Hibiscus: Tea for Two

Posted on Fri Apr 26th, 2024 @ 10:02pm by Lieutenant Percival Bálor Ph.D & Commander Grace Vetur

1,650 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Standing By
Location: USS Deck 01 | Captain's Ready Room

Grace Vetur had been returned to the USS Ontario and change was well underway. Officially, Starfleet Command had finally done what was necessary for the USS Ontario to continue onward with her continuing mission. Captain Elijah Michaels had been relieved from command medically and had been transported. Percy knew that eventually Michaels would be back on his feet and undoubtedly in the center seat of a starship's bridge somewhere. Grace had been promoted had more than earned her promotion to Commander, three whole pips and the confidence required. Of course, with Grace assuming command of the starship, the First Officer seat naturally went to Yiv.

More changes had come with the arrival of the new Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Aaron Marcus who both Percy and Grace had the 'pleasure' of meeting, each in their own way. For Percy it was breaking the new guy in with some humor and a dash of torment; however, Grace had been ripped away from the bridge at the demand of the ship's chief physician.

The ring of the chime outside the Captain's Ready Room was that of Lieutenant Percy Balor standing outside with two steaming cups of tea and load on his mind. He waited for Grace to respond before entering. The only thing he had wanted was for her safe return and he was fortunate to have that.

"Good morning, Percy,"

"Good morning, Ma'am," he said greeting the starship's new permanent Commanding Officer. "Brought you a nice hot cuppa. Hibiscus tea right from my botanical lab. Not that I fancy myself a barista, but not a bad career to fall back on if this starfleet thing doesn't work out" he said in jest. He sat one cup down in front of her and the other in front of the empty seat across from her desk. "Congratulations on the new position by the way."

"Thank you, I think." She took a sip of the tea and smiled. "And thank you for this. It's very good." She took another sip before focusing her attention on Percy. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"

Percy did not mind jumping right into the thick of it. "Firstly, I think Lieutenant Commander Ra-Gruvloveii is the perfect choice for First Officer, and that's a professional viewpoint pushing aside my personal feelings."

He meant that. He also would mean his next point. "The Chief Medical Officer is a tough pill to swallow. I will do my best to work with him. I wanted to connect with you in order to see how may I help you in this transitional period?"

She took another sip of tea before responding. She didn't need time to think, she just didn't want to reply too quickly. "I've already informed Starfleet that he is my choice. He handled himself well while I was...temporarily away...and I feel he's the best person for the job. The doctor is...going to be an interesting fit." She paused, her eyes twinkling as she looked at Percy. "Much like a science officer I know. I'm sure you will both continue to challenge me."

She waited a beat before continuing. "I like you, in spite of your predilection to get into trouble. I'm hoping I will come to like the doctor in time, in spite of that large stick."

"I'm fond of you too, Commander er Captain," said Percy deciding to shift to the honorific title rather than Grace's actual rank. "Being at Yiv's side while you were away gave me pause."

Percy took a sip of tea from his own teacup. "I'm working with Lieutenant Zero on my professionalism and trying to be a better officer. He's going to help me prepare for the bridge officer's test, the command examination."

"I think that's an excellent idea. I see no reason why you can't make a fine bridge officer if you put your mind to it." She set down her teacup. "Seriously. You did well while I was...away."

"Yiv did most of the work," Percy countered. "I just crossed some Ts and dotted a few Is where needed" he downplayed involvement. "I'm glad someone thinks I could do it. Zero found a plethora of reasons why I shouldn't do it, and I doubt Counselor Rose would have anything encouraging to say."

Grace waved that off with her hand. "I'm sure the counselor has a number of reasons why I wouldn't make a good captain. From what I heard, you didn't loose any rabid plants on the crew and you were a good right hand to Yiv. It shows excellent progress." She took another sip of her tea. "How are your plants, by the way?"

"There were more important matters to tend to," he replied looking at Grace. She was more important. "I delegated the care of my plants to other science officers and technicians. I'll tend to them again soon enough."

She nodded. That, too, was unlike the Percy she first met. Another sign that he was growing as a scientist and an officer. "What else concerns you?"

"I'm in love with our First Officer," he answered promptly and didn't hold back his word choices. "That's not so much a concern as much as it is me just needing to state that. I don't want it to mess anything up for him or me."

She couldn't help smiling at the statement. "I'm very much aware of your relationship, and as long as it doesn't interfere with your duties, I'm happy for both of you." Although she was a bit concerned about Amanda. But she was confident the counselor would handle it professionally.

Percy blushed a bit. It was kind of like talking about your romantic life with a parent at least Grace was the closest thing he had to a mother at the moment so far from home. "I know that you know. It's practically public knowledge aboard the Ontario" stated Percy. He thought it best not to hide that. Ever.

He looked at Grace and knew he wanted to say more. "Your support or acceptance, that means a lot to me. It won't interfere with my duties, ma'am. I won't let that happen, and I know Yiv won't ever put me ahead of his duties to Ontario or any part of his Starfleet career."

And Percy would never ask him to. He knew Grace and Elijah had a brief thing, whatever that was. He still was nauseating to fathom. "Have you ever been married?"

"No. New Icelandicans do not rush into relationships. I've yet to find someone who would accept that." She shrugged. "That is one of the reasons I have the nickname I do." She long ago accepted what people called her. On a plus side, it kept the men who just wanted a bed warmer away. Too bad Elijah didn't believe her.

"I don't like to rush into relationships either, but there's something with Yiv" Percy said with almost a euphoric and melodic tone. "I won't rush things and I'm not going to dare say anything until I'm certain, but I could see myself with him for as long as he'd have me."

"I think you two are good for each other," she said, taking a moment to enjoy her tea. "Do you have another point you wish to bring up?" She didn't want to spoil the amicable moment, but she wasn't sure if Percy had more he wanted to discuss with her.

Percy nodded "He is a good influence on me. I wanted to ask how you know if you've found the right one. I know this is more of a conversation to have with a parent or close friend, but you are both of those to me."

Grace appreciated that he'd ask her for advice. "I have not met someone I want to spend my life with." She had to smile and add, "Not Elijah. He had no consideration for my culture." And, to be honest, she hadn't been all that sure how she felt about him to begin with. He was too quick to go after any woman who gave him a second look. "But I have seen it in others. The right person loves you for who you are and accepts that you aren't perfect. You're a better person when you're with them. And you're happier because that person is in your life." She paused to consider her words. "From what I've seen, that applies to you and Yiv. You're a good team and you're better together than you are individually. That's no guarantee it will last, but it is a solid foundation to build on."

"Thank you, Captain," Percy said to Grace. "I'm sorry Captain Underpants had no consideration for your culture. I don't think he had much consideration for anyone's culture" he said referring to Elijah Michaels. "I'll leave you to your work. I'm sure you are ten times busier now."

Captain Underpants made her chuckle. It was, unfortunately, a fitting nickname for a man who was otherwise a good captain. She waved off the comments. "He will either learn to respect others personal boundaries or find someone just like he is. He is no longer my concern. As for busy, that, too, is relative. There is more paperwork, yes, but I have good people who take their share of the load. Thank you for the tea and for coming to me with your questions. I do appreciate both. And I wish you and Yiv a long and healthy relationship."

"Good," Percy replied. "Because if he is the guy for me, there's bound to be a ring and I'm going to be running to you first."

Grace nodded. "All right. I hope you two do get to that point."

"Thanks, Captain" replied Percy as he exited.

___________________________________________

Commander Grace Vetur
Commanding Officer
USS Ontario

&

Lieutenant Percival Bálor
Chief Science Officer
USS Ontario

 

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