Two Birds One Stone

Posted on Tue Jun 24th, 2025 @ 12:00am by Commander Rhupert Tyree & Lieutenant Amy Gordon

2,623 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: The Foragers
Location: SS. Evania
Timeline: Just after This Old Freighter

The outside of the Evania was surprising. It was better than what Amy thought it would be. This was her first time in being on a ship of this nature. She had researched it, looked at the amenities. The pictures just didn't do it any justice on the outside the same maybe true on the inside.

Amy truly hadn't anticipated Rhu to agree to accompany her, but hey she can adjust. She gave Rhu a sidelong glance before they entered the ship. A Risan ship one of many who traveled to starbases, to offer their services. "If you can't make it to Risa, Risa will come to you." was one of the commercials.

"Have you been to Risa before?" Amy asked, before they entered the transparent umbilical to get to the ship. Amy regretted asking that. How could she assume that Rhu wouldn't have gone to Risa before. Amy rolled her eyes at herself. And now Rhu was going to find out a bit more about her.

She had taken her hair from its work style, letting it loose, and brushing the tangles from it. She even cleaned off the smudges that were on her face. Amy breathed in, faintly, readying herself for assuming an identity.

"Greetings Welcome to The Evania"

Rhu and Amy being greeted by the Risan attendant, a smile appeared, Amy spoke, her words having a French accent to them. "I am Marguerite Gaudin, I have a reservation."

The Risan attendant looked through her PADD, giving a nod seeing it was as what Marguerite had stated. Her eyes glanced over towards Rhu, "And the gentleman?"

Amy was curious as to what Rhu was going to do, already he's surprised her.

Rhu was keeping an eye on his intel officer. He still didn't know her well and this outing might be a bad idea, but all he could do was go with his gut. He didn't bat an eye when she pulled on another nom de guerre. He wondered who she really was deep under all those assumed identities she's worn like second skin.

Meeting the attendant's eyes directly, Rhu smiled. "Taxiarchos Tyree, of the Betezoid Defense Forces." He kept his tone warm, "Sorry, I don't have a reservation personally, but I was told that the mission usually keeps a standing reservation?"

The Risan attendant, her eyes widened and gave a nod. "Yes, you are correct, come this way Mr. Tyree and Miss Gaudin."

Another piece of information about Rhu, part of the Betazoid Defense Forces. Amy was impressed, she was quiet until the Risan attendant, her name being Calandra asked. "Which do you wish to start with, a massage? Hot tub?"

"A shower first if you please." Amy feeling rather grubby and she was loathe having the grime she had on her, be taken into the hot tub and even getting a massage. That would be rather rude to those who provided the services. And just the thought of having a shower with real water cascading down her- Amy paused. She has to remember that Rhu was Betazed.

"Sounds right," Rhu commented. "Shower and then sauna and hot tub for me." Looking at Amy then he said innocently. "I understand they follow the Risan traditions, which mostly match up with Betazed." He didn't say anything for a few beats then added with a hint of a smile, "Of course they have separate facilities for those seeking solitude."

"Trying to push buttons eh Monsieur Tyree?" Amy having an amused gleam in her eyes. "Shower, Sauna, shower, then hot tub, massage afterwards. That is my schedule, I came here to detox, all works out. Besides, as you did say we've got business to talk about. And talk of business seems to take place in either a sauna or a hot tub. Mon chéri"" her voice soft and low, still in the french accent. "You are such a flirter, but yes we will speak of the gemstones which are from Betazed. n'est-ce pas?"

Calandra gave a bit of a smile and directed the two patrons towards where they needed to go.

As Amy passed by Rhu, she quietly remarked "In all seriousness, I'll meet you at the hot bath, if you so choose."

Amy was going to take care of the other three things the shower, the sauna, and another shower to wash away the toxins that the sauna would be bring out. Then the heated bath. She was looking forward to the hot bath. Stepping inside, she felt herself start to relax already. The bath was large enough for a few, with a holographic view of beautiful natural scenery set in the mountains. Pines swaying to a gentle breeze the wind whispering. The bath's setting was much like a natural hot spring fed pool, with the natural minerals included. Water poured into the pool, from a miniature waterfall, steam rising up from the surface. Amy settled into the part of the pool, furthest away from the entrance, her back turned, gazing out towards the forested area the pines reminding her of home. The water was doing its work, the sound of the water pouring into the pool, relaxing her muscles, Amy was almost drifting off into semi slumber.

