Chapter 13
It was several days later when Casey approached Terra nervously. She appeared to be alone, leaning against a tree and reading, but Kathreen had said "they" when he had inquired about her location. As he got closer, he noticed Tycho was lying beside her on the blanket, apparently asleep with Terra absently stroking his hair.
He hesitated momentarily, wondering if he should disturb them. The young man was clearly more than just one of her pilots and he appeared rather peaceful. Casey was glad he had decided to change out of his uniform before stopping by on his way home; Terra was obviously fond of the blond and Casey did not wish to upset him, if only for her sake.
Terra looked up from her reading before Casey could decide to turn around and leave. "Casey," she spoke softly, smiling warmly and indicating he should join them.
He glanced quickly at Tycho and then back at Terra. "I don't want to disturb you," he began.
"You're never a disturbance," she teased.
He chuckled softly as he sat on a corner of the blanket beside her feet, "Are you sure about that? I seem to remember a sleepover where Marx and I --"
"I stand corrected," she replied, cutting him off before he could finish. Amused, Terra watched Casey as he began to fidget, every so often stealing a glimpse in Tycho's direction. "What brings you by?"
"I was hoping you would be free for dinner tomorrow night, but it looks like you have other plans... "
She remembered Marx's hints about Casey having a crush on her and smiled. "What makes you think that?"
He looked pointedly at Tycho and she followed his gaze to her hand, still resting on his hair. She hadn't realized what she had been doing and blushed slightly as she purposely folded both hands over the closed book in her lap. "As it happens, we're leaving tomorrow afternoon and I promised Mom I would spend tonight with her."
He lifted an eyebrow curiously, "We?"
She nodded, "Celly's stationed on the Sentinel with me." She realized from the crest-fallen expression on Casey's face that he was just one of the many to misinterpret her relationship with Tycho. "How about lunch tomorrow?"
He shrugged, "OK. I'm assuming you'll be pretty busy with last minute preparations so how about if I bring something by?" When she nodded, he nodded toward Tycho. "Well, I know what kind of food you and Kathreen like but what about him?"
She grinned impishly; Casey had always been a dear. "And what if I want you to myself?"
He returned her smile and shook his head, "Really. I don't mind. I'm used to your family's tendency to pick up the odd stray here or there. It's what makes you so endearing."
She nodded resignedly, "OK, but Celly wwill have to eat while he's working with the techs on the final checks on the cruiser." What she didn't add was that she really didn't want him to spend too much time with Tycho. The less Casey knew about "Celly", the better; for both of them.
Casey raised his eyebrows teasingly, "You know, I think you like being the boss just a little bit too much." He sighed and nodded, "How about Koranese food around noon? With plenty of fruit sauce."
She winked as he stood to leave, "Sounds good to me. I'll see you then."
He smiled and they exchanged goodbyes. After he was gone, she was surprised to hear a soft voice from beside her, "Are you sure that's such a good idea?"
She smirked down at a pair of sky blue eyes, "Am I sure what is a good idea: having lunch with an old friend or having you plot our course and finish the checks on the cruiser?"
Tycho just shrugged, "Actually both now that you mention it but he is an Imp."
She frowned at his choice of words, "Casey is a very dear friend. And as I recall, you were an Imp yourself not too long ago." He winced as her remark hit on target and she continued softly, "My Little Celly, you worry too much."
He just rolled over and tried to go back to sleep as she picked back up her book and resumed reading. It wasn't long before her hand found its way back to his hair.
