Friday morning, Teagan received an odd call from the counselor, asking if he could drop in and speak with her later. She agreed, but wondered why he would want to see her. An hour and a half later the counselor was taking the seat in front of her desk and smiling brightly at her.
"What can I do for you. Counselor?" Teagan asked leaning forward with her elbows on her desk. Braccon steepled his hands and smiled his most calming smile.
"I wanted to check on your recovery from your poisoning, Dr. Shayza. Dr. Jewel told me it could have been intentional. This can cause unresolved feelings of resentment. I also understand you chose not to pursue the matter. Are you still sure about that decision?"
Miss Teagan just smiled. "Yes counselor, I'm fine with that decision. I felt pursuing the matter would only harm a situation that our Captain and the diplomatic team had only just resolved. The error was mine. The Captain ordered us not to eat food from the planet and I disobeyed. He got is some trouble for that and I have some unresolved feelings about that part only." Her guilty grin made it obvious that she was not uncomfortable with the subject; she was only disappointed with herself.
"What kind of trouble did the captain get into? He didn't mention anything to me."
"Then maybe it wasn't too bad. He won't tell to me about it. I can ask, but he'll just make this zipping motion across his lips and shrug like his voice simulator had suddenly gone on the fritz. It seems to start working again as soon as I change the subject." She grinned widely now and her eyes had an unfocused gleam of someone reliving a pleasant memory.
"I take it that keeping up your pattern with the captain had become mutually agreeable?" Tray hoped this was not too probing a question, but this relationship had become vital in several unexpected ways.
She flushed slightly. "Rumors abound, but yes. He's...wonderful. You can't repeat this so I can be honest...right?" she asked suddenly hesitant to talk about her commanding officer like this.
"Yes, Miss Teagan. I can and will tell no one of what you say," he guaranteed her.
"Just making sure. Everyone seems to think we're...closer than we really are. While the captain seems to be dealing with this so far, I'm not sure it won't eventually get to him." She looked a little lost in thought and apprehensive.
"You believe the captain will stop seeing you if the rumors surrounding your relationship intensify?" Tray asked, trying not to lead her too much.
Teagan sighed and leaned back in her chair. She stared at the ceiling and grimaced. "He's not easy to peg. He and I have known each other for almost three weeks and in some ways I feel like I've known him...longer. You know how it goes, counselor. We connected very quickly, but it is not what it appears to be to the casual observer."
"Then how is it, Miss Teagan?" he prodded.
"I...well, he enjoys my company, but he's just interested in having someone to talk to and someone who will be his friend. He likes to tease me and he has a wonderful sense of humor, but he's made it clear to me that he would only go to a point in this relationship and no further. I think it has something to do with this being his first command. Anyway, we're just friends." Her voice was steady, but her eyes betrayed her.
The counselor had no idea how this horrible misunderstanding had befallen this pair, but as he was bound by oath not to reveal the words of one to the other, he could think of nothing he could do to help...yet.
"Well, we all need a friend. I'm sure that it's a great relief to the captain to know he has such an advocate. I hope he recognizes the sacrifices that you're making on his behalf."
This made her blush. "I don't want him to be distressed over me. I've done that enough. I think he's going to be a very good captain. Maybe even a great captain, one day. I just want to offer my support and friendship."
They chatted for a few more minutes before the counselor left Dr. Shayza to her work. Returning to his own office, Tray sat before his monitor and initiated a subspace transmission.
People often wondered who counseled their counselor, but the answer was obvious. Another counselor. Tray watched as the Starfleet symbol vanished from his screen to be replaced by the face of his superior. Counselor John Camp was a stern looking man with hair the colour of polished steel and eyes almost the same colour.
"Hello Tray. What do you need?" Camp was never unfriendly, but he did have a habit of cutting to the chase.
"I have a situation. I need advice," the younger admitted, succinctly.
"Sure. No names and keep it vague. Shoot."
"Ok, man likes woman, but thinks she just wants to be friend. In reality, she feels the same way he does, but thinks he wants to just stay friends. Both want more, both think it's not possible. The whole thing aches my heart."