Rhu showered, sending his civilian attire to the laundry even though it could hardly be thought of as dirty. The shower he kept to a minimum before giving himself three minutes in the cold plunge bath. Teeth chattering slightly as he walked into the sauna with a towel over his shoulder. There were only a handful of others there and he kept to his own solitude as he let the heat sink in. His plate was officially full with mission details for two ships, especially having to filter the Adelaide's tracks while she and Valiant were in the same place at the same time.

But the risk needed taking. He had to be seen around Valiant too. Being gone for a month during which the station had been attacked and the Valiant subjected to sabotage attracted too much notice. He sat forward on a wooden slatted bench, wiping his brow occasionally. After perhaps ten minutes, he was sweating completely and decided he'd had enough. Rhu used the plunge pool once more, wincing at the cold that shocked him. This time he made himself count his way through three minutes before stepping out.

Finding a new towel, Rhu draped it around his neck and was directed by an attendant toward a hot tub room. Slipping through the door, he caught site of Amy submerged facing the door, appearing to be near sleep. Dropping the towel on a nearby bench, he slipped into the pool and ducked under, then twisted moved toward her left before surfacing and pulling himself onto the seat near hers. "Don't drown," he said quietly, leaning back and taking in the holo.

Her eyes slowly opened, "I don't plan on it. Was just going into reverie." a lazy smile crawled its way across her lips. She didn't take up her French accent. It was her own,a melodic pleasant tone. Amy turned her head towards Rhu, and in a playful manner. "You are braver than what I thought you would be." she shrugged one bare shoulder, it still being underwater, causing the surface to ripple from its movement. This caused her red hair to move in the water, floating around her shoulders. "That is a lovely holo, reminds me of home."

"Tell me about your home," Rhu said quietly as he settled.

Amy answered, with a faraway look in her eyes, as the image of home came to her mind. "A beautiful 12 acre small farm, self-sufficient. Greenhouse, some horses, cows, and chickens. We grow our own crops. There is a stream running through the property.There are trees,mixture of maple and pine. Even have a large pond where there are waterfowl like to reside, ducks and a good place to go swimming. Oh can't forget the fishing.Fresh caught fish, cooked over an open campfire. Oh that tastes so good." she shifted, moving to another sitting position to look at Rhu's features. "Have a kitchen large enough for the family to make pastries, cookies, cakes and great food. Had fun cooking with my mother, and the family, got into food fights. Sometimes she started it." giving a soft laugh. "I learned how to cook and bake under her tutelage."

Amy concentrated on what she was sharing with Rhu, keeping her mind off of him.

He could feel Amy's concentration twitching and he repressed a smile.

Never mind he was likely to need another plunge in the cold pool himself.

"Sounds lovely. When's the last time you were back? he asked.

Amy moved to another spot of the pool, to give a little bit of distance. Her mind was wandering to where it didn't need to go. Besides, she could tell there was a connection between Rhu and Katya. At least in her mind there seemed to be. Glances she's seen Katya give towards Rhu.

"Its been a bit since I've been home. I did talk to my parents, talking to them via viewscreen. Last time I'd been home its been nine months, since I've seen them in the flesh. My dad was threatening me he was going to pull the SS Marlin out of mothballs get Commander Denys to come after me." Amy giving a laugh, with a fond smile.

"Always good to get home, but staying in touch works," he commented, staying submerged as she shifted in the pool. "The Marlin was your old spook ship as I recall. Denys a CO?"

"The SS Marlin was my dad's spook ship, Denys was the intelligence department head on another ship.The USS Pathfinder. He in essence was my CO.Dad knew about Denys, they were friends." She gave a wry chuckle. "He was rather lively compared to how I was, and still am. A little bit of a serious person. Though I am trying to break out of that."

She came to rest upon another seat in the water, "Denys and I got along rather well. There were rumors that he and I were an item. We were not." Amy gave out a frustrated sniff as she thought of the trouble that caused her, with one particular crewmate. Amy frowned at that memory.

