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It had all started three days ago. Elizabeth had come into Ops one morning carrying a plastic folder filled with paper sheets, upon which were little gold stars Cass recognised as what Meds kept in the med-bay for Croft whenever he injured himself working on the Guinevere. She instantly had a bad feeling about whatever was coming next.
“Good morning everyone!” The director greeted in her usual cheery manner, dumping the folder onto the table. Cass eyed it warily.
“Morning…what’s that?” She inquired, peering at Liz from over the rim of her coffee mug. The director smirked in that patented Liz way, and Cass’s heart fluttered.
“These,” she began, holding up the folder for all of the room to see, “Are a little motivational tool I brought along. Completely forgot about them until now, though.”
That’s a relief , Cass thought to herself, as Liz continued.
“I’m going to be handing these out to people as a reward for hard work, you know, like little badges of accomplishment. Just gives everyone a bit of a morale boost, since god knows we need it. Now, to start this off, Ravi! Come over here for a moment.”
The lieutenant in question startled slightly but did as instructed, and Liz proceeded to take two stars from the sheet.
“These are for your excellent job of running things while I was away.” She explained, sticking them to his collar. “Wear them with pride, lieutenant.”
Ravi nodded sheepishly, expression halfway between pride and nervousness.
“I-uh, I will. Thank you, ma’am.”
It had grown from there. Soon the little stars started popping up all over the Avalon, to the point Cass couldn’t go ten feet without seeing someone sporting a few on their uniform. Even Meds had gotten one for her help resolving the Triumph hostage incident.
Cass hadn’t gotten one herself, and didn’t expect to either. Not that she cared. In her eyes it was pretty childish, but she had come to expect that from Liz at this point.
So she was rather confused - and a tad concerned - when she was told that the director was expecting her in her office right away. She made her way there immediately, of course, not having much else to do, all the while wondering why Liz needed to speak with her so urgently.
Has there been an incident with the Unioners again? Are we having supply problems? Have the Advari found us? Those thoughts did nothing to calm her, but when she finally arrived in Ops, she found it calm and mostly deserted. The definite opposite of what she had been expecting. Liz was sitting at her desk, smoking like always, but spotted Cass almost immediately and practically teleported out of her office.
“Captain Farren!” She greeted, leaning over the railing. “Step into my office, please?” She didn’t give Cass time to respond before disappearing back inside.
Energetic as always, Cass noted with a mental sigh. Still, she climbed up to the upper level and into the office, where Liz was standing with a paper sheet in her hands.
“Elizabeth. I was told this was urgent. Is there something wrong?”
The director shrugged. “Nope.”
Cass was confused. “Then why-“ she was cut off by Liz suddenly darting forward, a hand pressing something to her jacket. Looking down, she saw a little gold star sitting just below her collar.
“What’s, uh, what’s this for?” She asked, considering taking it off for a split-second before realising Liz probably wouldn’t be too impressed.
“That, is for doing an excellent job as defence adjutant. You’re practically working yourself to an early grave, no offence, so I think it’s about time someone showed you a little appreciation.”
Cass blinked. This was…new. The CDF had never rewarded her for just doing her job, and her father definitely wasn’t the kind to give his daughter a prize for good behaviour. But here she was, little gold star proudly displayed on her collar and probably looking quite dumbfounded. She must have zoned out for a moment because next thing she knew Liz had put her hands on her shoulders and was shaking her.
“…Cass? You there? Cass?”
“Huh, what? Oh, uh, yeah, I’m fine.” She stumbled over her words, and nearly actually stumbled trying to back away upon realising how close she and Liz were. The director, however, didn’t look convinced.
“You’re crying.” Cass reached up to feel her cheek. Sure enough, it was damp with tears.
“It’s, uh…you know what, I should go. Thank you, Elizabeth, but I’ve got-“ suddenly her vision was full of red as Liz embraced her. Cass was so surprised she froze, but after a moment she awkwardly returned the gesture, wrapping her arms around Liz’s smaller frame. They just stood there for a while, seemingly uncaring of the fact the whole of Ops was probably watching, before eventually pulling away.
“What, uh…” Cass trailed off, brain still catching up. “…what was that for?”
Liz shrugged nonchalantly, playing with a strand of her hair. If Cass didn’t know any better, she’d say the redhead was nervous . “Eh. Looked like you needed one.”
Cass blinked again. “I think…I think I did. Thanks. Now, if that’s all…?”
“Yep, that was it. Now go on, get out of my sight. Can’t have you hoarding all my attention, people might start assuming things. Not that they don’t already, of course.” And just like that, it was back to joking. Cass chuckled.
“That’s for sure. See you.” She was at the door, about to head back to the Guin when Liz called to her again.
“Captain! I better see you in the bar later. It’s karaoke night, and I am not going up on stage alone!”
Cass rolled her eyes. She was emphatically not a singer, but it was a chance for some off-time with Liz…
She turned around and jokingly saluted. “Yes ma’am!”