The main bridge of the Galileo was a ball of energy as the crew moved from terminal to terminal, attempting to accomplish their only goal; get the ship operational. In the middle of the bridge was the Galileo’s newly appointed Executive Officer, Samuel Malik. Malik had been pacing back and forth for the better part of an hour now. He hadn’t noticed the path he was creating on the floor as he continued to move back and forth. His version of “supervising” the work was just a fancy way of saying he was babysitting everyone. He glanced down at his padd and then back to the terminal in front of him. “The Galileo had to be perfect,” he muttered to no one in particular. Getting an Executive Officer spot was a dream come true and one that he had almost given up on; till Captain Naris. It was odd that the two hadn’t met yet, but that would come.

“So, when will we meet this famous Captain we keep hearing about?” a rather annoyed voice came from under the terminal.

Commander Malik sighed as he rolled his eyes, “I am sure you will be the first to know when Captain Naris gets here.”

“Just seems odd if you ask me,” the Flight Control Officer continued. “Sudden transfers, emergency orders, and still no Captain. It sounds like Starfleet…”

“Sounds like Starfleet what?” a feminine voice came from the back of the bridge.

“Captain on the bridge,” a rather surprised Security Officer announced suddenly as if caught off guard.

“You think?” Malik sighed as he approached their newest arrival, “Captain Naris,” the Executive Officer extended a hand, “Commander Samuel Malik, Ma’am. It’s a pleasure to meet you finally.”

Vidre Naris smirked as she shook the man’s hand, “the pleasure is all mine; walk with me for a minute, Commander,” the Captian stepped back into the lift. “Deck 3,” she called out. “Our Chief of Engineering is set to arrive soon and well.. let’s give him a proper welcome,”  Naris spoke, but her eyes told so much. Something behind those eyes spoke volumes more than a simple welcome.

Malik looked at this Captain, “Forgive me for being forward, Ma’am, but is there something else I need to know about,” he looked at the woman.

“Starfleet didn’t give us many options for an Engineer. Most of the list didn’t have the experience to engineer a way out of a paper bag. Considering our first mission, I need experience. I needed Bates,” she paused, turning to the ship’s XO. “I am just not certain Bates will need us. Or me.”

“You have a past with this Bates?”

“You could say that, Commander, you could say that,” Naris exited the lift with Malik behind her. As the two entered the transporter room, the Captain looked to the Chief, “energize.”  In front of the two materialized an older human male. Naris hadn’t seen Eli in almost ten years, but it looked exactly as she remembered. Perhaps he was a bit older, with a bit more grey hair, but he was still Eli.

Eli had been suddenly pulled from his liaison position for the Starfleet Corps of Engineers. He had reluctantly agreed to join a ship again, but when he heard the CO, he was even more reserved about the idea. Eli had made his way through the station heading for the transporter. He saw many people looking in his direction with wide eyes,

It wasn’t often you saw a Captain of Engineering, and Bates was one of the few. He had been many places during his tenure in Starfleet. He was currently drinking a cup of coffee with a disgruntled look on his face. The orders had said to be ready by 15:00, yet this morning they were revised for 08:00. He got to the transporter and nodded to the officer. As he materialized, he saw two men standing there waiting for him.

He stood straight with his language beside him and the cup of coffee in the other hand. “Captain Bates, reporting as ordered.” He mumbled as he sipped his coffee. He made no eye contact with Naris because this was awkward, and he wasn’t sure how to react.

Samuel stepped forward, “Welcome to the Galileo, Captain Bates,” he extended a hand, “Samuel Malik,” he skipped the rank, “Executive Officer, we are very grateful for your..”

Naris stepped forward, “It’s good to see you again, Eli,” she nodded. She really didn’t know what to say; it had been ten years. Trills had a hard rule that you don’t associate with former people, but this situation was greater than Trill regulations or laws. “We will need expertise on this one, and you were the only one with the experience we need.”

Eli looked at Naris for the first time. “Ten years…feels like an eternity,” he mumbled. He still felt uneasy, but he knew when he was needed, and this had to be one of those situations. “Well, do you mind telling me what was so important to take me away from the SCE?”