Camp let out a long whistle and shook his head at the brief story. "That is a sad situation. You any idea how they got their signals crossed?"
"Not a clue," Tray said, shaking his head with a sigh.
"Well, unfortunately the only thing you can do is listen, Tray. This is one of the hardest parts of this job, but the rules have to be followed regardless of how hard it becomes. It bares a resemblance to the prime directive in some ways. We have no way of knowing if this pairing is meant to be or not. If we did interfere, how do we know that it would not cause horrible consequences? What if the relationship ultimately fails and one of them can't take it and does something drastic? Who's at fault?"
Tray sighed and nodded. He had suspected this would be the answer, but he just had to ask. It was his captain, after all. And Tray realized he liked the man. With a disheartened sigh, the younger counselor turned the subject to family, asking after Camp's oldest daughter.
Friday was intriguing as usual. The food that Teagan chose to prepare from week to week was always interesting and Data decided that arriving so early that she talked him into helping was worth it to spend this time with her. Cooking always put her in a good mood and though he would leave shortly after the food was ready, he loved seeing her so animated.
Dinner on Saturday was too short, but he was happy that their tradition had not been broken. Data knew it was foolishness, but he needed this time with Teagan more each day. He walked her to the holodeck where the gathering had been moved to, since so many had expressed an interest. They found that the party had already started when they arrived.
Loud music was playing and people were dancing in a very wild manner. Data gave Teagan an unsure look, but she just pulled him inside. "You promised to obey, sir," she reminded her captain as they made their way through the crowd.
Ashton and her boys were already on the stage and Ash was singing in his deep sexy voice. Some of the female crew members were just standing nearby staring longingly at him.
"See, I told you about him and his sex appeal. He uses it like a weapon at times."
The captain nodded hesitantly, as the term 'sex appeal' was not the one she had used previously to describe the man on stage. She saw the captain to a table where Dr. Jewel was sitting and gave the older man a precautionary glare as she deposited the captain next to him.
"Keep the captain company, will you Jewely? I think I'm being paged." Both men gave her a weak smile as Teagan turned to go.
The captain found there was something advantageous about the music after all. It kept the Doctor from talking.
While the music was louder and more...percussive than what Data would have selected to listen to in his quarters, Teagan's singing voice was strong and powerful. Ashton danced with her on stage and this seemed to gain Teagan perturbed glares from some of Aston's 'fans'. The captain was inclined to go along with the drooling young women, if it got the hands of the man with "sex appeal" off of the woman that Data preferred at the captain's table.
Data considered leaving many times, but Teagan's dramatic singing style caused him to dismiss the notion each time. Loud as they were, all of the songs told a story and most had a romantic message. If only Mr. Uker would keep his hands to himself, the captain felt he would almost be comfortable. The beat to the next song was slower, but Data was struck dumb when Lieutenant Apple came to his side and held out her hand to him, smiling.
"Doc told me you don't like the faster stuff, but this one's slower. Would you do me the honor of a dance, sir?" The tall blonde asked. The captain left his seat and graciously took her hand.
"Thank you, Miss Lauralee, the honor is mine," he replied after he regained control of his voice simulator. She grinned and let him lead her to an opening in the crowd.
Slow dancing was not exactly Lauralee's scene, but for the captain she would make an exception. He was very smooth and seemed to float just above the floor as they moved together. As they danced, Lauralee began to get an inkling of what her best friend saw in this man. He was a perfect gentleman, and he was kind of cute if you could get past the yellow eyes and the sparkling skin.
Surprisingly, after Lieutenant Apple's invitation, the captain received other offers to dance for the slower songs that followed. He wondered if this was too uncaptain-like behavior, but so far very little of his time as captain had borne any resemblance to that of any of his former captains.
