Posted by General Calvin Harris (Command General- Colonial Customs and Defence Authority) in Attack at City Center: Sacred Heart - A Surprise Visitor

Posted by Civilian Molly Holloway (CEO - Holloway Industries) in Attack at City Center: Sacred Heart - A Surprise Visitor

Posted by Jerome Davis in Attack at City Center: Sacred Heart - A Surprise Visitor
Posted by… suppressed (16) by the Post Ghost! 👻
The Prometheus Class Intelligence Starship USS Thresher dropped out of Warp behind Black Rock, one of the few blind spots of the ACS network and immediately cloaked before moving toward OED at maximum Impulse power. On her Bridge, Colonel Ryan York ordered the ship to Red Alert and brought all sensors to max passive power as the massive warship settled into High Orbit above the planet.

“Jenny…” York turned to his Chief of Security. “… is your team ready?” The short, dark-haired woman standing at the Tactical Console in a Miami Hurricanes crop top, shorts, and a pair of Converse winked. “Of course! It’s nice to be in real clothes again RP… I had to practically fight off the whole department for the chance to actually do a little Wet Works stuff!” She had started moving to the Main Bridge lift before she turned and smiled at Ryan. “You gonna get changed or do we get to go hunting without the boss?”

Ryan smirked and shook his head. “Like hell you are, Marsh! I’ll meet your team in One in five minutes.” The young woman nodded and disappeared.

Eight minutes later

Behind a pile of bins in the alley across the street from the crash site, five normal looking folks appeared in the shimmer of transporter patterns. The tallest in a pair of slacks, dark blue button down and a black dress jacket emerged quietly. Walking over to the first CCDA guard he saw, he smiled and asked politely for directions to the nearby extended stay hotel… one about a block from Sacred Heart. The guard looked in thought for a moment then pulled out his PaDD and showed the gentleman before him the fastest way there, making a point to advise against going near the hospital. As he was doing so, what looked like two couples emerged from the alley going the opposite direction. One couple looked drunk, the other… a pair of kids from the University of Miami… couldn’t keep their hands off each other. The first looked as though they were looking for a place to sleep it off and the others clearly had things other than sleep on their mind. The guard that should have been watching their path had walked over to the guard with the gentleman and assisted Dr. Ford in finding his way. A few moments later, Dr. Ford was gone and so were the college kids. The crash site was quiet once more.

Half past 1am

A gentleman walked up to a security checkpoint just inside the west entrance. The man was dressed in a pair of slacks, dark blue button down and a black dress jacket. As he approached, the guards drew their sidearms and the man calmly produced a badge folio identifying him as a member of the Fleet Criminal Investigative Service. After a moment, one of the guards whispered into a Comm cuff mic and then looked to the FCIS agent. “General Hudson will be here in a moment.” They said sharply. “It’s her call whether or not you get in.” So, they waited.

Moments later, a tired looking officer with four small gold stars rounded the corner, took five steps toward the waiting trio and stopped, dead in her tracks. Slowly, the woman unsnapped the restraint on the top of her pistol, glaring at the newcomer. Seeing this reaction, the man showed open hands and smiled. He opened his mouth to speak but before he could say a word, Hudson grabbed him by his lapels and drug him out of earshot of the guards. Stepping around the corner, Hudson suddenly hit the man hard right in the middle of his chest. “Goddamnit York! What in the actual hell are you doing here!” The woman hissed. “I’ve got enough problems without you and your lot nosing around! How the frack did you even get down here?! Hell… how’d you even get into the system!?” Smiling softly, York shrugged. “I have my ways.”

Hudson drew her sidearm and pulled back the safety. “York… I do not have time for th…” The man raised a hand and cut her off. “Devri, I need to talk to Ms. Holloway.” Fire blazed behind the woman’s eyes as she buried the barrel of the sidearm into his stomach. “Like the hell you will York! You need to leave… now!” All friendliness gone in the blink of an eye, York looked down and in a cold tone snapped. “I haven’t the time for this bullshit Devri Rae. I just came from nearly half way across the damn Sector at Max Warp. I’m not asking you, I’m telling you… I’m going to talk to Captain Holloway. Privately Starbuck…” York stared down at the woman until Hudson finally asked bluntly, her sidearm at her side “Why do you need to talk to Captain Holloway, Colonel?” Her tone was harsh, her eyes and stance untrusting.

