Operation OFS

Team Christopher Headquarters aka Phil's Boyce's Quarters

"It's been two weeks. Our protagonists have resumed their status quo friendship erasing the blip where they almost reached for more. They just picked back up as if it that aborted night never happened. We've patiently waited for Chris and Aalin to sort this out on their own. They haven't. It's time to act," Phil announced to the assembled group.

"Did you finish their dating profiles?" Matt asked.

"I do not dabble in assignation fictions." Spock projected a multipage report including charts, diagrams, and a top-level summary. "My compatibility analysis for the Captain with Ms. Matthews is complete." He began reading.

"Ah, perhaps you could skip to the thumbs-up or thumbs-down conclusion," Matt urged.

"Which gesture represents which outcome?"

"Up yes, down no."

"Thank you for your elucidation." Spock cautiously squeezed his hand into a fist then uncurled his thumb toward the ceiling. "Have I executed the signal accurately?"

Phil and Matt burst into laughter. Rene Louvier rolled his eyes. Una shook her head.

"Where did I err?" a confused Spock queried.

"Oh, you didn't," Una quickly corrected. Her shoulders quivered from repressed amusement.

Baffled Spock chose to ignore his colleagues reactions. "Captain Pike and Ms. Matthews share empathy, kindness, harmonious senses of humor, and a deep-rooted conviction all beings are responsible for each other which informs their choices and actions; this is a stable foundation amenable for constructing a productive and satisfying bonded relationship."

Phil brought his hands together with a loud clap. "Just as I have been saying for the past …"

"Excuse me Doctor. I have more."

The CMO lowered his head in a small bow and waved at the Vulcan. "I yield the floor. By all means, continue supporting my point."

"Both Captain Pike and Ms. Matthews can anger quickly and are strong-willed."

Matt translated, "Aka, stubborn."

Spock steepled his fingers, resting elbows on the table they gathered around. "A less complimentary yet still accurate description. Without careful management those tendencies can and most likely will clash, resulting in disharmony rather than cohesive tranquility."

"In other words … their arguments may go boom," Matt said while motioning expansively with both arms. "Just like fireworks."

"Imprecise, but yes."

Enterprise's chief nurse added with a grin, "Leading to makeup sex. So not a complete negative. Or to put it more positively, there's a silver lining to those minor sparklers and major pyrotechnics."

"Query. I do not understand the reference. Are you implying an expected mating event is rescheduled when disagreeing? Like a test missed due to illness or other circumstance?"

"Not exactly," Matt replied tilting his head as if considering how to explain. "It … makeup sex, it's more a gage of intensity."

Spock turned to Una. "Please elucidate."

"That's a question for a father or older brother," she deferred.

"Sarek and I do not speak of private nor intimate matters, and I lack a biological brother. Therefore I shall broach the subject with Captain Pike or Commander Bengsston."

Matt quickly interjected, "Probably best to seek out the Captain on this one." He felt a twinge of guilt at relieving Isak of an uncomfortable chat at Chris' expense. The guilt faded when he envisioned his husband's thunderous expression after learning Spock was stopping by their quarters for a tutorial on makeup sex after Matt introduced the concept to the Vulcan and was unexpectedly yet urgently needed in Sickbay.

"I am making a note," Spock replied as he typed into a PADD.

Matt pondered if Spock had just messaged Chris in real time – Why do humans endorse mating after an argument and why is the practice termed makeup sex?

Phil begged the universe to be a fly on the wall during this conversation between Spock and Chris.

Rene resolved to pull Spock aside after their team meeting and spare Chris from Spock's curiosity.

Una decided if she joined forces with Christine Chapel in a revamped Team Christopher, Aalin would be moving into Chris' quarters by the end of the week.

Spock smoothly segued back to his presentation, "And there are differences worthy of consideration. Ms. Matthews comes from a privileged, affluent background, the Captain from a small close-knit family of less means. He is outgoing and sociable; she tends towards introversion. He trusts his talents, skills, and training, her confidence falters." A pause. "I footnote my conclusions were drawn from conversation with the Captain and observation of Ms. Matthews as she more adroitly deflected my queries."

"This … is useful, Spock it truly is. But the most important bit is they are head of heels in love. He is tongue-tied in her presence; she blushes at his attentions. Put them in a room together and barring a crisis their focus narrows to each other."

