The chronometer on the Admiral's quarters wall read 0630 hours when Zeph's eyes opened. Laxana was already awake, standing at the expansive window that overlooked the Quantum Wings' forward hull, wrapped in one of his dress shirts that fell nearly to her knees. Her ears twitched occasionally, tracking the subtle vibrations of the ship's engines through the hull.
"How long?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
"Forty minutes until you need to be on the bridge for final fleet status before rendezvous. Rodriguez sent the morning brief an hour ago but marked it 'non-urgent.'" She smiled slightly without turning. "I think he's learning when the Admiral needs actual sleep more than he needs to be micromanaged."
Zeph rose and moved to her, wrapping his arms around her waist. She leaned back into him, comfortable in the silence that came from being truly known by someone.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
