Xena's Arc

Chapter 12 of 13

The damage reports ran late into ship night. Seven of Nine sent the bridge crew off in shifts and kept her chair. Xena stayed at her right shoulder with the sword grounded on the deck. When the last officer left, Seven of Nine closed the report and stood. She said the mess would be quiet at this hour. She said Xena had not eaten since the shuttle. It was not a question. Xena set the sword across her back and followed her off the bridge. They ate at a corner table under low lights. Seven of Nine had ordered two trays before Xena sat, and the food was plain and hot. Xena watched her eat with her bandaged wrist held stiff above the tray. Seven of Nine said the cook was competent but not better than Xena. Xena laughed once, short, and Seven of Nine looked up at the sound. She said she had not heard that from Xena before. Xena said there had not been reason. Seven of Nine set her fork down. She said the crew had accepted the post because of the sword. She said she had accepted it before the sword. Xena asked when. Seven of Nine said at the lodge, when Xena set the hilt in her hand and did not let go until she took it. She said she had known then and had not said so because the shuttle was two hours out. Xena reached across the table and laid her hand over Seven of Nine's uninjured one. Seven of Nine did not move her hand. She turned it under Xena's and closed her fingers. She said, adequate. Xena said the word back to her, and Seven of Nine's mouth moved at one corner. They walked the corridor together to Seven of Nine's quarters. At the door Seven of Nine stopped and faced her. She said the ones who sent the three craft had a name and a fleet and would find the Stargazer within the week. She said tonight was the only quiet they would get. She said Xena could come inside or stand the door. Xena unslung the sword and grounded it against the bulkhead beside the frame. The blade lit steady under her hand and held. She said she would stand the door until the watch changed, and then she would come inside. Seven of Nine looked at the light on the wall and said, acceptable. The door slid shut behind her. Xena set her back to the bulkhead and kept the hilt in her palm. The sword burned clean and even beside her, and for the first time since the spaceport she was where she had meant to be.