York sighed, rubbing his eyes and then speaking just loud enough for her to hear… his expression flat but contained. “Molly was my training partner when we both went Starfleet Intelligence. She’s one of the handful of people I truly trust, even more than you Devri. I have crucial information about the people that attacked Lucas Holloway’s shuttle that I am only at liberty to discuss with Captain Holloway. Now… we can do this the nice way or the not so nice way.” Devri scowled at York. “And just what the frack is that supposed to mean, York?!” The Intel Captain leaned over her, his patience obviously wearing thin. “That means you can take me to speak to Captain Holloway and I can discuss the information I have for her with her here… in this building. Or I can beam her up to the Thresher and talk to her there! I’ve had a transporter lock on her for over an hour. I’m here as a goddamn courtesy to you and your staff. Now… take me to see Molly!” The former Marine snapped. Hudson looked as though she could kill the man with her bare hands before her shoulders slumped, she turned and walked with York down to 104. Stepping through the door, a much gentler tone emerged from the man as he asked. “Hi ya Red… ya got a minute?”

York & Hudson

Sitting in a corner of the room, with her coat over her body, and Ali and Jersey dozing off with Boomer on nearby chairs, Molly had been trying to rest. To no avail.

When she finally found herself in that light slumber that precedes one falling asleep, reality mixing up with dream, the words and the familiar voice reached her ears.

Molly opened her eyes, fully expecting to see room 104 just like it was before she had sat down and closed her eyes to rest. Instead, she found herself staring at a pair of incredibly familiar blue eyes.

“Ryan…!” The name escaped her lips before she could stop it.

Hudson watched both Senior Officers closely, wondering if she’d made the right choice letting him back with Molly. Ryan, on the other hand, now seemed to completely forget the armed CDF Commander was even standing there.

Standing up, Molly walked the space between them at a fast pace, hugging the former Marine tightly. It was an uncharacteristic action for Molly, but for the first time during the whole night she had found someone she shared a stronger connection with.

York’s arms closed tightly around Holloway, cherishing holding her once more. Simply the smell of her hair took him back to a different place… a different time. A time when the woman in his arms wasn’t just a colleague or a training partner… but a lover and a confidant. As had always happened, he didn’t want to let her go but forced himself to do so the very moment he felt the woman pull back. Setting Molly down, Ryan heard Hudson sigh then shuffle off to somewhere other than next to where he & Molly were.

“What are you doing here?”

Molly Holloway, CEO Holloway Heavy Industries

“Why do think?” He said softly, gently kissing Molly’s forehead. “I had to see for myself that you were OK.” York then took a moment, sighed and reached into his pocket.

Molly smiled softly. He had always been thoughtful. Even though she wouldn’t trade her relationship with Cal for anything in the world, it was moments like these that made Molly think how different things would have been if they had talked about it when they finished the training program. If she had turned her back on Intelligence to be with him… For a moment, she let her mind wonder, before Ryan’s voice took her away from her thoughts.

Pulling out a small data stick, the former Marine asked gently. “Is there a place we can talk… privately?” He nodded toward the two young women asleep against each other on the couch. “Considering one of those two is one of only four people to ever actually hit me… I would prefer if she not know I’m dirt side.” He smirked. “Not that I’m scared of the little firebrand… I’d just prefer to go back to my ship this time without a black eye.” Ryan chuckled softly.

York, SFI

Molly soft smile opened slightly, as she followed his gaze to the couch. She still remembered the punch… right in front of her, on the Dresden’s Sickbay, what now felt ages ago. “I’m so sorry about that…” Molly said. Genuine concern on her face. “She’s a bit protective of Calvin… he’s almost like a father to her.”

Finally, Molly motioned with her chin to the empty hospital room she had used a few hours before. “We can talk there.”

Gently nudging her former Intel partner by an arm, Molly walked to the room, closing and locking the door behind them as Ryan entered. It was exactly as she had left it — the empty biobed, the viewscreen on the wall, the single visitor’s chair. Sitting at the foot of the bed, Molly looked expectantly at Ryan.

“It’s not exactly soundproof, but it will do if we’re mindful of our volume.”

Molly Holloway, CEO Holloway Heavy Industries

Ryan walked by Molly and with a wink, playfully ribbed. “Oh… I know you can be very mindful of your volume when you wanna be…” He winked. “… but that’s not why I’m here.”

