Dinner at McCree's

Posted on Thu Oct 15th, 2009 @ 3:53am by Lieutenant JG Drew O'Connell & Lieutenant Commander Kaylis Kirana

1,770 words; about a 9 minute read

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

Drew sat down at the end of the table, opposite his aunt at the head, for what he was sure was going to be a thrill ride of dinner and conversation. With Shalie and Ian sitting down to the table together, he had no supporters and he was certain Evelyn would know every detail of the last months of his life. He wasn't looking forward to it...

Still for all the torture bound to come, dinner smelled amazing. He felt instantly at home and comfortable again. As Ev pulled the top from the pot of Irish stew she'd been cooking for hours, he forgot the cares of the day and the cares to come as the smell of lamb, carrots, potatoes, and onion filled the room. Fresh soda bread awaited the hands of someone to break it and everyone looked around the table at one another waiting for Evelyn to start.

Ladling a dish out, Ev presented it to Shalie and announced, "Guests first." Then she served Ian, Drew and herself last. The bread was broken and handed from person to person and when everyone had eaten a bit, Ev served up the first volley in the verbal war to come. "So, how did ya meet Drew?"

"Thank you..." She said as she took the offered food. Of course the question came just as Shalie took a bite. She finished chewing before responding.. She looked over at Drew debating on where to start. "Well...we met before the whole trial thing...we were both stationed on the USS Rook....technically it is my fault he got court marshaled."

Ev smiled. "T'was bound to happen sometime."

Ian choked on his stew, stifling a laugh at the look of death coming from Drew. When he was sure his brother could breathe, Drew pressed on. "Actually, my choices made me get court marshaled. You can't blame yourself for my actions, especially considering I didn't know you were on Targus Minor."

"That is true..." Shalie laughed. "If you had known it was me....you most likely wouldn't have gone." She smiled at Drew knowingly. It was now her turn to push his buttons. What is the worst that can happen

Drew shrugged. "At that point, probably not. Still making up mind if I would go now," he managed through a laugh.

Shalie should have expected it but she hadn't and the comment caught her off guard. "Well...at least the torture on Targus Minor would have ended eventually...now I seem to be stuck with you." her voice almost nauseatingly sweet. The fact that he ran so hot and cold with her caused her to quickly become defensive. She kind of shook her head and turned her attention back to her food. She had fooled herself into thinking that she would actually enjoy some time with him....with their clothes on that is.

"Aye," Ev responded with a strange inflection. "So what happened to the Rook?"

"Short version...it was taken over by robots and jumped the galactic edge. Past that I don't know." Shalie kept her eyes on everyone except Drew.

"And you were lucky to get posted to the same ship afterwards?" Ev asked incredulously.

If you want to call it lucky "I think they were trying to keep small groups of the surviving crew together...thought it might help us cope" Shalie took a sip of her tea. Her eyes finally fell onto Drew's. Her stare was icy for lack of a better term. She was going to play his game, if that is what he wanted.

Drew responded this time. "Life has a way of throwing obstacles in your path." He paused and shrugged as he looked at Shalie. "Sometimes it isn't about overcoming those obstacles so much as turning them to your advantage."

"He is right...there are lots of recreational advantages to be stationed with Drew." Shalie said with a smile as she took another bite of the wonderful stew.

"Really?" Ian asked before being stifle. "Because, aside from homework and being locked in our quarters together for that mutiny thing, Drew hasn't done anything recreational with me."

The look from Drew wiped the triumphant smile from his younger brother's face. "That mutiny thing," Drew started, his voice dripping with warning, "required me to lock you in our quarters to keep you safe. It was impossible to determine whom was in the right during that particular time on the ship."

Shalie interrupted, "Besides, Ian and I have a bit in common when it comes to his brother."

Ian looked at Shalie and he could see the devilish glint in her eye. "You're right about that. We both share a bedroom with him."

Drew sputtered and choked on his stew. With tears streaming from his eyes, Drew sipped gently at some water, squelching the urge to reciprocate said choking on either Ian or Shalie. With a horrified look in his eyes, he turned to Ev. "Part of being on a small ship," he explained lamely. "Sometimes you have to share quarters."

"I see," Evelyn responded both gently and wisely not pushing for more information.