The doors opened from the back of the room as a teenager entered, padd in hand, and looked rather bored. “Mom, are you serious here,” the girl didn’t bother to look up or notice that her mother wasn’t alone. “This is a serious downgrade from the Everett…” the last word trailed off as she spoke. Grace Naris blushed as she looked at the two other men.

“Gentleman, my daughter, Grace,” Naris replied. She looked to Eli, realizing that things just got more awkward. She remembered their talks of kids and a future, something that they were never able to accomplish. “She’s not happy about our assignment here,” Naris blew off the fact that they really didn’t have a choice.

Eli looked at the girl and looked back at Naris. Though Vidre was not Ladra Eli still felt a strange connection to her. He wasn’t sure what to do. He smiled “Well this isn’t the nicest ship I have been on, but she’s a classic.” He said as he took another sip of coffee.

Grace rolled her eyes, “classic is just a fancy way of saying old, really old.”

“Out,” Naris pointed to the door, “I will see you later.”  She turned her daughter around playfully swatting her butt.  “She’s ten going on thirty,” Naris smiled, “My apologies, but it’s just me and her against the universe and she had a bit more freedom on our last assignment.”  She gestured to the door, “We all have a lot to do and very little time to get it done in.  Our first task is to see that this ship is out of refit and operational.  Starfleet wants us ready for service in 72 hours.”  She rolled her eyes, just like her daughter.  “We’re going to be very busy.”

“Most of the crew should be arriving within the next 24 hours,” Naris looked to the Executive Officer, “get them assigned and going.  Eli,” she paused, “Captain Bates, you’re job is pretty straightforward. Get the Galileo operational.”

Eli grunted “I am sure this bucket of bolts will cooperate with some caressing of her nacelles.” He said not paying attention to the present company. He sipped his coffee and rolled his eyes “Never could make things easy on me could you Naris? All because I am a Lord you have to punish me.”

Samuel gave the man a strange,  puzzled look but blew it off as the Captain didn’t seem to worried.  “Captain Bates,” he nodded,  “Pleasure to meet you.”  He then turned to the Commanding Officer, “Ma’am, with your permission I’ll get started.”

Naris nodded as the XO turned to leave.  “I’m sorry Eli, if there was another way I would have but…” her voice trailed off.  “Welcome to the Galileo,” she turned without a further word and headed out the door.

Once the doors closed behind her she leaned up against the corridor wall,  “This is going to be harder then I thought.”  She took a deep breath as she tried to calm herself before heading to the near lift.

Eli looked down and shook his head. He still had feeling, which was not what he thought would have been the case. It had been years and Eli wasn’t a spring chicken, as the old saying went. He sipped his coffee as he contemplated running after Naris, but he knew that would be a good idea. He shrugged it off and made his way through the ship before coming to the turbolift making his way to engineering.

He walked in and looked around seeing the crew working, but stopped as they saw him enter the room. He rolled his eyes slightly and kept walking looking around and observing the ship. The Steamrunner was a great ship and he was happy to be on something not quite so modern, though he was getting used to it as much as it soured his thinking.

He still couldn’t stop thinking of Naris, but what was he to do? He sighed again and picked up a PADD looking at the status of Engineering.

From another table, Parker watched the events unfold. Mack had picked another fight. However, this time, he actually managed to walk away without much need for medical assistance. Parker picked up her beer mug and slammed it down as she placed the half-smoked cigar back in her mouth. Lining up her shot, she aimed the cue stick at its target and sent the last ball flying into the side corner pocket. She turned to her “guests” and smiled, “Wow,” she giggled, “must be beginners’ luck.” From behind her, she heard the footfalls of her rather large friend and current bodyguard, “What’s the matter, Mack? Get your butt handed to you again,” she asked?

“Little freaking pixy bit..,” he plopped his entire frame into a small chair as he held his nose, “All I wanted was a dance, and the psycho tried to beat me up.”

