Explanations

Posted on Sat Mar 18, 2017 @ 8:34pm by Captain Madelina Weisz & Master Chief Petty Officer Thomas Barnes

Mission: An Orion to Die For
Location: Operations/The Black Hole
Timeline: MD 4 || 1145 Hours

Maddy moved through the corridor and headed for Operations to see Tom. She had some explaining to do, and hoped he wouldn't be too upset with her for not letting him know what was going on ahead of time. She hadn't even told the Captain. For her... the fewer who knew the actual truth, the better things would be, but he was one she didn't plan on leaving in the dark. For everyone else, the simple fact that she needed to take a personal leave of absence was a good enough reason.

Stepping inside the department and heading for the Operations Chief's office, the temporarily relieved XO smoothed her hands over her jeans. It felt odd to her wearing civilian clothing when she was supposed to be on duty, but she had to keep up appearances. Now, she had to hope he was inside, otherwise, she'd have to ask the computer to hunt him down. Which, now that she thought about it, might not have been a bad idea.

Taking a deep breath, the redhead reached out to press the chime on the panel next to the door and waited. Maddy didn't quite understand why she was nervous. That rarely er happened to her, but here it was... in all of its annoying glory.

Tom had just returned from the staff meeting. As much as he wanted to immediately seek out Maddy, he had a few things that required his immediate attention. He'd just sat down at the holographic table when the chime sounded.

"Odd..." he muttered. He knew he didn't have any appointments, but no one ever required an appointment to see him in Operations. There was always something amok on this ship. "Come in!" he called, not looking up to the door, but focusing on the quick tasks he had to perform. The sooner he could get through this, the sooner he could check on the redhead he adored.

When he called for her to come in, Maddy walked inside and smiled when she saw him. "Hard at work as always," she stated, moving aside so the door would close behind her. Little did she know he was thinking about seeking her out, but she'd just made that job easier by coming to him. "If this is a bad time I can come back in a little while. I don't want to interrupt, or take you away from something that could be important."

Maddy wanted to kiss him, but held off for the moment. Just until she knew if he had a few minutes to talk to her not. What was it about Senior Chief Petty Officer Thomas Barnes that infatuated her so much? She didn't really know, but she was going to have a hell of a lot of fun finding that out.

"No no," Tom said, immediately getting up and crossing the room to meet her. "What's going on?" he said, his face displaying genuine concern. "The Captain said you had to take an emergency leave or something." His eyes widened, thinking that the last time he saw her had been the night before. "Is everything okay?"

Taking her chance, she leaned in to kiss him with a reassuring smile. Maddy didn't like the fact she'd worried him so much. "Everything is fine, Tom, I promise. I didn't exactly take a leave of absence, but that's what the Captain and I want everyone to think happened. I voluntarily stepped down from XO for the time being to help out with our current mission. Lieutenant Lischka is a good replacement... temporarily. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before now. It just happened this morning."

Tom returned the kiss, and it was only after he remembered that they were in his office that he remembered that he needed to have some form of decorum. He pulled back and listened to her, only to reply, "How can you not being the XO be good for the mission?"

"Because me and our... guest... don't exactly see eye to eye," she stated, trying to keep her voice neutral while she talked about Vash. "It's better because she'll be more inclined to help us if someone she trusts is sitting in my chair. That's one reason Lieutenant Lischka is there. Vashkele trusts her. I'll do whatever I can for the good of the ship, her crew and our mission. This happens to be it for the time being."

He could sense a bit of hostility in her voice, even though she tried to control it. For now, he moved over to the replicator to produce two cups of coffee. "What about the meantime?" he asked. "You just have to sit on your ass for a few days or until this whole thing blows over?"

"It's only for a few days, but I won't be sitting on my ass if that's what you're thinking," Maddy said with a frown. Did she make a huge mistake by doing what she did? She had a feeling she did.

"Good," Tom said with a smile, returning with the coffees and handing her one. "Besides, dating the Operations Chief has privileges, does it not?"

"Are we dating?" Maddy asked with a smile of her own as she accepted the cup of coffee. The two never really put a title to what was going on between them... until now. "Not that I have any issues with that. In fact, I like it. And yes, it definitely does have its perks."

"Well, officers with benefits only goes so far," Tom suggested. "But I guess there's an easy way to settle this. Maddy, will you go out with me?" He grinned, knowing the phrase sounded foolish enough. Yet, this serious matter needed some lightheartedness to it.

Her smile grew. It didn't matter if it sounded foolish, or if it was a bit dated, it gave her a warm and fuzzy feeling she hadn't felt for a long time. "Absolutely. There's no one else on the ship I'd rather go out with, or be with, other than you."

"Beating out a crew of four thousand?" Tom said with a laugh and a waggle of his eyebrows before taking a sip of the coffee. "I like those odds. Very well, my girlfriend, Maddy, we are now dating." With that, he gave a slight toasting motion with his glass before leaning in for a kiss.

