The More Things Stay the Same

Posted on Sun Jul 26th, 2009 @ 2:09am by Lieutenant JG Drew O'Connell & Lieutenant Commander Kaylis Kirana

1,447 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Behind the Mask of Familiarity
Location: Ocean Beach, San Francisco Earth
Timeline: Nine Days Ago - 0100 Hours

Drew looked up at the looming Golden Gate Bridge peering down at them through the darkness. Illuminated only by the light of the moon, it looked like a dinosaur carcass picked clean by scavengers. Like a monster in the dark. Drew lifted his beer and saluted the bridge. To the monsters in the dark, he thought.

"Come on, Drew!" Devanani Ral called from the sandy dunes ahead. She carried her own body board which was tucked under her arm and attached to her wrist by a black cord dangling down to the sand. It left odd tracks in the sand.

Drew had dropped his brother off at his aunt's house for the night. The kid had wanted to join his older brother, swimming, surfing, sitting around the bon fire on Ocean Beach. Drew had not wanted him to come for several reasons. First, he was sixteen and none of the others tonight would be near his own age. Second, they could get in trouble for the bon fire and for drinking on the beach. There was no synthehol on this beach.

Stripping off his shirt, Drew revealed his well toned body. It was something he maintained through work-outs. Work-outs he missed sharing with his sparring partner, Jasmine Chaudhary. She was one of the losses on the Rook. He sighed as he raised his beer again, looking to the stars he said under his breath, "To lost friends."

It was the last time he would think of them that night. He promised himself that. Kicking off his shoes and dropping his beer, Drew bounded over the dunes, his feet feeling like bricks moving through the sand. To his right, gulls screamed. To his left, the tall grasses scratched together in the night breeze. Drew bounded down the other side of the dune and across seeral meters of sand into the cool Pacific ocean waters. He swam out to where Devan and her fiance were clinging to her body board, their voices in the blackness a telling sign of how cold they actually were. "It's freezing," Freddy said.

Drew swam up beside them, treading water as he replied, "No one told you you had to come swimming...and you're right it's freezing..."

Through chattering teeth, Devan noticed the light from the nearby beach. "Looks like the others have the fire going. Let's head in and warm up."

Drew smiled, he could feel his fingers stiffening in the cold water. "No one said it was going to be warm. I think heading in and having a beach party is a much better idea than hypothermia."

The trio headed for the beach while trying to maintain some body heat.

Shalie stood just outside of the light of the fire looking up at the stars, what few she could see. These skies were vaguely familar. She had spent hours staring at them when she was in the Academy, but four years was not enough time. She closed her eyes as a breeze off the water came in across the beach. This place had been the closest thing to a home she had ever had. Her attention was briefly caught by a small trio of people coming in off the beach. She smiled as they made their way towards the party. Today had been a good day and everyone deserved a little fun. Her eyes returned to the sky.

"Shalie Damn Montgomery," Drew erupted when he reached the bonfire. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his shoulder before returning his attention to two things, a cold beer and an Orion thorn in his side. "How the Hell are you?" he shouted, clearly not as sober as he was just a few hours earlier.

Shalie's eyes closed as she took a deep breath. A small shudder ran though her as she tightened the wrap around her shoulders. She had been told she could go without the sling from here out, despite being slightly sore. Apparently Drew was back to his usual self. She knew she would miss thier interactions but their was something about this situation that changed her outlook. Even if it was temporary. "Hi Drew...." She said genuinely. Turning her head, she glanced over shoulder at him impishly. "Having fun?"

"Freezing my ass off actually," Drew informed her with a brillliant smile. He grabbed his sweat shirt off a nearby chair and pulled it over his head. Instantly, the warmed pullover felt good against his ocean colled skin and infused some warmth back into his frigid body. He shivered just slightly. Taking a sip of his beer, he excused himself. "Gotta put on some dry pants too." Devan with hubby in tow had already gone to do the same.

Shalie rolled her eyes at Drew. Without saying anything she turned towards the bonfire. She reached down as she passed a cooler and slid out a bottle of beer. Finding a seat she sat near the warmth of the fire and took a draw off the cold malt beverage. Shalie found her eyes returning to the skys. She couldn't help but think of those that were lost. Some part of her couldn't believe that members of Star Fleet thought that she should have been left for dead. Knowing it wasn't personal didn't make it any better. Being disappointed by those around her was nothing new to this hybrid.

Taking another draw off her beer, Shalie found herself scanning the crowd for Drew. Despite thier history, there was no arguing his sex appeal. Even to an Orion that couldn't stand him.

"So what do you think of Captain Corella Lange and her vendetta against me? I mean what crawled up her ass and died?"

Shalie was in mid-sip when as Drew began to speak. She smoothly swallowed the amber liquid before responding. "Well, I don't know Drew...how could anyone dislike you." She responded sarcastically.

Continuing his easy smile, Drew replied, "Right? I mean look at me. How can you not like me?"

Devan laughed as she threw her wet towel and covered Drew's head. With that characteristic half-laugh, half-talk, she responded, "Yeah, sometimes it's so easy...Surprised you can stand upright with a head that big."

The entire crowd erupted in laughter. Deciding to grab the spotlight while he was the center of attention, Drew stood and raised his beer bottle. "To victory and to the future."

Shalie was amused. It wasn't often that she got to see the other side of the people she served with. She found herself raising her bottle along with the impromptu toast. Her eyes studying Drew as he spoke.

Sitting back down next to Shalie, he eyed her once more, his thoughts turning more carnal. Conspiratorially, he leaned in to whisper in her ear, "I think I see you in my immediate future." With a cocked eyebrow and a knowing smile, he leaned back in his chair, still eyeing her for her response. Either he was going to get somewhere with the Orion or he was about to get knocked on his butt.

Shalie bit her lower lip as she felt Drew's breath on her ear. She smiled suductively as she felt his lust for her growing. Despite their clash of personallities there was no denying the sexual tension. Shalie's eyes traveled up and down Drew slowly, taking in what she could see from where she was sitting. Her gaze locked onto his blue eyes while she milled over her options. She took another sip of her beer, all the while not breaking her gaze.

Oh what the hell...In the back of Shalie's mind was the nagging thought of the consequences of giving into to this temptation. Whether it was desire or the beer she brushed it off, What are the chances we would be stationed together again? Shalie leaned in towards Drew, turing her face away from the group of people around them. With her lips barely brushing his ear she spoke, "mmm... I do owe you a thank you, secret agent man..."

"I'm sure something agreeable to both of us could be arranged," Drew responded quietly. He was still trying to get over the fact that he wasn't laying on his back in the sand but he supposed maybe Shalie had much the same desires and thoughts as he did. "It only begs the question of your place or mine?"

Shalie smiled as the slight wave of suprise came from Drew. Obviously, her lack of violent response caught him off guard. He was more oblivious then she fist imagined. She nipped at his ear with a soft content hum. "Well, my place is closer..."

 

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