Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Officer’s Mess - Congratualtions Faye!

Posted by Lieutenant Faye Calloway (Mission Specialist) in Officer’s Mess - Congratualtions Faye!

(snip)

He ooked at her and said flatly “Upon graduation you’d be the CSO of something complex… I’d say another Hevy Science Vessel like this… or maybe a Mjolnir-class. There a couple of years, XO spot for 3 or 4, then your own command.” He spoke as if it was a simple as saying space is dark.

Cochrane, CO

The joking and amusement had just evaporated as if they had snapped their fingers. He was really serious! She went to say something and then found herself without words. Taking the last bite of her cake, she allowed there to be silence as she mused over how to respond. Could that really be her path? It was an interesting take, that was for sure. Captain Faye Calloway. Faye didn’t know who that woman was, but she intrigued her enough that when she looked up at Alex finally, she smiled. “Look who’s being the surprising one this time. Don’t ever stop, okay?” He seemed to constantly throw her off balance and it always seemed to be in the best possible way. It wasn’t just about challenging her (admittedly) self-defeating beliefs about herself, but actually demonstrating that they weren’t true. When you had spent years upon years being told you were one thing, it was so very hard to make that switch. But little by little it was happening. And people like Alex, and Jasmine had been playing a large role in that.

~Faye Calloway, Data Specialist

Cochrane looked at her and said “Shouldn’t be surprising, Faye. You are wholly under utilized in the role of Mission Specialist. And your past superiors did you no favors by not embracing that brain of yours and encouraging you instead of farming you out. Yes, you have a certain predilection for getting into and out of tight spots… and that is a great asset for someone commanding a ship. That is a role I think you would really come into your own in. But…” and he smiled and leaned back in his chair, “… what do I know?” and he chuckled.

Cochrane, CO

So many things she wanted to say! They sat there on the tip of her tongue, falling short of being expressed. It wasn’t just that he got her in a way that others hadn’t before, it was that he saw her. Truly. He saw through the facade, but rather than try to brush past her eccentricities he allowed them to remain and be a part of the conversation. It was refreshing. Her mind slipped briefly to her conversation with the counsellor. Would she be okay with never saying anything? Of him never knowing? Before, maybe she could have said ‘yeah, it’s fine,’ but lately… not so much. “You know a lot,” Faye said, her tone matching the quiet reflection she had found herself in. “And you really seem to know me well. Better than I seem to know myself some days,” she said with a grin.

Just do it. Say it. And yet that twist of anxiety appeared again and Faye knew she had a decision to make. Here goes nothing. Taking a deep breath, Faye nodded a bit, more to herself than anything. Her eyes flicked back to him and she smiled, despite the nerves working their way forward. “Okay, so… I have this idea, and it’s a little crazy. But… I’m hoping you will at least consider it. You don’t have have to give me an answer right now. It can wait. I just want you to think about.”

Having worked up the nerve to say something, Faye almost began to freeze, but then she allowed herself to remember how easy things had just been and hold on to that feeling. “I want to teach you to make hasperat, and you’re supposed to teach me swing dancing. So… why don’t we pick a night and just do that. And make it a date,” she added quickly. Deep breath. “Because I like you Alex. And I feel very comfortable with you. And I think it’s mutual. I really want to spend more time with you, even if you don’t feel the same way. But I think we should try it just once and see what happens. And…” Shut up! Shut up and let the man get a word in! “And… yeah.” Off. Bad landing. But it was at least honest. And it was most definitely her. Awkward, but so very her.

~Faye Calloway, Data Specialist