Airing Things Out

Posted on Tue Apr 4th, 2023 @ 9:21am by Lieutenant Commander Faith Benson
Edited on on Mon Apr 10th, 2023 @ 9:49pm

0 words; about a 1 minute read

Mission: The Hunt Begins
Location: JAG Officer's Office - Deck 6 - USS Artemis
Timeline: MD004 0600 hrs

Kelly was in her office, as she was wont to do, at 0600 that morning. She had a bunch of things to do before she was supposed to report to the command deck, and she had three hours. Yes, she was looking for something fresh and new BUT she was also comfortable here, in her office, like a dragon in her lair. She typed a few things on the computer, and filed them away, and then it was time to make her personal calls and subspace messages. She sent out a few-one to her niece, and more to colleagues, and left a PaDD message for Corwin, then she sighed. Time to address a few things and though she really, REALLY didn't want to, she knew she had to. After she got herself a cup of coffee-hot, black, strong-she thought for a moment about what she wanted to do first.

She tapped her comms badge.

"Lt. Benson, please report to the JAG office at your soonest convenience." She did her best to keep her voice pleasant and calm, and not demanding. She sipped at her coffee, and waited for the woman. They needed to talk about the case-and other things.

She hadn't actually needed to be on duty yet, at least not her usual station anyway. So that worked just as well, particularly if it had to do with the trial. That took presidence. There was a bit a smile hearing Kelly's voice, regardless. Taking enough time to get a snack first, she ate on the way. Pressing the chime with her elbow so she could finish the rest of her breakfast. Stepping in once she was told she could. "Hey there."

When the chime rang, she fought an urge to bark an order, and instead, told Benson she was welcome to enter.

"Hello." She indicated the chair across from her. "Feel free. Want something to drink?" She sighed. "Anyway, I called you in to chat. I talked to the Captain. The Breen case has been...cancelled. He claims it was never a thing, I claim otherwise. At any rate, there is a future case coming up that I WILL need help with, so you can second-seat on that." She sighed. Kidd needed to figure his shit out. "I don't know the details yet; Kidd is supposed to let me know soon. For now, you're on your regular duties, and I am on the Bridge." She chuckled. That was going to be a disaster!

Faith got at least some water to help with the breakfast she just literally finished. Plopping down in the chair. "What the hell do you mean cancelled? Kind of stupid shit is that." She all but growled. "Okay, well the Bridge is my regular duties. Most of the time." Giving a grin about it," I have a pretty good idea what the details are also."

Kelly shrugged. "Who knows? Ask the Captain." She said, with a deep sigh and an eye roll. "He said it was MY fault, like I am the one out here issuing orders. If that's the case, I guess I should take over command." Could you imagine? She sighed again, and sipped her coffee. "There's something else..." How should she broach this? She needed to let Faith down gently-she was straight, but she WAS flattered. She was definitely far more interested in people with parts like the Captain's or Corwin's. She had kissed a female once, at the Academy, and tried more but it didn't work for her in the same way that John had.

"Oh I intend to ask him, that you can be sure." Crossing her arms under her bust. "That's just silly..your fault. I don't see how." Faith gave a bit of a snort. There being a tilt of her head at the 'something else' comment. "What would that be?"

Kelly sighed. She hated this. She wished she was better at interpersonal communications. What would John have said? Something cheekily stupid, like "That time you kissed me, but it's ok because I like you." In fact, his marriage proposal had been "We've been dating for awhile, and you think you want to get married? If not, we can just go to the Replimat." That wasn't how she was, though.

"Um, well...the other day, before I went to see the Captain. We-YOU-kissed me. If you could...not do that again, that'd be great." There. She said it. "Not that I didn't like it-I mean, I DIDN'T, but if I did...it's highly inappropriate." Mmmhmm. Yeah, Kelly, convincing argument. How did she do this every day but couldn't do THIS like a normal person?

There was an eyebrow raised a little bit. "Uh huh.." Moving closer, invading Kelly's personal space. Enough that if Kelly didn't move back, they'd be nose to nose. That was the point, to back Kelly up against the wall, so Faith could put an arm out stretched and palm on the wall, at head level. "So what if I did, I didn't feel any complaints when you returned it, which wasn't just because of the moment. One can tell the difference."

Kelly moved back slightly, mostly out of training then because she was actually bothered. "I did NOT return it! You really SHOULD go see Counselor O'Rourke." She shook her head. "And even if I DID, it doesn't mean anything. It is STILL inappropriate, ok?" She sighed. "Especially in my OFFICE." Oh, so was it better if it was in the hallway? Get your shit together, Kelly.

"Yeah, you kind of did." Leaning a little closer, but looking over her own shoulder at the doors. "So you'd rather out in public and on duty, rather than when we were off duty. I suppose that can be arranged." Looking back and brushing her right hand down Kelly's cheek. Letting it rest on her shoulder.

"That is NOT what I said," Kelly countered. "I meant..." She didn't know what she meant. "I mean...in a private place, WITH CONSENT. That is the rule, ok??" She sighed. She felt Faith's hand still on her shoulder and glanced at it. She carefully removed it, but gave it a little squeeze. Why not...try?!

"Aren't rules only made when there something there as part of an agreed arrangement? Regardless of what title that may be. Some semblance of dating, trial, relationship and the like." Faith glanced a little at her hand being removed, then giving the squeeze back. Returning her look to Kelly's eyes.

Kelly was careful to choose her next words. "I mean the rule book; you are trained in the law. You know things need to be careful. So...Yes. We need to be careful. Mmmhmm." She nodded. "We can...try something. I guess. I mean...it's been awhile since I've...dated or anything." She explained. She moved back to her chair to regain her composure.

Faith moved over to plant her ass on the corner of the desk. "Careful smelshel. You know how many officers of ranks separated much farther apart than ours have thrown that out the window. Never gotten in trouble, because they do their jobs when it comes to it. However, since you obviously are unsure about where we go next. I'll indulge that off duty only shows of affection. At least blatant ones. I'll even do you one better. I'm going to lean forward now. If you accept to try and kiss me. Then One of us will set up a proper first date. Until that date, no acting more than anything but work colleagues."

Kelly sighed. "Fine," but instead....it was as if she was possessed, but she placed a hand on Faith's waist and the other firmly on her shoulder, leaning in to kiss her like she hadn't kissed anyone in a LONG time. Even John she hadn't kissed like that in AWHILE. "Dinner tonight; you buy, I'll meet you at 6. I need to go." She left her office then, headed for sickbay. She was clearly having some kind of mental health episode.

There was a little shift, crossing her arms under her bust while she waited. There was that, and that was surprising that The Kelly, actually complied. Faith pushed against her and into the kiss. Holding it as lone as she was 'allowed' to be able to. Letting a long satisfied breath. "Okay, that will do." Grinning madly, then stopped and tilted her head, apparently now talking to herself. "Um...I thought this was your....office."

Kelly laughed a little from the hallway. "It IS. I need to go to Medical; clearly, I am having a breakdown or something. 6 pm sharp; don't be late, I hate that." She said, continuing down the corridor.

"Hey! I wasn't late last time!" Faith made a snooty face and flopped down in Kelly's chair.

A Joint Post By

Lieutenant Commander Kelly Miller
JAG Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit

Lieutenant Faith Benson
Chief Security/Tactical Officer, USS Artemis
Second Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit

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