Seeking Romantic Assistance

Posted on Sun Sep 20th, 2026 @ 9:50pm by Lieutenant Connor Turner & Lieutenant Kara Quinn-Chaim

1,792 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Mission 6 - Candy Leads to Cavities
Location: Counselor's Office
Timeline: MD01 - 0900

Connor had a complicated relationship with women. He understood this. It was difficult to make eye contact with any woman that he was interested in. Prior to Candy, it was extremely difficult to even start a conversation with one. It was easier to run the other direction. In retrospect, he was pretty certain that these behaviors caused him to miss out on several opportunities to have relationships.

He could not be certain why Candy did not leave after he terminated their relationship. He also did not know why many of his budding relationships terminated so quickly after starting in the more recent past. Was there something wrong with him?

Best to check it out. After all, he also might want to get a reality check regarding the new JAG. Maybe he misread some mutual interest there or maybe he was just getting desperate.

With all these thoughts in his head, he rang the chime on the Counselor's office.

Kara was already up out of her seat, when the chime rang she walked across to the door to greet whoever was outside. “Hello Lieutenant, please come on in.”

Connor knew that the Counselor was married to the Assistant Chief of Security, so despite the fact that she was attractive, he knew it might be easier for him to look in her direction than another woman. "Thank you for seeing me, Counselor." He came in and took a seat. "I don't know that we have ever talked before," Connor considered aloud.

“I don’t think we have,” Kara added with a smile. “Make yourself at home and tell me what brings you here. Oh, and if you’d like anything, the replicator is there to be used.”

Connor sat down slightly uneasily and looked pointedly over Kara's shoulder. "No, I really don't need anything. Thank you. But, um, well, do you know anything about my, um, romantic history? You know, having dated Candy and such?"

“I don’t generally look into people’s history unless it’s part of a counselling session.” Kara offered a calming smile. “So, no I don’t. Has it become a problem?”

"Oh? Um, well, Candy and I broke up quite some time ago. Our entire relationship was, well, a mess. See, in the academy, I fancied a girl named Holly Moore. I could not bring myself to get near her. She was smashing and I could not bring myself to be near her. Holly learned that I was attracted to her from a mate and well, she made the move I could not. We dated in what I thought was our final year in the Academy. I went to Utopia Planitia. She went to a Starship, so I thought. After a couple of years, I came here and then Candy came here. It turned out that Candy was Holly."

The engineer took a deep breath before continuing his story. "So, well, since I never thought we broke up, well, we continued to date. But, well, if you know Candy...." He sighed heavily. "She will do anything to get to truth, you know? And, well, I mean anything. I could not abide by that and well, got my courage up and ended the relationship. That was over six years ago now."

Connor shrugged apologetically. "I've tried to date since then. I've had a few beginnings of relationships, but nothing serious. Women just seem to, well, disappear after a few dates. So, I don't know what I'm doing wrong and well, I think, well, I might be interested in someone and I would, well, want to try to do it right."

Kara nodded. “I see, well you seem to be concerned about Candy’s presence here. If she’s forever distracting you when you’re in the same room, then another woman will wonder why. I’d suggest trying to put your history with Candy behind you, and simply be yourself. Don’t try too hard, just relax and let your interaction with this lady be natural.”

Connor shook his head. "I'm not distracted by her." He shook his head again. "No, that did not come out right. I mean, she's a distraction, but that's true for everyone. She's an entity onto herself. I just thought, well, you would want a frame of reference for my last relationship. I guess my only long term one. But I don't know how to be anyone but myself."

He scratched his head and asked, "I don't think I'm bonkers. Yet, when I think something new is starting, they suddenly disappear. They always have an excuse. So, I can only conclude that I'm doing something untowards and I don't know what it might be."

“Have you considered that maybe it’s not you?” Kara asked trying a little reverse psychology. “Some women just prefer to have fun with no strings attached. There’s nothing to say there’s anything you’re doing wrong.”

"I'm aware that some women prefer that," Connor answered, thinking about Candy's willingness to bed anyone if they would give her a lead. "But if it is not me, then why such a long cold streak? Why do I feel like I'm hitting it off and then suddenly get the cold shoulder a date later?"

“Maybe you’re trying too hard” Kara offered with a warm smile. “Or it may just be that you haven’t found the right woman yet, some may just be looking for their own ideal man.”

