S9 - Mission 12: Time to Heal

[Revek]

[Docking Bay]

If I allow myself to be surprised one more time, Raynor thought, I am going to have to turn in my 'Klingon warrior' ring and tie-tack.  For true, though - could he be blamed for his surprise?  First a handshake, a compliment, and then another compliment?

Raynor knew that his perception of Tre'el had been colored negatively in the past by his own interactions with the man.  The first day he'd come on board and met the Cardassian had been an unmitigated disaster, with Raynor showing arrogance bordering on insubordination, and Tre'el, knowingly or not, openly insulting his Klingon heritage.  Plus, the Commander had verbally attacked Ilana.  The former could be shrugged off as a misunderstanding, but the latter?  No.  Things like that were part of the reason that Klingons never forgot.  Anything.

But on the poorly-starred mission to the Cardassian derelict, Tre'el had shown a kind of dedication and discipline that the Klingon had found refreshing, giving Raynor a different view of the man, one that was at odds with his previous one.  Raynor still didn't like him that much, but, if he was honest with himself...placing Tre'el's name with Tulley's, or Martland, or Carver...well.  He knew it was wrong.  The Cardassian was a better man than that.

"I think..." Raynor began, giving the Commander a levelly-considering look.  "That, were circumstances different...and with more time...I may have called you 'friend'."  He shrugged, a rolling of his shoulders like a giant predator cat.  "Another time...another place," he said, nodding a salute of sorts.  "Safe journey, Commander.  You...and Commander Pardek, as well.  Qapla'."

Revek returned the man's nod. "Another time and another place then." He paused for a moment before continuing, "Fair winds and following seas, Mr. Hughes. Qapla'." Rolling the bag further up on his shoulder, the Cardassian sidestepped the science crewman and headed towards the hatch that would lead him off the Discovery and to a new life.

It's only a ship...

It was your ship though.

That was true at one time but no longer. As he crossed the threshold, Revek placed a hand on the frame before leaving the Discovery without another look.

[Eli Ferris]

John nodded then looked at the PADD and almost fell he was the new XO and had already got into a small argument with his COO. He was about to talk to Eve ehn Eli came in.

John had not seen Eli since he left the Gibson John smiled, got up and stuck out a hand.

"Hey Eli, how the heck are you?"

"John! Son of a gun!" Eli gripped the man's hand with a firm clasp. "I'm good." Eli smiled and it was one of the first genuine smile he felt on his face in weeks.

Then, he remembered himself. "Sir, welcome aboard the Discovery. I take it you are one of the transfers from base?"

[Amy Lee Grix]

Scott smirked at the response from Amy, with the ship on a relative stand down, Anderson decided it would be a good idea to help in Engineering. Standing up he relinquished control of ops to a human female, who was one of his departmental crew members.

"Eve." Scott called as he headed for the turbolift. "I'll be in Engineering if anybody needs me."

Engineering

The journey to Engineering was short, turning the last corner into the heart of the ship, Anderson nodded to a couple of the Engineers in way of greeting. He saw Amy stood by the MSD, a smile cracked across Scott's face, the love of his life was already looking at home. Marching across to her. "Hello Chief, I am here to offer whatever assistance you might need."

"Thank you Chief" Amy smiled back "no crawling around in Jeffries tubes i'm affraid, but then you don't need that excuse any more!" tapping the dispaly on the MSD Amy brought up the repair schedule and was impressed to see most of it was completed "This is one tough ship and if the rest of the crew is as efficient as engineering she is going to be a pleasure to serve on, especially as you are here too". She let her left hand touch Scott's, the last piece of advice Christian had given her had been 'there will be times you just want to grab Scott and hug and kiss him, but you can't infront of the crew, it was the hardest thing Tam and me needed to learn, don't hide it altogether and when you can get little displays of affection in on duty but off duty make sure you are seen together or the rumours will start'. Amy looked up at Scott "Is there anything else needs doing, I couldn't face the naceles, not yet anyway it's just too soon".

[Gabe Crouch]

"John! Son of a gun!" Eli gripped the man's hand with a firm clasp. "I'm good." Eli smiled and it was one of the first genuine smile he felt on his face in weeks.

