Could be worse... one of us could be singing

Posted on Monday, 12 April 2021 - 12:34pm by Captain Barret Stillwater & Lieutenant Alex Kingsley

Mission: Operation: Peace or P'Jem
Location: USS Standing Bear | Turbolift

The day was just beginning for most of the crew aboard the Standing Bear yet for Lieutenant Kingsley it had been a long morning for Lieutenant Kingsley. Awoken in the dead of night, sleep had proven elusive until she gave up on the notion and headed for the gymnasium. Taking full advantage of having it to herself she had went through her kickboxing routines until her muscles ached. A shower and a change of clothes later and her sole objective now was coffee.

Really strong coffee.

Of course such luxuries had not been factored into Haru’s strict diet but there was only so much pineapple anyone could endure. And she’d gone past her limit after the first twenty four hours.

And so her thoughts were on a detour to sneak some coffee before she officially went on duty. As the turbolift doors opened she was not really paying much attention and it was only after offering a rather tired sounding “morning” that she did a double take. “Captain! Sorry, I was a million miles away... good morning, Sir.”

"Computer, halt turbolift," Captain Stillwater said sternly as he held two mugs of coffee and looked over at Lieutenant Kingsley. "Morning, Lieutenant. You are alright, but we do have some matters to discuss.” He handed her one of the mugs of coffee, and it was exactly how she took it.

She stared at him, mind racing. This could not be good. At all. As she took the coffee cup she pried open the lid, closing her eyes as she breathed in the rich scent which seemed to permeate every caffeine deprived cell in her body. She took a sip, savouring the taste before peering up at Stillwater.

“Sorry. I’m not insane, I’ve just missed coffee. Thank you,” she offered, sealing the lid so the smell didn’t prove too distracting. He hadn’t gone to this effort for no reason. She could think of one without effort. “Soral?”

"Divorce?" countered Stillwater with a smirk. He was teasing or at least partially trading. "Yes, lieutenant, Soral. Some have been in my ear voicing concerns about his behavior lately, and that meeting before he left...has he been different to you?"

There was a long silence. “Soral is always different when he is with me. But right now he is being an over protective stubborn idiot,” Alex said quietly. “The medical staff are helping to offset his... time. But with everything happening and then T’Lanna’s episode-“

She broke off, frowning. “He isn’t unfit for duty. If that is what you mean?”

"Haru and Mack are concerned. I don't feel he's unfit for duty at his current state either, but the two of them are preparing a...uh I think I called it a horny jail for him."

“Ugh,” Alex pulled a face and handed back the coffee cup, “will there be a ship wide announcement too?”

She stopped herself. “Sorry. That was uncalled for. I’m just angry. At myself. Not you. Or even Mac and Haru. This is my fault. If Soral wasn’t worried about trying to bond with me too soon, this wouldn’t be a big issue. I promise I will watch over him and if he gets worse, I will tell you.”

"Not your fault, lieutenant," Stillwater said to her. "Commander Soral knew what he was doing when he chose to pursue a relationship with you. He knew damn well when he decided to tie the knot. You cannot blame yourself for his attempts to build a bond too fast."

Stillwater cleared his throat. "There will be no shipwide alerts, just medical doing their part, security theirs, and my being in the loop. I am discussing this with you as Second Officer, not as his wife. If he becomes unable to fulfil his duties, you become my First Officer."

She nodded and was silent for a moment before pointing out, “if he cannot bond, this could kill him.”

"He will bond," Stillwater said confidently. "Soral is too damn stubborn not to be a thorn in my ass. He's going to bond. Have faith."

“He’s definitely stubborn,” she agreed with a grin.

"Aye, that his is," replied Stillwater. "Computer, resume turbolift."

Captain Stillwater waited a moment before looking at Kingsley. "Computer?" the Captain's inquiry went unanswered. "the lift isn't moving" he added.

“Is this a bad time to mention claustrophobia?” Alex piped up. “Goth phase, coffins... long story. At least we have coffee?”

"And each other," noted Stillwater. "Fortunately, neither one of us is undergoing pon farr," he added as he tapped his communications badge. Unfortunately, the sound it gave in response let him know it was null.

He looked at Alex. "Claustrophobia and a goth phase. Fascinating." The Captain looked upward. "Luckily for us this ship is only nine decks. We are roughly halfway to deck one. Feel like a climb?"

“On one condition,” Alex replied. “We finish the coffee first.”

Captain Stillwater raised his coffee mug and brought it towards Kingsley's. "It could be worse.... One of us could be singing."

“Quite,” she laughed.

 

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