Over three hours passed when Mr. Uker grabbed the amplifying device from Teagan's hand and addressed the crowd while holding her hand. "Our dear Dr. Teagan, who so recently needed a doctor herself..." he began, receiving some laughter here. He continued looking her thoughtfully in the eyes. "...is fortunately fully recovered and has provided us all with her exquisite taste in music, as she is the one who always hunts down the music we play. But our beautiful singer has yet to have the opportunity for a dance. I believe it is only fair that we allow her at least one dance with the partner of her choice before the evening comes to a close." Ashton pulled her off the stage and led her onto the dance floor.
"Now, can anyone guess who would be our lovely red-head's first choice as a dance partner?" He held his hand up to his ear, dramatically and received more laughter this time. All eyes turned to the captain. After a pause, the crowd began to answer the question in a sort of chant. Teagan gave Ashton a punch in the arm that looked only half-playful and rolled her eyes. Still she locked eyes with her captain and her cheeks became flushed as Mr. Uker nudged her in the captain's direction.
Data hated to embarrass her, but he could not think of a way out of this, short of sounding red alert, so he stood and moved towards her. As soon as he touched her hand Mr. Uker began to sing and the band was playing. No one else danced. They all just watched the ship's most talked about pair move slowly closer until the captain placed an arm around her waist and tried to get her to smile.
"You did challenge me to prove I could dance, Miss Teagan," he told her gently as they moved together.
"Remind me never to challenge you again, sir," she said softly and avoided his eyes.
"We can leave if this is upsetting you. I have no wish to embarrass you."
She gave her head a slight shake. "I'm ok," she assured him. "I did want to dance with you. I am glad you stayed. You even seemed to enjoy dancing during the slower songs." She finally smiled and Data relaxed, returning she soft smile. It was good to finally have her in his arms again.
"I must admit to being surprised by Miss Apple's invitation, but I have enjoyed this unusual experience. Perhaps I can acquire a taste for some of this music."
Teagan laughed. Her eyes even regained some of their happy glow. Grinning, Data concentrated on leading her through some of the more extravagant moves that he had learned in his years, and glided with her across the floor. She had some talent in dancing herself and was able to keep time with him quite well. The captain decided that the song had been too short as he noticed it coming to an end. With a flourish, he spun Teagan around once more and drew her back just in time to the end of the song so that she was against him at the last beat. The crowd erupted into happy laughter and applause at their performance. Teagan blushed again as the captain moved to lead her back to the stage. Before he had even lowered his arm from her waist, one of the crowd shouted out the only word that Captain Data would have forbidden if he had know it was necessary.
"Kiss!" came the unwanted shout.
Some of the crowd gasped, some laughed nervously, and some groaned.
Teagan paled.
From the stage, Ashton tried to smooth things over. "Now, that was not very polite. Let's have a little control over our tongues, folks. Miss Teagan-" even though Mr. Uker had the amplification device, the person he just named still managed to interrupt him.
"Miss Teagan is tired of having this entire ship sticking their noses into her life and her friendship...repeat friendship with the captain. Thank you for ruining my evening!" With her eyes ablaze, she stalked furiously out of the now silent room.
This had stunned everyone, including the captain. Still Data was the first to recover and without a word, moved to chase after Teagan. In another moment, Dr. Jewel, Lauralee and Ashton quickly followed. This left the whole room of remaining people to mill about uncomfortably, trying to determine who was the culprit, but realizing that in a way, they all were.
"Teagan, please stop," the captain called. He knew he could catch her if he really tried, but it could frighten her and she was upset enough. She had heard him, and finally slowed to a walk, still making progress down the corridor and away from the holodeck. She kept walking and when he caught up with her, would not meet his eyes.
"I am sorry that the evening was spoiled," he told her, matching her slower pace.
"It was not your fault, Captain. I just wish we could get people to leave us alone for two minutes. No one seems to-" The calls of the others, as they caught up with them, cut her off.
"Teag, I'm really sorry, hon," Ashton said taking hold of her arms. "If I had any idea that some jerk would pull something like that I wouldn't have made the show of it like I did. I thought it would be fun for you." He now turned to the captain to address him as well. "Really, I meant nothing by it, sir. I just thought since you'd come and were dancing, that it would be no big deal."
