JDL|Cpt. Dhej & Cmdr. Rinehart|"Serious Repercussions"

Posted on 241503.28 @ 9:36pm by Commander Tierney Rinehart

Mission: Holy Cow

=/\=Ready Room=/\=

Karim had taken some time to relax after his meeting with Hunter, but now had another duty to preform. Tapping his combadge he said "Lieutenant Commander Rinehart report to the ready room immediately. Dhej out."

The call had come when the young Intel officer was perched on tip toe atop her desk, leaning precariously over the void between the wooden surface and the wall when her combadge chirped and nearly sent her tumbling along with the priceless trinket she was trying to hang. "On my way." She replied, carefully hopping down from her roost and set the frame down where her feet had been mere moments before. Decorating would have to wait until she had a spare moment to spend.

Lucky for her, and the waiting Dhej, her trip to the bridge was short lived and the turbo lift spat her out without a terrible amount of adieu, allowing her to quickly finish her journey with the sound of the chime being rung.

Hearing the chime, Karim said "Come in." Once she'd entered, he said "Thank you for coming so promptly Lieutenant Commander. We have some serious issues to discuss."

Tierney's brow furrowed slightly as she cross the ready room and took one of the empty seats across from her friend's desk, "How can I be of service?" She asked, concerned.

Looking at her seriously, he said "Firstly, I did not give you permission to sit. I would like you at attention." Pausing, he added "Before we begin it is my duty to inform you that I have been promoted to Captain, and officially assigned as Commanding Officer."

The knitting of the Starling's brows only served to deepen, perplexed at the tone of the Trill's voice as she nodded her apologies, lifted herself from the chair, and stood immediately at attention. "Congratulations, Captain." She replied, her arms stiff at her side and posture rigid. Somewhere at the Academy and instructor would be proud of the form the woman had remembered.

Nodding, he took a moment to compose himself and said "Thank you Ms. Rinehart. I have summoned you here to discuss your performance on the ship during my time as both Executive Officer and Acting Commanding Officer. On numerous occasions you have performed your duties with what some would call creativity, and others recklessness. In the end however, I would surmise you have preformed them adequately. Do you agree with my statement?"

"Yes, sir." Tierney replied, barely batting an eye lash at what the man was saying, though it began to gnaw at her, instilling doubt as she quickly tried to take inventory of her career aboard the Enterprise.

Standing, he walked to the window of the room, turning his back to her. Calmly he said "I am disappointed in you Lieutenant Commander. Disappointed that you would agree that your service has only been adequate. You have willingly performed above the established regulations of your post and rank, and have been an asset to the ship and its crew. Furthermore, you have become a close confidant and friend of your Commanding Officer, which is clearly against regulations. What do you say to these charges?"

It took everything in her power to keep from lifting her eyebrow in a fashion that would have caught the approval of any self-respecting Vulcan, and while her body posture remained tense and on par for what the man had ordered, her eyes tracked him as he moved about the room. Something was a foot, some game or some test - and she wasn't sure what it was quite yet. "I would say that the person making such allegations has enough grounds to form that opinion, but that I won't apologize for my actions." She replied.

Shaking his head, he turned suddenly towards her and said "I wouldn't ask you to Ms. Rinehart. I do however have a somber task to complete. Please have it be known that as of this date, Tierney Rinehart has been promoted to Commander, including all rights and responsibilities thereto. May your Creator have mercy on your soul."

She blinked, watching with fascination as he came about. Karim, when he wanted to be, was an imposing sight. He towered over her delicate self and, standing in the role of Captain, he appeared even taller. Her concern, however, dropped as each of his words fell and rang freely. She was being given back the rank that Mark so surreptitiously had taken from her out of threat of imminent harm should she betray them. Life had come full circle. "Thank you, Captain. I won't disappoint."

Nodding slightly, he suppressed a grin and replied "I'm not quite done Commander. I have a very serious request of you, and hope you will consider your response carefully before you reply."

"Yes, sir." Tierney replied, doing her best to keep from nodding.

Looking at her with a serious expression, he said "As I've previously stated, you have been a true asset to the ship, and to myself personally. That being said, I am officially asking if you would consider taking on the role as my Second Officer, in addition to your duties as Chief Intelligence Officer."

The Starling swallowed hard, mulling the idea and request over in her mind. So many, according to her, were better suited for the job - but Karim had come calling for her. Drawing a deep breath, she knew what she had to do. 'Sir... Enterprise is my home and my legacy. Being offered the chance to serve her as her Second Officer in addition to what I already do is an honor in. I accept your offer."

Unable to keep the act up any longer, Karim smiled widely and rushed forward, gathering her in his arms. Hugging her gently but firmly he said "Thank you Tierney, and congratulations. I hope you weren't too offended by my cold tone. I have to have fun sometime don't I?"

With a small startle, Tierney allowed the Trill to swallow her into his embrace and finally breathed a chuckle, hugging him back. "You're cruel." She teased, gently fwapping her fingers against his back. "What's power without flexing it to give your friends mild heartattacks?" The Starling beamed, the fwap turning to an appreciative rub, "I'm excited for you, Karim. You've deserved this for a long time."

Touched by her words, Karim stepped back and said "Thank you Tierney, I appreciate that very much. I hope you'll forgive me for my fun. Things have been so crazy lately I thought it would be good to shake things up." Pausing, he said "I do have one favour to ask of you in your new role."

"Anything, Karim. Just name it." She grinned, tugging at the hem of her tunic.

Looking at her with a serious expression he said "I know that I have asked this of you before, but I am asking again. I am aware that the decisions I make are mine alone, and part of the duties of my position. I do however want you to be there if I am struggling, to be a sounding board. You are the closest thing I have to family right now. I trust you to continue to support me as I continue to learn my new role."

Tierney's grin shifted into a half-smile, warm and cheeky. "Karim..." She started and approached him with open arms, enveloping the much larger Trill in a tight hug, "As far as I'm concerned we are family. I'll always tell you what you need to hear no matter how awful it may be. That's just how this works, good or bad and I expect you to do the same for me as well."

Hugging her back gently, he replied "Of course Tierney." Pausing, he stepped back and retrieved a small box from behind a stack of pads. Clearing his throat he stepped forward and reached for her collar. Carefully removing her hollow pip, he replaced it with a full one. Smiling he said "I might as well make this official. Tierney Rinehart, it is my duty and honor to officially promote you to full Commander and Second Officer of the USS Enterprise. Congratulations." Handing her the box with the hollow pip, he extended a hand to formally congratulate her.

"Thank you, Captain Dhej, for everything." The tiny Starling replied, taking the offered box and allowing his hand to completely engulf hers in a stiff shake. "To the future."

"To the future" he replied, then dropping the formality "Your dismissed. After we go off duty, we should grab some food and hang out."

"We should. Let me know what your new busy schedule looks like." Tierney grinned and relaxed completely. Things would be different, but better for it. To the future indeed.

=/\=End Log=/\=

Captain Karim Dhej
Commanding Officer
USS Enterprise NCC 1701-F
&
Commander Tierney Rinehart
Chief Intelligence Officer/Second Officer
USS Enterprise NCC 1701-F