Conversation

Posted on 05 Jul 2020 @ 8:39am by

Mission: Mission 4 - Race against the machine
Location: USS Europa
Timeline: MD 5 1700
1410 words - 2.8 OF Standard Post Measure

Nat hadn't had a chance to speak with Vern when he came back from his visit with his sister, she was curious as to how it went. She looked out towards that looming cornucopia of evil trouble floating out in space, she could feel her shoulders tense up once more. She looked over towards the Captain, Vern wasn't the type who would come out and just start talking, but she could tell that something happened.

Sidling up to him, Nat quietly stated, "Captain, I'd like to have a conversation very soon."

Vern raised his eyebrows. That sounded serious. "Sure. My ready room?" He inclined his head and headed in that direction then turned around to look at her after the doors had closed. "What's going on Commander?"

"That is what I would like to know, Captain."Nat stated calmly "You've been rather elusive, even more than you usually are. Did something happen when you went to the Andromeda?"

Vern sighed. "Nothing more than usual when i meet up with my baby sister. She demanded to know what had happened . . . with Lily. So I gave her the short version. She's gone, it's my fault and I have to learn to live with it." Vern shrugged. "Did you know she's dating the Captain?" Vern asked, changing the subject. "Pretty serious I gather. He nearly proposed to her right there."

Nat's right eyebrow raised at that bit of news. "I had no idea of that sort of development."she commented, then looked closely at Vern. "How do you feel about that?" Nat asked, deciding not to pursue the other matter. Even though it wasn't his fault about Lily, she knew that beneath his tough exterior, was a man who truly cared about people. Someone who at times just couldn't see his own worth.

"I . . . want her to be happy. I think she felt like I butted in a bit though. I'm sure they'll figure things out." Vern rubbed his face. "Wouldn't be the first time I inserted my influence on her, might not be the last but I think I'm finally learning my lesson."

"It's always best not to interfere with a budding relationship, as long as the two people seem to be good for each other. If it turns out to be an abusive one, then there needs to be some interference."she gazed at Vern an affectionate smile, "Try not to put their relationship under a microscope though, it might blow up in your face. I can understand your feelings of protection, you being the older brother. How can one not be protective over a sibling."

He rubbed his face. "See . . . I know why this happened. Men are stubborn and not nearly as intelligent as women. We have to make mistakes several times before we learn from them. In all seriousness, I think they're okay and hopefully everything is okay between my sister and myself." Now if he could just pull himself out of this curtain of depression he'd been under for a while.

Nat gave a slight snort at Vern's comment about men and women and their comparative intelligence. "Captain, I beg to differ, I know a few women who are rather stubborn and also don't use their brains. It makes my blood just boil when I see them. Also females can make mistakes several times before we learn from them. Nothing different in that aspect where both men and women are concerned. Its what makes us human." her determined tone softened just a bit when she said the next part.

"As for your sister and you, there is still the familial love between the two of you. Things will work out, and they will be able to work out their relationship. I've got hope, and faith that it will come to pass."

"Uhuh," Vern said. "I'm sure you're right. Can we talk about your love life now or something? Get the attention off of me?" He joked.

Nat laughed, "Oh, I suppose we can talk about something else, I guess you have been on the hot seat long enough." clearly avoiding the subject of her love life. "Perhaps talk about some R&R would be a good subject. I would love to go Horse back riding, go on a hike among tall pine trees. Go camping, or go for a swim in an ocean, feeling the sun on the face and warm moist sand beneath the feet, hearing the waves. Or just walking on green grass barefoot. What would you do for R&R?"

"I think I'd go home." He couldn't actually remember the last time he walked those beaches or hugged his aunt or even fished from the rocks on Resurrection Bay. "Probably a fair amount of people who would like to see me and I them."

Nat nodded, "Home, a place to find some solace, a place for healing. She remembered Vern mentioning the family he had, "I bet they will be very excited to see you come visit. When you do go, would you surprise them? Or let them know you were coming." a wistful look expression in her eyes.

Then she gave a wry smile "I know that my family if they knew I was going to come home on leave, would be wanting to throw a bit of a party. My mom would be trying to introduce me to some eligible bachelors. Especially since....." she abruptly stopped. "And I almost started talking about my love life, oh you are good."


He grinned. "Nah, it would be a surprise. My aunt loves surprises. Might miss my brother though, he comes and goes. Still, I think they could use some excitement in their lives." He glanced at his XO. "Come on Nat, I spilled."

Nat worried her lower lip for a moment or two, not wanting to divulge her story. Then giving a resigned sigh, she stated. "I don't have a love life anymore. My so called love interest showed his true colors, that denebian slime devil. He was dashing, devil may care attitude, a captain of his own merchant ship The Black Fury. Captain Heldar Silva, a rakish dark haired rascal oozing charm. I was so stupid, I fell for him. You warned me, I...just didn't listen to you. I ended it a few months back, with him on the floor outside of a restaurant on the starbase. He decided he could get physically abusive, that he owned me." she shook her head, "He found out otherwise.I never thought I would get into a fight with a former boyfriend,almost fiancee like that. Knocked him out cold."

Nat paused, an apologetic expression her eyes. "I didn't want to tell you about that, you were dealing with enough as it was. That was the day I came back on board with a black eye and bruised ribs looking rather worse for the wear. I am so glad I didn't get intimate with him."

She looked away, one finger playing with the smooth edge of the table nearby. Nat was feeling extremely embarrassed.

Vern raised his eyebrows. He'd always tried to stay out of his officer's personal lives but he remembered the man vividly. He'd met very few people in his life that he'd wanted to hit right off. "Well . . . I'm sorry you had to learn that way." If he had known that the man struck her he probably would have taken care of it himself. He'd have to watch those particular urges, not that he had feelings for Natasha, he just respected her and she was his friend. "You know what we should do instead of sitting here feeling sorry for ourselves? Go out. Let's go to the lounge, maybe we can each find someone new?"

Nat turned to face Vern, a smile filled with relief and joy. "That sounds great, Vern, I love that idea. Might be the medicine we both need." she nudging him with her shoulder, and a teasing gleam in her eyes. "And maybe, just maybe, you'll do karaoke with me this time?" giving a chuckle waggling her eyebrows up and down.

He snorted. "You would have to get me so drunk . . . Hell has not frozen over yet." He stood up and offered her his hand to pull her to her feet as well. "I think the younglings can handle things for now. Let's go celebrate."

PNPC Commander Natasha Blackthorne

Captain Vernon Keading
Commanding Officer
USS Europa
PNPC by Keading