Compile #7 - The Third Law - 14th - 20th March ========================= Mission: The Third Law Day: 7 Stardate: 2414.03.21 ========================= (Rogue Planet – Landing Site Delta – ACSO Lt (jg) Viskhard – Day 7 - 1627) ========================= (Rogue Planet – Landing Site Delta – ACSO Lt (jg) Viskhard – Day 7 - 1627) "The Rose says the storm isn't likely to make its way directly toward us, but will keep us advised. Lets get busy on getting some data. Let me know what you come up with. I'll be in the crawler setting up the comm-link." said Matrix. Visk looked up from his equipment shortly, not quite certain if he should be upset to be taken from his readings. "Yes, Mister Matrix," he said absently as he turned back to his Tricorder and clumsily tottered away, staring at the screen instead of where he was going. (Reply Pembrook, Fuller, Sanok) (Rogue Planet – Landing Site Delta – ACSO Lt (jg) Viskhard – Day 7 - 1652) The wind had died down a bit in the past half an hour and the crew was nearly complete with their scans. Matrix wasn't in a rush to get back to the Rose, but the thought of a hot cup of Vulcan coffee appealed to him. Kneeling next to Pembrook, Matrix was reviewing the scan results on a bright yellow PADD. "These look promising." he said aloud. (Reply Pembrook, any) "Definitely a significant discovery wouldn't you say?" asked Matrix. (Reply Pembrook) "Mister Fuller, Sanok...how close are you to wrapping up? I'd like to start thinking about getting back to the drop point and then back to the Rose." asked Matrix. (Reply Fuller, Sanok) "Mister Viskhard, are you okay with that timeline?" asked Matrix Viskhard switch out the sample containers in his extractor while he considered, "I should be able to get everything I need by then. Though I would love to stay longer." His voice was semi-hopeful as he made the sideways request. "Don't forget we need time to review and summarize our findings. I'm sure there will be a meeting shortly after we get back to the ship. " said Matrix. "Ah," Visk nodded, "Of course, I will be fine with the time limit Mister Matrix." ~Perhaps we will make a second trip...~ Visk stepped up his scans and focused on the important pieces, narrowing his search parameters and saving himself time - though it made his scientistific heart wilt a little at missing all the extra 'fun' stuff. (Reply Pembrook, Fuller, Sanok, Matrix) (Posted by Lori) ------------------------- ========================= Mission: The Third Law Day: 8 Stardate: 2414.03.22 ========================= (USS Rosenante- Observation Lounge- CO, Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid, Day 8- 1100) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - COUNS Parker Davis - Day 8 - 1103, 1130) (USS Rosenante- Observation Lounge - CMO - Day 8- 1104) (USS Rosenante- Observation Lounge - CTAC Lt. sg Ben Soma- 1105) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - Lieutenant sg Sanok - Day 8 - 1106) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - ATAC/SC Ensign (sg) Jessica Signos - Day 8 - 1110) (USS Rosenante- Bridge- CO, Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid, Day 8- 1208) (USS Rosenante- Bridge- Lt JG Tayla Fraiser - Day 8- 1210) (USS Rosenante - Sickbay - Lt JG Tayla Fraiser - Day 8- 1314) (USS Rosenante - Counseling Office - COUNS Parker Davis and Lt JG Tayla Frasier - Day 8 - 1530) (USS Rosenante - Counseling Office - COUNS Parker Davis and Lt JG Tayla Frasier - Day 8 - 1700) (USS Rosenante - Tradewinds - Lt JG Tayla Frasier and COUNS Parker Davis - Day 8 - 1830) (USS Rosenante – Personal Quarters – Ass. CMO Tayla Fraiser - Day 8 – 2105) (USS Rosenante – Personal Quarters – Ass. CMO Tayla Fraiser - Day 8 – 2210) (USS Rosenante - Personal Quarters - COUNS Parker Davis - Day 8 - 2302) (USS Rosenante - Personal Quarters - CEO Lieutenant Commander Steven Matrix - Day 8 - 2321) ========================= (USS Rosenante- Observation Lounge- CO, Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid, Day 8- 1100) Ahmed sat at the head of the table carefully listening to each of his senior officers as they spoke their minds on the subject. But more than just listening to their words, he was listening to their body language and the inflections in their voices. He had no doubt that each officer here, even those that he had just brought aboard had any reservations discerning their personal convictions. Most of these officers had been placed within situations where they had been forced to take lives, or to lose close friends. He understood them, and it made this part of the mission more difficult. It was the classic debate really, one of the debates that the Academy Ethics coursework brought up again and again. The Prime Directive as the grand overview of Federation policy. The 47 sub sections designed to cover everything from contact with pre-warp cultures to non-interference with other culture's internal affairs. The directive was clear. It was a matter of interpretation. Whether the Directive applied at all in this case was still truly unknown. On top of that it also mattered if you obeyed the letter of the law or the spirit of the law. Ahmed raised his left hand to indicate that he was ready to speak. "I've been listening very closely to everything that has been said," he stated so that everyone would know that their input has been considered. "And I believe that we do have a situation where presently the Prime Directive applies." He could see the look of surprise on the faces of the many officers sitting around the table. The implication of his words were uncharacteristic of his nature, but he wasn't finished yet. "However," he continued, allowing the word hang in the air, to better draw all the officers back into the here and now, "I also feel that while the prime directive applies, it only applies because we don't yet have any reason to believe that it shouldn't apply." "When the law fails, morality and ethics must prevail." Ahmed recited from memory the words spoken by his Academy senior year Ethics Professor, "but in this know that morality and ethics will be sorely studied to see if they are properly applied." He allowed his gaze to sweep the table. "A Vulcan would argue that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of of the one or the few. But the real question isn't about numbers, rules or regulations, it's about doing the right thing even when it's hard to do the right thing. We're out here to make a difference, but we are not out here to determine the fate of another species, or to rob them of their collective heritage." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "The Federations policy of the Prime Directive will stand, until such time as I can determine that there is sufficient evidence to prove that it does not apply." "There are rules against taking action, when that action will interfere with the natural development of a culture. But there are also examples where cultures unprepared for first contact were studied. And that is what we are going to do here." "We need to determine a few different things in order to allow us to intervene on the behalf of these people. To find any potential information, we'll need to study the situation thoroughly. If, and only if, suitable evidence is found that the rogue planet was thrust upon this course through unnatural means, and thus this culture is being threatened as a result, or if it can be proved that the inhabitants of the threatened planet can be proven to have knowledge of species beyond themselves, or have access to advanced technology akin to warp drive, we will then do what we can to aid them." "I will require solid evidence of irrefutable proof before I will authorize any action to be taken. The rules of the Prime Directive are clear. And while I want to help these people, I will only do so within the confines and requirements of the Prime Directive." "A nation without laws is no nation at all, but a land of chaos and suffering. I will not throw aside the laws and regulations that protect the Federation, because we all took an oath to follow those laws." "That said, we have two directions that we can proceed. The first is an away team on the planet who will be looking for proof of advanced contact that will prove that this species is not eligible for inclusion under the rules of the prime directive. The second will be a team that will continue to conduct studies on the rogue planet, and if possible we may even trace it's origins to determine how it came to be such a threat. The away team on the threatened world will not be supported directly by the Rosenante during the duration of their mission, so they will need to plan accordingly." "I will not be assigning personnel to either of these teams. Personnel must decide for themselves if they will be participating in either of these missions, or if they choose to continue with more standard duties. I want each person who would like to participate in either of these missions to advise counselor Davis to which you would prefer assignment. Once that is determined, the counselor will advise me and I will determine command structures of those two teams." He gave another look around the room. "No one is required to undertake either of these two missions. In which case, the Prime Directive will remain in place and we will allow the natural course of things to proceed. I want all studies on the rogue planet forwarded to me within the next hour." He looked at Davis, "Counselor, I expect a report from you in 30 minutes informing me of the senior officers decisions on the matter before us." (reply Davis) "This briefing is dismissed. I will be on the bridge." Ahmed rose, picked up his PADD and very pointedly left the Observation lounge without saying anything further. (reply Davis, All) Daniel Greene ------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - COUNS Parker Davis - Day 8 - 1103, 1130) "Counselor, I expect a report from you in 30 minutes informing me of the senior officers' decisions on the matter before us," the Captain spoke, and it snapped Parker out of his daydreaming. He was thinking about this mission and the disastrous consequences that would follow any unintended contact with this civilization. True, their actions could result in the salvation of the planet's people, or they could potentially screw up and trap themselves there for the rest of their lives, but there was one other distinct possibility that Parker was most worried about. If they accidentally contaminated this culture, they would have altered the natural course of events on this planet for all eternity. There was no action that could allow these people to un-know something. An order was an order, though, and he nodded once as he said, "Aye, Sir." They were dismissed, and people began approaching him to inform him of their decision. The first was Doctor Caskie. Then Lt. Soma, who said, "I would also like to be considered for the away team. I'd like to visit the planet the rogue is going to destroy and study the inhabitants. In the least I can asses their technological development and ascertain whether or not they could possibly become a threat." Lt. Sanok volunteered next. With Ben and he there, Parker was confident that they would have a good security team keeping them safe, and determining if this culture was a technological threat to the Federation. "Counselor, Sir, I think my skill set would be better served with those that are going planet side." Jessica Signos said as she looked over to Eian. "As such that's were I'll be." It surprised Parker to hear Eian O'Neill respond, "I'll also go planetside. I have a background in xeno-technology and can use my tactical and engineering training to assist Lt. Soma in determining if this culture might eventually pose a threat, or if they've already been contacted by another advanced society." Parker would have thought that Eian would want to stay behind, especially after everything he had been through. Of course, Eian would *want* to go, but Parker thought his family would have come first. His brother, who had just started at the Academy, and his father, a Starfleet Captain, would be heartbroken if they could never see their brother and son again. He also understood that duty called, and that it was not as much a question of what Eian wanted to do, but what Eian felt was best for the Federation. Parker nodded at all of their responses, and