Unexpected Visitor

Posted on Sat Oct 24th, 2009 @ 12:49am by Lieutenant JG Drew O'Connell & Captain Elsie Halliwell

1,746 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Shoreleave - Welcoming Old Friends and New
Location: O'Connell Farmhouse, Galway, Ireland, Earth
Timeline: Backpost

ON:

Drew sat with his Aunt by the embers of the fire which had blazed in the hearth just hours ago. Ian had gone to visit some friends, staying the night, and Shalie Montgomery had gone off to bed early...Not that it was exceptionally late. Drew imagined it had more to do with the excitement of returning to Earth and the time difference between the starship Archimedes and Ireland. Archimedes had been on night shift for nearly four hours before she excused herself and retired to her room. Drew smiled to himself as he stared, mesmerized by the molten glow of the embers and the bright blue lick of flame that danced between them.

"Penny for yer thoughts," Evelyn said as she rearranged the heavy blanket over her lap. The confusion must have been evident in his face as she clarified, "An old saying, when we used to use currency. Meant I would pay to know what yer thinkin'."

"Just how strange life is sometimes." Drew paused and sipped at the tumbler of scotch Ev had poured for each of them. He shook his head in wonder. "Sometimes, when ya think things can't get any stranger..." He shrugged.

Evelyn smiled knowingly. "You and that girl upstairs...yer more than friends and shipmates, no?"

Drew smiled at himself. "It's more complicated than that, Ev."

"Aye, it's always more complicated, isn't it?"

As if in response to the conversation, the door knocker sounded. Drew wondered two things, who would be knocking on their door at this time of night and whether it was a universal constant that humanoids knock three times. Certainly it couldn't be cultural, as every race, both human and alien, knocked in such a way when faced with the opportunity. Thankful for the interruption, Drew excused himself to answer the door, certain Ev wasn't expecting any guests.

The older, wiser Trill stood at the door to the beautiful house, smiling and expectant. The cold chill that whipped through the air was invigorating. Warmed by the Irish sun throughout the day, the coolness that carried to his skin was refreshing to him.

As the door opened, Kerr stood, narrowing his eyes onto his Chief Intelligence officer’s surprised face. “Mind if I pay you a visit, Drew?� Kerr asked, nodding a greeting as he stood on the threshold. “I have some free time from Headquarters and have been given the strictest orders by our new Doctor to relax after the procedure. I couldn’t think of a more beautiful setting to do this. Balloud loved this part of the Quadrant,� he reminisced. “Well, I think it was Balloud, I’m still getting used to this.�

Drew was surprised to find his captain standing on his doorstep. It was an odd sensation, surprise, and it happened so rarely that Drew secretly relished it. Even more surprising was his captain's response about confusion in regards to his former host memories. As was his character, however, Drew would never allow his commanding officer to see his surprise. With an easy smile and Irish lilt to his voice, Drew opened the door wider. "Please come in, Captain."

“Thank you,� he said, stepping in over the threshold into the warmth.

He wasn't sure how he would explain Shalie's presence here. Still, she had long since gone to bed and he hoped she would remain there until the captain left. That much would save him from explanations, at least. "We were just sitting in the kitchen by the hearth, Captain. Would you care to join my Aunt and I for a drink?"

Kerr’s face warmed with the invitation, and he nodded, smiled widely and made his way into the kitchen behind Drew. Laying his eyes on the woman sat there, drink in hand, he said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, and thank you for inviting me in. How are you both?�

Drew responded quickly. "Well, Captain."

"As well as can be expected anyway," came Evelyn's response. "And you, sir?" she asked politely.

“The same could be said of me, thank you,� he replied, smiling genuinely.

Drew returned with a tumbler of scotch and handed it to Kerr. Drew indicated the seat he had vacated for the captain to sit in, placing his own drink on the mantle before venturing off to find a new seat. When he returned to the kitchen, Drew added a few logs to the fire before he retrieved his own glass and sat between his aunt and his commanding officer. Not to sound too curious, Drew asked. "What brings you to Galway specifically, sir? I mean..." Drew paused as he considered how best to put his next question, "There are other places on Earth which would offer more. Even the Starfleet sector in San Fran is more exciting than Galway."

