JP - Crewman Annamae Barberra - Breakfast (Part 1)

[Wil Ukinix]

((Flashback - Iko Apartment, Marrakech District, Amity Outpost – Stardate 240009.16))

 

Iko: I can't tell anyone anything. And that's probably the worst part about the whole bloody thing.

 

Barberra: Oh.  Well, maybe meow it to me instead?  ::Adjusting headband:: This kitty is ready to hear anything-

 

Iko: Can you please stop pretending to be a #$&^*@^ CAT! It’s weird and stupid.

 

Barberra: ::slightly dejected tone:: … woof?

 

For one of the rare times in her life, she was shocked and a little offended by what Bec had just said.  Annamae was *weird*, that was one of her favourite things to be.  And Bec knew that when they got together, it was part of the package deal.

 

Iko: I’m sorry.

 

Barberra: Okay, I’ll try not to be upset-

 

Iko: Goodnight.

 

Another thing happened that hadn’t happened much in Annamae’s life – her jaw dropped in slight disgust, as she watched Bec walking away and retreating to her bedroom, the door shutting behind her.

 

The crewman blinked her eyes a few times, before sighing.  What had just happened?

 

Something was obviously troubling Bec.  Something she apparently couldn’t help her with.  She could have just left Bec’s apartment, but she didn’t want her to be alone.  She made her way over to the replicator recessed in the nearby wall, and issued a command.

 

Barberra: Computer?  You are going to replicate me some pajamas, blue navy ones, plain, and a warm blanket, and a pillow.  And you’re going to get that instruction *exactly* right, because if you don’t ::raising finger, threatening tone:: I’m going to pull you out of the wall, disassemble you, and melt you down and create counterfeit latinum with you.  

 

As the replicator criss-crossed lines of energy in the replicator, Annamae placed her hands on her hips and watched.  She resolved that she would stay the night on Bec’s couch, and hope they could have a breakfast together when Bec eventually woke up.

 

And not say a word about whatever was troubling Bec if the Lieutenant didn’t want to.

 

((End Flashback))

 

((Iko Apartment, the next morning))

 

For whatever utensils Bec didn’t have in her kitchen, Annamae had just replicated.  And when they weren’t quite the right size, or the right kind of utensil, the human from Muncie, Indiana just kept going back to the replicator.

 

Soon, the kitchen bench started to get full.  But rather than recycling or cleaning up as she went, Annamae just kept adding more and more to the mess.  Eventually, metal pots and utensils fell off the bench, and the crewman would do her best to try and catch or grab them so that they didn’t make a hell of a “clang” every time…

 

And one of those times, she scurried for a dropped beater, only to see Bec standing in the doorway of her bedroom, wearing a coat over her pajamas.

 

She slowly stood up, and eventually said something to break the silence.  Well *someone* had to, right?

 

Barberra: Well, look what the ca- I mean, tribble dragged in.

 

Her eyes shifted lifted, wondering if she almost got away with saying the word “cat”, after overdoing it the night before.  Bec seemed to be struggling to find the words to say.

 

Iko: …Hi. 

 

oO So far so good… Oo

 

Barberra: Was my cooking too loud? 

 

She shook her head, still rather lost for words.

 

Iko: No, you didn't wake me…

 

Annamae looked around at the absolute mess of pots, utensils, and ingredients on Bec’s kitchen top, then placed her hands on her hips.

 

Barberra: Oh, okay.  I mean, I wouldn’t be surprised if I did, I am, you know, cooking breakfast.

 

Bec seemed to have something more important on her mind. 

 

Iko: Why are you still here? I—

 

With her hand still holding on the door frame she took another step forward, looking to the floor so she didn’t have to look at Barberra.

 

Iko: I thought you would have gone home.

 

The crewman looked down at her blue pajamas for a moment, before looking back at Bec.

 

Barberra: I… slept on the couch.

 

She smiled a little, then made her way over to Bec, giving her a kiss on her cheek.

 

Barberra: I didn’t want to go home.  Something’s troubling you…

 

Annamae stepped back, and looked Bec in the eye.

 

Barberra: And I think I have an idea of what it is.

 

Iko: Response

 

TBC…

 

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Crewman Second Class Annamae Barberra
Science Specialist
USS Kitty Hawk
V239511WU0