Chapter Text
T-minus 12 days till launch.
Eva Stratt's office was empty. The blinds were closed, the lights were off, the door was locked, the whole nine yards.
It was 21:54, China time.
The moon had risen a few hours prior, casting a lazy shadow over the People's Liberation Army Navy Gansu and the South China Sea that it floated in. The ship rocked gently, swaying on the churning waters below.
Eva Stratt's quarters were empty as well. A slight musty scent hung in the air, signifying that its resident had not set foot inside in at least a week.
She could not be found in the cafeteria, nor the labs, nor Dr. Grace's office, nor the bar, though you'd have to be pretty desperate to go there looking for her.
So where was the most important person on the planet?
And when you were leaving the bar, did you happen to see Olesya Ilyukhina?
No?
Well it's a good thing you mention it. It was a strange occurence for the barkeep's favorite face to be missing.
So where was the dead woman walking?
Eva Stratt and Olesya Ilyukhina sat together on the bed in Olesya's quarters.
T-minus 12 days till launch.
Eva laid on Olesya's chest and Olesya had one hand draped over Eva's stomach while the other stroked her hair. The pattern was slow and rhythmic, done the same every time.
Pat. Pat. Pat.
Eva insisted on that part.
They laid there watching a Russian period drama that Olesya loved on a crappy little television that looked like it came straight out of a middle-class American home from 1969. She insisted that she had to show it to Eva before she left. She had to see the look on her face.
For someone who didn't know any better, it was quite the domestic scene. Simply two lovers sharing a quiet night in and nothing more. If only.
Olesya was determined not to take a single breath for granted right now. Both literally and figuratively.
She believed wholeheartedly that if she breathed deep enough now, the scent of Eva could be ingrained in her mind forever.
The credits began to roll.
"Well, what did you think?" Olesya asked.
Eva looked up at her, "I found it quite pleasant. The black and white was a nice touch. I'm surprised you like this sort of thing."
"What can I say, I'm full of surprises." Olesya laughed. Eva smiled too.
God, she needed to get a photo of Eva smiling before she left.
"Being a functional alcoholic does not count," Eva said wryly.
"Da, da, you're right, it's very common where I'm from." Olesya retorted playfully. Eva rolled her eyes in mock disdain.
"I don't know how you're going to survive up there with a finite supply of vodka."
"That's where the heroin comes in. Or perhaps I can get the robot to feed me vodka while I'm out of it."
Eva gave her a look and they both burst out laughing.
"Eva," Olesya started once they'd stopped.
"Hm?"
"Can I have a vial of your perfume to take with me? To remember you by."
"Of course," Eva replied, planting a kiss on her neck. "I'll get it to you first thing in the morning." She murmured.
"Perhaps I will drink it when the vodka runs out. I'll do it along with the heroin. I can die happy and probably poisoned." Olesya joked again, eliciting a laugh from Eva against her skin.
Eva suddenly sat up, and Olesya almost whimpered at the loss of warmth against her chest.
Eva pulled off her turtleneck in one swift movement, revealing her undershirt underneath.
"You're stripping for me now too? Must be my lucky day," Olesya chuckled.
Eva gave her another look and gestured for her to put her arms up. Olesya did as instructed. Soon she felt the warmth of Eva's body envelope her once more as Eva pulled the turtleneck over her head.
"There, now you can hold on to me a little longer." Eva smiled.
"Eva, I can't take this from you," Olesya said.
"Oh please, I have at least four others in my closet. Say what you want about my wardrobe, but you must admit it's efficient.
"Take it far away from here and wear it and drink my perfume and do your heroin and die happy Olesya."
"And what will you wear out tomorrow then hmm?"
"Oh all right, I'll borrow it for a little while, then it's yours again."
Both of them dissolved into laughter.
They held each other close as drifted off to sleep, both savoring the moment.
It was the last of nights for them.
It truly was a peaceful night aboard the air craft carrier drifting through the sea.
In the far, far distance, Tau Ceti could be seen.
T-minus 12 days till launch.