Ashton had let go of Teagan as he addressed the captain, and Lauralee was taking her best friend into her arms. Dr. Jewel had also reached them and stood at Teagan's side. The captain nodded at Mr. Uker.
"I do not blame you for the unfortunate events in the holodeck, Mr. Uker. I do not believe that Miss Teagan does either. There simply is a portion of the crew that has taken to seeing more between Doctor Shayza and myself than exists," Data stated trying to look more in control of himself than he felt. Teagan was not crying, but her eyes were closed as Lauralee held her, speaking quiet words of comfort in her ear.
"I don't think the point is who to blame," Dr. Jewel began, gruffly. "But what should be done in the future to avoid a recurrence. As captain of this vessel, you need to do whatever is necessary to protect your crew-"
"Don't go there, Sidney Jewel!" Teagan said sharply, without even opening her eyes.
"I think this would be a good time for the men to say goodnight," Lauralee said, looking at the captain as she spoke. Her expression held concern for her friend, but also displayed her uncertainty in issuing a firm suggestion that could affect the captain of the ship. The captain only joined with the other two men and nodded his agreement to her decree. They all when their own way at Lauralee's direction.
In Teagan's quarters, Lauralee brought her friend a cup of tea with a shot of brandy. Teagan took a sip from the cup and eyed the tall blonde suspiciously after a taste.
"Sorry the plan when awry, Doc." Lauralee began, not wanting to push too hard. Teagan had said nothing since yelling at Doc Jewel in the corridor. She had not even said anything to the captain and that had struck Lauralee as very unlike her.
"Thank you." Teagan said hoarsely. She didn't move from the chair, look up again or even show any expression on her face. Crying was something Lauralee had only seen once out of the Doc, and that had been bad. Six years ago, when both had been assigned to the Bryant space station Doc had fallen for a rising medical researcher. Chan had swept the redhead off her feet. He had wooed, dated, charmed, romanced and loved her for six months. They had been talking very seriously about marriage so Chan had taken some leave to visit with his family and surprise them with the happy news. Teagan had not been able to go, but the family had contacted her when Chan arrived and they had talked joyously for hours.
What happened after Chan left his family was still a mystery. He had booked passage back to the station, but had never made it to the ship. No trace was ever found and while everyone assumed that he had been the victim of foul play, no body or DNA trace was ever located. Teagan had refused to believe he was gone for months. When she was finally forced to face the truth, or what they knew of it, she crumbled.
It had been every hard for Doc to form lasting relationships after that excruciating experience. Even their friendship had almost been torn apart since Teagan did not want to be close to anyone for a long while, believing that they to would somehow be lost to her. That had not been the answer then, but maybe it wasn't such a bad idea now.
"End it with him, Doc. If it's only a friendship and nothing more, than end it before it's more. He's nice and all, but I still think your reaching too high in hoping for him, if you do." Lauralee reached over and took Doc's hand. Golden eyes met her brown ones.
"I'm not sure what I am going to do. I need to think. He has a way of getting under my skin and I can't seem to get him out of my head." The smaller woman said weakly.
"Tell me the truth, Doc. I swear I won't tell a soul, do you love him?"
"It has only been two weeks, well three on Monday."
Lauralee chuckled, "Come on, Doc. You know people fall in love in a minute. Three weeks is long enough for you to fall a hundred times over. Is it love?"
Teagan sighed, "It sure looks that way. For me anyway. But not for him and he seems very hesitant to even think about it becoming more. He needs and wants a friend whom he can trust in and talk to. I need something from him too; I'm just not sure what it is. I think it would be fine if everyone would just forget about us and not talk about everything they see us do and what they think they don't see."
"Not gonna happen, Doc. You and the Cap are the hot topic of the ship and I don't see it changing anytime soon. Well, Rissa Mognitara coming up pregnant by that ensign was hot for a day or two, but then someone saw you and our fearless leader walking to his quarters arm in arm for the first time and it was suddenly 'Rissa who?' What do you do in his quarters all by yourselves?" Lauralee went back to the replicator, ordered an ale and downed it while standing there.
