Sunday Snippet: Dance with Destiny

Bleh. I've been fighting a yucky cold all week and I'm feeling a little better but not quite 100 percent. I'd be happy if the coughing could be a wee bit less.

Weather has been steadily warming up. We've dipped back down a couple of times but thankfully it's been gradual without the wild forty-degree swings in twenty-four hours. Been getting a lot of rain, which is causing high water and some flooding. Combine that with ongoing construction and the onset of tree-trimming and getting anywhere is something of a challenge. It pays to leave early.

Another busy work week. Finished up another proofread, continued work on one, and started an assessment read through. Also finished up a read through on another project that keeps lingering in the shadows. Started a new proofread that's a lot of fun so far.

Had a decent viewing week even though I slept a lot because of the yuck. I made it all the way through my usual slate of shows and added an addition to the lineup.

Started off with My Life Is Murder and thoroughly enjoyed the mystery along with getting more Harry backstory. I think the next two episodes are a two-parter that makes the finale. Can't wait to watch.

Watched the first behind the scenes for Foyle's War. Kind of enjoyed seeing the process of how they do what they do to film the period specific series.

Finished up the first season of Return to Paradise. I have no idea when season two will be available on the streaming platform, but I'll look forward to it.

Caught another episode of Poirot and completely enjoyed poor Japp trying to manage on his own then having a harder time after accepting Poirot's invitation to stay with him. Fun to see Miss Lemon's sister.

Elementary ended up being very entertaining. The twisty start proved interesting and Joan's advice to Sherlock turned out to be great. I love where their relationship is at this point.

Watched another episode of Batman Beyond and had completely forgotten about this one. I think I have one more left before I'll need to find a new series to watch or rewatch.

Also caught another episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks and quite enjoyed learning about Tendi's pirate past. Always fun to see characters from other Trek shows pop up in the episodes and Deep Space Nine counts as a character. Just saying.

I continued to use my Kanopy tickets to watch Fleetwood Mac: The Dance. This was such a great concert film, with quite a few surprises. Glad I got to watch.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Dance with Destiny, a follow-up to An Answer to Fate.

Here's the miniblurb:

A prophecy discovered leads to a dance with destiny. Quillan and Jeb have to find their way back to each other and might just tempt fate to do it.

And a sneaky peek…

Quillan rapped on the hatch outside the elder Paladino's quarters. Her stomach rolled a little, because she didn't quite know how to deliver the good news to Jeb's dad.

The large metal door opened wide and Jonah greeted her. "Quillan. It's good to see you." He stepped back, indicated she should enter.

She crossed the threshold and didn't mince words. "Sir, I have something to say. It’s important and you need to sit down." The words rushed from her mouth in one breath.

Jonah Paldino gave her a very long considering look but turned and sank down onto the long sofa secured to the deck in his quarters.

Quillan paced back and forth for a moment, then opted to settle next to him.

She faced Jonah, taking his hand. "Jeb's bond is his word, right?" Starting small seemed like a good choice.

Jonah hissed out a startled gasp. "I haven't heard that phrase in years." He narrowed his eyes. "Why am I hearing it now?"

Quillan exhaled and drew in a calming breath. "Sir, you might not believe this, but I have a story to tell you."

Jonah didn't speak, but he lifted his chin, showing his willingness to listen.

Quillan started weaving the tale. "A long time ago, when Jeb was what? Ten or so? You stitched up a jagged gash along his hairline." She paused a moment. "He spent the night on the base while you took Dinah to Holly Brook." Pausing again, she tried to gauge Jonah's reaction.

Wariness entered his gaze, but he stayed silent.

Quillan took that as a sign to continue. "When you arrived on base, you woke Jeb up and explained Dinah wouldn't be going with you to Bannock."

Jonah narrowed his eyes. "That's a matter of military record, Quillan. And old history." He grunted. "What's the important part about this?"

Quillan pressed on. "I'm getting to it, Sir." She held his gaze. "Dinah had one request. She didn't want anyone to know the true reason she wouldn't be traveling with you. And that reason is the fact she inflicted the injury on Jeb that you stitched up—" She broke off because Jonah made a garbled choking sound, but she rushed to get the truth all out. "Her only request was that you and Jeb keep that secret and he gave his bond that he would. And he did … until now." Or at least until thirty minutes ago.

Jonah blinked and shook his head. "What are saying here? How can you possibly know—" He stopped speaking then pinned her with a hard look. "Jeb wouldn't … he couldn't … he would not break his bond, unless…" His voice trailed off.

Quillan nodded. "Unless he needed you to believe what I'm going to say next." She took both of Jonah's hands in hers. "Jeb didn't die. When Ashford left, he took Jeb with him and delivered him to a base on a planet manned by cyborg forces."

Jonah's shoulders slumped and relief entered his gaze. "He's alive? You're certain?" Wonder filled his voice.

Quillan's head bobbed up and down. "Yes. And there's more you should know."

Jonah settled back. "I'm listening. Give me everything you know."

Quill filled the old man in, leaving nothing out. She talked about how Jeb had access to ancient texts and books and already had a loose plan to use those to his advantage. She revealed how the hybot offered assistance. She even told him about being a telepath. And she warned him about Ashford getting ready to possibly return to the base. Obviously crushed by his former friend's betrayal, the old man mentioned being very good at bluffing.

He squeezed her hands. "And for Jeb, I'll be more than good … until I no longer need to be." His voice dropped to a snarl. "Then Ty is mine."

Quillan didn't argue. As much as she'd like to put Ashford into an air lock and release him out into space, she figured thirty years of being played by a supposed friend gave Jonah the right to mete out whatever punishment he deemed necessary.

Jonah leaned back against the cushions. "Keep me in the loop with private briefings. Right now, you and I are the only people who need to know Jeb's alive."

Quillan hedged a little. "I can do that, but it might start to look weird." She didn't have a lot of reasons to chat with the base commanding officer.

Jonah considered for a moment. "How about a weekly dinner? Or however often we need it?" He shrugged. "Sharing our grief and love for Jeb won't draw attention. At least not much." Humor filled his eyes.

Quillan nodded slowly. "Yeah, that could work. There'll be scuttlebutt no matter what, but Jeb being the link can't really be questioned." Her heart danced in her chest at his show of wit.

With a workable solution for exchanging information, Quillan exited her CO's quarters, her step lighter than it had been in ages. The old man believed her. And she literally watched life take hold of him again with purpose.

Now, she only had to wait on another visit from Jeb.

I love where this story is going. Quillan and Jeb are finding their groove … again.

 

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye