EXETERRPG: (1 - 1001) CSO Lt(sg) Erin Cortez & SF Medical Observer Cmdr Ailynn Bracken

[Jaclyn Smith]

Mission: Space was cool before it mattered



Day: 1



Stardate: 2446.04.25




(USS Exeter - CSO’s Office - CSO Lt(sg) Erin Cortez and SF Medical Observer
Cmdr Ailynn Bracken - 1001)


Ailynn sighed happily as she looked around the quarters that she and Caity
had been assigned. Large and spacious, almost identical in layout to her
former suite, she placed the finishing touches to the rooms with some small
decor items that she’d brought with her. Smiling to herself, she knew that
the second Caity saw things they’d all get moved anyway, but making things
homey and comfortable made her happy in the daftest way. A quick shower and
change of uniform left her feeling gently refreshed, and after pulling her
boots back on, stepped out of her quarters, eager to catch up with a number
of people.


Finding herself on the sciences deck, she stepped through some of the labs,
drawing curious glances from some of the Science Officers as she passed
them. Eventually, she saw Erin in the CSO’s office.


“Erin,” She smiled happily. “It’s so lovely to see you.” She hugged her
friend somewhat awkwardly.


Looking up, Erin smiled widely, "Nice to see you three too!" She hugged her
friend as tightly as she dared. "How long have you been back?"


"A little over an hour." Ailynn said taking a seat. "I've been unpacking."


Erin nodded as she sat back down. She knew that there was a look on her,
that she knew Ailynn would see but she smiled and tried to keep herself
calm, "How are you doing?"


"I'm good. I feel great," She motioned to her abdomen "however it looks
like I'm trying to smuggle a basketball everywhere I go." She chuckled to
herself.


"Well, it’s a bit more obvious than the last time I saw you. How's Caity
doing?"


"She's doing really well. She's been my rock. Pops has taken to her too so
she's spent a lot of time with him, its sweet actually. She's on the next
shuttle."


"Oh good. Will be great to catch up with her. The staff at the bar have
been doing a good job without her but it's not the same." Erin smiled,
leaning back in her chair.


"So, what news from the outside world?"


"Not much you won't have heard. Ongoing talks for Trill to rejoin, usual
fleet nonsense. Family is well. Caity’s great like I said, but sometimes
still jumpy. Like she's got something to talk about?"


Raising an eyebrow,  Erin shook her head, "maybe… want me to talk to her?
She might tell me." Erin asked, knowing full well that she had something to
talk to her friend about but also knowing how protective Ailynn was, part
of her wanted to just see what was going on between them before saying
anything.


~although,  it would be a safe bet that if i don't say something,  someone
will and you can bet that the gossip on this ship will be talking by now.~
she thought to herself as the memory of that kiss flashed in her mind.


"If it seems natural to. I don't want her thinking I'm watching her but I
worry about her." She blushed. "We've had a lot of very long conversations,
and I feel closer to her than I ever have. She says it's reciprocated, but
my insecurities keep whispering that she's going to end it you know? Silly
of me i know."


"Not at all. Speaking as someone who has a ton of insecurities.." she
winked, "I'll have a catch up with her. It could be something as simple as
she might be nervous for how things are going to change with the twins."


Nodding a thanks, Ailynn smiled and looked at her friend. "So how are
things with you?"


Blushing slightly,  Erin sighed softly, "me? The Last mission was…
interesting. But personally, things are definitely going well." Erin
smiled, with a gleam in her eyes that she knew was there.


"Erin…now I know you're not fidgety in your seat and blushing because I'm
back on board. I know that gleam, spill it sister." She giggled wickedly,
knowing her friend well.


"I…. promise you won't say a word."


"Cross my heart." She ran her finger in a cross across the right side of
her chest."


Looking at her friend, she knew there was no way she could talk her way out
of this situation. "I … have a date.."


"AAAAAAAAAAAH!" Ailynn squealed excited. "I'm so happy for you. That's
great news. "Look I'm sorry to push. You don't need to tell me anymore, I
promise I'll be good."


Rubbing her ears from the squeal, Erin looked at her friend and said, "That
I find hard to believe."


"So how early days is it?" Ailynn beamed in happiness for her friend. "I'm
sorry. You don't have to tell me."


"It's.. early. I like him… he's different to anyone else and it's just… he
sees me, you know? Like not what's happened to me, he sees me although
there's things he doesn't know yet…" Realising she was mumbling, Erin
smiled and continued, "It's funny because he kept saying things that gave
me clues but neither of us let on until he walked me home one night and I
may have… okay I kissed him."


"You made the first move? You brazen hussy." Ailynn teased gently. "Good
for you. Sounds like he likes what he sees and wants to know you as the
whole package. Like Caity does with me despite my considerable faults."


