With a smile on her face, Deanna made her way through the various corridors, nodding in welcome at various people bidding her good morning. It was close to a shift change, so people were moving through the halls, off to their different posts to start their day, and Deanna could feel the contentment coming from the crew. As she neared the quarters assigned to Emelle, she noticed the same security guards posted outside her room. "Good morning." She quipped coming to a stop in front of the doors.
"Sir." They both replied.
She pointed to the door. "I'm here to see the commander." The guard near the console pressed the button, waiting for the commander to answer the chime. When she didn't, he pressed it again, but still nothing. He looked back to Deanna who stepped forward. "Computer, override authorization-"
Her command was cut off when she heard a voice from behind the door. "Hello?"
"Are you alright?"
"Um, yeah. I just...oh dear." Deanna took a step back. "Um, how do I get the door open again?" She asked sheepishly.
Deanna smiled. "Just tell me to come in."
"Ah, come in." Emelle said hesitantly. When the doors slid open, Deanna had to contain a smile at the sight before her. "Counsellor."
"Commander. Did I wake you?"
"A little." Emelle wore a standard issue Starfleet white tank top, and a pair of black shorts. Her hair was tousled and her eyes were still half asleep. "What can I do for you?"
"I was wondering if you'd like to join me for breakfast in Ten Forward." She responded, finally giving into her smile.
"Um...sure." As she rubbed the palm of her hand against her eye, she stifled a yawn and moved to the side. "Please. Come in." As she entered, she indicated for the guards to stay outside. "Give me a minute to, uh, get ready. Please, make yourself comfortable." She said as she returned to her room.
"I imagine you were relieved when you were given a room. Much better then spending a night in sickbay."
"Relieved isn't quite the word I'd use." Emelle replied from her room. "Ecstatic might be a better one."
Deanna chuckled as she sat in the chair in the living room. "I was also wondering if you were up for a little tour after breakfast."
"Sounds great!" There was a quick pause. "I'm sorry, where did you say we're going again?"
"Ten Forward." Deanna replied with a smile. "It's the crew lounge."
"Sounds good." Emelle emerged from her room, pulling her hair from underneath the neckline of her shirt.
"I see you're sticking with the leather uniform." Deanna remarked when she noticed a similar outfit to the one Emelle wore the day before.
Emelle looked down, then looked Deanna up and down. "It's my uniform. You wear yours everyday." Deanna looked at her sceptically, but chose not to say anything more. Emelle had managed to pull half her hair up in a loose ponytail, and apply enough makeup to convince anyone she didn't just wake up.
"Shall we?" Deanna asked leading to the door.
Emelle flashed a quick smile and zipped her uniform jacket. "Lead on."
When they walked out of her quarters, the guards began to follow them, but Deanna stopped them. "Thank you gentlemen, but we no longer require your assistance." When they didn't move, Deanna addressed them by rank. "Lieutenants. You've been relieved." After sharing an uneasy look, the two guards turned and walked away.
"I was wondering what it took to get them to leave. Thank you."
Deanna turned and they continued to walk. "No need. I could feel how uncomfortable you were-"
"Ok." Emelle interrupted stopping. She waited for Deanna to turn, and then stepped towards her, lowering her voice. "I have the upmost respect for you Counsellor, but I would really appreciate it, if you could...ah...refrain from..." Deanna's surprise showed on her face. "I'm...uncomfortable around empaths, it's nothing personal."
Deanna slowly nodded, a little taken aback at the confession. "Alright."
"Thanks." They walked the rest of the way to Ten Forward in silence. As they walked down the hall, Deanna was surprised at the attention Emelle was getting from most of the male crew they passed, and even some of the female crew. She was even more surprised how much harder she had to concentrate to respect the commander's request and not probe her emotions. When they finally walked through the doors of Ten Forward, Emelle slowed to take a look around, and fully stopped when she saw out the windows. "Wow."