"I believe that is what I just said."

"We shouldn't bypass the elephant in the room," Rene said quietly, his tone of voice serious.

"I see no Elephantidae representation," Spock noted with a raised eyebrow after he scrutinized the surroundings.

"An issue we're skirting around," Una explained.

"Chris' inclination for self-sacrifice," Phil guessed.

Rene nodded.

"On Vulcan we have an axiom – Innate nature cannot be changed; Accept, Embrace the peace of that surrender. Only by this path can a bonding thrive."

"Which may be true, but for a human, logic cannot erase the wear and tear of worry." Rene sighed. "I watched my sister live with that. After ten years she walked away from the relationship."

"The reality of leaving a widow behind may caution that tendency."

"The hard bits tend to magnify in the fishbowl that is a starship. That may be holding Chris and Aalin back as much as Chris' experience on Talos … or anything else," Una observed to agreeing nods.

"And their courtship's been tucked into and stretched around high stakes missions," Matt continued.

"And limited to those daily chats," Spock added.

"Which take place in a mess hall. A thoroughly unromantic place. You can't build intimacy there," Rene finished.

"Precisely," Phil agreed. "What Chris and Aalin need is a good old-fashioned date."

"Away from five hundred close quartered bystanders," Una said.

"Well, this far out a stop at Risa is out of the question."

Una turned to her colleague. "Rene only you would immediately suggest Risa."

"Don't knock jamaharon until you've tried it," was the counterpoint.

Una snorted, gearing up for one of their famous disagreements. "How do you know if I haven't?"

"The answer to our quandary is obvious," Phil interrupted. The group fell silent.

"Well?" Matt said. "Go on. Enlighten us."

"A shuttle trip," Phil prompted. When no one replied he frowned. "Please tell me I'm not the only member of the deep space, near space and in between space shuttle club?" Phil's eyes moved from officer to officer. With each tiny headshake the crease in his brow deepened and his eyes narrowed a little more. "No one?" He fixed Rene with a stare. "Not even you?"

"I have a … more elaborate repertoire. And a reputation to maintain. Which is the opposite of a quickie with one of us backed against a shuttle bulkhead or squirming on one of those narrow benches and most likely tumbling onto the floor … without intending to that is," the chief engineer replied with a faint huff, his gallic accent more pronounced with each word.

Phil tsked. "Children. What is the fleet coming to? In my early days the shuttle and the Jefferies tube clubs were the first bingo squares we completed. With bonus points awarded if the tube led to a nacelle."

Una looked the doctor up and down then said dryly, "I think we now know all we need to about your younger years … and a tad bit more."

Phil scoffed, "You're just jealous." He pointed a finger at Matt. "And you're choosing a Jefferies tube as we speak."

Matt flashed an unreadable grin. Rene surreptitiously pushed a PADD in his direction. It displayed a schematic of Enterprise with a highlighted passageway as well as reactor downtimes in the warp drive maintenance schedule.

"We have, once again, strayed from our stated purpose," Spock reminded.

Phil cleared his throat. "So out here in uncharted space how can a Captain get away from his crewlings for a night? That's right. A shuttle trip. We get Chris and Aalin alone together without an audience, without interruptions, and let nature take its inevitable course. There must be a nearby benign planet or phenomena of interest."

"This timing is fortuitous. As you are aware we have an ongoing objective to study the progression of Cycladians settlements in this quadrant. Sensors detected a planet with ruins matching their relics. In order to complete our circumnavigation of the asteroid field before predicted expansion commences, Enterprise should not divert. However a shuttle can investigate and return without disruption to our schedule."

"I saw the summary on that. There's an unusual radiation belt surrounding one of the planet's moons. It interacts with ion particles in unique ways. Won't that be a problem?" Matt asked.

Rene shook his head. "The conditions work in our favor. While the shields on the latest fleet of shuttles can filter the radiation, piloting around its localized effects requires skill, experience, and fast reflexes."

Phil smiled. "Bait too enticing for a bored former test pilot to pass on."

"Hold your horses," Una uttered then explained with a shrug, "Chris rubs off." She retrieved and scanned the initial data and the subsequent long-range survey. "OK. I don't see anything inherently dangerous in flying though that muck. Or of concern on the surface of the planet. No objections from the first officer."

