Posted by Lieutenant Commander Thomas McGregor (COS) in Lounge (side sim)
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Thomas shrugged. “I couldn’t tell you that, but if that’s what works for you and them, more power to you both,” he said. “I’ll admit, my preferred way of working through things also involves hitting things, I just go out of my way to make sure they’re things that a) can’t hit back or b) are socially acceptable to hit, like punching bags or holographic Klingons.”

He took full control of Redmond at this point and deposited the insensate NLt. on his bed, not bothering to divest him of his uniform or even take off his boots.

Vanessa moved to the end of the bed and began to pull one shoe off and then the other. She wasn’t going further than that but no one wanted to sleep in shoes.

Standing up she looked around the room. “Well he is single. Maybe he is going through a break up?” Looking at MacGregor she let out a sigh. “Why do single men not have a single throw blanket anywhere.”

Thomas shrugged. “Why do women have them and useless pillows everywhere?” he asked in return. “I don’t see much point in having things around that 99 percent of the time serve no function at all. Waste of resources.”

Vanessa could not help but break out laughing seeing Thomas’ expression as he shrugged. It was the same expression every man had and his comment was the same as if it was genetically patented through DNA. Every man she had ever known felt the same about blankets and pillows. They were just obstacles to getting into bed and time wasters when making a bed. “Form versus function. The thing that divides everyone and it is function for the win tonight.”

Looking back at the bed she stifled a laugh. The drunken sailor had a dopey look complete with the half open mouth and a spot of drool forming. “Help me roll him up like a sausage,” she commented pulling her side of the bedding out and tossing it over the man’s body.

Suppressing a snort of his own, Thomas picked up the other side of the bedding and worked to encase Redmond in it.

Vanessa Slade CNS

COS

COS

“So,” Vanessa tucked the blankets tightly around Redmond and then began walking to the door. “How would you feel about hitting me,” she asked the chief of security. “You are due for your yearly eval and unless you would prefer to come to my office for tea and crumpets we could so do it in a less formal setting.” Thomas was the chief of security. His job was to kill you seven ways from Sunday using only a toothpick and a dull spoon if needed. His job also was to use force as a last resort and train others in that art. Her flippant comment about using her as a punching bag was not meant to be literal. It was her guess that Thomas would be far more relaxed doing something than being put in the spotlight like an interrogation. It would also give Vanessa a chance to learn more about the officer and improve her right hook probably.

Thomas gave a snort, but didn’t answer immediately, opting to get both of them out of Redmond’s quarters, which he then sealed and locked until 1030 hours the next day, releasable only by himself, the Counselor or the Captain.

“A more puerile part of my brain did some very juvenile things with those statements, I should just let you know,” he said.

Vanessa let out a full-bodied laugh. “My daddy always told me to remember one thing with dealing with anyone in this world. Only make friends with people who have a sense of humor and bet your life on them in any serious situation.” Not that she ever had a reason to doubt him but it was becoming more and more apparent as to why Thomas was the COS. As the chief, he was rather imposing with his height, build, and the slightly judgy expression she thought he seemed to wear all the time. Now she was realizing it was not a judgy expression but more Thomas probably trying to hold back some fun quip or comment that would totally shatter his tough-as-nails exterior. This trait, however, the stoic officer coating over a really funny and nice guy, was what made people follow their commanding officer into situations angels would fear to tread. It meant Thomas could pull you through hell but also pop open a cold one and be completely relatable. Vanessa had only been on the ship a few months now but more and more she was really liking the crew.

“Something tells me the 30 or so centimeters and 45 kilos I have on you still wouldn’t stop you from knocking me on my ass if we actually did face off.”

Vanessa Slade CNS

COS

Vanessa made a show of looking around her as if trying to find someone else that Thomas had to be talking to. After a few turns of her head, she put a hand to her chest and said. “Oh…oh god you mean me?” It was rhetorical and meant for good fun.

“Okay all jokes aside you are not completely wrong. I have nine brothers so I can take care of myself but only by fighting dirty. Spectacles, testicles, jowls, and then howls,” she rattled off like it was a dirty limerick as her hands moved in a slightly cross-like pattern over her body. Where she touched her neck and then covered her mouth was not a perfect line but with a little imagination, Thomas could figure it out. “I am not sure I could use that in battle or maybe I could. I mean not many Klingons think you are going to not fight honorable but when you got almost a foot on me,” she exaggeratedly looking up at Thomas as if he was a giant and she a dwarf, “you use what you got. I can’t throw a punch to save my life but that is what you are here for right? I just scream like a teenage prom queen in a horror flick and security comes running.”

“That’s the general idea, yes,” Thomas replied, deadpan. “Although against the right species, the scream alone will disable an attacker as effectively as any phaser shot.”

“So if you are not up to me looking like Ralphie from a Christmas story to spar with you what else do you think would be fun. There is archery, badminton, pool, painting, getting lost in a maze,” she began to rattle off some of the activities she had done before with a few of her clients.

Vanessa Slade CNS

Thomas shrugged. “Rock climbing? At least that way, if you start getting into too sensitive a topic I can just throw myself off the side of the cliff.”

COS

Vanessa broke out laughing so hard her body shook. “You know I am going to have to use that as a therapy line. Hey don’t worry if it gets too tough just toss yourself over the cliff. See you tomorrow after your shift. Holodeck three,” she said turning and walking down the corridor.

Vanessa Slade CNS