Posted by Captain Alex Becket (Commanding Officer) in The Arrival: USS Ark Angel (NCC-98729)

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Dr. Charlotte Ashley Elizabeth Fliehr (Medical Officer) in The Arrival: USS Ark Angel (NCC-98729)

Posted by Captain Alex Becket (Commanding Officer) in The Arrival: USS Ark Angel (NCC-98729)
Posted by… suppressed (18) by the Post Ghost! 👻
[Snip]

“I am glad that your glad that I finally did. But what about you?” He asked. “How do you feel about me? I just honestly have thought about you for some time since after the academy.” He added.

Captain Alex Becket
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Charlotte grew quieter after his admission, her expression softening more from understanding than romance. When she answered, her voice remained calm and measured—the voice of someone who had spent years learning discipline over impulse.
“You thought about me for that long?” she asked gently. “That’s… honestly flattering, Alex.”
She held his gaze for a moment before continuing.
“And I won’t pretend I didn’t remember you either. People like you tend to leave impressions behind.” A faint smile crossed her lips. “Especially loud, overconfident pilot-engineers who somehow end up becoming captains.”
The humor faded slightly into something more thoughtful.
“But I need to be honest with you too.” She folded her arms lightly. “My career has always come first for me. Probably because of how I was raised, probably because of Starfleet itself. I worked too hard to become the officer I am to lose focus now.”
Charlotte stepped a little closer—not intimate, but sincere.
“That doesn’t mean I don’t care about you,” she clarified. “Because I do. I respect you deeply already, and I think there’s a reason this conversation feels easy despite how long it’s been.”
She glanced briefly down the corridor before looking back at him.
“But I’m not walking aboard this ship looking for a relationship. Especially not on my first day, and especially not with my commanding officer.” There was no harshness in her tone, only maturity. “That’s the sort of thing that can complicate careers, reputations, crew dynamics… all of it.”
A softer expression returned afterward.
“And honestly? I think part of why I respect you is because I know you’d understand that.”
She gave him a small smile.
“So maybe the timing still isn’t perfect.” A slight shrug followed. “But that doesn’t mean what we’re saying to each other isn’t real.”

Lieutenant Jr. Grade
Dr. Charlotte Fliehr- Medical
USS ARK ANGEL

He stood there hearing that. “I know. I do understand. It’s just I needed you to know how much I felt about you and how we should go on by taking care of it before hand. I don’t want things to complicate us.” Alex said with a nod.

Captain Alex Becket
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Charlotte nodded slowly, appreciating the maturity in the way he handled it. Whatever tension had existed moments earlier eased into something steadier—two officers acknowledging complicated feelings without letting them control the situation.
“And that,” she said quietly, “is probably the smartest thing either of us has said tonight.”
A faint smile returned to her face.
“I’m glad you told me, Alex. Truly.” Her tone remained sincere. “Because unspoken feelings have a way of becoming distractions if people pretend they don’t exist.”
She leaned lightly against the nearby bulkhead, relaxed again now that the conversation had settled into clearer ground.
“But this?” She gestured lightly between them. “This doesn’t have to become messy or dramatic. We’re adults. We’re officers. We can acknowledge there’s something here without letting it interfere with the ship or the crew.”
Charlotte’s expression softened.
“And honestly, I’d rather build trust first anyway.” She looked at him carefully. “Not fantasies. Not ‘what ifs’ from the Academy. The real version of you.”
A teasing glint briefly returned to her eyes.
“Though I reserve the right to remind you that you were apparently impossible to miss as a cadet.”
Then her tone steadied again.
“We’ll figure things out one step at a time if we ever decide there’s something to figure out.” She gave a small shrug. “Right now, I think getting through my first week aboard the Ark Angel without embarrassing myself in front of the senior staff is probably the immediate mission priority.”
The corner of her mouth curved upward.
“And I suspect your chief medical officer would be very unhappy if his newest lieutenant immediately became corridor gossip on day one.”

Lieutenant Jr. Grade
Dr. Charlotte Fliehr- Medical
USS ARK ANGEL

He chuckled a little. “Of course not. And between you and I. I don’t think we need the crew gossiping about us in general.” He had also mentioned. “Not to mention the fact we do have feelings for each other and the fact we want to take things slow and gain trust and stability between each other is key pro and let alone for you to get to know and familiarize yourself with the ship and crew.” He added.

