After Mission One Before Mission Two

[Amanda Rose]

It was over. The Klingons were on their side of the Neutral Zone. The Legacy was on its side of the Neutral Zone. All members were present and accounted for. And, best yet, it seemed that nobody suffered any permanent injuries. Cindy flipped her hair back and gave a small laugh. "Well done everyone!" she complimented her crew.

She then turned over to Phil and said, "Well, that's certainly one way to start our five year mission. Quite exciting, hey?"

tag - Phil

"We need to have some discussions to improve our teamwork. I have a number of reports to write. Where is my yeoman?" she asked absently. "Perhaps you should start with Lieutenant Williams. I, um, need to have my leg looked at in sickbay. And then, assuming Nav is still up for it, we have dinner set for tonight."

tag - Phil/bridge (for reactions)

OOC: Everyone, feel free to start socializing again. We're not going to have a mission for a little bit. This should give folks plenty of time to now interact after watching Cindy in action, etc.

[Sjet]

"This is so....FRUSTRATING!!"

Ensign Ricky again tried to wriggle back further into the brig cell's corner, well the corner furtherest away from Keth. The tranquilizer that had been in the dart was a long forgotten memory, the Huanni's impressive metabolism having burnt the drug to ashes within a few minutes of being thrown into the brig cell. After a few seconds of semi lucid words, some of which were in English and were concerned with Ricky's lack of a tail, Keth had returned to his faculties. Faculties that had focused back on a problem. A problem not aided by being locked away in this cell.

Nav was dead: the Romulans had killed her. They probably killed a lot of the crew considering all the shaking and rolling the deck had been doing over the last few minutes. They probably killed TK, because TK seemed like the sort of guy who went down swinging with a knife in each hand. And one between his teeth because TK seemed like a pirate, and pirates were cool. That was probably a good way to go, instead of simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time when a phaser blast opened up the hull to vacuum. Keth was really going to miss TK, because the Huanni felt in their brief interaction they had formed a bond of sorts: not quite besties, but close. And if they killed the famous human female from off the holoNews, well Keth was going to be really miffed!

What if the Romulans had hit the cafeteria?

"...Cookies..." Keth whispered in mortal dread, looking at Ricky with a pensive gaze. Well pensive for a Huanni, but by Ricky's measure the look was a cross between hungry and angry. He again returned to the clear film across the cell's door and began to paw at it ineffectually, snarling as his fingers simply slid right off of it without any purchase! Curse these Federation types and their mystical technology, though why they called it 'glass' when it was clearly a transparent forcefield of devilish design was beyond Keth.

"Let me OUT!!!" Keth wailed, looking at the Brig officer who sat behind the desk in the middle of the outer room "I have to avenge them all by tearing Romulan's into very small pieces with my bare hands!"

Obviously honest was not the best policy, as this did not get the door opened.

"I have paper work to do!" Keth countered "Important paper work concerning, er...a case of...a...whats a common human aliment that is highly infectious but all so not very life threatening?"

"The flu." the security guard said dryly.

"The flew?..Wait humans can FLY!" Keth said, dumbstruck by the statement and looked at Ricky who still cowered in the corner "You can fly! That was not in the medical texts! But a lot of human idioms make so much more sense now! I assume its to do with some sort of heated air bladder within the cranium? Well maybe not hot air, but naturally generated hydrogen? I always wondered what was meant by a inflammatory idea."

TAG-...No one. Anyone. I can have Keth learn A-LOT from this experience. Of course he'll need to test this flying human theory at some point...

Ensign Keth Soban
Medical
USS Legacy

[KendleRJ]

There was much to do in Engineering. Clean up, logging, filing, assessing, reassessing, and of course, for Ensign Navkiran Khangura, a visit or two. One was considered mandatory by protocol, namely heading to Sickbay for another examination. She hoped by this time that her injury had healed sufficiently that she could be at least relieved to go on the second visit-- to the Brig to see Keth. She had to admit that she was worried; he had not been in the best frame of mind when he burst out of Sickbay earlier, and she also had to admit that she didn't remember much of it either. But she knew he had been angry, and all she knew was that as his unofficial Ambassador aboard, she owed it to him to let him know he wasn't alone.

But, one step at a time, she thought, and stepped into Sickbay. "Ensign Khangura reporting for a follow up and clearance for duty."

How she hoped that it would go quickly and well. There was a big Huanni who had run off with some grave misconceptions, and there was a personal need to check on him. After all, when all was said and done, he was, in fact, her friend.

~Tags Sickbay / Everyone

[Melissa Richards]

[KendleRJ]

"Oh Nav, come in.." Jill replied motioning the young engineer inside." She waved her toward a bio bed and had her sit on it. "How are you feeling?"

Nav smiled as well as she could and slid up on the bed. "Glad that we're all still in one piece," she replied as Dr. Vodden continued the examination.