"Perhaps," Connor answered. "But I don't think that I try too hard. Well, you see, pretty women.... Well, I shy away from them. They're difficult to approach. The prettier they are, the more I tend to run the other direction."

Kara grinned. “I’ll tell you what, why don’t you try asking Tomer for some tips? He had me from the moment he first looked at me. Maybe a male point of view will help.”

"Tomer?" Connor asked. "Assistant Chief of Security Chaim? Well, I suppose that I could talk to him." He bit his lip and briefly looked at the counselor, "How did you know from the first time that he looked at you?"

“There’s always that feeling inside, you’ll know it when it happens for you.” Kara smiled. “Don’t feel disheartened at lack of luck so far, someone will come your way.”

"If you say so... So, what should I do about a person that I am considering asking out?"

“Ask away,” Kara smiled. “Just let them see the real you. Odd mistakes are no big deal, we all make mistakes. No one is perfect so don’t go out there aiming to be perfect.”

"Oh, I'm far from perfect," Connor answered with a self-depreciating laugh. "I might even run away when I try to ask her out."

Kara grinned. “Then how will you know if she likes you?”

"I don't know," Connor replied with a despondent shrug. "I mean, I ran from Candy all the time and she figured it out, I guess. Of course, I thought she was 'Holly' back then, but even so...."

“Don’t run away just take it a day at a time, there’s no rush and true romance takes time.” Kara added. “You have to work at it.”

"But how? If I can't even approach someone that I find interesting?" Connor asked, almostly hopelessly.

“Just approach her as you would a friend, all good romances involve friendship.” Kara grinned. “Start there and see how it goes.”

Connor protested, "But you said that you and your husband had you from the moment you met. So, why would my situation be different?" The engineer fretted. "Perhaps this is all wrong and I should just forget it."

“Connor…” Kara offered a calming smile. “Everyone is different. Some people are more adventurous than others. That doesn’t mean it’ll work that way for you, rushing can be a bad idea. It’s best to take it slow.”

"If I go any slower, I will never meet anyone," Connor replied bemoaning his ability to actually introduce himself.

“Snap out of it Connor!” Kara gave him a stern look. “Stop pitying yourself and put in the effort. You have what it takes, just have confidence.”

"It is easier to communicate with computers," he told Kara. "They are logical and respond in a way that I can understand."

“Then learn from a Vulcan instead.” Kara added, “Connor stop doubting yourself, you’ll find someone just you wait and see.”

"Vulcans don't utilize their emotions," Connor replied with a fret in his voice. "I suppose that I've troubled you enough." He rose to begin to leave, not feeling that the counselor was much help.

“That was my point Connor,” Kara added. “If you’re not willing to try then why come to see me?”

"I need to see someone, but the platitudes are not helpful," he countered.

Kara nodded. “Connor I’m not a miracle worker, I can only advise you. You have to do the hard part I’m afraid.”

"I don't even know what that is," Connor explained. "I'm rather good at following instructions." He pointed at himself, as if it was self-explanatory and announced, "Engineer."

Kara smiled. “Alright engineer, when you see the woman you’re interested in make small talk, buy her a drink, hell buy her dinner. Don’t forget flowers, but hold those for the first date, but do your homework first it’s no good turning up with something a woman hates or is allergic to.”

Connor sighed. He had hoped to maybe sort out why he could not even approach pretty women easily. He understood the basic concepts but.... Yes, computers were much easier. "If you say so."

Kara was feeling like nothing she said was doing any good. “Being shy is awkward I know, but a woman who understands that won’t be put off by it.”

"If I can approach one..." Connor replied with a sigh.

“I’ll tell you what, how’s about I get Tomer to give you some help. Would that assist you?” Kara asked curiously.

"I don't know.... I think that the way your relationship developed, well.... It is too different."

“He’s a man, I think you need a male influence to help you face your problems.” Kara added.

"Why?" Connor asked curiously.

“Because I think you’re finding my input unhelpful. Maybe seeing it from a man’s point of view will be beneficial.” Kara added.

"I'll consider it," he answered, having considering it and promptly rejecting it. "Thank you for your time, Counselor," Connor told Kara politely.

Kara nodded politely. “Anytime Connor.”

Lieutenant Connor Turner
Acting Chief Engineer
Faltan Station

Lieutenant Kara Quinn-Chaim
Chief Counselor
Faltan Station

 

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