Diplomacy Is Not My Strong Point

Posted on Fri Oct 30th, 2009 @ 3:22am by Lieutenant JG Drew O'Connell & Lieutenant JG Yvette LaFaal

875 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Shoreleave - Welcoming Old Friends and New
Location: Chief Diplomat's Office
Timeline: Current

Drew smiled as he stepped into the turbolift which would take him to the Chief Diplomat's office, that of Lieutenant Yvette LaFaal. It was more a meeting of curiosity than a required one, though their departments would work together closely on several future missions, to be sure. The smile was a result of the new haircut he'd gotten, the first one he'd actually liked and which finally solved the problem of his hair in his eyes.

When the lift stopped, Drew stepped out onto deck four and headed in the direction he recalled from the schematics. Stepping up to the door, Drew touched the door panel, sending an announcement chime through to the newest department head. Stepping back, he tugged down the front of his jacket and waited patiently for the response.

"Can I help you, Lieutenant", the voice rang out from behind him as Yvette rounded the corner, a stack of PaDD's in her arms. "I'm running a little late this morning". She smiled warmly at the officer before her.

"Nothing particularly pressing. I was hoping you would have time to meet with me this morning, I'm Lieutenant Andrew O'Connell, Chief Intelligence Officer. Our departments will probably be linked frequently in coming missions. And I thought I might welcome you to the ship."

Drew smiled as the diplomat handed him a few of her PaDDs, opening the door to her office. She moved inside and invited him along. He found the place remarkably like his own. 'Starfleet standard,' he thought.

"Well, in that case, come on in."

She moved to her desk, depositing the few PaDDs she still held before sitting down to arrange them. Still standing before her, Drew allowed her a few minutes to arrange her things before he politely cleared his throat.

Yvette climbed out of her seat and came around to the front of the desk. "Can I help you with any of those," she indicated the stack of PADD's in his hand after depositing her own. Something about him was fogging her thoughts.

With a smile, Drew easily replied, "Well they are yours." Drew handed them over a few at a time, watching as she moved them to the appropriate piles. She had more work than he did and he idly wondered what could be keeping her so busy.

She took a moment to admire the strong form, chiselled jawline and muscular frame of the man in front of her and to her surprise she found herself turning red. Something about him was captivating and she found herself enthralled with him. With some effort she pulled her eyes away from him for a second, "Please take a seat, Lieutenant".

Finally free of his load of PaDDs, Drew slipped into the chair across from her. "Thank you. You should know that I don't stand of tradition and since we're both the same rank, I would prefer you call me Drew."

"Very well... Drew," she giggled slightly at his name and instantly chastised herself. She was acting like a school girl.

Drew was a bit confused by her reaction. 'What is with these women lately? he thought to himself. Pushing forward, he continued, "I thought it might benefit us, meeting before the shit hits the fan, as the proverb goes. Somehow, diplomacy and intelligence are unusually close departments on a ship. Best to get off on the right foot then."

Yvette's thoughts were caught on the 'Get Off' part of his statement, but not in the manner he meant.
With some effort she pulled herself back and again found her cheeks reddening as she gazed into his crystal blue eyes. "Sorry Lieutenant. You were saying."

"Establishing a working relationship," he repeated. He could sense his own frustration growing and becoming a part of his outward demeanor. He breathed deeply. "Intelligence and Diplomacy working together, getting off on the right foot," he repeated. He was not accustomed to repeating himself. He could also sense that maybe she was a bit attracted to him. Pushing down his frustration, he approached it from a different perspective. She was, after all, quite attractive herself. "Maybe a dinner meeting would make this more easy," he suggested.

Her mouth dropped open, clear surprise registered on her face. Had she really been that transparent? "That sounds nice", she stammered. "Shall I meet you in the lounge at say seventeen hundred?"

Drew smiled easily. "Unfortunately, I am otherwise engaged tonight." He thought of his dinner with Shalie, already planned before they both returned to the ship. "But I am free tomorrow. If you'd like, we can meet there at seventeen hundred hours."

Yvette nodded her head, like a hungry child waiting for her parents to put the chocolate down in front of her.
"That sounds good."

"I look forward to it, Yvette." He had used her first name in the manner he'd told her she should use hers. He wasn't sure he was allowed to, but when she didn't react he took that as permission. "Have a good day."

"And you", her eyes were like saucers as she hadn't been expecting someone on the ship affect her they way he had. But still, a little fun here and there didn't hurt anyone.

 

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