"Michael Bishop V Josephine"

Posted on Wed Oct 5th, 2022 @ 8:17am by Vice-Consul Josephine Carlyle-Cragen & Michael Bishop

Mission: Season 5: Time Warp
Location: Unknown
Timeline: 29/07/2397
3109 words - 6.2 OF Standard Post Measure

Josie was counting days in her head. She knew it was close to August. Nearly 8 months since she had left the Elysium, nearly 6 months pregnant. She missed Arri, her friends. She wanted out of this place. She lay on the bed her limbs aching as they always did now, as they were bound.

Bishop entered Josie's quarters and made his way to the bedroom. Entering he saw the same thing he had seen for the last few months. Josie naked her arms and legs pulled wide and chained to the four corners of the bed. "Good morning, Josie, how are we today?" he asked as he moved further into the room to sit beside the bed.

"Same as yesterday, and the day before, Michael" she replied coolly.

"Yes, I imagine so. Did you eat your breakfast this morning?"

"Yes I did." She replied. "I am sure your nurses would have told you that."

"They did. I just wanted to hear it from you. You were satisfied with the variety of your meal?"

She nodded as best she could "Yes Michael, I was"

He was quiet for a moment his gaze meeting hers as captor and captured shared a look before he replied with a simple "Excellent. The doctor says you are doing well despite your position."

"I am sure he makes sure the reports are favourable. Wouldn't want to loose his head now would he" She replied

Bishop shrugged his shoulders. "I'm sure, he makes his report to tilt in the most favorable light there is. I am also sure if there was a problem in your health or the baby's he would mention it and he has made no mention of any problems. In fact he says your pregnancy is progressing very well and your baby is doing fine. Despite you lying in bed all day." He teased.

Josie rolled her eyes at that. "Whatever, He needs his medical license revoked. Even in the 1660's Pregnant ladies were encouraged to walk about!"

"Now Josie, don't be like that. You are up out of bed twice a day." Bishop pointed out with a smirk. "Besides, I'm not about to have you walking about the ship."

"So why can't i walk around this room? How is that affecting the ship?"

Bishop looked at Josie despite her bound position, Josie's spirit was unbroken and still strong. "I didn't say it would Josie, I only said I wasn't going to let you walk about the ship," Bishop clarified.

"I don't believe I ever asked for that." She replied. "I have no issue being confined to quarters, its being chained down I detest."

"What?" Bishop teased, "I thought you were okay with being chained down."

"As with everything, context is key" she snarked back at him.

"I see. Confined to quarters. Would you wear a collar? He asked.

She considered it. "Okay" she said.

He nodded satisfied with her answer and rose from the chair. "I will be back in a few minutes, don't go anywhere."

"oh ha ha" She snarked at his back "So funny"

He chuckled at her reply as he left the room. "Keep on and it will be longer than a few minutes." He replied as he left the quarters. He just wanted to keep Josie guessing and on her toes.

Josie rolled her eyes and concentrated on maintaining her breathing.

True to his word, Bishop was back in a few minutes. He entered the bedroom a collar in his hand, walking to the side of the side of the bed and looked down at her, "Raise your head." He told her.

Josie lifted her head as best she could off the pillow. She didn't say a word.

Bishop bent down and placed the collar around Josie's neck and fastened it snugly. The magnetic locks locking securely in place. Straightening up, he looked back down to see Josie's reaction.

Josie raised an eyebrow at him. "okay.. now what?"

"Next? What do you mean next Josie?" He asked.

Josie gave a shrug. "Fine don't answer the question, though you know fully well what I meant." She paused and tilted her head. "I never asked, what happened to your little slave friend, the blond Cragen used to use, is she still around?"

"Yes, I know fully well what you mean Josie. I was just wondering how you would react not getting one of your questions answered, like you have done to me on various occasions." He paused before answering, "You mean Clara. Yes, she is still around as you put it."

"hmm" Was all she said in response to that.

He pulled out a control pad and pressed a few numbers and a small button on the collar lit up, showing a solid green light.

She assumed Bishop was doing this to annoy her and she refused to rise to his bait. She calmly lay there and waited.

He sighed, "Well, you did agree to wear a collar so....." He pressed another button and the restraints at her wrists snapped open quickly followed by her ankle restraints. "You are free... well free to move about this room."

Josie sat up slowly. She felt dizzy at first but took it slow to sit up. "Thank you." She replied.

Bishop nodded at her, "Sure, you're welcome."

Josie stood carefully, giving her legs time to get used to being used again. But she was sitting back down swiftly as her feet and legs tingled as blood flowed into them a bit faster than before.

Bishop watched her, so proud, so self assured. "Take it slow Josie." He cautioned as he watched her trying to stand.

Josephine lifted her head and stood up as the pins and needles faded in her feet. She shook her arms rolled her shoulders as her hands also tingled. "I am fine" she said softly.

