CAPTAIN TEKIN's BIRTHDAY (and USS Discovery's too)

[Don Damien Addams]

[USS Discovery - Transporter room]

With his wonderful wife with him in transporter room with the Tekin's gang of kids. This what they had done. Don had wanted the children to help decorate the Captain's ready room which they will use the transporter room. By now, security will recognize this. However, the Lieutenant Commander Felder knowing what they have been up too. They had to let him and security know when Sub-Commander Ralik, the Romulan who they have been working before. He was good enough to escort Hrafn to the USS Discovery. So many work went behind that Don had spent a year making this happen.

What he had plan to have it about the 'same' time of ship's birth anniversary date of the USS Discovery as a under cover. That his wife had not picked on yet. This was a surprise he wanted for everyone. That which was a bonus on too. He had a special model gold made of USS Discovery. Of course he had made mini ones for Tekin's kids as gifts. That they don't know either. This was a project he had secretly had been concealing from everyone.

Now with Hrafn spending time with the Captain so they can beam the items to the conference room. That so nobody would be aware. Now, this would be the time Nira would want to know what was going on. Felder would have Nira come down to the transporter room where she would learn the event.

Don would tell her that he had to work extra hard to keep it a secret from someone who was a foresenic. It was very hard.

"Now, we will transport to the ready room and decorate it. Now. I had an additional surprise," he told the small crowd in the Transporter room.

He went to the corner of the room where  a cart with a box on it. "I got a second surprise for the Captain and the ship too." He pulled the box to reveal the prestige shiny golden Discovery. "Its the DISCOVERY's birthday too!"

"We got two hours to really do an awesome job. We have Commander T'Lara at conn. So she would notify us if the Captain some how finds his way back to the bridge. Then after we decorate you kids will be transported back here. We will wait in the Captain's ready room in the dark. Then you kids can go onto the bridge. Just have fun. Run around make ruckus much as you can. Then run into the ready room. This one time, try lure him into room."

"Then we surprise him!" he exclaimed. "Unless anyone suggest something different!"

Don was really having fun now. The putting this event was fun. It was like a man finishing the final touches on a classic old car. This was indeed fun. To see everyone having fun. The surprise the Captain saw when his family had arrive. Not knowing Don had to pull strings. Like old days a smuggler to make things happen.

[Danjar-Torra Addams]

Ensign Danjar-Torra
[USS Discovery - Transporter Room]

Torra smiled a soft smile towards her husband as he explained the situation to children.  She and Don had offered to watch the children while the Captain and Ruth enjoyed a romantic dinner on the holodeck.  Ruth would help run interference to keep the Captain from his Ready Room long enough for them to decorate the room.

That Don wanted the celebration to be held there in such a small space was a bit baffling to Torra.   She would have preferred holding it in the Lounge where the crew would feel more comfortable in joining it but this celebratory plan had been Don's idea from the get go so, if he wanted it held more privately  up in the Ready room - that's where it would be.    Though Torra ever prepped had a back up plan for the party to migrate to the Lounge if the numbers grew too large.  Which was a valid concern... especially with the room being adjacent to the Bridge.

While  Don showed off his 'Discovery replica' Torra was setting her box of decorations - foil balloons and streamers, and a Happy Birthday banner as well in Gold and Black.   Torra thought they looked very 'snazzy'.

"Are you ready, kids? Lamar, come stand beside me.  Nerys, Tidu make room for Uncle Don."

Once everyone was set Torra nodded to Elena - someone she knew she could trust.    "Energize."

[Hrafn Falleg]

Ensign Danjar-Torra
[USS Discovery - Transporter Room >>>> Bridge]

Torra smiled a soft smile towards her husband as he explained the situation to children.  She and Don had offered to watch the children while the Captain and Ruth enjoyed a romantic dinner on the holodeck.  Ruth would help run interference to keep the Captain from his Ready Room long enough for them to decorate the room.

That Don wanted the celebration to be held there in such a small space was a bit baffling to Torra.   She would have preferred holding it in the Lounge where the crew would feel more comfortable in joining it but this celebratory plan had been Don's idea from the get go so, if he wanted it held more privately  up in the Ready room - that's where it would be.    Though Torra ever prepped had a back up plan for the party to migrate to the Lounge if the numbers grew too large.  Which was a valid concern... especially with the room being adjacent to the Bridge.

