Mission 1.1: Rest Your Weary Head

||Starbase 12
||Centuri Club
||2147
||Day 1

An extremely flush faced Reneé sat back down on her seat and poured herself a generous helping of whiskey in her glass. For a moment she was speechless and refused to comment nor speak of the conversation at the table. What nerve of an Ensign! Asking her to dance! Making such comments! He was lucky she was in a good mood and in good company or the man would be being dragged to a brig by security officers.

"Everyone..." she said after taking a hefty gulp of whiskey. "This is Lieutenant Junior Grade T'Lena, our new Chief Engineering Officer and her accomplice...Ensign Daniels. I've already made them aware of names and faces but feel free to greet them in your own way."

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||Starbase 12
||Centuri Club
||2147
||Day 1

Sullivan looked the two newcomers over. "Nice to meet you Lieutenant, Ensign. Won't you have a seat and join us. I am Danny Sullivan, Chief of the Boat and head of Damage Control." He poured himself and Fourchetti another drink. He took a healthy swig. Stuff went down just right, a little smooth with just the right amount of bite in it. He looked at the Vulcan. So this was his new department head. That idiot Fong had been making a mess of things. So would this jay gee make things better or worse? Time would tell.

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||Starbase 12
||Centuri Club
||2149
||Day 1

"Hey Chief you keep pouring drinks for you enlisted but I have an empty glass to ya know?" Richard tried his best to sound authoritative but the grin on his face did not help things. Richard was really enjoying this new crew and the new post. At this point Richard was trying to get as smashed as possible so he had an excuse to visit sickbay the next day. Just then the bartender came by. "Excuse me I need 1,2,4,.... "Richard tried counting everyone. "Oh frak it bring me a round of jagerbombs for me and my friends!!"

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||Starbase 12
||Centuri Club
||2148
||Day 1

Danny grinned at the new comer to the table. "Jagerbombs? That stuff is for the ladies. Real men drink whiskey!" To prove his point he filled his glass to almost the top and drank it down almost as quickly. He grimaced and then smiled. "Ah! Puts fire in the belly" He was really enjoying himself with the crew. This interlude was exactly what he needed. "Join us Mister Wayne."

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||Starbase 12
||Centuri Club
||2152
||Day 1


Des gave a hearty laugh. "I take a tiny bit of offense at that--I bet I could drink you under the table in whiskey."

It wasn't a serious bet, but at the same time Des was well versed in different kinds of alcohol and didn't feel that one drink was particularly more manly or girly than the next. What was 'manly' was being able to hold your liquor the longest and not make a complete ninny out of yourself as far as Des was concerned. Still she smiled a little bit and to prove her point, made sure she got some whiskey too because she did after all say something that needed to be backed up at the very least if they asked her too.

"Then again, I have to be back to the quarters soon to beat the kid home. Parenting...what can you do?" she teased playfully.


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||Starbase 12
||Centuri Club
||2156
||Day 1

Sullivan laughed. "I wouldn't know. I don't have any children" He smiled at the doctor and poured another drink. He had 8 glasses in him already and was feeling pretty good. Years of service in Starfleet have given him a high tolerence when it came to alcohol. The pride of the entire Starfleet Chief Petty Officer's corps was riding on his drinking repuation this evening. So far him and Fourchetti were glass for glass and neither was showing any sign of weakness at the moment. The pride was intact for the moment.

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||Starbase 12
||Centuri Club
||2158
||Day 1


Des laughed and shrugged. "I always wanted more than one someday, honestly, but one ended up being more than enough given my career. On top of that, she's a teenager now so I'm worried about positively everything."

She drank her whiskey down, feeling it burn her throat a bit on the way down, but it didn't really bother her--she was far from being a lightweight. Still, she knew if she actually ended up getting drunk she'd have her daughter to deal with and tomorrow when everyone here needed a good hangover remedy, she needed to be fit enough to give them one. That didn't stop her from ordering a bit more Tequila though because she'd come out to drink tonight and unwind and even Clementine knew her mother needed to get at least buzzed off of something to relax. Then again, Richard had taken pretty good care of that.

He'd made her feel comfortable and peaceful even with her heart unexpectedly beating away like that earlier and she still wasn't entirely sure what that was. All she knew was that catching quick glimpses of his smiling face made her smile too, and she gave a silent giggle behind the rim of her glass for a moment before she slung the drink back and looked around at everyone else. They were all having a grand time and this crew really did seem like a good fit--there was nothing like getting along with everyone and still finding a way to be professional the morning after.