"One of the first things Drew taught me when I was new on board was that eventually everyone would have a bunk mate." Shalie's tone was very matter of fact with a hint of ignorance. It might have been faked but ignorance none the less. With a self satisfied grin she took a bite of her soup before she continued. "But I heard that there should be some rearranging soon and more single cabins will be opening up."

Drew smiled easily now. "And perhaps you could bunk with someone new," he responded, a slight warning tone in his voice which should have alerted Shalie that this dicussion had gone on long enough. "I'm guessing it could be arranged quite soon after we return...maybe even immediately." On his face was a wide smile, but in his eyes was a burning anger as he stared daggers at the Orion hybrid.

Shalie caught his meaning even without his words. She normally couldn't read him but this was different. His anger radiated from him and she was pleased with herself. Deciding that it was best to let it lie, she easily transitioned the conversation as she rolled her eyes dismissively. "So this may sound like a weird question...but has your family always lived in Ireland?" The question directed towards Drew's aunt.

Evelyn hadn't missed a single nuance in the revious line of discussion. Still, she was happy for the distraction. "Aye, as far back as history records an O'Connell has lived in this blessed country."

Shalie was slightly amazed that a family would stay in one place for so long. "Wow....I don't think my family ever stayed in one place for a week, let alone generations." She gave a slightly pained smile. She would never admit it but she was somewhat jealous of the O'Connell family.

"Some would say they were trapped by history. The O'Connells, that is. Of course, I'm not an O'Connell but a McCree. I'm just lookin' over this place until Galen and his wife claim it. Or Andrew or Ian. Whomever decides to continue in this country."

Shalie kind of nodded as Evelyn spoke. She knew very little about Drew and even less about his family. It was the hazards of befriending a spook.

"Well," Drew interrupted before anyone could continue the conversation. "Unless something drastic happens, I won't be returning to Ireland to live for a long time. Starfleet is my home right now."

"Hmmm," Shalie said with a content smile. This mini roast of O'Connell was very satisfying. She knew that she would eventually take the heat for most of this...but what was the worst that could happen. An awkward silence fell across the table as everyone continued eating.

Drew spooned another mouthful of food into his mouth and chewed silently. One thing could never be denied, that was that Evelyn McCree's culinary skill was as excellent as always. He was almost relieved at the silence because, for one who managed information, he wasn't managing anything tonight especially well. After several minutes had gone by without a word, Drew started to relax until Ian opened his mouth.

"So," Ian asked brightly. "How long do you think it will be before Katie Ryan stops by."

Drew gulped down the mouthful of food he had been eating and shuddered at the thought. Katherine Ryan was the only girl Drew had ever been in love with. She knew him better than any other human on the planet and giving Shalie an opportunity to meet her sent a shiver of dread through his soul.

Evelyn took pity on him by announcing, "She's away at college. She shouldn't be by any time soon, I should think."

Shalie finished her drink of water before asking the inevitable question. "Who is Kate...Ryan...was it?" Her gaze moved between Ian and Drew. The discomfort coming from Drew caused a sweet smile to cross her face.

"Oh," Ian said between chewing. "She's an old family friend." He smiled devilishly at his older brother who continued to stare daggers at Ian.

"And she's an ex-girlfriend. The only one who could tolerate me really," Drew explained. It meant nothing now, Shalie would ever meet her. Kate was away at school and would remain there if there was a graceful God.

"Oh really" Shalie turned her gaze to Drew. "You never told me about the ex."

"I haven't told you a great many things," Drew responded coldly. "You're my occasional roommate not my keeper, or God forbid, my wife."

Shalie let out a frustrated sigh. "Rules O'Connell..." She took the last bite of her bread and placed her utensils on the table in from of her. "Thank you for the wonderful dinner, Ms. McCree...but after the procedure this morning I need some fresh air....If you will excuse me." She didn't wait for a response before pushing her chair back and walking out the front door. Cursing under her breath as she made it outside.

Drew looked at his aunt, an evident embarassment and frustration on his face. They were about to say something when Ian interrupted. "Was it something you said?"

Drew spooned up a large helping of the stew and flung it across the table at Ian. The three remaining family laughed together, breaking the tension inthe room. When they finished, Drew agreed with a laugh, "I think it was something I said."

 

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