While  Don showed off his 'Discovery replica' Torra was setting her box of decorations - foil balloons and streamers, and a Happy Birthday banner as well in Gold and Black.   Torra thought they looked very 'snazzy'.

"Are you ready, kids? Lamar, come stand beside me.  Nerys, Tidu make room for Uncle Don."

Once everyone was set Torra nodded to Elena - someone she knew she could trust.    "Energize."

[Transporter Room > Bridge USS Discovery]

The children were bouncy excited but not running around all over the place as Torra marshalled them and got them to help with the decorations.

"We need to have you organise a party for us too!" Nerys said smiling.  "It's our birthday 28th November!"

"I think Mammy is planning to have one back at Katra so our school friends can come but we could have cake and stuff here with out Discovery friends and you and Uncle Don can come, Auntie Torra!" Tidu said.

A small hand tugged gently on the pant legs of both Don and Torra as he stood between them.  "And I'm going to be Fwee in Febwuary!" Lamar stated importantly.  He was still somewhat tired from all the travelling in the last 2 weeks and so was speaking in his more babyish voice since he wasn't concentrating.

"Three, February... remember your R's Lamar!" his big sister chided mildly since her mother wasn't there to do so.  "Mammy has been saying!"

"FebRRRRRRRoooo-aRRReeeeee" the youngster over compensated.

"Ok Lambchops, you don't have to turn into a tiger!" his older brother laughed, ruffling his young sibling's hair!

"Rrrrrrr!" Lamar said grinning. "Will there be cake Uncle Don?"

[Holodeck]

Meanwhile Hrafn was being as sultry and seductive as she could be, enjoying a romantic evening without the kids, something that rarely happened, especially when she could have her husband around, back at Katra.  She had nights 'off'... since Crista took the kids but more often than not she'd find one or other of the kids, sometimes all 3 of them, in bed with her by the time she woke up, and her nights off from the kids often meant that she was occupied with reviewing reports and so on and Crista was merely keeping the children out of her hair.

Smiling across at her husband she would keep him there until Torra or Don sent a message saying something like 'Please, we're sorry, take them back!!!'... jokingly of course!

[Nira Said]

[Lieutenant JG Nira Said | Holodeck | USS Discovery NCC-78393-B]

Nira had woken up, not in her quarters, and not in her own bed. And yet she hadn't felt this elated since...Evandev. Nonetheless, it was becoming a habit of hers to seek out Savar in his quarters since the start of their relationship. Since they joined together in pon farr. Nira had...to say enjoyed it would've added one more understatement to the century. As a telepath, the linking of two minds brought a connection in many ways possible. And it was especially intoxicating.

Savar didn't mind, being a different kind of Vulcan. They were in a relationship, and rank didn't make things awkward; they were, after all, of the same rank.

There were still duties that they both had to do, and so, uniforms attired, they went their separate ways. Savar to the deflector array, Nira to the holodeck. She wanted to get practice in for manning Tactical in Multi-Vector Assault, given she was Tactical officer for one of the vectors in the event of multi-vector separation.

She entered the holodeck and was surprised by what she saw. If the setting in the holodeck didn't clue her in, the presence of a woman did...a familiar woman...

"Cadet? Cadet Falleg-Tekin?" Nira said in surprise. She remembered the Trill girl from her first few weeks on the Discovery, who worked with archeologists.

[Don Damien Addams]

[Transporter Room > Bridge USS Discovery]

The children were bouncy excited but not running around all over the place as Torra marshalled them and got them to help with the decorations.

"We need to have you organise a party for us too!" Nerys said smiling.  "It's our birthday 28th November!"

The handsome fellow looked at the child as in surprise. Unsure what he meant party for us. "Oh. Well. Congratulations, for the two of you."

"Well, if we can make the party be yours too," Don added. The problem was he had not planned additional parties. He felt Tekin needed this surprise cause well it got lonely as a Captain. Appreciated by his crew. They can improvise for the children sake.

The way they are acting are like little cute puppies. They are so adorable. Something that he had started to want not more and ever. No. He had to shove that deep and below. He wanted what was best for Torra, but as a man it would be nice to have a child with your blood. He was mix. That could be normal for everyone who was in the situation he was in. Probally in different species and races of all kind.

