LtCmdr. Shayne: Kissed Souls and Fractured Mirrors (Columbia)

[Quinn Friedl]

((Senior Staff Conference Room, Deck 1, USS Columbia))

Shayne: So! First officer- how’s it feel? You were very convincing back there.

::Marvelous. It flowed forth without a hint of his former ire and angst- something he’d thought thoroughly impossible given the ferocity with which his conscience had lambasted him. This wasn’t some obscure idea reminding him of his decision- this was the result of his choice, in the flesh and fabric, standing beside him. No jealousy was granted refuge in his heart now. He could walk with this man, the reason for his distress, as a friend and comrade, basking in the radiance of his compatriot’s substantial achievement. It wasn’t what Shayne had lost- it was what Thoran, and indeed, the entire ship, had gained.::

::His friend was now surpassing the Ops Officer, as Shayne always knew would occur. He’d seen a leader born in this figure, an officer of unimpeachable quality. Perhaps that’s why they got along so well- one was what the other aspired to be.::

::Shayne knew that, in Thoran’s position, the weary excitement, dulled by labor but sharpened by enthusiasm, would be difficult to describe.::

Thoran: It’s..different. I thought I had a tough time as security chief, but this is a whole different level. Just glad to have such a talented senior staff. That makes the job a whole lot easier. ::He paused for a moment before continuing.:: How about you, managed to settle in on the Columbia yet? She’s quite a change from the Blackwell.

::At that, Shayne couldn’t resist a wry smile. How did he feel about the change? Ruddy delighted, that was what. Shayne found the Blackwell an exercise in nobility, almost as often as he considered her a floating target. She was a bulky, misshapen, bulbous affair, with far too much density and far too little armormant. Her unwieldy shape had made maneuvering her a challenge of the highest order, and in times when exceptional piloting had been required, luck, more than Shayne’s hand, had seen them through the ordeal. She couldn’t have been any more vulnerable if she’d had a bullseye painted right on her livery. And yet… Shayne would miss her single minded purpose, her utter devotion to the goal she’d been commissioned to achieve. No wars could or would have been fought by her; indeed, her limitations meant that only the most honest and decent tasks could be undertaken within her well-stocked decks. And now, the crew that manned her would have that same tradeoff- morality for safety, principle for firepower. On Columbia, under a captain like Whittaker, Shayne had no doubt that their standards of conduct would be exemplary. But he had the ugly feeling that, exemplary or not, there were fights ahead. Fights that could not be resolved but with the wretched scream of a phaser.::

::Pulling away from such somber thoughts, Shayne sighed.::  

Shayne: I think she’s determined to drown me in cordage and conduit before we even hit the Reach. And… she feels wrong, I suppose. Askew. Maybe that’s just me- feels like we’ve only been aboard a few days.

::Indeed, the stately feel of the Blackwell was submerged in the enthusiastic bearhug that Columbia had delivered upon his arrival.::

Thoran: Oh certainly. I can’t get used to that new ship smell. Still can’t believe Starfleet gave us what is essentially a new ship. I just hope we don’t give them too much cause to regret the decision.

::Shayne tossed a knowing glance at his friend, eyebrows scraping the ceiling.::

Shayne: Dear god, man. You’re first officer, I’m chief of Ops. They regret it already.

::He held a serious look expertly, but let it drop a moment later, letting the mirth in his eyes twinkle.::

Thoran: Anyway, i’ve kept you for too long. It was good to talk Randal. We’ll have to have a proper catch up soon. After all, i’ve heard one of us might have some news.

::Shayne’s face quickly shifted into a mask of bemused but heavy concern. As Thoran gave a small, knowing smile and strode off, Shayne found himself genuinely frightened about the words they’d just exchanged. What news? And regarding whom? The obvious conclusion was that Thoran knew something that Shayne didn’t, and, given his reaction, something specifically about the gullible second officer. Not even work would cure such a direct attack on his sanity. Whatever this was, he had to know.::

Shayne: Aye.

::He stood, rooted. He needed to know, more than anything. It would gnaw at him until he was nothing but bone and need. This couldn’t wait!::

MacKenna: =/\= MacKenna to Shayne. =/\=

::On the other hand…::

::With trembling fingertips, he slammed his chest so hard that he could feel his heart rebound against his ribs. The ache was actually nice.::

Shayne: =/\= Go ahead, commander. =/\=

::Formality was expected and demanded, here in the open where anything might be overheard. But the measured interest in his words, hopefully, conveyed his true meaning; “Can I help? What do you need? Tell me- I’m here for you”.::

::A pause yawned, and Shayne wondered if the channel had been cut for a moment. That thought was profoundly unpleasant for some inexplicable reason. But MacKenna soothed his thoughts with a single, three word inquiry, to which there was only one acceptable answer.::

MacKenna: =/\= Got a minute? =/\=

::He didn’t even have to think. In his mind’s eye, the jam-packed schedule that he’d been forming was immediately and naturally rearranged. She took precedence. It was as simple as that.::

Shayne: =/\= Always =/\=

MacKenna: =/\= No rush. I'll be in Astrometrics. =/\=

::Astrometrics- naturally. Shayne pulled himself up, cleared his throat to mask his excitement, and responded. It didn’t matter that he’d seen her mere moments ago. This was another opportunity- and such things could not be ignored.::

