Posted by Lieutenant Commander Jessica Vaughn (XO) in CNS Office: Commander Vaughn Jessica sat down taking a long sip of her coffee. While she loved having a baby, she missed her coffee almost to the point that she swore she would adopt all of her next children rather than ride the decaf wagon for another nine months. Opening her comm unit, Jessica looked at the first message in her inbox. “Yay someone to tell me I am crazy besides my mom,” she said with a half l : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Chandel raised an eyebrow while an amused smile curled her mouth.”Indeed, I too have found that real life can hold more drama and excitement then can be found in a holodeck.” In her dark, expressive eyes were memories that were centuries old. Her people had experienced more things that could be told and being raised on a freighter ship she had seen many. “A party for a vent being fixed…who is your fiance? Does he serve here?” : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Counselor Chandel : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “Nah he couldn’t handle the uniform or probably any real 9 to 5 job that required him to work set hours,” Jessica took a long sip of her coffee draining it. The counselor hadn’t offered the use of her replicator yet but Jessica did out rank her and this seemed to be more of an informal visit than the ‘are you nuts’ eval. Besides manners typically got you everything you wanted. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “Chandel would you mind terribly if I got another cup of coffee,” Jessica asked. “The baby sleeps like a log but I still get up with every noise and twitch.” Waiting for the counselor to give her permission for coffee, Jessica continued answering the question. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “Absolutely, please help yourself, Commander.” Chandel said as she indicated the replicator on the wall. It was unusual for her to not offer refreshments on her first visits with the crew. But she did so purposely to allow a more focused meeting. On any subsequent appointments she would offer refreshments. She found usually that the refreshments could be a distraction. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “Aeden is an entrepreneur. His company is OMAP. It is PR based and they mostly deal with entertainment,” Jessica settled back in her chair trying to appear comfortable having this conversation. It was not that she was embarrassed per say but her cheeks did become a bit more red. Mainly it had to do with the glamorized aspect of Aedan’s life. Everything about him prior to meeting Jessica had been playboy this and womanizer. Jessica had heard the name like everyone else but she had not ever met the man until a year ago. Then her life changed so drastically sometimes she felt overwhelmed by all of it. Maybe that is why she tended to try and downplay her relationship with Teller. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Lt. Commander Jessica Vaughn, XO : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Chandel cocked her head curiously at Vaugn’s description and uncomfortable reaction to it.”Is there something wrong with him being a business man in the entertainment business? He must enjoy it very much and it must be fulfilling for him. Did he start out as an entertainer?” : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Counselor Chandel : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : “He seems to enjoy it,” Jessica shrugged and ran a finger around the edge of her mug. “And everyone seems to want to be his friend. When you are with him he takes care of detail…makes you feel like the universe is yours for the taking. When you are not with him,” Jessica shrugged again, “you learn to fend for yourself.” : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Chandel smiled in commiseration with the XO. She seemed like a strong, independent woman regardless. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Taking a large sip of her coffee, Jessica let out a little half laugh and continued. “He started out as weird Batman-Oliver Twist type of person. His parents were killed and he grew up in an orphanage in London. I have heard more than a few stories about Aedan running a few scams as a kid. The joke was that several of the nuns wore the habit not completely for pious reasons but to hide that Aedan had either made them prematurely gray or caused their hair to fall out. I think the polite word to describe him as a child was precocious and imaginative. ,” Jessica laughed : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Lt Commander Jessica Vaughn. XO : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Chandel laughed softly with Vaugn.”He does sound like he was a rascal growing up. That is probably part of what you drew you to him. You said you have a child, is he the father?” She asked curiously. