https://www.star-fleet.com/core/stf3/outpost42/notes/57971/

Jessica walked into the Starfleet hangar bay as if she owned it. On some level she did. She was the executive officer and only Mathias had more power than her. Today though she had enough pips to get down what was needed to get done. “I need a runabout, off the records, here is the clearance,” Jessica handed the deck officer a forged set of orders. She did not worry about the scrutiny of them. They would hold up to anyone but the office that issued them. She was no longer in the field but she was not out of the game. Too many people needed someone like her: someone that appeared squeaky clean but able to get the job done. While the universe could think what they wanted, Aedan kept Jessica out of all his affairs that were supposedly illegal. The supposed illegal connotation was because no one had ever been able to bring any charges against him; however, there was no way Aedan Teller could have made his climb to power given his humble beginnings or choice of friends. Whether or not he gave it all up to marry Jessica and settle down was pure conjecture. What wasn’t conjecture was what his past could do for Mrs. Aedan Teller. All she had to do was drop her name and the good people of society fought to give her what she wanted to gain favor. The less reputable people of society gave her what she wanted out of fear of her husband.

“Ma’am this is all highly irregular,” the young lieutenant followed her on her heels protesting but not stopping. “You can take any vessel you want. All you have to do is sign the line but you,”

“Don’t want to sign the line,” Jessica did not stop her steady progression towards the shuttle.

“So what am I supposed to do if someone comes up and says ‘where is the XO or Goliath runabout,” he whined still keeping up with her stride.

Losing all her patience, Jessica spun on her heel to face the Lieutenant at the door of the shuttle. “I don’t care what you tell them. A band of roving gypsies stole it, two ensigns in love went AWOL,” she offered in a commanding tone, “but do not mention me or you will be transferred to the deepest, darkest sesspool pit in the Federation and run your career out there. Understood,” she snapped. Not waiting for an answer, Jessica entered the shuttle and shut the door.

Looking around anxiously the young lieutenant nodded to the metal door before tucking the PaDD under his arm heading back to the console he was manning moments before.

Sitting down in the cockpit, Jessica launched the ship. There was no going back now. There never was with the agency or Lauren Shan. It was a pity they never recruited her or maybe they did. That was the beauty of intelligence. One never knew what or who was doing what if the game was played well enough. Circling around to the small moon that was set to be the rendezvous point Jessica waited. She had told Zachary that time was of the essence. Whether it was fear of Aedan showing up again or Zachary really needing to complete a mission, Jessica didn’t care. Once she gave Shaw his required fifteen minutes, Jessica would head home and spend the day at the beach with her husband and daughter. Propping her feet on the console, she leaned back, closed her eyes and waited.

The tinkling chimes of a transporter igniting behind her notified Shaw had arrived. There was no need to stand on ceremony nor worry about rank and file. This was off the books. “Took you long enough,” Jessica grumbled looking at the time. It was well past noon which meant she would have some explaining to do

Lt. Commander Jessica Teller XO