"I think Mammy is planning to have one back at Katra so our school friends can come but we could have cake and stuff here with out Discovery friends and you and Uncle Don can come, Auntie Torra!" Tidu said.

Don smiled to Torra as they were called auntie and uncle. "Auntie Torra!" he teased her. It sounded nice too.

"Let me guess, you be fine have a birthday everyday!" he said happily. Think of it. What kid would not want that! It would be a child's dream. They would get bored with it in due time.

A small hand tugged gently on the pant legs of both Don and Torra as he stood between them.  "And I'm going to be Fwee in Febwuary!" Lamar stated importantly.  He was still somewhat tired from all the travelling in the last 2 weeks and so was speaking in his more babyish voice since he wasn't concentrating.

Don bent down to the child's height. "That is ooold," he was joking.

"Three, February... remember your R's Lamar!" his big sister chided mildly since her mother wasn't there to do so.  "Mammy has been saying!"

"FebRRRRRRRoooo-aRRReeeeee" the youngster over compensated.

"Ok Lambchops, you don't have to turn into a tiger!" his older brother laughed, ruffling his young sibling's hair!

"Rrrrrrr!" Lamar said grinning. "Will there be cake Uncle Don?"

"I had a hard time with my Rs. I just pretend I was a pirate growling my Rs or a lion roaring his Rs. RRRRRRRRRRRR!" he made a funny beast face expression, made claws and leaned in and tickle the boy. "And I eat you too!"

There was time when you had no kids around. This thing of opening to them was fun. He had never had siblings. He grew up with some kids. So he never imagine himself having fun with small ones.

[Holodeck]

Meanwhile Hrafn was being as sultry and seductive as she could be, enjoying a romantic evening without the kids, something that rarely happened, especially when she could have her husband around, back at Katra.  She had nights 'off'... since Crista took the kids but more often than not she'd find one or other of the kids, sometimes all 3 of them, in bed with her by the time she woke up, and her nights off from the kids often meant that she was occupied with reviewing reports and so on and Crista was merely keeping the children out of her hair.

Smiling across at her husband she would keep him there until Torra or Don sent a message saying something like 'Please, we're sorry, take them back!!!'... jokingly of course!

[USS Discovery - Transporter room]

Don had clapped his hands together. "Okay we all need to get on the transporter pad to beam to the Captain's ready room. By then we will have a security on us maybe...there was a particular security guard who loves a good catching a crime...I thought she would had us figured out but with AUNTIE TORRA she was a great help on hiding it. I am sure we see Auntie Nira showing wondering what happened. But that be okay! Then we can have her join us!"

"Okay all get ready. You all no the drill!" he told them.

[Danjar-Torra Addams]

Ensign Danjar-Torra
[USS Discovery - Transporter Room]

[Transporter Room > Bridge USS Discovery]

The children were bouncy excited but not running around all over the place as Torra marshalled them and got them to help with the decorations.

"We need to have you organise a party for us too!" Nerys said smiling.  "It's our birthday 28th November!"

"I think Mammy is planning to have one back at Katra so our school friends can come but we could have cake and stuff here with out Discovery friends and you and Uncle Don can come, Auntie Torra!" Tidu said.

A small hand tugged gently on the pant legs of both Don and Torra as he stood between them.  "And I'm going to be Fwee in Febwuary!" Lamar stated importantly.  He was still somewhat tired from all the travelling in the last 2 weeks and so was speaking in his more babyish voice since he wasn't concentrating.

"Three, February... remember your R's Lamar!" his big sister chided mildly since her mother wasn't there to do so.  "Mammy has been saying!"

"FebRRRRRRRoooo-aRRReeeeee" the youngster over compensated.

"Ok Lambchops, you don't have to turn into a tiger!" his older brother laughed, ruffling his young sibling's hair!

"Rrrrrrr!" Lamar said grinning. "Will there be cake Uncle Don?"

The handsome fellow looked at the child as in surprise. Unsure what he meant party for us. "Oh. Well. Congratulations, for the two of you."

"Well, if we can make the party be yours too," Don added. The problem was he had not planned additional parties. He felt Tekin needed this surprise cause well it got lonely as a Captain. Appreciated by his crew. They can improvise for the children sake.

