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Return to Season 2

 

 

Mark O’Conner hesitated by the entrance to the messhall, reluctant to announce his presence just yet.  The room was deserted, its sole occupant seated with her back to him, nursing a cup of black coffee as she looked out the window.  Feeling his scrutiny, she turned around and glanced in his direction. Nodding slightly in acknowledgement of his presence, she returned her attention to the window.

Frowning, Mark strode purposefully towards the Ops officer, not bothering to ask permission before he sat down.

“Good evening, Commander.” Naeve greeted him reluctantly.

He echoed the sentiment and then lapsed into an awkward silence in which both parties attempted to avoid eye contact. At last, as if by unspoken consensus, they both began speaking at once.

“Sir—“

“Lieutenant Commander—“

They grinned tentatively at each other as Mark waved a hand in her direction.

“You first.”

Naeve’s smile faded, replaced by two spots of color on each cheek. Finding the space just below his chin to be immensely interesting, she began speaking with effort.

“I’ve been meaning to talk with you, Commander. In light of the information USS Liberty shared with us, I’ve been doing some introspective thinking…”

“Look,Lieutenant Commander—“Mark interrupted with a sigh, anticipating the complaints that were undoubtedly about to follow.

“I’d like to apologize.” She said quickly, the words spilling over each other.

“What?”

“Yes.” She still would not meet his eyes. “I realize that I’ve unfairly resented you from the beginning for stealing, as I perceived it, my XO slot. I’ve been angry, and it has interfered with my ability to do my job. I’ve been acting like a spoiled child instead of a Starfleet officer who expects to be a Captain someday.” She said honestly.

“Naeve-“ It was the first time in months that he had called her by her given name.

“I appreciate how patient you and Captain Becker have been despite my ridiculous behavior.  I accept my role as second officer and I hope to perform my duties in such a way as to be considered for an XO slot in the future.”

“Naeve—“ he tried again, recognizing how difficult it must be for her to admit the truth, but she wasn’t finished.

“I’ve already apologized to the Captain, and now I’d like to ask you if we can put everything behind us. I’d like to start over, if you’re willing.’

“Alright.” Mark said after a moment,  knowing this was the opportunity to set their animosity aside and allow her to prove herself. 

“Good.” She said with obvious relief. She had neglected to mention that Colin Becker’s acceptance of her apology hinged on Mark doing the same.

Mark smiled at her again and then recalled why he had sought her out in the first place.

“Now it’s my turn, Lieutenant Commander. Did you read the personnel records that Commander Benteen gave us?”

“Some of it….why?”

“Did you look through the recommendations for crew placement for Prometheus?”

“No.”

She didn’t know.

Before he could change his mind, he plunged in.

“You were right to expect the XO slot.  Your previous Captain recommended you and the position was actually yours.  For some reason, someone bumped you to 2O and gave it to me. I’m sorry.”

She stared at him in silence, absorbing his announcement.  The anger both of them expected never materialized. Instead, Naeve shrugged and said, thoughtfully,

“Someone wanted us to clash, apparently.  And they succeeded. For a while. But not anymore.”

“You’re not….upset?”

“Of course I am. But not with you.” She managed to smile.

“To know it was mine-at least for a while-is enough. For the time being.”

To her surprise, she realized she meant what she said.

They were content to sit in companiable silence for a while and Naeve felt as if a weight had suddenly been lifted from her chest.

“Let’s start over?”

“Let’s start over.” Mark echoed, placing his hand over hers.

“I’d like that.” She said softly, fully aware of the warmth of his palm against her skin. He squeezed her hand gently, sending a  delightful shiver up her spine, and abruptly released her.

“I’d better go.” He said, rising quickly.

“Yes.” Naeve agreed, willing her suddenly elevated pulse to slow as he retreated, leaving her alone once more.

 

“You really should try the Arcturian tea. It’s quite excellent. It’s authentic, not that replicated stuff.”

