Arrival pt II

Posted on Wed 20th Feb, 2013 @ 10:40am by Lieutenant Thomas Jorrel & Ensign Sean Warren & Petty Officer 1st Class Dae Bhen
Edited on on Thu 21st Feb, 2013 @ 4:33am

2,998 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: http://sb109.sim-station.net/index.php/sim/missions/id/3
Location: Starbase Protector - Deck 28, Jorrel's Quarters
Timeline: 2000 hours

“It should be around here somewhere,” Jorrel said as he looked at the numbers on the doors.

“Yeah, that’s what you said on that last deck.”

Jorrel shrugged, “That’s what I was told. Senior officer quarters on Deck Twenty-Seven. You were there, you heard what he said.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t have the numbers. I mean, it clearly says Twenty-Eight Oh Two.”

Jorrel shrugged again. He had seen the numbers, but he’d also shown them to Warren as well. In his defense, he guessed, they helped Dae to his quarters and then found Warren’s. It was fortunate for all three that they were assigned to single occupancy quarters. Warren’s weren’t anything fancy, mostly a studio with a short wall separating the sleeping area and a waste reclamator and sonic shower in a small, separate room. The rest of it was pretty functional, a small seating area, holovid panel in the wall that functioned as both an LCARS, holovid player and screen for the desk computer as necessary. A replicator and small dining area rounded it out. He was fortunate that he had a few small windows that rotate the view as the station rotated.

Dae was luckier. He managed to get family quarters which contained two bedrooms, a master for him and his wife and then a smaller one for little Tomas Waren, larger living quarters and an area that served as a dining area and kitchen. The windows were larger and the dining/kitchen area even had limited programmed holoprojectors to create an ‘outdoor patio’ type setting. Warren was, understandably, jealous of Dae’s quarters. Jorrel reminded him all he had to do was get married, have a child and consign himself to constant ‘doodie duty’.

Suddenly Warren was okay with the size of his own quarters.

“Here,” Jorrel said, finally spotting the numbers on the door to the quarters assigned to him. He brought out his PADD and called up the security access code he’d been given to first enter. He’d have to change it, but that was relatively simple. A note popped up on the PADD from the Ops department, letting him know that his belongings had been delivered to his quarters. Jorrel nodded. There wasn’t much he wanted to do tonight. Though he wasn’t supposed to check in until the day after tomorrow, he saw no reason for him to sit idle. Dae and Warren wanted to explore the station a bit.

Jorrel gave them the extra day off, but since they would be here awhile, he figured he had time to explore later. Plus, his friends would inform him of anything interesting that they found.

“Wow…” Warren said, entering the quarters. Jorrel looked around the spacious area with a smile on his face, his brown eyed gaze trying to go everywhere at once. For the first time since he enlisted in the Marines, he felt he was in quarters that might actually fit his Jovian frame.

The furniture was normal, Federation sized, but, stuffed and the area was spacious enough that he might be able to switch out the furniture for slightly larger sizes. A separate office area, kitching, dining area (with, he noted, the same holoemitters that Dae had), fully enclosed bedroom and full restroom suite.

“Rank has privileges,” Warren muttered looking at the décor and sheer size of the quarters. “Now I know why you wanted Dae to join us for dinner, instead of going to his place.”

“I had no idea,” Jorrel said as he stood in the center of the room. Even the ceiling accommodated his height. Almost the entire opposite wall was made of durable plasteel, allowing him to look out into the infinite universe. The one solid wall contained a large holovid monitor. “But…” he stopped as he continued to look around, going to the bedroom door. “Even a large bed!” He didn’t know how, but he managed to stop himself from jumping on it only by remembering the looks from other officers on the transport. But, it was a bed the size that his parents had when he was a child. Large enough that he might even have a chance to spread out and be comfortable.

He also resisted the urge to visit the bathroom. He’d find out about that later. One thing that was better as in the living quarters as a enlisted Marine, the shower facilities. Being more open dormitory styles, he didn’t have to try to squeeze himself into a sonic shower stall. Once he came over to Fleet and his quarters kept improving, he discovered that sonic shower stalls remained the same size no matter how much bigger the rest of the area became.

“Y’know,” Warren said with a smile, “I don’t need to be married to have quarters like this. I just gotta find some way to bump you off and then get put into the chief position.”

“Y’know, there’s even an officer’s gym on this deck,” Jorrel said, glancing back at the ‘welcome information’ on the PADD. “Looks pretty nice, and fully stocked. I see free weights.”

“Hey! Did you bring the Wall?” Warren asked, flopping into one of the chairs. Jorrel opted for the couch, not sure he wanted to try a chair and have to put in a repair report and requisition to Ops before he’d had a chance to meet anybody.

“Yeah, but not sure what good it’ll do, y’know commanding officers hate it when we use it.”