when the last person had approached him, he compiled their names and the names of others he thought should go. He said to the ensemble of officers, "Thank you for volunteering, everyone. This is going to be an extraordinary mission. You likely won't get another chance like this again. That being said, it's also a very high-risk mission, as the sensitive nature of the Prime Directive's application in this case could strand you there forever. I'm going to give everyone the next fifteen minutes to rescind your offer, and I'm going to give anyone who didn't volunteer a chance to hop on board. Then I'm going to turn in this list to the Captain. Thank you, everyone," he finished, and walked out of the Observation Lounge. (reply none necessary) (USS Rosenante - Captain's Ready Room - COUNS Parker Davis - Day 8 - 1130) Fifteen minutes after the last person had volunteered, Parker approached the Captain's ready room and rang the chime. Once he was granted entrance, he walked up to Salid's desk and handed him the PADD. "The list of those going, Sir. I received several offers from additional officers in the past few minutes, including Lt. Tamblyn and Lt. Frasier." He shifted his weight slightly. He still had reservations about this mission, but upon further thought, he realized this was the only course of action Salid could really take, given the time constraints they had. "I also volunteer my own presence, Sir. I believe it's essential to have someone down there who can psychologically analyze this culture. We need to know whether they may eventually pose a threat to the Federation, but we also need to know if they've been influenced by another culture in the past. While technological and scientific studies may be able to do both of those things to a certain point, a behavioral analyst will be able to determine it with more precision." (reply Salid) (posted by Morgan G) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Observation Lounge - CMO - Day 8- 1104) Josh sat there listening to the Captain. She already knew that he would call it his own way. Josh just hoped that his way would give them some leeway and indeed it did. She was surprised however to watch him walk out of the room and leave it up to everyone else to organise themselves. This to be honest wasn't the Captain she had come to know so well and she was taken aback for a minute or two. Sitting there and gathering her thoughts she finally turned to Counselor Davis. "Counselor, I would like to be considered for the away team. Nothing I am versed in would help the scientific team studying this planet. However, at worst the away team will need a doctor and I am volunteering. (Reply Davis) (Posted by Marilyn) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Observation Lounge - CTAC Lt. sg Ben Soma- 1105) Ben listened as the Captain spoke, he couldn't argue with what the CO was saying. They all had taken an oath to uphold the rules and regulations and the prime directive was one of them. Salid then stated that there would be two teams, one on the rogue and another on the doomed planet. Ben made his decision quickly, convincing Marah it was the proper course of action was going to be a difficult matter. The Captain then left it to Parker to take names and pass them along, Ben stood and went to see the counselor behind Doctor Caskie. Once she had volunteered he spoke up. "I would also like to be considered for the away team." Ben stated. "I'd like to visit the planet the rogue is going to destroy and study the inhabitants. In the least I can asses their technological development and ascertain whether or not they could possibly become a threat." You could tell a lot for a peoples level of technology and how they chose to employ it, if these people were hostile they will have put a lot of their technological advancements into weapons. If they were peaceful they would have used technology to benefit all through scientific research and medical technologies. He had to know who these people were while they still had the chance to find out. (reply Davis, any) (posted by Milo Young) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - Lieutenant sg Sanok - Day 8 - 1106) As Captain Salid exited the observation lounge in a deliberate show, all Sanok could do was wonder what had just happened. Outwardly, he was the typical Vulcan: stoic, showing no emotion. Inwardly, he was in the midst of a silent meditative technique designed to maintain his emotional suppression. He had expected Salid to make a decision one way or the other. He didn't expect that decision to be so heartless. Sanok could understand a captain taking the safe route of following the Prime Directive. Don't interfere. That's the law. No repercussions from Starfleet. Sanok could also understand a captain doing all the legal gymnastics possible to find a loophole in the directive. What he couldn't understand, was a captain so casually dismissing the fact that billions could die, when the means to stop it was so easily within their technological means, and in the process of that dismissal, take the position that saving the people would come only if he determined their level of technology was sufficient, or if they were psychologically ready to accept the existence of races on other worlds. What a horrible way to choose if people's lives should be spared! It made Sanok wonder what had happened to his captain. The next course of action was clear. Sanok needed to be part of finding whatever would convince Salid to not stand by idly, while the entire population of a world was wiped out. Following Doctor Caskie and Ben, Sanok also volunteered to Counselor Davis, that he would go to the threatened planet. (reply Davis, any) (posted by Bob B.) -------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - ATAC/SC Ensign (sg) Jessica Signos - Day 8 - 1110) She listened has people volunteered to go to the threatened planets surface. Jessica wasn't surprised when Soma, Sanok, and Dr. Caskie made there choice known about going planet side on the alien world. Jessica though about it , for a few minutes longer before throwing her lot in. "Councilor, Sir, I think my skill set would be better served with those that are going planet side." She looked over to Eian. "Has such that's were I'll be." Jessica knew the risk if Eian chose to stay aboard the Rosenante the would be a chance that they would never see each other again. But then again Jessica knew she had to go where she could do the most good. She also knew that Eian would understand her choice, he may even respect it. Jessica hoped he would come with her but with what was found on the rouge planet she was unsure if that would be the case. If nothing else the two of them worked well together, they always had. It wasn't long after that people cleared out the observation lounge, to prepare for whatever the fates might have in store for them. (reply none needed but welcome) (posted By Matthew Locke) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Bridge- CO, Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid, Day 8- 1208) Ahmed was sitting in the center seat, looking over one of the reports from the initial series of surveys on the rogue planet. Already they had found signs that the world was being terraformed, although it was likely that the original work began long before the world found itself thrust out into the dark, cold depths of space. The machinery was still working, although not capable, it seemed of overcoming the challenges that it's new status as wanderer had bestowed upon them. Still the fact that the world was even marginally habitable was amazing. The real concern of course was avoiding any presumption that just because the world had been the site of terraforming in the past, did not mean that the act of trying to terraform the world had caused it to somehow slip it's orbit and move along an inevitable path that threatened the inhabitants of the as of yet unnamed world that lie in it's path. Jumping to those conclusions without ample proof would be a certain way to justify breaking the Prime Directive and thereby justifying any actions that the crew decided to undertake, even if those best intentioned actions had terrible consequences. Ahmed had been so taken with the moral, ethical and legal debate around the application of the Prime Directive, that he'd nearly forgotten about a new officer reporting aboard ship. That moment passed, however when he heard an unfamiliar voice addressing him, " Captain Salid?" she asked. "Yes." he replied as he looked up to see to whom the voice belonged. It was a woman that he hadn't met before, although he had already reviewed her dossier, prior to their departure from Geneva. It had been decided that she would be joining the ship at some point after the Rosenante had left on it's survey mission of Sector 6309. "Lieutenant Tayla Fraiser reporting for duty, Sir." she stated formally. Ahmed smiled. "Stand easy lieutenant." he replied as he held out his hand for her orders. He accepted them and quickly skimmed through them. Finding everything in order, he authorized her presence on the ship and handed them back to her. "Welcome aboard the Rosenante Lieutenant Fraiser. I am certain that you will find a home here. Please be certain to report to Commander Caskie, our CMO, for your duty assignment in our Medical Bay, Counselor Davis for your pre-duty psyche evaluation, and Lieutenant Raschen, our Chief of Operations, for your berthing assignment. I am looking forward to having you aboard ship." "I will schedule a short interview with you for later today, as I am in the middle of a bit of critical mission planning at present. I hope that won't be too much of an inconvenience?" he asked. (reply Fraiser) Daniel Greene ------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Bridge- Lt JG Tayla Fraiser - Day 8- 1210) "Welcome aboard the Rosenante, Lieutenant Fraiser. I am certain that you will find a home here. Please be certain to report to Commander Caskie, our CMO, for your duty assignment in our Medical Bay, Counselor Davis for your pre-duty psyche evaluation, and Lieutenant Raschen, our Chief of Operations, for your berthing assignment. I am looking forward to having you aboard ship. I will schedule a short interview with you for later today, as I am in the middle of a bit of critical mission planning at present. I hope that won't be too much of an inconvenience?" Tayla shook her head and replied, “Not at all, Sir. It will give me the chance to find my way.” (Reply Salid) “Thankyou for giving me this chance, Sir. I won't disappoint you.” (Reply Salid) Tayla turned towards the Ops station. Spotting the erstwhile Lieutenant Raschen, she walked to his side and said, “Excuse me, Lieutenant Raschen is it?” (Reply Raschen) Tayla held out her hand and said, “Lieutenant Fraiser. Pleasure.” (Reply Raschen) Tayla smiled and said, “Captain Salid suggested you're the man to speak to about finding a bed for the night.” (Reply Raschen, Salid, any) (Posted by Jackie Smith) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Sickbay - Lt JG Tayla Fraiser - Day 8- 1314) Standing outside sickbay, she felt the familiar feeling of standing on the edge of a mountain. It was here she was going to make her name and her home and she said a silent prayer that the CMO was nice and not a tyrant. Sighing, she thought to herself, ~Well, nothing venture, nothing gained.