Colin Becker remained silent, regarding the man seated across from him with obvious animosity.  They were in a small eating establishment in a quiet corner of the promenade.

“Really, Captain.” The man in the blue tunic admonished. “You’d feel much better if you verbalized your anger instead of radiating this silent hostility.”

“Why bother? You already know what I’m thinking, Counselor.”

The Betazoid did not comment, continuing to smile pleasantly as he dipped a warm scone into his tea.

“Are you sure you wouldn’t like some?” he asked calmly.

“What do you want?” Colin snapped. “I don’t have all day, and I know better than to think this is a social visit, Oren.”

“True.” Daro Oren agreed.

He sipped his tea, swallowing the fragrant steaming liquid with obvious pleasure.

“Making sure my head’s stll in one piece? My CMO would have removed me if I wasn’t fit for duty.”

“I have no doubt.” Oren mumbled, his mouth full of scone.

“You can tell whoever sent you that I’m fine.  And I’d be even better if you would all just leave me alone.”

The councelor smiled and pushed his teacup to one side.

“Do you think so?”

“Stop analyzing me.” Colin said quietly.

“We’ve noticed that you haven’t accessed Prometheus’ counselor program since ypur initial psychological exam.” He said abruptly.

Colin snorted. “It’s a waste of computer memory.”

“Why not?” Oren interrupted.

“Why not what?”

“Why haven’t you? Accessed your counselor, that is?”

“Because he’s annoying. And I waste of my time. I don’t need to ‘talk’. “

“I’m sorry you feel that way.” The Betazoid said in a tone which indicated he wasn’t sorry at all.

“Get to the point. I have things to do.”

“We’re concerned that you may be internalizing your feelings too much.”

By ‘we’, he menat the physicians at the Mars Psychiatric Institute.  Colin did not answer. He looked past the Betazoid, envying a group of Ensigns laughing at a nearby table.

“Do you still have flashbacks?”

He was restrained, lying on a hard metal surface in a cold room. A figure loomed over him with a painfully  bright light in his hand.  He tried to turn away from it as he struggled against the straps digging into his flesh. With revulsion, he could sense a malevolent presence forcing itself into his mind….He arched his back in revulsion as he screamed and screamed…..

“No.” he lied, clenching his fists under the table to keep them from visibly trembling. 

Oren regarded him with something akin to sympathy.

“You’d feel better if you talked about it.”

“I will never talk about it.” Colin said harshly.

He sensed the Betazoid’s presence on the periphery of his mind, gently probing in an attempt to soothe him. Colin mentally slapped away his assistance.

“Don’t do that.”He said in revulsion.

Daro Oren winced as he was roughly expelled from the surface of the other man’s mind.

“I apologize.” He said after a moment.

“Did you find what you were looking for in there?”

“No.” The Betazoid smiled slightly. “ You know very well that I can’t probe you against your will.”

“That hasn’t stopped you in the past.”

“It was necessary then, Captain.  It was a matter of Federation security. We had to find out what information had been extracted from you.”

The Betazoid leaned forward, the nonchalance gone from his demeanor.

“We are concerned about your welfare. I can help you if you let me.” He said with genuine feeling.

“I said I was fine. If I feel the need to be counceled, I’ll be sure to activate my hologram.”

“I’d like to do another psychological work up on you.” Oren ignored the rude remark.

“Is that an order?”

“No. An offer. I  can help with the flashbacks.”

“Forget it. You’re not getting into my head again. I said I was fine. Tell them I’m cured.”

“Very well.” Oren acquiesced. “I’ll make my report.”

“If there’s nothing else, I need to get back to my ship.”

Oren rose. “You’re managing better than we expected, Captain. It may displease you to know that I will be contacting you again if your utilization of your ship’s counselor does not increase.” He warned.

“Time heals all wounds, Counselor. Even mine.” He said softly, eyes glittering with anger.

Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away from the other man. Daro Oren watched him go, sighing, as he gazed after him with concern.