The doctor gently laid her down and began to examine the readings. "Not too bad...some more rest I think, but you can do that off-duty." Vodden took a hypo, set it, then gently injected Nav. "That will help you keep a clear head and assist in the healing of that concussion." She frowned a second, then her smile returned.

She was relieved. Nothing stood in her way to go... except... that frown...

"Nav, I'd like your help.." she turned fully to face the engineer. "I need you to come down to the brig with me. Seeing you will calm down a certain out of control Huanni, and unless I can get him in a state he's useful again, we're going to have to remove him from the ship as a danger to others.."

Nav nodded, the smallest sigh of relief passing over her lips. "To be honest, Doctor, I was hoping to go myself. I was more than a little worried about him. Anything to help my friend." Her eyes were clear and held a sense of concern and compassion. To punctuate her honesty and determination, she reverted to the use of the doctor's first name. "Whatever you need, Jill."

~Tags Vodden / Everyone

[Melissa Richards]

[KendleRJ]

After Everything- In the Captain's Quarters

Ensign Navkiran Khangura had reached the end of a very long day. Between her mixed meetings between Department Heads, mission briefings for their very first mission, and then being on an away team... she could hardly keep it all together in her head. Klingons, Romulans, Keth, Whitney, Vodden... but tonight was going to be daunting all on its own.

Tonight was the Captain's dinner. So, Nav, with genuine Handia, handed down from her parents, she stepped quickly and politely up to the Captain's quarters. She tugged her uniform in place, unsure what to wear, but went with the standard stand by. Better to be safe in the presence of the Captain, wasn't it?

She pressed the door bell, for that's what it was, and held her breath.

Cindy had been anxiously awaiting this evening. She genuinely liked Nav and after all the work she had done in the last two days, she knew that this would be a very special dinner indeed. While she was pretty sure that Phil might have something to say about how she was handling it, Cindy was going to do things her way.

Cindy opted for a sleeveless gold shirt and a black miniskirt and two inch high heeled black shoes. Smoothing her skirt, she her the chime and said cheerily, "Come in!"

Nav heard the request and adjusted the liquor bottle in her arm as she stepped forward, letting the door slide open for her. "Captain Cindy, Ma'am," she said as she stepped in and coloured slightly. She was... incorrectly dressed for the occasion. How typically Nav, she thought before holdng out the bottle.

"Handia, which is a rice beer made in the traditional way handed down for centuries. I offer it as a bond between us, and for an enjoyable meal." She bowed slightly.

Cindy accepted the gift. "What do you suggest that I make that will go along with this fine beer?" She then laughed and asked, "When are you just going to call me Cindy? Besides, we're off duty and you really should relax. This is a night for celebration and getting to know each other better."

"Roti would go well, with a nice Pakora to start," Nav said and smiled in response to the laugh. Yes, she should really relax, but wasn't sure if that was really in her vocabulary. At least, while she had a set of eyes waiting for her to screw up. But not here. And not now.

"Cindy," Nav said a little stilted to begin with. "I'm sorry, I wasn't sure of the... well, you are the Captain, no matter how you look at it. And I'll try to relax. I promise." There was a celebration? Of making it through the first Mission without many casualties. That was worth celebrating. And Frankie, still in one piece.

"I don't think that my food processor knows how to make Roti or Pakora. At least, I do not." She laughed and flipped her hair back. "And," she waved her hand dismissively at Nav, "I may be the Captain, but I'm a person, just like you. The name is Cindy, just like you're Nav. And if necessary, I'll make it an order that you call me Cindy and relax." She gave Nav a winning smile and snickered a bit.

Nav rolled her eyes a bit, and shook her head. "No order necessary, Cindy. And to be honest, it's rice beer. It would go well with anything; it's strong enough to stand up to spice, so whatever you feel like making... or would you like me to try my hand at a little something?"
People, were indeed people. And there would be five years to get to know everyone. She was simply starting at the top.

"Make something?" Cindy asked a bit surprised, yet pleased. "Please. I do not being spoiled a bit and you know more about this rice beer than I. I would like to have the full flavor, as intended."

Nav nodded and rolled up her sleeves. "Pakora is simple, it just has a nice mixture of spices that can be as hot or as tame as your palate prefers." She had made Pakora on occasion with her mother, and daring though she might be, she had more watched her sister and her mother than actually participated. But she was a problem solver... how difficult could this cooking be?

"It's been awhile..." she said as a disclaimer, and focused on remembering the sequence of ingredients. "At least the Roti is served with flat bread..." Oh what an interesting meal this might turn out to be. Perhaps she'd be winning another seat in the Whitney anti-Nav camp.

Cindy assured Nav in an excited voice, "I'm sure that you will do a marvelous job."

She sat down at the table and watched Nav as she worked on her food processor.

Thankfully, the Pakora was as easy as she thought... and before putting in the items to fry, she let Cindy taste a little. Too hot would be overwhelming, and even more uncomfortable on the return.

