Peel Post - Returning Home

Posted on Sun Aug 9th, 2026 @ 7:45pm by Captain Jamie O'Connell & Lieutenant Maria SanChez & Commander Shauna Vehn

Mission: SHAKE DOWN IN A NEBULA
Location: S/M: A New Hope
Timeline: Stardate: 80073.5

::ON::

[ Captain's Quarters ]

Jamie returned to his quarters after bringing Lieutenant Mercer up to speed for the return trip to M-69 being he was in command of Beta Shift. Now it was time for a nice hot shower to wash away the day. When finished he dressed in some comfortable civilian attire and proceeded to the kitchen area.

Grabbing a bottle of wine Jamie placed it in a bucket of ice to chill and grabbed two glasses setting them beside the ice bucket. Thinking on what have for dinner, Jamie knew he wanted something he hadn't made Shauna previously. After a couple minutes thinking he decided to go burgers, and cheese on a toasted brioche bun along with deep fried potato sticks.

Checking the time he realized she would be here soon so he set to work. Grabbing a hand press Jamie made four nice sized burgers with a little bit of spices to added flavor but not so much it over powered the taste of the meat . While they were cooking he fired up plasma oven to high to cook the potato sticks quickly giving the outside a nice crunch but still keep the inside soft; he'd wait until she arrived to make the potatoes since they would only take a few minutes.

Minutes later his door chime went off as he made his way to the door and opened it. Seeing Shauna he smiled "Right on time beautiful, please come in" as he stepped back allowing his guest to enter.

Shauna smiled as Jamie called her beautiful. Walking in she was met by the delicious smell of dinner cooking. “Thank you, dinner smells delicious.” She hoped Jamie liked the dress she’d chosen to wear, walking around in anything nicer would have caught the eye of the crew and started the whole ship talking. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

Walking up to Shauna "Yes actually there is" he replied with a big grin then leaned in and gave her a passionate kiss for a few minutes "I've been wanting to do that all day.....please sit and let me admire how nice you look while I finish up getting dinner ready.....it won't take long.

“You’re not the only one” Shauna grinned as she sat down watching everything Jamie was doing.

Now that the burgers were done Jamie topped each one with a slice of pepper jack cheese and allowed that to melt some. Meanwhile the potato sticks came out of the oven and were given a sprinkling of seasoned salt. The rolls were toasted as he placed everything on the table including mayo, ketchup, lettuce leaves, sliced tomatoes, and malt vinegar.

"Please help yourself and don't be shy. I thought I'd let you fix your burger and such to your liking" Jamie commented as he sat across from Shauna.

Shauna nodded. “You’re a wonderful cook and I’m going to enjoy this!” She smiled as she put a little vinegar on her potato sticks, then added a little of everything to her burger. Picking it up she took a bite savouring the home cooked food. “Mmmm amazing!”

Jamie smiled "Glad you like it" he replied before continuing to enjoy the meal. The couple sat and talked as they ate while enjoying each other's company. As the meal was winding down "Not to talk shop but I was very pleased with how this mission went and the way the Crew handled their time on the Colony; they never cease to amaze me."

“I think you…we, have a wonderful crew” Shauna smiled. “I’m glad I decided to transfer here.”

"So am I and you have fit in here quite nicely. The Crew seems to have welcomed you with open arms as well which has really made for a smooth transition from Angel" Jamie replied with a smile.

“They have indeed. I’ve felt very welcome here.” Shauna smiled warmly. “I liked being on the station, but my heart lies out amongst the stars with you.”

After dinner was finished, and they cleaned everything up, Jamie grabbed two more glasses of wine before the couple went and sat on the couch. After taking a few sips of their wine Jamie leaned in and gave Shauna a very romantic kiss for a few minutes "It's nice to finally be able to kiss my favorite lady" he commented with a smile.

“I’ve been wanting you to do that the whole mission” Shauna added with a wry smile. “I wish we didn’t have how we feel when we’re on duty, I know it’s for a good reason but I hate it.”

"I do as well but think of it this way.....it just makes the time we can be together romantically that much more special" he replied with a grin "Maybe you'd like to take this into my bedroom" as he stood and offered Shauna his hand.

“Now there’s an offer I can’t refuse” Shauna answered taking Jamie’s hand. “I’d love to be able to spend every night with you, but as you said it makes what time we do have all the more special.”

Walking into the bedroom Jamie turned and started kissing Shauna lovingly and with passion. Soon clothes were scattered about the bedroom as the two lay on the bed making love for the next couple of hours.

Jamie laid on his back with Shauna cuddled up beside him "Some day we won't have to worry about duty and keeping our relationship hidden any longer....that is if we're not too old to care" as he chuckled lightly.

