Second Chance at a First Impression

Posted on Wed Mar 9th, 2022 @ 8:54am by Lieutenant Commander Rin

Mission: Season 5: Interlude: Darkness Abounds
Location: USS Elysium
Timeline: TBD
2656 words - 5.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Debra felt like a fool, for two reasons. One, how she had reacted to Rin's comments, and two, that it had been so long since she had apologized. Since she had been aboard, she had only been comfortable speaking with two people. One was Rin, herself. So, in an effort to fix what she had broken, she sent a message to Rin.

Rin,

Hi. I hope your day is going well. I must apologize for me earlier behavior. I acted like a schoolgirl who had just had their crush admit to being attracted to someone else. Looking back on it, I feel very foolish. If you would like to, perhaps we could have another drink, or maybe even lunch sometime?

I hope that you will grant me another chance. Though, if not, I will understand and will not trouble you further.

Hope to talk soon.

Sincerely,

Deb

Once the message was completed, she sent it off. All she could do now was wait and see.

Rin read the message carefully. Her encounter with Debra had been odd, but she felt bad the woman felt a need to apologize. Rin had not exactly been a social butterfly either.

"Computer, pull up LCDR Villanova's duty schedule."

Her gaze flicked over the data that scrolled past.

"Computer, send a message to LCDR Villanova: Lunch sounds like an excellent idea. I am free tomorrow at 1300 hours if you are. Shall we meet at Arcadia?"

A few moments later, Rin recieved a happy reply from Debra, stating that the time and place would be perfect and she would see her there.

===1300 the next day===

Debra was feeling a little nervous. Though their earlier discussion, at the bar, had ended poorly, she had found Rin very pleasant and calming to speak to. She just hoped she didn't mess things up this time. She doubted the Lieutenant would give her a third chance.

So, she sat there, at a quiet table by one of the viewports, as she waited for Rin to arrive.

Rin arrived just a few minutes before 1300, still in uniform. She quickly noticed Debra and approached the table, taking a seat opposite her. "Afternoon. How are you today?" she asked in a bland attempt at small talk.

Debra smiled warmly when Rin sat down. "Afternoon. Better than last time we spoke, that's for sure." She gave a soft, nervous chuckle. "And you? Anything new and interesting happening in the Intel Department?"

"I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you," Rin quipped. "Sorry, Intel joke."

Debra snickered softly. "Any secret you tell me, I'd keep, have no worry there."

"I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable the last time we spoke. That was not my intention."

Shaking her head and grinning softly, Debra replied. "It's okay, Rin, I didn't behave roo much better." She extended her right hand to the other woman. "Friends?"

"Friends," Rin replied neutrally, taking the offered hand in a strong grip. "So...what did you wish to speak about?"

Debra smiled warmly. After she sat back in her seat, she shrugged slightly as she replied. "How have you been finding your time on the Elysium?'

"Can't complain. Everyone's been quite welcoming. And this ship is monstrous in comparison to my last posting. Doesn't leave a lot to be desired. What about you?"

Debra shrugged slightly. "I've been on a Starbase already so, the size of this shop doesn't really feel all that big to me. However, the crew is certainly much closer knit than at my prior assignment. I can see why people keep trying to get a posting here." She smiled softly as she spoke.

After a few moments of silence, Debra gave Rin a shy grin. "It seems that my interpersonal skills still require alot of work." She sighed softly. Then, her eyes brightened slightly as she asked, "So, when you're not working, what do you like to do for fun?"

Rin scrutinized the woman before her, trying to get a read on her. Socially awkward. That bit was obvious, and certainly not something Rin would fault anyone for. Desperate not just for approval, but specifically Rin's. Why was that? The comment about willing to keep secrets. Was she expecting Rin to divulge something sensitive? Surely, too blatant an approach to be actively trying for sensitive information.

"I listen to music," Rin shared. "Orchestral, mostly, but not exclusively. I play some. Spend time at the gym. Studying ancient Babylonian. Most recent mission suggested maybe I should know some. I've been dared to take up crochet. An interest in astrophysics."

Debra had indicated she was new to the Elysium. Perhaps she felt a bit lost, which Rin could also identify with. Still, her focus on Rin seemed personal. Was... she flirting? It wasn't the first time Rin had considered that possibility. Something in her mannerisms. The smiles and shy grins. Last time they spoke, Debra had been head over heels for an uninterested crew member. Did she find it necessary to make that sort of connection?