~ and stepped through the doors. The sickbay looked nothing like her previous ship. It was huge in comparrisson and it just added to the whole sense of awe that she was carrying. Looking around for a moment, she took in the sights and sounds of her new workplace. Taking a deep breath, she spotted the CMO's office and walked towards it. The woman inside looked deep in paperwork and this brought a smile to Tayla's face. Knocking gently on the outside of the office, she said, "Commander Caskie?" (Reply Caskie) Walking into the room, she held out her hand and said, "Lieutenant Tayla Fraiser, reporting in, Ma'am." (reply Caskie) (Posted by Jackie Smith) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Counseling Office - COUNS Parker Davis and Lt JG Tayla Frasier - Day 8 - 1530) Parker finished up his short-form report on his last patient and saved the file. He glanced at his schedule, and saw that his next patient was a mandatory psych evaluation. ~An easy one,~ he thought, and grabbed an apple before she came in. He sped-read her file to get an idea of her background, and by the time he got to the bottom, she was at the door of his office. Tayla stood at the door to the counsellor's office and sighed. The traditional manditory pysch evaluations were not fun and she was thinking of plenty of ways to get in and out quickly. Fixing a smile on her face, she entered the office and said, "Hi, I've been ordered to report to you." She held out her hand and continued, "Lieutenant Tayla Fraiser, at your service." Parker stood as he looked up and saw that his next patient was a beautiful brunette, about his height with blue eyes. Her smile was forced--it was obvious she didn't want to be here, but he found himself attracted even to her reluctance. He forced himself to be professional though, as he smiled cordially and extended his own hand, taking hers. "Counselor Davis," he said as he came around the desk, hitting his hip on the corner. "You can call me Parker," he recovered. "You can have a seat anywhere." There was a stereotypical couch, but there were also several chairs and some colorful pillows in the back on a cartoon rug for the children who came to see him. He indicated the replicator on the wall and asked, "Would you like anything?" Tayla took a seat on the sofa and watched him walk over to the replicator. She could tell that he was attracted to her but reigned in her betazoid side and said, "I'll take a good strong black coffee, Two sugars." She watched him and though to herself, ~hmmm not bad. A Little young but a girl could teach the young ones a trick or two.~ He brought back her coffee and handed it to her before sitting down at a nearby chair with his own glass of water. He always liked to have something to drink during counseling sessions, even if he wasn't thirsty. Sipping the water took time, and that gave him an excuse not to talk when he needed to think, or when he wanted to encourage a patient to talk more without making them feel uncomfortable. "So this is just a routine evaluation everyone goes through when they come aboard," Parker explained. "Why don't we start with a bit of an introduction. Tell me about yourself, how you got into your career field, that sort of thing." He never took any notes during his sessions. He was able to remember the important details and record them right after the sessions, and he felt that it made people uncomfortable when they couldn't see what he was writing. Tayla took a sip of the coffee and said, "Well, what can I say? My mother and stepfather are both serving doctors so I kind of never stood a chance." She laughed. Taking another sip, she continued, "As for me, you've probably read my file. I'm part betazoid so I have the empathic side. It does come in handy when treating patients, I can tell you. But there's not much else to tell about me. What you see is what you get." It wasn't much information, but Parker simply nodded and crossed his ankle over his other knee as he leaned back, took a sip of water, and asked, "What did you think of your last assignment?" Tayla watched him for a moment and then said, "It was alright. The sickbay there was amazing but the Captain was a complete........ Right, be good. No swearing... He was, let's just say a bit of a tyrant. I transfered out of there as soon as I could." A shiver went down her spine when she remembered the real reason for her transfer and took another sip of her coffee to try and blow it back into the dark recesses of her mind. Parker took mental note of her reaction. She clearly didn't like her last assignment. "Captain Salid can be pretty strict," he said carefully. "Your file indicates that you're precise and good under pressure. How about when the pressure's off? It can sometimes be difficult for people who are good under pressure to handle strict commanding officers when there's no urgency. After all--if there's no fire, then there's no reason to kill yourself to do a simple task." He hoped that by giving her a justification for a negative response, he would encourage honesty. It wasn't a job interview, after all. Tayla watched him for a moment and then replied, "If he's fair then it should be fine. So long as he can handle a French Betazoid with a crazy sense of humour." She laughed a little. Despite herself, she actually found herself enjoying this guy's company. Even so, in the back of her mind, she knew he was evaluating her. She glanced around and then continued, "Seriously, I don't mind the strictness. I mean, he can't rule my life when I'm off duty, so whilst on the job, fair's fair." Parker nodded in agreement. She was relaxing a bit and being honest. He was happy with that. He found her incredibly distracting and was having trouble telling if he was asking the right questions. He found himself using the water a little more than usual, to give himself time to think. "So what do you like to do off duty?" he transitioned the conversation. Tayla smiled widely and said, "Well, I'm a voracious reader. I find it a lot more natural than the holodeck. There's just something about the turning of the page that i find so enthralling." She took a sip of the coffee and continued, " I do also dabble with music. I play flute mainly." "Really?" he said with interest, and smiled. "I love reading too," he offered. "I mostly read about history or spiritual stuff. And I've always wanted to learn a musical instrument. It seems like it would be a wonderful way to relax. Did you learn as a kid?" Tayla nodded and said, "Yeah. It relaxes me. I love to lose myself in the music or a good book. I'm more of a novel reader myself. Although I do have a soft spot for The Illiad. What a story!" She smiled, widely and continued, "My mother wanted me to learn an instrument. She plays piano and finds it relaxes her and helps her to meditate. I find it helps me to relax after a long day and it helps me deal with the daily rigors of being an empath." Parker smiled. "My mom plays the piano too. But she's not an empath or a telepath. I bet that gets pretty taxing on your mental reserves...handling the normal day-to-day people interactions, and on top of that knowing how they're feeling." ~Not to mention how *I'm* feeling,~ he thought, but forced himself to focus. Tayla smiled a little. She certainly could tell how he was feeling and it felt nice. She replied, "Yeah it can get a little taxing. It was worse during the war. But even now, there's still the odd moment or two when I do need to step away from a situation." She saw the moment that had caused her to ask for reassignment and shuddered again. It was not a memory she wanted to relive anytime soon and knew that, if this guy was any good, he'd pick up on something. Mentally, she shook herself and said, "I cope. I have to. Otherwise I'd become a basket case." He nodded slowly. "Sure," he agreed. "It must have been terrible during the war. Is it harder or easier to step away from a situation, the more intense it gets?" He asked as though he was genuinely curious, and he was. But he also needed to know if she believed she could handle others' emotions in ship-critical scenarios. Tayla nodded, "I won't deny it can make intense situations worse. But, saying that, I wouldn't have it any other way. It can be my greatest curse and my greatest ally. There's something to be said for being an empath. It makes relationships very interesting." He raised both eyebrows and laughed, imaging family dynamics and romance if one party knew what the other party was feeling ahead of time. "I bet!" he said with a grin. "You can decline to answer this question, but how are your relationships? With family, or friends, or others?" Tayla smiled and said, "Well, I'm not involved with anyone, if that's what you mean. Family is never a problem. I lost my father when I was young and grew up with my Stepdad. He's a good man. Strict but good. My friends, well, I have one close friend that I still speak to from my old post. She's a rock. Work people, I get on with. I think some people tend to grate on me but I cope." He nodded. ~Support system, good...~ "Understandable that people grate on you, considering you're an empath. This friend of yours, is she also in medicine?" Tayla smiled and said, "Actually no. She's an engineer. She taught me a little about engines but give me a sickbay and a patient to work on any day of the week. I think that's why we get on so well. My entire family are doctors so it's nice to have someone that isn't in the medical profession. Although, other medical people do understand the pressures of the job well." Parker nodded again and let his ankle down from his knee. "There are a few questions I'm obligated to ask you before our time is up. You can refuse to answer any of them. Okay?" When she indicated that he could continue, he asked, "How is your mood today?" Tayla took a last sip of her coffee and said, "Well, let's see. New ship, new crew, trying to find my way whilst trying to be a doctor? I'd say I'm doing alright." She giggled a little. He was making her a little nervous but in a good way. She placed her mug down and continued, "It's all a little overwhelming so far. Everyone seems so nice but there's still that mental thing of their trying to figure me out." He chuckled. "Even non-empaths have to deal with that mental thing of everyone trying to figure them out, when they're new," he said with a smile. "The difference is, we have to rely on body language and conversations to be able to tell. But it's still there. Don't worry--I'm sure everything will settle down soon and you'll fit right in." He smiled at her again and asked, "Here's the next obligatory question: Are you content in your current family, friend, and romantic relationships? Lack of a romantic relationship still counts." Tayla's eye brows raised a little as she thought to herself, ~Is that last remark a subtle way of asking something here.~ She replied, "Lack of is a good way of putting it. I would say complete and total desert on that front. I would love to have that other person there for support and the fun stuff too. But I can handle my own company. My family and friends I am more than happy with. The question should be are they happy with me?" "And do you believe they are?" Parker asked. She had just asked a classic psychology question. He wasn't going to ask it because it was intrusive on a first meeting and not required, but thinking about how other people thought of oneself often revealed more than talking about oneself did. She sighed as she thought back and said, "I would hope so. I mean, I've done nothing to warrant any bad feelings from them." She paused a moment as she thought to herself, ~apart from not telling them about the transfer yet.~ She continued, "The only way I can really answer that is by saying, you would need to ask them." ~A glance down and to the side,~ he noticed as she paused. ~Slight guilt, though not severe enough to be concerned about.~ She *had* done something that they might not like, Parker realized, but who hadn't? "Okay, fair enough," he said. "The next question is: Have you ever been angry enough with one of your crewmates or anyone else you know to physically harm them?" ~Oh great, I knew this would come up.~ She sighed and said, "I would decline to answer that one." She paused a second. "How much of this does Captain Salid get to see?" "None of it, unless there's something disturbing in it that I have to share with him by obligation," Parker answered, hoping that his tone conveyed reassurance. ~They always get nervous right about here...