“Watch it, York.” Molly said, her open palm smacking him square in the chest. “Things are already hard enough.” Bright pink filled her cheeks.

After a moment, York tapped a small device in his pocket Molly would recognize at once as a white noise generator then nodded to the data stick. “SFI decoded an intercept for the Syndicate about three minutes before the attack on you uncle’s shuttle. It didn’t make full sense until after the attack, unfortunately, but we came at Max Warp as soon as we heard.” York was pacing now, clearly nervous and agitated in a way Molly hadn’t seen him since they had to tackle a hostage scenario at The Farm. He walked back and forth for nearly thirty seconds before finally turning at Molly and saying words he clearly didn’t want to say.

Molly knew that whatever Ryan had to tell her was seriously upsetting to him. She recognized his pacing and his nervousness. It was incredible to think that during the one year they had trained together, they had become close enough for her to know how to read his tells. Hardship brought people together, after all. And the Intelligence training at the Farm was very much the opposite of being easy.

“They’re a plant Molly…” The words would fall on Holloway like an avalanche. “… Section 31 all the way. They’re one of ours… a front organization established decades ago and modeled after the old Terra Japanese Mafia families.” He was so angry he was shaking. “They’ve been independent for so long, it’s one of a handful that lost formal recognition years ago but by the time we cut them off, they were self reliant. They don’t ‘play’ Mafia family anymore… they practically are one.” He looked at Molly, pain in his eyes. “You can’t go after these people alone Molly… they’re some of the most dangerous people in the Sector. We don’t really know who the hell is in charge but for whatever goddamn reason, they are really pissed at your uncle.”

Molly. Ryan never called her by her name unless something was incredibly wrong. To him, she was always ‘Red’. It was a small detail that Molly had always cherished. The fact that he chose not to do so didn’t get lost on Molly. In fact, it deepened the worries about the information he had just disclosed to her.

York rubbed his eyes and pressed on. “Section 31 and SFI wanted you here for a reason Red… to keep an eye on Lucas and to be someone with some sense in charge at HHI. Your uncle is one sharp son-of-a-bitch but he ain’t you Babe. They needed someone on the ground here that those bastards couldn’t railroad. Now…” York sighed. “… you got me and the Thresher for at least four weeks. I can’t promise you more time but at least you’ll have real resources without having to blow your cover.” He smiled and then paused, a stern look crossing his painfully attractive features. “Look Red… you’re a stubborn ass and we both know it. I know telling you to sit tight while Jenny & I hunt these bastards down won’t fly with you for a nano-second. That said… Captain…” He spoke in an oddly firm tone given their past. “… this is my investigation. You wanna put on the Blacks again, in secret of course, and help… you’re welcome to do so. You’re still a Senior Field Agent… but you will do so under my direction. Clear?”

York, SFI

Molly didn’t know what to say. She was still processing all the information Ryan had just dumped on her. The Syndicate being Section 31, him inviting her to work with them even though just a few months ago he didn’t want her anywhere near this line of investigation… she was at a loss.

After everything that had already happened that day, the uncertainty about Cal and Lucas and whether they would be alright, Molly’s exhaustion would be even more apparent. Not even the deepest training could hide the emotions she was buried under.

York watched his former lover carefully, knowing she must have been through hell before he could get there. He also knew Hudson would be ready to kill him before the day was over, but he didn’t care. Molly Wright might no longer be ‘his’ but he would be there for her till his dying breath.

Molly didn’t answer Ryan’s question. Not immediately anyway. Instead she gave him a piece of information of her own.

“Do you remember Ashley Newton?” Holloway asked, seemingly out of the blue. “The FCIS Agent that was leading the investigation on Beta Prime and the rogue Intel base led by Tomas? The one who took the investigation from you and almost managed to convict me of conspiracy to steal the Dresden?”

“Of course I do… that loud mouthed ass tried to bury you!” Ryan looked almost disgusted just thinking about her. “What the hell does that wack-a-loon have to do with this, Red?”

“I didn’t believe my uncle when he told me that her and her bunch were behind his attack in New York City…” Molly sighed. “Just like you, I thought they had been dealt with. It turns out he had very good reasons to believe that they were behind it.” Holloway looked at her lap for a moment, before looking up to face Ryan again. “He just didn’t want to show me, because he didn’t want to put me in danger.” Another sigh. “He’s received three transmissions from them so far… and if I was to bet, I guess they’re getting ready to send a fourth.” The sadness in her face was visible. And then, realization hit her. Ryan would be able to see the hurt and anger starting to simmer in her eyes. “But you knew this already, didn’t you? If you picked up on a transmission right before the attack, you picked up on the ones my uncle received!”

