92.0410 - One Tellarian Lizard...Or Two

[ajohnson]

"I can believe that, he has served the Federation for over two hundred years," Matt said thinking about the past." Hey do you think that your grandfather knew my great, great, great, grandmother. Her name was Lt. Ana Hess-Reynolds, she served on the NX-01 Enterprise?" asked Matt.

"Really? Well, he was on Enterprise for a while, it's definately a possibility. I'll have to ask him when I see him." said Alex.

"Alex how old are you?" Matt asked wondering," your grandfather must be ancient compared to us, but I have a feeling your older than you appear." said Matt.

Alex laughed, "Nope, I'm 21. I just hope I still look like this in 100 years. It's possible!"

[leopotter]

Leo stepped out of the turbolift and looked around the bridge. He nodded at some of the crewmen he didn't know. He walked slowly around the Bridge and some of the people did some double takes when they saw his pointed ears and slightly slanted eyebrows. He smiled. He looked towards the Front of the Bridge where Matt Reynolds was having a convosation with the guy at helm and the commande seat while he was sitting in the first offisers chair.

He went over to him and saluted.

"I was just coming up to have a look around. This is my first time on a Sovergin class starship. That's all right right?"He kept on looking around the bridge while he was talking.

<Tag Matt>

[Zhukarak Hrisvalar]

Zhukarak, together with Theel'zhiin, Sam, and Grace had returned to the Jefferson. Before leaving the transporter room, Zhukarak gave a quick rundown of their current mission to Grace.

"So now you know what we do. I'll be glad to entertain any of your thoughts, but first go ahead and get yourself situated with your quarters and all. We'll meet you on the bridge."

They departed together. Sam and Zhuk went directly to the bridge, while Grace stopped of on the senior officers deck. Reaching the bridge, Zhukarak was ready to get going.

"Commander Johnson, plot a course to 74 Orionis. I have a feeling that we'll be able to get some information there of locating some Orions. I don't want to waste much time, so if you can plot a safe passage through the Betreka Nebula, do so."

Alex pulled up the star charts on his console and plotted an appropriate course.

"Lieutenant Potter, I'm glad that you are up here. Upon our arrival, I want you and Lieutenant Reo to do some investigating and get whatever information you can. We'll be looking for an Orion trade vessel."

Leo seamed eager at the news of this.

After a few moments, Alex reported that his computations were complete and that he had a course plotted.

"Warp 7.5, engage! How long until we get there?"

"Approximately 16 days, sir."

The turbolifts opened and in came Grace. She stepped forward to the command deck while everyone looked on.

Zhukarak extended his hand.

"Welcome aboard, Commander Mitchell. Everyone, This is our new First Officer, Commander First Class Grace Mitchell."

Zhukarak went around the bridge introducing the rest of the crew. Once all of the introductions were done, he offered Grace her seat to the right of his. Sam was on the left.

Grace took her seat and Theel'zhiin immediately hopped onto her lap.

[billi]

Billi had left sickbay and stepped off of the turbolift onto the bridge. She stood next to the turbolift, leaning lightly against the wall. She remained out of the way and yet attentive to what was going on around her.