"I … yeah I did and I know… part of me is still wondering why.. I mean he's
older and.. he's just a good guy. Maybe it's time for me to just let go and
see where this is going. Alex is…" Erin paused, realising that she had let
the bigger secret out and blushed furiously.


Ailynn would admit that she could be accused of many many things, but
stupid was not one of them, she immediately realised what Erin had said.


"...the First Officer Alex? I mean that explains a bit. Totally checking
you out at Trips Barbeque"


"Wait… he was?" What Ailynn had said made her blush even more.


"Just be careful yeah? I'm ecstatic for you I'm just… be careful"


"I'm not going to jump into bed with him if that's what you mean. This…
just feels different. He asked me on a date to get to know me outside of
work."


"I know. I wasn't suggesting it, just looking out for you, that's all."


"Just… please don't go full Bracken on him. I know what you get like
missus." Erin laughed. "Seriously though, this.. a date… I don't think I
have done that in a long time…"


"Full Bracken…? I have a lovely placid temperament. And I know, you'll do
fine. Just be yourself and let you have fun. Any idea what the plan is?"


"No. He won't say."


"Ooh mystery. How exciting."


"I'm scared A. I like him… a lot but what if..?" Erin stopped and took a
breath.


"Hey…I get it. Baby steps. Let it happen."


"I know. I know. I'm just not used to being taken on a date."


"I'm certain that you'll have a lovely time, whatever it is." She smiled
warmly.


"I hope so…. I mean, he's cute.. a rugby player so there's that." She
smiled widely and winked.


Ailynn laughed, blushing herself. "You're bad Cortez." She sighed gently,
and winced slightly, drawing a breath.


"Are you okay?"


"I'm fine…feels like a mosh pit in there some days. Here…give me your hand."


Erin sat next to her and offered her hand, "Just keep this clean miss."


"Cheeky." She placed Erin's hand to the left of her abdomen pressing
gently. "There. Feel that"


Erin smiled as she felt what she could only surmise was a foot kick her
hand. "Feels like a soccer player in there."


"Or a rugby player." Ailynn chuckled, removing Erin's hand. "So dating
aside, you all good? I'm not on board as FO so you can fully share."


"Yeah I think so. The last mission got a little tense but we pulled
through. Got some good advice last night and I feel like things are on the
up. Although I dread to think what Trip… sorry, Captain Williams is gonna
say when he finds out about Alex and… "


Ailynn smiled picking up on Erin's words. "I'm certain it'll only be an
issue if it becomes an issue."


"And now here I am just thinking about what I should wear… damn it I'm a
teenage girl all over again."


Pursing her lips in amusement, Ailynn shook her head gently. "It's like
being in high school all over again." She giggled.


"It is. Just… am I doing the right thing here, A? "


“Erin,” Ailynn sighed gently. “I understand your hesitancy, here’s the
thing though, no one can answer the question that you’re asking, no one
except you. I am not the person to be giving relationship advice ‘E’.
Honey, only you have the answers, but in my simple view of things, you have
nothing to lose in trying. Worst case, you go on a couple of dates and you
don’t click. If you turn round and he can’t accept that it’s not right for
you, then its not worth your attention. Otherwise, who knows, if you don’t
you could miss out on the best thing that will ever happen to you, like
Caity happened to me.” She shrugged. “Like I said, I’m not the best person
to ask about these kind of things, I’m lucky that my girlfriend is still
talking to me.”


"She loves you, you daft bat." Erin replied with a smile. "I mean who else
would accept you being the way you are and pregnant to boot?"


“I’m pretty certain that there’s a veiled compliment in there somewhere.”
She blushed, though Ailynn was glad Erin could speak to her so bluntly.
“That aside, worth a shot right?”


"I think.. you are right. A date, maybe two if he's lucky. I just need to
take the chance and be cautious at the same time. My history with choosing
the right guy is less than stellar…" she paused for a second and sighed,
"... but I think he's one of the good ones."


“Baby steps, if he is, he’ll respect that.” Ailynn answered, asking a
cheeky follow up question with a single glance at her friend.


"And yes,  you get all the details but I do not kiss and tell on the first
date so no juicy gossip." She winked and laughed, happy that her best
friend was back on board.


“Oh come on, I don’t have many sources of juicy gossip.” She giggled. “Just
teasing.” Drawing a breath, she sighed gently, getting up to leave, at the
door she turned. “I’ve got your back, just…be careful sweetie.”


The two friends exchanged a glance, that spoke a whole conversation, after
which Ailynn turned and left the room.


(Reply none)

(Posted by Mark and Jackie)
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