The way they are acting are like little cute puppies. They are so adorable. Something that he had started to want not more and ever. No. He had to shove that deep and below. He wanted what was best for Torra, but as a man it would be nice to have a child with your blood. He was mix. That could be normal for everyone who was in the situation he was in. Probably in different species and races of all kind.

Don smiled to Torra as they were called auntie and uncle. "Auntie Torra!" he teased her. It sounded nice too.

"Let me guess, you be fine have a birthday everyday!" he said happily. Think of it. What kid would not want that! It would be a child's dream. They would get bored with it in due time.

Don bent down to the child's height. "That is ooold," he was joking.

"I had a hard time with my Rs. I just pretend I was a pirate growling my Rs or a lion roaring his Rs. RRRRRRRRRRRR!" he made a funny beast face expression, made claws and leaned in and tickle the boy. "And I eat you too!"

There was time when you had no kids around. This thing of opening to them was fun. He had never had siblings. He grew up with some kids. So he never imagine himself having fun with small ones.

[USS Discovery - Transporter room]

Don had clapped his hands together. "Okay we all need to get on the transporter pad to beam to the Captain's ready room. By then we will have a security on us maybe...there was a particular security guard who loves a good catching a crime...I thought she would had us figured out but with AUNTIE TORRA she was a great help on hiding it. I am sure we see Auntie Nira showing wondering what happened. But that be okay! Then we can have her join us!"

"Okay all get ready. You all no the drill!" he told them.

The bustle of the children was endearing to watch.  All the more-so when it was Don who took the time to answer their questions.   His pirate play with Lamar had Torra blinking rapidly to avoid tearing up.

At her signal, they were transported to the Captain's Ready Room, along with their decorations and equipment.   Balloons, streamers, and banner all needed to be set-up, and Torra was quick to assign duties.

"Nerys, Tidu - you two begin inflating the balloons.  This canister has helium and the balloons are self-sealing and have their string already attacked so you won't need to worry about tying knots.   Once you have two dozen done. You can begin setting them around the room."

Torra turned to Don next,  "Don, can you lift Lamar high enough to hang the banner? I'll work on the streamers."

[Don Damien Addams]

Ensign Danjar-Torra
[USS Discovery - Transporter Room]

The bustle of the children was endearing to watch.  All the more-so when it was Don who took the time to answer their questions.   His pirate play with Lamar had Torra blinking rapidly to avoid tearing up.

At her signal, they were transported to the Captain's Ready Room, along with their decorations and equipment.   Balloons, streamers, and banner all needed to be set-up, and Torra was quick to assign duties.

"Nerys, Tidu - you two begin inflating the balloons.  This canister has helium and the balloons are self-sealing and have their string already attacked so you won't need to worry about tying knots.   Once you have two dozen done. You can begin setting them around the room."

Torra turned to Don next,  "Don, can you lift Lamar high enough to hang the banner? I'll work on the streamers."

[USS Discovery - Captain's ready room]

"Okay Lamar time you to be the big hero to reach places where nobody can reach!" he said bending down picking up the child.

[Danjar-Torra Addams]

Ensign Danjar-Torra
[USS Discovery - Transporter Room]

[USS Discovery - Captain's ready room]

"Okay Lamar time you to be the big hero to reach places where nobody can reach!" he said bending down picking up the child.

With the help of the children, Don and Torra managed to decorate the Ready Room.  Torra, in doing so was a little overly picky, trying to make everything just right.

"A little further to the left.. more... more... No, back a bit.  There. Wait, no more to your right."  And so it went until the room was decorated to Torra's satisfaction.

The Grazerite then had the food that had been prepped in the ship's galley transported in.  There were meat and cheese platters, finger sandwiches, and of course - Torra's favorite - veggie platters of the best and freshest Bajoran produce that Torra had asked Hrafn to bring with her by the way of buffered transporter code.  That code carried over from ship to ship now meant that their Captain could have a fresh taste of home.   Torra had even been surprised to find that the Captain's mother had even sent along some hasperat.

The final piece was the Birthday Cake, with it's holographically lit candles, which Torra set off in a protected corner.  The gifts that the crew might bring could be set on the same table at the other end.

