Conversation

Posted on Tue Mar 7th, 2023 @ 6:21am by Harper o’Leary & Senior Chief Petty Officer Emily Charles {Kelea-Salik}

Mission: Season 6 : Episode 1: Circinus
Location: Planetside
Timeline: MD10
607 words - 1.2 OF Standard Post Measure

Harper had been busy looking after Niamh and two other orphan children who had found their way to her via medical personnel. She was glad to take a break while the children had a nap in their tent. But she carried Niamh with her in a baby sling across her chest and then wrapped her jacket around the two of them. She was taking 5 minutes outside the tent when she spotted Emily and her face, though tired, lit up. "Emily!" she said happily "You survived!"

“Harper!” Emily grinned as she saw Harper, rushing over she gave her a hug before realising Harper was carrying around a baby. “Ohhh...who might this little one be?”

Harper looked at the baby's whose head was covered in a knitted cap. "Niamh." She said softly. "Her parents died in the chaos, her mother had to have an emergency C-Section while pinned to the deck. I am her guardian currently until we get home."

“Lucky you” Emily smiled as she looked at the tiny baby. “She’s gorgeous. All this has been... horrible. I can’t even describe how I feel right now.”

Harper nodded. "Fully understandable. There is a lot of people feeling the same way." She said softly. "I have been helping out with the civilian children."

Emily nodded. “Poor kids, they must be terrified! There is at least one good piece of news though we just found out that one of the crew is pregnant! New life amongst all this...” she waved her hand motioning to the area around them. “It’s given me the shot of hope I needed.”

Harper nodded and shifted Niamh gently in the sling. "So you have been busy in the medical building right?" She had not seem Emily around before this.

Emily nodded. “Very! It’s been non-stop helping the injured. My brother George he’s err... well I... had to perform surgery on his back, it was that or he would never have walked again. I just have to hope he’ll recover fully.”

Harper took Emily's hand and squeezed it. "I am sure he will. You and the medical staff are the best there is." She said reassuringly.

“Thank you Harper” Emily smiled warmly. “Can we... talk about us?”

~Oh this was not good~ Harper thought but she nodded slowly.

“Harper I... like you a lot, you know I do.” Emily paused. “With everything that’s happened I’ve come to realize that I... have feelings for someone else.” She gave Harper an apologetic look.

Harper took a step back, dropping Emily's hand. She clamped her teeth together as she took in the words. "ok" she got out. "Thank you for being honest with me." She carefully shifted the child against her chest. "I wish you well." Her words were toneless. She was still processing the situation and it was hard for her to focus.

Emily gave Harper a pained look. “Now I’ve hurt you! I... Never meant to hurt you!” She shook her head, backing away a little. “I’m sorry Harper...”

Harper's face was set, and it was almost a blank mask. "So you say. As I said Emily, I wish you well. " she felt very betrayed. "And I am sorry our time together meant so little to you." So saying she turned and walked back to the tent where she was staying and entered it, leaving Emily alone.

Emily wanted to follow Harper, but she knew there was nothing she could say to make things better. All she could hope now was that the man she was developing feelings for felt the same way she did.

~off~