I'll Wait For You

Posted on Fri Oct 18th, 2024 @ 1:07pm by Lieutenant Commander Jason Frankley & Lieutenant Adrianna Baciami

1,323 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Stars Around the Well

Adrianna stood by the viewport, staring out at the stars with a distant expression. Jason could sense the tension, the way her arms were crossed tightly over her chest, like she was holding something back. He knew her well enough by now to realise that when she got quiet like this, something serious was coming.

He sat up a little straighter, waiting for her to speak. When she finally did, her voice was soft, but there was a weight to it that made his stomach twist.

“There’s something I need to tell you, Jason. Something important,” she began, her Italian accent slipping through as she spoke slowly, choosing her words carefully.

Jason leaned forward, his concern deepening. “What is it, Adrianna?”

She sighed, running a hand through her dark hair before turning to face him, her eyes shadowed with memories. “Years ago, when I was working in Starfleet Intelligence, I went undercover. The mission was supposed to be simple—get close to a smuggler named Vance Adams and gather information on his operation. But things… didn’t go as planned.” She hesitated, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Jason’s heart began to pound. He could sense this was about more than just a failed mission.

“I didn’t just gather information,” she continued, her voice quieter now. “I fell in love with him.”

Jason blinked, his expression tightening, but he remained silent, waiting for her to go on.

Adrianna rubbed her temples, frustration evident as she muttered under her breath, “Che stupida...” She sighed, shaking her head. “I thought I could control the situation, that I could separate the mission from... what I was feeling. But Vance, he was different. He saw through me—through my cover, through the lies. And I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, we could make it out together. I'd even written my resignation so that I could be with him as an honest woman.”

Jason exhaled slowly, the weight of her words settling heavily between them. “And what happened?”

“The mission– it took an unexpected and deadly turn,” Adrianna said, her voice turning hard. “We were on a Klingon ship having just delivered a deal, and a Klingon recognised me. He blew my cover right there in front of Vance and the rest of the Klingon crew. I thought that was it—that Vance would turn on me, that it was all over.”

Jason’s chest tightened. “But he didn’t?”

“No,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. “He didn’t care that I was Starfleet. Nor did it seem to surprise him. He knew there was a leak in his crew, he just didn't know who. It was clear that he loved me, Jason. When everything went to hell, he saved me– he chose to ignore the facts and saved me instead of handing me over. He fought his way through the chaos, risking his life to make sure that I got out safely. I... I thought he died that day– either by the hands of a Klingon or because the ship blew not long after I left.” Her eyes glazed over, haunted by the memory of her friend in Intel telling her. She remembered smashing her favourite mug and completely destroying the inside of her quarters. “For a long time, I believed he was gone. I even cleared out his place and rid any trace of me from his life, to try and cover the lies I told to Starfleet to protect my career.”

Jason’s heart ached for her, but there was something else he couldn’t shake—the realisation that she still had unfinished business with this man. “But he’s not dead, is he?”

Adrianna looked down, her hand gripping the edge of her uniform, shaking her head subtly, feeling a guilt. “No. I just found out that Vance is alive– missing, but very much alive. He’s out there– somewhere, and I need to see him. I need closure. And equally, I need to give him his stuff back, if he still wants it. I kept a few mementoes that I hadn't given much thought to in a long time.”

Jason sat back, the breath he hadn’t realised he was holding finally escaping. It felt like a punch to the gut, but he couldn’t blame her. He saw the pain in her eyes, the unresolved emotions that she carried with her every day.

“So, you’re putting us on hold,” he said, his voice calm but tinged with a mixture of sadness, anger and yet understanding.

Adrianna nodded, biting her lip. “I have to, Jason. I need to see him. I owe it to him... and to myself. I don’t know what will happen, but I need to figure this out before I can move forward with my life. Finding out he was alive– merde, it reopened a lot of wounds. I need to, at the least, apologise to him. I owe him my life and I wiped his life clean off the map because of the jeopardy it placed on my career. I also need to ensure that my secret is safe. I need to know how he is. I need to–”

Jason swallowed hard, his heart heavy but understanding. He reached for her hand, his grip firm but gentle as he interrupted her, “I get it, Ade. You need to do this. And I’m not going to stop you.”

She looked at him, her eyes filling with gratitude. Adrianna had not expected him to be so accepting. She was silent for a moment, processing before she finally spoke, “Grazie, Jason. I know this isn’t easy to hear, but it means so much that you understand.”

He smiled softly, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “I want you to know– I’m falling in love with you, Adrianna. And I want you to know that I’ll wait. I’ll be here when you’re ready.”

Her breath caught at his words, and for a moment, she seemed torn, like she wanted to say something more, but couldn’t find the words. “Jason, you don’t have to wait for me,” she said softly, almost pleading. “I don’t know how long this will take, and I don’t want you to feel—”

“I know,” he interrupted again, his hand reaching up to cup her cheek, his thumb brushing over her lips, remembering how they had felt on his. His eyes mapped every inch of her face as if it would be the last time he would get to see her. “But, I will wait for you. You need to find closure, and I respect that. Just know: I’m not going anywhere; I'll fight for you; and, lastly, my ridiculous dreams of retirement at forty, either with, or without you, are still very much on the table.”

A small smile of genuine amusement crossed her lips at his final words. Adrianna’s throat tightened, a mix of guilt and relief washing over her. “You’re too good for me, you know that, marinaio?”

He chuckled, though there was an edge of sadness to it. “Maybe. Or maybe I just know that– just like our first kiss– you’re worth waiting for and certainly worth fighting for.”

She squeezed his hand, blinking away the tears that threatened to fall. “I’ll let you know when, or if, I’m ready,” she whispered, standing up slowly.

Jason watched her, his chest aching as she moved towards the door. “Take your time,” he said quietly, hoping that when she found the closure she needed, she would come back to him.

As the door slid shut behind her, Jason stared at the space she’d left, knowing that this wasn’t the end. Not for them. But the waiting, the uncertainty—it was going to be harder than he was willing to admit.

 

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