You again? -back post

Posted on Sun Apr 5th, 2020 @ 6:47am by Lieutenant Mackenzie 'Mac' Grayson & Commander Curtis Thibideaux & Senior Chief Petty Officer Harriet Hastings

1,484 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Aftermath and Downtime
Location: Various
Timeline: A few hours after New Directions post

Mac had thought the transfer was a joke and had even called ahead to speak with the commanding officer to be on the safe side. Now that she was actually on the ship, she was impressed. She hurried along the corridor intent to get familiar with the new layout of the Sickbay, and her quarters then she was to meet up with the First officer.


Harriet walked onto the bridge and saw the Exec sitting at the Ops station. The bridge was lit with red lighting and the commander's face was additionally lit from a cascade of readouts from the station. "Pardon exec, but I thought you might like to know a Doctor Grayson just checked in at the lock and appears headed for medical."

Curtis turned to look at the Valiant's COB and the screen paused, detecting his turning away. "I didn't think she'd arrived yet. He stood and stretched, then touched the panel causing it's feeds to disappear and he said, "Computer. Return lighting to standard."

The Valiant's bridge lights came up and his own eyes squinted slightly as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Thanks for the head's up, Hasty. I'll go perform my good little XO/OOD's duties and check on her. Maybe lunch later?"

Hasty's smile filled her face as she moved over to the tactical station and pulled out the jump seat, "Sure. Maybe. I'll let you know if my dance card fills up, XO."

Snorting, Curtis gave her a half waive as he strode from the bridge and headed deeper into the ship.

Pausing just outside the hatchway to Valiant's sick bay, Curtis could see a bit of shadow and he stepped forward, and caught a glimpse of a red-headed woman standing in the center of the bay. He'd read the brief of the medical officer's appointment to the ship, of course. All such transfers off and on went through his desk. He chuckled as he tried to filter the woman's appearance now to the half remembered memory he'd had of her on the M'iridian.

After a few beats, he stepped into the hatchway and leaned against the frame. "Dr. Grayson, I presume? What's up doc?"

Mackenzie did a twisting jump, as she looked around, her dual hued gaze widened seeing Curtis standing in the doorway of the Sickbay she was going to know. "Well look what the cat dragged in, I do hope your shoulder is completely recovered?" She retorted as she looked at him. Not that she was going to admit she shocked to see him on this ship.

"Hardly dragged," Curtis said with an amused look on his face, "I'm Valiant's XO. As to the shoulder, well...." He rubbed at his left shoulder slightly and shrugged, "It only aches when I dance with a Klingon." He took a step into the medical bay and looked around. "Getting settled?"

Mac gave him a cheeky smile, "Yes I am settled here pretty good," she nodded thoughtfully and added playfully, "As for your shoulder aching when dancing with Klingons my suggestion would be to avoid it unless there's no other recourse."

"Depends on the Klingon," Curtis smiled. "Marta never really would take a no for anything, unless you could out-drink, out-dance, or out-fight her." The blonde haired XO looked around and shook his head slightly, "Good to have you aboard. I always like to see friendly faces. Make sure you run your inventory, we've had a few crew go through here and I want to make sure we're ready."

Mac nodded softly, "I was just about to check on the supplies," Mac paused as she looked up at him, "There was an impromptu Secret Santa planned just before you left the M'iridian, I promised I would bring it to you."

Curtis felt his eyebrow raise and he chuckled, "Really. That's been a while. Who did I disappoint by transferring out?" He grinned again, "Well, disappoint is probably a bad word. Who's Secret Santa exchange did I mess up?"

Mac laughed softly shaking her head as she nodded towards the carry-all under the desk, "The whole point of secret Santa was it's supposed to stay a secret at least that was the rule I was told. Anyway it's still wrapped up just grab it from the top of my carry-all," she wasn't about to admit she had drawn his name. The gift was wrapped up in silver and red paper with white and silver ribbons tied around it. Inside a Showbox style box nestled in layers of paper was a bottle of Single malt scotch from the 19th century.

Curtis took the box and fussed at it, being overly dramatic until he revealed the bottle. He knew barely enough about such things to peer at the Doctor and lift the bottle carefully from it's resting space. He'd seen scams before...some really good forgeries and the like. But somehow, he suspected this was what it appeared to be.

Some really well aged booze.

"So, I know it's supposed to be secret, but that's quite a gift. Who do I thank for it besides you for lugging it around for all these years," the XO asked.

Mac smiled at him cheekily, "Just promise to share it with someone or a friend if nothing else." She said as she shook her head gently, "You're welcome hope you enjoy it." She wasn't telling him not yet, maybe later if he really wanted to know.

Curtis considered the Doctor for a moment, then said "Well, I'll save it for suitable occasion. Perhaps one will surprise me. That you for getting it to me and caring for it all this time. Having a constant reminder of a beaten and battered crew mate must have been taxing at times. You could have just mailed it..."

Mac laughed softly, "Sure I could have tried to mail it, by risking protocals for sendind liquor through Fleet packages and then if someone inspecting it decides they want it for bribing someone or something?" she shook her head softly, "We were friends I never and will never think of you as taxing."

The blonde haired man nodded and smiled, "Same here, Mac. And you could have labeled it as medical supplies," he joked. "So, thank you for delivering forth the booze. What else is new, other than Valiant in your life these days?"

Mac laughed, "That's the first they check when sending out medical supplies to be sure it's not someone smuggling around Romulan ale or Brandy, you should have heard the fuss after someone 'found' the lounge manager's special stash in with medical supplies." She grinned cheekily, "Trying to behave mostly, my brothers decided if I don't behave and they'll start sending me date invitations from their friends." She gave a mock shudder she definitely didn't trust her brothers to find her a date she wouldn't end up getting into a fight with. Not the flirty fight, the knuckle sandwich and storm out of the room type fight.

"So, you need alternative sources of dating beings? I think the StarBase still has those mixers..." the executive officer said straight t faced.

Mac laughed softly shaking her head, "Oh hell no, after the last time I tried that on a dare from you," she shook her head, "Nope never again to infinity." She gave him a cheeky grin as she added, "So you want to stick around while I check supplies or are you off to get your own work done since you've welcomed me to the ship and we've shot the breeze a bit?"

Curtis held up his hands and shook his head. "No, I don't think you need me watching over you for that. And I am told I can be distracting, so I shall hither myself off. Good to see you again and don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything, Mac."

Mac smiled and nodded, "See you around and I promise to remember to call you Sir when it's appropriate." Coming from her it was a compliment because she normally didn't recognize folks by their rank. Saying that she was willing to do so with him meant he had both her trust and respect.

Curtis half turned as he hit the doorway and gave her a thumbs up. "I do appreciate the try, Doctor. Command school did tell us that we have to give Medical lots of license though, so I wouldn't worry overly about it." Then he gave her a ghost of a wink and disappeared from sight.

Mac laughed softly he definitely hadn't changed that much, still good at getting last remark before being about his way. She got back to the medical supplies list to make sure they had everything they were supposed to.

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