Then, he remembered himself. "Sir, welcome aboard the Discovery. I take it you are one of the transfers from base?"

"Thanks Eli but,  this was the first ship I served on. And yes I am a transfer I will tell you more after I talk with Kirok. So how has life been?" He said as he motioned to the command and guest chairs.

[Kirok]

Scott smirked at the response from Amy, with the ship on a relative stand down, Anderson decided it would be a good idea to help in Engineering. Standing up he relinquished control of ops to a human female, who was one of his departmental crew members.

"Eve." Scott called as he headed for the turbolift. "I'll be in Engineering if anybody needs me."

Engineering

The journey to Engineering was short, turning the last corner into the heart of the ship, Anderson nodded to a couple of the Engineers in way of greeting. He saw Amy stood by the MSD, a smile cracked across Scott's face, the love of his life was already looking at home. Marching across to her. "Hello Chief, I am here to offer whatever assistance you might need."

[Bridge]

"Very well, Mr. Anderson" Eve replied.  Then she turned to Mr. Harrimann and offered a smile.  After that, she returned to her duties.

[Raynor Hughes]

Revek returned the man's nod. "Another time and another place then." He paused for a moment before continuing, "Fair winds and following seas, Mr. Hughes. Qapla'." Rolling the bag further up on his shoulder, the Cardassian sidestepped the science crewman and headed towards the hatch that would lead him off the Discovery and to a new life.

It's only a ship...

It was your ship though.

That was true at one time but no longer. As he crossed the threshold, Revek placed a hand on the frame before leaving the Discovery without another look.

[Docking Bay]

"Very well," Raynor said, softly and to himself, as the Cardassian left the area, stepping onto a transport and out of the lives of the USS Discovery.  For Ilana's sake, he was a little glad to see him go, since his friend had never truly been comfortable around the other Cardassian.  Raynor idly wondered if it was that way around all Cardassians, when they met up with one another outside their own homeworld.  It was nothing like the instantaneous bond of camaraderie that passed between two meeting Klingons.  At least, if their families were not in Blood Feud.

Shaking his head and smiling softly, Raynor was at a loss for what to do next.  He had no assignment.  There was no real liquor for him to drink.  Nobody probably wanted to fight, and he was in no mood to share his bed with someone, even if there'd been a partner close and willing.  So, that left him with one other thing to do.  I should go hit something, he thought, idly stroking his chin, and heading for the gymnasium area.

[Scott010178]

"Thank you Chief" Amy smiled back "no crawling around in Jeffries tubes i'm affraid, but then you don't need that excuse any more!" tapping the dispaly on the MSD Amy brought up the repair schedule and was impressed to see most of it was completed "This is one tough ship and if the rest of the crew is as efficient as engineering she is going to be a pleasure to serve on, especially as you are here too". She let her left hand touch Scott's, the last piece of advice Christian had given her had been 'there will be times you just want to grab Scott and hug and kiss him, but you can't infront of the crew, it was the hardest thing Tam and me needed to learn, don't hide it altogether and when you can get little displays of affection in on duty but off duty make sure you are seen together or the rumours will start'. Amy looked up at Scott "Is there anything else needs doing, I couldn't face the naceles, not yet anyway it's just too soon".

Scott understood what Amy meant, he didn't feel the same way towards the nacelles, but that didn't stop him respecting what she was feeling. With a smile and touching her hand as discreetly as possible. "There is something I would like to discuss with you actually." His eyes quickly observed their surroundings, there were a few Engineers were within earshot. They looked busy, but some people were gifted Actors. "In your office?"

[Amy Lee Grix]

Scott understood what Amy meant, he didn't feel the same way towards the nacelles, but that didn't stop him respecting what she was feeling. With a smile and touching her hand as discreetly as possible. "There is something I would like to discuss with you actually." His eyes quickly observed their surroundings, there were a few Engineers were within earshot. They looked busy, but some people were gifted Actors. "In your office?"

Amy's heart sank wondering what she had done wrong,  but she lead the way to the office.