“I’d like to be able to show how much I love you way before we’re talking retirement.” Shauna added as she cuddled up laying her head on Jamie’s shoulder. “I might like to have a family before I’m too old for it.”

Jamie looked at Shauna a little surprised "Really? You would like to have a baby?" then he paused "Might I suggest you have Doctor Williams check you out since you are carrying a symbiont inside of you. I'd want to be sure there's enough room in there for both. The last thing I'd want is to put you, your symbiont , or a baby at risk. Do that and then we can talk about maybe having a family in the future" he explained.

Shauna gave Jamie a surprised look. “You want us to have kids? I thought that would complicate things where keeping us under wraps is concerned. Besides joined Trill can have children, there’s plenty of them in the history of Trill. The only problem is if anything happens to the host, any new host isn’t allowed contact with the prior family.”

Now he was completely confused "Didn't you just say you'd like to have a family before you get too old?" as he paused a moment "And yes that would greatly complicate keeping our relationship under wraps" as he paused once again "As much as I love you maybe we should think about this long and hard before making any decisions.....if we weren't in Starfleet that wouldn't even be a consideration."

Shauna wasn’t sure whether to be disappointed or not. “You know I never originally planned to be a Captain? I wanted to be in Starfleet, and I loved my job so much I worked all the harder and it’s gotten me to where I am now.” She paused. “Starfleet wouldn’t have an issue if we don’t make it one, there are plenty of couples out there who serve together. Hell there’s nothing to say I have to be your First Officer, there are plenty of positions on a starship.”

Thinking for a few minutes "You are correct about us.....well me really.....making us an issue and for that I apologize. I still want you in the role of First Officer and regardless of your position on the ship we'd still have to maintain a certain decorum when on duty" then he paused "So from now on when we're off duty and want to be together then we will and not be concerned about some of the Crew finding out....hell I think most of the Senior Officers already have an idea about you and I anyway" then Jamie paused "And since we're both still quite naked and comfortable you could spend the night. What do you think?" Jamie replied.

“I think I’d like that very much!” Shauna smiled and nodded leaning in for a romantic kiss. “No matter what I’m never leaving this ship or your side.”

"That's fine by me" as Jamie returned her kiss in kind. The couple lay next to one another and shortly were fast asleep content with being in each other's arms.

[ Next Morning ]

Jamie woke at zero five hundred noticing Shauna was still asleep as he carefully crawled out of bed so as not to wake her. Grabbing a quick shower Jamie dressed for the day then proceeded to go out into the living area for a cup of coffee. After finishing his beverage he wanted to get to the Bridge figuring the Peel would be back to M-69 soon "Computer wake Commander Vehn in one hour from now" he requested thinking that would give her plenty of time to make it to the Bridge by zero eight hundred.

"Waking Commander Vehn in one hour from now" the voice recited back. Securing his quarters Jamie left for the Bridge.

[ Bridge ]

Walking onto the Bridge "Good morning Lieutenant Mercer anything to report" O'Connell inquired with a smile.

"Good morning to you as well Captain and no nothing out of the ordinary happened. We will be back to M-69 at about zero eight thirty Sir" Mercer replied with a smile.

"Sounds good Lieutenant. I'll take it from here if you'd like to call it a day" O'Connell stated ready to take over Command.

"Thank you Sir, I believe I'll take you up on your offer" he responded happy to be knocking off early for a change. Entering the Lift "Computer deck 3" came the request as the doors slid shut.

Taking the Center Chair O'Connell would wait for the rest of Alpha shift to show up.

[ About 0800 ]

Alpha shift filed in and talked to their counterparts being bought up to speed. Soon Commander Vehn took her place in the First Officer's chair as O'Connell
and her were talking and smiling a little more than usual.

SanChez looked over at the Captain and Commander seeing both of them with this certain glow about them as she just grinned to herself while performing her duties.

Shortly Helm called out "Captain we're approaching M-69 Sir" Ensign Hanes informed Command.

"Thank you Helm....drop out of warp and proceed to one half impulse" O'Connell ordered then tapping his chair comm "Flight Control this is the Peel requesting coordinates for parking around the Base."

"Welcome home Captain O'Connell.....sending the requested coordinates to Helm Sir" Flight Control responded.

"Helm it's all yours" then opening a ship wide "Attention Crew, this is the Captain take the rest of today and tomorrow to relax and/or visit the Promenade if you're in need of anything...standard rotation applies...O'Connell out." he stated then turning his attention "Helm when in position go to station keeping."

"Understood Captain" Hanes replied glad to be back home.

::OFF::

Captain Jamie O'Connell
Commanding Officer

Commander Shauna Vehn
Executive Officer

Lieutenant Maria SanChez
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Peel
NCC-71015