#175 Needs and Wants

Posted on Sun Jan 29th, 2023 @ 7:43pm by Captain Rogue Green {Meji} & Commander Jamie O'Connell

Mission: BUGS OH NO!!
Location: USS Amandora
Timeline: current/somewhere in between

ON:

Upon leaving Sickbay, Green made her way to the closest empty conference room. She sat down at the table, the computer end, and brought up personnel files, seeking one in particular. She knew she had seen the information but had to make sure. After looking through the file, and finding what she was looking for, Ro clapped her hands once in exultation. "Yes!" She hissed out. She spoke with her face slightly upwards. "Computer. Location of Commander O'Connell."

"Commander O'Connell is in his quarters."

Perfect, she thought. Getting to her feet Green closed down the computer and exited the conference room, her course taking her to O'Connell's door. Standing outside casually, Ro reached out and tapped the chime key.

Hearing the door Heather looked at Jamie "I wonder who that could be?" "There's only one way to find out" as his head motioned to the door. Heather punched him in the arm "Wiseass!" then she smiled and went to the door.

Opening it she saw Ro standing there then stepped aside "Commander what a pleasant surprise, please come in....can I get you something to drink" hearing Heather Jamie stood "Ro, it's a pleasure to see you."

When the door slid open and Heather stood before her, Green broke into a smile, stepping inside when invited to do so. Going with the first to say something, Ro glanced back and forth between them. "Thank you, both. And, the pleasure is mine. As for a beverage I'll take some cranberry juice." As of now Green was not showing her condition, but with twins on board she knew that their growth would start to become apparent by the second month, easily. Being waved to come in and sit within the main area Ro took a singular chair angled to look at the small sofas. "Apologies for coming over unannounced."

Heather stepped to the replicator and grabbed the requested beverage then handed it to Ro "Here you go and please make yourself comfortable" she commented with a smile.

"Don't even think twice about it.So what's on your mind....it must be important to make the trip here" Jamie queried with his curiosity starting to get the better of him.

After sipping her juice Green set it on a place holder on the coffee table. When Jamie had said his piece Green chuckled. "I promise to visit more often, and not always about work. But, yes, I have some things we need to adjust. The first is engineering. Dorox is no longer with us and won't be returning. We need a CEO, and as I am Number One, it falls to me to cover it until another can be slotted. I did remember something about you having been a CEO, like myself, in your past. After looking at your file I did see you are still certified as such. So, Jamie, would you be interested in the position of CEO?"

Heather sat next to Jamie listening to the conversation not believing what she was hearing but not saying a word. Jamie thought for a moment "Before I give you my answer Ro, what about my other duties" he queried with a smile.

Green was as cheerful looking as they were. "Well, that was my next query. I know that both security and engineering are a full time gig, especially being CEO. It's an all day, every day workload. If you feel you can handle both, I'm fine with it, but it will be a burden on your time. As a friend and fellow officer I would hate to see that happen."

Jamie thought for a few moments "Actually you're quite right Ro" then he paused for a moment looking at Heather then back to Ro "I have a top notch Security/Tactical department with a very good assistant Chief; she could run the day to day operations while I or yourself check in with her on a regular basis. I do know that any unfilled department head spots you have to oversee, but I'm sure between the two of us it can be covered. Of course I'll keep my Second Officer position since it's on a needed basis. So my answer is yes, I'll take over Engineering for you" he answered waiting to see Ro's response.

Ro did something she hadn't done in years, pumped a fist once in the air. "Yes!" She hissed out and then giggled. "Sorry, just a big relief for me. I'm pregnant so being in engineering would have to be done sparingly. Knowing you're there is such a relief. And, Second Officer is never going to change so long as I'm here."

"Oh my goodness!! your pregnant Ro, that's great news. Congratulations" Heather stated being very happy for her.

Jamie smiled "Yes congrats Ro, I'm sure you'll be a great Mother" he said being very sincere "As far as Engineering, I served on a Galaxy Class Ship years ago so I'll have to brush up on things but it's nothing I can't handle and thank you, I do enjoy being Second Officer here."

"Thank you, both." Green said. "I'm sure it will come back quicker than you think, Jamie. And, Heather, we need an Intel Chief. We have been without one for too long. Would that interest you?"

A shocked Heather just sat there for a moment before finding the words "With respect Ro, and as flattered as I am by your offer" then she paused for a moment "Nix Dunjen has been in Intelligence much longer than I have, I would feel funny accepting such a position without offering it to her first. If she declines then I would consider your offer. I hope you understand my position."

"You read my mind," Ro grinned, finishing her juice and setting the glass down. "Nix was my first choice to ask but since I was already here I offered. There are Intel officers mixed into the crew, as always with starships. So, we need them cohesive. I would hope that you would consider being her Assistant supervisor. The two of you work extremely well together."

Green chuckled as she realized how some of that sounded. "Let me say that right. Nix, along with you, were considered equally. But, being here was opportune for the query. Your opinion of her skills and abilities is enough to make that decision concrete."

Her smiley, happy self deflated somewhat as Green just opened up to them. "I've been so scatter-brained the past few days, with all that has happened in my life. I don't want anyone to think that my opinion of them is secondary. Everyone, down to the lowest crew person, means everything to me. Their lives, their hopes, their dreams. We are Starfleet and that means we are a family, each starship its own community. When one of us hurts, we all hurt." It was the Meji within her that was speaking. Her own goals and happiness had set that to the wayside and it was high time she got back on track with her faith and her Order.

Feeling better about the conversation Heather smiled "If Nix agrees to Intel Chief then I would happily be her Second and yes we do work very well together" she replied.

Jamie spoke up "My lovely Wife is being too modest....those two are a force to be reasoned with.....personal experience" he commented looking over at Heather.

Ro gave them a warm smile. "Your last mission together certainly proved that. Amandora has been...chaotic, for some time. As Number One I am trying to trim the fat and get all the pieces in order. For the next nine months there isn't much else I can do but XO." Having said enough Ro got to her feet casually, straightening her clothing. "If you have a second in mind for Security, let me know. If not I will keep an eye on it from above, or have Chief Nira be my proxy. Do either of you have any further questions, or ideas you may need to address?"

Jamie and Heather looked at each other then Jamie stated "No I think we're all set but do me a favor....take the physical stuff lightly, you need to take extra care of yourself. I will be in Engineering first thing tomorrow morning" he explained "Thank you for stopping by and let me walk you to the door."

Green gave a nod that was also a bow from the neck, respecting them both. She got in step when Jamie got to his feet and they moved to the door, looking back over her shoulder a moment. "Good to see you, Heather. Let's not allow times like this to be our only social encounters." They got to the door where Ro put her attention on Jamie as she halted. "As before, Jamie, I will be relying on you during this time in my life. There are no words to compensate for how much I appreciate you and your wife."

"Nice seeing you again Ro, and yes we'll have to get together some time soon socially" Heather replied.

"Thank you Ro.....that's what friends and fellow Officers do....help each other out" Jamie commented being very sincere.

Giving a slow nod Ro gave a friendly squeeze to his forearm and then left as she gave a final nod to Heather before the doors slid shut between them. She immediately headed for the turbolift.

Heather walked over to Jamie and gave him a passionate kiss when he asked "What was that for?"

"Just to show you how proud I am of you for going back to what you love" she commented with a smile "Like I've said before 'you can take the man out of Engineering but you can't take the Engineering out of the man." At that Jamie just grinned.

::OFF::