~ he thought. It was the hard part of this kind of discussion. He wanted to be friendly, especially with a new crewmember, but he had to do his job and ask the tough questions. He thought it was interesting that she declined to answer that question. There wasn't a note of a fight or anything in her record...perhaps something was handled off the record. "Do you want to keep going, or would you like to come back some other time?" Tayla shook her head and said, "It's not a problem. It's just a hard thing to talk about really. It's never easy when your commanding officer makes advances that you don't want and then makes your life a living hell when you turn them down." She sighed and stood up. Walking towards the window, she crossed her arms across her chest and said, "It's never that simple. I blame myself really. I should have seen it coming, with my empathic side and all. It just came out of the blue." ~So that's what made her leave,~ he thought. He wasn't expecting to get deep into her personal life at this point, but in his experience, empaths usually opened up more easily. "From what I understand," he said slowly, "and correct me if I'm wrong, but you don't allow yourself to be open to others' feelings all the time, right? You learn to control it, almost like an on and off switch. A little leaks through when you have it 'off', but not significantly more than what non-empaths feel through body language, tone, and facial expressions. Right?" Tayla turned back to Parker and nodded. "Even so, I should have seen something." She sighed and continued, "Not what you were expecting, I'll bet. Safe to say, he got the message in the end though." She smiled a little at that memory. The look on his face was picture perfect although she knew it had come periously close to ending her career. She'd been lucky that he had just suggested she leave rather than face anything official and she had been only too glad to do so. "Had you pressed charges, he would have faced a court martial," Parker stated. "Your message must have been pretty effective to satisfy you after he stepped out of line like that." She smiled at him and said, "Oh I think it was. You don't have anything to worry about though, Counsellor. I'm as stable as the next French person." She laughed. Taking her seat again, she said, "I would appreciate it if this was kept off the record. It's in the past and dealt with. I see no need for it to affect the present." He nodded. "Okay. I won't record it," he answered. "It wasn't a direct answer to any of the obligatory questions, so it doesn't have to go down in the file." He smiled a sympathetically and said, "Please don't be insulted by the next one. Have you ever considered hurting yourself?" Her reply was simple, "Oh hell no. I love being me. I wouldn't do that." Parker smiled at her response and nodded. "Okay, final question. When do you plan to leave the Rosenante?" It was a strange question, some people thought, but Parker thought it was one of the only good conversation starters in those obligatory questions. People rarely thought about when they were going to leave a ship when they had first arrived on it. Unless, of course, they had a set career goal in mind, and that was what was interesting about people's responses. She looked at him, quizically. This was not a question she had expected. "Wow, I hadn't really thought about that. I don't plan to leave anytime soon. I want to find a place to make a home, to settle down. I've moved from ship to ship for a long while and would like to just stay in one place." ~Especially if there's a good reason for staying put~ she thought to herself. Smiling, she continued, "I can't really say if I will ever plan to leave a place. I just want to be a good Doctor wherever the fleet puts me. If the perfect job offer came up, but I had a reason to stay, then that would be a different story all together." He nodded. "Okay, that's it for my questions, then," he said with a smile. "Do you have any questions for me?" Tayla thought for a second, ~Well, yeah. I do have one but that's a question for another day~ She smiled and then replied, "Well, I do have two. Did I pass? I mean, I'm safe to be released to the general ship population, I take it?" Parker laughed. "Yes, you're fully sane and in control of your faculties, as far as I can tell. You're not a danger to the ship or its crew, so you are free to go whenever you like and I don't see a need to see you again. Though this office is always open to you." ~Anytime, any day, any second, it doesn't matter, I'll even come at 0200 if you want...get ahold of yourself, Davis~ "What's your second question?" Tayla smiled. She could tell that he had felt something for her but she wasn't sure if it was genuine or if it was just a reaction to her appearance. She'd had that before and knew that it was difficult to tell. Especially with Humans. ~I'll take a chance with this one and see what happens~ she thought to herself and then replied, "Well, there is a second question. But I'm a little embarressed to ask." She knew exactly what she was doing here. After all, she was older than this guy and could tell she had the upper hand here. "Don't be embarrassed," Parker said, and tried an easy-going smile even though he was slightly nervous, suspecting that he knew what she would ask. Tayla smiled again. She opened her mind and could sense his nerves and then withdrew, not wanting to intrude. She gazed at him a second and found herself asking a question she never though she would have done, "I've not been on board that long and I'm having a little trouble finding my way around. This ship is a lot bigger than previous ones I've been assigned to. Care to give a girl a tour?" He grinned. He thought she was going to ask him to dinner, but then, there was still time for him to ask her, if they spent time touring together. "Of course," he said. "When are you free today?" She bit her bottom lip a little and replied, " Well I'm free now. But I suspect you might be a little busy with a ship this size. I think I would have to say, when are you free?" "Let me check," he said, and walked over to his desk. He was so intent on viewing his schedule that his hit his other hip this time on the same corner of his desk. He hoped she didn't notice. After looking at his schedule he said, "My last appointment comes in about a half hour. So do you want to say...two hours from now?" Tayla smiled, rose from her chair and said, "That sounds perfect." She held her hand out again and said, "It's been a pleasure." He extended his hand again and shook hers, a smile on his face even as she left. "Pleasure's all mine. See you soon," he said. Tayla walked through the door and then a thought occured to her. She turned back and said, "Just out of interest, you might want to think about where we start this tour from cause otherwise we might miss each other." She winked, waved and walked out of the office. His smile dropped and was replaced by a dumbfounded look, followed shortly by a 'facepalm.' He quickly ran around his desk, hitting his hip yet again on the corner. He stuck his head out his door and shouted down the corridor, "Meet me here! See you then!" (posted by Jackie Smith and Morgan G) ------------------------- USS Rosenante - Counseling Office - COUNS Parker Davis and Lt JG Tayla Frasier - Day 8 - 1700) Tayla stood outside the office for a moment. ~Okay girl, you can do this. It's just a tour of the ship. Nothing more~ She thought to herself. She took a deep breath and pressed the wall console to announce her presence. Parker finished the last sentence of his short-form notes about his last patient, and then saved the file just as the door chimed. ~Excellent timing,~ he thought, and stood. He made his way around his desk--this time swinging the turn extra-wide--and approached the door to meet her there. He opened the door with the manual button on the wall and grinned when their eyes met. "Ready?" Tayla returned his smile and said, "As I'll ever be." She slipped an arm through his and said, "Lead on Macduff." "Macduff, eh?" he said, raising an eyebrow. He was physically unable to stop smiling after she had slipped her arm in his. They walked together down the corridor and he wished desperately that he could remember a single line from Shakespeare. But he came up empty. Instead, he said, "Howest shall we start? Beist nothing interesting below deck ten...'tis all engineering nonsense. Let us start with Deckest 9." ~I sound like a brain-damaged literature professor...~ Tayla laughed and replied, "That sounds fine by me, Kind sir. This lady shall follow your lead." She smiled and said, "Well, you know about me. Tell me about you." ~Apart from the fact that you are smiling like a kid in a candy shop and I know exactly where your mind is right now.~ she thought to herself. Mentally shaking her mind, she quickly threw up her mental barriers. She wanted this to be a surprise and not have too much of a heads up on where things were going. "Okay," he started, and they boarded the turbolift. "Deck 9," he said, and it started moving. "I grew up on Earth, in a place called Detroit. Have you heard of it?" Tayla pursed her lips for a second and then replied, "Don't think so. I grew up in France but moved to San Fransisco." She paused a second and then playfully hit his arm and said, "Of course I've heard of it, silly." He laughed. "Well, who knows? It's a big planet." It wasn't a big planet, but oh well. "I don't have any siblings...um...let's see...I like historic holodeck programs, and I like reading. But you knew that already," he said, trying to think of something interesting. "I've never been swimming." She smiled and knew what she was about to say would probably make him a little hot under the collar. ~You are wicked girl~ She thought to herself and then replied, "Oh well, there's something we have to do. I love nothing more than jumping into a bikini and going for a swim. There's something about being in the water that's almost like flying." ~A bikini~ Parker thought, and couldn't help the image that popped into his mind. That image stuck there as they got off the turbolift and started walking down Deck 9's central corridor. "Well, here we are, Deck 9." ~Deck 9...Deck 9...what's on Deck 9?~ "Holodeck 1...holodeck 2...some crew quarters..." ~What's down aft...?~ "Oh yeah, and the torpedo launchers." He stopped and spun to point forward. "There's the forward torpedo launchers and magazine storage up there, and then aft, where we're going, are the aft torpedo launchers and magazine storage. Some lifeboats there..." He glanced over at her. "When do you want to teach me how to swim?" Tayla smiled. She knew that he was thinking of the image she had just subtly planted in his mind and she could read what that was doing to him, even without her Betazoid side. She thought for a second and said, "Well, Let's see," she thought to herself, ~Hmm, I know what he's really wanting here. Oh God, this is gonna be fun~ She continued, "Well, how much time do you have now?" "Right now? Well...I guess I have the rest of the evening. We are right here at two holodecks, we can see if they're available." Tayla grinned and said, "Well, let's get to it. I'll have you swimming in no time at all." ~Unless something else comes up.~ She smiled and said, "I have the perfect programme. Nice sandy beach, tropical landscape and good sun. You game?" "Absolutely," he said, though he was actually nervous. He had never even *tried* swimming, and heard that some people were 'sinkers'. Swimming had been knocked off the requirement list for Counselors at the Academy the year before he arrived. So he had never even been in a pool before. Let alone an ocean. "As long as the safeties stay on." ~Damn it, did I say that out loud?~ Tayla smiled and said, "Safeties are always on. Last thing I want to happen is to drown on a holodeck. I can assure you that where we are going, the view alone is going to be worth it. Even if we never go swimming." "I think I could guarantee that too, even though I have no idea where we're going," he said, and immediately checked himself. ~Did I just say THAT out loud?~ Then he laughed as they approached the holodeck. Tayla laughed and said, "Right bear with me a second." She slipped her arm from his and typed a few commands and waited for the computer. Soon it let her know that the programme was ready. She turned back to Parker and said, "Ready for this? Golden beach of Tahiti?" "Sounds good to me. I've never been there." He walked in the holodeck and was amazed. It was such a beautiful sight! The blue sky, the beautiful sand, the ocean water...the warm wind against his face, the scent of the ocean in his nose...he had never been to any beach let alone such a spectacular one. "Wow," was all he said at first. Then he unzipped his outer jacket and his vest, leaving them on the 'sand' by the door. He unzipped his tunic as well and dropped it on the pile of clothing, and then ended with his boots and socks, and glanced at her. "Uh...what, exactly, do I do next?" He suspected that the computer would make him a pair of swim trunks, but having never tried this before, he didn't know if the computer would dress him or if he would need to find an extra-wide palm tree. Tayla looked at him a second and drew a breath. ~Not too bad.