531: Markings

by TC Blane and Dane Cristiane
80926.22
Following A Matter of Honor

-=Cork, Ireland, Earth=-


Zanh led Dane out of the bright and loud tavern and into the darkened and relatively quiet streets of Cork. It took and moment for her eyes to adjust to the darkness but when they did she and Dane exchanged glances.

Dane managed a weak smile. “Captain, I just wanted to,”

Liis held up a hand cutting him off. “I know.” She adjusted the basket that held the sleeping puppy.

She sighed and looked down the dimly lit street to find a familiar figure walking out of a shop at the far end. Even at this distance and low light his broad shoulders and flattop haircut were unmistakable.

“Mr. Blane.” Zanh called out as she watched her Second Officer put on a light jacket. She noticed that he was dressed in casual civilian clothes.

TC turned and looked at the Captain and Dane and then started towards them as Zanh and Dane began to walk to meet him.

They met halfway and TC nodded to Zanh and Dane in turn.

“Captain, Ensign.”

Zanh sighed. “Salvek is getting impatient in his old age. He couldn’t wait for Dane to report back on my well being before sending the big dog to retrieve me?”

Dane spoke up quickly. “Um, actually Commander Salvek sent me because Commander Blane had already beamed back to the surface and did not take his combadge.”

Zanh’s eye brows raised in shock. “Really, now why would you do that I wonder?” She started walking past TC and down the street. Dane and TC flanked her on both sides.

“Thomas, I will be alright. I appreciate your concern.” She waved her hand dismissively.

Blane frowned. “I have no doubt, Captain. I was not here to watch over your shoulder. I had personal business to attend to.”

Zanh turned and looked at TC. “Really?”

TC nodded as he folded his arms across his chest. “Contrary to whatever you may believe, Captain the world does not in fact revolve around you.” He smiled jokingly as they continued to walk.

Zanh turned away, somewhat embarrassed. She knew he was joking but his words always carried meaning with her. She wondered exactly why he had come back to the planet.

It was then that the group of Starfleet officers past the store that TC had exited. It was a tattoo parlor.

Zanh's mind flashed back to the conversation she'd had with Blane about his tattoo while they were on the way to Klaestron, and she felt the lump reappear in her throat as she began to wonder...

"Shopping around for new artwork tonight, Mister Blane?"

“Just adding to my existing canvas.” TC countered sadly.

“Added a new number?” She asked quietly.

TC shook his head. “No, a name.” He answered quietly.

She didn't have to ask whose name it was, she already knew. "He'd be impressed."

She gestured toward the pub that they had just exited with a jerk of her head.

"So would the people we just left. Did you want to go in, say hello? We're not going to be leaving orbit for a day at least. I have some important meetings in the morning, and I want to be sure there isn't anything more that..."

She kept her eyes firmly fixed on the ground ahead of her as she focused on putting one foot in front of the other.

"...that there isn't anything more his family needs before we go."

TC shook his head. “I don’t think so. I’m uncomfortable around people ranking above captain. Don’t trust them.”

Zanh shot him an incredulous look.

TC smiled. “OK, so maybe I did check up on you.” He held up his hand with his thumb and index finger close together. “But only this much.”

"Good. Because any more than that much, and boy, would you have been in trouble." Her words were meant as a joke, of course, but again her tone was flat. Blane could tell from the look on her face though that she was glad, when all was said and done, that he had checked up on her.

TC turned to Dane. “And you. I thought you we supposed to be fetching the captain not hanging out in a pub.” His face was serious but Zanh could tell from his tone he joked.

"I thought that Salvek only sent you because Blane forgot his badge." Zanh added.

Dane simply sighed. Zanh shifted the basket with the now awake and squirming puppy in her arms, and Dane quickly took it from her.

"Excuse me, Red Riding Hood, but did your basket full of goodies just bark at us?" Blane inquired, scratching his chin thoughtfully.

"Courtesy of the guy in the kilt." Zanh sighed. "If you say one word..."

TC held up his hands in surrender. “Not a one.”

"The dog was actually meant for...him." Liis said softly, leaning closer to Blane as they reached their intended beam out location. "How could I say no?"

“You couldn’t and shouldn’t.” He reached over and scratched the dog behind the ear. “You won’t find a more loyal and honest friend then a dog.”

"I've heard that human males can do a pretty good job in that role."

TC shrugged. “Some maybe, but it is not as cute when one of us jumps into you lap and licks your face.” He smiled. “Well maybe to some people it is.”

"You're joking," Zanh cringed at the thought. She really had never spent much time around this type of animal. "Dogs don't do that...do they?"

"No. Never." Blane replied, completely straight faced. “You should head back to the ship before Commander Salvek sends down an Away Team to get you.” He pointed to the heavens. “I’ll be right behind.”

He noticed her questioning look. “I have not had the opportunity to say goodbye.” He explained.

Liis blinked rapidly, and nodded to Dane. "We're going to have a talk later. About the Admiral's daughter. Remind me."

"Oh." Dane cleared his throat nervously. "Great."

"Zanh to Serendipity. Two and a quarter to beam up."

[Sir?]

"Two people and a small dog." Zanh sighed, specifying.

[Um...okay. Stand by. Energizing.]

TC watched as the two humans and the K9 disappeared in a shimmering bluish white light.

He stared at the empty space for a second before flexing his shoulders to relieve the burning arch between his shoulder blades where the new tattoo resided.

He turned on his heel and made his way up the hill toward the tree and the final resting place of Keiran O’Sullivan.

Commander TC Blane
Second Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012

and

Ensign Dane Cristiane
Communications Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012