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The Tempest is flying through the Faroang system when Bridget gets the news.
She and Jaal are in the middle of watching a movie; more engrossed in each other’s company than in the actual plot, when SAM decides to notify her.
“Pathfinder,” he tells her urgently. “There is an incoming message on the vid-comm channel.”
Sighing, she asks, “Is it Tann? Or Addison? Unless it’s life or death, I think they can afford to wait another hour…”
“It is from Dr. Carlyle.”
In an instant, Bridget is on her feet, sprinting for the meeting room. Jaal scrambles after her, wondering what has her in such a hurry.
He comes to a stop at the base of the ramp, worriedly glancing up as she answers the call.
“Harry?” she asks frantically, fear dripping from her voice. “What is it? Did something happen to Emmett?”
“Bridget! Thank goodness you picked up…Emmett is fine, but…I needed to tell you. He’s awake.”
In that moment, she swears she stops breathing. Scant moments pass before she’s speaking into her comms. “Kallo, change of plans. Take us to the Nexus. Now.”
There’s a brief pause of hesitation before she receives an answer. “Right away, Pathfinder. Setting course for the Zheng He system.”
Bridget turns off her comm and releases a heavy sigh as she leans against the meeting room table. She feels bad for being so short with her pilot, but right now, there’s only one thing on her mind. She has to see him. To know for sure that he’s okay.
“I’ll be there as soon as I can, Harry…”
“Roger that…I’ll make sure he’s still in one piece by the time you get here.”
Harry hangs up after that and while his quip would ordinarily make Bridget chuckle, right now she’s too overcome with worry to see the humor in it.
Jaal cautiously approaches Bridget where she’s leaned over the console, tentatively placing a hand on her shoulder. “Darling One…Are you all right?”
She chuckles half-heartedly, stepping into his arms and hugging him tightly. “I wish I knew…” she mutters, letting out a heavy sigh.
Rumbling thoughtfully, Jaal lays his cheek on top of her head. “Would you like to talk about it?”
With a sigh, she leans into his embrace. “No…I think…Right now, I just need some company.”
Smiling, Jaal pulls her closer. “I think I can manage that.”
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When they arrive at the Nexus, Bridget speeds through the crowds as fast as she can. She silently curses the people who get in her way. Don’t they realize they’re keeping her from her brother?
Thankfully, she arrives at the Hyperion med bay soon enough. She enters the door and spots him almost instantly. There, sitting up on his bed and chatting with Harry is Emmett. She lets out a small gasp, her feet carrying her forward.
Tears begin to well in her eyes and she approaches him with arms spread wide. “Emmett!”
He looks at her in shock, his expression taken aback before his brows furrow in anger. “You lied about Dad.”
Her smile begins to fade and she takes a step forward. “Oh, Em…” she says sadly. She tries to go in for a hug, to comfort him, but he crosses his arms over his chest, glaring at her.
Bridget lamely drops her arms, hurt swelling in her throat. It’s been so long since she’s been able to speak with Emmett properly. She’s been so worried about him these last few months, and she can’t even give him a hug. She knew her lie would come back to bite her in the ass, but she hadn’t realized just how angry her twin would be about it.
“Why?” Emmett growls, venom in his voice.
She lets out a heavy sigh, tentatively sitting next to him on the bed. “I had no idea what that kind of news would do to you. You were in such a fragile state as it was…I didn’t want to hurt your recovery.”
“Yeah, well, it’s hurting pretty bad right now,” he says bitterly.
She balls her hands into fists, clenching them atop her lap. “I know…But…I hoped I could be here to help you through it.”
A few moments pass before Emmett reaches toward her with one arm, his voice cracking slightly as he utters, “Come here.”
Instantly, she falls into his embrace, a warbled sound escaping her throat.
She wants to keep holding tight and never let go.
“It’s just you and me now, Bridge,” he says quietly.
Bridget gives a solemn nod. “The terrible twins,” she murmurs.
This doesn’t feel real. After all this time, she never thought she’d be able to hold Emmett again. She soaks up the moment for all it’s worth.
They sit like that for a few minutes, each trying to cope with their emotions. Eventually, Emmett speaks again. “I’ve been hearing rumors that you’re the new pathfinder?”
Bridget lets out a cynical chuckle. “Yeah…Dad’s parting gift.”
“I’m sensing there’s a story there.”
Sighing, she answers, “Back on Habitat-7…we encountered both the kett and a bunch of Remnant tech. Long story short, things went to shit and my helmet got busted. So, Dad…gave me his.”
Emmett snorts sarcastically. “Huh, so he did know how to be a parent after all.”
“Don’t I know it?” Bridget mutters.
They sit in silence for a bit before she adds, “I’m sorry for lying to you.”
Sighing, Emmett says, “It’s okay. I get why you did it. Honestly, I’m not sure what I would have done if the situation was reversed.”
“Well, the good news is…now that you’re awake, it’s only a matter of time before you get to join our wacky adventures.”
“Why wait? I’m ready now.”
Emmett attempts to stand, but his legs begin to buckle beneath him. Bridget manages to catch him in time and utters a “Careful!” before helping him back onto the bed.
Harry rushes over, a stern look upon his face. “No way are you fit for duty, sir. You need to take it easy.”
“Yeah? Says who?” Emmett bites back with snark.
“The pathfinder,” Bridget says with a raised brow. “You’re to stay in bed and recover. That’s an order, Specialist Ryder.”
“Hmph,” he mutters in response. “Pulling rank already?”
She brushes her hand across his forehead, a sad look on her face. “Only because I care. I need you at your best. It’ll take time before you’re fully ready.”
He sighs heavily, leaning back in the medical bed. “Yeah, yeah…”
Smiling softly, Bridget stands up. “I’ll let you get some rest.”
“You’d better be back. This place is boring as hell.”
Laughing quietly, she grins. “Don’t worry, you won’t get rid of me that easily.”