What's Gotten Into You?

Posted on Sat Oct 27th, 2018 @ 11:28am by Captain Horatio Refelian & Commander Abigail Prescott

2,341 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Mission 2: Into The Breach
Location: Executive Officer's Office, Faltan Station
Timeline: MD01 - 1635

After rushing out of Harry's office, Mint went straight into her own. She walked over to her desk, but instead of sitting in her chair, she sat on the floor beside it with her back pressed against the desk. "What's wrong with me?" she whispered into the empty office before pulling her knees to her chest, laying her head on them and crying. Embarrassment, frustration, and fear flooded her. Adrenaline coursed through her veins and her heart pounded. Normally she was cool and composed, something like that wouldn't have phased her, but today was different and she didn't know why.

It was unfortunate timing that Harry's daughter came in right as she asked for clarification on their relationship, but why did she react the way she did. Anger at her own stupidity started bubbling to the surface and she clenched her fists. "Get it together, Mint... you're a grown woman, act like one!"

“Hi again.” Came a voice from the office door.

Mint jumped when Paloma's voice emanated from the door, bumping her chair with her elbow and swearing as she came into view, rubbing where she hit the chair. "Uhm... Hi..." she gave an awkward smile. "Sorry about earlier... I wasn't aware you were coming," she chewed her lower lip. "And... well... I wasn't entirely prepared to meet you."

“I came to surprise my dad and support him in the opening of the Station. I wasn’t prepared to be meeting my dad’s partner either.” Paloma said softly as she slowly entered the office. “May I come in and talk?”

"Yeah," Mint moved around her desk and gestured to the couch and chairs arranged near the entrance of the office. "Have a seat, would you like anything to drink?" She moved to the replicator and waited for Paloma's response.

“I’ll have a green tea, please.” She asked before realising the Commander’s greeny mint coloured skin. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean...Erm, I’ll have some water please.” She asked now feeling embarrassed herself.

Mint laughed and ordered a green tea for Paloma. "It's alright," she shook her head before ordering herself a coffee. She brought it over to Paloma and sat down in one of the armchairs. "Growing up on Earth with green skin, you tend to hear those comments a lot, but it's just a part of life. No need to apologize."

Taking a sip of her coffee, she let the awkward silence hang between them for a moment before she piped up again. "I'm sorry you had to find out about your father and I that way," she said softly. "To be honest, until today, we didn't really have any conversations about our relationship. We just...randomly.. started spending more and more time together."

Paloma took the tea and smiled. “I didn’t want you to think I was being funny for ordering Green tea. I genuinely like green tea.” She said before an awkward moment of silence as she took a sip of her tea. “As for your relationship with my father, it was just a surprise. A shock even. He has spent most of his time alone since mom died. He hasn’t mentioned you in his letters apart from business stuff. I suppose he didn’t know what was really going on either.”

Mint shook her head. "Green tea is nice, but I prefer Chai if I'm going to drink tea. I normally just go for coffee though," she shrugged. "And as to that, I can't speak for him, but despite everything, I was still assuming we were just friends until I brought it up today. I... have a history of nasty rumours being spread about me because of my heritage. It's been assumed that I use my Orion curse as an advantage to get ahead. I have never and would never use that to my advantage." She clenched her jaw slightly, before releasing a sigh. "I'm sorry, I've been overtired lately, and moody.... I just want to be honest with you. You'll probably hear some things about your father and I while you're here, but I want to express to you, I am not doing anything other than being myself around him. I would never use the pheromones I've been cursed with on him."

Paloma listened as she sipped her tea. “That’s good to know you aren’t using my father for personal gain. But he seems genuinely relaxed around you which is good. I can generally tell when he isn’t relaxed.” She paused for a moment. “How has he been since the attempt on his life?”

"Frustrating," Mint smiled. "He's tried to throw himself back into work. He's determined to clear Starfleet's name in the accusations against us, which to be honest I am as well. But he seems to be determined to work himself to death as well. It's a wonder I can convince him to get rest half the time. Though," she tried to look somewhat innocent. "I have diverted some of the work to myself without his knowledge."

Paloma smiled and nodded, “Thats just my dad. He has always been a workaholic, especially when he knows he is right. Which I’m sure in this case is correct. I thought I’d come here and support him in the official opening of the Station plus I could see my husband briefly too.”

"Well, I can't deny that he's right about the situation," Mint took a sip of her coffee and nodded. "Oh... what does your husband do?"

“My husband serves on the USS Medway, their arriving here tomorrow to drop off supplies for the ceremony.” Paloma said before taking a sip of her tea. “Commander M’Mira said that she was surprised by my father’s positive mood considering what happened to him.”

"He has been fairly positive," Mint agreed. "But he has had his moments. I think he puts on a mask for the rest of the crew, tries to keep them calm and at ease. He is a good man with a good heart."

Paloma nodded, “He did that when mom died. Put on a brave face for his children but it broke him inside. If he is happy, then I’m happy for him. If you make him happy then I’m happy for the both of you. I’ve wanted him to find some sort of companionship for a long time.”

Mint nodded. "I keep trying to remind him that he doesn't have to always be the strong one," she shook her head. "I don't think he'll ever listen though. And I do hope I'm making him happy," she blushed slightly. "He makes me happy..."