"I hate to dampen the moment, but all we've managed is setting up a date for Spock and the Captain," Rene said.

"I have a solution for that," Spock assured.

"The remaining wrinkle is Isak. He'll insist on a security presence," Matt reminded.

"That's an enchanted evening, the Captain, the interpreter, and some red shirts." Phil started crooning the song of the same name with updated lyrics. "Some enchanted evening. You may woe your true love. Just you and her and two guards bathed in a starrrrrry glow …"

Matt winced at the mismatched musical keys and hooked a finger in his boss's direction. "He thinks he's Bing Crosby."

"Dean Martin," was the correction.

"Chris will take care of nixing the security detail himself. Once the bit's in his mouth for a side adventure he'll want to slip the reins. Oh damn, I did it again."

Rene chuckled. "Face it. The Captain sets the tone of a ship. At this point we're all a hair's breadth away from donning chaps and setting out on a cattle drive."

"All agreed then?" When no one objected the CMO announced. "Operation OFS commences tomorrow."

Spock took the bait. "OFS?"

Phil's smile beamed. "Out for Stud."

ooooo

It's been two weeks, Chris thought with an inward sigh, and with Aalin much is the same as before I pushed us back from almost lovers to friends. We talk. We laugh. We tease. She asks about my day. But there is a border she won't cross. I share confidences; she doesn't. I miss the spontaneous physical contact, the little touches here and there. She carefully and deliberately remains out of arm's reach.

He'd decided to sit the first watch on the bridge. But Enterprise's ongoing uneventful journey around the unique asteroid field offered no distraction.

Spock approached the ship's chief science officer, Lynne Lucero, and whispered, "All is ready."

She nodded then swiveled her chair. "Captain, our detailed survey of the system designated A405TGB confirms a high probability of Cycladian colonists. Starfleet …"

"Issued a standing order we investigate unless our primary mission or safety are compromised," Pike finished. His expression brightened and he added in an enthused tone, "Patch the data through to the ready room and gather the senior officers. We'll discuss it there."

ooooo

Isak, security chief and second officer, addressed those assembled at the conference table. "A contingent of two guards should be sufficient."

"The planet is uninhabited, Spock and I will be fine on our own," Pike countered. "And your department is in the middle of recalibrating the phasers, upgrading the photon torpedoes, as well as hand-to-hand combat recertifications. Those are the priorities. Not tagging along on a routine information gathering flyby."

Settling against the back of his chair, Isak crossed arms over his chest and glared at Pike. "You're in a mood today. Are we going to toss all regs out the viewport?"

Pike met the glare with a dimpled smile. "Only the inconvenient ones."

"Alright," Isak growled. "I'll go along if only to get you out of our hair for a few hours."

Lucero spoke up. "One other item. As all of Spock's time and attention has been focused on the asteroid field analysis, Lieutenant Matthews has been cataloging and translating the records from the second planet in the NV-0809 system, the other possible Cycladian settlement in this sector. She is the better resource for this mission."

No one missed the longer than usual pause. The Captain glanced at Phil, momentarily suspicious over the CMO's presence in this meeting. He's probably bored as well, Pike decided before responding, "Very well. Louvier, get the shuttle ready. Spock, brief Aalin … I mean Lieutenant Matthews. We'll leave in two hours. If there's nothing else, dismissed."

"Well done," Phil whispered to Spock in the hallway. "Bringing in your boss for suggesting Aalin's assignment to the mission was a stroke of genius. You really are a wonder kid. With that move not only did you negate possible suspicion; it also gives us plausible deniability."

"Increasingly Doctor I contemplate if you will turn to a life of crime on retirement from Starfleet."

Phil's eyes twinkled in response. "It's too bad we can't stock the shuttle with candles and a romantic dinner. But that would ping Chris' radar."

"Sonar is pinged, not radar. Sonar transmits acoustic waves; radar transmits electromagnetic waves. The two are very different …"

"OK. My mistake." They entered a turbolift.

"You're quiet," Phil remarked a few minutes later.

"In retrospect I find myself questioning our methods."

Phil turned to Spock. "We've planned every detail. What can possibly go wrong?"