The Trip Home [Part 3]

Posted on Wed Feb 26th, 2025 @ 5:48pm by Lieutenant Adrianna Baciami

1,070 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Stars Around the Well
Timeline: Past

Six weeks.

That’s how long it had been since Vance had left Adrianna behind. Six weeks of silence, of unanswered questions and gnawing worry. He told himself she was fine– she was Adrianna, after all, the most resourceful and maddeningly capable person he’d ever met. But the longer the silence stretched, the harder it became to believe his own reassurances.

Now, walking towards the bridge of the Pendragon awaiting a signal to say that their shipment was secure in their cargo bay, Vance found himself pacing again. He knew it was driving his crew mad, but he couldn’t help it. Every comm signal that came through set his pulse racing, only to crash when it wasn’t her.

“Cap, you’re looking worse than the engine coolant leak we just fixed,” Lutz quipped walking with him, “maybe take a walk before you combust. We'll be another ten minutes yet.”

Vance shot him a look but said nothing for a moment, too caught up in his own thoughts to banter. He was halfway to replying when the doors to the bridge hissed open.

It was Lutz that interrupted his train of thoughts by speaking. “Finally decided to show up,” Lutz muttered, not looking up from his PaDD, “you're late. We were meant to leave fifteen minutes ago.”

“I missed you too, Lutz,” a familiar voice replied.

Vance froze.

He knew that voice.

Slowly, he looked toward the captain’s chair. And there she was. Adrianna sat there, one leg crossed over the other, looking as relaxed and infuriatingly self-assured as ever. Her arms rested on the armrests, and her dark eyes sparkled with mischief as she tilted her head at him.

“Did you miss me, amore mio?” she asked, her voice a blend of teasing and warmth.

Vance didn’t move at first, too stunned to process what he was seeing. Relief and something deeper surged through him, tightening his chest. “Adrianna,” he said finally, his voice low, “you’ve got a hell of a way of making an entrance.”

She smirked, leaning back further in the chair, silently looking at him.

He took a slow step forward, his eyes locked on hers. “Six weeks. Six bloody weeks! Not a word, not a sign. Do you have any idea how–” He cut himself off, shaking his head, “you’re impossible.”

“And yet, here I am,” she said softly, her teasing tone melting into something gentler. It didn't last though, soon she was smirking, mischief in her eyes, “and I ready to get back to work. What are your orders, Capitano?”

Another step, and he was standing in front of her. His lips curved into a faint, lopsided smile. “First,” he said, his voice rough, commanding and yet full of amusement, “get out of my seat.”

Adrianna chuckled, uncrossing her legs as she stood. Instead of moving past him, she paused, standing close enough that he could feel the warmth of her presence. “You’ve been worried about me,” she said quietly, her smirk softening into something almost tender, “I can see the worry lines, amore mio.”

“Worried doesn’t begin to cover it,” Vance admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Her gaze flicked down for a moment before meeting his again, “I had to make sure everything was tied up and that the children were safe. I couldn’t risk leading Starfleet back here either so I ran a few errands whilst on Earth to get the scent dogs bored.”

“I know,” he said, “but damn it, Adrianna...” He exhaled slowly, his hand lifting almost unconsciously to brush against her arm, “you could’ve sent something. A sign. Anything.”

“You don't think I wanted to? I had eyes on me, Vance. I couldn't,” her hand came up to rest lightly on his chest, her fingers splaying against the fabric of his jacket, over his heart.

“I’m here now,” she murmured.

For a moment, the air between them felt like it might snap under the weight of everything unsaid. His hand moved up to gently cup her cheek, and she leaned into the touch, her eyes fluttering shut.

“Captain,” Lutz’s voice cut in, shattering the moment, “We’re going to have a situation near the cargo hold unless we get this bird in the air.”

Adrianna pulled back slightly, her expression caught between irritation and amusement. Vance let out a low growl under his breath, shooting a glance toward Lutz. “We’ll deal with it in a minute,” Vance said sharply, his gaze returning to Adrianna.

She arched a brow, her smirk returning, “Duty calls, Capitano. I can wait.”

“This isn’t over,” he said, his voice low but firm.

“I’d be disappointed if it was,” she replied.

He stepped back reluctantly, his fingers brushing hers for a moment before he turned away. As he took his place in the chair she’d vacated, Vance glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Welcome home, Reggimi,” he said quietly.

“It’s good to be back, Capitano,” she replied, her voice smooth and her words genuine. As she stepped past him, her hand ran up his chest to his shoulder, lingering for a moment before she let it fall– a ghost of a loving touch.

“I’ve had a long few weeks, Capitano. I’ll be in my quarters if you need me. Try not to miss me too much,” she then added.

Vance reached up, just catching her fingers before they fell away. He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed them softly, pausing the moment between them, his lips lingering on her knuckles before murmuring, “six weeks, Adrianna. Don't do it again.”

“Why not?” She grinned, “I enjoy making you nervous.” Adrianna leaned down and kissed the top of his head before going to leave.

Vance shook his head, his smile widening as he watched her disappear down the corridor. Even after everything, she still had a way of leaving him speechless.

Once the doors hissed closed, Lutz couldn't help but chuckle, “mark my words, Cap, she'll be the death of you. Make an honest woman of her already and end this tension. It's sickening.”

Vance glared at Lutz, “you have a way of ruining moments, you know that?”

“You make it easy to ruin,” Lutz countered as Vance started lighting up the engines.

 

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