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!

Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Officer’s Mess - Congratualtions Faye!
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(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

Alex looked at her, his mouth slightly agape. He was stunned… One minute they were talking about her career and how he saw that progressing. Now… her asking him out on a date hung in the air between them. ‘Say something.’ his brain kept saying over and over.

“Um… well… I mean… uh… Oh hell, Faye. I have no idea what to say!” and he smiled at her. Honesty was the best policy, after all. As he looked at her, several pieces of a puzzle he wasn’t aware he was working fell into place. Faye… Zef… Raye… He leaned back and swore under his breath. Exhaling slowly, he looked at Faye and said “I am both dumbfounded and flattered, Faye. Truly. And to be wholly honest… I never thought about you… us… like that.” and he smiled at her and leaned forward slightly. “Not to say the thought is unpleasant, it’s just… well… surprising. And I will need to take you up on your offer to think about it. Okay?” he asked with a hint of concern in his voice. He didn’t want to hurt her, no matter what he final answer to the invitation was going to be.

Cochrane, CO

The most immediate thing that hit her brain was that it wasn’t a no! She had fully prepared herself for that and to slink out of the lounge, yes, embarrassed, but not in any way going to make him feel bad about it. Faye nodded. “That was the idea.” Did she know she was going to drop a bomb on him? Yes. But a part of her wondered how much of a bomb it really was. Thinking about it was different than feeling it. But she also had to remember that she had been doing both for some time now. He had not. She had to give him time.

Rising to her feet, she grabbed her empty cake plate. “Take your time, Alex, I’m not in any hurry. And I’m a big girl- I won’t hold it against you if the answer is no.” She reached for his plate, leaning in slightly. “But do remember that somehow, strangely, we actually have a lot in common. In this crazy galaxy, there is something to be said for finding someone you can be on the same wavelength with. At least some of the time. And thank you for this tonight. I know you don’t realize this yet but you made my achievement a special and important thing. And I’m grateful.” Having gotten the earlier words out, it somehow seemed easier to talk to him again. Not that her stomach still wasn’t doing flip-flops.

Stepping away, she moved to the counter to return the dishes to Harv. “Thank you for the wonderful cake! It was amazing,” she said, practically beaming.

~Faye Calloway, Data Specialist