Deanna led them to a table, and smiled when she saw Guinan tending the bar. "It's not too bad. The lady who runs Ten Forward is a gem, the crew loves her. Speaking of."
Her attention moved to Guinan as she approached the table. "Good morning counsellor."
"Good morning. Guinan, I'd like you to meet Commander Emelle Pinces. Emelle, this is Guinan."
"Pleasure to meet you." Guinan said bowing her head. "Do you ladies mind if I join you for a bit?"
"Not at all." Deanna answered as she stood from her chair. "Why don't I get us something to eat, and you two can get to know each other?" She squeezed Guinan's shoulder as she moved past the table.
"So, Commander, what do you think of the Enterprise?" She asked pulling up an other chair.
Emelle chuckled. "It's impressive." Guinan smiled. "And I have to admit it's nothing like what I expected of the Federation."
"What did you expect?" Guinan asked smiling.
"Well," Emelle started. "For years now, the Cardassians have been threatening the rest of the quadrant with the 'Invasion of the Federation'. They made you out to be worse then they are, if that's possible."
"Ah. So we should expect some negative responses to our presence here." Guinan replied.
Emelle chuckled. "There will be plenty of resistance for sure. It's going to take a long time before the Federation will be welcomed, let alone trusted in this sector."
"So," Guinan began after a moment. "I hear you're from Earth."
Emelle lightly nodded. "Yeah."
"Emelle, that's not a common Earth name. Where is it from?"
"Well, it's actually not my name. My original name is Emily."
"Emily's a lovely name. Which would you rather, Emily or Emelle?"
Emelle thought for a moment. "The latter, I suppose." She went to explain but then changed her mind. "I'm sure you don't want to hear my sob story."
Guinan smiled. "That's very sweet of you. Most people just assume that, as a bartender, I always want to hear their every problem." They shared a smile, and Guinan indicated towards Deanna as she returned with a small plate of fruit and pastries. "Not everyone can be as patient as this one."
"I see you two found something to talk about." Deanna remarked when she saw them share a laugh.
"Guinan was sharing the joys of bartending." Emelle commented as she took one of the pastries off the plate, but when she tasted it and immediately disliked it, she put it down, barely able to swallow the piece in her mouth. "What the hell is that?"
Deanna took a similar pastry and took a bite. "It's filled with a fruit from Betazed. A delicacy." She explained as she took an other bite, humming in appreciation.
"Well, I should let back to work." Guinan smiled as she stood. "Enjoy the rest of your day, and Commander," She turned to Emelle. "it was lovely meeting you. Do come back soon."
"It was nice meeting you too." Emelle responded with a smile as the older woman returned to her duties.
"Do you mind if I ask you a question?" An unsure look crossed Emelle's face as she considered Deanna's question.
"Sure." She replied.
"I've noticed you have moved to correct any of us when we call you Emelle."
"That's not a question." Emelle replied with a smirk.
"I wasn't finished." Deanna stated, shooting her companion a 'smart ass' look and Emelle raised her hands in apology. "Would you rather we call you Emily, or Emelle?"
She smiled. "You know, Guinan just asked me that."
"And?"
"And..." She carefully though out her answer. "I've created a new life here, and I've formed relationships, professional and personal, with almost every culture in this sector, as Emelle Pinces." She shook head. "If I'm going to continue to maintain these relationships, then I have to stay with this name."
"If that didn't matter, would you still feel the same way?"
"There's no point in playing 'what-if's', Counsellor." She regarded Deanna for a moment. "Is there?"
"What do you mean?"
Emelle leant forward on the table. "The only way it 'wouldn't matter', is if I was no longer...here." Realization dawned on her face. And she closed her eyes. "Tell me I'm wrong."
Deanna sighed. "There's a chance the council will want to return you to Earth after-"
"Why? What right do they have?" Emelle raised her voice.
Deanna quickly glanced around before lowering her voice. "Perhaps this isn't the best place..."
