Lay Your Weary Head To Rest.
As with most nightmares she woke abruptly. Harshly. And thankfully. They always left her heart thundering in her chest and her body feeling like she had been lying in a block of ice. This time was no different. She lay gasping, trying to get her bearings. The blanket tangled around her legs and the pillow on the floor, long forgotten. Even though her body felt chilled her blond hair stuck to her forehead and neck and her stomach rolled as her body caught up with the story her mind felt like telling tonight.
Jennifer Chase was not a big fan of night time To quiet. Too much time to be left alone to think in the darkness. For many months after she had joined the group, she had slept with the desk light so that when the inevitable nightmares woke her up, she could immediately see where she was. She rarely slept through the nights. It was why she volunteered for so many nights shifts. At least then there was Mentor to talk to about the many new things that bombarded her daily.. It kept her demons quiet. Being Dread Youth meant having nightmares were signs of weakness. There was nothing to be afraid of. No reason for the mind to think. So even when she was younger and had had them, she learned quickly how to hide waking from them from those she shared a room or work station with. Anything less then perfection had painful results.
It was harder to do that now.
The guys always seem to notice when she was just a little off after a bad night. Jon and Matt especially. Sometimes talking or working on the jump ship helped. Sometimes beating things helped more. Sometimes nothing helped. Those where the times that confused her. the most. Having so much uncertainty run throughout her thoughts drove her crazy. And yet, she had learned that uncertainty was part of human condition. Part of free will and making her own decisions. That didn't mean she welcomed the turmoil.
Jennifer sighed and untangled her legs from her mound of blankets. Sitting up, she quickly slipped her sock covered feet into her boots for warmth. She wondered if she would ever get used to the cold at the Northstar base. During the days it wasn't an issue, but nights where always a bit chilly.
Even with company.
That thought made her smile. Though she was both glad and sad he wasn't presently with her. Jon and her had finally started working though their many relationship "issues". Currently they were enjoying a very involved and rather happy period. After so much turmoil a a year ago, it was a blessing in every way. Yet, even with the current progress, she still needed her space. As did he. So most nights were still spent alone. When they were together, sleep was usually farthest from their minds and these days as the war was ramping up, uninterrupted sleep was in short supply. Jon had to much to deal with to have to hand hold her through another mind-bender of a dream. Though, she knew he would not mind and may be even be a little hurt that she still' felt a bit uncomfortable sharing those with him.
Maybe some fresh air would help. Or freeze her. Either way it was better then laying there talking to herself or relieving that damned dream again. She wasn't sure what the dream was about. Once it was over the images started fading, but the feelings it invoked did not leave her, sending shivers down her spine and cramping her stomach. Jumbled and confusing. Her mind did like to mess with her whenever it could.
Jennifer bundled up, layering warmer clothes over her uniform and grabbing her gloves. Quietly she opened her door and walked past the others rooms. All their doors were closed. In a move they did only rarely, Jon had taken first watch and then left Mentor to monitor the rest of the night. The plan had been for some uninterrupted sleep for all. Recharge.
It had been a long few, days moving settlers and fighting off some of Dreads new toys. Almost routine. Bio-Dread Dread was more deadly these days. His plans amping up in the destruction of the human race. But yesterday had hurt. Physically they were all fine, but emotionally….. He had targeted one the many orphanages that took in children after settlement attacks. Usually children only stayed in them for a few weeks before being moved safer accommodations. They were mobile camps that moved every week , rotating always to try and give some protection to the neediest. They were hard to find. And fiercely protected.
Somehow Dreads forces had found one. And he unleashed a full attack with orders to kill and burn everything. It was a message to them. They had hurt him lately and for a "unemotional" machine he was hitting back just as hard.
The call had come in while they had been heading home, so they were not to far. Even so the devastation that greeted them was unimaginable. The camp had been hit early morning as it was packing to move. Children getting dressed, washed and being feed. The solders defending it were overwhelmed by the ferociousness from the Dread forces that seemed to be in a particularly brutal mood, killing anything and everything. No digitation. No prisoners. Nothing but complete destruction.
The Power Team had made a difference. They had stopped his attack. Fought back just as fiercely. They had saved MOST of the kids. But not everyone and this loss was harder. Once again reminding them that life could be cruel even to those who barely had lived it. They had all felt weary and even a little broken stepping off the ship. Injuries had been minor, but not every injury can be seen. Some fester in other places of the body.
Jon had immediately ordered everyone to bed. He refused any help in monitoring and issued very strict instructions on when he wanted to see any of them again. Even her. Thinking that they had all listened to him, he had turned his back as to not invite any further conversation. His eyes dark. Already brooding. Stubbornly she had stayed in her chair, earning her an amused glance from Matt as the rest of them headed to bed. Matt knew she could help Jon, where the rest could not. Sooth a weary soul.
She had cleared her throat and watched him turn and give her his best irritated Captain look. "Pilot? I thought I was clear?"
Meeting his stormy gaze with her own troubled one, she had ignored his warning look and pulled him into the nearest chair and stood beside him, looking down. "You were. Jon…. are you … can I help?"
He had tried to keep his stern face on, hoping to stare her down. But she always could get under his defences and his shoulders had slumped. "I'm sorry Jennifer. I am at a loss to help anyone right now."He had admitted. She had done the only thing she could. She wrapped her arms around him, bringing his head to her chest. He had rested against her, her hands threading through his dark hair, his arms encircling her waist and holding her tight to him. They had stayed that way for some time before he had pulled back with smile" One of these days you ARE going to have to follow an order I give."
She had laughed and leaned down to kiss him. " I always follow the ones that make sense."
That had gotten a genuine smile from him. He had stood up and pulled her to him and kiss her passionately. A kiss that had left her a little breathless. Then he had ordered her to bed with the promise he was okay and would follow to his own soon. After a few more soft words and kisses she had left her Captain to his nighttime work and followed his orders.
Except now, three hours later she was wide awake. It was barely after 4 in the morning. To early to be up, Maybe she could see the sun rise and freeze at the same time, she thought darkly. Walking down the long hallway to the upper part of the base, she entered in her unlock codes into the computer to release the locks and opened the escape hatch. Yep…cold. Still cold was better then laying there thinking of burying those little bodies. And the smell. Not since SandTown. No it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out where these bad dreams came from. Still it had been awhile and the feelings and memories evoked left her emotions very close to the surface.
A sound to her left surprised and she spun around ready to defend herself only to see Jon's tousled head poke through the escape hatch. You know when you have been sent to bed, it usually means you have to stay there for the whole night." He joked
She gave him a small grin and watched him gingerly make his way to where she was sitting on the edge with her feet dangling down. "What are YOU doing up?"
Jon made himself comfortable and took peek over the edge, shaking his head. Why again did they come and sit up here? Was there not enough danger in their life? " Mentor alerted me to you unlocking the escape hatch."
Jennifer winced. " Jon, I'm sorry. I thought I had rerouted that protocol so he wouldn't alert you…." Her voice trailing off as he raised an eyebrow at her admission. "Won't do it again?"
He laughed "Yes you will. Or Scout Will. It's why there are back-up commands to counter your counter commands." He winked at her and then put his gloved hand to her cheek and drew her lips to his. His kiss started of soft and grew with intensity until they were both breathing hard. Grinning he pulled back to look at her now flushed face and swollen lips. "Good Morning."