Malthen`rin remain perched on her shoulder. She'd ceased her endless chatter to Billi once the doors opened.

~~~~~~

Rin smiled hearing Matts voice in her head. Even though they were some distance apart her abilities and their tie allowed them to communicate, even at long distances.

~~I’ll join you shortly~~

She stepped off of the turbolift a few minutes later. He’d told her to come to the bridge and she’d been on her way there when he had spoke to her.

Rin smiled as she took the station which Matt indicated upon her arrival.

“Thank you Commander.” she said politely.

She grew silent as the two senior officers chatted, her hands moving over the console setting it up for the upcoming mission.

[gracemitchell]

Grace walked into her new quarters, noticing they were a bit larger than her's had been on the Nevada. She put her things away, checked to make sure her refridgerator and range were working properly.

Now the hard part! Putting on a new uniform, red. It wasn't as comfortable as her other ones, but she wasn't sure if it was her nerves or that she was spoiled with having had hers tailored made to fit her exactly. She would have to order some more comfortable uniforms and dress uniforms from her tailor, but in the meantime, these will have to do.

Grace left her quarters and headed to the bridge. While she was walking she saw a few of the crew along the way. Grace decided to acknowledge them with more than just a nod, she said hello and introduced herself, they would introduce themselves. This was how Grace would come to know the crew, by talking to each individually.

This made Grace feel more comfortable in her new surroundings and her new job. She wouldn't admit it outloud but Grace was quite nervous. She has never been on any other ship except the Nevada in her entire career, it's a little daunting.

Grace finally made it to the turbolift, as she stepped off the turbolift on to the bridge. Grace immediately noticed a young woman standing next to the turbolift. The young woman smile, Grace smiled back.

Grace felt someone trying to tickle her mind, but it wasn't Theel'zhiin. Grace turned her head and noticed another young woman sitting a station, Grace could tell that was where the tickle came from. Grace kept her block up, she wasn't going to talk to anyone with her telepathy, yet.

Zhukarak extended his hand.

"Welcome aboard, Commander Mitchell. Everyone, This is our new First Officer, Commander First Class Grace Mitchell."

Zhukarak went around the bridge introducing the rest of the crew. Once all of the introductions were done, he offered Grace her seat to the right of his. Sam was on the left.

Grace took her seat and Theel'zhiin immediately hopped onto her lap. Then Grace asked "We are going to Tammeron, no I mean Tellarus, an uncharted planet. To find lizards to bring back to UFP, to be examined. Do I have everything correct so far?

Zhuk answered an affirmative. Then Grace asked "I just have one more little question?

"Ask your question, Grace." Zhuk answered

"Will I actually have to touch one of these lizards? I'm not fond of lizards or snakes" After that statement, the bridge crew began to laugh.

[Matthew Reynolds]

Scene: Bridge, Deck 1, USS JEFFERSON

"Nope, I'm 21. I just hope I still look like this in 100 years. It's possible!"

"I don't believe it, I'm not older than you," Matt said laughing. Matt continued to laugh until he noticed Lt. Potter saluting both of them. Matt smiled at the Lt. and wondered how long would it be until he stopped saluting Matt.

"I was just coming up to have a look around. This is my first time on a Sovereign class starship. That's all right, right?" Leo said.

"Of course, I would hope that our Marine officer know the ship well," Matt said smiling once more," though sovereign's are big ships. It may take a while until you finish looking around."

Leo was about to respond, but he stopped when Matt got up from his chair. It surprised him a bit but soon recovered. He almost immediately began talking to Alex. Matt had gotten up because he noticed that Rin had just walked onto the bridge.

"Hello Ambassador," Matt said smiling at Rin," I'm glad that you have joined us." Matt walked Rin to her new station on the bridge and let her activate it.

~~I bet you do~~ Rin smiled and then said. “Thank you Commander.” she said politely.

~~Rin, I was wondering if you would like to go with me to a dinner that Commander K'Vada set up?~~ Matt asked hoping the answer would be yes.

<Tag Rin>

Matt smiled from ear to ear, but he quickly composed himself. He knew that Rin was eager to begin working and let her be. Though her closeness was hard to ignore.

"So what are you...." Matt started to ask, but was stopped when he heard the lift doors open. Matt was about to call the room to attention, but the Captain had other ideas.

Matt quickly took his station, but not before he saw that Billi was on the bridge now as well. He waved a hello and a nod and went to work. He had never been to 74 Orionis, but he knew that the sector would be filled with Orion Syndicate ships.

Once again the doors opened and in walked a female commander, the Jefferson's new first officer.

"Welcome aboard, Commander Mitchell. Everyone, This is our new First Officer, Commander First Class Grace Mitchell."

What followed was a round of introductions and hellos. It started from the helm and went clockwise, which meant that Matt would be last.

"This is Commander Matthew Reynolds, the ships Operations/Science officer," Colonel Hrisvalar said.

"Nice to meet you ma'am," Matt said smiling. The commander acknowledged him and quickly turned her attention back to Zhuk. Matt paid very little attention to the other happenings on the bridge and was surprised when the bridge was filled with a chorus of laughter.

"What did someone say something funny?" Matt asked perplexed.

<Tag Everyone>

OOC: This is my 1000th post as Matt Reynolds , and I did in less than a year . I'm so Happy ;D

[gracemitchell]

Grace smiled a small smiled and said "I'm sorry, Commander. I had just made a joke about the fact I am not fond of slithering things. I guess your attention was averted slightly with your duties?" Grace asked the question but gave a quick look in the direction of where Ambassdor Damis was seated who immediately turned a tint of pink.

Grace decided to put her at ease alittle ~Sorry to interrupt your thoughts, Ambassador. I think you should know, I am a telepath. I also block out all thoughts other than my own. I'm afraid you will not be able to hear my thoughts unless I allow you to.~

<Tag Rin, Matt>

Then Grace addressed the bridge again "I'd like to formally say that I am happy to be here and that I'm not used to being addressed as Commander. As a former Counselor, it was the practice for crew to address me as Counselor or Grace. If you use the more formal Commander, perhaps you should add Mitchell, then I will know you are addressing me. Especially, since there is more than one Commander present. If that is alright with you, Zhu.., Colon.. I mean Captain."