“No Red…” York looked genuinely shocked. “… I didn’t. We received a coded, text-based, triple encryption message about four minutes before the attack on your uncle’s shuttle occurred.” York sighed in frustration. “By the time we ran it through protocols, the attack was probably less than a minute from happening and the way it was worded it was like a damn Nostradamus quatrain. It didn’t make sense till the first reports came out of here.” The former Marine looked heartbroken by her accusation, his old pattern of address taking over without a second thought… the pleading tone clear in his voice as his eyes found her’s. “Baby… listen to me. I had no clue as to what was going to happen until it was too late and considering the source, an in-house front, sending you anything… even through your SFI channels…” The man eye’d her watch for a moment and continued. “… couldn’t be guaranteed secure. Why the frack do you think Command authorized me to take this investigation. We were the closest ship Red… and it took six goddamn hours to get here!” He paused and then added. “And no, I haven’t heard of any communications with Lucas…” Suddenly, Ryan looked sharply at Molly… his train of thought shifting sharply. “… Molly, have they reached out to anyone since the attack? Anyone taking claim to the attack itself?”

“They contacted me… when I got home from the crash site earlier today… the lights were on. Calvin never leaves the lights on so I knew something was wrong…” Molly felt more tired than at any point in the day. She was just grateful to finally have someone in whom she could confide what had happened. “To be honest, after the recordings my uncle showed me, I was expecting it. I just wasn’t expecting it to be… her.” Molly’s hands balled into fists so tight that her knuckles were turning white. “There she was, sitting in Calvin’s chair…” Her eyes met Ryan’s. “It was a hologram… I thought I had her, Ryan… but…” He would see the bruise still on her left wrist. “She escaped through my fingers yet again…”

The growl that escaped Ryan was one so challenging it would momentarily frighten Molly, barely contained rage flashing dangerously behind his eyes. “That… bitch…” He growled. “… was in… your home?!” He was trembling. “I swear to God… we will find her. I promise… we will find her. We will finish her.”

“I want to help… I want… I need to go with you. But I’ll have to be here every day at some point during the day. I have to be seen… so nobody gets suspicious. And I don’t want to leave them alone. Especially my uncle.” Molly hear still recall Newton’s words echoing in her mind. I’ll be sure the first thing your precious uncle sees when, and if, he wakes up… will be my face.

“I’ll be sure the first thing your precious uncle sees when, and if, he wakes up… will be my face.” Molly repeated the words out loud, but her voice faltered just as she finished them, tears returning to her eyes. “I can’t leave him alone, Ryan… I can’t let her be there… or he might not survive.” Her voice was getting shakier with every word. She sobbed softly before clearing her throat and composing herself. Her gaze steady on the former Marine’s blue eyes once more, only this time they had a seriousness behind them that Ryan knew meant that nothing would change what Molly was about to tell him. “Your message came through crystal clear, Colonel.” She started, her tone unwavering. “I will help with the investigation under your direction. Just understand that if I find Ashley Newton, I will not be responsible for what I may do to her.”

Molly Holloway, CEO Holloway Heavy Industries

“That traitor went after you and your family…” Ryan growled. “… Intel has no desire to lock them up and risk further escapes. We are under orders to finish them… once and for all.”

York, SFI

The surprise in Molly’s gaze with Ryan’s words was evident. She was not that important of an asset that Intel would bend over backwards to eliminate someone because they had attacked her and her family. But if what Ryan was saying was true (and Molly had no doubt that it was), and they had been issued orders to terminate Ashley Newton and her crowd, there were definitely other reasons behind it. Regardless, Molly was not complaining.

“I want to be there where you find her.” The words left Molly’s lips before she could think about them a second time. They came from her heart and from the intense hatred that she felt towards the woman.

“Of course Red…” York said without a seconds pause. “… it’d be only right that you be there personally when we finish this.” He crossed his arms and leaned against the edge of the Biobed.

With a sigh, Molly squeezed Ryan’s arm gently. Given their history, she knew the former Marine very well. Almost as well as she knew Cal, even if they had only been together for a year. Intelligence training would do that to people. So she knew the signs and the tells, and she recognized the frustration and rage behind his gaze. It was not going to do any good at the moment.