"I think we're done."  Torra declared as she took a picture of the room for her scrapbook.

All that was left to do was call in the guests and lure the Captain to his Ready room.  Don, from what she'd overheard earlier, had a plan for the latter.

For the former task, Torra brought out her PADD and messaged because of the limited space the first round of birthday wishers...  name the senior officers and those that Torra deemed had the best rapport with the Captain.

"Party begins in 15 min. Call for transport to the Ready Room, Captain will be in the halls and we don't want him catching on where folks are going."

[Lek]

[Main Engineering- USS Discovery]

Lek plopped into the chair in his office after returning from tinkering on the Martha and saw he had a message waiting for him. He hoped it was from Reyek,  but it turned out to be from Torra. He read through the message and snorted.

"Hmmmm, a birthday party. The captain is a good sort, I suppose I can drop by briefly after shift."

Lek deleted the message and began sorting through the mound of datawork that was a loathsome, but critical part of being the chief engineer of a starship.

[Luby Wentock]

[Treatment Room off Sickbay]

Luby grinned at the message... she stuck her head into the main Sickbay from the Treatment room where she'd been sorting through medkits making sure they had all the things in there that were required!

Looking to make sure that neither the Captain, nor Dr. Thane was around, and spotting only Kestra, Bettina, Roger and Grithaw having a chat over coffee, she grinned then shouted -

"PAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTAAAAAAAAYYYY!"

Continuing to have a smile from ear to ear she marshalled the troops.

"So... food.  What is everyone bringing, if someone can cover me for 15 mins I can nip to the galley and ask them to let me do a batch of cookies fresh!"

"I'll cover, I have some fresh fruit, I'll take that!" Bettina offered.

"I have some coconuts someone sent me as a joke, I can't think of a better use!" Roger offered up.

"I'll bring the huge tub of sweets my friend sent me from Earth, I was going to offer them around and to kids that came in over Christmas.  Mentioning which, any idea when we might see the Captain's wife and the kids down here?!" Kestra asked.

"I can answer that, day after tomorrow Hrafn has an appointment booked. To check her knee!" Grithaw said with a wink, "I think I'm going to offer to shift swap so I get to play with the kids while whomever is officially on duty checks over Lt. Falleg-Tekin's knee!"

"Ooooh right!" Luby said, "If that's Alpha Shift, that would be me... doing actual medical work!  Anyhow I'm off and I'll see you lot in the Ready Room later!"

[...about 20 mins later - Ready Room]

There were still relatively few people in the Ready Room so Luby was worried she'd misread the message apart from the fact that there were decorations everywhere.

"Am I late?! Or early?" she said spotting Torra.  "I was making these, they're still warm they're that fresh, handmade by yours truly!" Luby said handing over a tray of cookies - double choc chip, oatmeal and raisin, regular choc chip, white choc ship, coconut and almond.

"Should I go and offer them to the Captain when he gets here?" she asked.  "Oh Hi kids, want a cookie?  And can you find somewhere that Roger won't find them?!" she said conspiratorially as the others from Medical materialised with their various offerings, Grithaw had managed to find random bottles of alcohol and brought them along rather than come empty handed.

"I brought some hypos of anti-sickness and sober up cocktails!" he said with a wink to Luby.  "We're ready for anything!" Turning to the kids he added "Oh are you the Tekins? We haven't had a chance to meet yet, I'm Nurse Rag, but you can call me Grithaw or Grith.  I'll hopefully be on hand any time you need a medic."

[Hrafn Falleg]

[Lieutenant JG Nira Said | Holodeck | USS Discovery NCC-78393-B]

Nira had woken up, not in her quarters, and not in her own bed. And yet she hadn't felt this elated since...Evandev. Nonetheless, it was becoming a habit of hers to seek out Savar in his quarters since the start of their relationship. Since they joined together in pon farr. Nira had...to say enjoyed it would've added one more understatement to the century. As a telepath, the linking of two minds brought a connection in many ways possible. And it was especially intoxicating.

Savar didn't mind, being a different kind of Vulcan. They were in a relationship, and rank didn't make things awkward; they were, after all, of the same rank.

There were still duties that they both had to do, and so, uniforms attired, they went their separate ways. Savar to the deflector array, Nira to the holodeck. She wanted to get practice in for manning Tactical in Multi-Vector Assault, given she was Tactical officer for one of the vectors in the event of multi-vector separation.

