First Night Out

Una stood ramrod straight as she waited for Burnham's ship to land. She tapped her foot impatiently. The Captain had overruled her intention to bring security, barely containing his amusement as he said, "I have no doubt you can handle the Commander without backup."

I should have brought Isak … with his hair unbound, she mused to herself. The mere presence of the 6-foot 6-inch warrior serving as Enterprise's Security Chief kept most mischief makers in line. And the Second Officer conferring with the First Officer as she happened to enter the shuttlebay is not the same as 'bringing security'. She snorted. No, the Captain would never buy that.

Her views on the pardon of this mutineer were delivered frequently and colorfully. Captain Pike once suggested she schedule a weekly meeting for the discussion so he could be better prepared.

Who the hell thought it was a wise idea to pardon a renegade and then put her in a nefarious organization?

Well, Burnham can deliver her report and leave, preferably without seeing the Captain and without encountering Lieutenant Spock. At least not until the Captain has a chance to prepare him. Una was fond of the sensitive young science officer and wanted to help him avoid an uncomfortable meeting with his estranged sister.

When Michael emerged from her ship, Una raised an eyebrow, not inclined to offer the familiar pleasantries. "Lieutenant Commander." Una said as a clear reminder she outranked Burnham.

Michael inclined her head respectfully. "Commander. Thank you for allowing me to come on board."

"I'll escort you to the ready room." Una gestured to the door.

They walked in silence as the crew merrily roamed the corridors. Folks mingled in groups here and there catching-up after their extended leave.

"First night out parties?" Michael asked.

Una nodded.

Once inside the ready room, Una sat behind the desk and indicated Michael should take a seat in front of it.

"Will the Captain join us soon?" Michael asked.

Una was succinct. "No."

"I was expecting to speak with Captain Pike."

"No doubt you were." Una replied. "On this ship I vet things to spare the Captain the unimportant and inconsequential." Her icy stare communicated that she considered Michael to be both. "And ensure his limited time is not wasted."

"Captain Leland instructed me to speak only with Captain Pike."

"Captain Leland does not decide who interacts with my Captain." Una countered.

"The information I have is highly classified." Michael responded.

"For which I am cleared. You can either speak to me or leave." Una stated matter-of-factly. "The Captain gave permission for you to board, but I assure you, if it were up to me, you would have delivered your report via an encrypted comm link and returned to your home base."

Michael acceded. Una listened without interrupting.

"We will meet with Captain Pike first thing tomorrow." Una announced. After signaling the bridge she stood. "Lieutenant Colt will escort you to quarters. The Captain granted you access to all public areas of the ship. If you need anything Colt will see to it."

After Michael left Una swore. It's worse than we thought. She called the Captain.

ooooo

Michael struggled to pay attention as Colt briefed her "… your quarters have a replicator, but we can stop in the mess hall on the way if you like …"

"No thank you. I prefer to eat alone." Michael responded more curtly than she intended. Being on this ship, tonight of all nights, was … difficult … and she felt … sad. For all she had lost.

The first night out tradition held bittersweet memories for her. Michael was uneasy mixing informally with the crew on the Shenzhou. Captain Georgiou respected that and didn't push beyond her comfort level except for first night out. Then her mentor insisted they attend every organized and impromptu gathering. Georgiou had adored this custom where rules were relaxed, and everyone mingled without consciousness of rank. She danced with crew, participated in the intramural games, listened to stories about parents, nieces, nephews, children, school days, love affairs and told a few of her own.

And somehow, in a conundrum Michael was still puzzling out, being familiar and ordinary didn't diminish the crew's faith and loyalty in their Captain. It increased it. She shook her head to clear it and reminded herself, that life is over.

"… Commander?" Colt asked and repeated, "We're here. This is my direct comm. Call if you need anything."

Michael refocused and nodded. "Thank you."

As she left Colt thought to herself, Starfleet's first mutineer is exactly as I imagined, cold and distant.

Michael got a cup of tea and called the bridge requesting a comm channel to Leland.

"I'm sorry sir, communication traffic must be approved by the Security Chief or First Officer."

"I understand, thank you." Michael settled in for another unending, lonely night.

ooooo

In Engineering Lieutenant Scott was liberally dispensing the latest batch of his homemade 'whiskey', repeatedly explaining it can only be called Scotch if it is made in the fair isle of Scotland. Chief Louvier was passing around bottles of wine from his brother's vineyard. The craft brewers were gathered in a corner conducting a taste test.

To be companionable, Tilly sampled all of it. She didn't, after all, want to hurt anyone's feelings.

The trio then headed to Medical.

"I thought stills were illegal on ships." Tilly remarked.

"They are, but Captain Pike pretends not to notice. That's important by the way. There is nothing he doesn't notice, so think before you act." Pixie answered.

"Uhuh." Tilly responded, paying little attention.

"After the incident with the Admiral, Dr. Boyce now has to 'bless' every batch." AB added.

