Accidental Run-ins
Posted on 11/29/2021 @ 8:40pm by Captain Cara Letsul & Rear Admiral Thomas Rice
Edited on on 03/02/2022 @ 3:34pm
3,881 words; about a 19 minute read
Mission:
Mini Mission: When The Cat's Away
Location: Station Operations
Timeline: MD01 1300 01/03/2397
ON:
It had been an exciting few weeks, and to be honest, Tom was enjoying the peace and quiet. However, peace and quiet on Starbase 50 only meant that something was about to drop. He didn't consider himself a superstitious man, but 50 had a reputation that was well earned. Stopping by a replicator, "coffee, black and hot," he stated as he looked around Ops.
"Everything looked in order," he commented to himself as he sipped the beverage. "Perhaps," he stopped himself, "Nope, nope, nope." He wasn't going to go there. He turned to head to the nearest lift as a new face caught his attention. "Commander," he called out, "I don't believe we've met yet."
He offered his free hand, "Commodore Rice, Sector Commander. And you are?"
Cara had been looking over the operations area, making some comparisons to what it was like on the NEC, which she had been in charge of. This made her happy, very happy indeed. A beautiful view of Aquil, a planet she hoped to explore sometime. She turned with a genuine smile and walked up to the Commodore, taking his hand. "I am Commander Letsul, new Station Operations personnel." her hand was warm and firm in the handshake. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"I knew there was going to be some staffing changes here," Tom smiled, "however, I didn't know they were going into effect so soon. I know the position is a bit different, but I firmly think it will be beneficial in the long run. I trust you are settling into the role just fine?"
"I am settling in so far, and as for the position, it isn't too different from where I served before. And I certainly love the view. In my last position, I was over a base that had been made inside a carved-out Asteroid. It too had a good view out of operations." Cara answered.
"Well, at the moment, the view is spectacular," Tom smiled, "and a base carved out in an asteroid, now that is something I think I'd like to see."
"It was amazing and a lot of work to get it up and running. And fun. We all pitched in together to make it work." Cara responded with a sparkle in her eyes and a returning smile. "I certainly enjoyed being in the planning stages of getting it up and running. I even got to grub around in the dirt, creating gardens."
"Stations are a bit of an open canvas, so many things one could do on them if you are creative enough," Tom admitted, "how do you plan on bringing your former experience here to help this station?" Tom had to admit that he hadn't really dug into the new staff. He knew next to nothing about the Commander in front of him.
"Well, that remains to be seen; I've seen it from a civilian perception, and now to look at it from a command team perception. Different points of view, don't you think? I've explored the promenade and the arboretum. Still have to look at what else this place offers." Cara replied. "Are you wanting specifics?"
"Just general questions, Commander," Tom nodded, "nothing specific, just trying to get to know the newest member of the command team and how they might affect things on this station."
"That is a very valid question. What has always happened in the long run of things? I look at what I can add to help. I analyze, see if there is a difficulty that can be addressed, and see if there is a solution. I do know that things on a station, even on a ship, aren't perfect. Far from it, due to the various personalities that are on them even in command. I am not afraid of hard work and am quite able to roll up my sleeves and grub in the so-called dirt with others." Cara stated with a smile. "You, sir, do not come off as someone who just sits behind a desk and lets everyone do the work."
"My current position might not agree with you on that one," Tom admitted, "and you might be correct," he hinted. "Things in this environment are far from perfect, but it's our job to figure out the lack of perfection, I guess." He smiled, "and something says that you will need to roll up those sleeves with this crew."
Cara gave a light laugh, "Oh, that is nothing new to me. I even have a pair of fishing waders in case I have to traverse a swamp." she glanced into Tom's eyes. "And I am serious about that. I do have waders that come up to here," moving to where it is up to her chest.
"Question as per you, Commodore Rice, what do you like to do for your personal time? Do you take time to do hobbies? And what sort of hobbies do you like to do?" One thing Cara liked to do was learn about the people she would be working with.
"Hobbies," Tom thought, "I would say I enjoy cooking, even had Operations install a kitchen in my quarters. If I can help it, none of that replicated food," he tapped his pips, "when the job doesn't get in the way, that is."
