Change over time

Posted on Fri Feb 13th, 2026 @ 9:07pm by Captain Jamie O'Connell & Captain Shauna Vehn

Mission: STELLAR NURSERY
Location: Various
Timeline: Current

With her quarters and office vacated for Angel to move into, Shauna arranged transfer of her belongings to her new home, the USS Peel. One final glance around she paused feeling a tug on her heartstrings at leaving the station, not that she’d never be back. She’d be onboard between assignments so it wasn’t like she was permanently leaving.

~ USS Peel ~

[Ready Room]

Arriving aboard the Peel a little while later Shauna made her way directly to Jamie’s office. Pausing outside the door she reached out and pressed the chime.

Hearing his chime go off "Come in" Jamie stated looking towards the door wondering if it was Shauna. When the door slid open Jamie stood smiled then walked around his desk to greet his new First Officer "Captain Vehn, long time no see" he commented with a chuckle "Welcome to the USS Peel."

“Thank you Captain!” Shauna grinned. “I’m..or rather we, are excited to be here.” She gave him a wry smile. “Actually while we’re busy using ranks I thought I’d ask if you need me to drop my rank down to Commander? You are the Captain after all.”

Thinking for a few moments "I suppose it would be less confusing for the Crew; if you're alright with being Commander" Jamie replied then paused before continuing "But only with the understanding if you ever decide, or Star Fleet decides for you, to leave the Ship I will of course reinstate you as Captain; I mean you have worked hard for the title after all" as a grin came across his face.

Shauna smiled warmly. “I don’t mind at all, less confusion is a good thing, can’t have both of us answering yes to a query for the Captain can we?”

"No I suppose not. Computer this is Captain...O'Connell....Jamie....R.....security code Theta seven Omicron Zulu....initiate Captain.....Vehn.....Shauna to the rank of Commander as First Officer.....transfer all Command Codes to her this time and date forward" came the request.

" Captain...O'Connell....Jamie....R.....security code Theta seven Omicron Zulu....initiating Captain.....Vehn.....Shauna to the rank of Commander as First Officer.....transfering all Command Codes to her this time and date forward" the Computer replied.

"There done and done" Jamie commented "Just one more thing. Should anything arise concerning your duties negatively, I'll have you speak to the Second Officer so I don't appear to showing favoritism since we are in a relationship; although I doubt that will ever be a problem."

“I will do my upmost to ensure that situation never, ever occurs” Shauna smiled warmly. “I will be professional during my duty hours, and off duty…well, I plan on being with you, when you have time.”

"Yes I know you will but I just had to mention it anyway; one of the downsides of being Captain" Jamie replied with a grin "As far as off duty, I'm looking forward to spending time with you when I'm able to" then he paused a moment "For the time being I do think we need to keep separate quarters for appearances for the sake of the Crew."

“Understood” Shauna nodded. “Starfleet will expect a certain Professional decorum from both of us anyway. Doesn’t mean we can’t visit each other’s quarters.”

Grinning "No it certainly does not and yes we will be very professional when on duty, I have no doubt " Jamie replied "So why don't you take the rest of the day to get settled in your quarters and relax a little while you can" then he paused a moment "I would very much like to make you a home cooked dinner later....say eighteen hundred in my quarters....if you'd like."

Shauna nodded enthusiastically. “I would like that very much, in the meantime I’ll go unpack and get settled in.” She smiled warmly. “I’m very happy to be here, thank you for suggesting the swap.”

Jamie grinned "I thought you're the one who suggested the swap....but no matter and for the record....I'm happy you're here as well. Dismissed" he stated with a smile as Shauna left for her quarters.

Walking back onto the Bridge the Captain saw Lieutenant Mercer sitting at the conn "Lieutenant looks like I missed the shift change; I've been a little busy meeting with our new First Officer brought up to speed" he explained.

With a bewildered look "New First Officer? What happened to Devroe" Mercer inquired surprised at hearing the news.

"I guess you haven't heard. Commander Devroe and Commander Vehn has swapped positions; Vehn is here and Devroe is on the base" O'Connell explained "My apologies I should have kept you in the loop but it happened pretty quickly."

"No worries Captain, I know what it's like to be busy with command duties I'm glad that you let me know even if it was after the fact" Mercer replied with a light laugh letting his Captain know he was fine with it.

"Since you have things well in hand I'm going to call it a day" O'Connell commented then left for his quarters; he had a dinner to prepare for his special guest.

[Captain's Quarters]

After a quick shower Jamie stood in his kitchen thinking on what to make for dinner.....something hearty but fairly quick to prepare.....then it hit him; macaroni & cheese. Grabbing a pot he filled it to about half full with water then placed it on the plasma stove. Next he grabbed a piece of extra sharp cheddar cheese from the statuses cupboard and grated it to melt quickly with the hot pasta. Grabbing a bottle of wine he placed it in a bucket of ice to chill down.

Having dinner well underway Jamie went and sat on the couch to relax a few minutes. This dinner was much different from the ones he made for Angel and himself. Even though Angel was a very close friend and work partner something was much different. Shauna was....not only all the things that Angel was but something extra....a lover that Jamie was quickly coming to not only admire but adore. The timer sounded bring Jamie back to reality as he rose and went to the stove. Grabbing the pot of pasta he drained off the hot water then mixed in the cheese thoroughly allowing the cheese to melt and combine with the macaroni. When finished he set the island/table waiting for his quest to arrive.

A few minutes later he heard the door chime go off "Right on time" he thought making his way to the door and opened it seeing Shauna standing with a smile on her face "Please come in" he stated with a smile stepping back allowing her to enter.

Walking in Shauna smiled as she entered. “I could hardly wait to get here! I’m mostly settled into my quarters now at least, but this is where I most like to be. Is there anything I can do to help?”

Smiling "I have everything under control so the only thing you need to bring is a healthy appetite" Jamie replied with a grin "Please have a seat at the island and I'll serve up dinner" as he grabbed two plates and gave each one a good helping of macaroni and cheese. Setting the two plates down "Careful Shauna...it's hot" as they both sat happy to be a sharing a meal together. After tasting his food Jamie looked to Shauna "So what do you think?"

Shauna was already enjoying her food, she nodded and smiled. “Delicious!” With that she ate some more.

"Thanks, I'm glad you like it" he replied with a grin "So are you excited about starting your duties tomorrow as my Number One Shauna?"

“Excited and nervous” Shauna smiled. “I’m not used to being the XO of a ship, plus the crew haven’t really had a chance to get to know, or trust me. Maybe it’s got something to do with the memories that are still surfacing from my symbiont, I don’t think Vehn has ever done anything like this before.”

"What you're feeling is perfectly normal and of course getting to know the Crew will take some time" Jamie replied with a smile " If it's any consolation, if I thought you couldn't successfully be the First Officer here, setting our relationship aside, I never would have approved the switch."

Shauna smiled warmly. “I know you wouldn’t. I just need to adjust to the move is all, and with you here that will take no time at all.”

"Please any questions you may have no matter how trivial you may think they are don't be afraid to ask; you don't need to impress me.....that's already be done some time ago" Jamie answered with a grin.

They finished their meal then sat on the couch for a couple of hours just talking and enjoying each other's company. About twenty three hundred they kissed good night and Shauna returned to her quarters....tomorrow would be the first day of what promised to be the beginning, and continuation, of a great collaboration both on duty and off.

::OFF::

Commander Shauna Vehn
First Officer

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