The man’s large arm flexed unconsciously, welcoming her touch. He smiled softly, nodding for Molly to continue.

“As I said before, I want to go with you, but I can’t just disappear. And for as much as I’d like to put on the Blacks again…” Molly shook her head. “… you know I can’t… One glimpse is all it takes to make the cover of the magazines… and then how do we explain why the CEO of one of the most prominent ship building companies in the sector was seen wearing an Fleet Intel uniform? Or seen with Intel officers? Why would Starfleet even be investigating this at all when it’s completely unrelated to the naked eye… If my cover is blown, at best I’ll lose my job with the company… The last thing my uncle wants is Intelligence of any kind involved in his business. At worst I’ll lose my job with Intel as well. Everyone here thinks I’m retired from Starfleet all together…”

Molly sighed again deep in thought. “If we’re going to do this you and your team will have to be the ones doing most of the investigative work. I trust you’ll keep me informed.” She paused, her gaze steady in Ryan’s blue eyes. “Promise me though, that you’ll take me with you when you think you’re closing in on her. I’ll find a way of leaving… Maybe I can convince Hudson to help me… assuming she can keep a secret. Please…”

Molly Holloway, CEO Holloway Heavy Industries

“I promise Red…” He said, wrapping Molly in a tight embrace. “… when Newton goes down, you’ll be the last face that traitor ever sees.” There was a force behind his words that sealed the promise in a way no other way could have. Ryan York was livid and Molly would know he had no intention of leaving orbit with Ashley Newton still alive.

York, SFI

The hug came as a surprise, but a welcome one. Molly allowed herself to be pulled into the embrace, Ryan’s scent bring back memories of times past to the front of her mind. For a moment she found herself wondering what could have been, and the fact after all these years her former Intel partner was still alone made her worry about him. When the going got tough and Cal wasn’t there, it was always Ryan that came to her rescue. He was always the closest ship nearby. Molly didn’t doubt that sometimes that was truthful, but she was also not naïve enough to think that he didn’t have eyes on her commbadge number most of the time. After all, she kept the same tabs on him.

For a moment, Molly allowed silence to fall between them, before finally breaking it.

“Do you ever wonder how our lives would have been if we could have been together?”

Molly

Holding Molly tightly, the Intel Commander took a slow deep breath. “Yeah… maybe a few times.” His hand rubbed her back between her shoulders in a way the man knew was relaxing for her and after a long sigh, he continued. “After a year with a woman like you, a man would be crazy not to want a future with her. But…” he squeezed her a bit tighter. “… the universe didn’t line up that way. You’ve got Calvin… and I think the man’s pretty fond of you…” Ryan chucked. “… and that fabulous ass.” Molly could hear the smirk in the man’s playful tone. “Plus…” He chucked a bit harder. “… Nat’s grown pretty fond of me… and my equally fabulous ass!”

York, SFI

Burying her head on Ryan’s chest, Molly closed her eyes, breathing out and letting his hand on her back let go of some of the pressure she felt from the day she had had. God York knew her well.

“The universe could have lined up that way…” Molly started. “If only we had talked about it at the time…” But they hadn’t. They both had had partners waiting for them at home, but little had they known that their involvement during their time at The Farm would end up prematurely bringing both relationships to an close. Ryan had been engaged to a woman named Andrea at the time, and Molly had been engaged to Ashton. Her heart still broke at how unsupportive she had been of the man at one of the hardest times in his life, when he had given so much of his life to be there for her. It had been no one’s fault but her own. She and Ashton had never spoken since, and Molly could only hope that he had found someone else that could give him the happiness she knew he deserved.

York held Molly close, his hand still rubbing her back. “I know Red… I know…” He said softly, a deep sigh leaving him.

Molly smiled softly as Ryan spoke. The love both felt for each other very much present on their long embrace. For a moment, Holloway rolled her eyes at his mention of ‘her fabulous ass’ before breaking the embrace as York finished talking.

“Wait… who’s Nat!?” The pain in Molly’s gaze wouldn’t get lost on Ryan, even though Holloway had tried to hide it. The same hurt that she had seen in his eyes four year prior when they had found themselves in a similar situation and Molly had told him she was involved with Calvin, then the CO of the Dresden.