"I highly doubt it Josie but I am not going to argue with you, Just don't try to do too much." He cautioned. "If you are going to get a bath or shower wait until the nurse in here with you."

"Fine" Josie replied as she took slow steps around the bedroom. "Do I have access to the sitting room as well?" She asked "Or am I confined to the bedroom and bathroom?"

"Yes, you have access to the sitting room as well." He answered as he watched her slowly walk around the bedroom, trying her legs out after being chained to the bed for so long.

Josie nodded "Thank you." She replied as she stretched her legs. "I appreciate this."

His eyes met hers. "I have done many horrible, terrible things to you when you were first captured and even after and including recently. However I am not heartless when it comes to your health and that of the baby."

"Did the doctor tell you its gender?" She asked curiously. "He won't tell me anything." She contemplated going to the wardrobe and she made her way towards it.

His mouth quirked into a smile, "Yes, he said by the sound of the heartbeat it sounded like a girl."

She paused and nodded "He really should do a scan to be sure. Heartbeats are often misleading."

"I will pass on your suggestion to him." Bishop answered with a nod. "perhaps on his next visit to see you he can preform one and tell you with certainty it's gender."

Josie entered the wardrobe area and said "Are you sure he is a real doctor?" to Bishop over her shoulder as she found a floor length silk robe among the clothing Sephine wore. It was big enough and covered her bump. She shrugged it on.

"Have you got reason to believe he isn't? Has he done or said something to have you doubt him Josie?" He replied as he watched her put on a robe. "Does it feel odd?" He asked.

"I am what? 6 months pregnant and not a proper scan done. He never does a physical examination. Never touches me. Just looks, nods and one time, only used a stethoscope to hear the heartbeat. Yes I have doubts about him. Hope you do not require his services." she paused "No, it feels warm" she said as she belted the robe.

"i think some of that can be attributed to me Josie. I think he was afraid to touch you or give you an examine for fear of what I might do to him. Like cut off his hands." Bishop replied. " He nodded at her comment about the robe. "Was curious since you had been naked for so long."

"Naked does not bother me Michael" She said using his first name. "Never has. Being cold however does. And if he is scared then get someone who will do the job."

"I didn't think it did. From the first day you were captured and stripped naked, you seemed unfazed by being naked. As for being cold, I understand that perfectly. I will talk to the doctor and inform him of what I expect from him in regards to his job and duty to his patient."

"Thank you." Josie said "I want to make sure the child is healthy too Michael. It is my child as well as Cragens."

"I know you do Josie. Any good parent would and you will be a good mother to it and of course it is. You don't have to explain to me."

She nodded. "okay then" she was not sure what else to say.

"Oh, a word about your collar Josie. You can't remove it so don't try. You already know the access you have, don't expand your boundaries, you wouldn't like the results."

She almost laughed at that. "I won't. I know what Collars do remember"

"That's right, you've have experience with the collars, my mistake."

She nodded and took her first steps out to the sitting room.

He followed behind her at a respectful distance.

She was slow about it, cautiously taking steps as she kept her balance. Josie glanced around as she walked. Last time she had seen this room she had been Sephine. She sat on a couch and took a breath.

"Sure, you don't want to be back in bed?" Bishop asked half seriously after watching Josie's slow trek from the bedroom to the sitting room.

"No, I am fine" She replied. "I just need to get used to walking again."

Bishop nodded but otherwise kept silent and just watched her.

Josie's hand rested on her bump gently as her child kicked.

Bishop looked on in silence as Josie gently laid her hand on her stomach. Finally after several moments he spoke. " I know we are enemies however I do hope your baby is born healthy with no complications."

"Thank you Michael."

"When the baby is born, do you plan on nursing it Josie?" He inquired.

"I intend to do whatever is needed to ensure they are fed properly, if that is breastfeeding or formula."

"Of course Josie. I was just trying to plan ahead."

She nodded. "I can get you a list if you like"

"That would certainly help Josie."

She nodded. "Pencil and Paper if you do not trust me with a PADD."

He opened his jacket and produced a notebook and pencil. "Paper and Pencil as requested Josie."

She took the items and began to write. Crib, bassinette, blankets, bottles, nappies, clothing (And list there of), pacifiers.

As Josie made her list of baby items, Bishop was thinking. They were on the run but it was just a matter of time before Arri or Starfleet or the mysterious group who had attacked and destroyed Cragen's former base of operations caught up to them. However if he held on to Josie and the baby it gave him bargaining chips or so he hoped.

Finishing the list, Josie handed the items back. "Here you go"

He took the list without comment and looked it over. "Should be easy enough to get ." He remarked.

Josie raised an eyebrow "For people on the run?"

Bishop met her look. "You are smart Josie. But yes we can get what you need for the baby. We have connections and ways to obtain items."

She gave a shrug. "Okay"

"You doubt me?"

