Sunday Snippet: Differences Settled

Another bonkers week of fighting a cold and lack of sleep while trying to keep a lot of plates spinning. I have another week of tracking some things down that I really don't want to put off any longer and, honestly, I always forget how much time it takes to this stuff sometimes. I'd love an extra four hours in a day so I could stay caught up.

The weather is doing its usual back and forth thing, plus we're at that stage of spring where it's full-on construction season. I have to laugh because some of the detours have detours. It's bonkers.

Really good work week. I've got several projects in flux at the moment and if the timing goes well (spoiler alert: it rarely does), I'll move two off my plate and add two more. I did put a final checkmark on one of my developmental editing projects. I had a lot of fun working on that one.

Had a pretty solid viewing week. I made it through my usual list of shows and kind of added an extra one because one of my streamers is being a pain and wanting an upgrade for immediate access to new seasons. I'm not okay with paying more so I'll play the waiting game.

Finished up the fifth season of My Life Is Murder and I'm very happy with where all the characters are. I love Madison's growth and Will choosing to stay on the straight and narrow makes me smile. This group would be so much fun to hang out with.

Caught another behind the scenes bit with Foyle's War. I'm always interested in how they pull things together and this one had several segments about makeup, wardrobe, and sets. I think I have one more before the next season.

Watched another episode of Poirot and finished up the sixth season. From what I remember, there's a five-year break before the beginning of the next one. Stay tuned to see if I'm right.

Started the new season of Death in Paradise and thoroughly enjoyed the opening salvo. The commissioner is back. Darlene is gone and will be missed. A new sergeant is in the mix. Seb is still Seb. And DI Wilson has a clue that his half-brother is a terrible, no-good, awful person. Catherine and Naomi are the glue that holds everything together.

Elementary had another terrific episode. I really like where all the characters are right now, and I love Sherlock kind of going out on a limb for Shinwell. Looking forward to seeing more on this plot point.

Started a new to me series with Young Justice. I've seen a few of the episodes, but I've never seen how the series kicked off. So far, I'm enjoying the ride.

Caught another episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks and quite enjoyed the adventure. Always lovely to see special guest stars and this week we had George Takei. Such a fun episode.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Differences Settled, a novella that puts a duo undercover and they end up becoming a couple.

Here's the miniblurb:

Regan Tiedt and Finn O'Kellen are transferred to a new ship under difficult circumstances and find they have to settle quite a few differences with their new crew mates … and their commanding officer.

And a sneaky peek…

Finn turned and planted his feet on the deck. "What's this all about, Ewan?" He'd purposefully taken the lead to throw the man off balance.

Taylor narrowed his gaze and glanced between Regan and Finn, noting the swap in roles. Regan rolled her shoulders and leaned against the bulkhead. A sure indication she had no objection to Finn asking the questions.

Ewan folded his arms over his chest. "I want to know what you two are really doing on this ship." He stared both officers down.

A tense moment followed.

He and Regan hadn't had a chance to discuss how they'd respond if confronted. Finn's gut said Taylor would land on the side of right, but Finn wouldn't do anything to jeopardize Regan's position with Craig or put Regan in danger. He slid a quick side-eye her way. Regan nodded, giving Finn what he needed to proceed.

Finn shrugged. "We were sent in to find out how serious Craig's abuse of her command is." He left it there, giving Regan an opportunity to add more if she wanted to.

She pushed away from the bulkhead, moving to stand by Finn's side. "We've got a good start but nothing solid." She wouldn't provide details until Ewan laid his card on the table.

Taylor gave a slow nod then reached into a hollowed-out cubby in the side of a locker and withdrew a thick file. "I've got exactly what you need." He opened the battered folder. "Been waiting a long time to turn this over to someone." He pulled out a report then handed it to Finn. "When our XO went missing, Craig listed him as UA." Taylor's face took on grim lines. "But he's not absent, unauthorized or anything else. He won't be coming back, or for that matter, found." He turned the page over and tapped a photo. "Craig sent him out an airlock."

Regan glanced at Finn, her eyes wide with disbelief. Finn let out a low whistle. Did they really have cold, hard proof of murder and a cover-up?

Regan gave Taylor her full attention. "Where did you get this?" She spoke quietly even though no one else could hear them from outside the locker.

Taylor lifted his chin. "I took the picture." His lips twisted in a wry smile. "There was something a little off when Craig escorted Batton to the launch bay." One shoulder lifted. "I trained for a while in military intelligence so I'm naturally suspicious."

Finn scooped the report and picture into the file and tucked it under his arm. "Needless to say, you just gave us everything we need to take back to the flagship." He met the other man's gaze. "You'll be in the clear and protected." He slid a glance toward Regan.

She'd retrieved the secure comm device and started a message to Admiral Grant, but she looked up at Taylor. "In other words, no blowback." She finished typing the encrypted communication then waited on a response.

Taylor snorted. "I don't care if there's blowback. It's gonna be a bloodbath no matter what happens." He shook his head. "If there's a court martial and I need to appear, I'll be there."

Finn grunted. "Until then, no one knows where this came from." He tapped the file.

The comm unit chimed and Regan read the screen. "Grant's on his way." She nodded toward the hatch. "You'd better find somewhere else to be."

Taylor huffed out a breath. "Right. I'll leave you to it then." He crossed the deck but turned back. "I have a feeling about you two." He didn't say more before he undogged the door and slipped out into the corridor.

Finn met Regan's gaze. "Gotta say, I didn't see this coming." He poked his head outside and made sure they could leave without being seen.

Regan moved to his side. "And from fucking Taylor. For once, his timing is perfect." She chuckled and stepped outside.

Finn's lips twitched, and he followed her out.

But he quickly sobered. Their time on the Wellingstone would end, and he had no idea where that left them or their current intimate status. How would they navigate their relationship when they returned to the Holyoke?

I'm excited about this one. I love a game of cat and mouse and seeing how it pays off.

 

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

ML Skye