Damn Ryan thought sharply to himself. So this is what it feels like on the other side of that stare… frack me! For only the third time in Ryan York’s life, his heart broke. Each time… the culprit was the same beautiful woman’s light brown eyes staring up at him, a piece of her very soul breaking… from either his words, or hers.

Molly knew it was unfair. After all, if she loved the man, she’d want Ryan to be happy. And she did. But the fact that he had moved on still broke her heart to pieces. Deep down, she had always figured that if something happened to Cal, Ryan would be there waiting, and if he was involved with someone else that chance was gone. It was incredibly unfair and Molly hated herself for even thinking about it. But that was the truth.

“So… you moved on. I’m happy for you.” Molly smiled, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. “I hope she’s everything you want.” Why was she feeling like this? Didn’t she love Calvin? She did. Very much so. She couldn’t imagine her life without him. Then why did she feel like this?

“You’ve always been a terrible liar Red…” Ryan said in a hushed tone. “… always were.” York’s hand cupped her cheek as gently as if he were holding a priceless treasure. Cause I am… The agent thought bitterly. After a deep breath, Ryan said in a slightly defeated tone. “Natalie is a great girl… and the patience of a saint.”

“But if… if you have someone else… then why are you here?”

Molly Holloway, CEO Holloway Heavy Industries

York leaned down and kissed Molly’s forehead, his lips lingering on her skin for a moment too short for either of them. Resting his forehead on hers, Ryan spoke in a whisper. “Because Molly… she’ll never be you.” York took another deep, slow breath and pulled away. “Because… no matter what… we have a bond that will forever be… uniquely ours. A kind of love that… no matter what… never truly dies.” He smiled a heartbroken smile of his own, his eyes rimmed in strongly held tears.

When Ryan’s lips left her forehead, Molly’s head followed them for just a moment, searching for more. It was a tight balancing act between the two, and it was getting dangerously close to the familiar territory that they wanted to go back to but knew they couldn’t. Not without changing their current situation and damaging their current partners yet again.

Molly’s heart both fluttered and dropped at Ryan’s statement… and at the tears rimming his beautiful blue eyes. Never taking her gaze away from his, Molly’s thumb cleared his tears away, first one eye, then the other.

“I have the chance to end this Red…” He finally found his voice again. “… a chance to remove forever the most dangerous threat to you and those you love. I…” His voice cracked slightly. “… I could never say I truly loved you if I didn’t take the chance to make sure you were finally safe from these bastards. And that’s just what I intend to do.”

York, SFI

Looking down and closing her eyes, Molly took a moment before gazing back at Ryan. It was her turn to fight the tears threatening to fall. “So this is a goodbye then…” Her breath caught softly in her throat. “When we’re done… that will be it?” Holloway remembered the feeling their last night on The Farm. She knew that, when they left, she would never see Ryan York again. It seemed that the universe had had other plans for them, or at least Ryan had. Now, however, that pain was far stronger. No matter the challenges they had gone through together, she had always known that once the training was finished, they would go their separate ways. After that, with each reunion, her heart grew a little bigger, with a little more hope that they could remain in each other’s lives. If not as lovers, at least as friends.

“It almost makes me not want to catch them so that you don’t have to go.” Ryan would know the true weight behind the words.

Molly

Ryan pulled Molly in for another hug and was… chuckling(!?) “Red…” He began softly. “… you’re not getting rid of me that easily. Just because they’re gone at the end of this doesn’t mean I’m going anywhere permanently.” He softly kissed her forehead once more. “You’ll always be incredibly important to me and I hope we always stay close… regardless of careers or families. Nothing will ever drag me away forever Molly… nothing”.

York, SFI

As they hugged, Molly smiled softly against Ryan’s chest. When his lips came into contact with her forehead again, she wished they could have remained longer. But so was life, and so was their complicated relationship.

York held Holloway close for just a few more moments, relishing in the scent of her hair and the feel of the sheer silk covering her back… his mind drifting back to a time when holding her this close ended more often than not with both of them out of said clothes and exhausted. While he very much missed the intimate moments of their relationship, he missed the simple things like holding her or watching her peacefully sleep more than anything. She would always and forever be his person even if they were never together in that way ever again.

“Promise me that we will stay close.” She said after a moment. With a soft sigh, Molly pulled away, gazing back into Ryan’s blue eyes. “I need to get back…” There was a sad tone in her voice. “I’m sure Hudson is wondering what we’re doing… and let’s hope she didn’t mention to Jersey that you’re here.”

Ryan chuckled. “If she did, it’s likely safest for me to beam out of this room!” He was trying to make her smile and hoped it worked.

Molly smiled gently. Not the bright smile that he had many times seen, but a smile nonetheless.

“Here…” Molly pulled an isolinear chip from her pocket. “These are my uncle’s recordings of the transmissions he got from the Syndicate.” Worry seeped into her gaze. “From my understanding, after the whole ordeal on the Dresden, my uncle was approached by Starfleet Security to develop some old tech weapons for a specific mission.” She sighed. “I don’t know the whole story, but the gist of it is that it involved a planet with no warp capabilities and you know… Prime Directive… they wanted something that would be technologically on par with the current tech these people had. Old missile launchers… C4 explosives… you know the drill.”

“You’re kidding…!?” York looked suddenly very uncomfortable. “You do realize… Lucas realizes… the risk of that kinda tech getting out, right?!” His eyes were wide. “Please Red, tell me he didn’t go through with this… that your uncle let some incredibly dangerous old tech off the chain for these nuts to get their hands on?!”

“Oh I do… and so does he.” Molly shrugged. “He was assured the utmost security and secrecy, and also that he was to develop a very limited quantity… but…” She sighed.

“He accepted the request.” Ryan would be able to see in her eyes that she wasn’t exactly happy with the arrangement. “One benefit of these types of weapons is that they’re very hard to trace by a society that mostly uses energy based military technology… and The Syndicate seems to have caught wind of it.”

The former Marine looked absolutely flabbergasted. “No wonder they’ve been up his ass! Old school wet works stuff is dangerous… just as likely to blow yourself up transporting it or storying it as you are using it!”

Molly sighed. This time deeply. “They approached my uncle to give them the schematics and he refused… and here we are.”

“That old man of your’s gotta pair of brass ones Red… I’ll give him that! Though…” He shrugged. “… I’m pretty sure when he pissed them off that he didn’t know who they were with…” He sighed. “… or how far they’d go to get it!”

“I don’t think he did either.” Molly said, a sad expression on her face. “Although I know that he’d still refused had he known.” The hint of a proud smile settled on her lips.

“As I said before… I can’t go with you.” The pained look on her gaze was evident. “I want to… but I can’t…” Taking a deep breath, Molly continued. “If you find out anything I want to be the first to know, is that clear, Colonel?” The smirk Molly shot York would bring back memories of their time at The Farm. “And when you do find Newton, I want to be the last thing she ever sees.”

Molly

“So be it.” York smiled. Then he wrapped Molly in a hug, kissed the top of her head before stepping back and tapping his wrist comm. =A= York to Thresher… one to beam up.=A= With the distinct shimmer of Intel secure transporter beams, York was gone.

Another hug, another kiss… both too short and fleeting. Standing back, Molly watched as the beams of light took York away. Again. She stayed in the room for a moment, trying to get through the feeling of yet another loss, even though it truly wasn’t. For Molly, however, every time Ryan left it hurt. It hurt with the weight that only missed opportunities have.

After a few minutes, Holloway finally gathered herself enough to open the door and leave, back to room 104.

When Molly re-entered room 104, everything was as she left it… except for Jersey, who was sitting cross-legged on the couch by a sleeping Ali… glaring at Molly as she entered. “And what in the actual frack is he doing here!?” Came the single, harsh sentence from the woman Cal saw proudly as his bonus daughter.

Ryan/Jersey

The sadness in Molly’s eyes and the furrowing of her brow would tell the young Marine that the subject matter was way out of Jersey’s business and that Holloway didn’t appreciate her question.

“If I told you, I’d have to kill you.” Molly said flatly, walking back to the corner seat she had taken before. “And you know I wouldn’t have an issue doing it. So I’d suggest you choose wisely what business you want to meddle with, Reyes.” Molly never called her by her last name, and Jersey would know it. She would also know that she had crossed a line better left untouched with the former Intel Officer.

Molly

Jersey didn’t flinch. For a brief moment, Molly would swear the young woman’s hair was actually smoking. “Right…” She snapped back with a huff, clearly gauging her volume as to not wake Ali. “… I’ll never understand how come whenever something serious happens, Colonel McHottie thinks he needs to miraculously appear!” She took a calming slow breath and looked like she was about to burst into tears, her eyes never leaving Molly as she carefully wrapped a protective arm around Ali. “This hasn’t a thing to do with whether I trust you or not… cause I do. I do not trust him around my family! And if something he does ever hurts Pops, I will kill him… you have my word on that!”

