Chapter Text
My First Fic
by hey_sprinkles
A car door slammed outside, causing some birds to fly away. A young girl walked up as the woman on the ship looked down at her. "Hello… can I help you?"
"Yes." The girl replied, "I'm looking for Judson Cross. Is this his ship?"
The woman grinned a little at the name, as she lifted her hand for a visor from the sun. "Yes it is. Judson should be back in a minute, he went to check the tanks. Mackenzie Previn, call me Mac," the woman said as she shook hands as a young man came up. "This is Gabriel Patterson."
"Gabe," the young man grinned, his trademark smile showing through. "I'll go find Judson."
Five minutes later, a handsome blond appeared. His eyes sparkled in the bright sunlight as he removed his sunglasses. "Well, I never… Claudia Kennedy?"
"Yes, it's me." The girl replied, becoming shy as she looked down at her hands.
"It's great to see you after all these years!" Judson said as he ran down the plank to hug the young girl, sending Mac and Gabe in awe.
"How old are you now?"
"Judson, what kind of question is that? Should I be asking you the same thing?"
A semi-shocked Judson pauses then exclaimed, "Kennedy, it truly is you. Still got the spark I see. Welcome to the Vast Explorer, Adventure Inc.'s home. I'm glad you could drop by; as the invitation is, and was, always open. Have you met Mac and Gabe?"
"Yes. And Judson, just so you know, it's more than a visit. But we can talk about that later." Claudia said, and the crew invited her on board.
One hour later, finishing dinner… "Mmm, Mac, that lemon chicken was the best I've eaten in a long time. I'm so glad for one home-cooked meal! I haven't had one for a few years."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it," Mac said, her trademark half grin coming out. "So where was your last venue?"
"I was touring in Italy doing some promotional work for a few bands that are coming up. Organizing plans and everything, visiting with street teams." Claudia said.
"It must be fun." Gabe added, "Being out with all those celebrities. It makes me wonder why you'd come on a ship."
Claudia paused for a moment, thinking how to answer. "Yes, being out with celebrities, seeing different places in the world, and organizing all those award shows are fun." Claudia smiled. "But, there is the stressful part of it too, you have to get away for awhile, and most times you can't. You become sort of a behind-the-scenes celebrity where everyone wants you to work with them or for them."
"So do you do anything else?" Mac asked.
"Yes. I've been in photography for awhile, creating picture books and coffee table books for different publishers like Random House and Doubleday, sometimes Scholastic. It's very fun and it has taken on a career of its own. It made me stop touring last year, because Scholastic was having me research pictures and take some for a classroom book with their history department." Claudia said, "and now it's cooled down so I thought I'd come see how Judson is doing after all these years."
"I think Kennedy," Judson interrupted, "and I have some catching up to do, so would you two do the dishes?"
"No worries," Gabe replied quickly, "we'll do it."
Judson and Claudia retire to the lounge area. "Sorry I am appearing kind of, well, out of nowhere like this, Judson."
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"I wonder who she is," Gabe asked, while taking dishes from the table to the kitchen. "I mean, where she met Judson. They seem kind of chummy."
"Chummy?" Mac laughed, and she turned on the water, "I'm sorry, I haven't heard that word out of you. Yes, I agree. I wonder what she's doing back; it sounded like they haven't seen each other in awhile."
"…and Mac, don't you think it's funny that her last name is Kennedy, considering what we are looking for next?"
*****************
"That's alright. Always good to see an old friend. So how have you been?"
"Touring the world. Creating stress for myself. It's becoming complicated, and its part of the reason I'm here."
"Kennedy, everything about you is complicated," Judson gave a small chuckle, "it's the way things have always been."
"Well, your right about that," Claudia said, finally curling up comfortably on a couch instead of continuing her pacing. "I'm about to turn 28, I've spent five years touring with groups to venues all over the world, and I think its time for a vacation."
"Kennedy, what is it? Something is up; you don't just come to me when it gets bad. I haven't seen you since…" Judson explained, worry marks showing up on his face.
Claudia interrupted before he said something. . . "Judson, don't worry so much. You know me to well. Yes, I quit the touring about a year ago. It was getting to be too much for me, and my photography has been taking over a lot more. The editors at Doubleday want me to do a book…on, well, you." Claudia said that last part like a whisper.
"Ugh, the press. I hated it when you became a part of them." Judson said.
"Judson Cross, the good thing is they only want a coffee table book. You've never done a book before, it might be good. Your crew is getting famous out there, people want to see you. You're like, the next Robert Ballard of the `expedition industry'. It's only some photos and captions, maybe a small story on the beginning."
"I suppose. Short and sweet, mmm…anything else?"
"Other people wanted to come out here, but an editor found out I knew you, which made them want to do it more. I made them choose me, Judson. I wanted it to be me out here on the ship, I knew you wouldn't trust just anyone," Claudia said, "…and I missed you."
"There's my girl, the softness has finally come out." Judson replied, "I missed you too."
end part 1