With the Roti, she decided a nice meat dish to be eaten with it, and tried to make it as simply as she could. It wasn't anywhere near her mother's amazing recipe; she had a magic touch with it, but hopefully it would be at least a nice introduction to food, and could go nicely with the beer.

She spoke as she worked, and, true to her form, ended up with flour, spices and a few lines of sauce criss crossing her cheek.

Cindy tasted the Pakora and bubbled, "Nav, this is wonderful! Are you sure that you're not doubling as a chef in the mess?"

Nav shook her head. "I'm glad you're enjoying it, Cindy." She lifted a small glass of the beer. "I think, in future, I'll leave the cooking to the professionals and stick to fixing the ship."

"Seems that you can fix anything to me, Nav."

"Well thank you, Cindy," Nav said, blushing. "I only wish that were true."

"Tell me, what is it that you think that you could not fix," Cindy challenged.

Nav narrowed her eyes and considered the question. Her fingers, still slightly coated with oil from the fryer went up to press against the bridge of her nose, mixing with the flour and batter already vying for attention there.

"I guess it would be a more personal thing than a professional thing, C... Cindy." She caught herself in time. "I'd say I don't think I could fix... individual conflicts. That would be way out of my league."

She nodded, thinking. "I'll leave that to the Medical professionals." And try to learn to keep her head down.

How hard could that be?

Cindy laughed at that. "You're too much, Nav! People rarely need fixing. They just need encouragement to work together and not for themselves. It has been a challenge throughout time. "

People rarely needed fixing... then why did she feel like she was such a work in progress? She laughed along with Cindy and nodded. "Well, when working together towards a common goal, it's easier." What might have happened if she hadn't joined Starfleet?

That wasn't worth thinking of at the Captain's dinner, and she sipped more of the beer. "How do you like the Handia?" Hopefully that would change the subject as artfully as an Engineer might manage under the circumstances.

"It is wonderful," Cindy responded taking another sip and then eating another piece of the Pakora. One might have expected Cindy to eat daintily but she did not. In fact, she seemed to eat with a great deal of enthusiasm, taking large bites without any signs of being tentative.

"Speaking of which, how are you getting along with the crew? And um, what's the name of your CEO? Whitney?"

Nav opened her mouth, about to enjoy the conversation about the beer, but then... "The crew?" Nav asked. "I haven't done too much socialising, but I think I'm getting along fairly well so far."

She kept a polite and neutral stance on her boss. "Yes, Ma'am," she said, slipping into her professional tone without even noticing it, "Lieutenant Whitney."

Cindy rolled her eyes. "We're not on duty and again, I have asked that you call me by my real name. This is just friendly chit chat. I'm not looking for any official report."

Nav shook her head apologetically. "Sorry, Cindy. It's just been a bit of a long day." Phasers on stun, Khangura, she reprimanded herself. Take it all in stride.

"Yes, yes it has," Cindy answered, sighing. "Imagine the amount of reports that I have had to file after this. And I still have to figure out how to handle half of the things that happened. Thank God you brought the beer!" she exclaimed and laughed again.

Nav grinned and nodded. "I don't envy your reports at all," she said. "Or running a starship." Yet, she thought. Perhaps she should get used to being an Ensign before reaching above her for the next step.

"I can't imagine what you'll have to do next." She thought about Keth and sighed a little softly. She couldn't fix him either, could she? And if he wasn't going to be in Sickbay anymore... her project... her reason to be away from Engineering... it was going to dry up more quickly than the beer.

"Oh, I have a few ideas on what to do next but I think I'll save that for later," she said with a giggle. "And do you not run a starship already? I mean, you engineering types often think you do, right?"

"I think that Frankie would have something to say about that," Nav said. "I'm just like the ship's butler. Whatever he needs, I'm there to make sure he gets it..."

Cindy laughed at that. "Butler? You're not married to the ship, then? Good! We can get you a boyfriend, unless you already have one...."

Nav almost choked on her beer. "Boyfriend?" Swallowing, she shook her head. "I think that one will have to wait a while, Cindy." Between shifts, and emergencies, and lack of free time... how would she ever squeeze someone in there?

Cindy looked at Nav a bit confused. "I didn't mean to offend you. Is it a girlfriend that we need to find you?"

Nav shook her head. "None taken at all." She checked on the meat. "I'm just... not looking." Stirring it as the familiar scents rose from the dish, she hoped it tasted as good as it smelled and splashed a bit of the sauce on her tunic.

"Oh, come on, now, Nav! There's so many eligible bachelors here. Come on, tell me, who do you think is cute?" Cindy asked leaning forward interested.

Nav chuckled and shrugged. "I haven't really seen enough of them to tell." Which was the truth. She had nearly had her life squeezed out of her by Keth, gone on an away mission with a gung ho tactical type, and been in Sickbay with a head injury. Wow, she'd been living the high life indeed. Who knew it could be so fun out here in Space?