She could suss out a mole looking for classified intel, but bar conversations could be baffling.

"What about you?" Rin added.

Debra took a sip of her drink, then replied. "Well, when I'm not working, or devouring any Stat Ops info that I can get hands on, I like to swim and training in Krav Maga. But, when I'm really in a mood, I'll curl up with a deliciously trashy romance holonovel. " She blushed slightly at the end, hoping Rin didn't think any less of her for the slightly obsession with romance writings. When she looked up, she noticed the quiet intensity in the other woman's clear, gorgeous eyes. It made her heart flutter a bit.

Well, that tracks, Rin thought wryly.

Silence descended again.

"Debra, I don't hold anything against you from the other day," Rin says gently. "Water under the bridge, as they say. And you have my attention, but I'm not sure what to do with it. Ideally speaking, how would this conversation go?"

For several beats, Debra tried to think of how to say what she wanted to say. Finally, she sighed softly and began. "Well, I guess, ideally, I'd ask you about your family and childhood. However, I'm not sure how comfortable a topic that is with you." She leaned forward and reached out to gently hold the back of Rin's right hand. "Please, don't misunderstand me, the fact that you were once part of the Collective, doesn't change anything for me. In fact, the exact opposite." She took a breath and continued.

"I will never understand what you have gone through. Nor will I ever try. To do so, in my ipinion, would belittle your experiences. With the discrimination that I've seen towards others in your position, I find it remarkable that you have not only begun to rebuild your life, you have done do brilliantly! I think that takes brains, heart and courage. And..."she paused briefly, blushing slightly. "I find that very attractive." She blushed even more, hoping she didn't overstep herself.

Oh boy, a Borg fetishist, Rin thought. It wasn't the first time she had encountered one. Although Debra didn't give off the hardcore BDSM vibe of the last one she encountered. The things he wanted were...gross. It had been almost disappointing he had finally - and rudely - taken 'no' for an answer, because she wouldn't have minded bouncing his head off the pavement a time or two.

Rin pulled her hand away gently. "I'm sorry, but I'm not really looking for a romantic relationship. And I appreciate the honesty and the consideration of what may or may not be a comfortable question. But you say you've seen others in my position...you know other xBs?"

Debra's cheeks flushed from embarrassment. Was she being that blatant? Sitting back in her chair, she dropped her hands into her lap. "S-sorry...I...I wasn't...I mean...." she shook her head and looked at the table. "I'm sorry if Iade you uncomfortable. I don't have many friends, as you might imagine." She was quiet for a few beats, then remembered that Rin had asked her a question.

"Yes," she nodded quietly. "Back on Cheron Station. A pair of twins. He was called 4 of 7 and she was 2 of 7. They had been taken during our first encounter with the Borg at Wolf 359. Thankfully, they had been beamed away before the cube was destroyed. They were infants at the time, so they have no memories of their former lives. They were recovered later from a small colony world. How they got there, they couldn't remember either."

"They were very nice people. While they tended to be very shy with others, like me, we started to bond over our work. I miss talking to them, since I've been here."

Rin looked a bit gut punched. "I assume genetic tests were done, they know who their parents were and where those parents were stationed. What ship? What ship were they on?" There was a quiet pleading in her voice as the possibilities rattled around in her head. "I could have gone to Academy with their parents. I could have served with their parents. I was lost at Wolf 359 too. USS London."

Debra's eyes lit up. "Really?! They were from the London as well! Their mother was a junior engineer, Lieutenant JG Felicia Battonsburg, and their father was the civilian bartender in the ship's lounge, Heinrich Battonsburg! Did you know them?!" She was starting to feel excitement for her friends. As neither parent had had any surviving family now, the twins could only go off the information they read in files. If they could meet someone who might actually have known their parents...!!

"Battonsburg...Battonsburg..." Rin rolled it off her tongue as she bounced the name inside her head, trying to remember anything. She shook her head. "I had to have known her, at least. We were the same rank. There's only so many junior officers on a ship. And with twins! Not too many lieutenant JGs having kids, much less twins. We must have thrown a party, a gathering, something for them..."

And then, a memory. Or several, stacked on top of one another, bits of info without context.