"no, I know you can do things. I am not silly."

At her comment Bishop chuckled, "No, I would never make the mistake of calling or thinking you are silly."

Josie studied him for a moment and nodded. She was not sure what else to say really.

"Nothing to say Josie? This is a first." Bishop remarked half seriously at her silence.

"Was a time when you wanted me to shut up Remember?"

"I certainly do, very vividly." He quipped. "You aren't advocating that you wish to be made quiet again are you?"

"No I was not advocating that."

He chuckled softly at her definitive answer. "Just checking Josie that's all."

She rolled her eyes at him. "okay"

He nodded his head as he looked at her. Josie wasn't stupid not by a longshot and he knew she knew he was organized and capable. Left nothing to chance and they both knew Josie was a prisoner aboard the ship and had been for the past eight months and would be into the foreseeable future. But both were in agreement that Josie's baby be born healthy. "Do you need anything Josie?" He asked after a few seconds.

"no I am fine for the moment thank you." Josie replied with a smile.

"Alright, though I hope you will let me know if you need something or before you run out of an item." He returned.

"I shall" She replied.

"Very good Josephine," He replied as he thought of her upcoming birth and what it would do to ship operations.

Josephine studied him out of the corner of her eye. "What is wrong Michael?'

"What? Just thinking Josie. Thinking about you giving birth and what that means to this ship."

"I take it, it is going to cause some issues" She stated.

"You have a gift for understatement Josie. Yes, it will cause some issues." Bishop agreed.

"Hmm" was all she said. Josie of course had a solution but it was not one he would agree to so she kept quiet.

Bishop glanced at her, "Hmm? Out with it Josie. I can see the wheels spinning in your pretty little head."

"Oh no, you are the one who says it will cause issues, you come up with the solution" She said calmly.

He shook his head and sighed. "Well I could just space you but despite what you think, I am not heartless or that cold."

She had to give him that. "No I would prefer an option where spacing is not the key ingredient"

"Don't worry that won't happen. I give you my word if you wish to accept it."

Josie studied him. "Ok"

"I'll work something out." He replied.

"I am sure you will" she said calmly

"Damn straight I will Josie." Bishop said with conviction.

"I believe you" Josephine replied.

Bishop gave her a sideways glance. "You believe me? That's a first." He commented and then added, "We must be making progress."

"If that's what you want to believe. But then you never lied to me,"

He nodded, "I never will Josie." He answered simply not wishing to go down what could be a slippery slope. He respected Josie and he knew she was fully aware of her situation and position aboard ship.

Josie nodded and curled a bit more on the couch. She didn't say anything, but her eyes went distant as her hand rested on her child.

Bishop saw Josie's eyes go distant and he knew she was thinking of Arri and being reunited with her. He walked over to a chair and sat down. "You realize it is just a matter of time before Starfleet or Arri or possibly the group that destroyed Mr. Cragen's former headquarters catches up with us correct?"

Josie nodded "Yes I am aware of that." She tilted her head to the side. "Why?"

He smiled and answered, "I'm not blind Josie. I saw the look in your eyes, and I know you are thinking of Arri and being reunited with her."

"Of course I do, i also know that she probably wont want me."

Her answer surprised him. "Why would you say that? It was clear that you both love each other. When you were ah both here together."

"Her people have a way of reproducing in same gender couples, she and I were thinking of it. This child... is not of both of us. She may see it as a betrayal." Josie was not sure. "I offered myself to Kyle Cragen to save her, I know she would have done the same."

Bishop nodded, "I know you did Josie and you are right Arri would have done the same." He paused and then spoke again, his eyes on hers. "I think Arri will welcome you and the baby back with open arms with no thoughts of betrayal on your part. You are very special to Arri."

"If Arri even exists anymore, I saw what you did to her Michael. Her mind was a mess, not even the Viceroy made it that messy."

He didn't flinch at Josie's words, they were the truth. "Yes." He admitted "I did a number on her but if I could overcome Mr. Cragen's conditioning on you, then Arri can be helped and her mind whole again. I am sure of that."

Josie merely nodded at that. She hoped whoever it had been, had helped Arri come back to herself. "And if Kyle Cragen walked through that door today? What would you do?"

Bishop replied after a moment of thought. "I would welcome him back and tell him I undid his conditioning on you. That Sephine is gone and only Josephine remains and that is how it should be." Another pause and he added. "Of course, he would probably kill me but it was the right thing to do."

She nodded "Well good thing he isn't right?"

"Yes, a very good thing Josie." He admitted. It was strange but he and Josie could talk openly without rancor. He wasn't sure if it was because she had been a prisoner for so long or what but he was glad for it.

"So what will you do now?" Josie asked

Bishop thought on Josie's question. "Keep running and make contingency plans Josie while we prepare for the birth of your baby."

"okay" Josie replied.

Bishop chuckled and shook his head, "A woman of few words." He observed.