"Cooking can be considered a work of art. Any others that you like to indulge in or have explored? Do you like the outdoors? Do you have other interests besides cooking? Not that there's anything wrong with that. To me, though, you have many layers to you. That hasn't even been touched yet. Oh, and besides my grilling you, what else do you wish to know of me?" Cara giving a light chuckle. "I can't be the only one asking all of the questions."
"I find it interesting that you are grilling me," he smirked, "to start with, Commander Letsul. Most people on this station see me, hear me, or hear of me and tend to run in the opposite direction. I seem to have gained a rather odd reputation. Not that I did anything to deserve said reputation," he knew why people avoided him, and he wasn't going to change. "I am sure there are many layers, but those will come out in time..."
Cara chuckled, "In my career, I have found out that people earn a reputation that they just haven't truly deserved. Sometimes they do. It depends on just what they have done." Cara could see a great amount of confidence and strength radiating from the man she was speaking with.
"I haven't even looked at your records, and once you find out about my other job, you may want to walk the other way or not. It depends on how well you like, Counselors." looking into his eyes and also watching his body language. "I have had a few people; when they found out I was a counselor, they veered off in another direction."
"Can't avoid everyone," Tom replied with a slight chuckle. "Counselors are just as needed as any other position. Sadly, I find that most refuse to see the Counselor until it's too late. As far as my reputation, I will admit that a lot of it is at my own hand; I tend to keep things professional." He shook his head, "maybe a bit too professional."
"I see, so is your professionalism more of a barrier to keep from interacting with others? Or your feeling that people need to be giving out more quality work instead of being sloppy?" Cara noting the state of his uniform. How a man or woman wears their uniform, or personal clothing can tell a great deal about themselves.
"If you don't want to answer that question, that is okay, or you can just tell me to stuff it." Cara cracked a smile.
Tom let out a chuckle, "stuff it, Counselor, that is so much easier than admitting the truth. Keeping people at a distance makes it easier to do the job, I think. If you don't have those personal connections, then when you have to fulfill a Command duty, it's much easier." He sighed, "It does, however, make for some lonely nights, and talking to one's pet isn't quite the same as a person, I know."
"Or talking to a miniature rose garden. Though I find that talking with plants tends to make them flourish." Cara was laughing. "And what sort of pet do you have? And well hmnn with the longer we talk together, we may need to take this conversation somewhere else and not clog the corridor." giving a wink to Thomas. "What do you say, have some tea somewhere and just chat?"
Tom gestured to a nearby Officer that he knew wasn't in use, "sounds like a date," he admittedly blushed, "I mean," he stammered, "tea would be lovely." He took a few steps, "a goldfish, by the way, easier to keep alive and doesn't require a lot of work."
"Do you have a recommendation for someplace to have some tea?" Cara noted Tom's reaction to her invite. Once, they were sufficiently away from any listening ears. "Nothing wrong with calling it a date, whether it be casual or formal." she quipped. "There is a place I like to drink my tea in, and that is my counselor's office. It can be rather serene there. However, you get to pick where you would like us to chat and just relax."
"There are a few places in the Promenade," Tom gestured to the nearest lift, "that is if you think this place can manage without their Commander for a few minutes." He nodded as the two headed to the lift. He caught her invite to the Counselor's office, but he wasn't about to make a trip there unless needed.
"I am certain that they can. They are quite capable without my breathing down their necks. If they are treated like they have a brain and know what they are doing then, you get more productivity." When they stepped into the lift, Cara looked at Tom. "I take it you don't want to go to my office? I am not a normal counselor. And I do have some good teas there." she shrugged. "Suit yourself; I will just add you to the list of people who avoid the counselor's office at all cost."
"Well, if you insist, Counselor," he gestured to the thin air, implying she was able to change their designation. "I am not afraid of the Counselor's office; just in my experience, conversations in there tend to get a bit in-depth. And a good cup of tea can't hurt."
Cara changed the direction of the lift, and soon they were headed to her office. "The only way an in-depth conversation would happen would be if a person wishes to initiate said deep conversation. As I said to another person who came to visit me, I like to spend time in my office as sort of my escape, a sort of sanctuary." giving a smile.
As they drew near her office, Cara remarked, "I'm big into having a place to destress, not only for others but for myself as well."
"You have your office. I have my kitchen," he replied, understanding her meaning. "Everyone needs that space, free from life, the uniform, and everything that comes with it."