"I'm going to go with the ship, so far."

Cindy sighed. "That is disappointing, Nav. I think we will have to get you out more. In fact, I think that I will make it easier on you."

"Easier on me?" Nav cocked her head on one side. "How so?"

"I will tell you later. Don't worry about it now. We still have a lovely dinner to eat that you're making."

"Ok then," Nav said, with some confusion. "Everything's just about ready now." Which she wasn't sure if she should be grateful for, or concerned.

"Wonderful!" Cindy said while clapping her hands together. "So, why don't you tell me where you learned how to cook like this? It smells wonderful."

"It's my mother's recipe," she said and tried to be as off-handed about it as possible. She hadn't spoken of her parents, or her family for so long... "I was fortunate enough to have helped her when she was cooking."

If she had been more actively involved, perhaps the roti would have been less runny, the pakora a tad less oily and her tunic less spattered with a bit of everything.

"Are you this perfectionistic about everything?" Cindy asked with a laugh. "Enjoy yourself and dinner!"

Nav gave a shrug and a lop-sided grin. "I guess I'm a bit of a stickler with certain things..." Like Engineering, and cooking... and everything else. "But I'll try to enjoy myself, ok?"

She began spooning the meat into one dish she'd found and laid the bread out on another. "Let's see how this goes before we decide to enjoy dinner, shall we?" Her eyes twinkled with mischief.

Cindy caught the twinkle and smiled back. "Very well. What do we have here?"

"Beef roti. Not too spicy, and mixed with some vegetables." She slid it on the table. "It's the sneaky way to eat them."

Placing the warmed flat bread beside it, she hoped it wasn't too sticky. "Spoon the meat into the roti, and, if you're not me, you'll manage to eat it without wearing it."

Cindy laughed. "Is it really eating if you don't share it? Clothes included?" She started spooning the meat into the roti and folded it. Taking a bite, some beef juice ran down Cindy's chin.

"Not in my experience," Nav said and slid into the seat across from the Captain. "You've got a little..." she waved a hand in front of her face. "Never mind. Here, let me join you," she said and used the roti to scoop the meat into its centre, rolling and folding in a well-practiced one-handed twist. Taking a big bite, it managed to squish out from every place it could.

It wasn't pretty, but it didn't taste too bad. Thankfully, it didn't remind her of her mother's... that would have been a bit too much to handle after the day she'd had.

Cindy nearly choked on her food when she saw Nav's food go everywhere. She put it down on a plate and started laughing uncontrollably.

Nav shrugged and blushed. "It's a curse."

Cindy continued to laugh but slowly calmed herself by drinking some beer. "You know, some would say that trying to outdo your Captain could get you in some big trouble. Maybe I'll have to reprimand you." She started giggling.

Nav started laughing and tried hard to wipe up the excess with another roti. It was... an adventure, to say the least. "As long as the reprimand comes with a new uniform, I think I'll be good." Well, there went another one... she knew the roti wouldn't be coming out of that one.

"Funny you should mention a new uniform..." Cindy answered seriously.

Nav raised both eyebrows and stopped wiping things up. "I beg your pardon?" she asked.

Cindy moved over to a cabinet and pulled out a box. "This is for you." Inside was markings for a junior grade lieutenant.

"What?" Nav asked, standing up and nearly overturning the table. "I..." They'd been out in space for one day. "I don't know what to say." She blushed fully.

"Thank you?" Cindy offered. "But then again, it is well deserved. You've done more on this ship in a couple days than most engineers do in a year. And you helped us create those whiskers and get us through the entire situation with the Romulans...."

"Then, thank you..." Nav's face was still a deep red. "The whiskers... weren't my idea," she said, trying to deflect. "And I only did what was needed, Ca... Cindy."
She didn't know what to do with rank. Nor what it might mean.

"You're welcome," Cindy said beaming. "And, so you have more time for a social life, I have decided to make you the Assistant Chief Engineer. Now you can make your own schedule, well, with some approval, of course...."

"You did what now...?" Nav asked, her mouth dropping. "And Whitney, I mean, Lieutenant Whitney... he's ok with this?" She couldn't imagine how this might go over with the man who hated her right from the get go.

Scheduling changes... with approval... this was going to be... interesting. With or without a social life.

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about him," Cindy answered with a laugh. "He's just very conservative. Said something about rushing you but as I explained to him, talent is talent. And after Nero, well, we need the top talent in the top positions and you're definitely amazing talent." Cindy shrugged her shoulders as if this was obvious and then giggled. "He was left speechless."

Nav could believe that one... but only speechless with the Captain. She was sure that she'd hear all about it soon enough, and was even more grateful for the beer.

"Well... thank you for the great deal of belief in me, Cap... Cindy," she said. "I hope that I can continue to live up to it." Because if she couldn't, there was one man at least who'd enjoy her rather dizzying fall.