~ she thought to herself. The view was amazing and it had been a long time since she'd used this programme. She shook herself away from him and said, "Computer, give the man a pair of trunks and a screen to change behind." She watched as the screen appeared and said, "Next, you get changed. I'll do the same." She walked to the other side of the screen and began to change, whispering, "Computer, Bikini please." He felt like an idiot, not realizing that you could ask the computer for a screen. He hadn't spent that much time in the holodeck changing. He had actually collected the costumes he needed and usually walked into the holodeck with them on. Or he just played the program in his normal clothing. When he had finished changing he was tightening the drawstring on the swim trunks and looked up, seeing her emerge in the bikini. "Wow." He grinned. "See, I knew the view would be excellent." Tayla put a hand on her hip and said, "Yeah the view's good." ~What the hell is going on here. This is too quick. Less than a day on board and this.... Hell, don't fight it.~ She told the computer to remove the screen and walked close to him, saying, "You sure you're ready for this? First time and all that?" She was close enough now that she could tell his mind was elsewhere. "I think I can do it," Parker said, and smiled at her. ~Don't make a fool out of yourself. Don't drown. Don't flap around like an idiot. Don't sink.~ There were so many things he was telling himself not to do, he wondered what he would do once in the water. She smiled and said, "Well, come on then." She ran to the water and dove right in. It felt good to be back in the water. After a few moments, she resurfaced and looked back at him. She smiled, walking to the edge of the water and held out her hand, saying, "Let's just start simple. Just come and stand in the water for a moment." He raised an eyebrow as if to question if she knew what she was talking about, and then took a tentative step in the water. He felt the gentle roll of the waves against his ankles, and the warm water moving the sinking sand beneath his feet. The hymn "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand" had new meaning for him as he picked his feet up out of the sand and wiggled his toes once he set them down again. He grinned. "That's pretty cool," he decided. Tayla watched him for a moment. ~Okay, he is kind of cute.~ She walked a little deeper into the water and said, "Just follow me. I promise I won't go to fast for you." She gestured for him to follow and said, "Tell you what, if you make it this far, there will be a little reward." He would have made a remark if he wasn't holding his arms out like a first-time ice skater trying to balance. He was using all his energy to concentrate on the water. He slowly made his way through the water, chuckling in embarrassment when some seaweed brushed up against him and he jumped. "Almost there..." he said, holding his arms up as if trying to keep them dry. He wasn't sure why he was doing that, but it felt right, almost like he could catch himself on the water's surface should he lose his footing. Tayla laughed a little at him. ~Bless him~ She thought to herself as she watched him make his way to her side. She lightly touched his arm and said, Winking, "You can put your arms down, you know. Nothings going to happen here. You're safe with me." He laughed, embarrassed. "Don't judge..." he said, and asked, "What's one thing you've never done before?" Tayla looked away for a second. She had a sudden attack of nerves. Swallowing, she turned back and said, "Well, there is one thing. But I'm a little embarrassed." "I hope it's not teaching someone how to swim," he said with a chuckle, and then reached out with his hand and put it on her arm. "Whatever it is, you can tell me." She looked down at his hand on her arm and then looked up at him. She smiled and said, "Well, rather than tell you it might be better if I show you." "While you teach me to swim?" he asked, completely lost. "Okay...I'm game..." She smiled and said, "I need to get a little closer." She moved so she was face to face with him. "You sure you don't mind?" "I don't mind at all," he said softly as she moved in, until they were within inches of each other. His heart-rate increased, and despite the breeze and the waves against his chest, he started to perspire. She smiled and placed a hand on the side of his face and said, softly, "Close your eyes." "In here?" he asked, his voice going up in frequency a bit, and he cleared his throat. "Okay," he decided, and closed his eyes. ~I hope she doesn't dunk me...~ Tayla watched as he closed his eyes and she did the same and reached out with her mind. She could sense his fear of the water and of what was to come and she wanted to wipe that all away for him. She gently took the fear down to a small hum that was normal for any person and opened her eyes. She watched him for a second, her hand still on his face and said, "Okay you can open your eyes now." He opened his eyes, and he felt...different, somehow. He felt at ease. The waves softly lapped over his chest, and his muscles relaxed as his feet sank in the sand. It occurred to him that she had just used touch telepathy...or something...to relax him in the water. "That's amazing," he said, smiling at her. She returned his smile and said, "Well, that's the first time in a very long time I've done that. I was worried I was out of practice. But I suppose it helps that...." She stopped. ~What on earth were you going to say to him? Don't scare the poor guy away. Reign it in girl.~ "That what?" he asked, and grinned. "That I can only improve?" He was feeling more at ease now, and was actually eager to start swimming. She smiled and said, "That's not what I was going to say..." She paused a second and blushed slightly. Smiling, she continued, "Let's carry on." ~Just say it.~ she thought to herself but she also knew that he would probably run a mile. She turned to him and said, "First thing, you need to dunk your head under the water." He frowned. "Why is that necessary? Shouldn't I learn to float or paddle or something first?" She smiled and said, "Because, if you do go under, you'll know what to expect." She gently rubbed his arm and continued, "Please don't worry. I'm not going to let you drown. Besides, the safeties are on, remember?" She winked. He sighed, and forced a smile. "Okay. So I just...stick my head under?" ~Just do it!~ he told himself, realizing that this was one of those things that until he plunged under, he wasn't going to feel comfortable with. So he did. He took a deep breath and stuck his head under. His feet still touched the ocean floor, and his eyes were closed under the water at first. He realized he should open them, and the salt stung his eyes but he kept them open for a moment before he was forced to close them again and take his head out of the water. He didn't realize water in one's ears would feel so strange...though he was now more concerned with the stinging in his eyes that would likely disappear after a moment, when his natural tears took the saltwater's place. He blinked, and rubbed the water out of his eyes with his fingers. Tayla watched Parker rubbing his eyes and she smiled. She reached over to him and said, "Here, let me. Computer, Towel." She waited until the towel materialised and, gently, rubbed the water from Parker's eyes and said, "There, is that better?" "Yeah," he said, and chuckled, embarrassed. "I guess I should've realized that saltwater would sting your eyes." He smiled at her. "What's the next step to swimming besides realizing the purpose of goggles?" She smiled, laughed and replied, "Tell you what..... Let's take a break for a few minutes. After all, for a guy who's never swum before, dunking the head is a big achievement." She began to walk towards the shore and, once out, sat on the sand and sighed. She felt at peace here and wanted a moment to appreciate the surroundings. All of them. His eyebrows went up slightly as he followed her out of the water and discovered that sand sticks to one's skin when it's wet. He smiled as he made his way over to her on the shore and sat down on the sand, getting it stuck to himself and promptly wiping his hands off so they were sand-free. He was surprised how quickly he dried off in the sun. "Thanks for giving me this experience. It's honestly like nothing I've ever done before," he said, and purposely placed his hand in the sand so that their arms touched. Tayla could sense what he was trying to do even without using her betazoid side. ~So he wants to play it this way. Hmmm let's see.~ she thought to herself. She lifted her hand and gently gripped his, saying, "It's been a pleasure. Honestly, I haven't had such a good time in ages." He was ecstatic that she took his hand--it confirmed for him that she was on the same page. Ever the gentleman, though, he wouldn't step past what he considered proper boundaries for a 'first date.' Instead, he leaned in and breathed a deep breath of fresh ocean air, then said, close to her ear but still far enough to be polite, "You know, swimming made me kinda hungry. How about you?" She turned and looked in his eyes and said, "Yeah, the swimming has made me kind of hungry." ~But not for what you're thinking~ she thought to herself. She smiled, slightly at him and sighed, lightly. ~Now we're definitely on the same page,~ he thought. But were they moving too fast? ~Think about the consequences of your actions,~ his conscience yelled at him. ~Don't do anything you're going to regret later...~ He moved in closer and whispered against her neck, "Maybe we should eat, then." He kissed her lightly, and moved away slowly, waiting for her reaction before he continued. She felt his lips lightly touch her neck and she closed her eyes briefly. ~Oh. That's done it.~ she thought to herself. She turned to him and, lightly touched his face and said, "I don't normally do this." She leant forward and returned his kiss lightly on the lips. He felt his head tingling in the sunlight, the familiar feeling of excitement and attraction that pushed those cautious thoughts out of his mind and drove him to wrap his free hand around the small of her back and return the kiss, turning his head to the side to smoothly transition the light kiss into a full-blown kiss. When it was over, he moved back slightly and said waited for her feedback, a smile on his face. Tayla felt his lips on hers and melted. When he pulled away, she kept her eyes closed a moment and then opened them softly. She looked at him and said, "Parker... I..." She paused a second. She wanted to try and explain things but couldn't find the right words. She looked away from him and continued, ".... I .... I don't usually act like this. I've never kissed a guy when I've known him less than 6 hours. Don't think bad of me. Please. And please don't think this is some sort of a reaction to why I left my previous ship because it isn't. I like you." She stopped, still not looking back and waited for him to reply, nervously biting her bottom lip. He gently placed his finger on her chin and pulled it up, so they could look at each other. "I think very highly of you," he said smoothly. "And I like you very much, too." He smiled brightly at her. She took his hand in hers and smiled back, saying, "You don't even know me. But i'm not going to argue with you." She rested her head on his shoulder and continued, "Parker, whilst I could stay here for a long while yet, what do you say to getting something to eat? I would like to change first into something less revealing." He laughed. "I think I'd rather you ate with that on," he said jokingly, and then shook his head as he rose. "Let's change and go find someplace on the ship to eat. I'll pick you up at your place in about a half hour. Sound good?" When it was agreed, they departed the holodeck happily. Parker realized that he still did not know how to swim, and she still had not seen most of the ship, but at the moment, there were far more important things to consider. He felt an excited flutter in his chest as he realized what they had started here. (reply No-one) (Posted by Jackie Smith and Morgan G) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Tradewinds - Lt JG Tayla Frasier and