“I’m sorry, Captain. I noticed you were upset and wanted to make sure you were okay. I don’t mean to intrude.” Commander Brady spoke softly.

Harper was barely holding her tears in at this point. She wiped her eyes and offered him a smile. “It’s okay, Commander….” she sniffled. “I will be fine. I just need a moment.” She turned to enter her quarters when Commander Brady reached out and stopped her by gently grabbing her arm.

“If you wish to be alone, I understand. I just know that I wouldn’t want to be in this moment.” He said gently. “If you want me to go, I will. I’m sorry if I’ve overstepped.”

Harper took a second to reflect on this moment. She had known Commander Brady for a few months now and she knew that he cared for her. He had made that evident through his actions as Chief Security Officer and the head of her tactical team. She was now starting to feel like maybe there was something more to it that she hadn’t seen before. Do I feel the same way? She thought to herself. Just the thought made butterflies soar in her stomach. Maybe she didn’t want to be alone after all.

Commander Brady had removed his hand and was turning to leave when she spoke. “Please…I’d like some company,” she spoke so quietly that it was barely audible.

Commander Brady didn’t say anything more to her. He laid his hand on the small of her back and led her into her quarters. When they entered, Harper broke down completely. She could no longer hold back the tears. Even if she tried, she knew that she wouldn’t be able to vocalize where they were coming from. It felt like she was feeling every emotion fathomable. She didn’t try to speak and neither did Commander Brady. 

Commander Brady stepped closer to her and pulled her into a hug. She knew that it was a bad idea and probably inappropriate but it was exactly what she needed at that moment. She leaned in towards him and laid her head on his chest. They stood there like that for several minutes in complete silence. The only sound filling the room was the sound of Harper’s crying and her tears. 

It had probably only been ten minutes or so but it felt like a lifetime to Harper. She finally lifted her head up and looked at Commander Brady. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it. Thank you for being here but you can leave now.” She pulled out of his arms and took a step back. She looked down at the ground as she spoke, “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t speak of this to anyone. It would be difficult to explain.”

Brady stood taller but didn’t step any closer. “There is no need for you to apologize. You are facing a difficult task and you bear a lot of weight on your shoulders. I see that more than anyone and it’s understandable. We do not expect perfection from you and you shouldn’t either. Allow yourself to be human.” 

Harper was a little taken back by his candidness. Had he always been this way? She couldn’t seem to think straight to recall. “It’s a lot and I’m dealing the best I can. I love what I do and this crew more than anything. I can’t imagine what kind of pain Captain McCauldy is feeling and I don’t want to have to experience that.”

This time Commander Brady took a step forward. “I think you underestimate yourself. You are the smartest person I have ever met. I know that you are stronger than you give yourself credit for. If and when you ever face that kind of loss, you will find that strength and you will be the Captain that we all know and love.”

“Smartest person you know, huh?” she replied. “I think T’Penne might have something to say about that,” she said with a slight chuckle.

Commander Brady smiled and she felt her stomach drop. She had never noticed how handsome he was before now. She was in for trouble and she knew it. She felt the need to pull closer to him and it scared her more than anything.

“I think she knows who is smarter,” Brady said with a wink. Brady noticed the change in demeanor and started to worry. “Are you okay? Like genuinely okay?” he asked.

“No..NO…I’m not…” she trailed off as she walked over and sat down on her bed. She placed her head in her hands and hid her face. “I’m angry, sad, confused, and everything in between….but most of all….I’m scared….” she said muffled speaking through her hands.

Brady walked towards her and knelt down on the floor in front of her. He grabbed her hands and slowly pulled them away from her face. “Afraid of what, exactly?” he asked.

She grunted in frustration. “The Vaaudwaur are brutal. I’ve read about them. Look at what they did to the Bell Rock and Captain McCauldy’s crew. I don’t know what we are headed into and I don’t want to lose one single life!” she grew louder and louder with each sentence.

“Is that all you’re scared of?” he asked in a knowing tone.

Now she was blushing, she was sure of it. She tried to bring her hands to her face again but Brady stopped her and held her hands in place. She grunted again in frustration. “Ughhh….what do you want me to say? I don’t know what this is? What is happening, Ezra?” she said while attempting to motion with her hands. Him holding her down was starting to frustrate her further.

“Ezra? I’ve never heard you say my name before,” he said with a laugh. “I think I’d like to hear it more often.”

“Stop,” she said. “I’m your Captain. Please don’t push me,” she stated as quiet as a whisper.

“Harper, look at me.” He didn’t speak again until she looked at him directly. “I don’t know if you can tell, but I am absolutely crazy about you. I’ve never met anyone like you. I won’t push you and you’re right. What I will tell you is this? You won’t be my Captain forever and I’m willing to wait because you are worth it. But you don’t have to be alone through all of this. I’m here, okay.” he stated.

Harper couldn’t believe what she had heard. The butterflies returned to her stomach and she felt a feeling that she had not felt in a very long time. She could wait. She would do that because the idea of seeing what lay ahead for her with Brady excited her more than anything had in some time. She gave him a smile and spoke, “Okay, Ezra. I will wait. In the meantime, let me kick your butt in some cards.” She moved away and placed a deck of cards on the table and motioned for him to join. He sat down across from her and flashed her another grin. The future can’t come quick enough, he thought to himself.