The Impressionist

Chapter 7

Jen saw a flash of recognition in his eyes before she closed her own to fight the rushing wave of nausea. Her eyes flew open as she realized that there was now more than one pair of hands on her. She was lifted onto the anti-grav gurney by two able bodied med-tech’s. Behind them, she saw that man staring at her, her wig in his hands, as she was taken away to the med-ward for treatment.

Connor studied her as the medical team rushed her to the door leading out of the shuttle bay. It was the woman from the shuttle repair bay back on Taget Five. He was sure of it. He looked back down at the wig in his hands, running his fingers through the silky hair. Why would she have worn such a thing and why hadn’t she been wearing it when they had run into her earlier?

He had found himself searching for her, almost automatically, the whole time that he and Derek had been in the shuttleport. Something about her had appealed to him. When he had helped her up, she had responded like a wounded animal. He had wanted to reassure her, but she had been off like a shot. Was she running away from something… or someone? For some reason, it seemed important to him that he find out. And then… something else was out of place. Those eyes… they were different somehow. How had he not noticed that incredible violet-blue color. It was rare color… and stunning.

As he started to walk toward the medical wing, he was absently still playing with the wig. He touched the strange adhesive that had held it against her skin. He watched in amazement as the white material changed color to match the color of his fingers, clinging to his fingers lightly. Experimenting, he released it and watched it turn white again. He was intrigued by it and continued to touch and release it, trying to figure out what it was. He thoughts were interrupted by Derek, who awkwardly tapped him on the shoulder.

“Captain Connor,” said the youth, “Ed asked me to inform you that a transmission from your father just came in.”

“Thanks Derek,” said Connor. “Tell her that I’ll be there in ten. Oh, and Derek,” he said as the young man was turning to go and deliver the message, “do you remember that lady from the shuttle repair bay?”

“The one that I ran down? Aww, I sure hope that she was okay,” he said blushing, still embarrassed by the incident.

“This may seem like a silly question,” said Connor, “but do you remember what color her eyes were?”

Derek looked at him like he’d lost his mind. “Her eyes?” he asked. “Why would you need to know something like that?”

“Never mind… really, forget it.” Connor said raking his fingers through his hair. “Ed’s probably timing you, you know. You’d better move it.”

Derek grinned and turned and ran out the door, eager to please his idols.

Jen touched her head gingerly. The med-tech moved her hand to finish examining her and determined that she had sustained a major concussion, which Jen could have told him if she had been so inclined. She wasn’t in a chatty mood. He filled his syringe explaining the procedure, but she didn’t listen. She absently followed the tech’s instructions, giving him her arm obediently for the injection. She was beyond caring about anything at the moment. She was just relieved to have no decisions to make for the first time in, what seemed like, a very long while. Thankfully, the sedative took effect almost immediately and she gratefully gave herself up to the darkness, sinking deeper into the pillow behind her head with a gratified sigh.

Connor was disappointed to find that she was already asleep by the time that he arrived. He had so many questions for her. The medical team advised him that she would be out for a minimum of four hours, at least. Then they would be able to reevaluate her concussion and make sure that the medicine was doing it’s work to heal her from the inside out. Connor left strict instructions that he was to be notified before any attempt was made to rouse her. They assured him that he would be the first to know

Then, Connor called Doctor Tannen over to him from the lab. He had some special research that he wanted the doctor to do for him before she woke up. Four hours wasn’t very much time, but he meant to make the most of it.    

“Hello there,” boomed a voice from above her. “You’re awake!”

Ugh, Jen thought. The voice was probably whispering, but the noise bounced around in her brain like a brass ball.

“Come on,” the voice continued, “open your eyes, Jen.”

Jen didn’t want to open her eyes. She knew that voice. It was HIM. He was everywhere, causing her trouble. He was the enemy. And more than that, she wasn’t anybody. She had no face, no voice, no real name, and no personality to lean into. She pretended to continue sleeping, trying not to wince from the pounding in her head with every word he spoke.

“You can’t fool me, you know.” Jen could hear the smile in his voice. “Wakey-wakey,” he continued in an annoying sing-song voice. “I know that you are awake. I am not going away. I am very stubborn, or at least that is what people tell me. I’m not going away so you might as well give in now.”

Jen opened one eye and glared at him. “My head hurts,” she murmured ungraciously. She winced and opened the other eye.

She was rewarded with a big smile. “Serves you right,” he said too cheerfully. “Most people know better than to flip me over and run away when I am trying to have a civil conversation with them.”

“Did you say civil?” She retorted, completely forgetting that she didn’t have a character to play and reacting honestly. “I recall being drugged and kidn*pped… and you want me to stick around for a nice little chat?” She gingerly massaged her temples, moving her fingers to the bump on her forehead. The swelling was now next to nothing due to the medication that she had been given, but it was still tender.

He straightened up, suddenly transforming into a serious and formidable giant of a man. “What I recall is that you accessed a highly restricted area of my ship and then tried to lock me out of it. This is my ship, Jen. Nobody does that to me.”

This was the second time that he had called her Jen… “How do you know my name? she asked baldly. She was not used to hearing her own name outside of Control’s offices. It was uncomfortable and slightly shocking.

 He smiled again, obviously pleased to have gotten a reaction from her. He leaned back in his chair once more and said simply, “Ed.”

Jen stared at him blankly, obviously confused.

“Ed,” he repeated. “Otherwise known as Edin, the woman that you met in the bar.”

“Oh yes, of course, Edin,” she said weakly. It wasn’t like her to forget little details. Jen looked around the med-ward, trying to distract herself away from this imposing figure in front of her.

“You can call me Connor,” he said, trying to capture her gaze. “I am the Captain of this ship.”

 “Yes, yes, Captain…” her voice trailed off and Jen was silent for a moment. Finally, she asked the question that she couldn’t get out of her head. “Why am I here Captain?” His lips thinned and tightened at her formal use of his command title, rather than his name. She stifled a small smile before he could see it. Good, she thought to herself, I can get under his skin too. Score one point for Jen.

“That is actually a rather long story, Jen. Come on. Let’s get you something to eat.”

His pleasant demeanor was confusing to Jen. She didn’t trust this kindness.

Doctor Tannen joined them to give her a final once over. Once he was assured that the medication had done its’ work, she was warned to be careful over the next day or two and then she was released into the Captains care.

As they made their way out the door, Connor place his hand at the small of her back to guide her along. She shivered when he touched her and pulled away. She wished that she had been more subtle about his. He definitely noticed and gave a knowing laugh. Jen felt her face get warm. She almost found herself wishing that she had been more seriously wounded so that she could have avoided the uncomfortable position that she found herself in now.