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||Starbase 12
||Centuri Club
||2158
||Day 1

T’Lena and Zack walked to the table and sat down. The Vulcan nodded to the Damage Control Specialist, and Chief and then to the rest of the occupants at the table. Zack pulled a few extra chairs to the spot so that they could sit down. T’Lena spread her fingers apart and held her hand out at the Chief.

“It is agreeable to acquire your acquaintance, chief. It seems as if I have alleviated possible or existing tensions amongst your last Engineering Department Head. I do believe I may have met him, however I am uncertain at the moment due to insufficient information.”

T’Lena let her hand down and accepted one of the drinks on the table. She was sure that this would be somewhat of a surprise to the crew, but she drank it.

“Don’t worry, with her metabolism, she could drink us all under the table, probably,” Zack said. “It’s too bad she doesn’t compete.” He nodded to the chief and pulled some of the blonde hair out of his youthful eyes and smiled. “Nice to meet you chief.” He glanced back at his CO and smiled warmly by accident, averting his gaze to everyone else at the table. “I’m not good with names, it might take me a while.” He admitted.

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||Starbase 12
||Centuri Club
||2200
||Day 1

He studied the blonde Ensign for a moment. Green, green as the green pastures of Ireland where his family came from. "I am Daniel Ryan Sullivan, Chief of the Boat for the USS Indefatigable. The only Chief Petty Officer wearing a red uniform. Make sure you remember that." He turned his gaze to LTJG T'Lena. "Mister Fong, you don't worry about him. I can handle him. I come from the old school of Starfleet." With that he cracked his knuckles and flexed his muscles."It appears you are the new Engineering Officer. I am the Chief of the Boat as well as run Damage Control. You won't find a finer damage control team in Starfleet then the one you have. My people are trained well." As he said "my people" he looked LTJG T'Lena dead straight in the eye meaning he wanted no interference from the CHENG on how he ran the damage control division. "I hope we work well together Lieutenant." He gave her a grin and downed his glass of whiskey.


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||Starbase 12
||Centuri Club
||2200
||Day 1

The Vulcan turned her head like a curious dog at the sudden stab at her regarding how he ran his subdivision of Engineering. She thought back to the Bolian she met and assumed that it was quite possible that he may have had a knack for micro managing Engineering if indeed it was him that she knocked out in the turbolift. Although, two departments wore gold, and more than one Bolian might have been aboard, it was looking as if she might have already met the person who’s job she took over. Not many humanoids claim to literally have met a knock-out girl but in this instance, it happened regardless of who that rude pushy man was. T’Lena raised an eyebrow at the man.

“I assume you know how to piece things together, Chief. I do not micro manage. I was once, myself in the position of damage control. It was most agreeable. I plan on going EVA on the outer hull soon, however, merely to look over the ship and to be amongst the stars.” She stated. “I find it – calm.” Her dark eyes met with Chief Sullivan’s. “Besides, I understand the depth and meaning of the rank on your collar along with your title of Chief. If there is one thing I will ever micro manage, it will be correcting the proper respect you deserve out of the officers. I may be Vulcan, but I do have opinions.”

T’Lena thought about her last Chief, how he was doing. She made a mental note to say hello to him on subspace one night, soon.

“Well, I do outrank him,” Zack said playfully.
“How are your ribs?” T’Lena inquired.

“I haven’t ordered any –,” Zack stopped and saw his best friend looking below his shoulder with her dark gaze and with almost a smile. Zack’s mouth opened. “Oh... well... I think I’m going to set up our quarters, T’Lena..” He got up and waved to everyone at the table. “Nice to meet ya!” He split faster than a banana on ice cream.

<Taggies>

||Starbase 12
||Centuri Club
||2158
||Day 1

As everyone was making was drinking and talking away time was slipping into day very quickly and they did have a new mission to embark on in the morning. After Des made the comment about beating her daughter back Richard took that as a sign to make another move. He got up downed a jagerbomb that had been brought to the table and walked around to were Des was. "Hey I heard you talking about getting out of here to get home before your daughter if you would like I could escort ya back... not that you need one but it might be nice to clear our heads on the walk and talk." Richard didn't want her to feel like she couldn't take care of herself he just wanted an excuse to be semi alone with her.

||Starbase 12
||Centuri Club
||2200
||Day 1


"Nice to meet you, I'm the CMO," Des said to T'Lena with a bright smile on her face. "I rarely leave Sickbay for such public gatherings so if you don't see me again until you need a check-up or medical attention, it's entirely my fault."

