Next of Kin

Posted on Wed Jun 25th, 2025 @ 5:05pm by Lieutenant JG James Phoenix

1,351 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Wounds From the Mirror
Location: Various
Timeline: After “Modifications”

[Mission Control Observation Lounge, Cape Kennedy]

James sat in the observation room overlooking Cape Kennedy's main mission control room. Things were currently quite since there wasn't anything active. He was only in the room because he needed a place that lacked sound so he could gather his thoughts.

Quarantine, although more of a formality since it was only needed for the flight up, began in three weeks which was followed by the launch window which was two weeks after that. One month and a week. That was how little time until he'd be in space. It was a surreal thought for him. But that wasn't on his mind at the moment.

He had received a call from the FBI field office that an agent wanted to discuss something urgent with him. He had been assured that while it had to do with him, he wasn't in any sort of trouble. But that made it sound ten times more ominous. Why did they need to discuss something with him? Why wasn't it at the field office?

James didn't know, but it made him nervous. He sat there for another half hour tapping his foot somewhat loudly. It felt like hours.

He zoned out to the point that he didn't hear the door to the room open and shut.

"Mr. Phoenix?" A woman's voice asked him.

This startled him before he looked up to see a woman who appeared to be in her early thirties, wearing a dark jacket with black pants and combat boots. He quickly noticed her badge on her belt, which was slightly hidden by her jacket

He stood up as soon as she extended her hand. "I'm Special Agent Reese Blackburn, we spoke on the phone earlier."

"Right, of course" he said as he accepted it before releasing. "You mentioned you had something urgent to discuss? I'm not in any trouble or anything I hope?"

Blackburn shook her head. "You're in no trouble. But I have some information for you and you may want to sit down" she motioned to the seat that the young adult had been sitting in.

James sat down and Blackburn sat down in a seat across from him before handing him an envelop.

James raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"It's information. Regarding your parents."

The kid froze. There had been nothing regarding his parents disappearance in almost ten years. After a few moments, James composed himself.

Blackburn continued. "I recommend you read it on your own time however. I'd rather you not have this on your conscious while here."

"Why not send it to my apartment, or just drop by?"

"You and your girlfriend are here practically 24/7 according to your accounts and your colleagues. Much safer bet" the agent said.

James chuckled. "You seem to know a lot about us. Except for one thing."

"That's my job Mr. Phoenix" Reese raised an eyebrow. "What did we get wrong?"

James shook his head. "Ashlynn isn't my girlfriend. Though I can see why you'd think that. We live together and are really close."

This reminded of him of something. "That reminds me, she also lost her parents. Do I need to relay anything for her?" James inquired. "Since you've done your homework and all" he chuckled.

"We are looking into it, but we haven't found anything yet" she said.

"I see" James scritched his chin. "I'll be sure to let her know."

Blackburn stood up. "Feel free to investigate it if you wish. Provided your investigations aren't breaking the law or dangerous. We're pretty tied up these days" she extended her hand again. "It was nice meeting you."

James accepted her hand as he stood up and shook it. "Likewise, Agent Blackburn" he began. "And thank you. I really appreciate this."

She pulled a small card out of her pocket and handed it to him. "If you or Ashlynn need anything, please do not hesitate to reach out. We'll try and help in anyway we can."

"Thanks. It really means a lot" he said before watching the woman leave.

---

[James and Ashlynn's Apartment, Merritt Island]

James paced loudly round the apartment, which was mostly barren due to the lack of time him and Ash would spend there. He had seen the file and while it wasn't much, it gave him closure. But it was both too much, and too little at the same time. After seeing the file he wanted to forget what he saw. If this was bad for him, what would it mean for Ash when she would find something out about her parents?

He was so engrossed in his own thoughts that he didn't hear or see Ash enter the apartment. She took one look at James and already knew that whatever was bothering him was really bad.

He turned around to see Ash standing there. He stopped pacing. "I'm not sure how-" he was interrupted by Ash, who pulled him into a warm hug.

"I don't know what's bothering you, but I'm here" she said calmly.

He rested his head on her shoulder. "Thanks" he muttered.

After being there for a while, Ash spoke. "Talk to me James, what's wrong?"

James pulled away and picked up the file Agent Blackburn had given him. He handed it to Ash before sitting down on the couch.

She opened up the file. She froze. After a few minutes she set it down. Before saying anything she went into the kitchen and disappeared for a few moments. She reappeared a few minutes later with two large cups of coffee and a bottle of vodka.

James raised an eyebrow. "Trying to get me to get wasted I see" he chuckled.

She ruffled his hair playfully in retaliation. "Rude" she teased before pouring a little vodka into each mug and then mixing each drink. "Trying to get your edge off" she handed him the mug. "Tell me how it is."

James took a sip before nearly spitting out the vodka-coffee combo. "It's not bad" he stammered. "Just strong."

Ash laughed. "It's an acquired taste" she said as she plopped down next to James before taking a sip of her own drink. She turned to look at him to see that he had zoned out rather quickly. She rested a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We don't have to talk about it."

"Thanks" James took a sip and then set the mug down in front of him. "I will, eventually."

"Just don't wait too long, okay? I can't have you freezing on me in space" Ash said.

"I won't" he rested his other hand on the hand she had resting on his shoulder. "I'll talk to someone. I just need some time."

Ash gave a comforting smile. "Come here" she said, pulling her best friend into her arms before planting a kiss on the top of his head. "You're safe. I've got you"

Those were words they would tell each other when the other was down or going through something. Ash was his ride or die. She meant the world to him, as he meant that much to her. They were close until the end. Until everything faded away.

James awoke in a sweat in his quarters aboard the Washington. He didn't even attempt to deduce the why. The timing of the dream was impeccable, and not in a good way.

He had the dream once or twice a year. The most recent time was shortly after his trip to the Mirror Universe, a few months ago now. This time was different. Things were going to hit their climax and he felt unprepared. You couldn't blame him either. His best friend was alive and so was her doppelganger. Reuniting with her was one battle that could wait. Saving from her counterpart was another battle. One that if he failed, he'd be just as lost as he was when he was when he was frozen for all those years. This time it'd be mentally.

Phoenix looked at the time. There was still at least a day until the Washington got to her destination. What then?

 

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