Parker laughed, “I’ve told you anything horizontal is not a dance.” She smiled at her guests, setting down the cue stick. After a few seconds of careful observation, she grabbed his nose and tweaked it till she heard a pop.

The six-foot-plus man didn’t make a sound until Parker had finished. He looked up from his chair; in a small still voice, he managed to whisper, “ouch….”

“Now, where were we,” she eyed the table, “Oh yes ..,” she picked up the cue stick, tapping a pocket, “8 ball, that pocket,” she fired the ball off, banking it on two sides without even lining up the shot, landing the ball in its desired location.

One of the men sitting at the table nearest them stood up in a hurry, “You lied, you crazy…” he stopped as Mack stood up, cracking his knuckles. “There 275 credits,” the man slammed the credits on the table, “Freakin .., ” he muttered, “I’ll be back.”

Parker picked up the credits as she took a deep breath; the room had suddenly filled with an aroma that she hadn’t smelled in a long time. Tossing Mack a few credits, “Mack, go get us both a beer,” she waited till he left to say anything. Still facing the table, she knew who it was. He still smelled of stale beer, grease, and trouble. “Whatever it is, Saul,” Parker stated, “the answer is no.” She turned and racked up another round of pool. “Not interested!”

“Awww, babe, you haven’t even heard my proposal,” He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Pulling her close, giving her hair a sniff as he held her. “You still smell like whiskey.” Saul looked over his shoulder, “Hey Mack, it’s good to see you again,” he nodded as Mack approached them both. “It involves guns, fun, and the theft of a very sexy starship,” he stated.

Parker grinned, “Ah, Saul, you know how to butter a girl up. You used my favorite words, guns, and..” she stopped, “I can’t afford any more trouble.”

Saul winked as he kissed Parker’s cheek. “I need a Doctor, babe.”

“No,” she simply stated as she pushed him further away. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the two men return, only this time they had a few more friends.

“Something says those guys didn’t like you lying about your skills,” Saul smiled, “you need some help.”

“I got this,” Parker replied, “thanks, thou.” She smiled as Saul left.

Mack could hear the men shouting behind them; this wouldn’t be pretty. He couldn’t help but ask, “Are you sure about this?”

Parker nodded, “trust me. It will work out.”

=Some time later=

Mack looked up from the bunk he was occupying, “So what now, Miss Trust-Me?”

Parker smirked as she looked at the forcefield. Someone had tipped off the Federation, and things didn’t go as planned. “I’ll get us out of here; I have connections.”

“Your Daddy,” he mocked. “That man isn’t going to bail you out every time you end up in the brig. He’s gotta be running out of favors by now.”

Parker walked over to the bunk and gave Mack a shove as she laid down beside him. Resting her head on his chest, “When have I ever not come through… and Risa doesn’t count.”

“Beredda 3,” Mack asked?

“Hey, how was I supposed to know that….” Parker replied but was cut off.

“…Q’onoS,” Mack laughed.

“Again, not my fault,” Parker snapped. “The Orions,” she slapped his shoulder.

“Risa,” he raised a hand before she could reply, “the second time.”

She gave Mack a hard shove, as hard as she could anyways. She closed her eyes as Mack wrapped an arm around her. “I will work it out, trust me,” she stated again. However, some movement just outside the cell caught her attention. “Well, crap,” she muttered.

Parker looked up at the cell’s field as an older man approached. He looked frail, certainly not imposing at all, yet he had a particular command about him. He was confident. Parker sighed, “Sir,” she commented as she stood up, looking behind him. “Mom with you?”

Gerald looked at her, “no, this was a conversation that would be better off without her.” He looked over at Mack, “Mister Porter.”

Mack stood up, “Sir, I’d just like to say we appreciate….”

“Shut up, Mack,” Gerald Borden snapped without taking his eyes off his daughter. Gerald Borden looked around the cell, definitely not what he imagined for his child when she was little. But she had always been a handful. “Last time, Park, I can’t keep doing this.” He raised a hand before she could speak, “you want out of this cell? Well, this time it comes with some big conditions. Honest job on a starship, steady life, and no more prisons,” he folded his arms, “and better friends. Your mother and I can’t keep doing this, and this is not how we raised you. Clean up your life, stay out of trouble… is it too much to ask?”