Captain Alex Becket
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Charlotte nodded in agreement almost immediately.
“Exactly,” she said. “The moment a crew starts speculating about command relationships, people begin second-guessing decisions that should remain professional. I’ve seen it happen before.”
Her tone wasn’t cold—just practical, grounded in experience.
“And honestly, I worked too hard to be recognized for my abilities to become known as ‘the captain’s lieutenant.’” A faint smirk followed to soften the statement. “I’d rather earn my reputation the old-fashioned way.”
She pushed herself lightly away from the bulkhead and resumed walking beside him down the corridor.
“But I think you’re right about the important part.” Her expression softened again. “Taking things slowly gives us the chance to figure out whether this is real compatibility or simply two people reconnecting over old feelings and timing.”
Charlotte glanced toward him briefly.
“And trust matters to me more than intensity ever will.”
There was quiet confidence in the way she said it, like someone who had already decided what kind of life and career she wanted.
“So for now?” she continued. “We get to know each other properly. You stay my captain. I become part of this crew. We see where things naturally settle instead of forcing them into something before either of us is ready.”
A teasing look returned afterward.
“Besides, I should probably survive meeting the senior staff before contemplating anything more complicated.”

Lieutenant Jr. Grade
Dr. Charlotte Fliehr- Medical
USS ARK ANGEL

He nodded as he acknowledged it. “Agreed. Honestly, I don’t think we need that right now. You being called the Captain’s Lieutenant. That would be a little weird don’t you think?” He asked.

Captain Alex Becket
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Charlotte let out a short, quiet laugh at that, more genuine now than earlier.
“‘A little weird’ is a diplomatic way of putting it,” she said. “Try ‘career-limiting rumor’ and you’re closer to the truth.”
She adjusted her pace to match his as they continued through the corridor, tone steady and grounded again.
“But yes. I agree with you. It’s not something I want hanging over my first assignment here, and I’m fairly certain you don’t need that kind of distraction attached to your command either.”
Her expression softened slightly.
“What we’ve said stays between us. Not because it’s shameful—because it’s private. There’s a difference.”
A beat passed as they moved past a junction where two enlisted crew members stood aside to let the captain pass.
“And if anything develops beyond this point,” she added calmly, “it should be because it naturally survives distance, responsibility, and time—not because it started in a turbolift conversation on day one.”
A faint smirk returned.
“Starfleet tends to respect things that can survive all three of those.”

Lieutenant Jr. Grade
Dr. Charlotte Fliehr- Medical
USS ARK ANGEL

He smiled and nodded. “Of course Charlotte. However we are coming up to another turbolift to head up to Deck 43. However, I’d recommend that we get you situated at your quarters and allow you to get rest along with getting off your feet.” He would say and noted.

Captain Alex Becket
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Charlotte slowed slightly as they approached the turbolift, taking in his suggestion without objection. The long walk through the lower decks had already given her a solid mental map of the ship—and a better sense of its captain.
“That might be wise,” she admitted. “Even Starfleet medical officers don’t argue with the value of sleep on day one aboard a new posting.”
A faint, appreciative smile followed.
“And before you say it—I know, I know. That includes me.”
She stepped into the turbolift beside him, posture still composed but noticeably more relaxed than when they had first met in the corridor. The formality had not disappeared, but it had shifted into something more natural.
“I will say this, though,” she added as the doors began to close. “If this is your idea of a standard ‘getting situated’ tour, I suspect the rest of this ship is going to be… extensive.”
Her eyes flicked toward him briefly, a hint of dry humor returning.
“And I’ll need to pace myself accordingly.”
A beat passed before her tone softened again.
“Still,” she said quietly, “it was a good first look at the Ark Angel. Better than any briefing package could’ve been.”
The doors slid shut fully as the lift began to rise.
Lieutenant Jr. Grade
Dr. Charlotte Fliehr- Medical
USS ARK ANGEL

He smiled. “Agreed.” He replied. “Deck 5.” He ordered the computer to take them up. “Deck 5 is where your quarters are. I’ve already gotten all your stuff carried there.” He added.

Captain Alex Becket
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Charlotte glanced at him with mild surprise, then gave a slow, approving nod.
“Efficient,” she said. “Either you run a very tight ship… or you anticipated my arrival more thoroughly than most new department heads would expect.”
A faint smirk followed.
“I’m going to assume the former.”
She shifted her stance slightly as the turbolift began its smooth ascent, the hum of the ship changing subtly as they moved into more residential levels.
“And for the record, I appreciate the preparation. Nothing undermines a new assignment faster than standing in a corridor with a duffel bag wondering where your life is supposed to go.”
Her tone softened just a little as she looked at him.
“That said… I hope you didn’t go out of your way on my account. I’d rather not start my posting feeling like I owe the captain favors.”
A pause, then a small, knowing look.
“Professional courtesy is fine. Excessive personal attention becomes… complicated.”
The lift continued upward.
“And I assume my quarters are standard issue?” she asked. “Or did you decide to test my tolerance for surprises on day one?”

