Off Duty, Offline

Posted on Mon Mar 3rd, 2025 @ 9:13pm by Lieutenant Ame Solis M.D.

Mission: Character Development
Timeline: 2395
1139 words - 2.3 OF Standard Post Measure

The living room of their quarters was a world away from the sterility of sickbay. The low hum of their home, combined with the golden glow of the lamps and the soft scent of incense. Ame had gathered her equipment on the couch, laying it out in order of use. Jackson, in his off-duty clothes and unshaven, sprawled casually, waiting. There was no biobed here, no clinical air, just the warmth of their shared space.

"No sterile gloves, no biobed," he teased as Ame slid onto his lap, facing him. His hand automatically found its place at her back, pulling her in just a little closer. "You sure you can handle me like this?"

“I think I’ll just about manage,” she shot back, a smile tugging at her lips as she worked to settle the neural monitor in her hands. She reached up to place it gently against the side of his face, just next to the implant where his right eye had once been. “I just need you to hold still for a moment, okay?”

But Jackson had other ideas. His fingers tightened at her waist, pulling her in with a quiet chuckle. His lips brushed against the side of her neck, the rough feel of his stubble against her skin sending a shiver down her spine. “Stay still?” he murmured against her, his voice thick with playfulness. “You’ve gotta be joking, sweetheart. Can’t you see the problem with your plan?”

Ame shook her head, trying not to laugh. "You're such a distraction," she muttered, exasperated but with affection in her tone. She tapped the neural monitor in place again, trying to get the scan to work, but it flickered annoyingly, refusing to calibrate. "Stay still, Jackson, or I’m gonna be here all day."

With a playful grunt, he moved his hips just enough to make it a challenge but not enough to make her truly uncomfortable. “And what’s so wrong with that?” he teased, his lips trailing over her neck once more. “We’re both off duty. Don’t think I mind the extra time with you.”

Ame groaned inwardly but managed to peel herself away from his teasing lips long enough to focus. Her hand lightly pressed against his forehead, nudging him back just enough to get a better angle. “You’re lucky I love you,” she muttered, her focus returning to the task at hand. “Now, please, sit still...”

“Alright, alright,” Jackson relented, still holding that amused grin, but this time, he let his hands drop from her back to find the edge of the couch. “Guess I’ll behave for now. But you are tempting me, you know.”

For a moment, she allowed herself a brief sigh of relief before she got back to calibrating the ocular implant, silently wishing that their ‘work’ could stay like this forever. Warm, playful, and simple.

With a soft hum from her tricorder, Ame confirmed the diagnostics. “Everything looks good,” she brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Her hands moved with precision as she reached for the small device to power down the implant temporarily. “Okay, I’m shutting it off now. Don’t freak out.”

As the implant powered down, Jackson lolled his head back against the couch, letting his good eye drift closed. He stayed perfectly still for a moment, then suddenly let out a faint, monotone buzz. “Beeeeeeep. Systems offline,” he deadpanned, his mouth twitching into a smirk.

“Jackson!” Ame exclaimed, laughing as she lightly punched his chest. “You’re such a—ugh!” But the blow only made him chuckle as he grabbed her hand and gently squeezed it against him.

“Careful, Doc,” he teased, rubbing his chest mockingly. “You’re gonna bruise my ego.”

“Good,” she shot back, though her grin betrayed her affection. Shaking her head, she grabbed her PADD and rested it against his chest, using him as an impromptu stand. She began the firmware update, her fingers flying across the screen as she monitored the progress. Every so often, she glanced up at his face, checking for any signs of discomfort; even though the implant was powered down, her instinct to watch over him was second nature.

Leaning slightly forward, she allowed herself to rest against his chest, the quiet hum of the equipment the only sound between them. For a moment, Jackson simply watched her work, his hand settling on the small of her back, trailing his fingers back and forth. Finally, his voice broke the silence, softer than before. “You know, I can’t imagine doing this with anyone else.”

Her fingers paused mid-swipe, and she lifted her gaze to meet his. “What do you mean?”

“This,” he gestured faintly toward the PADD and her tricorder with his free hand. “You. Taking care of me like this. Seeing me at my worst, my weakest...and still sticking around. Not thinking any less of me for it.”

Ame’s heart twisted in her chest, and she reached up, brushing her fingertips lightly along his jaw. “Jackson,” she murmured, her voice steady but gentle. “I don’t think any less of you. I never have. I never will.” Her lips curved into a soft smile. “You could be held together with spit and duct tape, and I’d still love you.”

He let out a quiet laugh, a genuine warmth lighting his expression. “Spit and duct tape, huh? That’s...a real vote of confidence.”

“Well, it’s the truth.” She gave him a mock-serious look before returning her attention to the PADD. “Now hold still, Mr. Held-Together, while I finish this update.”

The process was completed smoothly, and Ame reactivated the implant with an affirmative soft beep. Jackson blinked rapidly, his head swaying slightly as his vision adjusted. She steadied him with a hand on his shoulder, but his good eye glinted with humour as he quipped, “Whoa. Vision back online.”

Before she could respond, he slid further down the couch. His back against the seat, pulling her fully against his chest, foot on the floor to steady them both. Ame let out a small gasp as he caught her, his arms wrapping around her securely. “You are something else,” she laughed softly.

“Yeah, but you love it,” he murmured, tilting his head up to kiss her. The press of his lips against hers was sweet, slow, and filled with the kind of intimacy that spoke of trust and years shared together. It was unhurried, just the kind of kiss that melted away the world outside, leaving only them.

Ame rested her forehead against his after they parted, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Spit and duct tape,” she teased softly.

“Forever,” he promised with a grin, pulling her just a little closer.