by TC Blane and Zanh Liis
90325.0200
During and after May We Never Have to Say Goodbye
-=USS Serendipity=-
90325.0200
During and after May We Never Have to Say Goodbye
-=USS Serendipity=-
“I understand your concern, Commander Blane, but like I told you earlier I can't have the crews go any faster then they are.” Lt. Perry lamented. as he wiped sweat away from his brow with a dirty sleeve.
“Your tactical station and security monitors were totally wiped out when the conduit ruptured behind them. We not only have to replace all of the hardware but also the framework that holds them in place.”
TC Blane stood with his arms folded across his chest as he listened intently to Lt. Perry. “Lieutenant the captain will be back on board in a few hours and her bridge looks worse then it did when we arrived.”
The lieutenant nodded his understanding. “Commander, I know we are behind our original repair estimate but the shipyard foreman had no idea just how bad the damage was. Plus, Admiral Lassiter added all of these equipment upgrades to be put in at the last moment which also put us behind.” He sighed when he noticed TC’s less than approving stare.
“I promise you we should be done with the bridge within forty-eight hours. The entire ship should be ready to depart within the week. Any remaining repairs can be handled by your engineering staff.” He offered in hopes of placating TC.
TC rubbed his chin, unimpressed, then sighed. “Well, at least the captain’s ready room and the conference rooms are done.”
Lt. Perry nodded. “Yes.” He looked at Blane. “By the way, if you don’t mind me asking, what was all of those speaker upgrades for in the ready room? I mean six extra high fidelity speakers is not something we see in a ready room. The lounge maybe.”
TC smirked. “You obviously don’t know Zanh Liis.” He turned to sit in the captain’s chair only to find it missing. He turned back to Lt. Perry. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Lt. Perry shrugged. “All part of the upgrades.”
[Transporter room one to Commander Blane.]
“Blane here.”
[Sir you wanted to be notified when Captain Zanh and Commander O’Sullivan were ready to return to the ship. They just signaled.]
“Very well I am on my way, stall them until I get there. Blane out.” He turned to face Perry and pointed to the vacant spot that once was a captain's chair. “Make that a priority.”
“Aye, sir.”
-=Transporter Room One=-
The doors slid open as TC strode into the room.
“Status?”
“I’ve beamed their belongings directly to their quarters and they are standing by for transport.” The transporter chief replied.
TC nodded. “OK Bring them up.”
-=On the planet=-
[I apologize for the delay, Commander O'Sullivan.] Andrew Parrish informed from the ship above. [We're ready for you now.]
The sound of his voice broke the silence between Keiran and Liis as they stood, holding hands and staring at each other intently.
"Are you ready to return to your ship?" Keiran asked gently, reaching out with his free hand and brushing Liis' hair back out of her face as the evening breeze blew it forward. She had chosen to stand, with him, directly beneath the Poplar tree; so she could hear the leaves rustling as the last sound she'd remember of this place for now as the transporter swept her away.
She began to feel a sense of something resembling calm at last, knowing that when she beamed away from this location, this time, that Keiran was going along with her.
"That I am." She smiled softly, looking up at him from beneath the dark fringe of bangs that fell just above her brows.
"Can I...come along?" Keiran teased, winking and nudging her gently with his shoulder to try to break the tension that he sensed in her. The words and accompanying action achieved the desired effect; she laughed, the deep, throaty laugh that he loved so well.
Her smile faded quickly. however, as the rustling of the leaves overtook her senses once again and stirred up so many memories with their whisper. She squeezed his hand so tightly now Keiran was starting to lose feeling in his fingertips.
She wanted so much to stay here in this place with him forever but since she couldn't do that, she was suddenly anxious to take him with her, and leave it.
"It's time. Let's...let's go."
"Aye, Captain." Only after leaning over to steal one last official honeymoon kiss, did he signal that they were ready.
Liis closed her eyes as she focused once more on the swaying cadence of the leaves, but she opened them again; an instant of panic necessitating that she watch Keiran dematerialize as well just to be certain.
A moment later they were standing on the transporter pad aboard the Serendipity, and he was still holding her hand.
