You've got a friend in me

Posted on 20 Mar 2020 @ 3:12am by Captain Jonathan Reynolds

Mission: Mission 3 - Whom gods destroy ...
Location: Captain's Ready Room?
Timeline: MD 7
1524 words - 3 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

The end of the shift was nearing, Michael would periodically glance over towards where the captain was. There had been tell tale signs of things going on with the captain. They wouldn't be obvious but to an observant person, but Michael could tell the captain had a great deal of things weighing on his mind. Michael wasn't certain what the Captain did for stress relief, except for perhaps spending time with True and that was as far as he allowed his mind to go. Michael felt that perhaps the captain was sensing that he had something on his mind and Michael's concern for him. When he was relieved from his shift, Michael approached the captain.

"Captain Reynolds, may I have a word with you?"

"Of course Ensign," Jon said looking up from his desk. "What's going on?"

"Just to set your mind at ease, this isn't an emergency nor something that needs immediate attention." Michael stated, "I've been observing that you seemed to have the weight of the world on your shoulders. I just wanted to see how you are doing. May I take a seat?"

Jon didn't quite know how to feel about what was being said. Usually it was a counselor saying things like that not his ops officers. He nodded at the seat.

"I'm processing a lot at the minute. Back and forth with Starfleet. Mirror captives and planet killers tend to do that. Having a teenager also doesn't help much," he said simply.

Sitting down, Michael remarked, "Yup, just as I thought, the weight of the world. I've seen that expression on my parents faces before and the same with my grandparents. Especially my grandfather, who was a captain of a starship. He told me once, that the crown of command weighed heavily upon his head at times." he paused and looked at the captain. "I hope you don't mind, but I'd like to get to know you a bit more than just as my captain. You know have a drink, friendly talk, nothing serious. " Michael paused, one eyebrow quirked up. "And that sort of sounded like I was asking you out on a date. "

"You wouldn't be the first bloke," Jon quipped. "Apparently us Reynolds brothers are attractive to the opposite sex. Liam get that sort of attention too. Luckily I'm empathic and know your not hitting on me. I understand your offering a branch of friendship but yes Hawkins, by the goddesses work on your delivery man. I had you pegged as liking our lovely orion passenger but if you keep up that sort of talk who knows."

Michael laughed, "Sorry captain, I didn't know if my other approach would have worked either. Such as Hey bub, care to have a friendly drink? Or like a Klingon friend of mine did he came up and said, "I challenge you to a drinking contest!"

Michael gave the Captain a once over, giving a nod. "I can see that you'd be attractive to both sexes. I've had a couple of situations like that myself. As for Iola, she is beautiful and I find a couple of other ladies attractive too. I am not one to... lead people on."

"For the record, I prefer the Klingon approach. Please also never refer to me as Bub," Jon stated. "What's your poison?" he asked rising to the replicator. "And good. Lead someone on, someone or both get hurt in my experience."

"Noted, next time use Klingon approach. And don't worry Captain, I won't call you bub, It was just a moment of levity." he stated with a smile. "I'll have a rum punch please." most times Michael would ask for tea but at the moment rum punch sounded good.

Jon raised his eyebrows at the materialised requested pink drink. He ordered 2 fingers of scotch for himself. Sythenol of course. He placed the cocktail in front of the other man. He would prefer going a couple of rounds with a boxing bag right now if he was honest. But a crew man was coming to him trying to do something nice. He supposed he shouldn't push that away.

"To the Goddesses," he raised his glass and made a traditional Betazoid toast.

"Who are the lucky ladies?" he enquired curious.

Michael raised his rum punch then took a sip, then made a wry face. "Oof, I forgot what this tasted like. Not bad but, I should have ordered tea or grog. Or something with a bit more lemon. " he looked at the Captain. "the ladies... well, I am interested in Gwen, Rose, and Iola. But, I am someone who waits to see if things click, and I am a firm believer in being friends first then see if something develops. From what my mom and dad told me, better to marry a friend, than marrying someone who ends up despising you." Michael quickly finishes his drink. "I've got a question for you, Captain, do you do any sparring? And if so, want to spar sometime?"

"I box," Jon said. "And if you want to go a few sessions in the ring its good stress relief. I keep meaning to get down to the gym.

And in reflection to your other thoughts all I can say is marry for the right reasons, for you and at the right time in your life. My last marriage taught me that."

Michael nodded, " Wise words indeed. As for the sparring, I do know some boxing techniques but that is part of the martial arts I practice. Care to go a couple of rounds? Just to take the edge off." giving a small friendly challenging smile.

"I would normally Hawkins but I have a "family meeting" this evening. Might be something for afterwards though, depending how it goes. My ex wife will be attending," he said.

If not I tend to go to the gym every other day. I will certainly take that challenge. For now though, settle for a drink," he said. "How are the lessons teaching Iola to talk going?" he asked.

"Iola is coming along rather well, though she does get frustrated just a little bit. She wants to be better as quick as she can. I am amazed at her tenacity, and determination. She is definitely hungry for knowledge and the skill of speaking." Michael replied.

"Well its hard to imagine certainly for us in this day and age not being able to speak," Jon observed. "And shes intelligent. Having a proper voice will help her grow immensely. You should be proud of yourself that you are part of that."

"I am very glad to be a part of Iola gaining more knowledge. Though there may come a time when some things feminine wise, comes up. True or someone else may need to talk to her. " Michael replied.

"We also have another Orion onboard. It might be beneficial considering she doesn't really know her heritage, if they are willing to get them together perhaps?" Jon suggested. "Although word to the warning, that scientist is a wiley one."

"It will have to be Iola's decision on talking with the Orion Doctor. A wiley one you say. I take it she's very apt in the seduction sort of way? And how about her pheromones? Are they in check?" Michael had a slightly worried expression in his eyes. " It looks like I had better use an ointment to counteract pheromones, like a vapor rub under my nose. Tends to block out unwanted scents, like a dead body or something else."

"Negative," Jon said. "You go down to sickbay and get yourself a shot. Far more effective."

"Duly noted, I definitely will see to that. I wish I had thought of that when I last saw Syvar. Glad you brought up the injection." Feeling like it was time for him to go without wearing out his welcome Michael commented. " Well I probably should get going, however, if you need anything, a sparring partner, or a challenge to a Klingon drinking contest or something else you want me to acquire, let me know. I'd like to be friends Captain, just extending a hand out in a friendly gesture."

"Bye Hawkins," Jon said. He wasn't sure if Captains really could have friends, the decisions they had to take but it was a nice idea to think on if they could.

Michael nodded and left, he thought things went rather well for the first friendly meeting with the captain. However, he felt that probably it was going to take some persistence in showing friendly gestures to the captain. That maybe, a friendship could develop. His grandfather had told him that captains often feel lonely, not feeling right in having friends. Especially if they end up having to send a friend out in the middle of danger. It was going to be a bit of a journey on a path of becoming friends. At the very least, the captain didn't kill him right off the bat.


OFF:

● “ Ensign Michael Hawkins“
Chief Operations Officer
USS Andromeda

●●●● Captain Jonathan Reynolds
Captain
USS Andromeda