Talk in the Cockpit

[Jonash Solo]

Cox was frozen in thought until Duncan left the room. He shook his head, walked to the pilot's chair and slumped. After a few deep breaths, his mind was still racing, so he opened his datapad and sent a short message, "Unna, I could really use your help. I'm in the cockpit. Love, Cox."

[Unna Hi Chaanu]

Unna received Cox's message, smiling slightly at the word "love" for a short moment before forcing her face back to its usual expression. She walked into the Cockpit, hugging her data pad to her chest. "Cox," she addressed him, waiting for him to tell her why she was summoned.

[Jonash Solo]

As Unna entered the room, Cox's mind slowed to a jog. He stood up, turned around, and started to smile. He gives her a big hug and a kiss, "Thanks for coming so quickly. I could use some advice on a discussion Duncan and I just had."

[Unna Hi Chaanu]

Unna relaxed into Cox's hug and rested her head on his shoulder. "Of course," she said softly, before sitting in the co-pilot's chair.

[Jonash Solo]

Cox watched Unna sit in the co-pilot's chair and cocked half a smile in her direction. He took a seat in the pilot's chair and rested his head on his hand. "Duncan must think this is a suicide mission, he just made me second in command. I tried to talk him out of it, telling him I wasn't ready, especially not with this crew. He insisted and walked out the door before I could respond. Apparently his family is involved with the palace and he thinks even Gadeon might be helpless in this situation. Why is this palace meeting so important? Is it really worth risking everyone's lives and the mission we were given?"

[Unna Hi Chaanu]

"I believe that when it comes to matters dealing with Graff and his circle that the crew overreacts," Unna said with a hint of frustration. "The meal I had with Graff and Jenna was just a meal with Graff and Jenna. Jenna did ask a favor of me, but the 'meeting' was just a casual meal. For all I know, they could be throwing a tea party."

"No, it is probably not worth it, but not for the reason you think. It is not worth it, because of the hassle that they always cause when the name Graff is spoken," she rolled her eyes.

[Jonash Solo]

"I'll see if I can dig up anything on Graff or Jenna that might help the crew come to a consensus on them. In the meantime, what can you tell me about each of the crew members?"

[Unna Hi Chaanu]

"I do not feel I can speak objectively of the entire crew at this time. Recent events leave me feeling jaded," Unna stood up and walked over to Cox. She leaned over him as he sat in the pilot's chair and burried her nose into his hair, inhaling the scent for the first time since they were together. She kissed his head, then stood back up and began massaging his scalp. "I'd rather spend this time with you talking about us. We haven't had much of a chance to discuss what happened in my bedroom that night and why I did what I did."

[Jonash Solo]

Cox nods as Unna talks about being jaded. As Unna smells his hair, he closes his eyes and caresses her shoulder. Her kisses and massaging generated a familiar shiver, but this one felt natural rather than force-induced.

"Given my recent - promotion - " Cox strains to utter that last word. "I think that's a good idea. They're expecting me to be the emotionally stable one on this mission. I guess they don't realize how much I love you and that I could be as compromised as them, if not more. And I'm still confused about everything that happened after last night."

Cox looks up at Unna with tears in his eyes. Unna senses that these are tears of happiness and of sadness and a hint of fear. She couldn't tell whether the fear was from the promotion or that she, Unna, would be on a dangerous mission or perhaps both.

"Can we go somewhere comfortable?"

[Unna Hi Chaanu]

"I am still so fascinated by hair," Unna continued to massage Cox's scalp as he spoke. He is kind of a cry baby, she thought to herself.

"Sure, we can go somewhere," Unna spoke seriously, "but I would be surprised to actually find some privacy on this ship. If only I had my own quarters..."