"We have dinner, talk, feed his cat and sometimes play chess. I've even beaten him twice," she answered, but there was no joy in the statement.
"Sounds like an old married couple," Lauralee said making it clear how disagreeable she thought that idea. She returned to her seat. "Let it go. I've seen Lieutenant Commander Oishii checking you out when you passed him before. He's hot," Lauralee licked her lips suggestively and Teagan laughed weakly and shook her head.
"Red is very handsome, but I don't think I could handle seeing the chief of security. Too risky," she said, blushing. Red was very, very nice looking though...
"And the captain of the whole damned ship isn't risky?"
"You're talking a date. The captain and I-"
"See each other for dinner and play time EVERY DAY, I call that dating even if play time does not involve finding out how good an android captain is in the sack!" Lauralee looked like she was imagining just that, and Teagan kicked her.
"Stop that! You think too loud and I don't think I'm old enough to overhear the salacious things you think about!" Teagan said crossly, covering her ears. Lauralee just raised her eyebrows and giggled.
"You can't tell me that you haven't thought about it, Doc. As good as he dances...if he's anywhere near as smooth in-"
"Ok, ok, I'll admit to having thought about it once or twice!"
Lauralee snorted with mirth, "Or twenty or thirty times...wonder if he's golden skinned everywhere. Does he have chest hair? How good a kisser is he? How good a-"
"Out! I am very tired and I want you out!" Teagan said standing. She was smiling more though. Lauralee laughed loudly, but did stand.
"I just wanted to leave you with something interesting to think on, Doc," she said grinning with an impish twinkle in her eye.
"I thought you wanted me to break it off with him?" Teagan reminded her. The blonde looked confused for a moment.
"Oh, yeah. Well, pick a direction and go all the way in that one. Nighty night, See ya in the morning, Doc. Sweet sexy dreams," she said and gave Teagan a hug.
Teagan shook her head in disbelief at her friend. With a short chuckle, she went to her bedroom to prepare for a hot bath. She was just drying off after when the computer signaled that she was being hailed. Grabbing her robe off the corner of her bed, Teagan ran to her monitor and answered the hail.
The very worried face of the captain appeared on the screen. She said, "Hi," and sunk slowly into her chair.
"I wanted to be certain that you were...well," he said, looking very unsure of himself.
"Thank you, sir. I am...well." He nodded at this. Trying, but failing to look like he believed her. Something in her chest tightened.
"Your association with me has caused you much distress. If you wish to discontinue it, I would understand," Data told her before he could argue himself out of it.
"I am accustomed to adversity, Captain. It comes with the job," Teagan said flatly. She did not want to have this conversation with him and she could clearly see it wasn't what he wanted.
"This is not part of the job, Miss Teagan," Data reminded her.
She pulled her robe tighter around her, even though it had not loosened. "I am perfectly aware of what it is, Captain. I'm just getting ready for bed, sir. I really don't want to discuss this now. So unless you're saying that it's you who does not want to continue our association, I will bid you goodnight and go to sleep."
The captain looked stunned as he took in what she was wearing. "I beg your pardon, Miss Teagan. I did not intend to invade your privacy." He looked alarmed and about to sign off.
"Captain, I didn't mean to insinuate that you had invaded my privacy. I just-" She sighed, he truly was high maintenance. "I'll see you tomorrow, sir. Good night," she finished, not sure what she was trying to say anymore.
"You are certain?" he asked.
"I'm not certain of anything except that I want this day to be over. Good night, Captain." He looked like his stomach hurt, but she knew that was not possible.
"Good night, Dr. Shayza," he replied and the image on her monitor faded.
Two hours later, the captain was playing his violin, but was not really enjoying it as he usually did. It did not relax him; it did not soothe him. Playing with Stripes was not as enjoyable by himself and he could think of nothing to paint. He soon found himself walking towards the arboretum, but that was not where he wanted to go at this moment. Changing direction, he headed for the lounge.