She was so happy that she couldn't help but throw her arms around him and squeeze him tightly, unaware of anyone else in the room and much to the dismay of poor Crewman Parrish at the controls.
As the sound of someone clearing their throat became apparent, Liis turned her head in the direction of the voice and greeted her friend and Second Officer.
"Good evening, Mister Blane."
TC nodded, just the slightest hint of a smile turning one corner of his top lip. "Indeed. Welcome home, Captain. Commander."
"Thank ya Thomas." Keiran released Liis and the pair stepped down, extending his hand toward Blane.
He didn't know what he'd said or done for Liis during their time together the other day, and he didn't mean to pry to try to find out. But he did intend to buy the man the drink of his choosing, at the very first opportunity to thank him for whatever it had been. "Good to see ya."
"Likewise."
"How's our baby?" Liis accepted the PADD that Blane held out toward her and began scrolling through the repair updates as they meandered out into the hall. With words slowly drawn out by distraction as she read, Zanh absent-mindedly thanked Parrish for the transport. As they kept walking, she frowned.
"Wait a minute. What's wrong with this picture?" She noticed Keiran's expression of concern and handed him the PADD.
"Behind schedule?" Keiran frowned as well. "They were ahead'a schedule three days ago."
"That was before the Admiral handed us a three page list of last minute changes and upgrades."
"Gem's throwin' her weight around." Keiran sighed. "As tiny a thing as the woman is, she's stubborn, make no mistake. She wants what she wants, when she wants it."
"Yeah and apparently what she wanted to was to ensure we spent a few more days tethered to spacedock." Liis replied, nodding in response to the 'welcome home' greetings of members of crew they passed along the way.
"Well, look at it this way," Blane offered. "A few more days with lots of downtime...wouldn't be the worst thing for the two of you would it?"
Keiran and Liis looked at each other as if the thought had never occurred to them.
"Genius. The man's a genius, I tell you." Liis declared.
"'Course he is. When it comes to puttin' the right people in charge and makin' the tough decisions and astute observations, Zanh Liis is no fool. She knows the right man for the right job. Isn't that so Thomas?" Keiran added.
"If Zanh Liis says I'm a genius, who am I to argue?" Blane concurred, a gleam in his eyes.
"Right man for the right job...and that reminds me. I put Reece on a little project, a party to celebrate Zander's release from Sickbay." Zanh said thoughtfully. "And for once, I hope he went completely overboard. Keiran, would you mind, if I swung by the holodeck for just a little while and then joined you? Check on his progress?"
"Grand." Keiran said, actually glad for the chance to inspect their new quarters one last time himself before Liis saw them. He wanted to be sure that every blanket and every pillow was in perfect order, and that towels were waiting for her in the new master bathroom of the loft he'd designed, just for her.
"See you soon." Liis smiled at him.
"Oh go ahead, you know you want to." Blane teased them, in the way that only he could.
He slowly rolled his eyes up toward the ceiling and whistled a few bars of When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, causing both Keiran and Liis to laugh to the point they could barely manage the kiss.
Somehow they did manage, and she gave Keiran a quick hug as well in the otherwise deserted corridor. Keiran's cheeks actually reddened.
"An'a'thin' else I should know before I leave you for now?" Liis asked TC, purposely spinning the first word.
"Yeah, do us a favor," he asked. "Stay away from the bridge until tomorrow if at all possible."
"Why would I..."
"Just, trust me. It's...better if you... don't...see." Blane insisted.
"O...kay. Will do my best then to avoid it. Carry on, gentlemen. Carry on." Liis turned and headed for the turbolift at the opposite end of the corridor.
Once she was gone, Keiran slapped a hand onto Blane's shoulder. "So, how'd the movin' project go? Does Cristiane live, or does he die?"
"He lives," Blane shook his head, thinking of the sound that the metal crossbars made when they impacted upon Dane's face. "...but only just barely."
Commander TC Blane
Second Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012
and
-=/\=- Zanh Liis
Commanding Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012
Second Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012
and
-=/\=- Zanh Liis
Commanding Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012