...if you don't hurry up they're gonna be going off to Academy by the time we get there.

It was too warm.

Laughter.

A gift box, badly wrapped.

She couldn't trust the memories were even related. Hell, she couldn't be certain they were even hers. Memories were tricky things for even normal people to navigate. The mind has a tendency to fill in blanks with nonsense.

A tiny bundle, sniffling.

Rin opened her eyes, only just now realizing she had closed them in concentration.

"I don't really remember anything of the London, but...it's like I almost remember something?"

Debra sat in silence as she watched Rin close her eyes and concentrate. She was trying not to allow her feelings get the better of her. Knowing what her friends went through, any bit that helped to reconnect them to their past was crucial.

Hearing Rin's statement, Debra deflated slightly. Then in a move of pure compassion, she reached back across the table and gently touched the other woman's hand again. "It's okay," she said softly. "I'm sure, once your mind is ready, the memories will resurface." She then realized how she had moved and backed away, remembering how Rin had reacted to her earlier touch. "Oh! I'm sorry, Rin!" Her face reddened in further embarrassment.

"It's ok," Rin said, reaching out and giving Debra's hand a quick squeeze. A gesture of comfort was far different than a gesture of romance. "If you miss your friends, any of your friends, you should keep in touch through subspace. I do.... oh, I'm an idiot! There is another person who could know them. There was an away mission that was left behind when the London was recalled to the Wolf system. My husband at the time was part of it."

"Would you be willing to make introductions?" Rin continued. "Would 2 and 4 be willing to speak with me? And I could introduce them to James."

Debra smiled shyly, feeling Rin's gentle touch on her hand. Though it wasn't a romantic gesture on her part, it still sent a zing through Debra's spine. "I do try. The time difference is the biggest issue. Back on Cheron Station, it's currently..." she did some quick time calculations in her head, then continued. "roughly 0215, two days ago." She shook her head ruefully. "I hate space lag, it's exhausting!"

She then recognized what Rin had said next. "Oh!" She exclaimed quietly. "I didn't realize that you were married." She silently kicked herself mentally. What was it with her and becoming interested in people who were already in relationships?? She then nodded slightly and replied to the question. "Of course I will! Anything I can do to help them piece their lives back together, I will do!"

"Was married. I died. There was no reason to suspect I was ever coming back." Rin clarified. She hoped Debra wouldn't take it as a romantic advance, but she also didn't want to leave Debra thinking she had crossed some line having hit on a "married woman."

Rin's demeanor had changed. Normally her bearing was fairly neutral. What emotion she had shown was controlled and measured. Not fake, but...regulated. This was softer and deeper. More authentic. Tragic but accepted.

"He mourned me a long time," Rin continued. "Took him nine years to remarry. Has two adult children. It would be horrible to ask him to walk away from that. I mostly don't remember him from before. I do remember some of the feelings though. From the first time I met him as an xB, I felt safe and cared for. We must have loved each other very much for those feelings to have imprinted the way they have. So we're friends, in our own way."

Debra smiled, her eyes misting up as she listened to Rin's beautiful story. When Rin finished, Debra ran the knuckle of her index finger, along the bottom of each eye, careful not to miss up her makeup. She sniffled softly, then responded. "I'm so sorry, I had no idea!" She tried to smile through her building emotions. "I think it's beautiful that the two of you have not only rediscovered each other, but you're close friends now!"

Rin smiled and sipped her drink. There were a whole lot of feelings bouncing around her brain at the moment, and she wasn't quite sure what to do with all of them. "I'm really glad you decided to reach out. And I don't just mean about 2 and 4 of 7. This was nice. Nice to be able to to talk about the good experiences. And I will talk to James, and you can let me know when would be good to talk to your friends?"

Debra grinned shyly. "It really was! Thank you for giving me a second chance. Last time...well..let's just say that that was not one of my better days." She took another sip of her drink. "I hope that, one day, we can be great friends." She was careful not to voice any other hopes, as she wasn't entirely sure of them herself. "And I will. I'll reach out to them tonight, see how they feel about the whole situation. As soon as I know, one way or another, I'll call you."

For the next hour or so, the two women continued to make small talk, slowly getting to know one another better. Finally, they stood, and said they would talk again soon, then they left to head to different parts of the ship, carrying on with their respective days.

~OFF~