Mouse No More
by Lt. February Grace
71230.23
Following "Everybody's a Comedian" by Dabin Reece
-=Starfleet Command: San Francisco, California, Earth=-
by Lt. February Grace
71230.23
Following "Everybody's a Comedian" by Dabin Reece
-=Starfleet Command: San Francisco, California, Earth=-
February felt her hands shaking as she moved into a room down the hallway from the one that Dabin had been escorted into. It seemed as if the Admiral was conducting his debriefings in three separate adjoining rooms, differently furnished, depending on whom he was speaking to at the time.
Some of the people coming out mentioned that the room had been empty, others described a standard Admiral's office. Others didn't mention the decor at all, in a hurry to get a shower and some food, before finally falling asleep.
The mission had been grueling, for everyone.
She hoped she'd be able to see Dabin before she went in- for some reason she'd lost contact with his thoughts while he'd been in the room.
She wondered if he was doing this on purpose, or if there was another explanation. At any rate, she made a note to mention it to him so that he could include it in his documentation of their experiences so far.
"Lt. Grace, if you'll just wait in here. The Admiral will be in momentarily." The Admiral's assistant said, before moving back through the doors.
"Thank you."
February wandered around the room, taking in the plant life scattered in small pots all along the built-in bookshelves. The plants were healthy and green, leaves overgrowing their containers and brushing up against the spines of the books.
The sight made her wonder how her friend Jariel Camen was faring. She had worried about him most of all on the last mission, even more than the Captain. She knew that whatever happened, Jariel was going to have a lot to work through after it was all over, no matter the outcome.
February tried to sit down, but she was too nervous. She paced back and forth before a leather couch, and she jumped nervously when she heard the door slide open, and saw the man she'd been waiting for.
"Lt. Grace." Admiral Vox had an extraordinary speaking voice. Low and calming, she had a feeling he could be giving you marching orders to your death and somehow, it wouldn't seem quite so bad.
"Sir." She snapped to attention, and Vox smiled gently.
"At ease, please. Sit down, February."
February sat.
"Would you care for something from the replicator? I know that you've been on a medically supervised nutritional intake schedule since your. . ." he paused, "illness. I would hate to think that we've put you too far off your program."
"No, Sir. Thank you Sir, I'm not hungry, Sir." February stammered.
"Well, if you change your mind." Vox moved to casually sit on the edge of his desk, and folded his arms over his chest as he spoke.
"I have a lot of respect for the Trill, as a species. Especially the joined ones." he volunteered. "It takes something unique in a person to be able to live with so many lifetimes of memories, all at the same time. I would think it would get rather confusing. Have you found it to be so?"
"I did in the beginning," February answered honestly. "But I was ill. Grace, I mean, was ill. I didn't know it at the time."
"They did quite a number on you, didn't they?"
February's cheeks turned bright red, and she didn't answer.
"You see, I have had access to many classified files, including your medical records, Lt. Grace. And I would like you to tell me now, exactly, in your own words, why I should see fit to let you stay in Starfleet with all the problems that you've had."
"Sir?" February's hands clenched, and she sat up straighter. "I don't understand. My health has never been cause for any of my previous CO's to consider relieving me of duty permanently."
"That was before you showed that your judgment was impaired."
February blinked quickly, her mouth falling open.
"Excuse me, Sir? I don't understand."
"You and Reece."
February turned absolutely crimson now. "Sir, my personal life has not effected the performance of my duty. If anything, the guidance and support I have received from Lt. Commander Reece have helped me to become better at my job."
"He has been teaching you flying techniques?" Vox asked facetiously. "I didn't know Reece was a pilot."
"He's not, Sir, but that's not what I mean. I. . ." February paused. She hesitated. Grace was railing inside, telling her that she needed to speak up and lay it all on the line. But her sense of respect for authority, combined with her past experiences with domineering men made her shrink back, for an instant.
"Spit it out, Feb." Vox used the nickname she hated, the one tied to the abuse she'd suffered as a child, to antagonize her. "I'm a busy man, I don't have all day and if you want to save your ass here when it comes to your career, little girl, you'd better start talking."
Hearing Vox refer to her by the name she loathed so vehemently shredded the last of February's self-restraint. She launched off of the couch and toward Vox, stopping mere inches from his face. Her steel blue eyes locked on his, and she stood tall, standing nose to nose with him. She was nearly his height.
"Permission to speak candidly, sir?"
"It's now or never, Lieutenant."
"I went through a really rough time not too long ago. Decades of the hard living of a previous host caught up with Grace, and I had to pay a price for that. But we have been healing. I have learned so much, and I am only just beginning to prove myself when it comes to why I deserve to wear this uniform.
"I assure you, any decisions I've made in the past year have been entirely my own, and I do not regret my decision to Reassociate with Reece. We're pushing the envelope. We're trying to drag our species into the next stage of evolution kicking and screaming, if we have to. But we have to live our lives, and we are going to be happy together with or without the blessing of the almighty Symbiosis Commission, the same people who nearly killed me, I might add!"
