We Were Seen

Posted on Wed Jan 22nd, 2020 @ 10:09pm by Major Charlena Dilucca & Lieutenant Commander John Pearce
Edited on on Fri Feb 28th, 2020 @ 9:39pm

2,024 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: [Joint Mission]Happy ever after
Location: USS Shanghai Sickbay/Security Office
Timeline: MD 003 - 1130 08/01/2396

ON: John had gone about his duties in sickbay, but he could not escape the nagging feeling that despite his warning to Walker, the rumors about him and Charlie were about to start. 'That's if they haven't started already...' he thought to himself. He had seen her talking to several of the other nurses and orderlies here in sickbay and she had even glanced his way once. Hopefully she was only discussing ship's business but at this point who knew. He also wondered what Charlie's reaction would be if she heard the rumors. Correction - WHEN she heard because on a ship the size of the Shanghai it was inevitable that she would hear. The only question was what the rumors would actually be by the time they got to her. Perhaps his best course of action would be to go directly to her and let her know that they had been seen leaving his quarters. It was almost lunch time anyway so maybe she might like some company. With that in mind, he quickly finished what he had open on his terminal, then closed it and walked out into the main sickbay ward. He found one of his doctors and left word for her to call him if needed before heading out of sickbay and in the direction of the security department. Once he arrived it didn't take long for him to find Charlie's office. Just as he was about to reach her door, it suddenly flew open and he was almost run down by a Marine who seemed to be in a great hurry. Seeing that her door was open, he simply knocked on the door jamb, then stuck his head just inside the opening. "Hi," he called out, seeing her seated at her desk. "Are you busy?" --- Charlie had gotten to her office and was reading last night security reports before heading to the bridge to start her shift. As she was used to as a marine, she was reading the reports standing up. It was then Ensign Garett walked in. He was in her security detail. She thought he wasn't only looking like a weasel, he acted like one too. He had no discipline, and always tried to undermine her authority. But of course she had no problem handeling him. And he knew it. "Major," He said with his slithering tone. Charlie threw the pad she was holding on her desk, she figured, after the night she had, not even a weasel like Garett couldn't spoil her mood. "What can I do for you, Ensign?" She crossed her arms. He almost swayed as her walked to her. "Have you heard the word around the ship? I don't know exactly who it was, but someone saw you come out of someone else's quarters." A grin was on his face. Charlena didn't make any illusions, a ship like this, and how careful they must've been, wouldn't be enough. So it wasn't that unlikely what he said there. But the way he said it, she knew he was rattling her cage. She swallowed the urges coming up in her. Her marine training once again saved her. She was still standing there with her arms crossed. "I will admit, I had a wonderful evening with Doctor Pearce last night at his quarters. What I don't get is how that is any of your business, Ensign." Garett could feel the tension in her voice. He should know by now, she was almost as cold as a Vulcan. But he was young, in experienced and all he knew was, she was a marine. Having her in charge was not in his best interest. Noticing that didn't move her his expression changed. Charlie could tell his was disappointed and frustrated he couldn't get under her skin once more. So before he would get in to his childish tantrums again she said, "Ensign, if that is all, get out of my office now." He gave her a look and pointed at her. "This isn't over!" "This isn't over, Major!" She corrected him, but that seemed to agitate him more, so he just turned around and wanted to walk out. "Hold on, Ensign!" With his back to her, she could hear him breath in sharply, then he said through his teeth, "This isn't over, MAJOR!" He then walked out of the office. Charlie watched him leave and just shook her head as she picked up her padd again and sat down. The kid was drawing a lot of energy from her. She sighed. That was when a familiar face poked his head in her office. "Hi," he called out, seeing her seated at her desk. "Are you busy?" She looked up and a smile appeared on her face when she saw John. "No, I am not busy, please come in, John. You are a sight for sore eyes." John walked in and sat down in a chair facing her desk. "I just thought I should tell you that we were seen leaving my quarters together this morning," he said slowly. "I wanted to tell you before you heard it second- third- or fourth-hand. I would have commed you and told you but I didn't want to take the chance of it being overheard." "Yea I know," Charlie said siging. "Just had Ensign Garett telling me. I am not sure what that weasel's endgame is. But somehow I get the feeling he doesn't like a marine in charge of security." John frowned slightly as he listened to her. "Does that explain the ensign I saw leaving here in a run? Because he almost knocked me down in the corridor." John grinned a bit. "I've a good idea who started this rumor and I will deal with them. In the meantime what do we