COUNS Parker Davis - Day 8 - 1830) Parker had changed into a pair of black pants and a green v-neck sweater. As he approached her quarters, he realized his hands were sweating like a teenager's. He smirked and wiped them off on his pants. This was all happening so quickly...it was only hours ago that they had met. He wondered if this was 'love at first sight', a divinely inspired relationship, or somehow a mistake that he just couldn't see? Despite his nervousness, he was happy when he rang her doorchime and awaited her answer. She heard the doorchime and smiled. ~on time, that bodes well~ she thought to herself as she placed the brush she had been using onto the table. Having changed into a light blue floaty skirt and a white tshirt, she felt comfortable. She walked to the door and, as it opened, she said, "Why Mr Davis, fancy seeing you here!" Parker laughed. "You don't happen to be hungry, do you? Because while I'm here, we might as well go to dinner together." She smiled widely and replied, "You read my mind." She walked into the corridor and continued, "Care to take a girl to dinner?" She held out her hand. "Why ma'am, I'd be obliged," Parker said in his best Southern American accent. ~You're being more random tonight than you've been in months,~ he thought, but brushed the thought aside as he took her hand and they walked down the corridor to the turbolift. His hand felt warm against hers and she felt safer in the here and now than she had done in months. Whether it was the company of an attractive man or whether it was the fact that she was free. She glanced at her companion and said, "So where is it we're going then? I just wonder in case I need to be more dressy than I am now." "You look fantastic," he said immediately, and then smiled as he informed her, "We're headed to Tradewinds. The best place to eat on the ship...and there's a concert tonight, I think." They boarded the turbolift and he instructed it to take them to Tradewinds. As they stood in the turbolift, Tayla suddenly began to feel nervous. It occured to her that this had happened fast but she knew that she liked him. ~But does he like me or is it just the outside he sees.~ she thought to herself. As the doors opened, she heard soft music eminating from behind the doors opposite the turbolift. It seemed that they had some fellow musicians on the ship and she was excited to see them. She glanced at Parker and said, "They sound good." "I've heard them before--they're very good. It makes me wish I had listened to my mom as a kid and learned how to play something. Do you ever play in front of people?" "I have done. But it's more a personal pleasure. Although I could be persuaded to do a private performance." She replied and winked at him . He grinned back at her. "I would love that," he told her. He nodded toward an open table far enough from the stage that it wouldn't be too loud for conversation, but close enough to see the musicians. "What are you interested in tonight?" She smiled. Watching the musicians for a second, she took a seat at the table and said, "Dinner, music, good company. Let's see where the evening takes us." He chuckled. "I meant on the menu, but I think I agree anyway," he said, and pulled the PADD to the center of the table so they could both see what the chef was serving tonight at Tradewinds. "I've had the potatoes before--if you're into potatoes, they're excellent," he commented. She smiled and said, "I'm trying to watch my figure. Too much carbohydrates. I think I'll try the salad." As he ordered, she listened to the music being played by some rather excellent musicians. It was a light and airy jazz number that she hadn't heard before. She felt relaxed and at ease. Sighing, she leant her head onto Parker's shoulder and closed her eyes to fully appreciate the music. Her feet tapping lightly on the floor, she said, "This is nice." He nodded and put his arm around her shoulders, smiling as they listened to the music. Tayla felt at peace in the here and now. It was as if this was right and she revelled in it. But there was a thought in the back of her mind as to whether he actually liked her or whether he just saw the outside. The lingering doubt was flying around her mind like a bee and she was glad for the food arriving. She smiled to the waiter and said, "Thankyou." She began to eat quietly and could feel him watching her. He noticed that she was glancing at him out of her peripheral vision, and he looked at his own food for a moment before looking back at her and smiling. "Sorry, I just have to say it. You're one of the only people I know who looks beautiful while she eats." Heat rose in her cheeks and she turned to him and said, "Are you always this comlimentary or is this purely for my benefit?" He grinned. "Neither--I'm being honest," he stated simply. Smiling, she placed down her fork and said, "Well, perhaps then the question should have been how did I get to be this lucky?" "My guess is that one of your parents also looks beautiful when they eat," Parker joked as he gathered a bite of mashed potatoes on his fork and savored the flavor of garlic, butter, and herbs. Shaking her head, she said, "Are you sure you're not Irish? You have the gift of the gab." The rest of the meal went smoothly, and when they were both finished, she smiled, looked at him a moment and said, "What do you say we get out of here?" He smiled back. "Sounds like a plan. Where would you like to go?" She rose from her chair and said, "Some place quiet. There's something I want to explain to you." His expression was slightly surprised as he rose from his chair and entered his Credit information into the PADD on the table, leaving a few Credits for a tip as well. "Okay," he said. "I think I know just the place." He took her hand as they departed Tradewinds and went directly to the turbolift. "Deck 23," he ordered, and once they got off the turbolift amidst the stark change in scenery from the aesthetically pleasing Tradewinds to the utilitarian contingency quarters, thruster quads, and consumables storage, Parker offered an explanation. "I didn't grow up on starships, but one of my patients did, and he once told me that every starship has a secluded spot where crew keep a small amount of furniture and effectively have a private meeting place. Provided there's no one here..." he rounded the corner and saw that the small space underneath the thruster quads was empty, save for two padded reclining chairs and a small table between them. A lone replicator was on the wall near the contingency quarters was across from the recessed area where the chairs were, and a viewing window was underneath the chairs at an angle, providing a beautiful view of the stars. He jumped down the small drop that led into the tiny area with the chairs, and then held out his hand to her. Taking his hand, she jumped down to his side and took a seat. Looking at the view, she sighed. Without looking at him, she began, "This is.... well, let me say firstly that I do really like you, Parker. I've never met anyone like you. But there is something I need to explain to you." She sighed, the nerves of what she was about to explain were flying through her mind as she continued, "I told you about what happened on my last ship. It hurt and it changed me in more ways than I envisoned. I didn't know what to do and I had nowhere to turn. I couldn't cope with what was happening. I did things that I wasn't proud of and took it out on people I shouldn't have done. Things got on top of me and I found myself spiralling. But then, I saw this oppertunity and I grabbed it with both hands. I never expected to find you." She could feel a small tear falling on her cheek. Wiping it away, she continued, "I suppose what I'm trying to say is I'm scared. I don't want to lose this but I need to take it slowly. Take time to adjust to myself and that someone finds me attractive, and not just from the outside. Do you mind?" Parker felt his stomach doing a somersault, and realized that this wonderful woman he had so quickly fallen for was asking for some breathing space. ~A reasonable request, especially after what she's been through. You've known each other for what, three hours? Take a step back, Davis, before you smother the poor woman.~ He nodded, and said, "I'll move at any pace you want. I promise I won't try to force anything on you, whether it's a relationship, or a conversation, or dinner, or a snack." He smiled slightly. "I understand how you feel and if you want," he took a deep breath, "I'll go away. I'll move at your speed. You have my solemn word." Grasping his hand, she replied, "The last thing I want is for you to go anywhere. I..... I think what I'm trying to say is that I wanna take things slow. Date, feel those butterflies in the stomach, think 'Is he thinking about me,' and enjoy what it is this could be. I want to enjoy what this is and take things slowly, not rush into anything because I think this could be something great and I want to find out." She laughed a little, the feeling of a weight lifting off her shoulders made her relax. Looking to the stars at her feet, she said, "Basically, I want you to sweep me off my feet, Mr Davis. Can you do that?" Parker grinned at her and said, "Why, m'lady, sweeping a fair maiden off her feet is my specialty." For dramatic affect, he kissed the back of her hand and took a theatrical bow. Then he laughed and said, "Like I said, you set the pace, and I'll follow along. But don't get the wrong idea. I'm going to work my hardest to give you a surprise every now and then." He winked at her playfully. Curtseying, she smiled and said, "Surprises I don't mind." Tayla, a gleam in her eye that hadn't been there in a long time, walked to his side, kissed him lightly on the cheek and continued, "Now, would you care to walk a lady to her quarters? It's been an eventful day, to say the least, and I need to get unpacked and get to bed." She held out her hand, "Is that alright?" "That's perfect," he said, and took her hand as he stood. He jumped up the ledge that got them back onto the corridor, and then helped Tayla up after him. As they started down the corridor toward the turbolift, he said, "You know, I'm really looking forward to this." As they reached the turbolift, she stopped and said, "What, getting rid of me for the night?" With a wink, she entered the turbolift. He laughed, and ordered the turbolift, "Deck 10." He turned to her and smiled genuinely. "Thank you for being honest with me." ~Well I could be a little more honest but I don't wanna scare you away.~ she thought to herself as the turbolift began to hum it's way to their destination. She nodded and said, "I won't lie. That was not the easiest of conversations I've ever had. But, if I've learnt anything recently, it's to be honest." He smiled. ~A lesson I learned a long time ago, the hard way.~ "Well, it's the first step to a good relationship." They stopped outside her quarters. "Thank you for a great evening," he said, and used her held hand to pull her closer to him. She looked at him as he pulled her closer and smiled, widely saying, "And thank you for being so understanding." She put her arms around his waist and pulled him towards her. He leaned in and kissed her gently, not as passionately or as long as they had on the holodeck. When they were finished, he said with a smile, "And I'll save the other half of that kiss for later to give you something to look forward to." Smiling, she looked at him and said, "Hmmm, that will be something to look forward to. Thank you Parker, for a wonderful night." She kissed him lightly on the cheek and entered her quarters with a smile on her face that hadn't been there in a very long time. As Parker walked away, he thought about what he had started here. What *they* had started. It wasn't his first relationship, but it was his first in a while. He truly hoped it was successful. As he got into the turbolift, he found himself praying a brief, simple prayer. ~God, if it's Your will, I pray that you bless us as we move forward.