"Trouble Over The Horizon"
(Previous post, "Team Discussion" by the talented Serena Switt)
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Stardate: 60299.1606
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Rikar's Quarters
The young woman sat on the couch, her head resting in the palm of her hand, her arm resting on the side of the couch, and her gaze locked on the form of her daughter playing in the middle of the living room. Physically speaking the adoptive mother had been in the room, but mentally the state of the redheaded woman had been entirely different… her mind having drifted to countless other places… all of them millions of light-years away.
Not having been able to find James to ask him about Enaii's location earlier on during the day had been annoying enough, but to be told by Jack Murphy, the head instructors for the Viper-Class Interceptors, that it had been better to stop looking altogether had made the ExO's concerns multiply exponentially. To avoid her frustrations mounting even further, Rikar had decided to abandon her search for the ANUBIS' CO and instead return to the seclusion of her quarters… this would allow her to keep an eye on Talia while take some time to think things over. The more she thought, the more the young woman came to realize that this had not been such a good idea as it gave her ample time to image all of the worst case scenarios.
"Bina?" The little girl ever so gently said while tugging on the young woman's pant leg making Sabrina realize that she had being crying. Knowing that Enaii was a level 5 SFI field operative meant that the redheaded woman knew that the ILO could take care of herself in the most unfriendly of environments… but it also meant that Rikar knew, at least in some minor way, the unspeakable horrors that her life mate would be made to face.
"It's alright Talia… those were just happy tears… because I am so lucky to have you in my life." The young woman explained, recalling her tears and reaching down to the child at her feet. Just as Sabrina embraced her daughter with all of her love, the voice of the CEO came over her comm badge.
=/\= Dawson to Rikar… are you busy? =/\= David inquired in a tone of voice that hinted to the troubles haunting the CEO's thoughts.
"Not really… what can I do for you?" The young woman replied, both concerned about the state of the CEO and not all that willing to hear what he had to say because at that precise moment Sabrina had more than she cared for running through her mind. While she waited for David to explain the reason for his call though, Rikar remembered her responsibilities to the engineer… both as his ExO and friend and quickly felt guilty for having thought her problems to be more important than his own.
=/\= If it is in any way possible… could we talk? It sounds strange and unbelievable… but I need to talk to a Cns. =/\= David reluctantly admitted pointing out to the young woman that whatever had been on his mind had been important enough for him to openly confess to having had a moment of weakness.
"No problem David… will meeting on Deck 15 in the Lounge's upper level be alright?" Sabrina inquired, her experience in the field of counseling having taught her long ago that it had been in everyone's best interest for such a meeting to take place in an environment where everyone would be comfortable.
=/\= Choosing a public location? You don't trust me anymore? =/\= The CEO teased, showing that at least he had not entirely lost his sense of humour.
"If you would prefer I could always have security open the CNS' office and meet you there instead?" The young woman said in a playful manner, the threat having been a completely empty one as she possessed all of the codes and clearances to get into the said office on her own.
=/\= See you in the Lounge… Dawson out. =/\=
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Stardate: 60299.1618
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 15, Crew Lounge, Upper Level
David paced back and forth... looking down on the Black Hole lounge as the officers and crew mingled with one another. His mind drifting... trying to grab a hold of what was running through it.
"What the hell's wrong with me?" David asked himself as he rubbed his temples.
"Well... if you ask me" a voice with a teasing overtone to it said from behind the massive CEO, "for one, you're too tall. Secondly, you have this knack for being easily spotted like a leopard."
David turned to see Commander Rikar... and Talia.
"Bina... what is *he* doing here?" the small blonde girl asked her mother while glaring at the CEO.
"Charming... can see *her* mother in her" David replied as Sabrina knelt nwxt to her daughter.
"Talia, I need to talk to David...can you give me a few minutes?" the red haired ExO asked her daughter.
Talia's eyes never left David. "OK" she said and walked off. Sabrina stood.
"So... why am I feeling I have to reach back for past experience?"
David looked at the ExO. "Sammi... I need your help."
There was a shock. David haven't called her that since they transferred off the AVALON... but with their history, Sabrina knew that whenever David called her that... something was *really* troubling him.
