Posted by Commander Jean Francios Millet (XO/Comms) in Time to be professional… (XO)

Posted by Captain Arialla Bovar (Captain) in Time to be professional… (XO)

(This takes place the night of the DH meeting, the night following Prescott’s ‘relief’ and Jensen’s brig time)

Ari was in her ready room waiting on Millet. She had had a stressful day and the chef had stuck the teapot on a heating pad so it stayed hot for several hours so she could have as much as she wanted. Despite it being overkill, she was on her fourth or fifth cup of tea for the day. Its usual calming affects didn’t seem to fight thru her anxiety today.

As 1800 rolled around, she was looking at her console. Her shoes, usually kicked off and under her chair, were actually still on her feet. And she was going over the watch rotations and trying to come up with a good rotation of personnel to get their firearms training in in the time she had give the MACO.

Captain Arialla Bovar
CO

Millet was right on time. He brought some of his famous macaroons and some croissants freshly baked . Be pressed the chime and waited. He was hoping that this would be the time that they can finally reconcile.

Commander Jean-Francois Millet XO

The door slid open and she was seated at her place at the head of the table. She glanced up and nodded to a nearby chair. “Morning, Commander. We need to talk. I think we got off on a misstep.” She nodded once more to the chair, not comment made about the patisseries.

Ari
CO

“Morning. I believe we do as well.” He said taking the offered seat and placing the pastries on the table. He knew she was serious because she has been using his rank and not his name and her shoes were still on. “I’m listening Captain.”

Commander Jean-Francois Millet XO

When he used her title, she sighed. She honestly didn’t want this to get ugly. “Jean, we got too close, too fast. And I have the feeling, because of that, you are trying to keep me from being ‘burdened’ with what you consider things you can handle. When Baumann came to you with Prescott’s attack and the ones who did it, you should have contacted me immediately. I’m guessing you didn’t because you figured you had handled it and all was well. Am I right?”

Ari
CO

“No. Ari. While it is true you have been worrying a great deal, not only from your last mission, but from a lot of new crew, a new relationship and now someone from the past that you were close with came back from the dead. You are also obsessed with your theory. When you should be taking what little time you have off to rest some. I am not perfect but I did order an investigation and their confinement . Once the evidence was produced then there would be a Captain’s Mast. Which only you or your delegated person can perform. Since you didn’t delegate it to me, only you cam do it. I sent you a report with ther gist of what was going on. I couldn’t give you the facts if I didn’t have them either.”

He sighed and ran his fingers through his thick black hair. “I am not perfect. I know I’ve messed up between us both professionally and romantically. I want to do better in both of those endeavors. But I’m a realist and can see that either one or both are in serious jeopardy.”

Commander Jean-Francois Millet XO

She shook her head and stood up to pace, her voice dropping an octave. “And see, that’s another place you don’t know me at all. My so called obsession with my theory, it happens to BE my rest and relaxation. Of all the things I do on this ship, it demands nothing of me. It asks for nothing. It doesn’t care if it isn’t held, or kissed, or touched.” She paused and turned to him. “And I don’t care if someone else has interest in it because it’s not an emotional attachment to me.” She looked at him hard, her hands coming to grip the back of her chair.

“You are right. Professionally or personally, one of those is done. So here is your choice. You can choose to resign your commission and become my lover or you can be my XO and my right hand that I need on this ship. But before you make your choice, realize this. Soon as you resign, you will be gone from the ship. This isn’t a family ship, Jean. And if you gave up your commission for us, I would be concerned anyway. So I guess that leaves you with one choice.” She looked at him to see what his decision would be.

Ari
CO

“I’m glad that your hobby does that for you.”
He stood up slowly and looked her straight in the eyes. “And I have already made up my mind. My decision would be both! I will stay on this ship, be your right hand and also your lover. I should have came to you sooner to solve that portion of the problem but I wanted to give you space and time Ari. I realise now that that was a double edged sword against me. It seems that I am dammed if I do and dammed if I don’t with you.”

Jean-Francois

She shook her head. “No, Jean. You can’t be both. For both our sakes. I need to be able to be brutal and the Captain I was a year ago. That means I can’t be sleeping with my Number Two. The crew can’t see it happening, either. Once I calm down and we are refit and back to patrols and missions, I’m more than happy to join you for dinners in the Officer’s Mess on occasion. But we can’t let this,” she motioned between them, “continue. Obviously you have a loving personality that several women on this ship find accommodating. And to that, I will simply warn you to be careful. But I need you as my Second, not my bed warmer.” Her gut tied itself in knots, but it had to be done.

“And as to the Prescott issue. Baumann informed me she is temporarily relieved of duty from her Intel position but he has given her another assignment. I have approved it to she is not to be reprimanded for not being on the shift roster in Security. And yes, Jensen and Andersen will both be before me in one form or another in the next week. But from now on, I don’t care if you haven’t finished, or even begun your investigation, you are to inform me immediately of any abuse or infractions between these crewmen. They can’t be led to believe that “dad” won’t tell “mom” so they will be ok. Do you understand?” Her last to him was said with a bit more harshness. But she wasn’t going to be finding out about things this major on the ship in the ‘morning reports’ 12 to 15 hours later.

Ari
CO

He just looked at her for what seemed a long moment before answering with a slightly broken voice. “Aye Captain. To both. I will be the man that I need to be and be the XO that you need and deserve. If that is all Ar....Captain, then I will take my leave.” His eyes were starting to get misty and wanted to be in a private place before he couldn’t control it.

Commander Jean-Francois Millet XO

She nodded. “I’m glad. Because I need you as both. And when we aren’t in official standings, Ari is still fine. But that choice is yours. She stood up and nodded to him. “You are free to go. And Jean… I am glad you are here. I hope you know that. Have a good night.” She turned to look out the window to let him depart without having to hide from her gaze.

Ari
CO