Charlene's Diary
Peta Reader: Jsilver2000
Charlene—The Reckoning
I decided to do a mini-series on Charlene Masters and her relationship with Hikaru Sulu. I hope you enjoy these short stories on their relationship.
Most of the Enterprise crew was enjoying shore leave at Starbase 9, where multiple bars offered options to suit anyone's taste. But we find Lieutenent Charlene Masters sitting at the bar alone, although there are other patrons around. The lights are dim, providing a romantic atmosphere, and people are talking iquietly.
Charlene glanced around and returned her attention to her drink as if she's waiting for someone.
Lieutenant (JG; Junior Grade) Jamaal James Edwards (JJ to his family), wandered into the lounge. He had come along way since the academy; he wanted to explore the galaxy, which he did—sort of. He was stationed on a light cruiser that saw little to no battle action while patrolling a peaceful (boring!) stretch of space. Jamaal was aware that promotions and prestigious assignments tended to go to officers who had seen action, which meant he was unlikely to get one. He was stuck in a rut and didn't know how to get out. I want something different; I want more opportunity, he thought as he scanned the lounge, looking for a little romance to keep his mind of his current situation. He spotted the silhouette of a woman at the bar: 'There's an attractive woman' and decided to turn on the charm, but when he lightly touched the shoulder of the brown beauty, she suddenly turned toward him. Jamaal felt something cold hit his chest and drip down his shirt. He looked down at his shirt in shock and he heard a gasp.
"I'm so sorry about that! You took me by surprise."
Their eyes met and then widened in recognition.
"Jamaal?"
"Charlene?"
Charlene looked at the remains of her drink splashed across Jamaal's shirt.
"I'm sorry about that; please let me clean that up."
She turned back to the bar and reached for the nearest towel on the counter, but the bartender tried to get her attention.
"No! Not that one, MISS!"
Charlene started to rub the front of Jamaal's shirt and a dark food substance smeared onto his shirt where she rubbed. She gasped again and covered her mouth:
"Oh no! I… I think I made it worse!"
Jamaal looked down at his dress shirt smeared with Charlene's drink and some dark black food substance and sighed. Then he turned his most winning smile on Charlene:
"It's okay—I just wanted to say hello and see how you are doing."
"That's nice of you. I'm really sorry about your shirt." Charlene stared at it again.
"Charlene, where are you stationed?"
Charlene looked at him curiously, wondering: "I'm on the USS Enterprise."
The gears in Jamaal's mind started turning: The Enterprise is a Constitution-class starship and Captain James T. Kirk is one of the most decorated captains in the fleet. Kirk is considered a maverick, a one-of-a-kind officer; the man is a household name throughout the Federation and is recognized for his feats of exploration. Working under him would almost certainly lead to a higher rank. Officers throughout the fleet are practically lining up to be assigned to the Enterprise, with all its commendations and awards; even people in the enlisted ranks are dying to get aboard that ship.
"Really? What do you do there, Charlene?"
"I'm a lieutenant; I work with Lieutenant Commander Scott in Engineering."
Jamaal's eyes lit up. He couldn't believe what he was hearing, and the fact she outranked him made him a little jealous. And Lt. Commander Scott was a legend throughout the academy for his feats of engineering that had saved the ship from destruction so many times. Jamaal wanted to transfer to the Enterprise to see some action and be a part of the elite crew.
"You… you work with Mr. Scott?"
Char nodded her head yes:
"The best in the fleet!"
Jamaal waved to the bartender:
"What are you drinking, Charlene? I would like to buy you another one since I was responsible for wasting the last one," Jamaal chuckled.
"Well, I…"
"Please, for old time's sake?"
"Okay."
"Bartender, may I have an old English ale and a…" He looked to Charlene for her order:
"Tropical fruit daiquiri, please."