“Daddy….” Parker stated but was interrupted.

Gerald raised a hand, “this time,” his voice dripping with disappointment. He straightened his uniform, “next time we speak, if you can’t meet those conditions, “don’t come home. He looked at the guard, who lowered a small section of the field, “your next assignment.”

Parker picked up the padd but didn’t read it, “thanks, Daddy.”

Gerald looked at her, “the USS Galileo has been sent on a special assignment. Starfleet needs particular people, and you might have the skills they need. Although that chip on your shoulder will have to find a new home if you expect the Galileo to work.”

Parker looked at the padd as she raised her voice, “the USS Tin Can, seriously….”

Gerald’s eyes lit up in a fury, “Honest job, steady life, and no more brig, I mean it, Lieutenant.” His voice spoke volumes. He was serious, and she knew it. The Senior Borden said to a nearby Officer. “Wait till I leave the station before you release her. “Goodbye, Parker,” he added.

Parker pleaded, calling out after him, knowing he would stop. 

The officer nodded, waiting for the elder Borden to leave before whistling, “… can’t say I envy you,” turning to Parker.

Parker didn’t reply as she picked up the padd, giving it a read-over. Never in a million years did she ever consider that she would be serving on a Steamrunner Class Starship. They were a tin can with an engine. However, her father’s words rang out in her voice, don’t come home. He’d never used those exact words before. Like it or not, she knew this had to work. The consequences were too high if it didn’t.

“Oh great, a Trill,” she mouthed to no one in particular.  This was going to be a terrible assignment. 

“The greater the tension, the greater is the potential.” ~ Carl Jung

The last few days could only be described by one phrase, and things didn’t go as planned. Naris had hoped the ship would be operational, her crew would be ready, and they could have departed. The more she went over her plans, the more she realized she was talking past tense. Nothing about this assignment was going as she had predicted. The only consistent in her life, for now, was that awkward tension every time she passed by Engineering. She knew in time she would have to address, as the humans say, the elephant in the room.   However, avoidance was easier than tension.  

Eli was a capable officer. He didn’t need a babysitter, or so she kept telling herself. But, the simple fact was that she knew she couldn’t avoid the man forever. He was a part of her crew so that only meant one thing. She took a deep breath as she entered the central area of Engineering. To be honest, she wasn’t sure what to expect, but something was better than nothing. She nodded to the nearest officer, “as you were,” she spoke, realizing he had stopped working. “I’m just going to go…” she sheepishly pointed, “I mean, I am here too,” she coughed. “Never mind why I am here,” she turned. “Great job,” she told herself, “definitely not awkward at all.”

The Ensign just gave the Commanding Officer a strange glance and brushed it off. He’d heard enough of the rumors to know what would occur.  

Eli walked back into Main Engineering from one of the side Jeffries Tube access areas. In front of him stood Naris, who looked awkwardly out of place. He sighed ‘Great now to make things even more awkward.’ He made his way over to where she was standing and cleared his throat.

This whole situation was awkward for both of them, but he tried to interact, and it seemed like Naris had really avoided him in any way that she could. He had just brushed it off and gotten the Steamrunner for departure; in fact, from all the Staff briefings, he was the only one to have his department ready, and for that, he was proud of them, even if they were a little green. He had tried to talk to Naris on about three occasions after briefings, but she had done everything she could to avoid him. This seemed to be an attempt to talk to him.

“Hi Naris, what can I do for you?” He said in his normally booming voice.

