroll of Shame

MAJ Julian de Beresford

MAJ James Kent

***

Note: Takes place the morning after Tory departs for Republic, providing a little background.

***

 

"Derby?"

 

Major Julian de Beresford looked up from his newspaper and coffee, brow furrowed. Few people outside the Corps used his callsign, so hewas not surprised to see fellow Marine major James Kent standing before histable. The two had never been close friends, separated by a year at Eton, and then had been in the same officer candidate school cohort a year later. Still, time and close proximity as neighbors had shown him Jamie wasn't a bad sort. Mischievous, perhaps, but that was a trait Beresford had to admit they shared.

 

Julian smiled, folding his paper closed as he rose. He extended a hand toward Kent. "Jamie," he said. "Good to see you, old man. Join me?"

 

A grin broke across Jamie's features. "Thanks," he replied. Grabbing a nearby chair, he turned it backward, straddling the seat as he held his coffee in his hands. Once settled he nodded toward Beresford. "Didn't think you had duty this weekend."

 

His brows furrowed for a moment before Beresford looked down, noting he was still wearing his uniform. "Ah... I don't. Just haven't had the chance to change."

 

"Oh?" Kent's perpetual grin slipped lopsided, eyes twinkling. "Walk of shame?"

 

Julian shook his head as he chuckled. "More like a leisurely stroll," he replied. "No shame involved."

 

"Sounds serious. Still seeing Sir Richard's girl?"

 

"Tory?"

 

"That's the one."

 

Beresford nodded. "Though she just shipped off for parts unknown," he answered. "Last minute orders for Republic."

 

"Republic? Isn't she bound for Gamma? That's one Hell of a long distance relationship, Jules."

 

"I'm well aware." Julian grimaced. He was also less than pleased. But how could he argue with an admiral who recognized thesame brilliance he had? A light smile flickered across his lips as he recalled their goodbye. With some effort, he regained his nonchalance. "Still, easier for me to visit her than for Republic to return.

 

"Speaking of return... was that you I saw Gunny Dailey having lunch with this week?"

 

Jamie cleared his throat. "Yeah, well... We... She–"

 

Beresford chuckled. "Easy, tiger," he replied."Observation. Not accusation."

 

"No reason for accusation, anyway," Jamie replied,waving him off. "We're just friends -- just one of the mates."

 

"I could see that." Julian paused, taking a draw from his coffee cup. "Wickedly twisted sense of humor. Between family andthe Corps, I'd say she comes by it honest."

 

"You know her?"

 

Beresford smirked over the top of his drink. "She works for me at Headquarters."

 

"Then I suppose this is the part where you get all'papa bear' on me?"

 

"Ha! Hardly. If Gunny thought I was fighting her battles for her, I'd be down on my arse so fast, my head would spin." The senior major chuckled. "No, I think you're a smart guy and Genna can fend very well on her own."

 

Kent studied the placid expression across his features, a knowing smile creeping across his own. "But if I hurt her, you'll kill me?"

 

"No, no; nothing quite so messy. But assignment to a far-flung outpost might work." Mischief glinted in his eyes.

 

Jamie laughed. "Message received, Major." He drained the last of his coffee, then made a three-point shot with the empty cup. "I've gotta jet – meeting a friend for lunch. Care to join us at thepub tonight?"

 

Beresford pursed his lips, considering a moment before nodding. With Tory somewhere between Earth and the Gamma Quadrant, he found his social calendar abruptly empty. "What time?"

 

"Eh, 'round eight or nine. Clay gets a bit longwinded."

 

"Eight-thirty it is, then." Julian raised his cup in salute. "Cheers."

 

Kent grinned. Rising, he placed the chair back at the table beside them. "Cheers!"

 

Julian watched for a moment as the younger officer wove his way through the crowds. If Major Kent's friends were anything like Major Kent, Beresford couldn't help but think he was in for an interesting night.

 

***

 

 

 

[STSF_BluRox 0]

Great backstory Tory!! Thanks for posting! I'm looking forward to seeing more.

 

Blu