She smiled was then caught off guard by Richard's request because she hadn't known if the night was over for them or not at this point and the offer was more than welcomed. She could only imagine what the others would say about this once they left the table together, but she was actually glad that she had more time to talk to him and she did need to be getting back to her quarters. So she smiled warmly at him and nodded, standing up and then turning to the others to give them her farewells.

"I should bid you all a good night and remember what I said about hangovers--my Sickbay doors will be open in the morning." Des joked a little and then she turned to leave with Richard to go back to the ship.


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||Starbase 12
||Centuri Club
||2158
||Day 1

Oliver celebrated with Lieutenant Wayne and the others. Pouring drinks when needed and taking shots when it sounded right.

"This man here found the 'Weak Spot'. If not for his diligent work we may not be here. I saw raise em high for our new XO Lt. Ollie!!!!"

Oliver squared up on him and said. "It is a thing of beauty, is it not? What a man may accomplish if his mind is set to purpose."

Oliver took a sip of his Bushmills and smiled at the good doctor. "But Doctor Hyde, the way I see it is that , and when I say you I mean anyone in general, but it is your choice to drink, you should deal with the hangover on your own."

Oliver also greeted the new arrivals to the table, they may have to expand and pull up another table if the rate of expansion continued.

Lieutenant T'Lena, "I'm Oliver Dougherty, Stratgic Operat-", he corrected himself, "First officer, well I guess I still do that too...A pleasure to meet you. And should you need anything I am always available to the crew."

Oliver finished his drink. He was in the mood for something stronger. And after making a trip to the bartender, tossing a strip of gold pressed latinum on the bar, he came back with a tray. The brew that was contained within was something that was delicious and godawful at the same time.

Bloodwine. It tasted fantastic, but had a burning, fumey finish that was equivalent to drinking warp plasma coolant. One glass would give a casual drinker a hangover. Two would undo any human.

Oliver sat the tray down in the middle of the getting-to-be-crowded table. The tray was so heavy with about ten half liter bottles on it that Oliver sat the drinks down a little harder than he meant to, making a loud clang.

"My treat everyone. Drink up, but don't be ashamed if you don't finish it.", he said with a sheepish grin.

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||Starbase 12
||Centuri Club
||2200
||Day 1


What Oliver said caught her ears and she agreed with it and could have just let it go, but Des didn't just let things go. She was always there to lend a word or fix a problem or shoot a phaser, but she couldn't ever just sit around and say nothing. It was because she was such an open and opinionated person, even if that got her in trouble and this wasn't something she wanted to leave unsaid.

Des smiled as she turned around. "I agree with you on that, Lieutenant, about taking care of your own hangover, but when it interferes with your job that's when I start having to get involved, and when things are so bad you're making mistakes that affect people other than you, that's when I have to make the tough choices and start passing out 'unfit for duty' slips or making people cut their shifts until they're up to snuff and I'd rather not have to do that. So if it's bad enough that you're going to have trouble focusing on your job because of it, I take care of it. I'm the doctor. If you can handle it on your own that's fine, but just keep that in mind that it's my job to keep you all in perfect working order. You don't have to take me up on the offer, but you also might not be getting so smashed that you won't be able to look at a console without a pounding headache and making decisions that need more thought than you give them. I've been around long enough to see people in really rough shape the night after a good drinking celebration that can barely hold their own let alone be bothered to help anyone else in their discomfort, so if anyone needs me, my doors are open--we all have jobs to carry on in the morning and we should be fit to do them. I'm impressed as how well you can handle your liquor though."


<Taggles>

||Starbase 12
||Centuri Club
||2203
||Day 1


"Oh no Lieutenant! I learned a long long time ago the hard way not to touch Bloodwine. I had a nasty experience during one of my first shore leaves. We boarded a Klingon cruiser during the Klingon War and "liberated" some of the cargo it was carrying. Turned out there was a substantial amount of bloodwine in the hold." He paused and refilled his drink. "First starbase we hit we got some leave and myself and a couple other Petty Officers from the ship got together with 4 or 5 bottles of the stuff. Woke up the next morning with the worst hangover I ever had and missing my entire uniform minus my shoes and socks. Still have no idea where they ended up. But please don't let me stop you."

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||Starbase 12
||Centuri Club
||2203
||Day 1

"First starbase we hit we got some leave and myself and a couple other Petty Officers from the ship got together with 4 or 5 bottles of the stuff. Woke up the next morning with the worst hangover I ever had and missing my entire uniform minus my shoes and socks. Still have no idea where they ended up. But please don't let me stop you."

