Astrophysical (completed)

Chapter 23

A few days had passed since Cassie had been discharged and they had returned to the Keimei, but things had visibly changed. Ash had remained a constant presence to support her though it was clear from everyone else's eyes she had abandoned them and that was not going to be forgiven. People however made this impression passively since they were still acknowledging her, but the tones and looks made their words sound shallow and icy and Cassie constantly retreated to her only warmth still left on this ship.

Now that the older Reeces were on board and things with the crew were tense, Ash and Cassie kept their PDA to a minimum and almost non-existent. By doing so, Cassie cherished her private time with Ash. Their activities were the same and they were spending more time just talking, sharing stories, or reading aloud to each other, but their intimacy returned with ease and the memory of their time apart was fading. Cassie's only darkness during these moments was the last moments before the two would fall asleep. It was then that she knew it came to his mind just as easily as it came to hers that their happiness was threatened. However, brief these moments were; it was the only painful thing between them.

One was ever direct with their words though she heard the talk behind her back about their displeasure with her actions. She desperately wanted someone to come out and accuse her of her mistakes, but no one did. Finally, she got her wish two weeks later when the two co-captains singled her out.

Dean and Matt had been discreet about wanting to talk to her. They approached her during the day and asked to meet her late that night so as not to cause a scene. She didn't dread this request but was grateful for their scrutiny instead.

Late that night, she waited until Ash had fallen asleep. Once she was sure he was sleeping deeply enough she gently pushed up off the bed and put on a shirt over her tank before quietly leaving the room. She made her way to the control room feeling the emptiness of the ship in the late-night hour. After entering the code slowly, she walked inside and up the bridge.

Stirring a memory of the first time she was ever in this room, Matt and Dean stood on the other side relatively where they were when she arrived for the first time. Matt was leaning against the back wall with one foot pressed against it while his arms were crossed. His hair was shorter than she had last seen it; cut to just above his ears now, but his gaze was cast downwards. Dean on the other hand was standing with his arms crossed across from Matt, but his stare was narrow and landed on Cassie as she reached the top of the stairs.

Cassie stopped a couple of feet from them still holding onto her upper arms. She looked at both for a moment before turning to Dean and meeting his eyes. "Well, I'm ready for you to rip into me so go ahead."

"Good," he said bluntly. "Because whatever the hell you were thinking, I swear to God will be your undoing if you ever try and do it again. He was beyond hurt. You pretty much sucked out every bit of him that was decent and left nothing behind but an empty shell. He was more violent and angrier than I have seen him and about half of this ship was prepared to leave him. In fact, he was more dangerous because of that and because he didn't care since you somehow managed to manipulate him into thinking you are the goddamn crystal of all the known universe. Seriously try that again and I won't hold back before throwing your ass off the ship, middle of space or not. Got that?"

Cassie felt tears streaming down her cheeks but didn't break down or break his gaze while he spoke, his voice cold and hard. The feeling of utter despair hit her, yet she started feeling better the longer he continued. When he had finished, she gave a meek nod, but he scowled at her.

She glanced over at Matt who hadn't moved or said anything. That feeling of guilt nagged at her and after taking a deep breath she said softly, "I am sorry."