Warren shrugged, “But, c’mon man, think about it! You’ve got some pull on the station now. There’s what, twenty-five hundred decks? Surely you’ll be able to arrange to have about a hundred of them cut off every so often from one of the many turboshafts.”

Jorrel shrugged, “Maybe. I don’t want to cause waves until I get to know people. But, yeah, it’d be nice to use it again. Been awhile hasn’t it?”

“Well, maybe for you. Some of us have been a little naughty and snuck around late at night to use it.”

Jorrel sighed as he shook his head. “You’re trying to give me a stroke, aren’t you?”

“Well, nice quarters,” Warren said giving a one shouldered shrug.

“Come in,” Jorrel said at the chime, hoping it was just Dae. It’d be embarrassing for one of his superiors to have heard he arrived on the station and found him lounging around with friends.

“Hey, guys,” Petty Officer 1st Class, Dae Bhen said as he walked into the space, his face lighting up as Jorrel imagined his must have. The only one of them that seemed unimpressed was little Tomas Waren. He seemed very unhappy. Dae was absently bouncing him in his arms, trying to soothe him.

“Hey, Dae, give him over,” Jorrel said, eager to be holding the baby again. Hopefully his little ‘nephew’ would recognize him and settle somewhat. Bhen sighed as he put his son into the Lieutenant’s arms – at once nervous to let go of his son but also grateful for the break.

“Hey, little guy,” Jorrel immediately cooed, his attention fixed on the baby, “who’s the best little Marine around? Yes you are, yes, you!” He made a ‘shocked’ face which got Tomas’s attention. He didn’t stop crying as much but was moving in that direction.

“Nice place,” Bhen said as he went to the window and stared out. “This all yours, Lieutenant?”

“Well, ours,” Jorrel said, easily holding the baby in the crook of one large arm and using his free hand to play ‘peekaboo’, “Mine and my little guy here, anytime you need the break, bring him on by, I’ll be happy to watch him for you.”

He ignored Warren’s eye roll. For Jorrel being so far from home killed him because his nephews and nieces grew up so fast between visits. Having a good friend with a small child so close to him was a blessing for him. He also knew how much Bhen appreciated the support, especially now that he and Bre were separated for the first time since they met. The only reason she allowed Bhen to bring the baby with him – not trusting him so much as a father, and that Jorrel and Warren were willing to help didn’t mollify her much. She was worried that Bhen might do all the things she told him not to – like take him on his daily runs or when he went to the gym or used a climbing wall or…well…counterweight for pushups or other squats or-

Jorrel chuckled, maybe Bre had a point to worry. “How’s Bre?”

“Anxious,” Bhen said. “Her transfer request hasn’t been approved yet and, she’s heard that if it’s not approved soon, then it’ll be kicked out of the system and she’ll have to start over.”

Jorrel frowned hearing that. He wasn’t sure about that, but he didn’t know because he never had to deal with that before. But, now, he did. He closed his eyes for a moment, a bit of the anxiety welling in him again. There were so many small things that were coming up that were now his responsibility. Who had ever thought to give him this position? It wasn’t even a straight security position it was – well, he wasn’t sure what it was actually. He’d read descriptions and tried to get some advice but…

Tomas Waren brought him away from his circular thoughts by gurgling. “Oh boy, somebody needs a change!”

Warren shook his head, incredulous that Jorrel actually sounded excited by the prospect of a full diaper. He grabbed Bhen by the arm as he started to get up and go to Jorrel to retrieve his child. Bhen glanced at him, seeing the slight shake of his head. Warren held up a single finger.

“No, Bhen, relax, I got this,” Jorrel said, picking up the bag Bhen dropped next to his chair.

“Don’t you dare do that on the dining table!” Warren said, watching Jorrel head in that direction.

“I wasn’t,” Jorrel muttered but he stopped for a moment before changing course to head for the bedroom.

Bhen slumped back in the chair, leaning back and his eyes closing immediately.

“I’d take him up on it and soon,” Warren said. “You need to get some rest.”

“I know, I know,” Bhen said, his eyes still closed. “It’s just, now I have to get settled in again and now I’m a ‘single father’ until Bre can transfer over.” He sighed as he leaned forward, putting his head in his hands. “I don’t know what I’m going to do if her transfer doesn’t get approved. I can’t do this alone, I need her. Tomas Waren needs her here, not out there. I shouldn’t have brought him with me, I don’t know what I was thinking. It’s been so hard when she was around and now she’s not here and I just don’t know what I’m –“

“Hey, Bajor!” Warren said, grabbing his shoulder, “Stop and breathe, man. Breathe! C’mon, we got you through your first years of the Corps and now, look at you, almost an officer. Sure a goldshirt officer, but still, you made that. You proved yourself capable of earning that…with a little help from us.”

“A lot of help. Prophets be praised, I’d not even been able to have a relationship with Bre if not for you guys.” Bhen’s eyes were getting moist. “But this is more than just a career and job. If I screw up here, I’m not just gonna get sent to a home I don’t have anymore. I screw up and I screw up a life!”