Tears finally fell free from Reyes’ eyes and she angrily wiped them away with her free hand. With a sniff, the hurt in the young woman’s eyes was unmistakable. “You three are my family…” It was obvious the strain of the last few days had gotten to Reyes as well. “… and I’ve spent more time with the people in this room than I have with my folks in over a decade.” Brianna’s voice trembled as she spoke. “And… and I’ve seen you all hurt…” Her voice finally cracked. “… all hurt way more in the last five years than any of you deserve. Maybe York is a good guy…” She sniffed again. “… I don’t know. But Ali and I have seen the two of you nearly die more than once in the last five years. We’ve… we’ve lost Ali’s mom… Pops lost Belle… Jesus Molly… we’re all so tired of hurting…” Tears flowed again. “… so tired of seeing you two hurting. I’m not even 25 and I’ve seen so much hurt and death. I’ve…” Jersey’s voice wavered again. “… I’ve tried to shield Ali from what I can. I love you all and I just… at this point I don’t trust a single son-a-bitch around y’all…” She smiled ever so slightly. “Aunt Sam & Aunt Devri… and your uncle, of course, excluded.”

Reyes, CCDA

Molly’s eyes flashed with anger as the young Marine didn’t drop the subject, but softened slightly when the woman broke down. She waited for her to finish talking before taking a deep breath. Holloway was still very much annoyed with the situation.

“I want you to understand something, Brianna.” Molly’s tone was still hard, but not as forceful as before. Not to mention, she never addressed Cal’s protegee by her first name, and that would not be lost on Jersey. “I know you’ve been working for Calvin all these years, but that doesn’t entitle you to pry in business that doesn’t concern you. I tolerated you speaking your mind when Colonel York was on board the Dresden, and I did not submit an official reprimand for you when somehow you decided to punch him in the face. That’s assaulting a superior officer and it’s a very serious matter. But I chose to close my eyes because I know you, and I hold you to a higher regard than I do most. Maybe I shouldn’t have.”

Molly’s eyes flashed with anger as the young Marine didn’t drop the subject, but softened slightly when the woman broke down. She waited for her to finish talking before taking a deep breath. Holloway was still very much annoyed with the situation.

“I want you to understand something, Brianna.” Molly’s tone was still hard, but not as forceful as before. Not to mention, she never addressed Cal’s protegee by her first name, and that would not be lost on Jersey. “I know you’ve been working for Calvin all these years, but that doesn’t entitle you to pry in business that doesn’t concern you. I tolerated you speaking your mind when Colonel York was on board the Dresden, and I did not submit an official reprimand for you when somehow you decided to punch him in the face. That’s assaulting a superior officer and it’s a very serious matter. But I chose to close my eyes because I know you, and I hold you to a higher regard than I do most. Maybe I shouldn’t have.”

Molly pinched the bridge of her nose before continuing. “But I’ll indulge you because we are no longer on board a starship, and we’re not here in a Starfleet capacity.” She sighed. “If you trust me as much as you claim you do, then do you think I would ever let anyone that I deemed dangerous close to the two most important men in my entire life?” Anger returned to Molly’s eyes as she continued. “I’m sorry you have seen this much hurt before turning 25, Jersey. You knew coming in that life in space is not easy. Calvin and I know, and accepted it when we decided to go into this line of work. You know what I was doing at your age? I was being given a field promotion to Captain because someone had just stole our ship after feral alien animals were released inside of it and attacking half of the crew. Do you think I could afford to whine about it to my superiors? I couldn’t! I had a crew that was split between looking up to me and thinking I was too young for the job. I was too young for the job, but I had no choice but to do it, and failing was not an option.” Molly sighed again and shook her head. “You don’t know what seeing ‘so much hurt and death before you’re 25’ really is.” There was hurt in her tone now. “Calvin has protected you too much and as a result you think you can just say whatever you want, whenever you want. So you better listen to me carefully. I am giving you this explanation because I am your friend, but I shouldn’t have to tell you this.” She took a deep breath. “There are only two people in the universe I trust with my own life. One is lying on a surgical table right now, the other is Colonel Ryan York. I hope that’s enough for you, because I will not entertain you more on this subject. Am I clear?”

Molly Holloway, CEO Holloway Heavy Industries