Station Post # 11 Getting To Know You

Posted on Tue Dec 31st, 2024 @ 2:15am by Captain Jamie O'Connell & Captain Shauna Callaghan

Mission: THE LAST CRY FOR HELP
Location: M-69
Timeline: Current

::ON::

Since the Peel was docked at the Station for a time this gave Captain O'Connell the opportunity to have dinner with Captain Callaghan hoping to get to know her on a more personal level. After meeting her in her quarters for breakfast, Jamie felt much more at ease spending some more time with Shauna. His mission for the evening was to serve as a distraction from the events of the last week here on the Station; one that he was more than happy to entertain.

Walking up to her quarters in a crisp clean uniform Jamie palmed the door sensor then waited for a response with his hands clasped behind his back waiting patiently.

Shauna hadn’t been sure whether to wear her uniform or something different for dinner with O’Connell. Having gone with off duty attire she had chosen a figure complimenting black dress, and matching black low heeled shoes. Her hair, which was normally worn up was now down. Answering the door she offered a warm smile. “Hi”

Jamie just stood there for a moment admiring Shauna's attire then smiled back "Hi there" pausing a moment "My apologies for wearing my uniform but unfortunately a Captain on a ship doesn't have much of an occasion for civilian wear" then paused once again "But I must say it suits you" he commented hoping he wasn't talking too much.

Shauna blushed. “Thank you, and I totally understand. I wasn’t sure what to wear myself, so I just went with this.” She gave him a warm smile.

Jamie smiled "Ready" he inquired then offering his arm as only an Irish gentleman would do; his Mother would be impressed.

“Lead on” Shauna smiled as she held onto Jamie’s arm. “I should mention something, Deke Rivers son Croesus has arrived on the station. He brought something with him that I didn’t know about. It seems Deke was...going to ask me to marry him.” She paused. “I had no idea he was that serious about me. Croesus doesn’t have a mother so I told him my door is always open if he should need anything. If we’re going to be seeing each other then I don’t want any secrets of any sort.”

"Thank you for your honesty Shauna; it's quite refreshing" Jamie replied with sincerity "There are a few things you should about me as well but we can wait since we're almost to the Pub."

Moments later the two Captains walked into O'Malley's Pub and went straight up to the bar "Hi Mr. O'Malley, nice to see you again" Jamie commented with a smile.

O'Malley looked up from his work recognizing the voice "Captain O'Connell, it's been awhile. I suppose you've been busy saving the Galaxy once again" he replied with a slight chuckle.

"Well, something like that" he answered with a grin while remembering his manors "May I introduce Captain Callaghan, she's the XO here on the Base" then turning towards Callaghan "This is Mr. O'Malley, owner of this fine establishment.

O'Malley smiled "Nice to meet you Captain Callaghan. Any friend of the Captain's is more than welcome here" then he paused "If I'd known we were entertaining the Brass I would've worn my best bib and tucker."

Shauna grinned. “You look just fine as you are O’Malley. I’ve heard wonderful things about you, and your establishment.”

O'Malley just grinned "Captain O'Connell you should hold on to this one" then looking at Jamie "So what would you folks like to drink."

Jamie looked at Shauna "Ladies first" he stated with a smile rather liking what the Bartender had just said.

Shauna smiled as she looked at O’Malley. “I would love a Risan sunset please. What about you Jamie?”

"I'll have an Irish Whiskey on the rocks" Jamie replied then looking at O'Malley "And we'd like two menus if you please."

"Coming right up, a Risan Sunset and an Irish Whiskey on the rocks" he stated as he made their drinks. Moments later "Here you go and here are the menus. I'll have our waitress over shortly to take your orders."

Grabbing their drinks and menus the Captains made their way over to an out of the way table for two. Jamie set his drink and the menus on the table "Please allow me" as he pulled the chair out for Shauna to sit then sat across the table from her.

Shauna had smiled warmly as she’d sat down, waiting for Jamie to sit before picking up the menu to take a look. “So what are you recommending we have for dinner?”