February's voice had risen a great deal in pitch and volume, and she consciously made an effort to lower both now.
"I would be happiest as a Starfleet officer, and I know that I'm a damn good pilot." She insisted. "You ask Commander Salvek, he'll tell you that when the Alchemy was careening toward the unforgiving surface of Yensul V that I stepped up. My actions saved the ship, and the crew. I don't like to blow my own horn and I know I'm no more important than any other member of the crew. I owe them all my life, more than once over."
She paused, still glaring at him.
"But you don't know me, Sir, and I would request that if you are seriously considering ending my career, that you speak with my previous Commanding Officers and give them a chance to at the very least, speak up on my behalf. Assign me where you will. I'd prefer you assign me with my husband. But I will go where Starfleet sends me, and I will do my duty to the best of my ability. I give you my word."
By this point Vox was grinning from ear to ear, which really added fuel to the fire burning in Bru's heart. How dare he patronize her that way. . .Grace was serving in Starfleet before he was born. . .
"Outstanding, February!" Vox crowed, unable to contain a small laugh. "I knew you had fire in you somewhere. They told me that you were this timid, shy, gawky mouse of a girl. That must have been before your Zhian'tara."
"It was, and I was."
"Well," Vox said with a laugh, "No more."
"No more, Sir. Never again."
Vox nodded and stepped away. A moment later, he handed her a PADD. "I did talk to your previous CO's, February, and they all told me the same thing. That you are the woman to sit at the helm of this new ship. Your orders, Lt. Senior Grade, Grace. You and Reece are assigned to the same ship, don't worry."
"Thank you sir. . .wait." February looked at him sideways, confused. "Wait. Did- did you just promote me?"
"Yes, I did. Now go on. Go meet up with your husband. I hear that the two of you have yet to have a honeymoon, and if you hurry, you'll have forty eight hours of shore leave before you have to report to the Serendipity."
"Thank you, Admiral." February extended her hand, and Vox shook it firmly. "For everything."
"I will see you aboard ship before she leaves. Dismissed."
February stopped as the door opened and looked back at him. "You already knew that Reece and I were married, didn't you? Before I said it?"
"Yes."
"Did someone on Alchemy's crew tell you?"
"No, Lt. Grace."
"Then, how, Sir?"
"I have my sources, Bru. Congratulations, by the way, to you both. Reece has a fine service record, he seems like a very good man."
"Thank you, Admiral. He is."
The Admiral turned his attention to the PADD containing information on his next victim: a civilian woman called Fleur Le Marc.
February, for her part, hurried off down the hall before the Admiral changed his mind about anything. Especially the shore leave.
Some of the people coming out mentioned that the room had been empty, others described a standard Admiral's office. Others didn't mention the decor at all, in a hurry to get a shower and some food, before finally falling asleep.
The mission had been grueling, for everyone.
She hoped she'd be able to see Dabin before she went in- for some reason she'd lost contact with his thoughts while he'd been in the room.
She wondered if he was doing this on purpose, or if there was another explanation. At any rate, she made a note to mention it to him so that he could include it in his documentation of their experiences so far.
"Lt. Grace, if you'll just wait in here. The Admiral will be in momentarily." The Admiral's assistant said, before moving back through the doors.
"Thank you."
February wandered around the room, taking in the plant life scattered in small pots all along the built-in bookshelves. The plants were healthy and green, leaves overgrowing their containers and brushing up against the spines of the books.
The sight made her wonder how her friend Jariel Camen was faring. She had worried about him most of all on the last mission, even more than the Captain. She knew that whatever happened, Jariel was going to have a lot to work through after it was all over, no matter the outcome.
February tried to sit down, but she was too nervous. She paced back and forth before a leather couch, and she jumped nervously when she heard the door slide open, and saw the man she'd been waiting for.
"Lt. Grace." Admiral Vox had an extraordinary speaking voice. Low and calming, she had a feeling he could be giving you marching orders to your death and somehow, it wouldn't seem quite so bad.
"Sir." She snapped to attention, and Vox smiled gently.
"At ease, please. Sit down, February."
February sat.
"Would you care for something from the replicator? I know that you've been on a medically supervised nutritional intake schedule since your. . ." he paused, "illness. I would hate to think that we've put you too far off your program."
"No, Sir. Thank you Sir, I'm not hungry, Sir." February stammered.
"Well, if you change your mind." Vox moved to casually sit on the edge of his desk, and folded his arms over his chest as he spoke.
"I have a lot of respect for the Trill, as a species. Especially the joined ones." he volunteered. "It takes something unique in a person to be able to live with so many lifetimes of memories, all at the same time. I would think it would get rather confusing. Have you found it to be so?"
"I did in the beginning," February answered honestly. "But I was ill. Grace, I mean, was ill. I didn't know it at the time."
"They did quite a number on you, didn't they?"
February's cheeks turned bright red, and she didn't answer.