"David... what's wrong?" she asked as she sat..patting the seat next to her.
"I'm... I feel like I'm loosing my mind."
Sabrina grinned, "I could have told you that after the mission to the DUOGON EXPANSE" she said as David rolled his eyes.
"I'm serious" he said standing..and pacing, "I... I see things over and over... and feel things over and over... like deja vu."
"David... its only vertigo. We've been out in space too long..." she said as he cut her off.
"I thought about that... but here's something that's gonna blow your mind... I'm being transfered."
Sabrina smirked. "OK... either I'm slipping in my job as the executive officer around here or you know something that I don't. What do you mean transfered?"
"The SCRARB... Koneki is sending me there... that's all I can tell you."
"David" Sabrina said sighing, "excuse my bluntness, but where in the hell are you getting your information from."
"I SAW IT!" David snapped, "that's why Mimi has been looking for me so adamantely."
Sabrina shook her head. She didn't know a lot about David's history with Lieutenant Commander Mercedes Vasquez, but sometimes... David's 'conspiricy theories' gets to be his undoing. She stood and took his hand into both of hers.
"David... if... and this is a big *if*... you were being transfered, *I'd* be the first to know... and I'd be the first to tell whoever was requesting your services other than on the ANUBIS I'd tell them to piss off... because they're not getting the best damned engineer in the fleet off *this* ship. Besides..." she said as she nudged him, "who'd fix my shower when it weren't producing hot water?" she added with a smile. David shook his head.
"I thought it was my charm and the fact that we spent a lot of time playing with water."
"That too... but... you know how I like it..." she said and seeing where the conversation was going, took a step back and cleared her throat, "feel better now?"
David shrugged, "Maybe if I got off the ship a while it'll clear my head."
"As a former counselor, that'd be my suggestion."
David nodded and hugged her. For a minute, Sabrina felt like she was in the safest place in the world and it eased her troubled mind for a second as David let her go.
"Commander... would you do me the honor of having dinner with me tonight?"
Sabrina shook her head. "I can't David."
"Come on… my treat." David insisted, a bright smile gracing his lips showing that the talk that he had shared with Sabrina had in some way helped.
"Thank you for the invitation David… but I can't." The young woman hesitantly sighed, glancing in the direction of Talia who had wondered off to play on her own at another table. Although the excuse for refusing the invitation had been a valid one it had not been the only, and the redheaded woman hoped that Dawson would not insist more than he had as Rikar did not want to have to explain why she had wanted to be alone for the time being.
"That's alright… I understand." The CEO offered, clearly disappointed by the answer that he had received but looking as if he had genuinely been supportive.
"Why don't you ask Serenna? I am sure that she would enjoy spending some time with you." The young woman offered as an alternative feeling increasingly guilty for not being able to accept the invitation that he had made.
"Serenna is a nice person, but right now the last thing I need is another one of her command experience lectures." David explained without hesitating a single moment.
"Alright… what about Maya? Don't answer that… I don't think there is anyone onboard the ANUBIS or on NEW ALEXANDRIA that could manage to spend a complete dinner with her and stay sane. What about T'reni? At least you 2 would be able to talk about common things, something that you would not be able to do with me." The ExO offered, trying as best she could to not have David be alone after she and Talia left.
"Thanks… but I'll be fine."
"David… promise me one thing… that you will not be alone for dinner."
The imposing CEO hesitated for a moment and eventually nodding his consent, never having been able to refuse anything to the green eyed woman.
"Sabrina...there are times when I truly hate you." he said with a smile.
"I love you too David." the ExO said as she gahtered Talia and left.
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Sabrina Jones {sabrina_sweet@hotmail.com}
Commander Sabrina Rikar
Executive Officer
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501
"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the Darkness and the Light"
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
and
Julian Knight(d_dawson_1@yahoo.com)
as
Lieutenant David Dawson
Chief Engineer
USS ANUBIS NCC 18501
"A Starfleet officer...that's all I am and that's all I'll ever be." 2005 post #053
- Avery Brooks as Captain Benjamin Sisko,
Commanding Officer of the Federation Spacestation Deep Space 9
