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OOOOO
It had been one heck of a week so far. Terrifying, death-defying, wondrous and thrilling.
Sidney La Forge was thriving in her element. Maneuvering her ship with the skill and precision of pilots well above her command. There was still a lot to get through over the next 48 hours, but she had full faith in her crew.
Of all the life lessons her father instilled into her, the one that stuck with her the most was to never give up - never abandon your family. And after the handful of close calls she went though over the last couple of days, she understood, now more than ever, why her father took so many leaps of faith. He risked so much of himself to save his crew, because they had become his family, like her crew had now become hers.
And she wasn’t going to give up on them now. Even if it drove a deeper wedge between her father and herself.
She’s torn.
Sidney knows why he’s asking her to leave the ship. Any loving parent would do the same. But she’s so upset with him for not even attempting to understand the decision she’s making is exactly what he would have done all those years ago. He’s just forgotten. He doesn’t even want to entertain the idea while they’re each breaking the other’s heart. Again. What seems like the very few things they have in common these days with one another.
Bitterness and anguish. She makes her final stand with him and leaves to return to the bridge.
OOOOO
If her time on the Titan taught her anything, it’s that looks can be deceiving. Jack Crusher continues to be a mystery of endless questions. She’s now only spoken with him a few brief moments. But Sidney has good instincts about people. And while she’s wary of the Admiral’s son, there is something that intrigues her, draws her in just a little bit more each time they converse.
It wasn’t until he offered up a solution to make the ship undetectable, that she knew there was a new adventure on the horizon. The mischievous glint sparkling in his eyes, along with that impish, boyish grin. Sidney could see the real Jack Crusher shining through. And he was trouble. With a capital ‘T’.
Sidney couldn’t help but grin right back at his proposal of a little larceny. They both agreed it’s for the best interest to save his father’s friends and their ship.
Ignoring her sister, she contemplated this little outing would no doubt infuriate her father.
It only drove her further to agree to this reckless decision and join Crusher on this mini mission. She remembered the way he sternly told Jack to stay away from her. As if there was anything between them to begin with, right? They barely know one another. But sometimes, she feels seen, even when they’re not speaking to one another. It’s in his gaze and the way he quietly seems to understand. She doesn’t linger on the thought too long. Not because she doesn’t want to, but Sidney can’t afford to be distracted. Here she was, piloting a shuttle craft with the galaxy’s most wanted in tow.
Sidney hopes they can pull this off. It’s extremely risky. Not just for her career at Starfleet, but more importantly to save her friends and family.
She’s trying to focus, tamping down the urge to sneak glances at Crusher. Sidney straightens up, determined to be professional and stay on target.
With her luck, she’d fly the small shuttlecraft their in right into the side of the HMS Bounty and give away their position - not to mention dent a memorialized treasure from the past.
As they approach, Sidney catches a patrol off the starboard side. She cants her head to Jack with a silent question left hanging in the air along with mild panic. He just gives her a self assured smile and says they’ll get through it.
Such confidence in the way he speaks. A trait picked up unconsciously from his father.
Sidney barely knows him, but when she stares into his eyes, she believes him.
They say space continues to be one of life’s great mysteries. But when Sidney looks at Jack Crusher, she thinks, perhaps, he is the greatest mystery of all.
Pulling up behind the HMS Bounty, readying the shuttlecraft to dock, Sidney grins. Lucky for her, she has a penance for solving mysteries.
Stay away from Jack Crusher? Not a chance.