Maybe he'd be happier since if he had to, he could actually bust her down in rank. Smiling, she looked at her plate and her glass. Oh, she would definitely need more beer...

Cindy raised her glass to Nav's and said, "To you and Legacy! Congratulations, Nav!"

Nav raised her glass and tapped it gently against the Captain's. "To the Legacy!" and drained the glass before filling it once more. "And to you, Captain Cindy. Thank you." She hoped... or this could be... very bad indeed.

Cindy drank a large gulp of the beer and then ate another piece of the beef roti, more juice running down the side of her lips. "So, now that we have solved the issue of your time.... What do you think about Luke?"

"Who?" Nav asked as she took another piece of flat bread and wrapped her original attempt into it.

"Helm officer, Ensign. Luke Osswell. Cute as all hell."

Nav shrugged. "Never met him." She thought a moment. "He's on the Bridge... it sounds like you like him, no?"

"He's a good officer. I had him here last night."
Nav grinned. "Was he really a good officer then?" she asked and almost slapped a hand over her mouth. Damned beer. Damned promotion... damn it.

Cindy nearly choked on her food when she heard that. Her eyes crossed as she forced the roti down her throat. Did rumors start? Was Phil right? "Oh, gosh no! Nothing like that! I want to get to know my crew and I invited him here for dinner, just like you."

"Oh," Nav said and blushed even more. "I mean, you said... I..." She held up her beer and pointed at her head. "I had a head injury. During the battle. I'm sure that's what it is... and then add beer and roti. It's a killer combination."

Cindy laughed. "Nav, I really like you. Don't worry about it. I wish more people would treat me like a person and not a rank. Don't stop being yourself with me, please."

Nav grinned, and shrugged a bit self-consciously. "I'll try." She almost sighed in relief. That was one way to change the subject, wasn't it?

"But he is hot, even if he's too young for me!"

Nav chewed on her lip. "I'm sure he can make up his own mind, Ca.. Cindy," she said. "After all, I've never met him. And I don't see me heading on up to the Bridge any time in the near future." Not if her boss had anything to say about it...

"Oh, please! As the ACEO, you can make some sort of excuse, I'm sure!" I really need to get this girl out of her shell.

"Some sort of excuse to just show up..." she considered the possibility. What the hell was an ACEO going to be responsible for anyway? That was going to be a meeting she would never truly forget.

"I'll have to consider it," she said. Before Whitney shoved her out of an airlock, or died of apoplexy. Both were equally possible.

"Oh, do more than consider it. After all, five years is a very long time...."

"And Frankie will need a great deal of TLC." Nav sighed softly. "I wonder..." Keth... well, was he still going to be her unofficial responsibility? "... How will this impact... well. Ensign Soban..." How the hell could she phrase it so that it didn't sound like she didn't want to help out Keth? Because that was far from the case, but that... well... was really up to the Captain, wasn't it?

Cindy sighed at the bringing up of Keth. "I would not worry about Keth at the moment. Obviously, when it comes to his well being, we will have to consider you. He seems rather attached to you." Cindy then started to snicker.

Nav shrugged. "I'll try not to," she said. "And... what is it?"
Cindy's snickers turned into laughter. "Sorry," she apologized. "I just tried to imagine the thought of you and Keth, well, you know, together." She laughed harder. "Sorry. I shouldn't. Some people might be into furries...."

Nav blinked in surprise. "Keth?" She smiled widely thinking of him. "He's got a family back home on Huan, I believe, Ca... Cindy. He and I are good friends, I think... and he would probably prefer someone taller." She waited a beat. "With more hair."

Cindy burst out laughing at that, making sure to catch herself from spitting out food. "We could give you a wig or something?"

Nav laughed and shook her head. "I don't think there's enough hair on board for that one." She rolled her eyes. "I don't think there's anything to be concerned about there, you know. And remember, five years is a long time. It'll give me plenty of time to meet people on board." And plenty of time to avoid it all like the plague. Friendship was one thing, but really... she was sure there would be romance enough for others she could vicariously live through.

"Right!" Cindy said, still laughing. "Five years will give Keth plenty of time to develop a taste for, what is it he calls us, monkeys?"

Nav laughed, and almost snorted her food. "I'm not too sure about that one. But it's early yet. There might be a lot more surprises to come before our mission is over."

"Oh, do tell! Now, I'm very interested! Give me your proposed surprises!"

"Now, they wouldn't be surprises, would they?" Nav said. "Besides, I have no idea, but basing the future from our first Mission..."

Cindy leaned in. "Yes, yes. Go on!"

"We could run into new civilisations, not bent on our destruction," Nav said. "Or discover a new form of energy... start a war, or end one..."

She took a breath. "The possibilities are endless."

"Oh, gosh, Nav!" Cindy exclaimed while patting Nav's hand quickly. "I just want to find anything new! Maybe a quantum anomaly or a non-carbon based lifeform! There's so much out there to be discovered!"

