Chapter 6 - Epilogue

After The Starlight Celebration

Layla was sleeping soundly in her bunk. She had a book tucked beneath her pillow and her clothes neatly folded on the chest at the foot of her bed. She was happily snoozing as the light poured in from the sun-facing window and warmed her from her toes up to her hip. It was a decadent way to start the morning, but it was also all she had the energy to commit to.

She could have slept the entire morning away. But a rap tap tapping at the side of her bunk roused her from her rest.

She opened her eyes and found her superior officer leaning over her bed. She had a look in her eyes that was a mix of confusion and frustration. She smelled slightly of booze and holiday nog.

“Hmmm?” Layla said, “Is something wrong, sergeant?”

The miqo’te pursed her lips together and hissed.

“Did you actually stay here the entire holiday? I’m disappointed in you! I was sure that you’d have gone stir crazy and…”

Layla sat up and shook her head. She waved away her superior officer’s concerns then gestured as she spoke.

“Actually, I should thank you. You gave me a lot to think about and I left the barracks a few days after you left.”

The miqo’te sighed in relief.

“That’s good then. But what happened? Didn’t you find something to do?”

Layla grinned and pointed at her superior officer.

“Actually I took your suggestion…and I’d like to request leave so I can see her again.”

The miqo’te’s eyes opened wide as saucers as understanding dawned on her. And Layla’s morning was full of questions about the woman she met and fell in love with.