"I'm sorry, and where would be a good place for you to tell me that the Federation has the arrogance to assume that you have a right to do this?" She asked, lowering her voice. She closed her eyes and shook her head, calming her anger. "My being here is not hindering the Federation's attempt to get a foothold in this sector. Hell, if anything they should want to use the knowledge I have to help in that respect. I have a life here, Deanna. I have friends, and people I care about here." She cleared her throat and sat back in her chair. "Everyone I loved and cared for on Earth are gone. Why would I want to go back?"
Deanna thought about what she'd just heard. Folding her hands in her lap, she nodded. "This is something that you will have to bring up with the captain. And the council."
Emelle nodded, her shoulders slouched slightly. "You know I'm not really hungry anymore." She indicated to the plate with her hand. "That...fruit thing..." She grimaced, attempting to lighten the mood.
Seeing through her attempt, Deanna smiled anyway. "Alright. What would you like to do now?"
Emelle looked at her surprised. "I get to choose?"
"Yes. Within reason." Deanna quickly added as she stood.
Emelle drummed her fingers against the table before standing. "Oh, I don't know." She thought, and as the two walked out of Ten Forward, she grabbed Deanna's forearm as they walked. "Can we see my ship?"
"I don't see why not."
"Alright everybody, let's give this a shot." Geordi indicated to Wesley at the controls. He tapped the controls, and watched as a modified tractor beam lifted a larger piece of debris. When it was in place, Wesley entered an other command, and an additional machine began to connect it to the rest of the ship. "Yes! Well done Wes!"
"Thank you sir." Wesley replied, stepping next to Geordi. "Looks like we've got company." He commented as Emelle and Deanna walked into the cargo bay.
Emelle had an utter devastated look on her face. When she saw the state of her ship she rushed forward to stand in front, looking into the main window. "Oh my...ship!" She ran a hand over the metal, sighing.
"Commander, counsellor." Geordi welcomed them as he and Wesley walked over to join the women. "What can I do for you ladies?"
"How...I mean..." Emelle muttered. Turning to the three behind her, she chuckled sadly. "It's worse that I remember."
"You should have seen it before we started the larger repairs." Geordi said smiling. "Wes here managed to modify an old science project so that we could reassemble some of the larger pieces."
"Science project?" Emelle asked sceptically.
"It's basically a smaller version of the Enterprise's tractor beam." He smiled as he remembered the events around the Psi virus crisis.
"We figure it'll be easier to repair its systems if most of the ship's put together." Geordi explained when Emelle walked towards them.
Wesley couldn't help but notice her; the sway of her hips when she walked, her piercing eyes...that body. He shook the thoughts from his head. He was with Robyn, and he was pretty sure she'd kick his ass if she knew what he was thinking. It didn't help when he turned his attention to Deanna, that she had a knowing look plastered on her face. "We've, ah, been able to restore power to the computer in brief intervals. Don't want to get carried away now do we?" He chuckled.
"Yes." Deanna said still staring at him. "We don't want that." She was thoroughly enjoying teasing him.
"Would you care for some help gentlemen?" Emelle asked rubbing her hands together.
"Ah, actually-" Geordi started.
"Captain Picard would like you to assist, but needs to get authorization from the council before. With the impending investigation, it's prudent to do everything by the book." Deanna explained.
"Oh." Emelle said disappointed.
"We can continue the tour if you'd like?" Deanna asked.
"What have you seen so far Commander?" Wesley asked smiling at her.
Emelle smirked. "Just Ten Forward and here."
"Oh, make sure you check out the Holo-deck." He replied with a little too much gusto.
"That actually sounds like a great idea." Deanna said. "We'll leave you two to get back to work now."
"See you later." "Have fun!" Wesley and Geordi called at the same time as Deanna and Emelle left the cargo bay. When they left, they looked at each other, cleared their throats and returned to repairing the ship.