“Dae, you won’t. You’ve been wonderful to him. I can’t imagine anyone being more loving, a better father.” Warren sighed, he knew what was going on, what was happening. It was an old fear of the Bajoran’s, ever since he found out he was to become a father. “And you’re not your father, Dae. You’ll never be your father. I won’t let it happen.”

“Warren,” Bhen said, merely shaking his head and not looking at him. “I think you’re wrong. It’s…I’m getting so angry with him, so frustrated. He’s…he’s a baby and I’m upset that I can’t get him to stop crying most of the time and don’t know what’s wrong. He’s such a beautiful little pagh and Prophets damn me, but I’m so frustrated and I find myself on the verge of shouting at him. Yelling at a baby!”

Warren watched Jorrel come out of the bedroom, the baby quiet and seeming content in his arms. Jorrel was frowning as he looked at the situation. “It’s like Tomas said,” Warren said, “you just need to get a break, some rest.”

“What kind of father am I that I need to take time away from my own child?” Bhen asked, frustration clear. “No, wait, don’t tell me, I already know. I’m my own father. I can’t stand to be around my own child?”

“It’s nothing like that,” Jorrel said, sitting carefully so not to disturb the baby. “It’s stress, nothing more. You get some sleep and you’ll see things differently. You’ll find out that your frustration is just being tired, stressed and overwhelmed. Just, now, with uncertainty from Bre’s posting and being alone with him for the first time, this is all to be expected. But, you keep forgetting, Bajor, you’re not alone. You’ve got us and we’re always here to help you through anything.” Jorrel sighed. “Tell you what, let’s grab something to eat, I’m afraid it’ll be replicated cause I haven’t had time to shop for anything and I’ve no idea where the Mess is. Then I’ll take Tomas for awhile tonight. You go back to your quarters and get some rest.”

“Lieutenant,” Bhen said, “I can’t impose on you like that. You’re starting your new position tomorrow, you gotta get rest as well.”

“Want me to make that an order?” Jorrel asked.

Warren rolled his eyes, “I’m sure that’d be the first time any Starfleet officer gave an order to become a babysitter.”

Bhen smiled weakly, “Lieutenant, I just, I don’t know. Are you sure? No, wait, listen to me! I’m jumping at the chance to ditch my child!”

“Not ‘ditching’, Bhen. You’re going to have to arrange for child care sooner or later anyway. Might as well start getting used to it. But, hey, if it makes you feel better, stay here. Use the bedroom to get some sleep and I’ll watch little Tomas for you.”

Bhen rubbed his head as he sighed. “Okay, but I stay here! I’m not abandoning my son.”

Jorrel held the sigh. “Sure, no problem. Look, Bhen, you know I want to help out with him. He’s the son of one of my best friends and my namesake. Whatever you need for him, you just gotta ask and I’ll be there.”

“I know,” Bhen said, shaking his head, “I’m just so…tired and, you’re right, Lieutenant, I am getting stressed about all of this. You sure you don’t mind?”

“Of course he doesn’t,” Warren said, pulling Bhen toward him in a half headlock. “He’ll pull rank to force it if you don’t just let it happen. Tell you what, I’ll stick around too, just to make sure he doesn’t forget who’s baby it really is,” he dropped a wink at Jorrel who groaned.

“Alright then,” Bhen said, “Somebody mentioned something about food? I’m starving.”

“Yeah,” Warren laughed, “some things never change and that’s one of them. Let me guess, Thom, you’re starving too.”

“Well,” Jorrel said, “I didn’t want to say anything but, yeah. I could eat a cow myself. Let’s go give that replicator a workout. And, I recorded the last match between the Jovian Thunder and the Mabhian Ravens.”

“Sounds like burgers, fries, wings and beer all around,” Warren said. He held up a hand to forestall Dae, “Synthehol for all of us. We can’t have alcohol if we’re going to be watching a baby. If it makes you feel better, you can order the drinks to make sure they remain denatured. But, we gonna watch a game, there are traditions to apply. Hell, even our traditional goldshirt brethren knows that!”

Bhen sighed, giving in to the two – as he usually did. “Thanks guys,” he muttered as he stood. “Okay, I still don’t understand this Terran custom, what’s the food order again? And, you guys know I’m not gonna stay awake for the whole game?”

“Yeah, no problem,” Jorrel said, “Feel free to drop off whenever you want. We got little Tomas for the night, you’re good.”

“Little Waren,” Warren corrected, directing Bhen back to the chair. He pointed at Jorrel as he went toward the replicator to get their ‘game night’ feast ordered up. “You’re on doodie duty, Thom! I don’t do dirty diapers.” Jorrel shrugged, noticing the young Bajoran already half asleep in the chair. Diaper duty was fine with him, as was all other aspects of caring for the child for a few hours so his friend could get some rest.

 

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