<USS Avalon> "Closing a Chapter" By Lt. Marksbury and Jr. Lt. Monroe

Closing a Chapter
By Lieutenant First Class Elissabeth Marksbury and Junior Lieutenant James 
Monroe
 
 
The security offices were buzzing when Lissi returned.  Everyone was hyped 
about the brawl in conference room three, those who were 'lucky' enough to be 
there were telling the others what they missed.  They seemed to have enjoyed 
the bit of action.
 
Though Lissi had gotten her initial reports to Sierra and the Captain, there 
were still the detailed reports and debriefings to work on.  What a night and 
day this turned out to be.  She had scarcely four hours of sleep in the last 
two nights, thanks to her nightmares and then the roaming delegate.  It had 
been all work and she didn't really mind, though she knew she'd have to sleep 
that night or really start paying for it.  Her head already pounded and she 
needed a quieter place to work.  Grabbing a couple PADDs, she headed out to get 
something to eat before her meeting with Petty Officer Brewer.  
 
She found a quiet table in the crew dining room and started working while 
nibbling on some fruit.  Lissi was so engrossed in her reports that she didn't 
even notice James enter the room.  He was just suddenly standing by her table 
and she gasped in surprise.
 
"I'm sorry, Liss,  I didn't mean to startle you.  I just wanted to ask if I 
could join you."
 
She took in a deep breath, feeling silly for having been caught unawares.  
"Sure.  Sit.  How are you?"
 
"That's a question I should be asking you.  I heard about the...incident this 
morning.  I didn't know when I asked if you beat up a Rydyn that my words would 
be prophetic."  He chuckled and sat down.
 
His candor made Lissi smile a truly warm smile and it felt good.  "What a mess, 
huh?  I think I'm going to be buried in reports until we get to Earth and then 
no telling what sort of hoops there will be to jump through for Command.  I'm 
not going to be the one in question, but I imagine I'll be some sort of 
witness.  So much for shore leave."
 
"So, what exactly happened?  I think I'm pretty close to the actual story of a 
fight and one of the Rydyns getting injured. But I heard a couple of people in 
the corridor talking about how Sr. Lt. Manson had shot and killed a Rydyn and 
was busted down to Ensign.  Not true, right?"
 
"Not true.  He stunned a Rydyn who was aiming to break my kneecap.  Sierra is 
pissed, but I think Sierra's always pissed about something.  The Captain was 
really understanding about the situation.  I was surprised.  He seems 
very...caring about his crew.  I like him quite a bit."
 
"I haven't met him."  There was an akward silence.  "So, tell me how you're 
doing, Liss.  You look very tired.  Haven't gotten much sleep?"
 
"Been working," she replied absently, staring over his shoulder to the door.
 
"Still sore?  Bruised?"
 
"Sore, not so much.  Bruised, yes.  I think it will take a long time for this 
one on my chest to go away.  I got hit there so many times.  He double feinted 
everytime and you'd think I would've caught on..."
 
"He?"
 
"The simulation in the holodeck.  It was a martial arts program."
 
"I see."  Another akward pause.  "Lissi," he began, reaching for her hand.  
 
She felt that familar rush of sensation at his touch and her resolve wanted to 
break.  Instead, she slowly withdrew her hand from his, hoping the feelings 
would go away.  James placed his hand back in front of him.  "I just wanted you 
to know that I never meant to scare you or make you feel threatened.  I really 
liked the way things were going..."  He let the sentence trail off hoping for 
something from her.
 
"James, I -"  she sighed.  "I like you a lot.   Being around you still makes me 
feel all tingly and it's hard to keep my head where you're concerned.  That's 
the problem.  I need my mind on my work, not on you.  For some personal 
reasons, the other day on the holodeck was a painful reminder of that.  I just 
can't, James.  For my good or yours."
 
"How can it be for my good when all I think about is holding you, kissing you, 
getting a chance to make love to you?  I feel like there really could be 
something between us, Liss, if you're just willing to give it a chance.  But if 
you're not, then I won't bother you again."  He stood up to leave and Lissi 
reached for his arm to stop him.
 
"You don't bother me.  I enjoy talking to you.  I just don't think we need to 
be that close."
 
"Alright. I won't say another word about it.  Just let me know if you change 
your mind."  He bent down, gave her a quick kiss on the forehead, then turned 
on his heel and left.





                
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