Dark Mirror

by Ione

When Gabriel Lorca is thrown from his own dimension, his only thought is how to return home. Then he discovers the Federation's Michael Burnham, and his focus shifts. A study of the interplay between Lorca and Burnham, told 100 words at a time. COMPLETE.

6. First Contact

First Contact

Lorca must play at being chatty. It will give him space to observe her, put some distance between them. So he shares. Folksy little tidbits of his life, his philosophies.

Bullshit.

She's disappointingly simple. Just another flimsy product of her Federation. Unguarded, vulnerable. Confusion shows too easily between her brows, on her soft, frowning lips. His Michael had known better. Confusion made her furious; she lashed out with both fists to drive it away.

He thinks this is a failed experiment. He thinks he'll throw her back.

Then:

"Captain, what am I doing on this ship?"