~ (reply none necessary) (posted by Jackie Smith and Morgan G) ----------------------- (USS Rosenante – Personal Quarters – Ass. CMO Tayla Fraiser - Day 8 – 2105) Slowly blowing the steam off her mug of tea, Tayla sat by the window of her living area and sighed. The day had brought many surprises. Firstly, the new ship and new crew. They had all made her welcome and Josh, the Chief Medical Officer, had seemed nice enough. Only time would tell how that relationship would work. Then, Captain Salid. He seemed a fair and capable Captain that may have had a hard exterior but clearly cared for his crew. But the one surprise of the day that eclipsed them all was Parker. Sighing as she thought of the night they had spent and the moment on the holodeck when he had kissed her brought a smile to her face. Pulling her knees up to her chest, she thought back to her first relationship. That had come the first few days at the academy. He had also been training to be a doctor. She smiled as she thought about him and how things had gone. They had gotten close but never gone the whole way to consumating a relationship. In fact, that had ended badly. She had wanted to wait but it seemed that he couldn't and he'd seen someone else. Then there was the engineer or her first assignment. They had consumated things but, again, it seemed that when he realised she could tell what he was feeling before he knew himself, that he'd found that a little odd and broken things off. After all this, there had been a few dates but nothing serious. She sighed. Her dating history read like a whos who of bad dates and then there had been the Captain. Tomlinson. Shivering as she remembered his hands creeping over her shoulders and the fact that she had literally had to hit him to make him stop..... She didn't think that she was capable of ever finding anyone and yet here she was. Parker had made her feel again. Something she never thought would happen and was amazed that it had done. She could feel herself, even after only knowing him a few hours, falling for the guy. He was sweet, handsome and seemed to understand her need to take things slowly. Thinking to herself, She thought, ~I hope that he doesn't see me as damaged goods. I mean, what would I do if that was the case. If he knew, he'd probably run a mile.~ Walking towards her bed, she said a silent prayer to no-one in particular that he was a stand up guy. ~Please let him see me for who I am and not what's on the outside.~ (Reply No-one) (Posted by Jackie Smith) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante – Personal Quarters – Ass. CMO Tayla Fraiser - Day 8 – 2210) Tayla found herself lying in bed, unable to sleep. She'd been tossing and turning for the best part of an hour and still no luck. Sighing, she knew what the problem was. She closed her eyes and sighed. Straightening her uniform, the nerves set in. This was always the hardest part of the Fleet life. Meeting the new captain. Sighing, she thought to herself, ~Well it's now or never.~ She reached for the console outside the Captain's door and announced her presence. Hank Tomlinson had been reading over crew reports for the past hour and a half, running on three hours of sleep. This was his sixth cup of coffee that day. His son Jack had sent him a subspace message yesterday stating that he was not coming home for his mother's birthday. He was instead going skiing with friends. Hank had been so dumbfounded that he hadn't even replied to the message. He didn't plan to, either. When the door chimed, he hit the 'enter' button without even looking up. But when he did look up, his eyes opened wide, for just a second, before he regained his composure. He couldn't believe it. There standing before him was his Clara. Her picture was long buried in his desk drawer. For five years now, it hadn't moved from that spot. Since the explosion. Since her 'heroic' end. But here she was...he nearly addressed this woman as Clara, but was able to keep his composure as he asked, "May I help you?" Tayla enetered and handed him her orders and said, "Lieutenant Fraiser, Sir. Reporting for duty." She looked at him, it was evident the reaction to her had played across his face. She could tell that he was surprised to see her but as to why, she wasn't sure. She stood waiting as he read the PADD, nervously waiting to see what he would ask. "Counselor," he nodded, and put the PADD on the top of a stack. He couldn't seem to collect his thoughts. Every feature, every contour of her being, the curve of her hips, the size of her feet, the smooth, skinny hands, the full lips and gorgeous eyes, the way she wore her hair, the color of her skin...she could have been Clara's twin sister. Well...she could have been Clara's twin sister when they first met. This woman was almost young enough to be his daughter. He wondered how the universe could be so cruel to send someone like her to work on his ship. But then, the thought occurred to him. ~It's not cruel fate. This is the opportunity you've been waiting for. She is so...*lovely*. And is probably just like Clara...she's a counselor. That's an excellent excuse to get to know her.~ "Tell me about yourself," he said, offering her the couch of his ready room. A little unsure, Tayla took the seat offered and replied, "Well, there's not that much to tell, Sir. I've been in the fleet a few years now. I love the fleet life. Being able to help people is what I was born to do." She paused a second, realising that she was babbling and sounding like a recruiting officer. She smiled and continued, "I always wanted to help people. That's why I became a doctor." "Doctor? Oh..." he looked at the PADD. Clara had been a counselor. He could have *sworn* he saw 'counselor'. "Yes, I suppose that's right," he said. ~Still Medical. Close enough...~ "Your history, where are you from, Tayla?" He got up and went to sit next to her, his gaze never leaving her amazingly bright eyes. She caught his gaze and there was something behind it. ~There is something going on here.~ She thought to herself as she replied, "Well, I suppose everything you could want to know is in my file. I'm French by birth. Lived most of my life in Marseilles and moved to San Fransisco to attend the Academy." She stopped, still couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't right. There was something here that shouldn't be happening but she couldn't figure it out. His eyes lit up. Marseilles. That was where Clara was born. She didn't live there long, but it wasn't a coincidence. This was how it was supposed to be. "That's remarkable," he whispered, and then shook his head. "I apologize, Doctor. My...a very close friend of mine was also from Marseilles. I think you'll very much like it here on the Gregory." Their conversation continued and he barely heard what she said. His eyes scanned her features, memorizing them as if when he let her go, she'd disappear. At the end of the conversation, he stood first and motioned toward the door. He walked with her the few steps there. "It's been a pleasure to meet you, Tayla. I enjoyed talking with you." Then she was gone. He leaned against his door frame, longingly staring at the door for a full two minutes before he dragged himself back to his desk. He placed his hand on the drawer, but didn't open it. Clara was no longer in there. She was now on his ship. ___ It was a few weeks later and he hadn't seen her much. "If I move her to second shift, then I can get Evans to cover first shift and move Pietro to third...this works. That leaves no gaps in the schedule." He spoke to himself as he shipped off the suggested senior staff medical schedule to his XO, William Howell. He then walked over to the replicator. Her absence wasn't because of work, it was because of him. He had done nothing to make her want to meet with him. He needed to show his appreciation for who she was, encourage her to come see him, without any overt movements that the crew might notice. The rescheduling would help, but he needed a more obvious gesture. "Computer, send a bouquet of petunias to Tayla Fraiser." He smiled. Petunias had been Clara's favorite. Settling down on her sofa, she picked up the PADD with the latest crew reports and began to read through the medical files. There were a few things that needed her attention but she couldn't focus. Things had become a little strange recently. Captain Tomlinson had, well, she wasn't sure what was going on. She'd avoided him as much as she could. There was something about the way he looked at her that made her uncomfortable. Sighing, she knew that this would have to be addressed. Placing the PADD down, she shook her head. Suddenly, she heard the unmistakable sound of a transporter beam in her room and she glanced round to see a small bunch of colourful flowers appear on the table infront of her. She gasped, shock in her mind. She knew instantly who it was. Walking slowly towards them, she spotted the card and the name, Hank. Fury rose through her and she began to shake. This was it. He needed to be told. She made her way to his office, not speaking to anyone. She reached his door and rapped on it loudly. It opened and she stormed in, yelling, "What the hell are you doing?" Hank's eyebrows went up. This wasn't the response he had expected. "I'm going through crew schedules, Tayla. Did you get my flowers?" he asked once the door had closed. He smiled, hoping she would realize he didn't mean anything malicious by sending them. His heart-rate increased and he became nervous...what if she had thought he was mocking her beauty? What if she had misunderstood? What if she didn't like Petunias? She turned to face him, shaking. She simply could not believe that he was sending her flowers. The message was obvious but it was not one that she had been ready for. Looking at him, she said, "What...... what.... I just don't understand." She sat on the sofa that she had found herself on many weeks ago. Unsure of what to say next, she simply sat quietly. "Tayla," he said softly, and came around his desk to sit next to her. "You're so beautiful." His hand levitated over hers, but he pulled back hesitantly. He saw his wife in her eyes, when they first met. Though she looked confused. "I don't mean anything malicious. I'm not trying to hurt you. I..." he pursed his lips, and looked down. Then he looked up again. "Are you hungry? Maybe we should get something to eat..." She looked at him, confusion in her eyes. She wasn't sure what had just happened but she knew this wasn't right. She stood and said, "Sir, what exactly are you trying to say?" He stood as well, and moved closer to her. "I'd like to be with you," he said gently, and touched her arm lightly. "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." ~You sound like a twelve-year-old,~ he chided himself. It was embarrassing, and his ears were turning red as he spoke. His mouth was dry, and his heart was pounding. His hands were starting to sweat. He had told her what he wanted, to have his Clara back again. That was the only explanation for why this was happening now, that she would appear at this point, so close to Clara's birthday when he was all alone, with Jack rejecting his mother's memory and off with his friends. Obviously they were supposed to be together, and it *could* work--he had already worked out the logistics so their shifts were lined up just right for her to see him when he was usually off, and no one would question it if she just came into his Ready Room every now and then. And they could use his quarters for more private encounters--he had relatively private quarters, around a corner from any foot traffic, so no one would see her come in. His wedding band was not on his hand so no one would think he was cheating on a planetside wife. He kept his private life to himself, so no one would question him anyway. It *could* work, but only if she wanted to help him feel again. Only if she wanted to reinvigorate feelings he had with Clara. Shock was the first thing that hit her. ~He wants to what? Oh god, what the hell do I do?