Naris nodded, giving a pleasant yet awkward smile, “I figured it was time we talked for a bit,” she motioned to his office. She didn’t wait for a reply as she made her way to his office. She needed to get out of the watching full of the rest of the staff. “I know this is odd,” she stopped adding, “for both of us. However, if we are going to work together, I think I need to explain a few things.” She straightened her uniform, trying hard to keep things professional. “After I, I mean Ladra passed, the Naris symbiont was sent over to the USS San Diego for transport to Trill.” She sighed as some of the memories came flooding back. “I was never supposed to be joined, and you gotta understand you go through years of training and education to prep for this.   When the symbiont took a turn for the worse, I was given an atta boy,” she gave a fist bump with her left arm, “and one of those if you need to talk, we are here. This wasn’t supposed to happen. I had just lost my husband, we had just adopted Grace, and then,” she gestured to her abdomen where the symbiont resided, “this happened.” 

“When they offered me this Command, there truly wasn’t any good Engineers available, at least none that wanted an older Steamrunner class, especially the Galileo. Then I saw your name, and I jumped,” she smiled, “I shouldn’t have done that. We have rules. I mean,” she started to ramble before looking up, “another trait I get from Ladra,” she sheepishly smiled. “I am not entirely sure where I was going with this, now.” 

Eli looked at Naris and blinked before taking a sip of his coffee and looking her straight in the eye. “To hell with the rules and regulations. It doesn’t mean we have to be so awkward to each other that the crew even talked about it when we aren’t around. I know Ladre is still there, so you know me, but I know you don’t like me. I came to do my job. Do I still have feelings for Ladre…yes.” 

He took another sip of coffee. “I am here to do my job hell, I think this ship is in better shape than when I arrived. If you don’t want to talk to me formally, so be it, but please, for the love of this ship and our sanity, don’t ignore me every time you see me.”

Outwardly Naris tried hard to control her expression, but there was the Eli she remembered. This was the man that Ladra had broken down over time and managed to bring him ever so slightly out of his shell. “Well, then, as we both agree on that, Captain Bates,” Naris smiled, “we have a starting point, and that is good. There is no need for awkwardness,” she wasn’t fooling herself, but maybe Eli; she’d hoped.

“Starfleet has given us our orders. We will be taking the ship out to the Fourth Fleet’s Deep Space Operations,” she looked at the man. “A steamrunner class ship in deep space operations,” she couldn’t believe she was saying that.  This class wasn’t built for deep operations, “We’re going to need everything you can muster out of these engines.” 

Eli sipped his coffee looking at the PADD in front of him. He glanced up at Naris and quickly looked back down. Truthfully he wanted to tell her to forget the Trill rules and regulations, but he didn’t even know how Naris felt about him being that it wasn’t Ladra. “I am sure I can make these old engines purr like a baby kitten.”  

He chuckled and gave her the PADD with the operational updates regarding what he had done. He looked back at her again “Are we going to forget the past Naris? I am not sure I can forget it because it was the one thing in my life that was constant. 

“Ladra may be a part of me,” Naris responded her smile a bit warmer than maybe it should have been.  “We’ve never met before and yet I can remember every encounter the two of you ever had.  “I know Ladra spoke to you about encounters with the previous relationships,” she looked at him, “Eli, I need time. This is a huge taboo in my culture, I am not even sure we should be in the same room.  But here we are.” 

Eli shook his head “I never did understand the Trill rules that Ladra followed, though I am sure you know she broke some of them to be with me. When I lost her life shattered and I didn’t think I would recover, but I did. Now I meet you and see the same qualities, but in different ways.” He sighed “I have waited this long I guess I can wait longer.” He smiled indicating he would give her time.

Naris straightened her posture up, as she tried to hide her internal dialog.  “I appreciate that Captain Bates, for now, our focus needs to be the ship after that, well.”  She stopped herself from finishing that sentence.   Her mind drifted back to the very last thing that Ladra told Eli right before she died, “this is not how our story ends. This doesn’t mean our story is over.”  If she only knew how true those words were.  ”I promise no more avoidance or awkward meetings,” she turned without much more to say.  She needed to leave the area before more of Ladra came forward.

Eli watched as Naris left his office and smiled because something felt similar to the conversations he had with Ladra. The future was uncertain, but he knew he had made Naris think. He sipped his coffee and grabbed a toothbrush going to yell at a crewmember and give them the task of cleaning the remote Jeffries tube section with the toothbrush.