After the last stumble on addressing Zhuk, the crew present once again laughed, Grace right along with them. "Sorry! See what I mean! I'm not used to addressing the Colonal here as Captain. I have a lot to learn and I hope you will all help me in that respect!"

At this point, Grace turned to Sam and asked "What time is dinner, Commander?"

[ajohnson]

Alex frowned inwardly. He wasn't sure if it was a good practice to make counselors first officers. They now had a marine for a Captain and a counselor for a first officer, not exactly a traditional starfleet arrangement.

She certainly seemed to be nice, but Alex wondered if this woman could make the big decisions when it counted, time would tell. Then, remembering that she was a telepath, he turned his thoughts back to his work. He knew that most telepaths in Starfleet made it a practice not to pry into the thoughts of others, but, you couldn't be too careful.

"What time is dinner, Commander?" asked Mitchell.

Alex turned around, he had been wondering the same thing.

<K'Vada>

[cptjeff]

OOC: this is another holodeck post until the blue is over.

IC:

They were setting the masts. The tall pine shafts were covered in pitch and covered in a second lacquer for extra protection and to keep the sails from sticking. the Mass were going to rest in the new brackets that Jeff had designed, and according to custom, Jeff had placed a coin where each mast would rest for good luck.then they raised them off of the barge from the shore. the mainmast was the first in, and Jeff was holding onto the locked tiller underneath, the deck was tilted quite severely while they put the masts in, but these masts would stay, and it wouldn't happen again. They were soon up, but the barge stayed put with a long piece of rigging on each mast. The came in closer and closer, tugging and shortening it, until they were in up next to the Grey Dawn.then the dockworkers came on and started to tie down the masts. the primary rigging was finished in a few hours. the rest of it would take a few more days.

"alright, ya need crew?"

"she should crew about 20. 21, with three watches and three watch masters."

"so you need 20 more."

"how did you guess? I could round up a few easily enough I suppose, but I would like people who know he boat to be on the watches."

'too tell you the truth, I've been thinking about returning to the sea as a mate. Why not on the Dawn?"

"You aren't happy building ships?"

"Oh, I'm fine with it, but I just miss the wind and water. The sea is it's own reward."

"Well, I have the book in my cabin, but I don't think you should sign until you're sure. I don't want a halfhearted mate."

"Neither do I. And I wouldn't suggest it. Though I would put an entry in the log right about now."

I will, trust me. She's complete now, though not fully rigged or stocked yet. Any word on that wheel yet?"

"the local carpenters are out of wood right about now. we have wood, but they don't want theirs bone dry like we keep ours. doesn't shape right."

"Do you have any drying?"

"of course. that's how we keep our stock up. The carpenters wouldn't listen and I don't' trust the coopers with a wheel."

"then why don't' we build it? 8 main pins, two rounds? extra pins on the outside if we want them."

"single wheel, I presume."

"I don't see the need for a double."

"alright. most of my workers have other projects though. it would have to be you and me and possibly a third, if you can handle that."

"a knife and a lathe. you get the rounds." Jeff smiled. "I've done this before."

"when?"

"ages ago." And he wasn't lying. he had made a ship's wheel when he was on the first ship he worked on. He had brought aboard some wood at a layover and made a ship's wheel.

suddenly, while he was working, an alert sounded for him. "computer, save and end program." the holodeck came into being around him. or rather, he saw it. but he forgot all that when he saw the alert. Mrak wanted him in engineering. it was mrak's shift, so it wasn't shift issues. e was usually pretty good with personnel, bu there was the possibility of a genuine engineering prob...alright, calm down he thought. it's probably nothing.

"it is nothing, really, but this report is a full rundown of all the systems, and we don't want to leave our new officers waiting for the status report, now do we?" mrak's standard grin came across his face.

"Thanks. I'll take it to the bridge as soon as I've looked it over." Jeff scanned the PADD. "hmm... fix that drain in the impulse would you? It's well within starfleet specs, but I've made a few modifications. it shouldn't' be doing that."

"right a gain of a half percent. I'm on it. Does this have anything to do with the Nevada being nearby?"

"why should we stop our maintenance when we're near another ship?"

Mrak rolled his eyes. "how many times have I heard that... Jokes do get old."

"I haven't' come up with a new one yet." Jeff said from the turbolift. The doors closed, muffling the centarian's response.

[gracemitchell]

Grace noticed the frown on Commander Johnson's face. She began to wonder if it had been incorrect practice to make a joke regarding the Tellarius Lizard. Theel'zhiin sensed Grace's doubt and was quick to reassure her that her joking manner was perfectly alright.

Grace knew it was time to get to business and up to speed. "Captain, since we have quite a few days until we get to 74 Orionis, perhaps I could do some research on this new species of lizard."

Zhuk knew Grace wanted to get to know each member of the crew individually, as was her style, he knew she was just giving an excuse to get one on one with someone. Although, he did think it couldn't hurt to get more information on the Tellarian Lizard then they had. "I think that would be a great idea. Perhaps LtJG Eviston would care to assist you. As of yet we still don't have a science officer."

<Tag Billi>

[Matthew Reynolds]

Scene: Bridge, Deck 1, USS JEFFERSON

"I'm sorry, Commander. I had just made a joke about the fact I am not fond of slithering things. I guess your attention was averted slightly with your duties?" Grace asked.

Matt immediately understood the meaning of her words and almost as fast he felt Rin's embarrassment. He knew that at that very moment there new first officer must of been talking to Rin because Matt couldn't connect with Rin. It was a very unsettling thing to realize, so Matt just kept quiet.

Once Grace, as she told them to call her, stopped talking he thought it safe to talk to Rin once again. ~~What did she say? I'm sorry if I got you in any trouble at all.~~ Matt said looking in Rin's direction.

<Tag Rin>

