It was 1700. Manning had just finished her shift. Taking a deep breath, she sat on the edge of her bed and rested her head on her hands for a moment.

It had been almost a week since the whole crew had returned from Beta Prime, and Amelia was glad everything seemed to be finally going back to normal.

At first, having Harris back on the Bridge had been a relief. She wasn’t sure if she had thoroughly enjoyed her first real command experience. But now that everything was behind them, Manning couldn’t help but feel like something was wrong.

Harris seemed distant, and Wright was nowhere to be seen. Manning was aware that the woman could be pretty much invisible when she wanted to, but Amelia was also aware that no human being could hide themselves into nonexistence. In the lower decks, rumors circulated that the Intel Chief was wanted for some sort of crime. Every day was different — from theft, to treason, to murder, the story was ever changing.

Regardless of what had transpired, Amelia understood the pain of not having one’s partner close by, and she felt like both her and Harris needed a break.

Quickly standing up, Manning headed for the shower. Fifteen minutes later she was putting on something more comfortable and casual than her uniform – a pair of dark skinny jeans, her favorite black flats, and a black boat neck shirt. Her hair was pulled up in a casual knot.

Before leaving, she rummaged for a moment through the contents of one of the cabinets in the dining area, taking out an older looking bottle containing a dark amber liquid. Walking to the replicator, she produced a tall black paper bag and two whisky glasses. She placed the bottle and the glasses inside the bag.

Walking confidently, it didn’t take long for Amelia to cross the distance between her quarters and Harris’s door. Without hesitation she pressed the chime and waited for a few seconds.

As the door opened, Amelia didn’t wait to be invited in. Instead, she walked inside the room with a wide stride.

“I don’t know what’s happening Colonel, and I’m not sure I want to know. But I’ve been observing you for the past few days and I know your head is not in the game. I have also heard the rumors going around regarding Captain Wright. I’m not here to ask whether or not they are true, but… I’ve noticed her absence and I know you are close.” She gave Cal a piercing gaze. “I sympathize with the feeling, Colonel…”

Sitting down in the living room couch, Amelia placed the bag on the coffee table, taking out the two glasses and the bottle as she spoke.

“I’m your executive officer, and it’s part of my duty to make sure you’re fit to do your job. If you want my honest assessment, I think you need a drink and someone to talk to. And I think you do too much of the first and you’re too stubborn to do the latter.” She gave him a smug smile. “I might be wrong, but I am pretty sure I am right.” Opening the bottle, she poured some of its contents into the two glasses. “Whatever you want to take off your chest, Colonel, you can. Whatever you don’t, I’m not here to force it out of you.” She looked at Cal. “We haven’t really enjoyed each other’s company in a non professional setting so I thought there was no better time to change that.” Manning slid one of the glasses across the table with the expertise of a bartender. It was clear that Amelia was not as ‘royal’ as Harris might have thought. “Laphroaig Single Malt aged 15 years. Real Scotch. Not whatever American knockoff you drink.” Amelia’s lips curled into a smirk. “If you want to take a shot at me for being ‘nobility’…” she said adding air quotes “… go ahead. I’ll be enjoying my whisky.” She took the glass to her lips before taking it back once more. “Oh, and before you ask… I’m skipping my nightly poker game to be here, so no. I am not leaving until I am satisfied with our conversation. Unless of course, you want to cover the winnings I’m not making… which would be quite large… because I’m quite a good poker player.”

And with that, she made herself comfortable on the couch and took a sip of her drink.

Lt. Cmdr. Manning, XO