~ she thought to herself as she felt his hand on her arm. She couldn't move. This was too much for her, too much to understand. She couldn't understand how this had happened, how she hadn't seen it coming. She looked at him, gently lifting his hand off her arm, and said, "I don't think this is a good idea. Perhaps, I should leave." She turned to leave. "Don't go--wait...you just don't understand," he implored her, and reached out, but then pulled back. Didn't she understand how beautiful she was? But of course...she didn't understand how he was perfect for her. He couldn't bring up Clara to her, to make her understand, or she would feel that she was not the center of his focus. "You're worth too much...you can't just leave," he said, nearly begging. "Please just stay for a little while and I'll explain." She looked at him, not believing what she was hearing. She almost felt pity for him. He was obviously feeling something for her but it was not reciprocated. She shook her head and said, "Sir, I can't. It's not right for me to stay. I don't know how I've given you the wrong idea but there isn't anything between us. There isn't ever going to be something between us. I'm just going to go." He felt panic. It was as if the room was closing in on him. This was his one shot to get Clara back, to feel again. And this woman...she wasn't willing to help him. ~No, she just doesn't feel it.~ He would have to awaken that feeling in her. He took a step towards her as she turned away, and spun her around in what he felt was a romantic gesture. He leaned in to kiss her. She reacted subconsciously and pushed him away. She watched as he stumbled back and she said, "What the hell? What did you think was going to happen?" She shook her head thinking, ~this has gone too far.~ She turned to leave again, she couldn't stay here. Not now. "No! You just don't understand! I have to make you understand!" God-damn it, he was the captain, and she was *not* doing her duty. She was balking her duty--an honorable duty, and shoving it in his face. She was desecrating Clara's memory. Every minute she walked in that body... His rage was building up in his chest and he lunched for her, trying to grasp her arm before she left. She felt his hand grasp her arm. She turned and stumbled backwards herself. She felt her back hit against a wall and she stopped. This was getting way out of hand. She could feel the anger coming off him in waves and it terrified her. She held out her other arm, almost in a pleading stance and said, "Sir, Please...." "Just *listen*!" he yelled, and looked at the fear in her eyes. That only made him madder. Tears started forming in his eyes as imagined Clara's petunias in the garbage. He took her shoulders in his hands as he screamed, "How could you reject those flowers?!" She felt him shake her and winced in pain as his fingers dug into her shoulders. She felt tears in her eyes and she looked at him, pleadingly and said, "Please, you're hurting me." "You don't understand," he said, and grasped her as he stopped. He felt like if he let go, she would never come back. Certainly she wouldn't now, after the way he'd just behaved. "You can't go, I can't lose you," he told her, "You're my only hope. I have to make you understand..." He pressed her against the wall, breathing heavily and trying to think what he should do next. This could end his career. He had gotten himself into this--no, *she* had gotten him into this. *She* had forced him into this position, and now he was stuck. He couldn't let her go. She would end his career if he did. And she would end his chance at love. She wasn't Clara. She was...*evil*. Pure evil, to look so much like Clara once did, and to be so terrible a person. He leaned in, the sadness deep in his eyes as he got close to her and whispered, "How *could* you?" He felt the rage rise up once again and he shook her once more, banging her into the wall as he screamed, "HOW COULD YOU?!?" It was then that it hit her, with a vengence, that this was dangerous. Her head hit the wall again and the pain exploded in her mind. She closed her eyes a moment and reacted instinctively. She knew it would end her career and probably her life but she also knew that she needed out of here and quickly. She looked at him and said, "Sir, I'm so sorry. I really am" She swiftly threw her knee into his groin and prayed that this would drive home what had happened. There was an explosion of pain. He saw stars, literally. He felt dizzy and saw the walls and ceiling moving away from him as he collapsed to the ground. He lost his voice, and his hands went down to that area to protect it. He stared at her in disbelief and pain. She truly was evil. He tried to speak, but couldn't. He could say nothing as he squirmed on the floor, instinctively trying to find a position that wasn't painful. She looked at him and felt pity. Her shoulders and back were painful and there would be a large bump on her head shortly if she didn't get to sickbay soon. But she also knew she couldn't. Too many questions. She watched him for a moment and then simply walked out. Tayla woke with a start. She hadn't thought about what had happened in a long time and she could feel her heart racing. She thought back to what had happened next. How the FO Howell had found her and helped her transfer through to the Rose. She smiled as she remembered what he's said to her as she was leaving, “Whatever you do.... Don't carry this with you.” A smile crept on her face as she thought of Parker a second and she said, “Well, sir. That's one thing I did right. Listen to you.” (Reply No-one) (Posted by Jackie Smith and Morgan G) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Personal Quarters - COUNS Parker Davis - Day 8 - 2302) Parker was having trouble falling asleep. He stared at the ceiling of his quarters and thought about everything that had happened that day. He had started a relationship with a woman he liked quite a lot. He had volunteered for a mission that could get him killed, get him trapped on a pre-warp world for the rest of his life, or change the course of history for a culture the Federation had no business meddling with. Or it could be the salvation of millions. It was up in the air as to which of those things it would be. He began to think about his relationship history. There wasn't much of it. His first 'relationship' was when he was thirteen years old. She was also thirteen, in his math class, and a full six inches taller than him. She was beautiful and smart, and her parents were architects for the city. Her name was Sasha. They dated on and off, getting into squabbles and dating other kids, but always coming back to each other. This went on for a full two years, until his arrest and incarceration in the juvenile detention center. There, he was closely watched. There was very little freedom until he was almost ready to be released, and there was no possibility of a romantic relationship because children were gender segregated into entirely different sections of the facility, separated by a force field. The force field was taken down once a year, for the parents' visit during Winter Holiday Week. They were so closely watched then, that there was no possibility of anything developing either. When he was released, he was supervised carefully by a parole officer who warned him that he had to stay professional and career-focused. He started studying pre-medicine at the Petoskey Institute for Gifted Children when he was about to turn 18, and there he met Kathleen. She was a 16-year-old math whiz, studying to become a forensic mathematician. She and they had something going for about six months, until she found out that he had just come from a detention center. This was enough of a reason for her to dump him. His self confidence took a deep hit, and he didn't attempt another relationship even though opportunities surfaced. He transferred to Starfleet Academy when he was in the latter half of his 2nd year at the Institute for Gifted Children, and at that point was so focused on becoming a counselor and gaining practical experience that he didn't date. The three and a half years he spent at the Brian Hill Penitentiary for Federation Personnel, counseling incarcerated individuals, yielded very little opportunity for romance. For two years at Starfleet Medical he spent all his time at the lab or in the office as a trauma counselor. He had no time for dating, but managed to squeeze in a few dates that never went anywhere. And now here he was, twenty-eight years old and on a starship, and had never been in what one would call a serious relationship. ~What the hell am I doing?~ he thought to himself, realizing that this was probably not going to end well. He had no experience. He had no idea what he was doing. ~The chances of your first serious relationship actually going anywhere, are slim to none,~ he thought. ~Most first relationships end after a few months.~ He shook his head. ~And when she finds out I was incarcerated, she'll probably have the same reaction Kathleen did.~ He knew the last thought was irrational, that most people, especially those in the medical field, understood that modern treatments led to rehabilitation. This was not the twenty-first century where criminals would rot in single cells and perpetuate their degradation for years. That was what had attracted him to Christianity when he initially learned about it. The idea that one could be unconditionally forgiven for their sins was something that had touched his heart and led to his lifelong dedication to that belief. "So what if she has it in her to share a bit of grace with me?" he said quietly, still staring at the ceiling. ~Maybe I'm fooling myself, but I have faith in her...~ (no reply necessary) (posted by Morgan G) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Personal Quarters - CEO Lieutenant Commander Steven Matrix - Day 8 - 2321) Matrix had another long day. Meeting after meeting yet he wasn't tired enough to sleep just yet. The briefing with the command crew created more questions than answers. The prime directive was foremost on everyone's mind, but what to do about it?Thankfully Matrix wouldn't have to make such epic decisions although he would have input. "Computer. Lights 10%, Chai Tea, hot...large." said Matrix as he took off his shoes, socks and sat at the desk in his quarters. His mind wondered away from the daily tasks aboard ship and thought of his friends and family. Tom Jackson was away on another ship, he missed seeing him and discussing the days work, past missions, etc. The letter from Matrix's mother told about how is father's health was failing. Nearly 92 now it wasn't unexpected and he was seeking medical help at one of the Federation medical centers on Earth. They had called in a few specialist, but Alzheimer's still posed serious issues with the elderly. Oddly enough it was discovered that alzheimer's was similar to the Vulan Bendii syndrome. Unfortunately for both humans and Vulcans no treatment has been proven effective. Steve had to see his father and would make every effort to do so at his earliest opportunity. Matrix scanned his messages from the crew. 67 messages detailed everything from shift change requests, duty logs, complaints, sick leave and reports. He relished being a department chief, but hated some of the mudaine issues when dealing with personnel. Most of this crew got along well and many never complained, yet others never stopped. Work conditions were not to their liking, they didn't get along with another crew mate or some other insignificant problem. Matrix viewed it as a distraction and would rather everyone worked out their own problems. This was the life they chose, to be in Star Fleet meant stepping it up, being professional. Matrix sighed and approved the shift changes for the next 36 hours. He made a note to talk with Ensign Fisher about his last report. It was laced with abstract neuances and implied he couldn't get his job done correctly because of another crew member. Fisher's record wasn't exempliary during his time aboard the Rose, nor was it on his last ship. In fact he noted that his last supervisor was more than accomidating on a recommendation and now Matrix could see why. Hand Fisher off to someone else, make him someone else's problem. ~We'll see about that.~ thought Matrix. Matrix took a sip of his tea and kept reading through the daily logs. "Damn...I forgot about the EPS panel work at 0500." he said aloud. Matrix punched up the duty logs and made the change to the work log. ~EPS panel work rescheduled for 0830.~ The duty roster automatically informed the assigned crews. Including his own schedule. ~I need some sleep said Matrix...the vurtues of being the CEO.~ he thought. "Computer, wake me at 0645 tomorrow. Lights off." said Matrix. With that he dimmed the computer console, took off his uniform and crawed into bed. He hoped he would sleep well. (Reply none) (Posted by Steve) ------------------------- ========================= Compiled by Marilyn ==========================