After being reassured by Rin that he hadn't done anything wrong, Matt relaxed a bit, until he heard Grace say that the ship currently didn't have a science officer. Matt was about to say something, but realized what that would mean. ~Do more work tonight or get no sleep at all? That's easy~ Matt thought to himself. Alex was looking at him expecting him to say something, but all Matt did was shrug and went back to work. Which caused a few people to slip up and laugh a bit.

----------------------

Scene: Matt's quarters, Deck 7, USS JEFFERSON

Matt's first shift under the command of Lt. Colonel Hrisvalar and Commander 1st Class Grace Michelle had just ended. Matt immediately excused himself and headed towards his quarters.

When he arrived Matt was surprised to find the room littered with test tubes, graduated cylinders, and a handful of chemicals that he couldn't quite identify. Caleb was currently going through a sinister blue chemical.

"What are you doing?" Matt asked laughing a bit and taking off his vest.

"Oh this is just a mixture of ammonia and something else... I can't remember the other things name," Caleb said innocently.

Matt head almost blew up in horror. He quickly ran towards Caleb's side and picked up each chemical. He immediately scanned them and was even more horrified to realized what he had been working on.

"I'm taking that Valerie didn't assign this to you," Matt said looking at Caleb.

"Well no, she explained some chemicals and I was interested, plus I didn't cause any damage," Caleb said trying to excuse his dangerous behavior.

"That doesn't matter Caleb, your eight years old, you shouldn't be playing with these types of chemicals, especially the acids," Matt said.

"Oh don't worry I found out a way to neutralize its acidic properties," Caleb said putting up the rest of his materials. Matt stopped in his tracks when Caleb said this, Matt immediately turned around to see if he was joking.

Once he realized that he wasn't he checked the acids out for himself. Just like he had said the acids were neutralized, in fact the chemicals were now nothing more than funny looking water.

"How did you do this?" Matt asked.

"It just came to me,"Caleb shrugged and went about cleaning up his materials and watching a movie. It took Matt a couple of seconds to realize that Caleb was a lot more special than he had imagined.

"Hey Matt don't you have to go to that dinner thing?" Caleb asked.

"Yeah, how do you know?" Matt asked opening up his drawer. He didn't think it was a formal dinner so he would wear some casual clothes.

"I heard it from Crewman Jenkins," Caleb said smiling.

"Of course you did," Matt said as he walked into the shower. After he finished he would contact Rin and ask her if she was ready for there date.

[gracemitchell]

Grace was in her quarters intending to get ready for the dinner party but first she was tiding up to do.

She doubled check her range to make sure it worked correctly. She had every intention of issuing her own dinner party invitations, only she didn't have Lani to try new recipes out on. That thought made Grace feel terribly alone.

As was usual for her when she was alone, she started talking to herself "Just remember, girl, when you returned to the Nevada, it had all new senior staff."

"Yeah, but, there was still personnel there from my first tenure."

"Now remember, how much fun you had getting to know the new crew. It will be the same here."

"Your right of course! And now, I have a Counselor who could explain to me why I talk to myself."

"Not on your life. They'll lock you up and throw away the key if anyone ever knew. Enough, it's time to get ready for the party."

Grace began to get ready for the dinner party, while doing so, she began to sing one of her favorite songs from the past.

"A new home, and another fun crew", she thought.

[joshreo]

Josh had just gotten off shift, after a long day of familiarizing himself with the way the Tactical/Security station was run. He went to his quarters and got ready for the dinner party. After taking a shower and putting on some civilan clothes, he made his way to Commander K'Vada's quarters.

When he got to the door, he paused, hoping that he wasn't early. He pressed the door chime and was greeted by Commander K'Vada.

"Good evening commander, I hope I am not too early," Josh said as he was let into Sam's quarters.

<K'Vada>

[billi]

[Bridge, USS Jefferson]

Rin glanced at Matt as she worked to set up the station.

~~I would love to Matt, thank you for asking~~

Her thoughts reached him easily.

Commander Mitchells own thoughts echoed in her head and her cheeks flushed.

~~Sorry to interrupt your thoughts, Ambassador. I think you should know, I am a telepath. I also block out all thoughts other than my own. I'm afraid you will not be able to hear my thoughts unless I allow you to.~~

Rin turned towards her station and closed off her thoughts, and any voices in her head. She let out a sigh and grew silent until the Commander had turned away. This was a lesson she would not soon forget.

When Matts thoughts begged to be heard, she only opened herself up enough so that he could hear her thoughts and no one else.

~~What did she say? I'm sorry if I got you in any trouble at all.~~ he asked.

She shook her head and mouthed ‘Later’. before turning to her station and her job. The shift would not get over soon enough, the excitement she had felt about being on the bridge with Matt, now gone. Instead she felt fear and anxiety, which she carefully hid from everyone on the bridge.

<tag Matt and Grace>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Billi caught the glances between Grace, Matt and Rin and frowned, she knew they were all telepathic to a point and knew their actions indicated that they were conversing with their thoughts.

Malthen`rin, however could hear and understand what they were all chatting about. She in turn nuzzled Billis neck and began passing the information to her telepathically. The small fire lizard was a gossip and a bad one, this was one habit that Billi would have to change or leave her in her quarters when she was on duty.

Billi reached up and soothed the small creature by holding her in her hands, caressing the crown of the lizard to calm her.

<tag anyone on the bridge>

[ajohnson]

Alex was in command on the bridge. Most of the senior officers, the captain and first officer included, were most likely getting ready for dinner at the K'Vadas', which was where Alex was headed himself when his shift ended.

Doctor Eviston and Ambassador Damis were still on the bridge working on their own projects.

Out of the corner of his eye, Alex saw Billi holding a golden firelizard.

'Great.' He thought, 'Another one of those things.'

Alex didn't like them much. He had seen a few of them around in Section 47. He thought it was poor practice of officers to have these things around with them while they were on duty. If he were captain, these things would be banned from duty stations, however, Colonel Hrisvalar didn't seem to have any such thoughts, in fact, he had one of them himself.

