Peel Post - Keeping A Promise

Posted on Thu Feb 27th, 2025 @ 5:34pm by Captain Jamie O'Connell & Captain Shauna Callaghan

Mission: THE LAST CRY FOR HELP
Location: USS Peel
Timeline: Current

::ON::

< Bridge >

After a somewhat stressful day, dealing with the cosmos and it's over powering effect on those around it, Jamie knew there wasn't much more that could be done concerning their current situation for now. The one thing he wanted to do however was keeping a promise he had made to someone; that he had control over.

As the Alpha shift was coming to a close, and everyone's replacements had arrived, Jamie turned to Shauna "Captain Callaghan, if you're up to it, I thought I might take you on that tour of the Ship that I had promised you previously" he commented with a smile.

Shauna smiled warmly as she turned to look at Jamie, “I would like that very much.”

The two Captains started on Deck 2 and leisurely strolled deck by deck with Jamie explaining while showing Shauna the various nuances of the Ship. Looking at Shauna as they walked "When the Crew first came aboard they all noticed just how small the Ship was. Jokingly I mentioned Star Fleet had taken a Nova class Ship and stuffed it into a Saber class exterior; they all seem to agree" then Jamie paused "So what do you think of the Peel?"

“I would say she’s an impressive little ship” Shauna grinned. “But little seems a rude description, let’s just say she’s a good ship, I appreciate the tour, and getting to spend more time with you.”

Jamie smiled "I like your description better; a good Ship it is then" then he paused "Speaking of spending more time together, perhaps you'd consider letting me make you dinner in my quarters this evening; I'm a pretty good cook say about eighteen hundred. Also I've made arrangements for V.I.P. quarters for you on Deck 2 which is located on the other end of the corridor from mine if you'd like to freshen up. If there is anything you need please contact Lieutenant Albo, he's our Operations Officer, and he will see to your requests."

Shauna nodded. “I will, and I would love to join you for dinner this evening.” She smiled warmly. “Let’s just hope we don’t end up with any problems between now and then. We’re on our own in this universe, whether we like it or not.”

Letting out a brief sigh "Unfortunately that's where we're at for the time being. I've left instructions for both Beta and Gamma shift Command to call, no matter the hour, should the anomaly open back up" then Jamie paused "The one saving grace in this whole situation is having you aboard; both for professional and personal reasons."

Shauna couldn't help but blush at that. "Thank you. I'll admit I'd have just been worrying about you the whole time if I was on the station right now. I'm glad I was able to come with you."

Jamie was pleased at her response "Your quarters are just around the bend down the corridor, number 24; and I'll see you in a little while" he replied. With that Shauna smiled before going to her quarters.

< Captain's Quarters >

Jamie walked in and headed straight for the shower to wash off the day. When finished he dressed in some comfortable clothes, ran a comb through his hair and splashed on some aftershave.

Heading to the Kitchen Jamie put on two kettles of water and a smaller pot for the Alfredo sauce. He gabbed a fresh bag of broccoli florets and dropped them into the boiling water then turning down the heat on the plasma stove. While that was cooking Jamie set the table for two then grabbed a cold bottle of wine, along with two glasses, and placed them on the island table. Last thing he grabbed was a microplane and a small brick of parm. Seeing it was almost eighteen hundred, he was getting a little nervous being able to spend some private time with Shauna.

Jamie was brought out of his thoughts as he heard the door chime go off. Walking to the door he opened it seeing his guest "Hi Shauna, please come in and make yourself comfortable; dinner will be ready soon."

Shauna smiled warmly as she stepped inside, “Thank you, it smells delicious.” She had chosen to wear a dress that flattered her figure and showed off more of her Trill spots, her hair let down from its usual on duty style. Taking a seat on the sofa she looked towards Jamie. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

Jamie smiled at this beautiful woman "No, everything's under control. I just dropped the pasta so dinner will be ready very soon; if you'd like to take a seat at the island" he suggested as the timer went off for the pasta. Draining off the water Jamie made up two plates with a generous portion of pasta with Alfredo sauce followed by steamed broccoli on top. Placing the plates on the island "Dinner is served" as he poured each of them a glass of red wine.

Taking a seat as invited Shauna smiled warmly. “Now that’s a good looking plate of food, I can’t wait to taste it.” She waited for him to sit not wanting to be rude by starting first.

Jamie took his seat and looking across the island at Shauna, with a grin "Hopefully you won't be disappointed" he commented as they began to enjoy their meals together.

“Disappointed? Never!” Shauna grinned playfully. “I’m sure it’s as delicious as it looks and smells.” She politely started eating savouring the flavours. “Mmmm” she nodded. “Delicious...”

"Thank you, I'm pleased you like it" Jamie replied then went on "It's rather nice having a small Kitchen in my quarters, it gives me the opportunity to make meals for different members of my Senior Staff. I think it boosts morale for them to see their Captain in a somewhat different light other than just their Commanding Officer" as he smiled.

“That’s true, it helps for us to be seen in a personal light as well as a professional one.” Shauna offered in between enjoying her food.

They talked as they enjoyed their meals together, about various subjects trying not to dwell on their duties. After dinner Jamie quickly cleaned up the Kitchen area then poured each of them another glass of wine as they walked to the couch. Sitting they each sipped their wine a moment then Jamie place his on the table in front of them and turned taking Shauna's hand as he look at her "I am very pleased that Sureth decided to send you with us" then Jamie paused a moment "I really enjoy your company Shauna" he stated with a smile.

Shauna smiled as she held onto Jamie’s hand, it wasn’t so long ago that she’d lost Deke, but she had a feeling he’d want her to move on and be happy. “I’ve enjoyed being here with you too Jamie, and I very much enjoy your company.”

Hearing her reply in that manner made Jamie very pleased "I know you've been through a lot theses past few weeks" then he paused a moment "But I would very much like to see where we go from here. Please take as much time as you need to heal and unless you say otherwise I'll still be here" he stated not wanting to rush Shauna into anything.

Shauna offered a warmer smile. “To be honest your company is helping me to heal, as much as I miss Deke I don’t think he’d want me to be alone, or to give up on someone else because of him. In other words I’d like to give us a chance.”

"I think that can be arranged quite easily" Jamie stated with a grin looking into her beautiful eyes while thinking for a moment "Would you be opposed to me giving you a kiss....I don't want to rush you if you're not comfortable."

"I could never be uncomfortable with you" Shauna smiled warmly. "I think I'd like that."

Jamie smiled as he leaned in giving Shauna a nice kiss; not overly passionate but nice for a couple of minutes then pulled back "It's been quite awhile since I've kissed such a beautiful, intelligent woman as yourself; but it's been well worth the wait" Jamie commented in a low voice with a grin.

Shauna nodded in agreement at a momentary loss for words. "I don't know what to..." she paused before leaning in and returning his kiss with another.

Even though Jamie was very pleased Shauna returned his kiss in kind, he still didn't want to push things "We should be arriving back to M-69 in a few hours if you'd like to get some rest beforehand; I'd be happy to walk you back to your quarters" he suggested with a smile.

Shauna had rushed into things before, not wanting to make the same mistake she simply smiled and nodded. “I’d like that.”

The two Officers, recently becoming quite good friends, left Jamie's quarters and leisurely walk to the VIP quarters prepared for Callaghan "Get some rest Shauna and you'll be notified an hour before we arrive at M-69" he commented with a smile then turned and went back to his own quarters.

::OFF::

Captain Shauna Callaghan
Executive Officer
Starbase M-69

Captain Jamie O'Connell
Commanding Officer
USS Peel
NCC-71015