Stardate: 60501:2310 
Title: Spinster Aunts 
Author: Executive Officer Abigail Winters
Time: During and After "Road Rage"
Scene: USS Relentless - Bridge / XO's Quarters / Engineering


She yawned and blinked several times it was a deep down weariness that had settled in her bones and Abby wondered whether she could even stand up anymore. Flicking through the various reports from the section heads the XO noted that even though things weren't perfect everything was ticking along.

Captain Khavok was currently taking a private communication in his ready room from Admiral Foster. So many questions were still unanswered and they had made many enemies in their escape from Star base 9. Abby stretched in her chair and looked over at the new security officer. He had a slightly pale complexion but she put that down to the hangover he was recovering from. Laurence obviously felt the XO looking at him as he looked up from his work. Abby smiled and thought about going over to talk to him but while the mind was willing the body was weak.

The doors opened to the ready room and Alex sauntered onto the bridge he looked amazingly well considering the torture he had been through. Abby wondered if the drugs he was taking were going to last much longer. Dr Matthews had informed her that he had activated the EMH Doctor before he beamed back to the USS Horizon. However, he had smirked when he told her it had a few quirks in the program and Abby had made a mental note to check that out at some point.

The Captain stood in front of Executive Officer's chair.

"Walk with me Abby." He reached out his hand and helped her to her feet and they left the bridge walking in a companionable silence for a while.

"I need some answers to what happened on Star base 9 and we need to know what sort of threat we could be under." Alex threw a sidelong glance at Abby and she nodded as she agreed that they needed some answers.

"So I am going to set course for System 814a." Alex paused and waited for any questions.

"Why there?" Abby asked.

"Something one of the men said on the Star base. I think it might hold some of the answers." A look of sadness passed over the Captain.

"However, in the meantime you should get some rest." Somehow Alex had steered their walk so that it left them standing outside of her quarters.

"What about you surely your medication is starting to wear off." Alex smiled at Abby's concern.

"I'm fine thank you but I will be sure to get some rest in soon." There was an awkward pause.

"Thank you Alex." They both smiled and the Captain turned and left.

In her quarters Loula rushed to greet her. Picking up the purring cat Abby carried her into the bedroom and quickly changed and got in to bed. The unpacking could definitely wait and within seconds Abigail was fast asleep.

~

It was amazing the difference that sleep made to the view of ones world. Abby freshly showered and dressed in a clean uniform put out food and water for Loula who was contentedly scratching the sofa.

She had checked with the computer and was pleased to noted that she was now back on schedule as were the rest of the crew. She also established that the Captain had spent the last six hours in his quarters. The XO made her way to the engineering department to properly introduce herself to the CEO Kal Vilmer.

The CEO office on Deck 11 was empty so the XO made her way to the main engineering area. As Abby entered the work area Kal immediately made his way over to greet her.

"Lieutenant Vilmer I thought I would come and introduce myself properly, Abby Winters." She held out her hand and Kal firmly shook it. However, he held onto it slightly too long and his blue eyes seemed to be searching Abby's face for something.

"Something wrong Lieutenant?" Abby asked, but the lieutenant just shook his blond hair and released her hand.

"No, you just remind me of someone." He smiled.

"Well as long as it isn't your old spinster aunt then that's fine." Abby and Kal both laughed.

"Definitely not and call me Kal." 


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