This is Part Two of 'Going, Going, Love?' This part deals with the fallout of Kate 'accidently,' reading an email from Buffer's new girlfriend. This chapter is also dedicated to my good friend, WingedTeen. Enjoy.
Part Two- End Connection?
The X sighed as she finally closed the email. She rubbed her forehead as she thought about what to do. I should talk to him, she thought. Tell him what I think about his new girlfriend. But the X knew about the problems involved in that. Buffer might think she's just jealous, he mightn't listen. But she had too, had to convince him to talk to her.
BRIDGE AFTERNOON DOG WATCH
Kate spotted Buffer when she was on
the Bridge, talking to the CO. She watched as he glared at 2Dads as
he leant over the desk 2Dads was sitting at. She chuckled under her
breath. The CO glanced at her.
"Something funny Kate?" He
asked when Nav moved to the other side of the Bridge. She shook her
head. "Just the crew sir. It's nothing." She replied. She
smiled.
"They 'teaching' Spider again, are they?" He
asked, smirking. She grinned.
"Not quite sir." She replied,
handing him a folder. "The report for today's boarding is in
there sir." She said. He nodded, and flicked through the pages.
"And what about the background search on Donovan?" He asked,
closing the folder and placing it beside him.
"RO's doing it
now, I'll let you now when it's done." She said, as RO appeared
by her side.
"Um, ma'am. That search you wanted. Here's the
folder." He said, handing a plain manila folder to her. She nodded
her thanks.
"The whole family in here RO?" She asked,
flicking through the folder.
"Still going. That's just
Donovan." He said, turning and leaving for his office. She handed
the CO the folder.
"What are you thinking?" She asked as she
watched him read bits and pieces from the file.
"I'm not sure
yet. I'll wait till the rest of the searches come back." He
replied closing the folder and putting it on his lap.
"Has he
had a police check before?" She asked, taking the folder. She
flicked through it.
"Yes. He and his family had to go through
police checks to open the chartering business." He replied. "Found
it." The X said, pulling a piece of paper out of the folder. She
scanned the page. "Only two unpaid parking tickets. He's clean
boss." She said, tossing the folder onto the nearest desk. She
watched as he rubbed his brow.
"Now what?" He muttered. She
smiled weakly.
"We've just got to wait for the rest of the
family's checks to come back." She said, walking over to where
Buffer was sitting, glaring at 2Dads.
"Buff, a word." She
said, leaving to the Senior's Mess with Buffer following.
"Something wrong, X?" He asked, watching as the X set about
making them both a coffee.
"Have you heard from Jessica again?"
She asked, as Buffer sat down.
"Jessica? I didn't tell you
her name. How do you know her name?" He asked. The X set the
coffees down and sat down next to him.
"Buff. I think you need
to talk to your girlfriend." The X said, taking a sip from her
coffee.
"Jessie. Why do I need to talk to her?" He asked,
starring at the X.
"Buff, you left that email open." The X
explained. He sighed and buried his head in his hands.
"Did any
of the crew see it?" He asked. The X shook her head.
"No
Buff. Only me." He looked at her. He frowned.
"You read it?"
He asked, glaring at her.
"I'm sorry, Buff. I didn't mean
to. You know the other night she spent the night at a mate's
place." She said. He closed his eyes and nodded.
"Is that a
crime now? Is she not allowed to spend the night at a friend's
place?" He asked, frustrated.
"He's name is Thomas. I think
you should talk to Jessie. Sooner more than later." She replied.
"I'm not having another Monica situation." He said,
standing up. "And next time, ask. Don't read my personal emails."
He added, leaving the room. The X glanced at his coffee. It was
untouched. She sighed.
"Buffer alright?" The CO asked,
appearing at the door. She smiled weakly.
"Yeah. Just
girlfriend troubles I think." She replied. He frowned and glanced
at the coffee.
"Must be big if he didn't drink his coffee.
Did he tell you he's started smoking again?" The CO asked,
sitting opposite the X.
"I wasn't aware that he'd quit,
sir." She replied. He chuckled.
"Yes, suppose your right."
He said.
"Is there something I can help you with sir?" The X
asked, starring into her coffee.
"No. Just taking a break. ETA
to Port is two and a half hours." He replied. The X stood up and
gathered the paperwork she'd place on the table earlier.
"I
have work to do." She said, leaving the room and a confused CO.
FRANCHISTO BAR 2026
"Come on, X!" Spider whined,
smiling. "One more shot!" The X smiled as the rest of the crew
cheered her on.
"Fine. One more." She agreed as 2Dads handed
her another shot glass. She smiled as the crew started laughing. As
the X downed the shot, she saw Buffer at the door out the corner of
her eye.
"Go X!" 2Dads laughed, slapping her on the back.
"Nav your turn." He added, turning to the brunette navigator as
the X walked over to Buffer.
"You talk to her Buff?" She
asked, the background full of laughs and cheers.
"Yeah I did.
She explained everything. It's her sister's boyfriend. But she
said she wouldn't stay at any guy's places for a while if it made
me feel better." He answered. The X smiled and nodded.
"That's
good news." She said. Buffer smiled too.
"Yeah." He said,
glancing behind her. "The guys certainly seem to be getting into it
tonight." The X nodded.
"Yeah. The CO said it was a night of
celebration tonight and that all drinks were on him tonight. But it
hasn't shown up yet, so we're still waiting for an explanation."
She explained.
"Oh. Hope its good news." Buffer said,
smiling. "Come one. Let's go join in." He said, putting an arm
around the X and leading her over to the rest of the crew.
"Hey
Buff. Missed the X having a few shots earlier." Spider said as
Buffer and the X sat next to him at the bar.
"And the Nav.
She's trying to beat Charge's record." 2Dads added, handing Nav
another filled shot glass. She grinned.
"Nearly there." She
said, downing the shot to the cheers of the crew. Buffer and the X
laughed.
"Ha! Man of the Hour has finally arrived!" Swain
called out, as the crew turned to see the CO enter the bar and make
his way towards him.
"See you took up my offer of free drinks."
He said, gesturing to the entire shot glasses.
"Yeah." The X
replied, turning to the bartender. "I'll have a vodka martini.
With extra olives." She said. The CO chuckled.
"So what's
the night of celebration for, Boss?" Spider asked. The CO grinned.
"Most of you know how Commander Marshall has been pressuring me
to take a shore posting." He started. The crew nodded. "Well, he
just told me some good news." He said. The crew groaned.
"Hurry
up and tell us boss." Bomber whined from her seat next to Spider.
"He's agreed with me." He said. "I'll be staying aboard
the Hammersley for some time to come." He said, grinning as
the crew burst into cheers.
Buffer shook hands with the boss,
laughing. "Great news sir. Drink?" Buffer asked, holding up a
glass of beer. The CO nodded. Buffer followed the rest of the crew to
the lounges.
"Glad he agreed with you sir." The X said,
taking a sip of her vodka martini.
"Sorry you missed out on
your promotion." He said. She shrugged.
"It'll come along
again sometime." She said. He nodded.
"To the Hammersley."
He said, raising his glass. The X tapped her glass against his.
"Let's join the crew." He said, and the two followed the crew
over to the lounge.
"We'd like to make a toast." Spider
said, glancing at Bomber. She grinned. Everyone raised their glasses.
"To the Hammersley and her crew! May we be together for
a while yet!" Spider said, as the crew cheered.
That's the end of 'Going, Going, Love?' Hope you liked it. Please review.