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Counselor Chandel : : : : : : : : : : : : “No one date at a bingo parlor peaked my interest in him. One night at the beach sealed my fate with him. Can I,” Jessica stopped mid sentence and pointed to the replicator. “I run on the stuff. I think my blood is black and not red,” she let out a half laugh. : : : : : : : : : : : “Please.” Chandel said with a smile. : : : : : : : : : : : After getting a second cup of coffee, Jessica returned to her seat, settled back and continued. “Yes Cera is his,” Jessica ran a finger around as she talked. “He treats her like a princess and she will probably have the life of one. He is a good father. Aedan is a good man,” she nodded her head as she spoke but spun the ring about her finger subconsciously. “He asked me to marry him,” Jessica showed Chadel the ring. “Of course I said yes but…I did not set a date. It is not for any reason mind you but just life keeping us busy.” Taking a long sip on her coffee Jessica quickly changed the subject. : : : : : : : : : : : Chandel’s smile was brighter this time,”Congratulations, Commander. I would imagine with you being a Commander that it is difficult to set aside time.” : : : : : : : : : : : “So even though this get together doesn’t have to be all about me. Tell me something about you Chandel,” Jessica said with a smile. : : : : : : : : : : : : Lt Commander Jessica Vaughn. XO : : : : : : : : : : “Me?” Chandel’s brows raised.”Well, I am a ship’s brat. My parents were traders and I was born in space on their ship. That was many, many years ago. Once I was old enough I spent some time working on a few other ships but I think I felt the need for something more structured. I eventually joined Starfleet.” She smiled a bit wryly. ” I have not regretted it and must say I quite enjoy Counseling as I like to meet people and learn about them. One of my favorite past times is people watching and I must say I do get the chance here. I like to sit in the promenade and see if I can figure out what everyone does.” She shrugged and laughed. Her laugh was as deep and smoky as her voice. “Not that I get to find out in most cases if I am right or wrong.” : : : : : : : : : : Counselor Chandel : : : : : : : : Jessica let out a laugh. “I love people watching. My sister and I used to do that all the time when we were younger. We would give them names and jobs and the such. It is a great past time when you are sitting around bored.” Thinking about Chandel’s comment about her family piqued her interest. “Were your parent’s Federation citizens,” she asked. While the Federation was massive, it was not the entire universe. Non-Federation societies always fascinated Jessica mainly because it just showed how large the universe was. : : : : : : : : Lt Commander Jessica Vaughn. XO : : : : : : Chandel shrugged, “As there weren’t many who survived the Borg on our planet, we do not have an organized government. We are refugees in the galaxy. My parents had no affiliations with the Federation though they did have trade contracts on Earth.” : : : : : : Counselor Chandel : : : : “The Borg,” Jessica said and felt a chill run down her spine. The very word…Borg…sent a sliver of fear down anyone’s spine. They were the perfect enemy only rivaled by artificial intelligence as a foe. The Borg were heartless and never relied on emotion or could be swayed by emotional pleas for thier lives. THey had no conscious and added women and children to their ranks without regard. Anyone who had an ounce of sense avoided the Borg and those who had encountered them and survived never forgot. Chandel’s story of a scattered population after being ravaged by the Borg was not unique. Jessica felt it was simply the defense mechanism to scatter and always be mobile which caused populations to do this. “I’m sorry,” she said in a sincere tone. It was not meant as anything more Jessica trying to show empathy to an event that even though was long over, still probably felt like a fresh, hemorrhaging wound to the counselor. : : : : Lt Commander Jessica Vaughn. XO : : “Fortunately or not so fortunately I was not yet born when the Borg did this so I have never seen our home planet.” Chandel shrugged. “Though my parents were. They were understandably edgy and refused to speak of the Borg when the subject came up. They only told me that if I ever saw them, to run, very fast and very far. I never pushed on the subject as I felt their despair and pain.” She looked off for a moment before seeming to come back from far memories.”It is hard to have a sense of identity with people that you haven’t shared things with. I think I felt more at home among fellow traders and travelers then I have with other El Aurians. How did we get so far off topic?” She asked lightly with a smile. “I must say though that it as been a pleasant surprise for me to feel at home here on the station as I am more use to traveling and being unmoored.” : : Counselor Chandel “Well, family doesn’t always doesn’t have to mean a blood relation. Family are the people you chose to surround your self with,” Jessica said. Feeling her personal comm buzz, Jessica held up a finger. “Would you excuse me for a second,” she said taking the call. As the XO it would not be unheard of for her to be interrupted. After several uh huh’s and a quick. Okay see you later, Jessica disconnected the call and placed it back in her pocket. “Sorry about that. Marrying the Federation with a civilian population is not easy sometimes,” she laughed. “I have to go unfortunately and take care of something but would you like to come for lunch,” she asked Chadel. “You could meet Aedan. Not thing formal or on duty but just to hang out and eat something easy like grilled cheese. Adele makes a mean grilled cheese,” Jessica offered standing up and extending her hand. Lt. Commander Jessica Vaughn, XO

Chandel smiled, truly charmed by the invitation.”I would be honored for the opportunity, Commander. Thank you.”Chandel said as she rose to walk the Commander to the door.

Counselor Chandel