From: rneces@mastnet.net (Lynnaea AelCaymarth) Date: Sat, 22 Mar 1997 19:32:24 -0600 (CST) Subject: USS CHESAPEAKE: More Pain and Rejection
SD 90322.2200
MD 03.1230
Scene: CSO's Quarters
______________________
The steaming water pelted into her skin, forcing reluctant muscles
to relax. Bruises were already forming on her body from the drill. Aelyria
leaned against the tile wall, trying hard not to put her fist through it.
She hated losing, hated it with a passion that forced everything else from
her mind. First, she had lost to Stavay. Then, she'd lost to Torr. Her
encounters with th'Tellan and Brennan over drill protocol were only icing on
the cake. So far, her assignment aboard the Chesapeake had been one
mistake, one loss, after another.
This was not what she had envisioned.
She stepped out of the shower and wrapped one towel around her,
using another to dry her hair.
*Something had better change, and change soon, around here,* she
growled mentally as she changed into a clean uniform and ordered the
computer to play what she referred to internally as Pissed Music.
Minor chords and angst-driven lyrics pervaded the air as she sat
down to read reports from her staff. Certain phrases from the songs spoke
to her, occasionally breaking her concentration.
"Know me broken by my master
Teach thee on child, love hereafter
Into the flood again,
Same old trip it was back then
So I made a big mistake,
Try to see it once my way...."
[Three hours later]
She was making no progress. Her thoughts were continually wandering
off and she couldn't marshal them back into place. Impatiently, she threw
her PADD to the side, where it landed with a clatter against the wall.
The door chimed.
She instantly resented the intrusion. "Who is it?" she snapped.
The unwanted reply issued through the speakers. "It's Dannon."
She paused before replying, "Come." She didn't want to face him,
not now. She didn't want to see his reproachful looks, nor face the body
that had subdued her twice in battle (or the equivalent). She just *didn't
want to.* She considered changing her mind and denying him entry, but the
door was already sliding open, and there he was.
"What do you want?" she was barely able to keep her voice neutrally
even.
"To talk."
Aelyria couldn't resisting glaring at him as she asked icily, "About
what?"
He sat and ran a hand through his graying hair. "Don't do this."
"Don't do WHAT?" she growled.
"You know damn well what I mean!" he snapped, getting up to pace
the room. "Don't alienate me because I'm trying to keep you sane."
"You're not doing a very good job of that." Her voice was soft and
chilled. "And I wasn't aware that it was your job to look after me."
"The assistant's job is to see to it his commander has everything
they need!"
Aggravated, Keyrin stood and went to look out the window, her back
to him. "I'm lacking for nothing, thank you. Your concerns are unfounded.
You may go."
She didn't hear his approaching footsteps. "Aelyria." She startled
at his voice -- it was right in her ear, and he was close behind her.
She turned; he was so close to her that she found herself looking up
at him. She was so angry at him... His hands gently held her arms, and one
reached up to tip her chin.
"What do you think you're doing?" she hissed.
He only looked at her, a new dimension in his gaze... she didn't
want to, but she had to admit to herself that it looked like tenderness.
She stared back hard, letting nothing but scorn and anger escape her
eyes.
After what seemed like an eternity, he released her and began to
walk slowly to the door.
"Torr."
He turned to look at her. "Aelyria, I lo-"
She cut him short. "This is a working relationship. It shall
remain that way. I'll overlook your improper conduct this one time. See
that it doesn't happen again." *I'll never let him finish that sentence,*
she vowed to herself.
Something in Dannon's eyes died, and the warmth left his voice.
"Yes, sir," came the hardened reply, and then he was gone.
[half an hour later]
She had been unable to stop pacing her quarters since Dannon Torr
left. She hated him more fiercely than ever, now. Hated him for doing this
to her. Hated him for making her choose. Hated herself for ...
She didn't finish the thought.
She laid down on the bed, exhausted. The day so far had been an
emotional roller coaster, beginning with the drill and meeting with Brennan
early in the morning, then the confrontation -- the first one -- with aCSO
Torr and her verbal warfare with the Counselor Tats-Marush, and now this...
this... this ridiculous boyishness from someone she *thought* she could trust.
*Should I demote him? Cassandra would make an adequate
replacement...* She hated to shake up her staff anymore, though... they
were comfortable with Dannon and things as they were, and they trusted him,
even if Aelyria no longer did.
She decided she wasn't being active enough lying down, so she
retrieved her PADD from the floor, checked it for damage -- *God bless SFE
for Perma-Case* -- and laid back down on her stomach, continuing her
previous work. She shut out errant thoughts with a fierce will and began
reading reports once more. She only stopped when she looked up and realized
it was time for dinner with Lieutenant Murray.
[Meanwhile, in CWO Dannon Torr's quarters (1600 hours)]
Dannon Torr sat at his desk, his head buried in his arms. He never
thought he'd hurt so much -- not even phaser Setting 6 burns hurt like this.
He had believed that he could get through to her. He had believed that he
could make her see. Her rejection of him only proved, in his mind, that she
needed help. He hoped the Counselor intended to work with her more...
He almost didn't dare to hope, but... had he seen a flash of
recognition in her eyes? Had it been longing in her beautiful face when she
had stood so close to him?
With a heavy sigh, he decided that hoping hurt too much. He decided
to head down to Ten-Forward, where he could order a good stiff drink from
the bartender.
______________
NRPG: Didn't have debate finals today since I missed the semifinals last
night by ***one*** speaker point... *frown*
I've decided that this ship needs a least one love-struck male for
balance... and th'Tellan's not demonstrative enough, so, I present to you
Torr, the thuglover. *laughwinknudgetoMelvin* Rest assured, 'Lyr won't
have nuttin' to do with it -- at least not for a good six months or so --
but it's just another Interesting Subplot (tm) brought to you by yours truly.
Melvin: You do read Douglas Adams, don't you?
Naomi: Prepare for a visit from Keyrin after she gets back from dinner.
Two traumatized cold-hearted militants in the same room.. Interesting? I
think so... ;)
Respectfully submitted,
Lynnaea AelCaymarth, aka
Ensign Aelyria Keyrin, CSO, USS CHESAPEAKE
Ensign Elesse Lyscarta, CNS, USS CHARLEMAGNE
http://www.oocities.org/SoHo/2878/
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