Nav nodded, caught up in the excitement. "I wonder what technology they might have... or how it might impact their societies." She smiled unselfconsciously. "Or what things we might discover that no one else has ever seen..."

"I know! Right?! I mean, they might be able to manipulate time like we manipulate matter. Of course, if that's the case, how would we know if we really met them now or then?"

"Or maybe they exist in a different dimension... how do we know we're not meeting some right now?" Nav laughed and looked around the room slowly. "Alternate reality peeping toms... you never know..."

"God, I love the way you think, Nav! Oh, oh! I know! What if we breached another dimension and existed in two places in time and space?"

"That would be too scary for words, and the calculations would be monstrous!" Nav leaned forward, dipping her finger into the remnants of beef roti on the table. "I mean, we'd have to begin thinking on so many different levels at once... I don't know if our perception could work like that..."

"I'd be willing to give it a try! Of course, there's little that I wouldn't be willing to try," Cindy said while giggling.

"Oh really?" Nav said and raised an eyebrow. "Like a certain Helmsman?" She feigned a wide-eyed look of innocence.

Cindy laughed. "No. He's darn cute but I think the rank difference would be a serious problem."

She nodded in understanding. "So, who CAN a Captain date?"

"Hard to say," Cindy said with a shrug. "Got any thoughts?"

"Hm..." Nav said and let her slightly inebriated mind wander. "What about the Commander? Or is that too weird?" She narrowed her eyes in thought. "Or one of those dimensional alien types?"

Cindy shrugged and giggled. "Phil? I doubt he would want me. I was his student, you know. But a dimensional alien would be LOTS of fun!"

"I don't call him Phil..." said Nav and grinned. "And I never discount anyone." The pink in her cheeks deepened slightly. "For someone else, of course."

"Oh, who would we not be discounting for you?" Cindy asked with a wide grin. "Or do I need to get something stronger for us to drink?"
"No one," Nav said with a clear-eyed honesty. "I've got the ship to worry about, and now all the added responsibility..." She tapped the box shyly. "Let's just focus on you, shall we?"

Cindy laughed. "No, your turn. Besides, you can't hog the responsibility. I've got to coordinate everyone." She grinned like a Cheshire cat. "No, no, what does Nav seek in a guy?"

Nav laughed and shrugged. "I guess someone intelligent, funny, and patient." She rolled her eyes. "Oh so patient... and who might actually like to spend time with me."

"Well, I like spending time with you but I'm not into girls that way," Cindy said with a giggle. "And who wouldn't like spending time with you? Honestly, Nav!"

Nav opened her mouth and shut it. "Contrary to your opinion, not everyone likes spending time with me. And to be honest, I'm not looking for anyone." She blushed a bit more. "I'm not into girls either, not that there's anything wrong with that. But I've really got my hands full with Frankie."
She sighed a little. "He's more than enough man for me to handle at the moment. Besides, we have a while... I'm good with taking my time."tag

"Taking your time is fine but you need to find a target!"

"Targeting later," Nav said. "It's overrated. I think doing my job well is good enough for me." She took a deep breath and poured the rest of the beer into the Captain's glass.

Cindy happily took the beer and drank it. "All work and no play makes Nav a dull girl!"

"Yep!" Nav said agreeably. "That's me!"

"Well, then that's going to change immediately," Cindy resolved with a deadly serious look. "I'm taking charge of your personal schedule." A devilish grin crossed Cindy's face.

"Ummm..." said Nav and swallowed.

"Um what?" Cindy asked with a larger smile.

"I'm sure you have your own schedule to worry about," Nav said, growing paler.

"I have everyone's schedule to worry about."

"I'm sure there are plenty of others who would benefit from such a... um... a great attention to detail." Nav slid a hand down her uniform.

"Absolutely! And you are one of them and I'll introduce you to others, like Luke and Lieutenant Williams, though, he has a bit of a temper." Cindy shook her head. "Um, let's see, who else?" Cindy shrugged. "Don't matter! You play any sports?"

"Not so much with the sports," Nav said. "Tai chi..."

Cindy frowned a bit. "Well, that can be fun but we can work on it. I'm thinking of creating a bowling league...."

"Bowling..." Nav thought for a moment. "Is that the game with...hm..." She scrunched up her face. "Sorry, Captain. I got nothin'."

"Racquetball?"

"I'm guessing that's played with a raquet and a ball..." Nav said. "Look, I spent a lot of time covered in grease in my dad's garage back home. Sports was something he watched, not something I played."

Cindy frowned in thought. "Um, well, maybe we could create a book club for you?"

"I do like reading," Nav said. "And a book club of one. How fun!" She laughed.

"No, no, no! That's not social! We will get more into the group. What do you like to read?"

"Engineering manuals," Nav said. "Some old classic science fiction, and fantasy..."

"Shakespeare?"

"To be or not to be,stuff?" Nav asked. "I do like him too, but he mostly did sonnets and plays." She thought for a moment. "Are you thinking of maybe performing?"