Alex was jerked from his thoughts when a crewman came to the centre chair and presented him with an engineering report. Looking up, Alex saw that it was his friend, Chief O'Malley.

"Brian!" said Alex, "I haven't seen you for a while, how are you?"

"Not too bad, Alex, yerself?" said O'Malley in his Irish accent.

"I'm good, thanks. How are things going down in engineering?"

"A bit dodgy, I nearly sent the phase inducers offline yesterday...erm...lapse of concentration, but I recovered."

Alex shook his head. O'Malley was always getting into some kind of trouble.

"So Alex, d'ye wanna come for a drink with me when ye get off?"

"Sorry Brian, I'm having dinner at the K'Vadas' tonight."

"Funny, I don't remember getting an invite." Brian joked.

"You work your way up to senior officer, then you'll get an invite." said Alex with a chuckle as Brian made his way back to the turbolift.

Moments later, the turbolift doors opened again and Lieutenant Monica Quindara stepped out. She came to relieve Alex.

Alex got up from the command chair.

"You have the bridge, Lieutenant." He said as he headed for the turbolift himself.

Within half an hour, he was changed into civilian clothing and was outside Commander K'Vada's quarters, a wine bottle in his hand. He pressed the door chime and moments later, he was greeted by Commander K'Vada.

"Evening Commander." Said Alex, handing him the bottle. "Chateau Picard."

<K'Vada>

[Matthew Reynolds]

Scene: Matt's quarters, Deck 7, USS JEFFERSON

There was nothing like a real shower, techonology was a great thing, but nothing beat the old fashion way of bathing. Feeling the warm water washing away all the sweat, grime, and dirt from one's body was a cleansing a feeling. By the time Matt noticed, the room was filled with a hot mist and steam.

~Its supposed to start at 2000 hours, so that means that I have a hour to go and pick up Rin, Matt thought as he got out of the shower and dried off. Once he was ready to go, Matt contacted Rin.~

Before he even tried, Matt stopped himself and smiled.

"What are you smiling at?" Caleb asked looking at Matt puzzled.

"Nothing seriously," Matt said as he headed out the door and towards Rin's quarters. He would meet her there and hopefully have some *us* time before they had to go to K'Vada's dinner party.

Once he got to her quarters, Matt knocked and waited for Rin to open the door.
--------------------------
Scene: Rin's quarters, Deck 7, USS JEFFERSON

Rin had spent time herself, getting ready for the dinner party. She answered the door, dressed now in a light blue ankle length dress, her hair pulled back away from her ears, showing off her spots, which usually remained hidden.

Matt stood there breathless, looking at Rin and her usually hidden spots. All she did was laugh, which brought him out of his little trance.

"Um, um Rin you look great," Matt said thinking of how an understatement that really was.

“Nothing special about me Matt.” she said as she slipped her arm through his and motioned for him to enter her quarters.

"Nothing special, Rin I'm more then tempted to blow this dinner off and stay here tonight," Matt said as looked at her beautiful face.

Rin flushed slightly before replying. “You might be able to dodge the dinner Matt, but as Ambassador I don’t have that privilege.” She knew he was early and commented. “What brought you here this early?”

"Oh I just wanted to spend more time with you," Matt replied as he put his arms around her and kissed her lighyly on the neck." And do a little bit of this too."

She sighed as he held her, shivering slightly. She enjoyed their closeness but felt a little uneasy just the same. Maybe it was her inexperience or her youth, she didn’t know. She smiled and snuggled in his arms instead, trying to steady her beating heart.

For a split second Matt felt Rin's uneasyiness, and then it went away as fast as it came. ~~What was that?~~

~~Nothing Matt~~ she replied in his head as she pulled away and led him inside, the door closing behind them.

~~Alright~~ Matt replied as he let himself being led into Rin's quarters. When they were safely inside her quarters, Matt examined Rin's quarters. There were things littered around the floor, clothes stuffed in drawers, and some pictures of people he didn't know. ~~Rin, what happened on the bridge with Grace. I didn't get you in trouble did I?~~

She led him to the couch and sat down, motioning for him to join her. ~~I got myself in trouble Matt. I have to learn to keep my life off the bridge. IF I go back that is. Maybe it’s safer if I stay here or in the Ambassadors office?~~

~~I'm so sorry, Rin it was all my fault. I knew that Grace was a telepath. I wasn't thinking at that moment, I was just excited that you were there. And your place is on the bridge, I just have to keep things professional while we are on duty, that is all.~~

She shook her head. ~~I won't be going back to the bridge Matt. It's not my place, maybe this isn't where I belong. I am not sure I know anymore.~~ She lowered her eyes and looked at her hands in her lap.

Her insecurities hit him like a brick wall. The emotions that were emanating from Rin's mind and soul were those of questioning, inexperience, fear, and aguish. It took Matt a couple of seconds to recover from these emotions and when he did all he could think of was his love for Rin. He took her hands and placed them in his. ~~Rin, it is my fault you feel this way. I forget that you are new to space and that you have not dealt with things like this. I forget that you barely know any people here on the ship. It's my fault for thinkinf of me and not you.~~

Matt felt a tear go down his face, but he didn't care. He wanted Rin to know that she belonged her out in space. She had all the makings of a great ambassador and an even greater person, but she just couldn't see that like he could.

~~Rin I know that you are scared about all this, but I'm here to help you in whatever you need.~~ Matt said and waited for her response.

She didn’t say anything, she couldn’t. With the reprimand she’d had on the Bridge, it broke something within her very being. That is what it was, a reprimand, for not doing her job. If she was going to stay on the ship, if she wanted to remain on the ship she couldn’t do that again.

Matt looked at Rin and studied her features. He knew that she was thinking about what had happened on the bridge early that day. It had been his fault and at that very moment he didn't know how to fix it. Matt knew that Rin was very dedicated to her work and that being caught not doing it was very hard on her. ~~Rin, I understand why you are feeling this way, and I will not let it happen again.~~

She looked up into his eyes and spoke. “I know, I won’t be going back.” She’d been thrown into the whole situation by being sent back to the ship in the first place. Not that she didn’t want to be with Matt, but she wasn’t ready, and she knew it.