"Once I get my quarters set up properly, then it will end up being one of my sanctuaries. "Cara said smiling, " Just felt though, that my office was more important to get set up, given what's been going on as of lately." a frown furrowing her brow, her smile slipping away.
Cara's Office: Cara's office
Cara led the way into her office, her inner sanctum as she called it. There was a hint of cedar in the air when the door closed behind them. When she was further into the room, Cara would pause to take a deep breath in through her nose, delighting in the scent of the natural wood.
"I really love the scent of natural wood," she said quietly.
Tom stopped for a moment, "well, excuse the expression, but I'll be damned. I am not sure what I was expecting, but I've never seen a Counselor's Office quite like this," the Commodore folded his arms behind his back. "I could certainly see the desire to hold more meetings here, and you're making me rethink my own office's decor."
Cara smiled, "Thank you." she walked over to where she started the water heating up for the tea. "I believe in the art of healing, in more ways than one. Both the mind, the soul, and the body; of them is very interconnected. If you can't take care of either of them, things go way off balance." giving a slight shrug. "What sort of tea would you like to drink? And do you take fresh lemon in your tea?"
Tom looked over at Cara, "peppermint with a bit of lemon, please, yes." He moved around the room, slowed as he took in the various items the Commander had scattered over several shelves. "Healing is more than the body, I do agree. It involves a holistic approach, dealing with all aspects of human development and behavior."
When the water was at the right temperature, Cara pulled out a black teapot with two hummingbirds upon it and placed a tea ball into the pot, which had dried peppermint, and poured the water into it. The scent of the peppermint wafted its way from the spout, and she then closed the lid over the teapot and brought out a lemon which she cut into wedges, the fresh citrus scent adding to the other scents in the room.
"I do believe strongly in holistic approaches to healing. Cara remarked while prepping the lemons. "This includes cooking."
She placed these inside a clear glass bowl and then put two teacups with hibiscus flowers upon them. She added a small ceramic jar of honey upon the tray and brought them over to the half-circle table near the sofa. Also, there were tongs to pick up the lemon wedges and a spoon to dish up the honey with.
"My cooking skills have been more of making ointments and the oils I use for doing massages. It's been a while, though, since I've done that. When a person rises in the ranks, the time normally used to indulge with a favorite pastime tends to disappear. I do know how to make soups, though, as part of the healing nature for the body."
Cara took a seat at one end of the sofa and moved the table to where it is at a centralized position. "I was in the mood for some peppermint tea myself."
"Peppermint tea is my go-to," Tom replied as he took a seat opposite Cara. "I still can't get over this office, quite unlike any other Counseling Office I have ever been in," he smiled, "and you even got a sofa, I see. How exactly does this work? Do I lie down? Or, something else?" Tom sipped his tea as he smiled. He was finding her company to be rather different compared to the rest of the crew. She was refreshing.
Cara smiled, "I put myself in other people's shoes, and did studying as well about the feng shui of how a room should flow. Peace, Tranquility, plus a sort of comfortable, homey feel. This at the moment is where two acquaintances and possibly even friends are drinking some tea together." Cara paused to take a drink of her tea, lowering the cup down, then continued.
"Now, if you were to stretch out on the couch, your head would end up in my lap if I didn't move, that is. And this sofa is quite comfortable for taking naps. I have done that myself, taken naps upon this sofa." She casually remarked.
Tom looked at her and then to the sofa, glancing back to Cara. If he were a younger man, that comment would be taken in a much different manner. Tom could feel the heat building up in his cheeks. He just smirked as he sipped his tea, "I could think of worse places to rest my head," he blushed a bit, trying to regain his composure. He coughed as he tried to hide his own thoughts and embarrassment.
Cara catching the emanations of Tom's emotions, she smiled gently. "When was the last time you had your temples massaged or even had a massage?" She knew this would be out of the blue, but she noted that tension was evident in his shoulders. "I have been told my lap is a comfortable place to rest one's head."
Tom looked at the Counselor, "Commander, I really," he stopped, then took a long breath. "To be honest, Cara, I can't remember the last time. One doesn't really get much time to relax and let the hair down, as they say in my line of work." He wasn't sure what she was offering if she was offering anything. He was a higher-ranking Officer, and unlike Harrington, he didn't need a reputation following him. "I know people think I am distant, cold, and even uncaring, but it's easier that way." He relaxed on the sofa a bit.
"It's easier to keep people at bay than to let them, or someone, in," he added.