Maddy returned the kiss. "You could beat out hundreds of thousands... hundreds of millions even," she said, placing a hand against his cheek. They'd just made things official, and she found that to be the highlight of her year thus far. Things could only get better, too. "Why don't you duck out a few minutes early, and I'll buy you lunch?"

He did have work to do, and that work now entailed keeping up appearances, especially with her in this unique role. "That sounds like an excellent plan," Tom said with a smile. "Just about anything sounds good."

"Then let's make our way to The Black Hole," she suggested, slipping her hand into his. Maddy had nothing to hide, and she definitely wasn't ashamed. Truth be told, she thought herself to be incredibly lucky that someone as amazing as Thomas Barnes would even be interested in her when he could have any woman on the ship he wanted. "I promise not to keep you too long, either. Things are going to be hectic soon enough, I'm sure, and it's my duty as your girlfriend to make sure you stay nourished."

"I won't argue at all," he said with a smile, placing his empty mug onto the worktable next to hers. Tom gently squeezed the other hand and smiled at her as they left the office. When this first started, he found himself slightly uncomfortable having relations with an officer, but that fear had disappeared in the last few days. This would be a good test for him, being seen in public with Maddy, and he didn't care how that turned out. Not at all.

Maddy didn't care how it turned out, either. For once, in a very long time, she was happy. She didn't want to take about anything duty related during her time with him, because it would be over before they knew it, and the time they did have would be spent focusing on what mattered at the moment. Them. "So, if you're up for it, I'd like to try my hand at making you dinner tonight. I have to warn you ahead of time, though. I don't cook often. I'm not the best at it, but I wouldn't say I'm terrible, either."

Tom grinned. "I can have the fire brigade on standby if need be. I'm sure whatever you make will be lovely."

She laughed. "That might not be a bad idea. My grandmother tried to teach me when I was little, and I picked up on it pretty well, but it's been a long time since I used any of those skills. Can you cook?"

"I can," he confessed, "but nothing too complex. I used to cook for my friend Aaron and his wife all the time when I was back in the training school for my last assignment. All the time meaning maybe once or twice a week. Nothing fancy though."

"That's quite a bit more than me. I'm lucky if I can put my skills to use once or twice a year," she said, leaning over to press a kiss to his cheek. Sure, they were getting surprised looks from people as they moved along, but Maddy just didn't seem to care. "I think you should cook for me one of these days."

"Sounds like a plan," Tom said. "I could try tonight, provided the Captain keeps us out of trouble."

Maddy gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "It's all going to work out. Michael will see to it that everyone on board this ship stays out of trouble. I'll tell you what. When this part is over, you come straight to my place. I'll have dinner and a massage waiting for you."

"How can I say no to that?" he asked, not expecting an answer. He too had noticed the looks they were getting from the crew as they passed by, but he didn't give it a second thought at all. Arriving at a turbolift alcove, he wasn't surprised that a car was waiting for them. "Deck Ten," he instructed the computer.

"It's all going to be okay. The mission. Us..." Maddy said. She believed every word she said, too. In fact, them going public as they were now while she was on 'leave' just made sense. "And soon, things will go back to normal. Or whatever our kind of normal is."

Tom chuckled. "We're Starfleet," he pointed out, pulling her close as the turbolift moved. "The abnormal is normal here."

"Good point," the redhead said with a smile, leaning in to kiss him when he pulled her close. "This is a bit weird. I haven't worn civilian clothes during duty hours since I was a civilian."

"Well, technically, you are a civilian now," Tom said, smiling after the kiss. "At least how things look." Arching an eyebrow, he added, "Does this mean you'll have to give your quarters to the temporary XO? Are you homeless?"

"I... I didn't even think about that. I suppose it does mean that for the time being. It wouldn't look right if I stayed in the XO's quarters while I wasn't the XO. I can find temporary quarters in the meantime," she replied. At least that would keep her busy for a while.

"The hell you won't," Tom bluntly stated. "You'll stay with me. Besides, I've got a t-shirt collection that could use some love."

The redheads heart melted even more after he finished speaking. So far Tom proved to have everything she wanted in the opposite sex. He took control when the situation warranted it, like now. He had a soft side he brought out at just the right time. He didn't see her as just being her rank or position... or even a one night stand. Her list could go on and on, but instead of focusing on that, she chose to focus on him. She slipped her free hand around his arm and laid her head against his shoulder with a smile. "I'd like that," she said, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "And I think I'd like to show you and your t-shirt collection a little love." She definitely didn't want to leave him out.

Tom didn't think at all that he'd been left out. He embraced her once more for a kiss, but did not plan on the turbolift coming to a stop and opening its doors on Deck Ten. Taking Maddy by the hand, he led her out of the turbolift and towards the Black Hole, all the while bearing a smile on his face.

Maddy was smiling, too. Despite giving up the job she loved for the time being, it was moments like these that would make it bearable. "How did you get to be so terrific, Tom?" She found herself asking.

He shrugged. "I guess I just focus on being me," he replied as they entered The Black Hole. "I never look to make an impression, but only to do what I do right and on time. And, of course, to be there for everyone."