After sitting Jamie looked over at this lovely woman and smiled "The food here is excellent so you can't really go wrong ordering most anything on the menu. My personal favorite is the stout-burger on a toasted sesame roll, along with sharp cheddar cheese with some ketchup on top and deep fried potato sticks" Jamie commented "But please feel free to order whatever you'd like."

“Actually I’d like to try that” Shauna smiled. “It’s not something I’ve tried before so it’ll be something different.”

"Good choice" Jamie replied with a grin. Moments later a young lass walked over "Hi, I'm Zelda; are you ready to order" she inquired with a smile.

"Yes Zelda, we would like two orders of the stout-burgers with sharp cheddar cheese and ketchup. Also two orders of those delicious deep fried potato sticks if you please" Jamie answered with a smile.

"Excellent choices" as she gathered the menus "I'll be back with your orders shortly" then she turned and let for the kitchen.

Looking at Shauna with a smile "To continue our conversation about no secrets between us there are a couple of things you should know" he commented then continued "A few years back I was on Risa on shore leave and met a young Officer by the name of Sarissa Aloran. We had the usual shore leave fling figuring we'd never see each other again. Well as it happens the galaxy does have a sense of humor. Lieutenant Aloran was assigned to the Peel as Chief Counselor and also as our ACMO. Long story short I made it clear, being the Captain, we could not have any kind of romantic relationship. She has since then got herself engaged to a young Officer on my ship. The other thing you should be aware of my First Officer, a Betazoid woman, and I are very good friends both on and off duty. Commander Devroe and I do share supper on occasion in my quarters but we have both agreed to just remain friends and nothing else." At this point he was hoping Shauna would be ok with his candor.

Shauna nodded. “I appreciate your honesty Jamie, to be honest before Deke I found myself pretty tied up in one of the Klingon officers we had stationed here, but it wasn’t to be. At the time Deke and I weren’t sure how we felt about each other. I don’t want to be seen as a woman who simply springs from one man to the next, I’m not like that.”

"You don't strike me as that type of woman" Jamie replied "But it can get very lonely out here with only your duties to attend to. As much as I like having my own command, one of the drawbacks is my social life is pretty much nonexistent. Now call me old school but I can not with a clear conscious become....how should I put this.....romantically involved with a woman under my command" the he paused a moment becoming quite serious "I would however like to get to know you better, and if you're inclined, I very much would like to spend some time with you when I'm able to."

Shauna smiled warmly. “I think I would like that, it’s nice to be able to be open and honest with you.”

"And I with you" Jamie replied then decided to change the subject "Shauna have you had the opportunity to see a Saber Class ship up close and personal during your career in Star Fleet?"

“Actually, no I haven’t” Shauna smiled. “I would very much like to see one though.”

Jamie smiled back "Perfect" then he paused a moment "I'll be tied up with some things most of tomorrow, but if you're free maybe the following day?" he replied realizing the time "It is getting kind of late so I should be going. May I have the pleasure of walking you back to your quarters?"

“I hadn’t realised it was so late” Shauna smiled warmly. “I’d like that, and the tour as well. Just let me know when.”

"I'll contact you tomorrow afternoon with the details" Jamie replied as he stood "Let me go pay the bill then we can leave." Walking up to the bar he paid their tab then returned to Shauna "All set" as the two Officers left the pub.

Walking back to her quarters they chatted as Jamie held Shauna's hand while walking along. With a smile "It's been awhile since I've enjoyed the company of such a lovely woman as yourself" Jamie commented careful not to overstep his bounds.

Shauna smiled warmly. “Thank you, it’s been an enjoyable experience that I would very much like to do again. You’ve been a perfect gentleman and I appreciate that.”

"It was my pleasure" Jamie replied with a smile "I'll talk to you tomorrow afternoon concerning your tour of the Peel. Have a good night and sleep well."

“Thank you I will” Shauna smiled as she paused outside the door to her quarters. She’d rushed into things before this time she was taking it slow. In keeping with that she leant forward briefly kissing Jamie on his cheek. “I’ll look forward to that tour, Goodnight Jamie.”

Jamie smiled then turned and made his way to the Promenade surprised by the kiss on the cheek but enjoyed the brief moment non the less. Tapping his comm "Transporter Room, one to beam back" and moments later he was on his way back to the Peel.

::OFF::