Lieutenant Jr. Grade
Dr. Charlotte Fliehr- Medical
USS ARK ANGEL

Before he got the chance to respond the turbolift had stopped on deck 5. Alex and Charlotte had stepped off. “Well. Here we are. Look inside.” He said. “Here you go. Quarters with a replicator along with a mini kitchen. Last one in fact. So your lucky to have it. I know your knack for cooking.” He added.

Captain Alex Becket
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Charlotte stepped out onto Deck 5 and took in the corridor briefly before turning her attention to the quarters he indicated.
When she stepped inside, her expression shifted into quiet approval.
“Not standard issue,” she noted immediately. “Not even close.”
She moved slowly through the space, taking in the layout—the replicator, the compact kitchen setup, the clean but functional design. Her fingers lightly brushed the edge of a counter as she assessed the room with an officer’s eye rather than a guest’s.
“This is more like a senior officer suite than a junior lieutenant assignment,” she said calmly, then glanced back at him. “You didn’t have to do that.”
There was no accusation in her tone—just awareness.
At the mention of her cooking, she raised an eyebrow slightly.
“My ‘knack,’ as you put it, is usually limited to whatever passes for edible after a long shift in Sickbay,” she replied dryly. “But I’ll admit… having a proper replicator and kitchen does make the idea more appealing.”
She turned back toward the room, taking another slow look around, then exhaled lightly.
“It’s a good space,” she said simply. “Quiet. Functional. Not overly luxurious, which I appreciate.”
Then she looked at him again, more direct now.
“Alex… I want to be clear about something.” Her tone stayed steady. “If this assignment is going to work the way we said it should, I can’t be seen as receiving special treatment—even indirectly.”
A brief pause followed, softened by a small, understanding expression.
“But I also recognize intention when I see it. So I’ll assume this was about making sure I’m properly settled… not about anything else.”
She stepped slightly closer to the center of the room.
“And it is appreciated.”
Lieutenant Jr. Grade
Dr. Charlotte Fliehr- Medical
USS ARK ANGEL

“Charlotte.” He paused. “All the senior officers has kitchens on deck 4. Some how they made an extra room with a kitchen in it.” He said. As he took in what she said, he was curious. “And all the other rooms here on this deck is filled. So this was the only one that wasn’t.” He added.

Captain Alex Becket
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Charlotte studied him for a moment, clearly weighing the explanation rather than reacting emotionally to it.
Then she gave a small, measured nod.
“Fair enough,” she said. “That actually tracks more with ship logistics than favoritism.”
She turned slightly, glancing back over the quarters again—this time with a more analytical eye, as if re-evaluating the layout based on what he’d told her.
“So it’s a structural outlier,” she continued. “Not a privilege. Just available space repurposed intelligently.”
A faint smirk returned.
“I can work with that.”
She stepped back toward him, posture relaxed but still professional.
“And for the record,” she added, “I’m not looking for advantages aboard this ship. I’d rather earn my standing the same way everyone else does—by doing the job well.”
A brief pause followed, her tone softening slightly.
“But I do appreciate having a place that doesn’t feel like an afterthought. That matters more than luxury.”
Her gaze met his again.
“So I’ll accept it as circumstance, not special treatment.”
Lieutenant Jr. Grade
Dr. Charlotte Fliehr- Medical
USS ARK ANGEL

“Of course no special treatment. It’s just been sitting here with no occupant for ever since I have been here. Well correction it was my old quarters but as soon as I got to be XO and CO, my quarters have had been moved. So it’s yours again no special treatment nothing like that.” He said to her with a smile.

Captain Alex Becket
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Charlotte nodded slowly, absorbing the clarification rather than challenging it.
“Understood,” she said simply.
She glanced around the quarters once more, this time with a more practical mindset—already mapping where equipment would go, where she’d work, where she’d rest.
“That makes sense. Reassignment after promotion is standard procedure.” A brief pause. “And it explains why it feels lived-in but not assigned.”
Her tone remained steady, professional, grounded.
Then she looked back at him.
“I appreciate the clarity, Alex. It matters more than you might think.”
A faint, almost approving expression followed.
“And for what it’s worth… I’m not opposed to having a functional space that used to belong to the captain. It tells me the ship’s command structure actually evolved with you in it, instead of being imposed around you.”
She stepped slightly deeper into the room, then turned back toward him at the doorway.
“I’ll get settled in properly,” she said. “Unpack, run diagnostics on medical storage compatibility, and review duty schedules for tomorrow.”
A small, dry hint of humor returned.
“Which, unfortunately, is my version of winding down.”
Her gaze settled on him briefly.
“Thank you for showing me in personally. I mean that.”
Lieutenant Jr. Grade
Dr. Charlotte Fliehr- Medical
USS ARK ANGEL

He nodded and smiled. “Of course Charlotte. If you ever need me. You can give me a call or come up to Deck 3. That’s where my quarters are. It has a little office in mine so if you need time to sit and talk or vent by all means. Oh and one more thing. You also have a little personal office as well. ” He said to her.

