Cassandra did not trust her.
Not even a little.
Which was why she followed Shae all the way to medical.
Three separate times during the walk, Shae glanced over her shoulder.
By the third time, she finally sighed.
“You’re escorting me.” “Correct.” “I know where medical is.” “Apparently that’s not the issue.” Shae grimaced.
Fair.
When they entered the medical bay, several staff members looked up.
A few immediately noticed the blood.
Others noticed Cassandra.
Most wisely chose not to ask questions.
A nurse at the intake station waved them over.
“Major Carter?” Shae stepped forward.
The nurse’s expression brightened noticeably.
“Oh.” The woman smiled.
A little too brightly.
“I can help you.” Cassandra immediately recognized the look.
She’d seen it before.
Unfortunately.
The nurse was young, attractive, and suddenly far more interested in her patient than professional protocol required.
Meanwhile, Shae remained completely oblivious.
“Thanks,” Shae said cheerfully.
The nurse practically lit up.
A few minutes later, Shae was sitting on an examination table while the nurse reviewed her chart.
“So,” the nurse said, smiling.
“First day aboard?” “Yep.” “And you’ve already managed to end up here twice.” Shae looked genuinely thoughtful.
“When you put it that way, it sounds bad.” The nurse laughed.
A little harder than the joke deserved.
Cassandra stood near the doorway with her arms folded.
Watching.
Silently.
The nurse continued.
“Well, hopefully the rest of your week is less exciting.” “I wouldn’t count on it.” Another laugh.
Another smile.
Another increasingly obvious attempt at conversation.
Shae smiled politely.
Completely unaware.
Cassandra rubbed her temple.
“How,” she muttered under her breath, “is she a genius and yet completely oblivious?” The nurse moved closer.
“Let’s take a look at the injury.” Shae nodded.
The nurse gently lifted the edge of her shirt.
Examining the reopened wound.
Professional.
At first.
Then the examination seemed to take longer than necessary.
The nurse’s hand lingered against Shae’s side.
A second.
Then another.
And another.
Shae didn’t react.
Mostly because she appeared to think this was a perfectly normal medical examination.
Cassandra, however, noticed immediately.
Her jaw tightened.
For reasons she chose not to examine too closely.
The nurse was still talking.
Still smiling.
Still standing much closer than required.
Finally— “That’s enough.” The room fell silent.
The nurse looked up.
So did Shae.
Cassandra stepped forward.
“I’ll take over.” The nurse blinked.
“Oh.” The disappointment was immediate.
And visible.
“Ma’am, I can handle—” “I said I’ll take over.” The tone left absolutely no room for discussion.
The nurse straightened immediately.
“Yes, Colonel.” Within seconds she had found an excuse to be somewhere else.
The moment she left, Shae raised an eyebrow.
Cassandra pretended not to notice.
Instead, she grabbed a fresh medical kit.
The silence stretched.
Then: “Something you’d like to say, Major?” The corner of Shae’s mouth twitched.
“No, ma’am.” “Good.” Another pause.
Then: “Though I am curious.” Cassandra narrowed her eyes.
“Dangerous statement.” “You seemed eager to take over.” “I am a physician.” “Former physician.” “Your point?” Shae smiled.
“Just an observation.” Cassandra gave her a look.
The kind usually reserved for particularly frustrating officers.
Or stubborn patients.
Or both.
She began examining the wound.
The stitches had indeed torn.
Not catastrophically.
But enough.
Exactly as she’d predicted.
Which was infuriating.
Because she’d also predicted this entire situation.
Without looking up, she said: “Don’t think I’ve forgotten about your consequences.” Shae groaned immediately.
A dramatic, suffering sound.
“It wasn’t even my fault.” “I don’t care.” “It was an ambush.” “I don’t care.” “I was attacked.” “I don’t care.” “I won.” Cassandra finally looked up.
“That is not helping your argument.” Shae sighed.
“It should.” “It doesn’t.” “Seems unfair.” “Life is unfair.” “That’s a terrible leadership philosophy.” Cassandra pointed toward the wound.
“This is a terrible decision.” “That’s subjective.” “Major.” “Ma’am.” The stitching resumed.
Unlike before, Shae knew exactly what was coming.
Not the medical treatment.
The lecture.
Unfortunately, Cassandra appeared determined to deliver it.
“You were told not to strain the injury.” “Yes.” “You strained the injury.” “I was assaulted.” “You engaged in combat.” “They started it.” “You finished it.” Shae considered that.
Then nodded.
“That’s fair.” Cassandra almost smiled.
Almost.
A few moments later she finished the final stitch.
Again.
For the second time in less than an hour.
Something she intended to remind Shae of repeatedly.
She secured the dressing.
Checked the closure.
Then stepped back.
“There.” Shae looked down.
“Nice work.” Cassandra stared at her.
“You are complimenting the person who just had to repair the same injury twice.” “Trying to stay positive.” “You should try staying uninjured.” “I’ll add it to my list.” Cassandra closed the medical kit.
Then fixed Shae with a level stare.
“Since you seem determined to test my patience…” Uh oh.
That expression never led anywhere good.
“…your consequences.” Shae groaned again.
“Here we go.” “For the next week, you will report to medical daily.” “What?” “Daily.” “That’s excessive.” “You lost the right to have opinions.” “I absolutely did not.” “Daily.” Shae dropped her head into her hands.
“This is cruel.” “No.” Cassandra stood.
Looking entirely too satisfied with herself.
“This is preventative medicine.” From somewhere nearby, one of the nurses failed spectacularly at hiding a laugh.
Shae looked betrayed.
Cassandra looked pleased.
And for the first time all day, the Colonel felt that justice had finally been served.