Too Much Information

Posted on Wed Jan 13th, 2021 @ 8:08pm by Chief Engineer Michael Burnstein & Executive Officer Jake Ford

Mission: Mission 12 - Railway
Location: Mary Rose
Timeline: MD03
1380 words - 2.8 OF Standard Post Measure

There wasn't an opportunity for Jake-as-Liha to linger with the 'senior' officers, especially since they were likely being summoned to a meal. Jake hoped that Eden and Liha wouldn't compromise their situation with this Romulan Captain. Although Liha was a natural at deception, he worried that Eden was going to find it difficult. He wished more than anything that he could have been there for her.

Skulking out of the conference room in 'Liha-mode' - basically he frowned at everyone he saw - he had the odd sensation on the back of his neck. It was as though his body naturally sensed the presence of someone following. He stopped in his tracks and turned back as that same Romulan from before approached.

Damn. This guy won't leave her...me...alone. He stiffened and did his best to give the man a curt nod of the head.

"You're following me," he said.

Taev lifted his hands slightly, palms outwards in a gesture of peace. "Perhaps I want to make up for not following you before," he suggested, offering a fond smile. "I've wondered sometimes what would have happened if I'd left with you."

"I wouldn't be here," Jake replied, hoping that if he kept his answers vague and evasive he would not only come off as Liha-like, but also avoid having to give detailed responses. Being aloof was probably in-character, even with old acquaintances.

"No, I suppose not," Taev said quietly, concerned at her reply. "I guess I should be grateful for the sake of the refugees that you are, and could persuade your captain to help us, but..." he took a halting step toward her, studying her face, her body language. Something was very wrong. He lowered his voice to a level only vulcanoid ears could hear. "Is there a problem here? Do you need help disappearing again?"

"No. No problem." Jake's mind was racing, though he kept his hand clasped tightly together, pushing Liha's fingernails into his knuckles to try to keep that focus on remaining stoic. "I was...merely reflecting on how refreshing it was to see others like myself again." Perhaps he could make Taev believe she had acclamated to being around humans and the like.

Taev quickly closed the distance and embraced her. "You know I am always happy to let you see as much of me as you like," he said as he leaned down bent to kiss her.

Jake felt his eyes widen as for the first time in his life he felt what it was like for a woman to be kissed by a man - his arms around her, the faint touch of stubble on his skin. How would Liha react? immediately ran through his mind. Based on what he knew of her, he grabbed Taev's collar and threw him as hard as Jake felt he could manage into the nearest bulkhead. Hopefully that was the right response, at least it seemed to match what he knew of Liha's character.

Oof! Taev caught himself against the bulkhead and shook his head. Then he grinned. "Same Liha. " He pushed off and caught her, swinging her around with laugh. "I'm glad they haven't changed you."

Jake felt a small silent thrill of victory, having managed to counter that strange moment successfully. He was, however, still in the arms of this strange Romulan man. "You know it would take a lot more to change me," he responded, this time not resisting the man's grasp. "I would have to become a completely different person." How ironic, he thought silently.

He set her down, but kept her drawn close. "I'd hoped, but I know how much you had to change after you came to us." Taev brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear and regarded her a moment, searching her face for some clue as to why she seemed ...off-kilter. "Did you ever find your sister?"

Jake thought about that but very quickly responded by shaking his head. "Not yet." So far as he knew that was the truth. "It's been hard to do much of anything while I'm on this ship." Keep it simple, he kept reminding himself. No need to create overblown stories...

"You could always come back," he suggested hopefully. "There's always a place for someone with your skills." The edge of his mouth curved up a bit. "I was bragging on you a bit to the Captain, in fact - how you can strip a disruptor array, tune an engine, and rewire just about anything," he winked, "...despite being a hot shot pilot."

"Yes..." Jake replied. He really hoped none of those skills would be put to the test any time soon, or this would be over very quickly. And Taev being Romulan he didn't want to consider the lengths one would go to if they thought they were being lied to. Besides, the way the man was looking at him - a look he recognised - he was starting to feel more uncomfortable about spending a lot of time in close proximity. "Well I haven't done much of any of those things more recently." He twitched. "I should return to my work."

Taev blinked, surprised and more than a little confused. "But last time I heard from you, you said you'd signed on here as a engineer. You were talking about how much experience you were getting keeping this old ship running, especially with the patchwork of patches to all the systems." His brows drew down into a V. "That was only a six months ago. Liha, what happened? What work are you doing now if not that?"

Jake was still thinking on his feet. "This ship doesn't have a disruptor array. And the engine is so old that it doesn't require tuning." He looked at Taev as plainly as he felt possible. "And I don't believe they trust me enough to let me fly the ship. Certainly the woman they have for that job is...talented enough."

"When did you turn into a lawyer?" Taev teased, hoping to break the tense weirdness. This was not at all like her and he was finding it very confusing. Sure, she hid things - everyone did - but this wasn't normal Romulan, or even normal Liha, evasiveness. And being okay with humans thinking she couldn't fly an old bucket like this? AND calling the current pilot was talented?? None of it tracked. Not unless....

He loosened his hold a little, stepping back slightly to look at her directly. "Liha, are you ...involved... with her?"

Jake swallowed. He was obviously not doing well by lying. Perhaps telling the truth might not be a bad way out of this? "Yes." He turned away, a little melodramatically. "Yes. Her name is Eden and we've been involved for a number of months now. She isn't what you might call...my usual type." Not a word of that was a lie, he noted silently. He'd have to believe it.

"Uh, no..." Taev managed, stunned. "Is she at least part Romulan then?"

"I never asked. I don't think so." Jake used the moment of surprise to slip away from his grasp. "It is a very sensitive matter. You'll understand if I ask for your discretion with this knowledge."

"Hey, I get it. You have a reputation to think of. I won't say a word to the Fenris crew," Taev vowed, flashing a hand sign of solemn promise. "But if you're loosening up that much..." he grinned "You know I was never that picky about species, and it's been awhile since we had a threesome..."

"A while. Yes." Jake's tone was clipped as he rather sharply gained an insight into an aspect of Liha's life he'd neither wanted nor expected. Gathering himself again, Jake pondered how Liha might actually reply to that proposition before opening his mouth. "Don't kid yourself. You weren't that good." With that statement he turned and started to walk away with as much emphasized sass as he could muster.

Taev swallowed a relieved laugh. She might be embarrassed about hooking up with a human, but beyond loosening some standards, she really was still the same.

Which gave him hope for later.