You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello

Posted on Sat Dec 19th, 2009 @ 1:10am by Lieutenant JG Drew O'Connell & Lieutenant Commander Kaylis Kirana

1,090 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Balowlli System
Location: Shuttlebay One
Timeline: Current

Drew rushed into the shuttlebay knowing it was the last time he would get to see Shalie for a very long time. He was barely there in time to see the long-range transport breakthrough the shuttle's semi-permeable forcefield and set down on the deck, expelling the last of its thrusters with a loud whoosh. He spotted her, her back to him as she too watched the large transport enter the bay. Suddenly, the reality of the situation caught him. Shalie Montgomery would be gone in a few minutes. Whatever they may have had with each other, the one thing he could call her was friend...a title he coveted and withheld from many others throughout the years.

With a hard swallow, Drew pushed down the sudden well of panic, loneliness and terrible paranoia. With a gentle hand on her shoulder, he silently alerted her to his presence. When she turned, Drew softly said her name. "Shalie."

Shalie was fighting the urge to tap her foot as she watched the transport land. She wasn't excited about her new transfer but just wanted to get the leaving part over with. Also it was the first time in year she would get to see Kirana even if it was only long enough for a few words. She felt herself calm slightly as O'Connell approached from behind her. She turned as she felt his hand touch her shoulder and heard her name. She smiled softly. "I thought we already said goodbye?" She asked playfully.

"We did," Drew responded easily. "It's as much a coincidental goodbye as an actual one." Drew noticed his team startingh to assemble in the shuttlebay, taking up positions near the USS Claw. "I've a ship of my own to catch," he added as he looked in Ral's direction.

"Still, the goodbye is genuine. I think I may even miss you, Shalie."

"I will miss you too." Shalie replied with a genuine smile. She glanced over her shoulder and caught site of her friend. "Oh and look her comes my replacement." She tipped her head in the direction of the Bajoran.

Shalie had always been able to find in a crowd, Orions were rare and she just had an air about her. Kirana bounced to where her friend was standing. "Shalie Montgomery, you owe me for this...that trip was dreadful." Her thick New Zealand accent dripped off every word.

Drew turned to the vibrantly attractive Bajoran, her blond hair and blue eyes as much an oddity on her as it was on Devan. "You must be Kaylis Kirana," Drew said after the women finished their interaction. "Shalie has told me nothing about you," he finished with a slight smile.

Kirana gave Shalie a look and after a quick nod from Shalie she turned towards the attractive human. "Well, I know plenty about you," She said with a sly grin. "I am Lieutenant Kaylis, Chief Operations Officer."

"Lieutenant Andrew O'Connell," Drew responded, realizing his mistake. "Chief Intelligence Officer. Apologies for the short introduction, but I'm heading off the Archimedes myself."

Kirana smiled, "Oh, no worries...I am sure we will have plenty of time to get to know one another." She turned towards Shalie. "Besides I have about 10 minutes before my friend here gets shipped away and she needs to get me caught up."

Drew nodded. "Well then, if you'll excuse me, I have my own shuttle to attend to. Lieutenant Kaylis, Shalie," he let the sentence trail, trying to to say the goodbye on the tip of his tongue. As if saying it would concrete the issue.

Walking to the Claw, Drew met up with his team. Markus Ramsey was already busy at the aft section of the shuttle, attending to some of the modifications Drew had ordered. Devanani Ral was lugging some heavy equipment case when he caught up to her and relieved her of its weight.

Turning to him, Devan pushed back a stray lock of blond hair that had escaped the trap behind her ear and whispered, "That was hard for you, wasn't it?"

Drew looked at his Assistant Chief, a title he'd solidified for her during their time on leave. His puzzlement was clear without saying so much as a word and she was happy to oblige the rest of her meaning. "Saying goodbye to a friend, being human...being nice. I've known you long enough to know that you don't have many friends, fewer still people you're attracted to."

"Let's just leave it at that was hard, shall we?" he asked, a bit more testily than he intended but was unlikely or unable to apologize for.

Kirana couldn't help but giggle slightly as Drew walked away. She looked over at Shalie and rubbed her friends arm. "Hun, I am sorry...I have to admit I have never seen you like this before."

Shalie shook her head, "It is nothing...honest." She tried to sound convincing but it was easier said then done. "Well we had better get you caught up...you have a lot of work ahead of you." She ushered her over to the side of the bay where they were out of the line of traffic. Kirana didn't push the subject of the Intelligence Officer as she was briefed on her new assignment.

The ten minutes flew by and soon Kirana was watching Shalie board the transport. With one final wave she was gone, and the Bajoran found herself on a new adventure. If she remembered protocol correctly she needed to check in with the CO. She turned on her heels as the transport engines fired up and exited the shuttle bay.

Drew turned at the sound of the thrusters firing on the transport, watching as it breached the seal and headed out into the void of space again. He placed a hand against the cold hull of the shuttle and sighed heavily. Laughing to himself, he acknowledged the loss, such as it was and returned his attention to the new crew. As she departed the bay, no doubt on her way to see Captain Kerr, Drew had but one thought, Damn, she's cute!

Devan interrupted his view and when she moved, the new Chief of Operations was gone, the doors closing with a customary hiss. Disappointed, he returned his attention to his other friend on the ship. "Twenty-four hours to launch, we need to be ready."

Rounding the aft section of the shuttle, Markus was the one that spoke assurances. "We'll be ready, Drew."

 

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