Captain Alex Becket
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Charlotte paused for a second at that, clearly registering the significance of what he’d just offered—not in a personal sense, but in a structural one.
A captain giving a junior officer access to his office space was not casual, even if framed casually.
“I see,” she said carefully.
Then she gave a small nod, keeping her tone grounded and professional.
“That’s… actually useful. Especially for someone new to the ship. Having a quiet space to review files or decompress outside Sickbay is valuable.”
She didn’t step into the implication further than that. Instead, she focused on the practical side of it, which was clearly intentional on her part.
“I appreciate the offer, Alex,” she continued. “Both the access and the trust behind it.”
A brief pause followed as she looked around her assigned quarters again.
“And I will use my own office here first. It’s important I establish my workflow independently before I start relying on anyone else’s space—even yours.”
Her gaze returned to him, steady and calm.
“That’s not distance,” she added, clarifying. “It’s structure. It keeps things clean between command and crew.”
A faint, polite smile returned.
“But it is good to know the option exists if needed. That kind of flexibility matters on long deployments.”
She stepped slightly closer to the doorway now, signaling the moment was naturally winding down.
“I’ll get settled in,” she said. “You should probably get some rest too, Captain. Even commanding officers don’t outrank exhaustion.”
Lieutenant Jr. Grade
Dr. Charlotte Fliehr- Medical
USS ARK ANGEL

He chuckled. “Well even if I were to argue you about it, in medical stand point you outrank me.” He said with a smile. “Anyways I’ll let you settle in decompress and I’ll be around if you need me.” He said.

Captain Alex Becket
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Charlotte gave a small, knowing nod at his remark.
“Medically speaking, that’s accurate,” she replied calmly. “And I’d prefer it stays that way.”
A faint smile followed, soft but composed.
“Thank you, Alex.”
She stepped slightly further into her quarters, placing a bit of natural distance between them—not awkward, just appropriate. The kind of boundary that kept things clear without making the moment cold.
“I will settle in,” she continued. “Run through my initial checklists, review the ship’s medical systems, and get myself properly oriented before tomorrow.”
Her tone softened slightly as she looked back at him.
“And I’ll keep your offer in mind if I need anything. That includes the office space.”
A brief pause, then a more personal but still controlled note entered her voice.
“And I do appreciate how straightforward you’ve been with all of this. It makes things easier than they usually are in Starfleet.”
She gave a small, respectful nod.
“Goodnight, Captain.”
There was no hesitation in the title this time—just clarity, professionalism, and quiet acknowledgment of where things stood.
Then, after a beat:
“Try to actually get some rest yourself.”
Lieutenant Jr. Grade
Dr. Charlotte Fliehr- Medical
USS ARK ANGEL

He chuckled. “Yes ma’am. And good night.” He said as he walked out and went to the turbolift and went up to deck 2 to his quarters.

Captain Alex Becket
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Charlotte watched him go for a moment from the doorway, his footsteps fading down the corridor before the turbolift doors sealed him away.
Only then did she exhale—slowly, measuredly—and step fully into her quarters.
The door slid shut behind her with a soft hiss.
For a few seconds she just stood there, taking in the space again—not as an assignment anymore, but as hers. The quiet hum of the ship through the deck plating was steady and reassuring, almost like a distant heartbeat.
She walked to the center of the room, then set her hands on her hips briefly, eyes scanning the layout with a renewed focus.
“Right,” she muttered to herself, slipping back into routine.
Her medical kit came off her shoulder first. Then her padd. Then a slow, methodical check of storage compartments—replicator access, diagnostic panel, medical interface links.
Everything where it should be. Everything functional.
But her thoughts weren’t entirely on the systems.
They kept circling back to the corridor. The conversations. The clarity they’d reached—not messy, not hidden, just acknowledged and placed carefully where it needed to be: outside duty, outside command, outside interference.
She paused at the small workstation and rested one hand lightly on the edge.
“Focus,” she reminded herself quietly.
Then she turned on the terminal and began pulling up the Ark Angel’s medical schematics.
Outside her quarters, the ship continued its steady course through space—unbothered, uninterrupted—while a new officer began quietly building her place within it.
Lieutenant Jr. Grade
Dr. Charlotte Fliehr- Medical
USS ARK ANGEL