A Stiff Drink

Posted on Fri Dec 13th, 2019 @ 7:36pm by Commander Caressa Melanick & Commander Edra Crow

Mission: Bless the Maker
Location: 5N Dime

Exhausted, Edra made her way to the lounge. She'd set the time back for this meeting, having to get the necessary talks out of the way first. She wasn't surprised to see Caressa already there and waiting for her. And with drinks already at the table. Her former rival had even chosen a spot away from the rest of the crowd so they could talk more openly. The relief shown plainly on her face as she approached the table. "Thank you for this," she said with a sigh of relief as she sat down.

"Anytime, you would do the same for me." Caressa had two double shots of tequila waiting for them. Chilled but neat. " I took the liberty to order drinks. I did order doubles but we can sip on them. I booked the sitter for several hour and the kids are in my quarters. I thought that Henry might need some down time." She smiled picking up her highball and sipping the beverage. She pointed to the glass. " Time for you."

Edra threw back half of her drink. She wasn't used to tequila though, and her face showed as it went down less than smoothly. Still, it was good. "He needs something. Ugh, these two will be the death of me." She looked up at Caressa, "And I thought things were going so well." She sardonically rolled her eyes at herself.

"Honestly, I think things are going quite well. I know we have all had our issues, we are all dealing with them still at some level." She finished off her double shot. "I know that Henry is still dealing with somethings. I just don't understand her hard ass attitude. Hell, I have been avoiding her at all costs. If anyone should be maladjusted in this situation it should be me and she isn't pushing me as hard as she is Henry." rubbing her temples. "It just does not make sense."

"Well, I think some of that hard-ass attitude is because he's as stubborn as he is. You know how he gets. And I do think she has some points to work on. I told her as much." She cast a aide glance at Caressa. "I also told her I wanted her to give more frequent reports to you. Come to you if she's having trouble pinning anyone down." She was sure the CMO would love that.

" I have no problem keeping a watchful eye on her." swirling her drink. "I don't think she is going to be to happy with it. We did put a lot on her as a junior officer." She then took a sip. "If you need help with Henry let me know, not sure if it would help though. Is he going to let her go back to work anytime soon?"

"I don't know yet. I'll try to talk him down...tomorrow maybe. We've all dealt with a lot today." She took another sip. "Thanks for the offer. I'll let you know if I need to cash that in."

"Well, on a side note, how are things at home? Things have changed a lot. Do we need to change the children's schedule to alleviate anything?" Caressa was trying hard not to be the pain in the tush ex-wife, well ex something.

"Right now, I want to get past this before changing anything. Unless there's a problem that needs to dealt with now..." She cast a questioning look at Caressa, hoping the answer was no.

"Oh no issues here, just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything that could be done on my end to lessen things for you guys. I know its been a huge change. The kids are doing fantastic. I think they like having brothers and sisters. Having dad at there fingertips has went over well also. We are actually good. Now if my social life would just get in gear. Then it would be good on all fronts." She winked at Edra and then took a sip.

The XO laughed. "Then we'll have to see to that, won't we? Though I've never tried my hand at match making. You may not want to be a victim of that. As far as the kids go, I'll make sure everyone, including Henry, is happy with the arrangements once we move past this, and if anyone wants an adjustment, I'll ask you." She threw back the rest of her drink. "Thank you. I needed this. Though, I think good progress was made when I talked to them one on one."

"Hats off to you. Not sure I would have handled it with as much poise as you did. I just about lost it myself." taking the last of her drink. " Would you like another? She was getting ready to flag down a bartender.

"Sure, the kids are still being watched for a while. I can afford to." She put her glass down. "And don't think I didn't almost lose it. My idea of letting them hash it out--out of range of prying ears--was not the answer I was hoping it would be. Still," she paused and looked at Caressa. "I feel like there's something deeper that neither of them will say."

Caressa lifted her hand and signaled the bartender for two more drinks. she raised an eyebrow. "Something Deeper? Do you think that Millie has an ulterior motive?" The bartender arrived and set the drinks down, Caressa nodded to him. "I don't think Henry would hide anything from you. He always seemed open to me." She picked up the glass and sipped again.

Edra shook her head. "Oh, he absolutely will keep information from me if he thinks he's protecting anyone, especially me or the kids. Millie, I'm not sure. Her motives are usually well intended. But otherwise I don't have much to go on. Just a hunch." There actually had been a few comments that had piqued her curiosity, but she wanted to follow her leads before voicing anything more.

Caressa had a hunch too, something was amiss. "Well I tend to agree with you on both points." sipping her drink again.

Edra was quiet for a moment before continuing. "Well, I've got something you're not going to agree with." She looked at the other woman. "I'd like you to stop avoiding Millie. It hasn't been right for Henry to do it, and as senior officers, we are setting an example, and that's the wrong example to make. Millie has a job to do too, and we need to let her do it. Please," she asked really not wanting pushback from one more person.

"Your absolutely right I don't agree, there are somethings I don't want her input on. I have however gone to her with questions about the children and some nightmares I have had. There are somethings, that I will not talk with her about, that I prefer to handle on my own. Just like I don't expect people to run to me for every little scrape. I don't expect to run to Millie for everything. She needs to understand that when people need help, they will ask. Now, that being said. If my job or performance are an issue, totally different." She twirled her glass in a circle. " I would expect her to file the proper reports and go through the command structure. That might prevent an outburst like today. I just ranted. Damn." She took a larger drink and then smiled back at the the commander.

Edra chuckled as she held up her hands. "Fair enough, and I haven't seen any lack of anything in your job performance. That being said, it is her job, and she is trying to help. So just...don't dodge her like Henry's been doing either. Deal?"

"I won't dodge her, but I will let her know if she is pushing to hard. Deal?" Caressa grinned half heartily. "So, how are things otherwise?"

"You would be perfectly within your rights to do so." Edra responded. She sat back to consider the other question. "Well, Marcus is still pushing his limits, seeing how far he can get. And you know whom he gets farther with." She rolled her eyes. "The girls are themselves, but with more sass. It's never a dull moment." She shot Caressa a weary smile and took another drink.

'You know I have a great holo program. No men I promise." She made the cross your heart sign with her hand. "Just a spa, with lots a relaxation and massage. I really think you would like it." She took another sip. "Edra, I really think you need some time for you."

Edra grinned. That sounded fantastic. "Between wrangling the kids, the crew, and the Captain, I'm not sure when I'd have time." She laughed.

"You need to make time. Do I need to make that a doctors order? Please don't make me pull that card." She eyed her above the glass tumbler as she was taking a sip.

The XO grinned, well versed in that threat. "No, I'll make time myself. For now," she said, pulling away from the bar, "I think I'm going to go make time for us. Thank you for this. I needed it."

"Anytime, its like we are sister wives of a sort" taking a sip of her drink and having no intention of leaving the bar just yet. Caressa then winked at her and smiled.

Edra chuckled. "Just let me know when you're gonna tell Henry that. That's a reaction I want to witness." She laughed as she left the room.



Commander Edra Crow
Executive Officer, USS Mercutio




Lieutenant Commander Caressa Melanick
Chief Medical Officer, USS Mercutio