T'Lena raised her eyebrow. "It appears that Klingon Bloodwine has the same effects as Pon Farr', yet, in reverse. Either way, one does end up disrobed and usually loses track of where all clothing went. I shall make a personal note in my log to be at the next party where it is involved in order to say -- welcome to the club." The slender, towering Lieutenant JG wanted to smile but even without a smirk, she knew that she got the joke across despite her deadpan way of delivering it 'Vulcan Style'; unemotional.

"Humans tend to look forward to such instances whereas a Vulcan dreads the coming of every Seven years. Pun intended."

She raised her glass and winked. The Vulcan, actually winked.

||Starbase 12
||Centuri Club
||2205
||Day 1

This is what these moments were all about. The jokes, the laughs, the clinking of glass tapping against glass. Reneé wasn't doubting her choice to let the crew take some shore leave after the patrol. It wouldn't be fair to expect them to remain within the ship as repairs were underway, not with places like the Centuri Club in existence. Besides the thought of sitting on the bridge or in the ready room doing nothing was similar to a prison sentence in Reneé's eyes.

"Seven years between each bout!" exclaimed Reneé as she started to slam the whiskey rather than sip it. "If I had to wait that long I'd go insane! If it looks like any of us are having to wait that amount of time I'm putting in a request for us to go to Risa."

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"Seven years between each bout!" exclaimed Reneé as she started to slam the whiskey rather than sip it. "If I had to wait that long I'd go insane! If it looks like any of us are having to wait that amount of time I'm putting in a request for us to go to Risa."

"It is widely misunderstood that because Vulcans have to mate every seven years, this does not mean that they cannot do it on their own volition. Many other Vulcans would debate me on the fact that we find sexual intercourse and intimacy as highly pleasurable. They endeavor to attempt proving me wrong as if I have hurt the overall Ego of my entire species, however, there are three people in Starfleet who would be able to vouch for the fact that I am honest and forthcoming to the fact that I used to continually lower the standards of Vulcans on a regular basis during the Academy by enjoying what they say isn't enjoyed." T'Lena said. "They say we do not lie, but if they claim that sex isn't thoroughly enjoyed, they are indeed feeding you immense falsehoods."

The Vulcan leaned back in her chair and looked off at seemingly nothing as if reminiscing an ancient figment of her memory.

"Vulcan's can be extremely passionate at any time behind closed doors. Most simply deny it and they disapprove of any member of our race who decides to openly divulge the mere fact that we aren't truly cold hearted."

||Starbase 12 > USS Indefatigable
||Centuri Club > Corridors
||2210
||Day 1


Des was more than happy to leave the club with Richard, having had her share of drink and conversation with a large group of people for the night. She was far from anti-social, she had just made her daughter and her job her life at this point and spent her time in Sickbay and with Clementine and when she had the chance to get out she had a lovely time and now there was Richard. He had certainly made her night better and after the day they'd all had, she hoped she had helped him too on that front and let her hand hang near his as they walked.

"So...any deep dark secrets I should know about? What's a nice walk without something fun to talk about?" Des teased with a smile on her face.

Richard had not had this much fun in so long it was defiantly a night he was not expecting and as they walked away he felt her hand brush up against his and he took her hand as they walked out of the club.

"Hmm deep and dark huh?? Well there was the one time on Qur'onos I got drunk on some bloodwine and had 'relations' with a couple Klingon ladies." Not what Richard wanted to revel but she was so easy to talk to. "Well I wish I had not said that what do you wanna give me?"

"That's what you call deep and dark?" Des ran her thumb along his hand. "I'm a Betazoid--I have plenty of war stories, honestly. I was there when the Dominion invaded and I helped to push them back and there were plenty of grateful soldiers."

She winked as she teased and then took a deep breath. "I don't know about 'deep', but I mean...my job involves a lot of death, so if you ever want some kind of horror story, I'm the girl to ask. Let's lighten the mood though, shall we? Was it the good hair day or the blouse and the heels that made you say 'hi'?"

He blushed at that comment. "Well I am a sucker for that color of hair." Richard looked up at her and smiled. "You are a very gorgeous young lady. So your daughter takes after her mother that has to worry you." They had a nice brisk pace as the conversation went forward.

