Catching up

Posted on Tue Aug 18th, 2026 @ 11:38pm by Lieutenant Tatiana Dragos & Lieutenant JG Caitlyn MacRae

1,658 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: The Invisible Hand
Location: Intel Offices
Timeline: MD3, 1400 hours

With preparations underway for the diplomatic mission which lay ahead, Lieutenant MacRae had continued to move between the various departments to assist wherever she was needed the most. Be it assisting with the competing demands submitted by the various department heads for ship resources, unpacking a never ending mountain of supplies, or volunteering to do a few of the supply runs later today aboard the same runabout they would use for the Ambassador's trip. It was an ideal way to get familiar with the vessel and any quirks - because an insufferably good engineer had once promised her that every ship regardless of size, had them.

And if there did happen to be some stolen vessel hiding out there waiting to strike, she wanted to be prepared.

For now, however, it was time for a break.

She had already stopped by her quarters to ensure Jinx had not destroyed the place, but the kitten was content and napping away. Caitlyn had retreated before that could change, and set off to find Lieutenant Dragos. Despite hoping to, she had been side tracked and she wanted to both apologise and make amends.

Finding the door to the Intel Office open - a sure sign the lieutenant was not in the middle of any classified work - Caitlyn peered inside. "Busy? Or could I maybe interest you in some lunch in the mess hall? Or some chocolate if you ate already?"

Looking up, Tatiana smiled in greeting. "Hi Lunch sounds wonderful. I am feeling a bit peckish." rising up from her chair.

"Its been a bit since we've chatted, and I feel hmmmnn a little bit ashamed." Tatiana;s cheeks turning pink.

“Ashamed? Whatever for? As I recall I was the one who didn’t finalise plans to go out while we were at the base,” she reminded Tatiana with a warm smile. “But I promise to do better. Starting with lunch.”

"Well, I did get a little bit distracted on the base, there was this handome man who was playing the cello in the arboretum and.. I just got caught up in his music. It was so beautiful..." Tatiana stopped there.

Her stomach growled rather loudly. "well I can tell you the rest over lunch. While I feed the beast in my belly." Tatiana giving a laugh.

“Now I fell a little less guilty,” Caitlyn grinned, “come on, let’s get you fed and you can tell me all about it.”


<< fifteen minutes later, officer’s mess >>

Having a later lunch than most people meant the mess was relatively quiet, giving them the pick of tables. Opting for one with a view, they were soon seated while Caitlyn tried to decipher exactly what the chef’s ‘special’ actually was. Beyond not replicated which was always a bonus in her book. A few bites in and she was only certain that it was spicy and … different.

“So…” she began, aster a long drink of water. “Tell me all about this handsome cello player? Please tell me you spoke with him?”

A litle bit of a self concious laugh, Tatiana deliberately took a bite of the special, while her cheeks were turning pink.

When she had her mouth emptied and a half a glass of water. She ended the suspense.

"Yes I did, We ended up going to dinner together. Hmmn his name was Ronan D'Sai."

Her eyes got a starry eyes gaze as she looked towards the window. "Ebony black hair that hit just about here."

Showing the length with her hand, hitting just below the shoulder.

"Amber eyes, which are rather expressive. I would love to meet him again but, I don't know if we ever will. "

Tatiana's eyes focusing back on Caitlyn, with a wistful smile.

“Well you know his name, where you met… I’m sure you could track him down,” Caitlyn pointed out with a grin, “he clearly made quite the impression. I would be happy to track him down for you if you’d like?”

"Um..." Tatiana's blush going a bit darker.

"I had thought of that then realized that if I were to do so that would be using Intelligence pathways to find out, for personal reasons and that isn't something I do. Even though I am very curious."

Tatiana looked down at her food, playing with her fork.

"Now I am wondering, but have to table it as, a wonderful event that occurred making a memory that wasn't filled with ghosts from my past."

She raised her eyes back to Caitlyn, "And you know that station for me is filled with ghosts." a pained expression could be seen.

