The Buck Stops Here - Part Two

Posted on Mon Mar 9th, 2020 @ 12:12am by Captain Daniel "Karass" McKnight & Division Admiral Celeste Yamaguchi-Hobbs

Mission: Mission 72: T'Would Ring the Bells of Heaven
Location: Various Locations - USS Dreamcrusher
Timeline: 1000Hrs - April 7th, 2392

Commander Daniel McKnight walked into Sickbay as Celeste had didn't bother bringing anything of hers from her old office in sickbay which she shared with her Assistant Chief. a woman named Tanya Stevenson. Celeste herself was now back wearing medical teal rather then command red but she had enjoyed her time as acting Exec minus a few screw ups.

Celeste regarded the younger woman who was the replacement for Lieutenant Yamaguchi who only shared the same name as Celeste herself, she was no relation to Celeste directly, she was the eldest daughter of her cousin.

"Right. off with you.. Come back tomorrow with a smile and be dressed to impress.."

"Aye Doctor." and with that the other woman, departed as McKnight poked his head into her office. "Hello Commander." Celeste greeted him.

"Celeste.... a moment please?"

Yamaguchi turned her head as she regarded him. "Sure.. take as many as you need.." she responded as she went and sat down in her chair. "I assume you want your usual chair?"

"Please." and with that McKnight sat down. "How are you doing these days Doc?"

"I'm worried... and tired... Its been a long and demanding mission." Yamaguchi responded. "Not like we went anywhere really special.." she added a moment later. "But you didn't ask about the crew... did you?"

"Yes and no." McKnight regarded her as he smiled, he knew exactly what she looked like without clothing but that was immaterial to the fact. "The crew are in good spirits, they believe they are making a difference.... But I'm here for you as well as your department."

"I know.." as she slid a PADD across to him. "Thats my final report... I was going to present it at the briefing later but since you are here... I'll give it to you now."

McKnight picked up the PADD as he shifted his attention back to her. "Why didn't you mention that you were having issues Celeste... What, do you still think I'm the angry man you met last year?"

"At times I-"

"Funny... At least your sense of humor is still there.." McKnight responded. "At times I had wondered... Were you still here... or did you just loose your interest in life?"

"After what happened-" Yamaguchi was interrupted mid-sentence as McKnight ran over her. "You think you're the only one to go through a major life changing event Celeste... I can safely assure you that you are most certainly not alone on that list..." as he sat down in the chair. "I didn't expect to ever date anyone... I left the family matters to Orthos and my other siblings, I was content to be alone... Yet I found someone... Oriana."

"How are things between you two?" Yamaguchi inquired.

"Things are alright." McKnight admitted. "I'm not rushing things and neither is she.. Though the skydiving episode was something not to be repeated.." he sighed. "I enjoyed it but she hated it."

"Thats a shame... I figured with her posting.. she'd have enjoyed it."

"It doesn't matter. We found other things to do."

"I'll bet." Yamaguchi responded evenly.

"So... About you." McKnight responded with a sigh. "You took the time off and you also took extended time off... but your crew had to conspire to remove you and you ended up going planetside for two weeks... Kidnapped by the good Colonel." McKnight gave her a sardonic smile. "How did that end up for you?"

"I spent ten days planetside, doing next to nothing getting sunburnt from the systems primary. Also I got reading time in, also I had time to relearn how to meditate and catch up on my reading... Brianna was kind enough to bring along a few novels for me... and we ended up camping out just off of the beach.."

"So... All in all, it was worth it."

"I want to yell at everyone for what happened but.... I just can't bring myself to do it... this time." Yamaguchi responded.

"Don't do it." McKnight responded. "I'm gonna ask nicely Celeste... Your staff had good cause and they did everything right, including talking to me and the skipper... We knew about it... I asked them to handle things quietly and Colonel Hobbs did just that. No paperwork for people to worry about and no need to make things official that don't need to be official. Y'know?"

Yamaguchi nodded her head. "Alright... But next time-"

"There had best not be a next time. Otherwise I will make it official... I see something in your experience Celeste that tells me you are wasted down here, I frankly think you should be wearing red and commanding your own ship permanently instead of having your ass parked in here wasting your time and ours."

Yamaguchi paused as she had no idea that this was even being considered for her or by her for anyone else. "Well... I didn't see that coming."

"Celeste.. I am going to get my own command back soon enough... The question I ask... is who do I want for my Exec. Hell I might even get this ship after Zuko leaves... But thats for him to decide since his people are making an appearance now... He assumed he'd be here wearing our uniform forever... now that his people are around, he might go home again..." McKnight explained. "I don't blame him. I would too.. but then I want a decent Exec who has it in one sock... you were my first choice... and you have disappointed me Celeste... I had expected far better from you then what I have been getting over the last several months.."

"You never went through what I faced... What Ro'cholk did to me."

"No. I've never had that happen to me." McKnight agreed. "But come on Celeste, you 'CAN' Do better then what you have been doing over the past while." he sighed. "I won't pretend to understand... but we all heal at our own paces but you have been out of control... haven't you.... you don't like it."

"What?." Celeste sighed. "Are you a therapist now?"

"You'd be surprised, sometimes being told that others care actually does help in dealing with problems... because knowing that you are not alone does help..." McKnight responded. "I want you as My future Exec... You are more then what you have become... Think on it.."

"Alright... I'm sorry I disappointed you..."

"Don't be sorry... Just do better then what you have been doing.." McKnight responded. "We all slip up and make mistakes. Yours was not letting other people know how bad your issues were..."

"Okay." Yamaguchi responded quietly.

"Zuko relies on me to help him make this ship work... Granted I'm not always out and about simply because this ship runs herself most of the time. But my point is still the same.... You're people rely on you... and you rely on them... Do that more often and tell them when you need help.."

"Yessir."

"Alright... I've said my piece... I need a drink.... and so do you, so... lets go"

Yamaguchi paused as she shrugged before she rose to her feet and followed him out the door in silence.