The Navigator

12. Insufficient

Author's Note: TRIGGER WARNING: Verbal abuse

Song Credit: Where is My Mind, Telepathic Teddy Bear 

Disclaimer: This Chapter contains some mature language and sexual themes. This story is rated mature so discretion is advised.

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Addy had stiffened when Jax's hands and lips became less comforting, more demanding but at her uncomfortable movement Jax had immediately withdrawn, removing himself from her space. Lifting his daughter between them, giving her another marveling once over, trapped again in the beauty and wonder of the small form.

For her part Gemma, who had been sick, drug across the world, quickly cleaned with cold wet wipes and re-dressed; before bearing witness admirably to the imploding collapse of a stoic man-was done. She screwed up her face in the well known forbording precursor, then blew her top.

Jax, who Addy was sure had never even been in the same building as a screaming child in his entire life, was not at all equipped for the force their baby could bring to bear at will. Her face was now a blazing red, fat indignant tears rolling in ludicrous globes down her cheeks as she screamed and screamed and screamed. Jax had scrambled to his feet, but to her surprise had not attempted to pass the girl back to Addy. Instead he tried bouncing her, which of course only made it worse. Tiny fists pounded against his dark chest as the protestations became more varying in pitch, escalating and falling with the occasional merciful pause for breath.

He had looked at her then, a bit of pleading in his eyes, and Addy in her cruelest trick of all had merely shrugged. Enjoying his struggle. She knew her daughter would tire soon and saw no reason to rescue such a capable man, not when it was so entertaining otherwise. He had dared to glare at her and she had smiled evilly, very much enjoying Jax Fairsail, the fearless and in demand Navigator who faced down solar winds and gamma radiation be put in his place by his 18 month old child.

He had ruined it of course by puffing up his cheeks and blowing air at full force into Gemma's face, shocking her so much the crying stopped. The girl had stared up at her father in wonder, gobsmacked that he would dare try such a thing. As she began to inhale, ready yet again to burn the world in the fiery passion of her tantrum. Jax pulled a shiny object from one of the many pockets at his belt.

Addy recognized it as a piece of hull that had shattered off next to a 15 year old Jax as he had performed maintenance on the outside of a ship. Broken off by an unpredicted debris cloud that had assaulted the vessel and punctured Jax's suit and thigh. The event had nearly killed him, and the piece of heat shielding was a memento of his survival. He had told her the story as she traced his scars with her fingers, a moment of naked intimacy. Played out over and over in the afterglow of vigorous sex, light low enough for secrets and hearts open enough for truth.

Gemma had reached for the new toy, whose edges had long been rounded with years of nervous passing from hand to hand, its luck drawn from it again and again. He still wisely stopped her from putting it in her mouth and while normally that inhibiting would have thrown her again into a fit of rage, Gemma seemed content for the moment to just look at the unusual and shining bit of space junk.

Jax in a show of dexterity had fetched and put on his coat while shuffling the girl from arm to arm. He bent and picked up his satchel and Gemma's diaper bag, throwing them both over a broad shoulder. He was sure a sight, knee length duster open and billowing softly in the light breeze, the tight corded muscles of his chest, shoulders and waist on full display, framed by dark leather.

Addy had helped him button the long coat, trying not to linger over long with the work and failing. Gemma, exhausted by her exertions had laid a fat cheek against the warm skin of her new love's chest and promptly fell asleep.