"Well... You've made a hell of an impression on me," she said with a smile. "Not to mention you're pretty good at being there for others when they need you to be. Both on, and off, duty. I just get to be the very lucky individual that gets most of your time off duty."

"Most of?" Tom fired back. "I guess if you count walking to and from my or your quarters from duty assignments, then I guess you could make an argument for most." Truth be told, they had been mostly inseparable in the off hours. Tom had often wondered what would happen, in this sector, should red alert sound during those off hours.

"You make an excellent point, Mister Barnes. We do spend a lot of time together, and I'm not going to complain about that even a little," the redhead said, smiling at him. "But since you offered to let me stay with you until my leave of absence is over we don't need to waste the time it takes going back and forth."

He smiled at her. "You know," he said, changing topics, "this is actually the second time I've ever been here. How do we order?"

"There are PADDs at each table that display the order in the kitchen. When it's done, one of the wait staff will bring it out. It's pretty efficient. Piper knows what she's doing," the redhead answered. "That's one of the reasons she's been so successful here and back on Earth."

"Who's Piper?" Tom asked, taking a quick look at the menu before ordering a cheeseburger and fries. "Friend of yours?"

"You could say that," Maddy said, ordering a bacon cheeseburger with onion rings and tea. "The Captain has a very complicated family. Piper is his sister-in-law. She's married to his little brother who is a Marine on board the ship. That's not where the complication lies, though. She's also the Captain's wife's sister."

"So..." Tom said, leaning back in his chair and nodded, "basically, it's Arkansas in space."

"Something like that," she agreed with a laugh. "Regardless, they're good people. I'll have to introduce you when there's time. You've met the Captain, but the night he held the dinner for the senior officers, I kind of stole your attention from everyone else. Though... I'm sure you met some of the others before I sunk my claws in."

"I got one or two in. Just the Cusacks I think." Tom raised an eyebrow though. "Claws, huh? Is that what you call them?"

"In theory," Maddy said looking at her short, well kept fingernails. "I suppose that wasn't really the best phrase to use, was it?"

"More like..." Tom's voice trailed off as he thought for a minute. "...Like you caught me in a web or something. I don't know."

Maddy picked up her tea to take a sip when their waitress brought their drinks over. After thanking her, she turned her attention back to Tom. "Well, despite the rumors you may have heard about me, I can promise you that I'm faithful and will never intentionally hurt you. In fact... the last thing I ever want to see you is hurt by anyone."

"I don't think you have to worry about me," Tom replied. "I've made it twenty years so far, and I even wear the color of doom. I tell you, I still don't understand why Starfleet chose to change the color of the uniforms. I mean, whose brilliant idea was it to put the color of a bullseye on command officers?"

"I'm not sure, but if I ever take a phaser blast and manage to survive it, I'll surely want to find them," she said, taking another sip of her drink. "Have you ever had any close calls in your career?"

"A few," Tom replied. "The closest ones have been closer to home than out on the frontier. One of them was actually an accident in the transporter, so that's a bit ironic for me. There was an ion storm, and the patterns got a bit jumbled there in the buffer. The operator later joked that I almost came out of there as the ship's doctor, and the doctor as me. I can't say I was ready for a rack of my own and her terrible bedside manner."

Maddy nearly choked on the tea she was attempting to swallow. She covered her mouth and coughed a few times, then started laughing. "You know, I might still be attracted to you if you had a rack, but the terrible bedside manner would be a total turn off," she stated, waiting to see what kind of reaction that'd get out of him.

He only chuckled. "Thanks," he said not so nervously. "I prefer my manhood though. And, if I had to choose, the bedside manner would be a deal breaker. I'm far too social for that."

"Which is why I think being the Chief of Operations is such a great position for you. You can spread your wings as a social butterfly and meet anyone you want to," she said as their food was placed on the table. Once the waitress left again, Maddy looked at him and could only grin. "As it turns out, I prefer your manhood, too. In fact... I would go so far to say I adore it."

He chuckled again, picking up his water for a drink. "We might just be on the verge of embarrassment now," he cautioned her.

The grin remained on her lips. "Okay, I'll behave myself since you're still in uniform. However... I can assure you that won't be the case once you get home later. There might just be a nice game of naked Twister waiting for you with dinner," she said, thinking back to when she'd mentioned it the first night they met.

At that very moment, their food arrived. Thomas gave the waitress a nod and a smile, saying, "Thanks," before turning his attention back to Maddy. "Sounds like fun."

"As much as I'd live to have you all to myself for the rest of the day, we should eat so you can get back. I know things are likely to get a bit tense as the day progresses, so..." She said, trying not to think about the worst that could happen, but it was there. "And this is the girlfriend side of me. Please, be careful. The XO side of me knows you're more than capable." And now, she was having a hard time with the decision she made, but it was for the best and served their present mission.

He nodded as he'd just bit off a piece of his cheeseburger. Tom would certainly be careful. In fact, he had absolutely no plan to be in harm's way for a good long time.