Cara gave a nod, "Well, too much distance isn't good either. She took another sip of her tea then placed her cup onto the table. She took a look at Tom then remarked, "Let me help ease some of your tension; I'm actually skilled in acupressure and massage." she patted her lap to invite him to put his head there.
Tom didn't waste a moment as he laid down on the sofa. Stretching out, he rested his head on Cara's lap. This was not like any typical Counseling session he'd ever attended. He couldn't lie; he was glad for this accidental run-in. "You know I was married before," he exclaimed out, not entirely sure where that came from. Maybe it was the tension talking or some lame attempt at an ice breaker.
He had to talk about something, and he couldn't exactly look up. He turned his head; something felt wrong looking up at her, well. He blushed.
Cara chuckled. The tone of it was warm. "I did not know that, Tom." her voice having a caress to it as she began to work on his temples, "Just close your eyes." then she spoke, "Computer lower the lights to 30 percent. She could feel the tension he was feeling through her fingers besides what her empathy was picking up as well. Cara knew all of the pressure points to help a person relax, and she smiled softly. This was something she had missed, starting a person upon the path of healing.
Tom closed his eyes, but it was hard to shut his mind off. He was generally not a trusting man, so giving up any form of control was difficult. "It wasn't that long of a marriage, to be honest," he admitted, "it didn't work out, and we moved on. At least one of us did," he voiced, hinted that perhaps he wasn't the one. He also left out the affair and all the messy details. It had been years. He was over it, right?
He took a deep breath.
Cara was working on his temples and other pressure points on the head. She paused and placed one hand upon Tom's chest over his heart. "I am not going to do anything bad to you, Tom. And I am sorry that happened to you. For what it's worth, whatever happened, I would say I am sorry for the pain you have gone endured. I've not been married, but I ended a long time, rather a unique relationship. Someday I may tell you about it when I feel more comfortable speaking of it. And when I know its safe for me to do so."
"So you offer a warm place for us to open but don't feel confident to reciprocate," he smirked, "maybe we should change place, Counselor."
Cara chuckled slightly, "I want to make certain he, well, they are safe." she looked at Tom as if contemplating something. "I just am hoping that Fernandez and someone special stays safe, safe away from hunters and the like." then she shook her head. "What am I saying, Fernandez is quite the capable man. I shouldn't worry. I guess old habits die hard. I've been protecting his secrets for quite some time now. I still will. However, he is away and has gone home. You see, I unintentionally fell in love with someone whom had the Katra of his dead wife inside his head. Anyway, all water under the bridge, as that is at an end. I needed, no, we needed to part ways. An unrequited love, a love that could never be." Cara made to move her hand from upon Tom's chest; her other hand was still upon his temple, it slipping to where she was unconsciously running her fingers in his hair.
Tom was going to respond but stopped midthought; he sat up as he looked at Cara. He'd been out of the game for so long that he wasn't entirely sure what was going on. "Resting my head in your lap, running your fingers through my hair, and your hand on my chest," he looked at her with a warm smile as to not embarrass her, "I know I'm a bit rusty, but one might think something else is going on here." He was ok with the something else; he just wasn't going to assume anything.
Cara blinked for a second, then a fetching color of pink crept along her cheeks. "You are an attractive man, Tom. Perhaps I have stepped over boundaries, and I apologize. I wouldn't be against spending the night with you; however, that would not be fair to you at all." she murmured softly, more to herself, "I am rusty as well." She closed her eyes for a moment or two to gather herself together. "I simply refuse to put anyone into the position of being a rebound. Even if nothing happened between myself and him." her cheeks go an even darker pink.
It didn't take a telepath to see that he'd cause her embarrassment; that wasn't the desired effect he was going for. This time he was a bit more forward and perhaps a bit out of character; reaching over her, he took her hand. "Cara, it's perfectly ok. Nothing has happened, but I'm sensing a bit of chemistry here. Why don't you come over for dinner tonight." He waved his hands, "my treat and no strings attached. Just two rusty people enjoying a good meal. I insist..."
Cara was quiet for a moment or two; then she smiled, it lighting up her whole being. "I won't deny that there is chemistry here, and I would be delighted to come to dinner tonight. You've got a date then."
Commander Cara Letsul
Poseidon Operations Commander
Chief Counselor
Commodore Thomas Rice
Sector Commanding Officer
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