Rhu mulled and could feel Amy's emotions pushing toward him. "Sounds like you wished trouble had been found or would find you?" He asked, "Trouble can be fun."

"I didn't want the trouble, my crewmate wanted the trouble. She was rather jealous as to the friendship I had with Denys." sure yes Amy was attracted to Rhu, had been when she first came onboard the Valiant. She wasn't blind though, she knew that Kat was attracted to Rhu and there was a connection there.

"As much as I would love to...make a move on you, to test how close I could get. I'm not though." giving a bit of a smirk. "I can see there is a bit of a connection between you and Kat. And I am not going to step into what could become a mess." Amy decided to move a little bit closer to Rhu. "I could make things uncomfortable, but would that be fair?" her voice becoming rather sultry.

Chuckling, Rhu replied. "Fair and temptation is a narrow, winding path a captain of a small ship has to walk. I told Kat the same thing. As much as I'd very much like to indulge, we're too small a command. Bigger ships can get away with things. I trust my officers to be adults, but I don't think it would be fair."

Debating on having the pools temperature drop a few degrees, he winked and said, "Though I could remark on fairness meaning a three way experiment."

Amy gave out a silvery laugh,which echoed in the room, giving a wink. "I don't think that would work my dear Rhu. I believe where you are concerned, a woman would rather have your undivided attention, just for the full experience. Though, you probably wouldn't mind having two women paying attention to you." She smiled, quirking up an eyebrow, then moved away once more.

Rhu submerged, then resurfaced blowing water from his nose as he ran hands through his hair, wiping his face clear. "Needs of the fleet," he said piously, eyes twinkling. "Multi-tasking is part of the package." Smiling, he blew some water from his lips as well and said, "And I am part Betezoid, after all. There are certain expectations that go with that."

A silent laugh from Amy, the fencing of words was quite enjoyable. She made her way to a deeper area of the pool and taking in a breath she allowed herself to sink below the surface to settle upon the floor of the pool. The water surrounded her, muting the sound of the water fall, trickling in the pool. Amy stretched out, her eyes open looking upwards watching the movement of the water. It was soothing to her as well as the warmth of the pool. She closed her eyes and set her mental timer, she could hold her breath for two minutes, slowing her heart rate.

He kept himself aware of her movements, but let his own eyes drift shut into a mental exercise of meditation. Flirtation was fun, but he had to keep his mind focused on his command and not what his cravings screamed at him.

He was calm.

He was in control.


As he listened to his heart beat, Rhu knew he was full of drahk.

But he needed to do right by his crew and protect them. He switched to breathing exercises and slowly felt himself calm.

Sometimes it sucked being in command.

Amy, when the two minutes were up, rose to the surface, quietly taking in a few breaths of air. She ducked her head beneath the water to move her hair away from her face, wiping away the water from her eyes. She glanced around to see where Rhu was at.

Noticing where Rhu was, Amy recognized he was in a state of meditation. Not wishing to disturb him, Amy swam to where it was a shallow part, her back turned to him, making her way out of the pool. Rivulets of water streamed down her back from her hair to the water. then her feet. Stepping upon the stone surface. Soundlessly she moved to retrieve her towel, to dry herself off, then slipped on her robe. It was time to get her massage. She paused at the door looking back at Rhu, quietly whispering. "I'll see you back at the ship." leaving the room.

As she made her way towards the masseuse, Amy gave a small chuckle, did they actually do the two birds one stone conversation? Perhaps they did, it was though, a naked truth moment.

Meditating tended to heighten his awareness and he felt the ripples in the water as she surfaced, then moved to the pool edge. As she slipped from the water, Rhu gave into temptation and let his eyes open to slips and watched her admiringly as she dried, then slipped into her robe. He shut his eyes again as she reached the door and heard her whisper before she was gone.

Once the door closed, he moved from his seat to float on his back. He let himself sink beneath the water, twisting to a sitting position on the pool bottom.

After a minute he moved back to the surface and decided on a bit more meditation, debating on temptations and knowing he had definite humors that needed contemplation.

 

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