"You see, I have had access to many classified files, including your medical records, Lt. Grace. And I would like you to tell me now, exactly, in your own words, why I should see fit to let you stay in Starfleet with all the problems that you've had."
"Sir?" February's hands clenched, and she sat up straighter. "I don't understand. My health has never been cause for any of my previous CO's to consider relieving me of duty permanently."
"That was before you showed that your judgment was impaired."
February blinked quickly, her mouth falling open.
"Excuse me, Sir? I don't understand."
"You and Reece."
February turned absolutely crimson now. "Sir, my personal life has not effected the performance of my duty. If anything, the guidance and support I have received from Lt. Commander Reece have helped me to become better at my job."
"He has been teaching you flying techniques?" Vox asked facetiously. "I didn't know Reece was a pilot."
"He's not, Sir, but that's not what I mean. I. . ." February paused. She hesitated. Grace was railing inside, telling her that she needed to speak up and lay it all on the line. But her sense of respect for authority, combined with her past experiences with domineering men made her shrink back, for an instant.
"Spit it out, Feb." Vox used the nickname she hated, the one tied to the abuse she'd suffered as a child, to antagonize her. "I'm a busy man, I don't have all day and if you want to save your ass here when it comes to your career, little girl, you'd better start talking."
Hearing Vox refer to her by the name she loathed so vehemently shredded the last of February's self-restraint. She launched off of the couch and toward Vox, stopping mere inches from his face. Her steel blue eyes locked on his, and she stood tall, standing nose to nose with him. She was nearly his height.
"Permission to speak candidly, sir?"
"It's now or never, Lieutenant."
"I went through a really rough time not too long ago. Decades of the hard living of a previous host caught up with Grace, and I had to pay a price for that. But we have been healing. I have learned so much, and I am only just beginning to prove myself when it comes to why I deserve to wear this uniform.
"I assure you, any decisions I've made in the past year have been entirely my own, and I do not regret my decision to Reassociate with Reece. We're pushing the envelope. We're trying to drag our species into the next stage of evolution kicking and screaming, if we have to. But we have to live our lives, and we are going to be happy together with or without the blessing of the almighty Symbiosis Commission, the same people who nearly killed me, I might add!"
February's voice had risen a great deal in pitch and volume, and she consciously made an effort to lower both now.
"I would be happiest as a Starfleet officer, and I know that I'm a damn good pilot." She insisted. "You ask Commander Salvek, he'll tell you that when the Alchemy was careening toward the unforgiving surface of Yensul V that I stepped up. My actions saved the ship, and the crew. I don't like to blow my own horn and I know I'm no more important than any other member of the crew. I owe them all my life, more than once over."
She paused, still glaring at him.
"But you don't know me, Sir, and I would request that if you are seriously considering ending my career, that you speak with my previous Commanding Officers and give them a chance to at the very least, speak up on my behalf. Assign me where you will. I'd prefer you assign me with my husband. But I will go where Starfleet sends me, and I will do my duty to the best of my ability. I give you my word."
By this point Vox was grinning from ear to ear, which really added fuel to the fire burning in Bru's heart. How dare he patronize her that way. . .Grace was serving in Starfleet before he was born. . .
"Outstanding, February!" Vox crowed, unable to contain a small laugh. "I knew you had fire in you somewhere. They told me that you were this timid, shy, gawky mouse of a girl. That must have been before your Zhian'tara."
"It was, and I was."
"Well," Vox said with a laugh, "No more."
"No more, Sir. Never again."
Vox nodded and stepped away. A moment later, he handed her a PADD. "I did talk to your previous CO's, February, and they all told me the same thing. That you are the woman to sit at the helm of this new ship. Your orders, Lt. Senior Grade, Grace. You and Reece are assigned to the same ship, don't worry."
"Thank you sir. . .wait." February looked at him sideways, confused. "Wait. Did- did you just promote me?"
"Yes, I did. Now go on. Go meet up with your husband. I hear that the two of you have yet to have a honeymoon, and if you hurry, you'll have forty eight hours of shore leave before you have to report to the Serendipity."
"Thank you, Admiral." February extended her hand, and Vox shook it firmly. "For everything."
"I will see you aboard ship before she leaves. Dismissed."
February stopped as the door opened and looked back at him. "You already knew that Reece and I were married, didn't you? Before I said it?"
"Yes."
"Did someone on Alchemy's crew tell you?"
"No, Lt. Grace."
"Then, how, Sir?"
"I have my sources, Bru. Congratulations, by the way, to you both. Reece has a fine service record, he seems like a very good man."
"Thank you, Admiral. He is."
The Admiral turned his attention to the PADD containing information on his next victim: a civilian woman called Fleur Le Marc.
February, for her part, hurried off down the hall before the Admiral changed his mind about anything. Especially the shore leave.
Lt SG February Grace,
Senior Flight Controller
USS Serendipity NCC-2012
Senior Flight Controller
USS Serendipity NCC-2012