"I did a couple of times. But I don't make a good Juliet nor do I make a good Titania."

"Well, I guess that's a possibility... but we'll see how everything might fit with my projects as well." There was still, hopefully, that special fit for Sickbay...

"Your projects? What else?"

Nav thought for a moment, eyes rotating around a little, searching for something. Anything. There wasn't anything, but that... well, that could be just the opening that the Captain might be looking for... so she said nothing at all.

Cindy laughed. "Oh, come on, Nav, is socializing that scary to you? Surely, I'm not scary to you, am I?"

Nav shrugged. "You're the Captain, Cindy. And I'm not really afraid of socialising..." She bit the inside of her lip. "Ok, yes, I am, but hey, I'm a geeky Engineer type. I'm much more comfortable with a tool kit."

Couldn't she just do her job and think of all this personal stuff later? They'd been out in space for less than a week...

"I'm Cindy. Skip the Captain part. I'm just a normal tom boyish girl."

"Who commands a starship, and everyone reports to." Nav shrugged. "That's something you can't get away from, Cindy."

"I do in this room. This is one of the reasons that I tell people to call me Cindy. I want to be seen as a person, not just some figurehead or status symbol."

"You're a leader," Nav said simply. "No matter how much you want to separate yourself from your job, I..." Nav tipped the near empty glass upward and let the last drop roll down. "Shit rolls downhill, and you, Cindy, are in the valley."

Nav shrugged. "You can't get away from it, unfortunately. Because no matter where you are, you are ultimately responsible for everyone aboard."

And this is what Nav wanted to do? Wow.... that would fill up her time a lot, wouldn't it?

"Yes, I am but I also am a person with needs. We're not our jobs. Never forget that. Work hard, play hard!"

Nav nodded. "I'm sure I'll get there," she said softly.

"We'll get you there, I promise!" Cindy said with a tender, warming smile, her eyes twinkling.

Nav almost snorted. "With you involved, of that I have no doubt."

Cindy smiled proudly. "Well, I'm glad that you're giving into your fate." Giggling slightly she asked, "Should I make some dessert?"

"Absolutely," said Nav. "I'm thinking some tea or coffee might be in order." She had no idea what Jill might say about her drinking after a mild concussion. But really, what could happen? She really didn't want to think about it too hard.

"I can do that. And how about a hot fudge sundae? I could make one to share or two if that creeps you out."

"Hot fudge sundae is perfect," Nav said. "And we can share." She raised an eyebrow. "But I get my own spoon, right?"

"Of course!" Cindy answered laughing. "Like I said, you're not my type."

Cindy went over to the food processor and two cups of green tea and a hot fudge sundae came out. She brought them back to the table and said, "This is about as well as I can cook," she said with a giggle.

"Perfect!" said Nav. "And thanks so much for the evening," she said. "A great finishing touch." She eyed the hot fudge sauce. "Chocolate is my favorite."

"I'd question whether you were a woman if you didn't like chocolate!" Cindy said flipping her hair back and laughing. "It isn't natural to dislike it!"

Taking a sip of her green tea, she let the heat seep through her and closed her eyes, inhaling the aroma.

"One of my weaknesses," Nav said. "I'd eat it every day if I could."

"You could. Nothing stops you!" Cindy answered with a grin.

"Except for whatever the chef makes in the mess," Nav said. "That's about it." Chocolate chip waffles or pancakes... oh why was she thinking of more food after having such a filling meal?

"He works so hard to feed us all..."

"Yes, but well, we have nearly 5 years to get used to it, right?"

"Indeed we do," Nav nodded, and picked up a spoon, dipping it into the sundae.

Cindy dipped into the sundae and ate a big mouthful of sundae, savoring the hot fudge. She turned the spoon around in her mouth and suckled it slowly with her eyes closed. When the last bit of fudge was gone, she opened her eyes and took the spoon out of her mouth, reaching for another scoop of the sundae.

Nav made sure she tag teamed the sundae, avoiding spoon play in the bowl. Cindy enjoyed the sundae, and Nav really appreciated the tea.
She let the mouthful cool, and the flavour expand. It would help her digest.

"Oh, Nav!" Cindy exclaimed. "This has been the best dinner ever. We have to do this again!"

Nav laughed and nodded slowly. "We do, Cindy. But I'm guessing it'll be a while until you've gone through the crew."

Cindy smiled. "Well, maybe I'll have to make exceptions...."

"Exceptions?"

"Well, yeah. I was going to go straight through everyone but, well, this has been too much fun." She laughed.

"Don't bump anyone on my account," Nav said. "I don't have any more beer..."

"You used it on me?" Cindy asked surprised. "Oh, that's not acceptable! That should have been for a date. I'll make it up to you! I promise!"

"You.." Nav was going to say that she didn't have to, but she had a sneaking suspicion that it wouldn't matter either way. "Thanks."

What else was she going to say to the Captain?