~~Your going to be staying on Assailant after this mission aren't you?~~ It was more like a statement than a question.

“If I don’t go home. I am not sure I am cut out for this. If something like this rattles me what about bigger issues?” She spoke quietly, totally closing off her mind now, forcing him to speak if he wanted to talk to her.

Matt felt Rin block off her mind, which hurt immensly. Her presence was a constant feeling of love and caring. Now that it was blocked from him, it caused him pain.

"Rin, I know that you are cut out for this, if you weren't Tedak and the DCS wouldn't of put you back here," Matt said," you are not sure of yourself and your actions, but that is normal. I started just like you when I was at the Academy."

“I’m stuck here till we go back to the Starbase. I will make the best of it, even if I remain hidden in my quarters.” It hurt her just as much to block him but their telepathic conversation is what got them, no her into trouble in the first place.

“I care about you, more than you know Matt. I don’t know if I can handle being anywhere but here. But I can’t have my abilities and who I am forced into the background.” She lay her head on his shoulder and let out a sigh.

"Rin your background is not being asked to be put into the background," Matt said as he held her,"it's just that we used your abilities for personal reasons. The reasons were love, but we can't do that during our shifts."

“I won’t be going back to the bridge, or anywhere you are while on duty. I can’t do that, can’t put that on your shoulders either. I will do my job as ambassador and spend time with you if you want when off duty.” This was a hard thing for her to do, a hard decision to make.

Matt looked at Rin and tried to re-establish there link. Matt had discovered that his telepathic link to Rin had formed a permanent telepathic ability in him. Yet it was not strong enough, and so Matt spoke out loud knowing that he could not change her mind.

"Rin, if this is what you want than I will have to accept it, but you do know that I will spend every free minute I have with you?" Matt said smiling through the pain he was feeling. He thought that Rin and him could work through this, but it seemed that the problem was his presence. Matt had to be on the bridge and Rin was taking the next step.

"Rin you know that I still love you," Matt said as he kissed her softly. Rin was about to respond, but the comm went off.

=^=Commander Reynolds, Ambassador Damis, please report to Commander K'Vada's quarters=^=

Rin stood up dried her eyes, while Matt wiped his and walked out together heading towards the dinner party.

OOC: This was a joint post between Rin and me.

[Zhukarak Hrisvalar]

Beta shift had taken over the bridge. There had been no reason for Zhukarak to remain as they were still enroute to 74 Orionis.

Theel'zhiin had been fed while Zhuk finished getting dressed in his quarters. The firelizard gave that look.

"No my friend. This is one time you shall not accompany me tonight. You'll have plenty of time to visit with Grace."

Theel'zhiin gave a slow warble in disappointment and went ahead and settled himself in the corner of the couch.

Zhukarak was dressed in some of his casual Andorian garb, it was a dark blue double-breasted tunic that hung over matching pants. Silver trim on the cuffs, the collar trailing down along the edge of the enclosure, to the bottom edges from front to rear, helped accentuate the ensemle.

Exiting his quarters, Zhuk had only a few strides to go before he was in front of the door that housed Grace. The two-toned chime became audible upon his presence.

"Come in!"

The door slid open, allowing Zhukarak passage to Grace's quarters.

"I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to this dinner party. Curious to see what Commander K'Vada and his wife have prepared for meals."

"Yes, it should be quite fun. It'll give me a good chance to get to know everybody as well."

"I know what you mean. I must tell you how glad I am to have you along, someone that I know. I'm starting to get to know the crew, and they are all great officers. Having you along however, helps settle my mind. I don't feel so alone at times. Listen to me, I'm still used to talking to you as my counselor."

"That's alright Zhuk. I'm glad that I'm here as First Officer, but whenever you need to talk, I'm here as your friend. I know exactly how you feel, and I'm glad that I know someone here as well. Now, shall we?"

Grace indicated the door as she was ready to leave. Zhuk stepped aside to allow her to go ahead of him. The door to her quarters shut behind them and together they walked to Sam's place, all the while talking about the happenings since they had last seen each other.

Upon entering the quarters of the K'Vadas, Sam had greeted Zhukarak and Grace and offered them both a glass of Chateau Picard. Introductions were made to his wife, Julliet de Boer. As they were the last two arrivals, everyone was now ready to have a seat at the large oval table that had been set.

[gracemitchell]

Grace was enjoying the first course of the meal. Julliet and Sam were wonderful hosts.

Grace could feel that someone in the room was quite un-happy, and un-sure of themselves. Having been a Counselor, Grace was well practiced at observing people without them noticing her observing them. Grace listened to the conversation between Zhuk and Sam, no the feeling wasn't coming from either of them, "ah there it is" she thought as her eyes fell on Ambassador Damis and Commander Reynolds. The two of them were quite sad. Neither of them were engaging in conversation

Actually, Grace felt fear from the Ambassador, fear of her, Grace. Grace also felt anger directed towards her from Commander Reynolds. "Well, let's get these two enjoying themselves, then tomorrow I can defuse the situation" Grace thought to herself.

Outloud, Grace asks Rim "Ambassador Damis, as a former Counselor, I was called on many times to act as an Ambassador to aid the Captain, in negotiations with dignitaries from other planets. I applaud the work you do, and would like to hear more about it?" Inwardly Grace was hoping she hadn't sounded too interrogative to the youn Ambassador.

<Tag Rin>

[billi]

[At the dinner party]

Billi had finished work, gotten in a quick shower and headed for the dinner party, arriving just mere minutes before the Colonel and the new First Officer. She managed to find Rin and Matt and quickly pulled Rin aside. She’d wanted to wait for what she was about to do, but Rin had insisted on it.

“Are you sure you want to do this Rin. What if the CO needs those abilities?” She asked

Rin replied. “I’m sure. There are enough other empaths on the ship and they don’t need me.”

She was desperate to lose her telepathy after having felt reprimanded on the bridge by the new XO. Billi looked over at Matt, knowing full well the connection that he had with Rin.

“I have to do this Billi, please understand.” Rin almost pleaded.