“I think that’s the four gold pips on his collar that makes him think he must be the strong one.” Paloma said. “As long as you’re both happy I’m fine with it, it just may take some time to get used to my dad’s girlfriend being a similar age to me.”

"Yeah... he never told me your age," she admitted. "He talks of you often, but never of your age. I will agree that it will take some time to get used to," Mint sipped her coffee. "I... uh... have never dated someone older than me before, so didn't realize this," she gestured between the two of them. "Could happen. Well, I don't think anyone really thinks they'll be the same age as their partner's children..." She blushed slightly at calling Harry her partner, but then awkwardness took over and she looked down at her coffee, unsure what else to say.

“Same from my point of view, you don’t expect to have a potential stepmom the same age as you.” Paloma said with a smile. “My brother won’t be happy when he hears but he is never is happy when dad is involved.”

Mint blanched slightly at the words 'potential stepmom', then frowned when Paloma mentioned her brother. "He won't tell me what happened there. Just said he's got a son who no longer speaks to him," she shrugged. "I don't want to pry, so I don't ask anymore. I know it's a sore subject for him."

“Max blames my dad for moms death. Something that isn’t true but Max was young. Things have never been the same since and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.” Paloma said with a sigh, “Dad doesn’t even know Max is married and has a seven year old granddaughter but Max doesn’t want him to know or see her.”

Mint frowned and shook her head. "I'm sorry, that must be tough for you," she said softly. "If you don't mind me asking, what happened with your mom?"

“She died in a shuttle accident. Just one of those things, I miss her loads but it wasn’t Dad’s fault it was just one of those things but Max took it hard and blamed Dad. It’s sort of become a habit for him. It’s been hard to play piggy in the middle but it’s something I’ve just had to do.”

"I'm sorry," Mint hung her head slightly. She looked at her mug, unsure of what to say. She twiddled with the handle for a moment, trying to think. "I see why he doesn't talk of either of them," she gave a sad, half smile.

Paloma shrugged, “It is what it is. It’s gone on for so long that I think it’s become a habit rather than anything else. I know Dad would love to build bridges again but Max isn’t interested.” She said as she lowered her head. “Still, I’m sure every family has there quirks.”

"They do," Mint agreed, watching Paloma carefully. "My family isn't currently that quirky, but it was. See, my mother was an Orion slave when I was conceived. My adoptive father was on the crew that helped rescue her and other Federation citizens. It was an interesting family dynamic for a while there, especially after the twins were old enough to ask why I looked funny."

“Do you know who your father is?” Paloma asked, curiously. She didn’t mean to pry but hearing another ‘oddball’ family put her at ease a little.

"An Orion named Razo," Mint looked somewhat disgusted when she said the name. "He was killed by Starfleet officers during the raid that freed my mother and several other slaves." She shook her head slightly. "I never knew him, and I'm glad I didn't. I know it sounds harsh, but if you could read the intel files about him, you'd be happy he's no longer roaming the galaxy as well."

Paloma was a little shocked to hear someone talk about their father like that but it sounds like he wasn’t a very nice person anyway. “It’s horrible that there is still slavery in the Galaxy. I can’t imagine what your mother went through.”

"It is very horrible," Mint nodded. "And yes, she went through some pretty terrible things, she still won't tell me all of it," she sighed. "But I do know that I wasn't conceived...willingly... on her part, thus my 'strange' hatred for my biological father and what I call the 'curse' he gave me."

“For that I can not blame you for hating your father. I’m sure anyone in that position would feel the same.” Paloma agreed. “Hopefully, a future with my father might give you something to look forward to with hope.”

"I try not to think too far ahead," Mint said, though blushed slightly. "Though I do hope for many happy times with your father, and hopefully with his family as well." She sounded slightly whistful. "I just wish my family could have made it here, but the twins and Dad, er, my adoptive father, are all out on assignments too far out to come for the grand opening."

“Well hopefully they’ll be able to visit soon. You’ve accomplished so much while you’ve been here they should see it.” Paloma replied.

"I hope they can," Mint nodded. "Dad should be able to make his way here soon, but I'm not sure that HQ won't throw something at him last minute," she paled slightly. "Oooooh... my family doesn't know about your dad and I... that will be awkward if he arrives..."

“It’s all about surprises at the moment isn’t it.” Refelian’s daughter replied with a chuckle. “I best go and relieve my father of Junior. He’ll be screaming for his bottle soon and I don’t have any made up. Thank you for the tea and chat, it was a pleasure to meet you. Sorry for the awkwardness at the start though!”

"It's as much my fault as yours, I was kind of springing the question on him," Mint chuckled as well. "It was nice to meet you as well, and I look forward to getting to know you more!"

“I’m sure we will over the coming weeks.” Paloma replied with a smile.

'Weeks? She's going to be here for weeks? Or is she meaning over comms and letters?' Mint kept the smile on her face despite the shock and dread she suddenly felt. "I'm sure we will," she agreed and stood. "I hope you like the station, it's been a labour of love for a lot of us. And if you have any questions or concerns, or even just want to sit and chat, give me a call, other than directing traffic until all our guests arrive, I'm mostly stuck in here, reading reports," she walked over to the replicator and deposited her mug for recycling and turned back to Paloma.

“I may take you up on that. Have a good day, Commander.”

"You can call me Mint," she said with a nod. "Or Abigail if you feel more comfortable with that." Mint smiled. "Enjoy the station!"

 

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