Cindy answered, "You're welcome. First alien species we meet with good alcohol is yours."

Nav laughed. "Deal!" she said, knowing that if that happened, it would gather dust over the five years.

"Wonderful!" Cindy exclaimed gleefully and then finished the sundae. She sighed. "I'm going to sleep well tonight."

"Oh me too," said Nav. "But thanks so much for the wonderful dinner."

"Oh, please! You made most of it. And, congratulations on your promotion."

"Thanks so much, Cindy." Nav got more quiet. "It's going to be one hell of a day tomorrow." She stood, her tea cup and the sundae dish empty. "Thank you again. And I guess I'll see you soon."

"I'm sure you will and more often. After all, you're an assistant chief, now!" Cindy smiled gleefully. "I hope you can sleep after the excitement."

Nav took the box and tried to keep it away from the stains that spattered her clothing. "Assistant Chief," she said. "It'll be a challenge, but I'll try my best."

She moved toward the door, and took a deep breath. This... had been one hell of a day.

"You'll be great, Nav! Just like you have been with the whiskers and the Romulans! I have every faith." Cindy moved to the door. "Same time next week?"

"Uh... certainly, Ca... Cindy," Nav said. "Same time, next week."

Cindy opened the door. "Can't wait!"

Tags Everyone

(A JP of monstrous proportions brought to you by the number infinity, and Amanda Rose and KendleRJ - Thanks Amanda for complicating Nav's life!)

[T-Prime]

TK regained consciousness on a bed in sickbay. Sitting up with an unqualified success, but his attempts to stand were blocked by a serious looking young man. Doctor or nurse, TK really didn't care which.

"You've suffered extensive trauma, Sir. You'll have to remain in bed for a few more days." He explained.

"I've had worse." TK replied honestly. Sure he was sore, everywhere, and he had a splitting headache, but staying in bed would only add anxiety and frustration to the mix. Pain was easy enough to deal with; doing nothing for days at a time would probably prove fatal.

"I'm going to stand up now." TK explained slowly, "Then I'm going to walk out those doors, go to my quarters and get a shower. After that I have work to do. Now, unless you want to take up residence in this bed after I vacate it, you're not going to try stopping me."

[Cmdr Phil]

Cindy turned over to Phil and said, "Well, that's certainly one way to start our five year mission. Quite exciting, hey?"

“Every time you say something like that, the old Chinese curse of ‘May you live in Interesting Timess’ floats through my head,” observed Phil.

"We need to have some discussions to improve our teamwork. I have a number of reports to write. Where is my yeoman?" she asked absently. "Perhaps you should start with Lieutenant Williams. I, um, need to have my leg looked at in sickbay. And then, assuming Nav is still up for it, we have dinner set for tonight."

Phil frowned. If CIndy was admitting she needed medical treatment now, it must be worse than he’d thought. Still, at least she was getting it seen to.


*** Some hours later ***

As the door to his quarters whooshed closed, Phil sighed heavily, his previously stiff back slumping as he sat at his desk. He ought to record his personal log. It was the end of the day’s duty and that’s when you were supposed to do it, but it was still a million thoughts all fighting for his attention. He would have to wind down before he could marshal them into any semblance of order.

He reached down to the small case under the desk and pulled it out, placing it on top and opening the catch to reveal a clear acrylic ball. Carefully, he withdrew it from the box and placed it on top of the downturned fingers of his other hand. Turning his seat to face away from the desk, he began gently throwing and catching the ball, still with the back of his hand then, when he was satisfied, let the ball run down to his wrist, where he tipped it onto his other wrist and back to the fingertips of the other hand.

A few more repetitions to get his hand in, as it were. Gravity on board a starship was rarely Earth-normal. There was often a compromise for other species or to conserve energy. He needed to get the feel for it before he could be more adventurous.

Once he was satisfied, he moved onto more complex moves, the ball dancing over his hands as if it was making the moves itself and he was merely accompanying it. This was when he was most centred. Your mind couldn’t wander far when you were concentrating on the routine.

At peace.


OOC -

[Sjet]

There was the sound of scampering feet, then-
"Doctor Vod-!!"
THUD!
"...Just...making sure the...the thing was...there...ouch."

The security officer at the guard station signed Dr Vodden and Ensign Nav in, and then just pointed to the single occupied cell. No need for direction, as all the other cells were open and unlit. Within Keth's home away from home could be found the Huanni of that name, sprawled on his back with his hands covering his nose. His tail was weaving to and fro on the deck, apparently content to do its own thing when not needed to keep his balance. Ricky the security guard, the one Keth had dragged in with him in his drugged stupor, brightened at the sight of other officers. Freedom was at hand from the company of the moving buzz saw with a thousand questions.

TAG-Mel and Nav, let the madness commence!!

Ensign Keth Soban
Medical
USS Legacy
...there's an entire planet thats just like him...haha...hehe...bwuhahaha!