“You know I am going against my better judgment here, but if that is what you want.” Billi replied pulling out the hypospray which she’d had tucked in her pocket.

She pressed the hypospray against Rins neck and stepped back. “You’ll need to come see me daily as long as you want them suppressed.” Billi said as she placed the hypospray back in her pocket.

Billi then nodded back at Matt. “You better go explain all this to him.” she said before stepping away from Rins side and finding a seat on the far side of the table. This was one conversation she didn’t want to be around for. Maybe some unexpected emergency would happen to rescue her. She hoped anyway.

Rin had just headed for Matt when the XO approached and spoke. "Ambassador Damis, as a former Counselor, I was called on many times to act as an Ambassador to aid the Captain, in negotiations with dignitaries from other planets. I applaud the work you do, and would like to hear more about it?"

Rin took a deep breath “Thank you Commander.” she said glancing at Matt, hoping he’d come rescue her. If either of them tried to communicate with her telepathically now, she’d never know. All she felt was a sudden emptiness, all the emotions, senses she'd had were gone.

<tag Matt and Grace>

[Matthew Reynolds]

Scene: K'Vada's quarters, USS JEFFERSON

Matt was trying to act as if nothing wrong had just happened, but he knew that it was not working. Rin had asked him for some privacy with Billi and so Matt took his seat farthest away from Grace, which happened to be right next to Lt. Potter and Alex. He of course kept a seat open for Rin, but other than that he kept to himself. Which did not go unnoticed by his friends sitting at the table.

Matt ignored there stares and ate his food. The food and conversation were really good, but his current mood would not let him enjoy himself. He just felt anger towards the women sitting next to the Colonel. She was the reason that Rin felt this way and his anger was only aimed at her.

Matt immediately realized that Grace had felt his anger towards her and tried to stop her from feeling anymore of his feelings, but he knew that would not be possible. She was just to strong. Knowing this, Matt did nothing to stop his feelings from lashing out at her and for a brief second there eyes locked on each other.

Matt sensed Rin's advancement on his location. It was not there link, but her perfume that told him this. By the time Rin joined him Grace spoke out loud.

"Ambassador Damis, as a former Counselor, I was called on many times to act as an Ambassador to aid the Captain, in negotiations with dignitaries from other planets. I applaud the work you do, and would like to hear more about it?"

Matt could not believe that Grace was even talking to her, or even trying to be nice. Her mental abilities should by now have informed her of some of the problems that they were having.

“Thank you Commander.”

Matt tried to connect with Rin, trying to keep her and himself calm, but there was nothing. There wasn't even a mental block, it was like nothing was there. Matt started to panic, he was actually shaking. Luckily no one was looking at him, but at Grace. Matt once again tried to contact Rin, but once again he was met by nothing, as if it had never existed.

"Rin after this is over we are going to talk," Matt whispered into her ear.

"Don't you agree Commander Reynolds?" Grace asked. It took all of Matt's will power to not stand up and leave.

"Yes Commander I have to agree," Matt responded.

<Tag Rin/ Grace and everyone else who wants to join in the nice conversation >

[gracemitchell]

Grace was at a loss. Why Matt was being so angry at her? Why Rin was so afraid of her?Grace decided now was not the time or place to correct the situation, it would be best to keep things as congenial as possible. Grace couldn't think of what she had done to warrrent these emotions.

While Grace was thinking about what to do, she heard Alex ask her a question "Commander Mitchell, I understand you are a telepath, aren't you human?"

"Yes, I am human, Commander. Unfortunately any information on how I became a telepath and an empath is buried somewhere in my subconscious. I have no memory of my life prior to being rescued from the Borg ship. Now and then I have flashbacks of my previous life but nothing I can join together form a lasting memory." Grace answered.

Alex was astonished "You were on a Borg ship! Are you Borg, Commander?"

"First off, since we are in a social setting, please everyone, call me Grace. Too many commanders gets too confusing. Second, no I am not Borg, but I was abducted by the Borg from the Twentyfirst Century."

Julliet spoke at this "I read about that. It is fascinating how you were able to not be assimilated. Your telepathic power is extraordinary. A Vulcan healer wrote a medical journal about it. How were you able to maintain a shield around yourself all the time you were on the Cube?"

"Again, I don't have a specific answer. I had to do it again recently in an encounter the Nevada had with the Borg Queen, The Queen tends to bring out the best in my abilities I'm afraid. I was able to extend my shield to another crew member as long as I was touching him. It takes extreme concentration for me to erect the shield." Grace replied.

Julliet was quite interested in the subject that she wanted more information, she continued with her questioning "I hope you don't mind, Grace, but I am quite interested in how you are able to erect a personal shield?"

"I don't mind. It seems to me to be such a long time since I examined the idea myself. My biggest problem at the time was once I was rescued from the Borg ship, when I did drop my personal shield, I was able to block out everyone's thoughts. It was just the thoughts of the ship' compliment, it was everyone's thoughts in the universe. I remember distinctly that it was extremely painful. The doctor on the ship gave me a sedative and kept me sedated until the Healer came up with the solution of sending me to Vulcan and work with a Healer there to teach me how to block out others thoughts. It is not an effort for me to hear thoughts, it is an effort to not hear thoughts." Grace replied.

This time it was Sam who asks "So you can hear all of thoughts of all people in the Universe all the time?"

"Yes, if I didn't use my concentration to block them. In essence a part of my mind is here, listening to you, going about my daily routine. A larger part of my mind is practicing a blocking exercise to keep from hearing your thoughts. I don't believe a person should listen in to others thoughts unless asked to. I feel it is an invasion of privacy. Trust me on this, I did it to someone not so long ago and was severely chastised for it." After saying that last part Grace gave a look and a small smile to Zhuk, who in turned gave a small smile back.

This look was noticed by Matt, Rin on the other hand seemed to look even more sad. Grace could feel both Rin and Matt seemed to have grown more angry at her.