She entered the holodeck and was surprised by what she saw. If the setting in the holodeck didn't clue her in, the presence of a woman did...a familiar woman...

"Cadet? Cadet Falleg-Tekin?" Nira said in surprise. She remembered the Trill girl from her first few weeks on the Discovery, who worked with archeologists.

[Holodeck - USS Discovery]

Hrafn turned in surprise hearing someone mention Ruthie's name.

" 'Fraid not, I'm her mother though.  Lt. Hrafn Falleg-Tekin.  Although I don't mind being mistaken for someone half my age!" she laughed.  "Can I help you? Take a message for her?"

______________________________________________________________________

The handsome fellow looked at the child as in surprise. Unsure what he meant party for us. "Oh. Well. Congratulations, for the two of you."

"Well, if we can make the party be yours too," Don added. The problem was he had not planned additional parties. He felt Tekin needed this surprise cause well it got lonely as a Captain. Appreciated by his crew. They can improvise for the children sake.

The way they are acting are like little cute puppies. They are so adorable. Something that he had started to want not more and ever. No. He had to shove that deep and below. He wanted what was best for Torra, but as a man it would be nice to have a child with your blood. He was mix. That could be normal for everyone who was in the situation he was in. Probally in different species and races of all kind.

Don smiled to Torra as they were called auntie and uncle. "Auntie Torra!" he teased her. It sounded nice too.

"Let me guess, you be fine have a birthday everyday!" he said happily. Think of it. What kid would not want that! It would be a child's dream. They would get bored with it in due time.

Don bent down to the child's height. "That is ooold," he was joking.

"I had a hard time with my Rs. I just pretend I was a pirate growling my Rs or a lion roaring his Rs. RRRRRRRRRRRR!" he made a funny beast face expression, made claws and leaned in and tickle the boy. "And I eat you too!"

There was time when you had no kids around. This thing of opening to them was fun. He had never had siblings. He grew up with some kids. So he never imagine himself having fun with small ones.

[USS Discovery - Transporter room]

Don had clapped his hands together. "Okay we all need to get on the transporter pad to beam to the Captain's ready room. By then we will have a security on us maybe...there was a particular security guard who loves a good catching a crime...I thought she would had us figured out but with AUNTIE TORRA she was a great help on hiding it. I am sure we see Auntie Nira showing wondering what happened. But that be okay! Then we can have her join us!"

"Okay all get ready. You all no the drill!" he told them.

Ensign Danjar-Torra
[USS Discovery - Transporter Room]

The bustle of the children was endearing to watch.  All the more-so when it was Don who took the time to answer their questions.   His pirate play with Lamar had Torra blinking rapidly to avoid tearing up.

At her signal, they were transported to the Captain's Ready Room, along with their decorations and equipment.   Balloons, streamers, and banner all needed to be set-up, and Torra was quick to assign duties.

"Nerys, Tidu - you two begin inflating the balloons.  This canister has helium and the balloons are self-sealing and have their string already attacked so you won't need to worry about tying knots.   Once you have two dozen done. You can begin setting them around the room."

Torra turned to Don next,  "Don, can you lift Lamar high enough to hang the banner? I'll work on the streamers."

[USS Discovery - Captain's ready room]

"Okay Lamar time you to be the big hero to reach places where nobody can reach!" he said bending down picking up the child.

[Treatment Room off Sickbay]

Luby grinned at the message... she stuck her head into the main Sickbay from the Treatment room where she'd been sorting through medkits making sure they had all the things in there that were required!

Looking to make sure that neither the Captain, nor Dr. Thane was around, and spotting only Kestra, Bettina, Roger and Grithaw having a chat over coffee, she grinned then shouted -

"PAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTAAAAAAAAYYYY!"

Continuing to have a smile from ear to ear she marshalled the troops.

"So... food.  What is everyone bringing, if someone can cover me for 15 mins I can nip to the galley and ask them to let me do a batch of cookies fresh!"

"I'll cover, I have some fresh fruit, I'll take that!" Bettina offered.

"I have some coconuts someone sent me as a joke, I can't think of a better use!" Roger offered up.