Shayne: =/\= On my way.  =/\=

((Astrometrics, USS Columbia))

::Promising himself he’d stop by Walker’s office soon to discuss the possibility of establishing some sort of training regimen, Shayne worked not to run for Astrometrics. It wouldn’t be correct, it wouldn’t be politic, but he wished to simply beam there.::

::Say…::

::No. No way. His momentary foolishness abandoned him with appropriate haste. As if they weren’t doing enough to draw suspicion.::

::Draw suspicion to what, though? Two senior officers getting to know one another? Enjoying each other’s company? Shayne dearly hoped that man had progressed far enough from the days where even a casual acquaintance between members of differing sexes must immediately be considered fraternization of a romantic sort. He and MacKenna were above that sort of thing. Naturally. Definitely. Absolutely no qualms about it, no sir.::

::Had he passed a mirror, the blushing in his cheeks would have forced him to confront his doubts.::

::Coming to the doors of his destination, he drew a deep breath before proceeding inside.::

::It was darker than in the corridor- already a good sign. MacKenna’s flaming hair was illuminated only by the two screens before her. Though her back was turned toward him, he had no doubt that she knew he was there.::

MacKenna: You're just in time.

::For what, Shayne had no idea, but he braced himself for something magnificent. A moment later, he was not disappointed. Instantly, he was embroiled in stars, a thousand shimmering specks of light dancing off his body, rotating ever so slowly in the celestial dance.::

::He’d seen the stars, of course. He’d flown through them, walked among them, stood beside them. But now, alone but for someone who cared, in the midst of this beauty, Shayne felt something a of a rebirth, if only for a moment. But such things needn’t be elongated affairs.::

MacKenna: I need a few extra holoemitters. ::Her eyes met his for a moment, before turning back towards the sky above them.:: Four should work. I can send the installation configuration to whomever can get the job done.

::He couldn’t keep the smile off his face, and neither could MacKenna, allowing her joy to peak though the mask they both kept firmly in place most of the time. Shayne was enraptured.::

Shayne: This is… this is incredible.

::He was lost, lost in the environment, and lost in the sensation of being found. Shayne knew, like gravity itself, that he could trust MacKenna implicitly. He could let his guard down here, put his feet up, as it were.::

::Perhaps he’d taken that a little too literally.::

::For an instant later, a sickening lurch rippled through his tempermental, sensitive stomach. This was followed by an equally horrifying feeling of utter weightlessness.::

::Shayne was, of course, trained to handle such situations, despite his distaste. But the complete lack of expectancy left him absolutely reeling.::

::A few undignified yelps later, he’d managed to stabilize his drift somewhat. But now the familiar pangs of distress sounded off inside his intestines.::

::He wanted to rant and rave, to curse the universe for this preposterous turn of luck. Of all the times for the gravity plating to fail. Here? With MacKenna? What if he got dizzy? What if he hurled? What if-?::

::And then he caught her grin, unmitigated and gently mischievous. This turn of events wasn’t frightening to her, or even unnerving. This was her doing! She’d made this happen. Without warning, without permission, she’d rendered him a ragdoll.::

::Inordinate fury welled up in his chest. He’d let down his guard around her. He’d trusted her absolutely! And she’d gone ahead and betrayed that! Why? Why had he put such stock in this?::

::And then he saw her eyes.::

::He’d been consumed with finding a solid point to lock onto in order to stabilize himself, but now that he was able gain his bearings, MacKenna’s hair, splayed and brilliant, drew his attention. She was at peace here with him. She was… having fun. It wasn’t the distraught woman he knew before him now. Immediately, his ire vanished. Perhaps he’d been overworking himself again. How could he be angry at this magnificent individual? How could he object to such a sensation as she was clearly enjoying? As the rage left him, shame took its place.::

::He slowly swam toward her, keep himself as rigid as possible. Eyes like steel bore into hers for a moment as he came to a rather ungraceful stop before her. He couldn’t lose her. He wouldn’t.::

::His face was stone as he looked at her.::

Shayne: Don’t do that again.

::And then, as he said these words- cutting words, harsh words, words that cracked his heart in two- he reached for her hands, and grasped them tight, just like he’d done on that night they’d met.::

::He brought both of her smooth palms close, and placed a delicate, utterly sincere kiss on them. His stolid appearance dropped- no, it melted. It was an illusion he could no longer bear to exert.::

Shayne: Please. Forgive me. You… caught me by surprise. I’ve always had trouble seeing the beauty right in front of me.

::He glanced about the stellarium they floated within, enshrouded by nebula and lit by a thousand tiny beacons of light. But his eyes… as they always would… fell back on MacKenna herself.::

::And now, it was her turn. Would she have the heart to forgive his reaction? He prayed to whatever gods might be listening.::

Shayne: I’m sorry.

::The two were suspended, above the deck, above time. Each moment was an eternity.::

Shayne: oO You don’t know what you mean to me. Don’t leave angry, or hurt. Please. I beg. I don't know how I'd live with myself. Oo

MacKenna: ?

Tag/TBC…

Lieutenant Commander Randal Shayne
Ops Officer/Second Officer
USS Columbia
NCC 85279
G239202Rs0