[Legacy] Artemis: Sisterly Love We Have Not
Zack Fester
Sisterly Love We Have Not
USS Artemis
Joanna Byrd Quarters
Joanna heard the door chime as she finished changing into her nightwear. She let out a sigh then looked around. She couldn’t answer the door in anything but her nighty. SHe found her robe among her bags and pulled it on as the door chimed again. “Enter” she stated as she walked into the front room. The door slid open revealing a purple haired, dark eyed woman dressed unprofessionally and glaring at her. The two stared at one another neither speaking until Jenny broke the silence.
“Jo” Her sister growled. SO that was the kind of a start they were going to get off to.
“Jenny” she responded in kind “You actually came...I am surprised” she responded. The awkward silence hung in the air for quite some time before her sister pushed her way in. “Please come it…” she turned to see her sister then flop onto the couch “...and make yourself at home….” Jenny let out a little laugh and looked around the room.
“Nice digs...have yet to see mine…” Jenny shot her sister a sassy grin then glanced at the bottle on the table. “Is that mead?” Joanna nodded then proceeded to pour two glasses of the warmed amber liquid. After she brought the bowl of black berries forward and using a pair of tweezers plopped two into her glass.
“Three black berries right?” she asked. Jenny held up four fingers and Joanna plopped four berries into the glass then handed it to her. She took it and nodded. Joanna nodded and moved to one of the chairs and leaned back. The awkward silence hung in the air between the pair, both of them staring at one another. Jenny took a swig of her drink then looked at her sister.
“So?” Jenny started. Joanna let out a sigh then responded in kind.
“So…” Joanna hated this tension so she decided to break it. “Glad you are here, was hoping we could talk. Jenny took another swig on her drink then set the glass down.
“Yeah you made that pretty clear….but I am really not in the mood for sister to sister chat” she let out a sigh “I mean you missed that chance on the shuttle over here….then again you little sister in cuffs isn’t a new image for you to see.” Joanna let out a sigh.
“Not even going to try to act civil tonight are we...should have known….” Joanna took a long sip from her drink then looked at her sister.
“Known what?” she demanded “That I don’t need your permission or help to get out of a mess...I was in the right!” Joanna looked at her and glared.
“And yet I had to swoop in and bail your ass out...again” she remarked “Leave the job I had worked my ass off for, fought tooth and nail for and then leave to come to your rescue” she looked at Jenny “Of course you don’t care, too busy thinking about yourself.” Jenny finished off her glass then set it on the table in front of her.
“Really because you seemed to start with how you had to leave a job.” she mused “Cared more about that than me….though that's never new.” Joanna slammed her glass down and glared at her.
“Bullshit!!!” she screamed, shooting to her feet. “I care about you, I would not be here, back in Starfleet if I didn’t give a damn about you.” she hissed. Jenny flicked a hand towards her then stood up.
“Thanks for the drink sis...but I’m going to go where some real fun is going to be,” she stood up and was about to march out when Joanna got between her and the door.
“Don’t you walk away from me you damned Jailbird!” she snapped. Jenny shrugged. She was not going to give her sister even one inch.
“You know what...I came by to try to be civil...but you and I both knew that wasn’t going to happen.” she stated. Jo let out a little laugh and looked at her.
“When have you ever been civil with me!” she screamed “The only time I ever see you is when you caused an issue that I needed to bail you out of!!!” She spat back. The tensions were going so high someone could cut them with the proverbial knife. Joanna was ready to let loose but the marine beat her to it once again.
“You always saving my ass, if you remember correctly I was doing quite well before…” Joanna moved to her and forcefully pulled her jacket down over her shoulders, revealing the Jailbird tattoo, and it’s three slashes. Jenny shoved her back hard and glared at her “And you stripping me proves what exactly...other than you have no respect for personal space!” Joanna shot to her feet then glared back.
“You would still be the rehab farm if not for me!” she growled “I gave you a second chance!” she stated. Jenny was done being nice, she was ready to kick someone’s teeth in right then and there.
“You know” she hissed the malice in her voice noticeable even without empathic abilities. “Sometimes I wish the Borg had taken you instead of mom!” she snapped. Joanna didn’t flinch she just looked her dead in the eye and responded.
“So do I!” she howled back, her throat ragged from the yelling. “THat way….” she looked away for a moment then let out a sigh “That way you could have had a normal life like I did at your age…..” Joanna, feeling defeated, moved back to the nearest chair and dropped down into it. Jenny stood there unsure what to say...she had felt more than just rage but sadness and most importantly truth. She closed her eyes and allowed the link to reconnect...the one thing that truly kept them together.
<Wow that got heated fast> Jenny sent then looked at the bottle of mead <You want another glass> Joanna huffed then looked at her sister.
<To the brim don’t skimp on the berries> Jenny took two fresh glasses and proceeded to top it off, the entire base filled with berries. She filled a second glass then passed one over to her sister. She sat down in the chair beside her then the pair clinked the glasses together. The pair took a sip in unisom then continued their conversation.
<It is good to see you> Jenny stated <I just hate the fact that whenever we are together...we never seem to keep tempers down.> Joanna nodded then took another sip of her drink nearly polishing it off.
<I’ve never figured that out> she admitted <We got along when we were kids, hell we get along when neither of us vocalize our feelings it seems> Jenny let out a audible laugh which cause her sister’s head to snap over to her <Whats so funny?!> Jenny looked at her then smiled.
<I don’t know, maybe we fight so much because of your irritating french accent?> she admitted <I mean dear god you sound like one of those horrible old Earth movie actresses> Joanna shrugged.
<I’ve been told my accent is quite attractive….better than your raunchy taste in men and activities.> Jenny snorted audibly again then looked at her.
<Really, then when was the last time you got laid?> she asked then responded to her own question <Oh right never...still after all these years> JOanna shot her a glare then polished off the rest of her drink before she got up and grabbed the nearly empty bottle off the table.
<Really your going there> she stated drinking directly from the bottle. In one fluid motion she had downed the remaining Mead before slamming the empty bottle on the table. <Well since we are going over sex life here I think we need to set some rules up right here right now> Jenny let out a huff.
<Really your doing this now?> she sent over as there was a knock at the door. <Saved by the bell...I think it's for you> Joanna got to her feet, ignoring her sister as she made her way to the door.
As Joanna approached the door, it slid open to reveal Lily. “Hi. I came to see you were settling in all right.” she said.
Joanna suddenly felt very stupid as she clearly smelled of alchohol and this was a terrible time to answer the door. Jenny took this opportunity to hop to her feet and stride to the doorway. “Well I think that's my cue...thanks for the booze….” she reached into her jacket and pulled out a cloth wrapped item “Oh and can you hold onto this..” she thrust the object into her sister’s hand then smiled and looked to the woman “Hi I am Jenny...the Jailbird” she offered
“Hi. I’m Lily. The astrophysicist.” Lily replied, unsure of what else to say. “What brings you to the Artemis?”
“Terms of my court martial sentencing” she grinned then said “Oh and sis you might want to get some tea or atleast water in that system….otherwise your going to have one hell of a hangover…” she then closed her eyes and gave her one last telepathic blip
<And I will bring the bells all day long tomorrow bing bong bing bong> she sent as she strided away. Joanna watched her go then her head lulled forward toward Lily.
“Come in….want some tea?” she moaned
“Sounds good.” Lily agreed.
End