Jenna just finished eating, taking her last bite of salmon and placing it on the floor in front of her kitten as Tyrran watched her. He smirked. His blue eyes sparkling.
"What?" Jenna asked, her brown eyes looking him over.
"Nothing," he replied.
She cocked her head at him and raised and eyebrow. "Right...," she replied.
"No, really...," he replied. "But you're going to spoil that kitten...." He laughed.
"Well, isn't that why you gave him to me to begin with?" she asked, flashing a brilliant smile as she picked up the small tan and black ball of fur.
"I gave him to you to help promote a sense of calm for you. I know how you get sometimes," he said seriously.
She kissed the small Bengal kitten and stroked it gently. "You have nothing to be concerned about, brother dear. I'm perfectly fine," she tried to assure him. She looked down at her kitten and scratched his head lovingly.
He took in her countenance and wasn't convinced. There was the hint of darkness under her eyes. Her skin was a shade more pale than usual. These were things only her twin brother would notice, and he knew why.
"You aren't sleeping well, are you?" he said with an amount of certainty in his voice.
She looked up from her kitten and met his blue eyes with her brown and cocked and eyebrow. "Only you would suspect anything, Tyrran...."
"Well, I know you.... I can... sense when you're having trouble," he replied. "You're having the nightmares again, aren't you?"
She nodded, as visions from them danced through her mind. They were actually memories from their past. From their childhood and the attack on Tanzaria where they watched as their parents, their two sisters and one brother were butchered before them. She sighed and lifted the kitten up to kiss its head. It purred contentedly with its eyes shut.
"They started before we joined the crew. They're grown steady every since," she said. "But its a transitional thing. You know that...."
He nodded. "I know.... It only happens when you're under a lot of stress like a change in posting and rank. That's a lot to handle all at once. And this is your first time being a First Officer ever.... That must be a lot to take in."
"Nothing I can't handle," she replied with confidence.
He smiled at the comment. That was his sister. "Well, I'm glad. Still... maybe you should consider stopping by sickbay and picking up something to help you sleep... just for a week or so until the nightmares die down. I mean, you do need your sleep."
She thought about it and nodded. "Maybe I'll do that. We'll see...."
"Okay," he replied, knowing that was the best he would get out of her for now. "You know, you never did tell me what you named that kitten...."
Jenna smirked. "His name is Michael, after the archangel. Remember from theology class long ago?"
"I bet you call him Mike though!" Tyrran laughed.
"Actually no," Jenna replied with her smirked growing into a smile. "I call him Angel. It just seemed to suit him better...."
"Angel...." Tyrran nodded in agreement. "Its perfect!" After all, he hoped the kitten would be and angel of sorts. "So do you have any dessert?"
"Now would I forget dessert with you coming over?" she laughed.
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