[Engineers Office]

She turned as soon as she entered the room, her bottom lip was the only sign that she was worried, "what is it Scott?  Is there a problem with something I've done?" Amy was holding her self together as best she could but was also convincing herself that Scott wanted to call it off.

[Scott010178]

Amy's heart sank wondering what she had done wrong,  but she lead the way to the office.

[Engineers Office]

She turned as soon as she entered the room, her bottom lip was the only sign that she was worried, "what is it Scott?  Is there a problem with something I've done?" Amy was holding her self together as best she could but was also convincing herself that Scott wanted to call it off.

"NO" Scott yelled back none intentionally. He closed his mouth and blinked away a shocked expression. "No it's nothing you've done, it was a poor choice of words on my part. I was wanting to talk to you about me and what I am." Scott went on to tell Amy about the conversation with Eve and how she had made the suggestion, that he should decide what species he belonged to. "I just feel I should talk to someone about it and you always make me see so clearly."

Walking across to Amy, he put his hands on her shoulders. "You are incapable of doing something I dislike, you're my guiding light."

[Safefta Pardek]

[Observation Lounge]

"We both know it's not just any transfer." Alex replied pointedly. "And it's not the transfer that's worrying me, albeit I wish you weren't leaving so soon. It's who you're leaving with." He hesitated, letting out a sigh. Regardless of what Revek's actions had been, he had done so out of self desire. If Safefta was part of his desire, Alex had no doubt that the Cardassian would go to harsh lengths to keep her safe. Even if it meant the endangerment of his entire crew. That both reassured him...and scared the living crap out of him. "Saf, if push comes to shove, I know that Tre'el would do everything in his power to keep you safe. We all saw that...first hand. I just want to make sure that if that happens on your new posting, if God forbid it came to that...well that you'd be able to live with his decision afterwards."

He paused again, eyes downcast to the deck. "I've...lost alot of people I cared about." Alex finally stated quietly, letting slip the persona he had used as a shield for so long. He was tired of it, and he could feel his days growing shorter. "Accidents...War..." Susan came to the forefront, an image he wearily pushed away. "Home. Seems like every which way I turn," He took a deep breath in, letting it out slowly. "People die. I'm not sure how many more I'm going to be able to take, and...well, I just wanted to thank you. For...being a good friend and never letting any troubles come between us."

Safefta knew Wu was right. Revek had already proven that he would go to great lengths to fulfill his motivations. But would she be able to live with it if his actions to protect her took other lives? Probably not, no... Fvadt, Alex. I am already in a difficult position as it is. There are some things I would rather not be reminded of... not now, she thought to herself. It wasn't the first time she'd considered this, of course, but after too many anxious nights worrying about whether her decisions were wise or not, she'd given up and accepted defeat in that argument at least.

"I...."

Before she was able to continue, Alex's entire demeanor changed in front of her and she was quickly silenced. Safefta saw the look in his eyes; one she knew very well, having been faced with it in the mirror more times than she could count- one of grief. Why hadn't she seen this before? You are a very good actor, Alex... she thought sadly. Never once has she seen him like this. It was more his words which concerned her, however. They sounded more than just unhappy. They sounded utterly defeated, with more than a hint of foreshadowing that sent a chill down her spine. With the previous topic immediately wiped from mind, the Romulan's face twitched into one of urgent concern.

What to do? This was a job more suited to counselors, Safefta mused unhappily. Uncertainly, her hands rested on her friend's shoulders.

"Alex... are you alright?" Foolish question! Of course he is not.

[Eli Ferris]

"Thanks Eli but,  this was the first ship I served on. And yes I am a transfer I will tell you more after I talk with Kirok. So how has life been?" He said as he motioned to the command and guest chairs.

Eli smiled, slightly, but stammered a bit at the response. Harriman was a man who Eli could trust, knowing that he had seen many of the ups and downs of Starfleet service that Eli was currently feeling. One did not get to be a commander without a lot of experience.

"Complicated, sir. I will let you meet with the Captain, and hopefully we can catch up soon."

Eli adjusted his uniform, a little uncomfortable. He felt an unusual surge in emotions, but he managed to maintain a neutral expression.