“Thank you,� Kerr said, taking the cool glass tumbler in his hand and bringing it up to his nose to inhale the warm vapours as they were aroused from the surface of the golden nectar. He savoured the taste as he drank, like a wasp, little slurps that warmed his chest.

“Having lived most of my life on a Starfleet vessel, in one capacity or another, I like to also have a break from work, Mr. O’Connell. And, I’ve heard so much about the Irish landscape that I thought it high time to drop by… if that’s all right by you, Drew.�

"Of course, sir. There is always an open invitation at the O'Connell house," Drew responded politely.

The Trill had decided to leave out his own thoughts on return to his homeworld. Relations with his own family had deteriorated over the past few years and, now with the joining, had no desire to make the trip. There were some things a captain should just keep to himself.

Before Drew was able to ask the question on everyone's mind, Evelyn threw back the blanket on her lap and excused herself. "It has been a long day, gentlemen. If you'll excuse me, I think it past time for bed."

Drew nodded his head as his aunt passed. Captain Kerr tipped his glass a bit and inclined his head as well. When she had passed through and they heard the click of her door, Drew proceeded with the unasked question. "I'm not sure of the etiquette regarding joining, Captain, so if the question is rude, forgive me. What is it like to be an individual one moment and a symbiosis of two the next...with memories that don't quite belong to you?"

“Well,� Kerr replied, still unsure of the answer himself, “the memories are mine, Drew. At least, the me that you’ve just met. Coltan Lane is now a small part of that.� The confused look on his officer’s face made him chuckle as he took another sip of the smooth drink. “It’s difficult to even explain to myself. “I’m still Coltan Lane underneath everything. But I’m Kerr, also. And the wealth of life that comes with being Kerr out-shines the Lane in me. I’m still getting used to the feeling myself.�

He took yet another sip and leant back in his chair to relax. “And, Drew, please... We’re not on duty now, and you’re on shoreleave. Please, less of the ‘sirs’ and ‘Captains’ in your own home.�

"No promises, but I'll try...Starfleet doesn't beat the 'sir's' and 'captain's' into their cadets to have them drop it easily." Drew leaned back in his chair and sipped the heavy liquor from his glass. Feeling a bit out of place with his commanding officer, a man he'd spent little time getting to know during the last mission, Drew cleared his throat before asking his next question. It was born of familiarity rather than true interest. "Any idea where Starfleet plans to send us next?"

Kerr sucked the air through his teeth and looked away from Drew, peering into the fire as it crackled and flared between them. “I… have an idea, yes. But since it involves the testing of a new technology that they plan to role out across the Fleet, I can’t discuss the details here and now. But, we’ll all have our work cut out for us with this one.�

Drew smiled, the heavy liquor suddenly going to his head and making him relax. "It sounds like fun..." Drew considered the conversation and his Captain's request. "Do you prefer Coltan or Kerr since I've been asked not to 'captain' and 'sir' you."

“Kerr will do for now, Drew,� he replied, still getting used to the name falling form his mouth. “You do have a beautiful home here. Do you come back to it often?�

"Honestly, Kerr, I've never really thought of this as my home, though I suppose one day it will be." Drew shrugged as he looked down at his glass. "I've always thought of it as my grandparent's home. I was young when I joined Starfleet and I've come to think of that as my home. As to coming back...not as often as I should. I love this place and the work, but other duties always seem to call."

As if by Providence, Kerr’s combadge chirped beneath his chin.

“Admiral Lowder to Captain Kerr. Please report to Starfleet Headquarters.�

Kerr smiled, and sighed, looking at Drew as he rolled his eyes, noting the irony of what he had just uttered. Tapping his combadge, he stood. “Kerr here, sir. I’m on my way.� He looked down and Drew and nodded. “Thank you for inviting me into your home, Lieutenant. It’s been nice.�

"Thank you for visiting, Captain. Now that Aunt Evelyn has met you, you'll always be welcome here. In fact, I'm surprised she didn't take the opportunity to stuff you with food and make you too drowsy to ever leave."

Drew escorted his commanding officer to the door and just as he stepped out into the cold evening air, Drew said, "Good night, sir. See you back on the ship in a few days."

Kerr smiled, thanked him once again and left for the appointment.


OFF:

---

Coltan Kerr
Commanding Officer

AND


Drew O’Connell
Chief Intelligence Officer

 

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