Tilly tuned back in. "What?"

AB laughed. "Scotty unintentionally and unknowingly made, shall we say, a particularly potent batch of whiskey which he shared with a visiting Admiral."

"That guy was bastard even before the booze." Pixie interjected.

"Anyway, the Admiral overindulged, started performing risqué karaoke without a machine, then made a lewd and aggressive pass at a young nurse. He wouldn't take no for an answer. It took both Number One and Commander Bengsston, you will understand the significance of that when you meet him, to keep the Captain from decking the ... the"

"Asshole." Pixie finished.

"My momma taught me ladies don't swear, but yes, what Pixie said." AB agreed. "Now the CMO tests the alcohol content of each run of the still before anyone drinks it. And you'll notice the senior officers are keeping an eye on everyone tonight to make sure no one overindulges."

Sickbay One was packed with Matt holding court in the center of the room. When he recognized the newcomers, he waved them over.

"Cadet Tilly, how was your first day?" He asked.

"Indescribable amazing much better than I imagined I don't ever want to leave you are really really cute" Tilly babbled.

He smiled and nodded to the others, "I see you have visited Engineering already."

"You have a really really charming smile and I want to run my fingers through your hair" Tilly continued.

AB grabbed Tilly's hand and Pixie flew ahead to make a path. "We're going to get her something to eat." AB assured him.

"A wise idea." Matt said, chuckling as they left.

"Feel better?" AB asked Tilly after a few snacks.

"Much, thanks."

"Ready to dance?" Pixie flew a figure eight loop, excited. "Let's go to Security."

"I'm sorry if I embarrassed you in Sickbay. When I was talking to Matt." Tilly said.

"No worries. Everyone reacts to him like that. Betazeds? Betazoids? I can never remember which is correct, anyway, its their biology. The pheromones." AB reassured her.

"You'd think it would be amazing to have a lover who can read your mind, they'd always know exactly what you like, but … I wouldn't want someone to hear everything that I am thinking. A lot of stuff randomly runs through my head." Tilly mused out loud.

"On the other hand, they'd never be able to use the excuse that they didn't understand what you meant – despite explaining plainly, using small words, and in great detail." Pixie added as she flew over to whisper in a passing crewman's ear.

He blushed, nodded, and said, "My quarters, midnight.

"Is it my imagination or are a lot of folks pairing up?" Tilly asked.

Pixie flew another loop. Tilly was beginning to understand this was her way of expressing amusement. "You just left the Academy. You know what the first week on campus is like. It's the same on a starship."

Tilly looked to AB. "I don't get it."

"Life can get boring on a starship. You have to fill the hours when you aren't exploring or saving the galaxy. There's a lot of gossip, sports, exercise, well anything competitive really, and, shall we say, other pleasurable recreational activities."

"oh, Oh, OH." Tilly said as she entered Security and walked into Commander Bengsston.

She looked up. Way up. He looked down. Way down.

She tried to find her voice. "Hhhello?" Is there some rule that all the senior officers on Enterprise must be gorgeous? She wondered.

He replied, "Welcome to the crew Cadet."

Recognizing the look on Tilly's face, Pixie landed on AB's shoulder and whispered, "When do we tell her Inspiring Isak and Marvelous Matt are married?"

AB smiled. "Tomorrow. Let her enjoy the fantasy for now. Besides, deep down our new roommate is smitten with the Captain."

ooooo

He leaned over and kissed her cheek. Brushed her hair away from her eyes. His favorite way to wake her. "Time to get up. The final countdown is about to start."

"Wwwhat?" She blinked sleepily and leaned in for another kiss.

"The launch. It's in an hour."

"Oh. So? The ship is leaving its parking place. Let me sleep."

Mornings were not her favorite time of day. He adored that. He kissed her again as she fell back asleep.

"Are you going to let me drive the ship?" She asked.

"Not a chance."

"Then I see no reason to get up. Schedule our departure for a more reasonable hour and I will come watch."

"I know that you are teasing me. And you know that I know you are teasing. And I know that you know that I know you are teasing me. And …" He responded.

She turned and propped up on one elbow. "Please stop, I am getting dizzy from the circles." She caressed his cheek and moved her hand down his chest. "Of course I am coming with you."

He reached up to place his hand over hers …

The dream ended. It felt so real he almost reached out to the other side of the bed. He missed her touch, her scent, her laughter. And most of all, he missed sharing these experiences with her. Maybe he had accepted it, but peace? Finding peace remained distant. Despite Phil's assurances, he wasn't convinced it was probable.

Yet things were better. The memories and dreams no longer felt like a punch in the gut. When a memory triggered, he now reexperienced the happiness, the fondness of that moment. The dreams were a way to still be connected to her, to share things he didn't discuss with others.

Work, as always, was a balm. Lieutenant Colt would be here soon with the overnight reports and then he would meet with Commander Burnham and brief the crew on their new mission.