While they waited for their drinks, Jamaal took a good look at his ex-girlfriend, noticing the many changes in her. Charlene wasn't that rough-and-tumble girl he knew back at the academy. She looked different, her figure had filled out, and she had nicely shaped curves. She wore make-up that complemented her face, and her hair was nicely styled. But most of all, she had become a more poised and confident woman. Jamaal stared into her eyes:
"Wow, Charlene, you look really nice; I can't believe how much you've changed since our academy days."
"Why thank you, Jamaal. You kinda look… the same."
"I hope that was a compliment."
Charlene gave a slow laugh:
"You know, some people change and some people don't."
Their drinks arrived and Jamaal decided to take them to a table so they could chat more intimately. He wanted to see if Charlene could help him transfer to the Enterprise. Maybe she could put in a good word with the captain or Lt. Commander Scott it would really boost my moral and credentials.
"Let's take a table over there and talk about old times, Charlene." Jamaal said sweetly and smiling down at Charlene.
Charlene slowly stood up, while Jamaal attempted to wrap his arms around her waist. Her foot was tangled in the stool leg; her body leaned forward, her drink spilled, and Jamaal—in his attempt to balance her—slipped on the spilled fruit on the floor, his leg kicking up in the air as he went down. He landed on his back with his ale and her drink splashing all over him. Charlene started to fall forward on top of him; instinctively, her knee jerked out to stop her fall, landing squarely between Jamaal's legs. He yelled in pain as Charlene toppled over on her side. She looked over to see Jamaal cradling his family jewels protectively and writhing in pain.
Charlene stumbled to her feet and gasped:
"Oh—oh my God! Jamaal, are you all right?"
Jamaal Edwards was lying on the floor injured, with ale and a daquiri soaking into his clothes, whereas Charlene was unharmed and had not a single drop on her dress. She bent down to help raise him up; again, she slipped on the drink-covered floor and fell forward, her elbow landing sharply in his chest. Jamaal grunted in pain.
"Oh! Oh! I… I just don't know what's wrong with me; it seems I keep hurting instead of helping. I'm sorry, Jamaal!"
Charlene turned to the bartender:
"Can you please call for medical help for my friend?"
The bartender gave Charlene a suspicious look but turned to his comm unit to summon help. Charlene tried to comfort Jamaal by reaching for him, and he snapped at her:
"DON'T TOUCH ME!" He held up a hand to ward her off while he grimaced in pain.
"But I want to help you! You bought a drink and everything. Let me help you, Jamaal."
"NO PLEASE! I'm all right. The medical team is coming. It was good to see you. Bye!"
Jamaal lay there moaning in the fetal position, one hand cupping his private parts, the other clutching his chest.
Charlene stood up and proudly stepped over the moaning man, a small smile forming on her face as she headed for the exit. Two medics arrived at the bar with a stretcher and other equipment and tended to the injured man on the floor. Charlene turned at the entrance to observe her handiwork: Nothing like satisfaction for a no-good a**! It's been over ten years since Jamaal broke my heart and made me look like a fool. She had seen him enter the bar and knew he would approach her. The nerve of the man! He tried to ease up on me again to get on the Enterprise! Hell, no!
Then another arm wrapped around her shoulders, but this hug was a welcome one. It was followed by a kiss on her cheek:
"Hi, honey. You been waiting long? I'm sorry I took so long."
Charlene turned to her fiancé Hikaru Sulu:
"I'm ready, 'Karu."
Sulu heard the commotion in the lounge and turned to see the medical team.
"Something happened in there?"
Charlene took his hand and led him out into the corridor, leaning on his shoulder.
"Oh, some guy slipped on the floor."
Three weeks later:
"CHAR! You did what? That was Jamaal on the floor?" Sulu shouted.
"Yep; it felt good kicking his a**."
"That's not fair—"I" wanted to kick his a**!"
Sulu grabbed Charlene, pressed his body against hers, and gave her a deep, sizzling kiss, whispering,
"That's my girl."
A/N: Jamaal is mentioned in some of my previous stories: "The Battle for Spock Part II," chapter 20; and "Transferred," chapter 4.