Shae stared at Cassandra.
Cassandra stared right back.
The silence stretched long enough for several nearby nurses to suddenly become very interested in paperwork.
Finally Shae pointed at her.
“You’re enjoying this.” “I am not.” “That was too quick.” Cassandra folded her arms.
“Major Carter.” “There it is again.” “What?” “That look.” “What look?” “The one that says you’ve already planned this.” Cassandra’s expression remained perfectly neutral.
Which was answer enough.
Shae groaned.
“Oh no.” Cassandra picked up her datapad.
The sight immediately filled Shae with dread.
Because that was the look of a commanding officer who had formalized her suffering.
“First.” Shae dropped her head backward.
“We’re numbering them.” “Yes.” “We’re absolutely numbering them.” “First,” Cassandra continued, ignoring her completely, “you will report to medical every morning for the next seven days.” Shae sighed.
“Fine.” “Second.” “There’s more?” “There is now.” Several nurses were openly listening at this point.
None of them were brave enough to make eye contact.
“Second,” Cassandra continued, “you are restricted from combat training until cleared by medical.” Shae looked horrified.
“That’s not a consequence.” “It is.” “No.” “It is.” “That’s torture.” “It’s medical necessity.” “Same thing.” Cassandra ignored her.
“Third.” Shae rubbed her face.
“There should not be a third.” “There is.” Cassandra looked entirely too pleased with herself.
“For the next week, I expect a written report every evening detailing the condition of your injury.” Shae blinked.
“You want a report.” “Correct.” “Every day.” “Correct.” “About my stitches.” “Correct.” The silence that followed was profound.
“You’re making me write homework.” Cassandra didn’t even try to hide the faint satisfaction in her expression.
“I prefer to think of it as accountability.” “It’s homework.” “Fourth.” “There is a fourth.” “There is.” “How many are there?” “You’ll find out.” “That’s terrifying.” Cassandra glanced at her datapad.
Then looked back up.
“This one is specifically because you attempted to ignore a direct order.” Uh oh.
That sounded dangerous.
Very dangerous.
“You will report directly to me every morning following your medical check.” Shae frowned.
“For what?” “Five-minute briefing.” “About?” “Whatever assignment you’re working on.” The major blinked.
That seemed oddly specific.
“You want daily updates.” “I do.” “Why?” Cassandra’s answer came immediately.
“Because if I have to spend part of my day making sure you haven’t bled out somewhere, I may as well get useful information out of it.” Several nearby nurses suddenly found the ceiling fascinating.
Because it was taking everything they had not to laugh.
Shae narrowed her eyes.
“You planned that one.” “Possibly.” “Fifth.” “There are five.” “There are.” Shae looked exhausted.
She had fought three men and somehow this felt harder.
“For the next week, any off-duty time spent doing something reckless will result in additional consequences.” “Define reckless.” Cassandra’s eyes narrowed.
“The fact that you’re asking that question concerns me.” “It concerns me that you had an answer ready.” Then Cassandra paused.
Thinking.
The room grew quiet.
Because everyone recognized that expression.
It was the expression Cassandra wore right before coming up with something particularly effective.
Unfortunately for Shae, Cassandra’s gaze settled directly on her.
“Actually.” “No.” “I haven’t said anything yet.” “No.” “Major.” “No.” A very faint smile touched Cassandra’s lips.
The kind that usually made officers nervous.
“I have another assignment for you.” Shae groaned.
“Of course you do.” “You scored exceptionally high in the simulation earlier.” That got her attention.
Despite herself.
“And?” “And I want you to review the ship’s current tactical response protocols.” Now Shae looked genuinely interested.
Cassandra noticed immediately.
Of course she did.
The woman could complain about consequences all day, but give her an analytical problem and she lit up instantly.
“I want a complete assessment.” Shae sat up straighter.
“A real assessment?” “A real one.” “With recommendations?” “Yes.” “Full authority to critique?” “Within reason.” The excitement was becoming increasingly obvious.
Cassandra fought back a smile.
Got her.
Then Cassandra added: “And you’ll present your findings directly to me.” The room fell quiet.
Shae blinked.
“Personally?” “Personally.” “Just us?” Cassandra raised an eyebrow.
“Is that a problem?” “No.” The answer came a little too quickly.
“Good.” For a moment neither woman spoke.
Then Shae sighed dramatically.
“You know…” “What?” “Half of these sound suspiciously like excuses to keep track of me.” The room instantly became interested in the conversation again.
Cassandra stared at her.
Unblinking.
Completely unreadable.
Then she replied: “Major.” “Yes, ma’am?” “If I wanted to keep track of you, I would simply issue the order.” Shae considered that.
Then nodded.
“That’s actually fair.” “It is.” A beat passed.
Then Shae smiled.
That easy, infuriating smile.
“Still think it’s homework.” Cassandra rolled her eyes.
And to the astonishment of everyone present, the Colonel’s expression softened ever so slightly.
“Get out of medical, Major.” “Yes, ma’am.” “And remember your consequences.” Shae slid off the examination table.
“Oh, I’m never forgetting them.” “No.” Cassandra agreed dryly.
“I don’t imagine you will.”