Family Ties

Posted on Wed Apr 8th, 2026 @ 3:20pm by Captain Jamie O'Connell & Ensign T’Lanna O’Connell

Mission: STELLAR NURSERY
Location: SB M-69
Timeline: Current

::ON::

{IC}

T’Lanna stood eagerly awaiting the crew of the Peel as they disembarked ship, she wanted to catch Jamie O’Connell to have a chance to talk to him while her duty schedule allowed. She watched as crew members drifted on by before finally seeing the man she wanted to talk to. She didn’t waste a moment as she quickly moved to intercept him.

“Captain O’Connell?” She smiled politely as she walked up alongside him. “Forgive me for catching you here, could I talk to you for a few moments please?”

Stopping Jamie looked at this young rather attractive woman wondering why she would possibly want to talk to him. Being the Irish gentleman he was Jamie gave her his full attention with a smile while noticing the pips on her uniform collar "Yes Ensign, what can I do for you" he inquired while noticing something vaguely familiar in her appearance; although he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

“Erm..” Lanna looked around wondering if it was best just to come out with what she had to say or wait a little longer. Throwing caution to the wind she decided honesty was the best policy. “This is going to sound strange Sir, but… I’m your daughter.”

Hearing this young woman stating she was his daughter, Jamie stood for a quite a few minutes just staring into her eyes when it hit him like a meteor as he verbalized his thoughts out loud "T'Pel........you're mother is T'Pel......bloody hell" as his mind went back to when he was a young officer fresh out of the Academy on his first assignment. Snapping back to reality "Please excuse my silence.....I'm just trying to wrap my head around the fact you're my daughter" then he paused a moment before his smile returned "Where are my manners....I don't think you mentioned your name."

T’Lanna smiled. “My name is T’Lanna O’Connell, after I lost my mother I decided to take on the surname of my father since Vulcans don’t usually use surnames.” She tucked her hair behind her pointed ears. “I have Vulcan and Human traits.”

Without hesitation "I'm so sorry for the loss of your mother T'Lanna....but I am honored you decided to take my last name" as Jamie paused "I have some things to attend to presently here on the Base" as he paused once again "I'm on shore leave for a few days.....would you consider having dinner with me tonight....just the two of us maybe at zero eighteen hundred.....I'm sure you have a lot of questions....I know I do. We can meet here and I know of a nice little Pub where we can have dinner and get to know one another" Jamie concluded with a smile hoping she would accept his invitation.

T’Lanna nodded enthusiastically. “I would like that very much! I’ve been looking forward to getting to know you. I know this must all be a bit of a shock, so thank you.”

"A bit of a shock is an understatement" he replied with a light chuckle "But yes now we've met I really want to get to know you as well.....it's not everyday I suddenly have an instant family" then a moment of pause "I'm looking forward to spending some time with you T'Lanna."

“As I am you…Sir.” She added awkwardly. “I guess I should call you Captain, or Sir, when on duty. They teach us to maintain professional distance when working, but that doesn’t mean I have to off duty.”

"Looks like they taught you well at the Academy and I appreciate the respect" he replied with a grin "Please feel free to call me Jamie when we're off duty....or whatever seems comfortable to you" Jamie added wanting to leave the family door wide open "I should be going so I'll meet you back here at zero eighteen hundred."

“I’ll see you then….father.” T’Lanna grinned before heading on her way, she had to get back to the science lab anyway, it wouldn’t do to be late when she’d only just arrived on the station.

Hearing T'Lanna call him father put a smile on his face as he headed to his destination.

{Zero Eighteen Hundred}

After explaining his new found situation to Shauna, and leaving her behind for the evening, Jamie made his way to where he and T'Lanna had first met. Jamie's emotions were all over the place, quite uncharacteristic for a Captain, ranging from being nervous to excited all at the same time. There were so many questions he hoped to have answered while maybe filling in any blanks in her life for her.

Seeing her approaching he smiled as he walked towards her shortening the distance between them "Hi T'Lanna, right on time" he commented with a grin.

“I’m nothing if not prompt” T’Lanna grinned. “My grandfather is a stickler for being prompt, he doesn’t like tardiness. Plus I couldn’t be late meeting you.”

"Your grandfather sounds like a smart man" Jamie replied with a grin as the two walked along on their way to their destination. Arriving at O'Malley's Pub, Jamie looked at T'Lanna "I think you'll like this place" as they entered with Jamie walking up to the bar "Mr. O'Malley, how's things going."

Setting down his bar towel "Captain O'Connell nice to see you, it's been awhile" he replied with a smile.

"You as well. Star Fleet has been keeping me busy" Jamie replied with a light chuckle as his daughter stood beside him "This is my daughter T'Lanna O'Connell...T'Lanna this is Mr. O’Malley the owned of this fine establishment" with pride in his voice.

“It’s nice to meet you Mr O’Malley” T’Lanna smiled politely.

"We'll just grab my usual table" Jamie stated as the owner gave him a polite nod of approval. Jamie headed towards his usual table with T'Lanna following as he turned "Please have a seat" as Jamie gestured towards one of the chairs then they both sat.

Moments later a waitress walked over "Captain nice to see you again....young lady.....what can I get for you" she inquired with a smile.

Looking at T'Lanna "So do you eat meat" her father inquired knowing some people didn't so he thought he should ask.

“I do, I eat practically anything aside from Klingon dishes” She pulled a funny face. “I’m pretty much a carnivore at heart. I do like to keep myself in trim though, so I enjoy salad options too.”

"In that case, I have something you need to try" then turning to the waitress "We'll have two of your deluxe bacon cheeseburgers, two orders of deep fried potato sticks and two waters if you please" Jamie commented with a smile.