“Understandable,” Caitlyn replied with a sympathetic smile. Of all the things her time in Intelligence had put her through, or had her do, none of it in her mind could compare to what her friend has to go through every day. “And I’m sorry I wasn’t around when you went back… as for tall dark ans dreamy, I’m technically not Intelligence and owed so many favours. You ever change your mind, you just let me know.”

Tatiana had just speared another portion of her salad, it pausing before she placed it in her mouth...

She bit her lowere lip as she considered what Caitlyn had said. "Uh... hmmnn... I would love to find out where he may have gone to after we went out separate ways. And maybe I could make it to where we can meet. He doesn't know what ship, I serve on, he doesn't know I am in Intelligence."

She lowered her fork. "Oh gosh do I dare? Do I dare, to have you look for me?" Her skin was prickling up as her eyes were lighting up with excitement.

She'd not felt like this in awhile. "I choose to be daring, so please find out for me? Or maybe not." Tatiana finding herself vacillitating between her desire and her normal restraint.

“I promise no rules will be broken and you can change your mind at any time,” Caitlyn assured her. “Besides, handsome cello player? Cannot imagine many people fit that description so don’t think he will be too hard to find.”

"Oh.. you know... You are dangerous but, I am loving the idea." Tatiana picking up her fork and taking the bite, and chewiing. All the while her eyes were smiling. the corners of her mouth turned upwards.

She was feeling a bit giddy.

Tatiana finished her bite and swallowed down a bit of her water.

"I am feeling, twitterpated" She giggled. "Just the way he played and the music he had performed. It was so.. lovely."

“You have it bad,” Caitlyn teased with a grin as she took another bite. “And I am all for it.”

"I do don't I. " Tatiana laughed. "you know that's okay. Its actually rather nice" grinning from ear to ear. Now I want to know, how have you been doing, There seems to be a sparkle in your eyes. Could it be... there is something between you and Erik?"

“Me?” Caitlyn repeated in between bites. She knew nobody was sitting close enough to overhear, in fact they were alone save for someone eating in the far side of the room. “Strictly between us, yes. Kind of. We had dinner and drinks and we’ve decided to give us a chance … but it is early days and every time we get time alone something seems to happen. Like the universe is playing a really frustrating game.

And before long we need to speak with Schofield. Who doesn’t like me so that should be fun. Until then, if you hear anything, we are just good friends,” she added.

"Schofield, ah yes.. he's something else." Tatiana commented. "And as for you and Erik. I noticed a bit of a spark flying between you and him when we had that first meeting. And don't worry, you are after all very good friends."

She had kept her voice low as, no-one truly needed to know about that.

"I do hope that the two of you can get more time together, as I have noticed a bit of a lighter side to him. I think the two of you complement each other." Tatiana having a fond smile.

Tatiana took a few more bite of her food, just smiling, then her smile slipped away.

She looked at her salad, well what was left of it, set her fork down. Making a grimace.

"I don't know why, at first the salad was tasting good and then its not tasting that good anymore." Tatiana reaching over to get the glass of water to try to wash the taste from her mouth.

She drank the rest of the water, her head began to swim, black dots danced across her vision. Her arm became heavy, the empty glass hit the table, rolling to the floor

"C-Caitlyn?" was all that Tatiana mustered out before she slipped off the chair, joining the water glass on the floor.

There was a heartbeat of stunned silence before Caitlyn was out of her chair, kneeling at her friend’s side. “Tatiana?!” She didn’t wait for a reply, glancing over her shoulder to the lieutenant who had - until that moment - been enjoying dessert. “Get medical down here, now!”

Turning back to the ship’s chief intelligence officer , she frowned. “Tatiana, can you hear me?”

Tatiana's skin was pale, her breathing ragged. She wasn't responding to Caitlyn's query.

“Help is coming,” Caitlyn promised, listening to the conversation going on behind her as she squeezed Tatiana’s hand, “just stay with us and it’ll be okay.”

Caitlyn could feel a slight return squeeze from Tatiana, as if to say, she was still there, if only barely. That mere connection, might be that anchor that Tatiana needed to hang on.


OFF


Lieutenant Tatiana Dragos
Chief Intelligence
USS Thunderbird.


Lieutenant Caitlyn MacRae
Second Officer
USS Thunderbird

 

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