As the cargo bay doors closed behind them, Thea followed June, Ben, Inta, and Artona into a short hallway leading to one of the lifts, passing an open doorway on the right. Through it, several kneeling Toparians stopped laying green turf on the dirt-covered floor and waved a welcoming hello to the newcomer before returning to their work. Thea waved back, then followed the others into a lift that would take them to the upper decks. They piled comically into the undersized lift, pressing close to the hulking Urarc, her soft fur tickling them.
Artona only crossed her arms and harumphed.
"We're about to get underway," Inta said from behind a furry bicep, "so I will show you to your quarters then we'll meet the others on the bridge."
The lift doors opened onto the crew quarters deck. "This is us, Thea," Inta said, indicating to get out. Artona started to follow, but Inta pressed a hand gently on her forearm. "It's okay, Hun. You can go to the bridge with the others."
"Where you go, I go." Artona objected flatly.
"But I'm already on the bridge," Inta teased her protector.
June and Ben smiled knowingly in the back of the lift, as Artona scowled. "You and I are going to need to discuss how this is supposed to work," she said, her displeasure plain.
"Ooh, I do love a good 'discussion'," Inta said coquettishly.
Artona gave Inta a pained look and shook her head as Inta and Thea stepped out and watched the lift doors close, whisking the trio up to the command deck. "Your room is right over here," Inta said as she walked down the hallway, Thea right behind.
The room Inta led her to was one of the extra lounges, remodeled and split into several smaller, but spacious rooms. There was a double bed, dresser, and a desk and chair set with a door in the back of the room leading to a small washroom with a shower, sink, and toilet where Thea could freshen up. The room was plain and spartan, just as she had kept every room she had occupied since the academy. It gave her a sense of familiarity and comfort, which surely was Inta's intent.
Thea stood staring at her accommodations, lost in thought when she realized that Inta was sitting on the desk chair, one arm draped over the back, watching her with a soft caring expression on her face. Her glowing blue gaze felt like it could see into her innermost core, and made her feel simultaneously exposed and comforted.
"I've never really taken proper R&R," Thea explained, needing to explain to her host. "I'd usually hole up in a hotel just off post and go over old reports in the room, taking a break now and then to hit the gym. But I get the feeling that you won't let me get away with that, will you?" She asked.
Inta's smile broadened in response. "My job is to take care of the ship, the crew, and their guests, in whatever way they need," Inta shifted in her seat suggestively. "Ben, Will, and June care for you a great deal," She paused slightly, "As do I. I promise we will do everything in our power to make you comfortable," Inta got up from her seat, stood close to Thea, and took Thea's hands, looking into the taller woman's eyes. "I want to make your time with us pleasant and see that you are well cared for."
Thea looked down into Inta's silver face. Her expression of absolute caring and devotion crashed into the emotional barriers she built to protect her frightened and lonely inner child, crumbling it in the onslaught. Caught by the unexpected surge of emotion, Thea pulled Inta close and held her tight as tears formed in the corners of her eyes.
The weight of years of loneliness and pain suddenly eased in Inta's embrace, and surprising herself, Thea wept cathartic tears on Inta's shoulder. "I, I usually don't..." Thea uttered through soft sobs.
"Shhh. It's okay. You're safe. You're cared for. You are loved." Inta consoled. Inta held her for several long minutes until the tide of Thea's emotions receded, and then Thea smiled down at the silver girl.
"I've been on board less than an hour, and I already feel a hundred times better," Thea confessed.
"And I can make you feel a hundred times better still," Inta said in a sultry voice, wiggling her eyebrows.
Thea let out a hearty laugh, eyes puffy, tears still wetting her cheeks but no longer flowing. "I bet you can. But for now, I think I should go wash my face then we can head up to the bridge so I can get one last look at 'the ole gal' before we leave the Dallas and my sabbatical starts in earnest."
Thea felt an unexpected internal resistance, she didn't want to leave Inta's warm embrace. But her sense of propriety won out and she pulled away and went to wash her face and freshen up. After a few minutes, she came back out, looking refreshed. "Alright, let's go, I don't want to miss it," she said.
They entered the lift, and as the door closed, Thea felt a small hand slip into hers and squeeze gently. She glanced at the shorter silver girl and was rewarded with a brilliant smile from those silver lips. The lift doors opened so they stepped out and walked the short way down the corridor and climbed the steps up to the bridge.
June and Will sat at helm control and tactical stations, respectively, and Ben sat at his customary choice of stations along the far wall. Artona leaned with her arms crossed against a deactivated station on the opposite side, carefully observing everything. Another Instance of Inta stood just behind June and Will, a hand on both their shoulders.
When Thea and Inta stepped on the bridge, Artona's eyes narrowed, and grumbled something to herself about too much of a good thing, but nodded at the two in acknowledgment of their arrival.
June turned around in her seat and rose quickly to hug Thea, who welcomed the embrace. "All settled in? We've just finished our pre-flight checks and were about to call for departure clearance."
"Aren't they going to miss the ship's Captain when we run away with her?" Will smirked, half in jest.
"The Admirals have the Dallas and I won't be needed until the refit is complete. That will take months given her age and everything she's been through recently." Thea shifted uncomfortably. "I've been ordered to take R&R, and honestly, I've never felt more at ease than when I've hung out with you all." Inta gave her a knowing smile and a wink. "And not just because of... well, you know," She said with a slight blush.
"You're cute when you blush, you know that?" The nearest Inta said, placing a hand on Thea's arm. Thea's face grew redder.
"Insatiable," Will said, smiling and shaking his head.