[ajohnson]

"Yes, if I didn't use my concentration to block them. In essence a part of my mind is here, listening to you, going about my daily routine. A larger part of my mind is practicing a blocking exercise to keep from hearing your thoughts. I don't believe a person should listen in to others thoughts unless asked to. I feel it is an invasion of privacy. Trust me on this, I did it to someone not so long ago and was severely chastised for it." Said Grace.

"Yes, I hear that's a common practice for the telepaths in the Federation." said Alex, "So you're from the twenty-first century, comman...Grace. My grandfather was born in the 20th Century."

Seeing her puzzled look, he added, "He's an El Aurian. He came to Earth in 1980."

<Grace/Others...>

[gracemitchell]

Grace was amazed that a being that was not a Human had been living on Earth in the 20th Century. "I was born in the 20th century as well, I was abducted from early in the 21st Century, just after a celebration in our backyard. Where on Earth did your grandfather live? I had no idea that a non-human was living there during that time."

<Tag Alex>

While Grace was listening to Alex explain about his grandfather, she was also paying attention to the emotions from Matt and Rin.

At first she had thought Rin was angry at Grace, now Grace knew it was apprehension. Rin was unsure of her abilities. When Grace had telepathically contacted Rin on the bridge, Rin had taken that as being chastised for not doing her job. In reality it was Grace wanting the Ambassador to know that she, Rin, would not be able to penetrate Grace's mental block and hear her thoughts.

"Well," thought Grace "It would seem that my first day was a total disaster. I have one office afraid of me, one ready to hit me. and one who thinks because I'm a Counselor, I can't do the job. Beginning tomorrow, I will be doing some damage control. If I can't fix this, I may have to try and get my old job back."

Grace's smile became less real, but only Zhuk noticed. She continued to participate in the conversations around her but her mind wasn't quite in the room. Her mind was going 4 steps ahead of itself to correct the situation. She needed to prove to herself as well as the crew that she would be a good XO.

<tag to anyone at the dinner party>

[billi]

Rin had just taken her seat next to Matt when her combadge blipped. Saved by the bell. she thought as she stood up and walked away from the group to respond to the comm.

=/\= Ambassador Damis here, go ahead. =/\=

A short time later she returned to the table and gave Matt a slight smile. She leaned down and whispered in his ear. “I have to go, I will try to get back before dinner is over with.” With that she gave the CO, XO and the host of the party a nod, and left the room.

[Once away from the party]

Rin gave a sigh of relief as she walked away from the dinner party and the stress within the room. She leaned against the wall of the turbo lift as it moved towards the Ambassador suite which she’d been assigned.

Even without her empathic abilities she could have cut the stress in that room with a knife. She knew she wasn’t the only one who felt it. But she needed space and the message she’d just received gave her that out.

She arrived at the suite and entered, sitting on the couch to gather her thoughts. Once she was settled, knowing she would need to be to deal with the message.

Once she was relaxed she moved to the desk and tapped the computer console.

=/\= Please open a secure channel to Betazed =/\=

[Matthew Reynolds]

Scene: K'Vada's quarters, USS JEFFERSON

"Yes, if I didn't use my concentration to block them. In essence a part of my mind is here, listening to you, going about my daily routine. A larger part of my mind is practicing a blocking exercise to keep from hearing your thoughts. I don't believe a person should listen in to others thoughts unless asked to. I feel it is an invasion of privacy. Trust me on this, I did it to someone not so long ago and was severely chastised for it."

~~If you feel it's an invasion of privacy than why did you do that with Rin~~ Matt thought angryily, which got Grace's attention again. The next moment Matt felt a bit of pang in his head and he knew that Grace had just blocked him permantely from contacting her. It frustrated Matt even more, but stayed cool. He knew that Colonel Hrisvalar was expectinging him to welcome Grace with open arms and treat her as a friend and collegue, but that was extrememly hard at the moment.

“I have to go, I will try to get back before dinner is over with.”

"Okay, but we still have to talk," Matt said softly, still trying to contact her telapathically. The stress level of the room lifted a bit once Rin left the room, but there was still enough to be cut by a butter knife. Matt knew that he was not helping his cause, so he tried to calm down his emotions and tried to listen on Alex's explanations of his grandfather's long and destinguished career. Something that always brought a smile to Matt's face.

"I actually got to meet the famous Captain Voran when we saved the Oceanus settlement, that is where I adopted Caleb," Matt said smiling for the first time. Thinking of Caleb always helped Matt calm down.

After a few more minutes Matt started to feel a knot in his injuried leg and excused himself so he could stretch it out. Once he was out the door he couldn't hold himself up and fell down to the floor causing a big thud. The door immediately opened and Billi rushed out.

"What happened?" Billi asked trying to help, Matt up who couldn't help but wince at the effort.

"Nothing, I just fell," Matt replied.

"Was it the leg?" Billi asked looking at Matt knowingly.

"Yes, but not for that reason," Matt replied knowing that it would be in vain.

"Colonel, I'm sorry I'm going to take Commander Reynolds to sickbay and check him out," Billi said and without waiting walked out and took Matt to sickbay.
-----------------

Scene: Sickbay, Deck 7, USS JEFFERSON

"Look Billi, seriously, I just slipped," Matt said still fighting her all the way to sickbay.

"Yeah, I've heard that from you before," Billi smirked and placed him in the biobed. Matt looked at her, but said nothing. He did notice that Billi took out a hypospray from her pocket and lay it down on a computer.

"What was that for?" Matt asked, but Billi didn't respond. The guilt was clear on her face and it took Matt a minute to realize why. "She has stopped using her abilities."

"Yes, I told her that I didn't want to, but she made me," Billi said.

"Billi no one can make you do anything you don't want," Matt said standing up from the bed and heading out of the room. He would want to go see Rin.

"Go ahead leave, but not before you take this," Billi said as he she applied some medication to Matt's neck. Matt was going to thank her, but just walked away towards Rin's quarters.