"I think I'm older than you think I am though," she said as the words 'young lady' sunk in, making her grin a bit. "You are a charmer though, and I like you. Clementine is going to break a lot of hearts, but her heart will get broken too...that's just life. I just hope that she learns not to abuse the 'using your looks' card because she certainly can. Lord knows I have."

She paused for a moment and turned to him, still holding his hand. "I know that I'm asking quite a few questions but..." she smiled at him, "...what really made you want to walk me home? Are you just being a gentleman, or...?"

Richard stopped with her right before they were to walk across the bridge to the ship. "I wanted to walk you home because I'd really like to spend as much time with you as I can. After all we have been through in our lives and over the last couple days you are like a beacon of light in the fog. As for me being a charmer I suppose I am but with you its a lot different." The two of them continued across to their new home.

Des seemed pretty happy with that answer and nodded, both of them wandering through the corridors toward the lift so they could go to her quarters. She was glad to have him along and sure she'd been asking a lot of questions, but she wanted to get to know him and that was the only way to do it: ask questions. Still, it was better to chat and walk and hold his hand than it was to just grill him so she decided to maybe give him something he hadn't asked for and see what he said or did about it.

"You know, you're the first person in a really long time that I've actually felt drawn too in more than just a sexual way," she admitted with a smile. "I don't know what it is--maybe it's the eyes or maybe it's your entire handsome face but I feel comfortable with you. I like that."

As they entered the lift to get to their rooms Richard grinned again as he knew exactly what she was talking about. He felt much the same way and he had been playing this gentlemen role out of fear of pushing her away by being too aggressive but all of a sudden it hit him. As they were standing in the turbo lift, Richard positioned them off to one side.

As it started to climb to their floor. "Computer stop Lift." The lift came to a stop Richard turned to face Des and with his hand that was holding her hand he let go and put it on her hip and with his other hand he grabbed her other hip and pulled her in as close as he could. He didn't seem to get any resistance and that made up his mind what was going to happen next. As their faces neared each other, Richard eyed her soft lips and when the moment was right he began to kiss her lips very gently at first but with more passion as time went on.

After a few seconds Richard released his kiss and his hold of her and stepped away "It's too bad you don't think of me sexually. I know there is no way for me not to."

Des was more than happy to supply her part of the kiss, matching his passion with own and then smirking when he pulled back and the words touched her ears. That hadn't been entirely what she'd said, but it made her rest her hands on his sides and and look him in the eye. If Richard wanted to get into this, then they would get into it--it was like opening up a floodgate and there was no plugging it up now if they tried.

"I said 'more than just sexually'--if you think I haven't been objectifying you all night, you're wrong...I've imagined you out of this uniform at least once," with that she winked and then smirked, turning to stand next to him. "Computer, resume Lift."

The two of them stood in silence as the lift started to go up both with a smirk on their faces. Richard knew full well what she had meant he just liked the opening to kiss her soft lips and they were just that very soft and glorious to the touch. When he pulled her fit body into his it fit very well up against him. So much was running through his head as the lift continued upward. So many things that were very wrong and very naughty for two senior officers. The silence was odd because it was not uneasy at all; they both were processing their next moves. Just then the lift stopped on the floor for Senior staff quarters. Richard motioned for ladies first.

Des smirked at the gesture and went first, reaching out to take his hand again, leading him along to her quarters--he had after all offered to walk her home and this was her new home. She and Clementine were here or as long as Des was needed and when it came time for the Academy, Clementine would gladly ship out. Right now, all Dess could think about though were the night's possibilities and as they neared her door she took a moment to pause and smile.

"You dropping me off or...do you want to come in?" Des asked him slowly.

As they stood outside her door all Richard could do was smile at the gorgeous lady in front of him. "After you." Richard motioned towards the door. The two walked in and the door made the normal shhhh sound as it closed behind them.

JP by Des and Richard

||Starbase 12
||Centuri Club
||2215
||Day 1


Discussing sex in front of his CO and his department head made Danny somewhat uncomfortable. He was no stranger to sex but he was always one to keep his personal life seperate from his professional one and here he was sitting with two women who he dealt with on a professional level. Listening to T'Lena talk about it made him realize how long it had been since he even held a woman. He was by no means an ugly man just that with the war on and then the subsequent rebuild of Cardassia he really didn't have time for such pleasures. He poured himself another glass and listened intently to T'Lena and looked at the chrono on the wall. He decided he would have 3 more drinks and then call it a night. Fourchetti left an hour ago after excusing himself and almost knocking over the neighboring table and Danny had decided he would call it a night before reaching that point.

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