"I'll bring the huge tub of sweets my friend sent me from Earth, I was going to offer them around and to kids that came in over Christmas.  Mentioning which, any idea when we might see the Captain's wife and the kids down here?!" Kestra asked.

"I can answer that, day after tomorrow Hrafn has an appointment booked. To check her knee!" Grithaw said with a wink, "I think I'm going to offer to shift swap so I get to play with the kids while whomever is officially on duty checks over Lt. Falleg-Tekin's knee!"

"Ooooh right!" Luby said, "If that's Alpha Shift, that would be me... doing actual medical work!  Anyhow I'm off and I'll see you lot in the Ready Room later!"

[...about 20 mins later - Ready Room]

There were still relatively few people in the Ready Room so Luby was worried she'd misread the message apart from the fact that there were decorations everywhere.

"Am I late?! Or early?" she said spotting Torra.  "I was making these, they're still warm they're that fresh, handmade by yours truly!" Luby said handing over a tray of cookies - double choc chip, oatmeal and raisin, regular choc chip, white choc ship, coconut and almond.

"Should I go and offer them to the Captain when he gets here?" she asked.  "Oh Hi kids, want a cookie?  And can you find somewhere that Roger won't find them?!" she said conspiratorially as the others from Medical materialised with their various offerings, Grithaw had managed to find random bottles of alcohol and brought them along rather than come empty handed.

"I brought some hypos of anti-sickness and sober up cocktails!" he said with a wink to Luby.  "We're ready for anything!" Turning to the kids he added "Oh are you the Tekins? We haven't had a chance to meet yet, I'm Nurse Rag, but you can call me Grithaw or Grith.  I'll hopefully be on hand any time you need a medic."

[Ready Room - USS Discovery]

[As the Falleg-Tekin kids]

"Do you have any of those long thin ones to make flowers and animals out of?" Tidu asked with an impish grin.

Lamar was walking around with 'claws' and play growling at everyone, which for a 2.5 year old was actually very cute.  He put his arms up when Don said he was going to be putting up the banner and felt very important.

"Me bigger than you-ou!!!" he called out to his older siblings in a sing-song voice.  "Auntie Torra, is me a big boy?!"

"Lamar, I am bigger, not Me bigger and am I...." Nerys said tutting totally being a deputy for her mother.  "And I haven't even started trying him with other languages, just standard!  Wait till Ruthie gets here, she'll get even madder!"

"No she won't, Rrrrruthie wuvs ev'rrrrrry one!" Lamar said over emphasising his R's so his sister didn't have anything else to berate him about.

"He's right, and she wouldn't care... it's a party Nerry... let's have fun.  I think that's the last balloon unless you want to make a balloon pit?! Or a net on the ceiling that they all fall from while we sing Happy Birthday?!" Tidu said.

"You just like work!" Nerys grinned, noticing a woman in teal beam in.

When she offered a cookie Nerys politely asked what each were, some were obvious but some weren't.

"...and I think you need to look after our Mammy, Lt. Falleg-Tekin, she had her knee operated on.  I'm Tekin Nerys, that's Tidu with the ginger hair,  I think he got 90% of Mammy's red hair and then that's Lamar with Uncle Don!"

Lamar came over and promptly tripped over a balloon that had been left on the floor falling on it and it exploding loudly, and bumping his head on the desk.  There was a collective gasp from both of his siblings who ran over automatically.  Surprisingly for Lamar, he sniffed a few times and then put up a hand like a policeman directing the traffic.

"I'm a big boy, I'm fine, I don't cry.  But can nice doctor ladies make sure my head is ok, I have heard Auntie Tess say if you bump your head it has to be checked. Can do sewious damage!" he said trying very hard.

"He was doing so well!" Nerys whispered to Grithaw beside her.  "We're trying to get him to pronounce his R's properly, I think we can forgive one as he might actually be hiding pain. Oh and Auntie Tess is the CMO and 2nd Officer on Katra."

To Lamar she said "You actually telling me you're refusing cuddles?!" she laughed.

"No... just not crying!"

[Don Damien Addams]

[USS Discovery - Captain's ready room]

Don was getting a bit tired holding Lamar high hanging things. Mrs. Addams was going for perfection with Don moving Lamar here and there. It was taste of patience. He was not sure Lamar was doing on purpose cause he was giggling. He never raised kids and he could not know if Namar was playing or he was having fun.

