Stardate: 60310:1500
Title: All She Needs Is Her First Scratch
Author: Executive Officer Abigail Winters
Time: Before, During and After "When Past and Present Collide Pt. 1"
Scene USS Relentless and Undisclosed Bar Establishment


She watched the Captain's retreating back vanish into a turbo lift and felt a swell of annoyance that made her want to kick something. Abby reminded herself that she was a fully trained officer with amble experience in the field. However, as the obnoxious Ferengi made his way towards her she longed to shrink into the air vent behind her and hide.

"I have seen no paper work saying that a cat can come on board this ship, it will have to be removed immediately." Godron looked the XO up and down and was blatantly staring where he shouldn't be. Abby resisted all urges to punch him and instead put her hand under his chin and lifted his head until his eyes met hers.

"Now, Mr. Owbron." She took her hand away but maintained the intense eye contact. "I wouldn't want us to get off on the wrong foot." Godron, sensing some kind of victory started to smile. "So I'm going to pretend you didn't just threaten to throw my cat off the ship because you haven't checked through my paper work thoroughly and I'm sure if anything is missing you can contact my last Captain who will happily oblige you." Abby was pretty sure that Captain K'rang would cover for her and buy her enough time to get the appropriate paperwork authorized.

"This is not acceptable cats should not be allowed onboard it's preposterous."

His face had started to flush and Abigail had to wonder if she 'disposed' of Mr. Owbron would she become a local legend and hero to the crew. It was then that she remembered he was from a well-connected family and his untimely demise would only bring about a whole heap of trouble.

"Mr. Owbron as Executive Office of the Relentless I want you to know that your concerns really matter to me." Abby felt dirty just saying the words, but it was only her first day. "So if you would like to write all your issues down I will give them the due consideration they deserve." 

Owbron's smug smile was sleazy and his gaze had lowered from her face again. "Now if you will excuse me I am needed on the bridge." Without a backward glance she headed for the turbo lift. On the way up to Bridge she felt annoyed with the Captain he had literally thrown her to the wolves. She was thinking about giving him a piece of her mind. If this was the way he was going to treat the crew she could she could see trouble ahead. As the doors opened on to the bridge Abby's step faltered as she saw Loula in the Captain's arms. 

A rush of feelings swept over her, there was relief for her safety but she was slightly hurt. Loula never let anyone pick her up except Abby. The Captain turned to face the XO and she quickly blew the hair out of her face and tried to counsel herself that it was silly to be jealous. Pulling herself together Abby smiled.

"There you are! You are close to going without chocolate," Abby said.

Alex looked into Abby's intense green eyes and handed her the cat, "So this is the troublemaker we've heard so much about?" Abby noticed Loula's smug grin and decided she was definitely going to have words about this behaviour. 

"I'm very sorry sir." Sorry you left me with that piece of administrative rubbish; Abby tried to cool her thoughts. 

"Sorry? No need to be sorry, I was just about to offer her a medal. That is the most fun I've had in a long time." 

Abby felt her anger start to bubble inside her but before she could vocalize it the Captain continued, "I'm sorry I tossed you into that situation. I should have given you a bit more time, how about I make it up to you?"

She wanted to stamp her foot, pout and tell him to go and tell the bad man off. But Alex's manner was having a calming and forgiving influence on her.

"I know this place, a real 'fresher hole, honestly. But the food won't kill us and it's relatively quiet, it will give us a chance to get off on a better foot, what do you say?" Loula started to squirm in her arms.

"How can I refuse such an offer," A fresh start did sound appealing and it had been an incredibly long day. 

"Great we'll drop" Honestly Abby was sure Loula was batting her eyelashes at the Captain.

"Loula, Sir." She started to Purr at her name. 

Alex nodded, "Loula off and be on our way. Thomas you have the bridge".

They walked in silence for a bit and many of the crew they passed gave them assessing sidelong glances. The Captain gave the appearance of not noticing but a muscle in the side of his neck said otherwise. At the XO quarters Abby unceremoniously dumped Loula down and gave her a stern warning that there was to be no more wandering the ship.

"I heard you were slightly injured in an explosion on your last ship, are you fully recovered" Alex voice held genuine concern which made Abby's shoulders slightly relax.

"Just a superficial wound and it has completely healed thank you." 

The establishment Alex had bought Abby too was exactly as he had promised quiet and slightly lacking on the ascetic side. He nodded to the proprietor and lead Abby through a warren of tables to a spot far from anyone else. As he held her chair for her, Abby wondered about his gentlemanly breeding and how that would work in tough situations.

"So what do you think of the ship?" He asked the question like a proud father of a new born.

"She is fantastic, but I will be much happier when she has her first scratch".

A mortified look came over the Captain's face and Abby laughed out loud.

"Sorry, I just mean once she has her first scratch or first coffee stain everyone can relax a little." The Captain also laughed as he realized what Abby meant.

"Yes I had noticed people walking around extra carefully trying not to disturb things and taking unusual care with drinks." Abby rested back in her chair and studied the man in front of her. Even though he gave the appearance of being at ease Abby bet she could ask any number of questions about the room and people and he would have observed it.

"I have heard many rumors about this ship." Abby paused trying to gauge a reaction from the Captain but he just smiled. "Are any of them true?"

"She has been modified and enhanced; I'm hoping to find out her real strengths in some maneuvering exercises within the next few days. At the moment we are awaiting crew arrival. I believe you know Maxine Jenna, the new Acting Chief of Science?"

"Yes, I do she is an excellent Officer, very creative thinker." Abigail hadn't realized Maxine had transferred and felt warmed at the thought.

"We are also waiting for the confirmation of a couple of tactical officers, but then we can take the Relentless out and give her a test run."

Abby tensed as she saw Godron enter the room and just when her day had started to get better. 


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Lt. Commander Abigail Winters
Executive Officer
USS Relentless
NCC-11966
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