Unwinding

[Annabelle O'Halloran 0]

Jon sits at a table in the lounge, processing paperwork while occasionally glancing out the window while waiting for someone. He seems more relaxed since his recent operation at sickbay, which was a relief to him and others.

 

Anna had left the Science department, feeling very keenly, the weight of her conversation with Dominick Pneuma. Her prejudice, some might say unreasoning prejudice, against his telepathic abilities was causing him some unhappiness. That had been clear and she felt awful about it. She wasn't sure what she could do about it; she wasn't even sure she wanted to do something about it, she thought miserably as she entered the lounge where she was meeting Jon. She saw him sitting at one of the tables near the bank of viewports, and quickly made her way over. "Jon," she said his name by way of greeting, as she seated herself opposite him, an easy smile brightening her expression.

 

He smiles as Anna sits. “Anna, a pleasure as always. How are you holding up?” His question seemed obvious, that he was aware of what occurred on the bridge between Anna and Dom. He keeps his tone at a gentle volume while skimming through the reports.

 

Her smile fading a bit, Anna kept her eyes on Jon as he turned his attention back to the padd in his hands. His reference was obvious; he'd witnessed her discomfort on the bridge as Dominick revealed he'd read her thoughts at their initial meeting and she'd discovered her newest science officer was Betazoid. Anna was hoping no one else had noticed. Jon picked things up; he was very observant. "I'm ok," she answered him without much sincerity. "I spoke with him--with Dominick, I mean. He came to my office just a little bit ago. I'm afraid I've caused him some real distress."

 

Nodding slightly, “I hope you two were able to patch things up. Dom’s a good officer and I’m sure he’ll do well in your department. Are you still hungry?” He sets his padd face down on the table to take his attention away from his work.

 

"Ah...well, we had a conversation but I would have to say that I don't think he was satisfied with the outcome. If I were him, I wouldn't have been either." She really wasn't hungry but she hadn't eaten in a while and she needed to, and so she smiled at him, finally feeling relaxed for the first time since Lt. Pneuma had arrived on the bridge. "When have you not seen me ready to eat? And I don't just mean chocolate, either."

 

“Point taken” he chuckles briefly. “I’m going for a chef salad, what would you like?” He stands up to stretch out his legs before getting the order.

 

She got to her feet, coming around the table to meet him. "I think I'll have a pickled beet salad." She eyed Jon for a moment and then took a step back, looking him up and down, a slight frown creasing her forehead. "You've lost weight..."

 

He shrugs his shoulders “I feel fine to be honest. Since the operation, I feel as though a lead suit was removed from me. Granted I was a little surprised when I had to get a smaller uniform.” Jon walks with Anna to the replicator.

 

Anna fell into step next to him, shooting him a sideways glance. He seemed fine and Debbie would never have released him if he weren't. "You lost this weight since the operation? Since the probes were removed?"

 

It seems that way,” he said in a nonchalant fashion. “Perhaps there might be a connection between my weight loss and the removal of the nanoprobes. It kind of makes sense when you think about it.” He enters the orders into the replicator and hands Anna her meal and gets his shortly after. “What would you like to drink?”

 

Taking her plate with murmured thanks, her mind latched onto his comment, and immediately began turning it over. Debbie hadn't been able to tell what the probes were for. She'd given Anna one to examine and so far she hadn't had a chance, but now with the sensor buoys in place...

 

Jon gently pokes Anna’s shoulder, “Sorry to derail your train of thought, but would you like something to drink?”

 

"Hmmm...what?" Anna redirected her attention and grinned at him. "It's your fault, you know, and yes, thank you. Black tea, very hot, lemon only."

 

Laughing behind his smile, he gets Anna’s drink and hands it to her. He gets his drink, a glass of what appears to be grape soda. “Let’s get back to our table so we can unwind properly.”

 

"I like a man with a plan, Mr. Shamor," she teased, as they turned away from the replicators and started back towards their table. She glanced down at her salad and though it looked fine, she knew it wouldn't have that certain spicy quality that tasted like home. She sighed, and added a little mournfully, "Debbie's right--the replicators never quite get it."

 

“They never do, that’s why some crew members often have bootleg spices with them.” He sits back down in his seat. “I usually plan out lots of things but it never hurts to have a backup plan in case things go wrong.”

 

"Bootleg spices? I am now picturing an underbelly of the Reaent I was unaware of." Anna raised an eyebrow as she took a forkful of salad, and chewed slowly, not surprised that there was no zing to the crinkle cut beets. She forked up another bite but paused, fork in mid air, glistening beets trembling on the tines, and looked at Jon solemnly, "My people are picklers, Jon. They take it very seriously. I may have to send for a care package."

 

Taking a bite from his salad before responding, “It’s not uncommon for some crew to bring aboard some things from home. I got my weapons and armor from the Order in my quarters, not to mention some Zemun spices for when I get the urge to cook. As long as it’s not explosive, corrosive, or infectious then I don’t see a problem.” He takes a sip from his soda after the explanation.