Upon entering, he saw his first officer, Commander Brent, staring out the window at the stars as they passed. The captain had been working on making friends with this man, so he approached him.
"Captain, I didn't expected to see you here, sir," the dark haired man said as he noticed his commanding officer advancing towards him. "Will you join me, sir?"
"I would be pleased to, if I am not intruding," Data added quickly. The stars knew that he had done enough of that lately.
"I think I could very much use some intrusion at this moment, sir. If I remember it right, you've never been married, correct, sir?" The captain gave a slight shake of his head. "You're a wiser man than I, sir. Wives are wonderful at times, but more often than not they're impossible." Brent twirled the empty glass he held around as he stared absently at it.
"You have had a disagreement with your wife, Commander?" the captain asked, wondering if he should.
"Shelby has had too much exposure to children," Brent began. His wife was now one of the teachers for the ship's children and quite popular already, from what the captain had heard. Shelby Brent was a slight blonde with a lovely smile. She and the commander had been married for eight years, but were thus far childless. The captain assumed this was what his first officer was alluding to.
The Commander leaned forward as though confiding a dearly held secret; "She wants to have a baby." At this close range, the captain could smell the synthehol on the man's breath. While the beverage had been created because its effects could be thrown off in times of urgency, it could also allow one to become quite tipsy if one so desired. It appeared that tipsy was what Commander Brent was going for just now.
"I take it you do not wish a child?" the captain asked.
"Well, yes...but not just now! New ship, new mission, new captain, no offense sir," he added quickly.
"None taken, Commander."
As the man across from him did truly appear to be mostly relaxed, the commander continued. "I just think it's a bad time and she says that I have said that before. May I ask you a question, sir?" the man asked, looking intensely at his captain.
"Certainly."
"Why are you here? I know that you don't require sleep, sir, but this seems to be the place to come at this time of night if one is trying to get away from something." Suddenly, the captain did not look so relaxed.
"An unsettling event took place this evening," Data told him. At once, it looked as though the first officer was trying to throw off the effects of the synthehol. He sat up and looked the captain squarely in the eye.
"Can I assume, captain, that like my own difficulties, yours also involved a member of the fairer sex?"
The captain looked out the window and his expression hardened. "In part. In part, it also involves a large portion of the crew and assumptions that have been made. I had believed that as captain of this vessel, I would be shielded from this type of meddling into my personal life. It seems the exact opposite is true. My every action has been the topic of conversation since I took command." Frustration was evident in the yellow eyes that stared out the window at the stars.
Commander Brent knew, of course, to what the captain was referring. No need to spell it out. The whole crew was gossiping about him and a certain red headed woman and he was catching hell for it. Brent wanted to ask what had happened to bring this to a head, but something in the captain's expression told the Commander that now may not be a good time to ask. No doubt, he would find out soon enough anyway.
"Establishing oneself with a new crew is difficult enough without this added wrinkle," Brent said, sympathetically. The captain turned his head to look back at his first officer. Regret now showing in his eyes.
"I ask your pardon, Commander. I should not be speaking to you like this. Perhaps I should seek out our counselor."
When his captain did not move to leave, Brent just shook his head and smiled. "Don't worry, Captain. I'm not one of those officers who needs to believe that his captain is above being only human once in awhile." As soon as the words were out of his mouth, the captain reacted with surprise and Brent realized what he had just said. "I'm sorry, sir. Poor choice of words." To the Commander's astonishment, the captain smiled brightly and did not look in the least bit offended.
"Actually Commander, I am pleased by your choice of words. I am an android, but I have always endeavored to be more human." Without even realizing it, his first officer had just complimented him profoundly. "Should you decide in favor of your wife's suggestion, I would be very pleased to welcome a new member of your family aboard my ship." Rising, the captain nodded approvingly at the still seated and stunned into silence man. "Good night, Commander," he said and turned to leave.
Shaking himself out of his daze, Commander Brent called a good night back to his commanding officer. He was not what Brent expected, this captain. Maybe a little one would be nice about now... Brent wondered if Shelby would be asleep. Hell, maybe he would just wake her!