The Irish Rover

Posted on Fri Jan 10th, 2025 @ 6:25pm by Lieutenant Commander Deanna Celes & Lieutenant Aidan O'Connor & Commander Jonathan Grayson

Mission: Family
Location: USS Washington

Deanna was meeting with Jon, updating him on the latest aspects of the repairs and upgrades. Jon had been away for a full week, and lots had occurred in his absence.

"The repairs have been completed, and the new Chief Engineer has overseen the upgrades and believes everything will be complete in the next 6 hours."

Jon listened to Deanna's report in regard to the repairs. When she had finished, he spoke, "Very good Deanna. I take it you've met the new Chief Engineer? What's your take on them?" Then he added, "How has your vacation been Deanna?"

"Vacation was nice. Amazed I can say that considering my mother was here, but she didn't cause an incident, so I chalk that up as a win" Deanna replied with a smile. "As for Lt O'Connor, he has a distinguished record and comes from a prominent StarFleet family. I'm actually surprised one of his siblings hasn't served on the Washington. He is quite personable, and I am certain he'll make many of the female officer's swoon, but he knows how to be a professional. And as you can see, in 48 hours he has gotten everything back on track and even a bit ahead of schedule."

"Glad your vacation was nice Deanna and much more importantly that you were able to enjoy it. Especially with your family being here." He listened as Deanna describe the new chief engineer and what he had accomplished in his short time aboard the Washington. His smile grew as he said his next. "Make female officers swoon? Including yours Deanna and I dare say Ayana?" Jon teased in good nature. "Perhaps we have gotten our own miracle worker." He mused. "Page him to come up here, I want to meet our new chief engineer and resident swooner of female hearts."

Deanna narrowed her eyes as she furrowed her brow a bit and crossed her arms, "I never said he made me swoon, just that he was the type that could pull that off." She hit her comm badge and summoned O'Connor. She stood in mock anger as they waited for the lieutenant to arrive.

Jon repressed a chuckle at Deanna's actions and decided to keep teasing her. "Well, I heard the reports of how you and Ayana but especially you just what was the word? Oh yes, swooned at his every word and smile."

"I'll have you know that I had nothing but professionalism when he was around, which is more than I can say for him. And don't get yourself feeling too smug. He still needs to have his psych workup" Deanna teased.

"Professionalism? Is that what it is called? I heard you were following him around like a puppy." Jon teased. "Me? Smug?" Jon protested innocently. "Never." But his eyes alight with delight. He enjoyed bantering with Deanna.

The door chimed and after a moment, Aidan walked in. "Commander" he said in a charming manner with that Irish brogue looking at Deanna as he walked over to Jon. "Lt Aidan O'Connor reporting as requested, Commander" he said looking at Jon.

Jon glanced over at Deanna, his eyes alight with mischief. However, first O'Connor. "Have a seat, Lieutenant." Jon replied crisply.

"Aye sir" he replied, taking a seat. "You need an update on anything, or perhaps you have a new project for me?"

"I have been updated by Commander Celes and as far a new project, rest assured, I'll come up with one for you." Jon replied smiling.

"Hope you enjoyed your time off sir. I understand you were down on Earth for a bit. Where abouts did you go?" Aidan replied.

"I did. Had a great time in fact." Jon answered with a grin. "Took my wife and children to Disney World and then to some of the surrounding attractions around Orlando. Oldest son is still talking about it."

"I wasn't aware that people still went there. I thought it was just a museum and somewhat of a monument area. It was so close to the area hit by the Xindi weapon. Of course, my parents might have said such a thing to us to avoid going when I was a wee lad. Can't imagine my parents trying to keep up with our whole brood at such a place" Aidan said with a chuckle.

"I'm afraid your information is a little off. It is there and thriving. As are most of the other attractions. Like Gatorland and Sea World. Though they don't have any performing killer whales shows. They were all stopped hundreds of years ago." Jon replied. "As for keeping up. Harry is five and the twins are babies, so it wasn't bad at all."

"Ah, that explains it. You are still early on in your family life. I come from a typical Irish family, quite large. I'm the oldest of 10 kids. As you might imagine, my parents spent most of their time at home" Aiden replied with a bit of mirth.

"Why thank you Lieutenant." Jon replied without rolling his eyes. "With ten children, I can see why they were at home." Jon answered.

"The captain is due back in the morning. I assume you are still on schedule to have everything completed before then so we can get underway?" Deanna questioned.

"Aye commander. We'll have everything completed in the next six hours. I am working on getting things organized in Engineering afterwards. We will be ready to depart when the captain arrives though, no doubt about it" Aidan replied.

"Excellent Lieutenant. I will hold you to that timetable. I don't think there is anything else other than to say welcome aboard the Washington." Jon finished and extended his right hand.

Aidan nodded and stood. "It has been interesting already. I am looking forward to seeing what else we do around here."

"Deanna hang back a second, will you?" Jon asked the Ops chief.

Deanna nodded. As Aiden exited, she looked to Jon, "Something you need?"

"Sit down please Deanna." Jon replied cryptically.

"Getting serious and mysterious. Applying for a job in Intelligence?" Deanna replied as she sat down.

Jon smiled at her, "How do you know I don't already have one Deanna?" He questioned still smiling.

She tapped her index finger against her head near her temple, "Perhaps you are forgetting you are talking to a telepath. You have no secrets" she said with a wry smile.

"Hmm. Good point but perhaps you are forgetting I am married to a Betazoid and we share a link and she has helped me tremendously in being able to block my thoughts, so you only see what I want you to see." Jon bantered back.

"Keep telling yourself that" Deanna said with a smile. "So, what do you want to discuss?"

"Well, it sounded good." Jon replied with a chuckle. "I'll keep getting Callie to help me. " Then he grew serious. "I don't know if you are aware, but we had two mirrors on board. Mirror Shran and Mirror Ashlyn Regan who helped Mirror Shran escape."

"I'm aware. I got the security briefing about it. Worries me that two people from that twisted universe are roaming freely in our universe" Deanna replied soberly. "My understanding is that the captain had informed Admiral Carroll about this, and that the admiral was going to look into the matter...covertly."

Jon nodded, "I wanted to keep you in the loop Deanna, after all you are the ranking operations officer of the Washington. I apologize for rehashing information you are already aware of."

"No problem at all. I thought something might be wrong" Deanna replied firmly.

Jon shook his head, "Nope nothing wrong...... other than you swooning at the new engineer." Jon teased his friend.

"Keep it up. I'm going to make sure his psych eval is done by Callie. See how you feel about it then" she teased right back.

Jon threw his hands up in mock surrender. "Okay, okay. Point taken. I'll stop." He promised.

Deanna stood and looked at Jon, "You better. I've got work to do. No more small talk. If you want to gossip or tease, focus your attention on Ayana. She is the one smitten with the new Chief Engineer."

Jon was taken back and hurt by Deanna's abruptness. "No, not saying anything else on the subject of the new engineer and who may be smitten by him. I won't keep you any longer Deanna. Go to your work."

Deanna turned back and offered a smile, trying to make sure Jon knew she was playing into his cat and mouse teasing. "You coming? I'm sure we could use you on the bridge while we wait for the captain to return."

Jon shook his head, "You go Deanna, I'll be there in a minute." He replied simply.