Finally! Lamar was done and Don had set the child down. The husband of Grazerite was rubbing his arms. He then saw the sickbay crew come in with their goodies. He kind cringe cause they came through the door. Now the rumor would be on fire from bridge. He wished he could run out their and order them not send message on what they seen.

On the other hand, Commander T'Lara would see that was a sign they are ready. He was now feeling a little nervous. This plan might fall apart.

Then Don saw Lamar trip over the balloon like anyone who witness starts to cringe cause you were to slow to move. Then Lamar seemed to play super man and be brave.

"Okay, we need to quickly get this together. Hope the others get here," Don shared. The man looked like a wife was getting worried that she was going to be stood at the altar without the groom.

[Nira Said]

Ensign Danjar-Torra

All that was left to do was call in the guests and lure the Captain to his Ready room.  Don, from what she'd overheard earlier, had a plan for the latter.

For the former task, Torra brought out her PADD and messaged because of the limited space the first round of birthday wishers...  name the senior officers and those that Torra deemed had the best rapport with the Captain.

"Party begins in 15 min. Call for transport to the Ready Room, Captain will be in the halls and we don't want him catching on where folks are going."

[Lieutenant JG Nira Said | Nira's Forensics Lab >- Ready Room | Deck Ten >- Deck One | USS Discovery NCC-78393-B]

"My apologies," said Nira, deciding she was seeing things and seeing the holodeck was occupied. Perhaps her mind wasn't in total alignment or working well, not after a night of pon farr with Savar. It'd almost be like a hangover without the headache and/or pain. Her own mind was still getting used to the mind link between her and the Vulcan. Nonetheless, she knew she had found the right man, and Savar himself had found the right mate himself.

She had just gotten to her forensics lab, figuring she could get into practice with the holodeck occupied, when she saw the message on her PADD. She raised it up and read it, her eyebrow arching so high, she'd be mistaken for a Vulcan herself...which would easily be the case, since she had impersonated something close enough (a Romulan) herself recently.

A party? For the Captain? she thought to herself in surprise. What's the occasion? There's a number of possibilities. Perhaps he got promoted, but that's unlikely; if Captain Tekin was going to get promoted, the whole ship would've heard about it sooner, not to mention he would've been removed from Discovery to assume his post as a rear admiral, unless he claims Discovery as his flagship. Perhaps it'll be his birthday...but why am I invited, when I don't know him as well as I should?

Nonetheless, she was invited, and by Torra of all people. It must be an occasion she was arranging, and Torra was Nira's best friend. Turning down the invitation would potentially hurt her feelings. So Nira called for transport to the Ready Room.

Upon beaming in, she found out the reason for the party soon enough: It was the Captain's birthday. Nira shrugged positively; she was invited by Torra, and now that she was here, perhaps it was an opportunity to get to know the Captain better.

[T'Lara]

[Bridge - USS Discovery]

T'Lara was sat at the conn, almost in a meditative state considering the amount of activity going on which was close to nothing beyond routine. A welcome respite after the mission they had just returned from. The XO had been informed through various forms of communication from both Torra and Don about this party for Captain Tekin. Having been to only a handful of these occasions in her lifetime, she willingly accepted the invitation and agreed to the task assigned to her. She knew this event meant something to many people in Tekin's life and if she was to be included in that group she would not oppose. Her lack of enthusiasm about the matter had nothing to do with the amount of respect she had for her fellow commanding officer.

If she had anything to be pleased about, it would be that she wasn't expected to take part in the party preparations. The less amount of time she was expected to dedicate to the "fun" aspect of the festivities the better. More people were transporting into the ready room and she kept tabs on the room as she sat. The medical officers had not raised any alarms as far as the captain was concerned, so no worries there. Once everything was situated she would likely leave her post in order to be present in the party room before Tekin arrived, but she'd wait further instruction from the planners before doing anything. So she kept up a low-key appearance, (which wasn't any different from how she normally looked) and monitored.   

[Luby Wentock]

[Ready Room]

Luby smiled at how busy it was getting and found Torra.

"I think at this rate we may need to decamp!" she said with a grin.  "It's a good sign tho, if people like the Captain this much."