"Coming right up Captain O'Connell" the lady replied then turned and headed to the kitchen.

Looking at his daughter "I have to ask, did T'Pel ever mention to you why she never contacted me concerning her pregnancy......I would have at the very least made previsions for you and your mother" he inquired.

T’Lanna gave her father a nod of her head. “I asked that same question, she said that she didn’t want affect your career. Logic said that learning you had a daughter would make you make decisions you wouldn’t have made otherwise.”

Sitting back in his chair Jamie sighed "T'Pel always was a very smart and logical woman" then he paused a moment "I guess that's what made her so fascinating to be with" then he paused "In hindsight I guess I should have contacted her over the years." The food arrived just in time since that part of their conversation was winding down.

"Here you go folks enjoy and if you need anything please don't hesitate to ask" the waitress stated with a smile.

"Thank you and this looks so good" Jamie replied as the lady turned and left. He took a bite of the burger, chewed then swallowed "I never get tired of this" as he grabbed another bite.

T’Lanna grinned before tucking into hers, Vulcans tended to be more in the way of vegetarians but she loved meats just as much as she did salads. “Mmm” she nodded as she chewed before swallowing. “Delicious!”

Enjoying their meal together he asked "So how did you come to end up on M-69 anyway."

“I requested it, seems crew were needed and I wanted to be where you were so here I am!” T’Lanna grinned. “I did my homework well before time, with a little help from my grandfather. Seems he’s been keeping tabs on you from afar just incase.”

"Now that's interesting.....a man I don't know has been keeping tabs on me all these years.....he must be a very special kind of person" Jamie replied with a grin "What are your duties here; besides being my daughter of course" as he laughed lightly.

“Well my main duties are Archaeologist and Anthropologist, plus in times when I’m needed I’m a qualified nurse.” T’Lanna paused to eat more of her food before it got cold.

"If I recall T'Pel was quite the scientist....like the old saying goes.....the apple didn't fall far from the tree" Jamie replied with a smirk "As for myself I'm more of a 'hands on' type of person so I started my career as an Engineer then worked my way up to Chief before becoming 2XO, and handled Tactical/Security also, then onto a First Officer and finally commanding my own ship as Captain."

“I had an interest in Ops when I was at the Academy, I did well with all my classes really.” T’Lanna smiled. “I enjoy studying so it didn’t come as a chore for me when I had my studies to do.”

"That way of thinking should serve you well in Star Fleet" Jamie responded then paused a moment "Do you have any questions I can answer concerning your mother and I?"

T’Lanna paused for a moment. “Ohh just about every one under the sun” she smiled. “Mum didn’t really tell me a lot, just bits and pieces. Tell me all about how you met?”

Jamie knew this question would probably come up at some point. Sitting back in his chair he began "I was in my early twenties, and as any male that age, I thought I had all the answers to the universe. I happened to be on shore leave on Risa and met T'Pel in a pub one night. I remember her being quite attractive....I sat next to her, bought her another drink, and we started talking. It didn't take me long to realize her beauty was only second to her intelligence which I found only enhanced her attractiveness. We spent time with one another for the next few of days and seemed to really hit it off. Of course one thing led to another so obviously you're the product of that union" then he paused a moment "Like I mentioned before I had no idea she was pregnant with my baby" he paused once again looking into his beautiful daughter's eyes "I do regret now never contacting her over the years.....I hope you don't think any less of me for not at least trying" he concluded with sincerity in his voice.

“I maybe young both in Human and Vulcan years, but I understand.” T’Lanna smiled. “Even if you had tried to contact her she would probably not have answered you out of concern for your career, and duty to her mate. She wasn’t with anyone when she met you, but she was bonded to a mate after I was born. He was never really interested in being my father, in fact he was barely on Vulcan at all.”

"As much as I hate to admit it you're probably right about your mother and I'm sorry you didn't have a father figure growing up" as Jamie paused a moment "But even though my duties require me to be out in space a lot of the time, I can still be around if you'd like" he commented with a smile.

“I’d like that very much!” T’Lanna nodded. “You might want to look over my file first though, I can be somewhat hot headed at times. I have a few reprimands, it’s my Vulcan temper it’s hard to control sometimes.”

Hearing T'Lanna Jamie had to chuckle "I'm sure my Irish heritage isn't helping the situation either. I would look over your file just to see your qualifications and education.....as far as I'm concerned you're still my daughter regardless of any reprimands" as he paused a moment "Piece of advice if I may.....do not let your temper get the best of you.....if need be the Base has an excellent counseling staff that I'm sure could help you in that area of your life" he explained actually starting to sound like a father.

“I think just having my father to talk to will suffice nicely. Not that I have a problem with counsellors” T’Lanna grinned. “So you’re part Irish?” She gave him a curious look.”

"With the last name of O'Connell? Yes I'm all Irish actually. My family owned a farm in Cork County in Ireland on Earth and clearly that was not the type of life I wanted" Jamie explained with a grin "So the Irish mixed with Vulcan, I can see why you have a temper situation."

“Well I’ll do my best to keep it under control from now on” T’Lanna smiled. “I’m very much looking forward to knowing a whole lot more about you.”

"Careful what you wish for" Jamie replied with a chuckle "In time I hope for us to get to know one another and maybe even become a family down the road but for now I have to get back to the Peel before my Number One sends Security looking for me" he replied before standing giving T'Lanna a gracious nod then walking off tapping his badge "Peel one to beam back" as Jamie vanished from sight in a stream of blue light.

::OFF::

Ensign T'Lanna O'Connell
Alien Archaeologist/Anthropologist/Nurse
Star Base M-69

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