do - ignore it and let them talk, or maybe give them something to really talk about? I mean what would they have said if we had been seen kissing in public?" Charlie though about that a moment. "Well, to be honest, if they want to talk, they will talk, there isn't much we can do about it." She got up as she said, "but you know, if they are going to talk, maybe we should give them something to talk about. What do you think?" She had walked around her desk and was now standing next to him. "Sweetheart if they want something to talk about I guarantee we can give them that." The term of endearment had slipped out unbidden and there was no way for him to take it back. If the truth were told, he would not have taken it back even if it had been possible. True, he might have waited a bit longer - or maybe not. Either way it was done and he would just wait and see if she reacted to it. "Oh, Sweetheart now," She grinned. "Well, let's do it then. I am excited. How about lunch down on the base? Nice and public." "That works for me," he said as he stood up from the chair. "I'm ready for lunch anyway." He thought for a moment as they started out. As Chief of Security she would probably know about the ship's schedule. If they were going to be docked for a few more days perhaps they could squeeze in a trip to Taran 2. It was only a couple of days away by warp shuttle. "Do you have any idea how long we're going to be here?" "We will be here several more days," Charlie said. "You see in about 3 days there is going to be a wedding, and we're invited to it." She smiled. "You see, before you, we had a chief medical, her name is T'San, and he daughter is getting married. She served on the Shanghai before, alongside Captain Bers, was the first officer on this ship before he was promoted." She held out her arms to him to help them up. "Would you like to accompany me to the wedding?" She was actually asking him as her date. She hoped he would notice. Now it was John's turn to be surprised. Was she asking him out? "I would be honored to escort you to the wedding," he answered. If he recalled from their conversation the night before, restaurant owner Dan's daughter was marrying a member of the Crescent. "It will give me a chance to dress up formally," he said with a grin as they walked out of her office. Once they were in the corridor, he looked around and made sure there were several members of the crew watching. "If the crew wants to talk, let's give 'em something to talk about. In fact, why don't we go to Dan's for lunch. Who knows, there might be some of the crew there," he said as he reached for her hand. Charlie nodded. "That sounds like an excellent idea." She grinned as she grabbed his hand that he had reached out to her. She noticed the crew members in the corridor. They seem to just glance at them as they were talking.  John liked the way her hand felt in his as they strolled along the corridor. It had been a long time since he had felt as comfortable with a woman as he felt with Charlie. While it was true that there was ten years' age difference between them, some how that didn't seem to matter. They continued to talk and laugh a bit as they arrived at the docking port that connected the Shanghai to the station. Once aboard the station, they headed directly for Dan's bar and grill. John had only been there once before - last night, in fact - but it was fast becoming his favorite place. In the meantime another man was making his way through the corridor to the bar, lounge, grill and what not this interesting Vulcan had come up with. The General had to try this for himself. He stopped when he sawa two other people coming to the entrance as well. Charlie looked up and she almost froze at the spot. She didn't know what to say. When she saw him. That was General Meran.She heard so much about him back in boot camp. Her stopping made John stop as well and she leaned over to him and whispered, "That's General Meran."  Laban stopped in front of the two new people. The Major he saw immediately stood at attention and saluted. He gestured back in kind and said, "At ease, Major!" He nodded to John. "Commander."  John came to attention immediately after Charlie did. "Good morning General," he said simply. Truth be told, he would not have recognized General Meran if he had bumped into him, but that didn't mean a salute shouldn't be given. After all the honor was rendered to the rank, not the person. He then waited for Charlie to speak. Charlena was a bit excited about meeting the General and also a bit nervous. She wasn't sure how he would react to seeing her with the doctor. "General, good morning, I am Major Charlena Dilucca. It is an honor to meet you. I heard stories about the Panorama." She fell silent. She wasn't sure if the General wanted to talk about that. Laban smiled. "Have you now, Major?" He looked to the doctor and then back to the Major. "Doctor, Major, would you like to join me, I was on my way to Dan and Nidria's for some lunch. My wife is already there. Please join us. We don't have company often due to our position in the fleet."  To be continued... Off: LtCommander John Pearce, MD Chief Medical Officer USS Shanghai & Major Charlena Dilucca Chier Security/Tactical/Second Officer USS Shanghai & Lieutenant General Meran Marci Mystic Fleet Commander PNPC Charlena Dilucca  

 

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