From Out of the Shadows - Part Three

Posted on Thu Mar 19th, 2020 @ 5:57am by Lieutenant Commander Monique Deepshadow & Lieutenant Jacob Stanns

Mission: Mission 98: Building Our New Home
Location: Various Locations - USS Dreamcrusher
Timeline: 0915Hrs - July 13th, 2393

Lieutenant Jacob Stanns entered his new home as he shrugged off his uniform jacket, he then draped it over one of the nearby chairs, he went over to the replicator and he ordered himself something to drink, before he went into his new study, but because he was a member of the senior staff, he was entitled to larger quarters as he smiled.

Stanns looked around as he liked his new home as he was used to a workspace that was half the size of this one, clearly the people on this ship lived very well as he slid his form into the chair at the workstation, he placed the glass onto the worktop as he went to work. "Computer, show me the crew roster of the USS Dreamcrusher." Stanns requested.

The computer obliged and displayed the roster as requested.

USS Dreamcrusher - Guardian Class
Captain Daniel "Karass" McKnight - Commanding Officer
Commander Jerome Cable - Executive Officer
Command Master Chief Petty Officer Maiev Shadowsong - Chief of the Boat
Lt Commander Doug Rutland - Chief Operations Officer
Lieutenant JG Joachim Kolowrat - Chief Tactical Actions Officer
Lieutenant T'Lee Duval - Chief Security Officer
Lt Commander Monique Deepshadow - Chief Engineer
Lt Commander Oriana - Chief Conn Officer
Lt Commander Tanya Stevenson - Chief Medical Officer
Commander Patricia Kingston - Chief Counselor
Lt Commander Torenna Cel - Chief Science Officer
Lieutenant Jacob Stanns - Chief Intelligence Officer
Major Sir Bruce "Scorch" Fraser, 15th Baron Fraser of North Cape - Marine Commanding Officer

Stanns smiled as he read the names but he spotted the name of the Chief Engineer. "Monique Deepshadow," he commented. "Computer, display the service record of Lieutenant Commander Monique Deepshadow," he commented.

The details of her service file appeared before him. Stanns gently tapped the screen as the young woman's face appeared before him. "Monique, I hope you are well. I wanted to know where you were and I knew you had things you needed to resolve, I hope you got them resolved," he commented evenly. "Because I'm back in your life suddenly. I hope you are ready for this... But then, am I ready for you.?" he asked aloud.

Stanns slowly smiled as he realized that he needed to make it clear to Monique that not only was he back in her life, now he was able to make good on his promise to her, all those months ago. He tapped the display three times, darkening the display as he ended his query and then he turned off and logged out of the display. The young man sat back in his chair as he sipped his drink before he downed the entire contents in one glass in one hefty swig.

"Well, I recall that about you, either go deep or go home," Stanns commented evenly before he rose to his feet and while he retrieved the glass before he went back out into the main area of his living accommodations. "Computer, locate Monique Deepshadow?" he inquired.

"Lieutenant Commander Deepshadow is located in Main Engineering." came the answer.

"Is she in her office?" Stanns inquired further.

"Affirmative." came the answer from the ships computer.

"Excellent," Stanns answered evenly. "Thank you." and with that, he recycled his glass before he snagged his uniform jacket off the back of the chair where he had left it and out the door he went. Stanns made his way towards his destination, reaching Main Engineering about five minutes later while he tried to figure out what it was he wanted to say to his old time flame.

Stanns sighed as he had no idea of what to say to her but he didn't notice her in engineering so he turned to one of the people working near him. "Hey, I don't mean to bother you but do you know where the Chief is?"

"I think she's in her office." the man responded. "You know where it is?" the young man asked helpfully.

"Yeah. Thanks." Stanns answered evenly before he moved off deeper into engineering and moments later, he located Monique's office, he smiled as he tapped the door chime once. There was no answer. "Computer, locate Lt Commander Deepshadow."

"Lt Commander Deepshadow is in Jefferies tube seven alpha on deck fourteen." as Stanns nodded his head before he set off for his destination.

Monique Deepshadow tapped the display before her. This was a job that she could have very easily assigned to one of her people but it did her good to get out of the office, every now and again. Deepshadow smiled as she reached towards her kit for the tool she needed, only to find her kit was missing. "What the..." she paused as she found herself looking into a set of eyes she knew rather well. "Looking for this?" Stanns regarded her as he held her kit in his hands. "It's been a while, hasn't it Monique?" he added in a knowing tone of voice.

"Umm..." Deepshadow was almost mesmerized with his eyes, she had truly forgotten about their intensity or the feelings he had brought out in her when they were last assigned to work together, he had awakened something in her that she had enjoyed but she had too many problems at the time to commit to a relationship and they both knew it. "Jacob, what are you doing here??" she asked quietly of him.

"Well, I was checking in and seeing to my assignment aboard ship. I actually did not know you were assigned here until I checked the roster. It's always good to know one's fellow crewmates." Stanns answered with a smile.

"I could accuse you of stalking me," Deepshadow answered.

"That accusation would be insane, and you know it," Stanns answered in a light tone of voice. "We've not seen each other in over two years. Since that business on the Envoy," he added.

"Yeah, that was a long time ago," Deepshadow agreed. "So, to what do I owe the surprise of your company, on this fine day?" Deepshadow inquired evenly as she knew this story was going to be good.

"Well. I wanted to come and visit you. I did not want you thinking that I was ignoring you." Stanns then handed her the engineering kit, she accepted it from him. "So, are there any allergies I should know about. Medical concerns and the like?."

Deepshadow regarded him with a look of confusion on her face. "Medical... What?" she inquired.

"Y'know... Like boyfriends, children, lady friends... That kinda thing." Stanns inquired, suddenly it became clear to Deepshadow that he wanted to know if she had moved on from him, so she shook her head no. "I've been too busy," she responded. "I just got my issues sorted out with my mother and my aunt... I'm finding learning what it means to be an older sister to my mother's other children, I chat with them often," she admitted. "But the road that's brought me here has been a long and strange one," Deepshadow admitted. "No medical issues to speak of."

Stanns knew exactly whereof she spoke as he slowly moved over to her before he gently touched her jawline to lift her head. "You always do that, when you don't want to have a chat, you look down and away." Stanns regarded her.

Deepshadow looked up at him. "You still know me well," she admitted. "I never expected to see you ever again."

"Well, Monique. You never tried to be complicated. You had your reasons." Stanns answered as he brushed her bangs out of her eyes.

Deepshadow regarded the man before her before he gently kissed her on the lips. Stanns gently slipped his arms around her as he held her against him. "I was expecting-" was as far as she got before his lips suddenly ended the conversation between them. Deepshadow relaxed as she enjoyed the kiss as it had been far too long since she had received this kind of attention from anyone.