 

"Nothing explosive, corrosive or infectious? Kind of takes the fun out of it, don't you think?" Anna asked cheerfully before taking a cautious sip of her tea. One thing the replicator could do was temperature; producing things that were very hot or very cold on demand. "I still haven't seen the armor, have I? I've been meaning to have you show me, too." Anna set her teacup down, and not being one to hold a grudge, took another bite of the maligned salad, swallowing before saying, "The Cestus system has so far been delightfully peaceful, and the sensor buoys haven't been disturbed."

 

“I’m keeping my guard up, expect the unexpected. As for my armor, I suppose I could show you later. Plus I got to run a systems check to make sure everything works properly. The one thing that has me wondering is why the Gorn haven’t made any moves even after voicing their opinions to the Klingons.”

 

"We're not the Klingons, but you're right--it's probably six of one and half a dozen of the other with them." Anna shrugged, "We haven't crossed the line into their territory but the buoys are very close. Maybe they are just keeping a wait and see attitude for now. Either way, the fighters have been out doing a lot of practice runs, and you know that hasn't gone unnoticed. I hope they don't see that as saber rattling."

 

Nodding, “All it’s going to take is one buoy to drift into their space for them to react. I’m going to suggest to the captain that we move them back as a precautionary measure. Is there anything else that we are supposed to check on aside from dropping off the buoys?”

 

"We're constantly monitoring the data being relayed back. The whole idea is to gather enough information to suggest a safe, feasible way to expand trade routes in the area so the buoys are in it for the long haul. They'll need to be monitored for a certain length of time to get a complete enough picture to enable a recommendation be made." Anna picked a piece of walnut out of her salad, and ate it, her eyes on Jon, and her expression thoughtful. She was aware that Jon put the safety of the crew over every other concern. "We're here to test the Gorn reaction. Maybe those buoys need to stay exactly where they are."

 

“I hope so. Wasn’t there also a station in the area as well? Perhaps they can give us some info when we’re done with the buoys. For once I would like to do a mission to where we don’t get shot at.” He laughed a little as he said that but he was hoping for a peaceful end to the mission.

 

Anna laughed with him, the Reaent's past history always a source of black humor, but this time, so far, things did seem to be going well. Though it was early days yet. "Captain McQueen did mention a station, but Jon, he made it sound more like some kind of derelict, very Dezorow."

 

“Dezorow? Is that a name of a colony or something?” He reaches for his padd and resumes skimming briefly, while keeping most of his attention on Anna.

 

"No, I'm sorry, Jon. I didn't think--it's a reference to Kilo, my home station. Desolation Row is what the extreme lower decks, the slums, used to be called. Not by station management, of course," Anna added dryly. "Over time, the name was shortened to Dezorow."

 

“I guess I learned something new,” he grins at her. Glancing at his watch, “I’d better get going. I've got quite a bit of paperwork to take care of. I’m surprised I haven’t seen Kat on active duty. Hope she’s alright.”

 

"Commander Swan still isn't back on duty?" Anna took a final swallow of tea and stood up, wondering what was happening with the security chief. "I hope she'll be back soon."

 

“I knew she went through quite a bit just as you and the others. Guess the stress got to her. That’s why I’ve been taking care of her paperwork so she doesn’t have to worry. The less work she has to worry about the better.”

 

"You're a sweetheart, Jon, you know that?" Anna smiled at him and then gathered up their dishes, piling them together to take to the recycler. Kat Swan hadn't had too much to say at the survivor's meeting that Anna had attended with her and so she wasn't sure what had happened to the other woman. She was sorry to hear that perhaps she'd been suffering from lingering issues from that. Not that it would be surprising if she was—she'd thought her husband killed. She hoped silently that Kat was doing better and said aloud to Jon, "I'm glad we were able to get together tonight. It was a tough day."

 

He blushes enough to where it’s visible on his green skin, “Thanks for the compliment but I think you give me too much credit. I simply do what needs to be done. If you need me for anything else feel free to contact me.”

 

"I give you just enough credit," Anna replied agreeably, but her eyes were laughing as she picked up the stack of dishes and before turning for the recycler, added, "I think you do a whole lot more, and you make it sound like I should call you if I have trouble with the plumbing."

 

Shaking his head laughing, “I’m a friend not a plumber. Sometimes the human language confuses me; then again I could just be confused when it comes to friends.”

 

"And you're an excellent friend," Anna replied gently, still smiling but no longer teasing him. "I'm going to get rid of these," she raised her arms slightly, indicating the dishes, and then I'm going to go to the lab and take a look at that nano probe. I'll see you tomorrow."

 

"I’ll most likely be in the security office taking care of the paperwork, and then I’ll probably hit up the shooting range later on. See you later and hope your research turns up anything useful.”

 

"I hope so, too"