Playing catch up

Posted on Thu Oct 30th, 2025 @ 10:57pm by Lieutenant Commander Eirly Andersen & Lieutenant Commander Nash Winters

1,268 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Side Plots
Location: Lounge
Timeline: Backpost

On:

Eirly had a gap in her schedule between her 2XO and Security Chief roles and decided to take a break, maybe get something to eat from the Lounge. It wasn't often she ate throughout the day, mostly because she forgot and Malcolm would tell her off for it after, but today would be the one time she'd take advantage of something to eat.

Stepping into the Lounge, she looked around to see if anyone familiar was there. Turns out Nash the Chief Engineer was there. Walking over, she went and sat across from him, "Hey stranger, I haven't seen you since you got back from Freecloud."

Nash couldn’t help but smile when he saw his friend, despite feeling low and slightly sorry for himself. “Hey, yourself. It’s good to see you. Sorry, I haven’t been around. Things went a little…..sideways down there. And I had the usual debriefing with the Captain, submitted my mission report. I’m a little ashamed of my behavior and Lieutenant Cyn may not talk to me for the remainder of my existence. On second thought, maybe my existence, my kids’ existence, grandkids’….. We talked it through and ironed things out, but I’m worried she no longer respects me.”

"Okay, back it up a bit... What happened with you and Lieutenant Cyn? Is this going to involve food and drink?" Eirly queried at the mound of information she'd just been given from Nash. She added with a laugh, "What did you do to her?"

“If you’re buying, sure,” kidded Nash. “I just surprised her, basically. I kissed her, as my cover persona. I mean really kissed her. Caught her off guard and she slapped me. I was attempting to be extra convincing to our informant, who was in our custody. Needless to say, Phaedrae didn’t appreciate it. Like I said, we cleared the air and I think we’ll be alright. I’m more annoyed at myself. I buried myself in the part and I paid the price.”

Eirly sat there stunned for a moment, blinking a few times with her mouth open, not knowing what to say. "Wow... does um, have you told Sara?" She was beginning to think that drinks would be needed after all. "What do you want to drink?"

Nash scratched his chin and swallowed hard before answering. “I did. And she understood that I was …. on the job. I could tell she wasn’t too thrilled, but we’ll be alright. We’ve been through too much to let something like that get between us. You…. didn’t have to stick around and listen to me unload on you. But I’m glad you did, Eirly. Get me an Old Fashioned, will ya? Light on the bitters.”

"Right." Eirly nodded and walked to the bar to order the drinks, the Old Fashioned for him and an Andorrian wine for herself. Coming back a couple of minutes later she placed the drinks on the table in front of them and took a seat again. "I asked them to go easy on the bitters like you asked." Getting herself settled with the wine in hand, she continued. "I don't mind if you unload your issues onto me, that's what I'm here for. A counsellor would probably be better, but hey, we do the best with what we've got, right?"

She took a sip of the wine. "Anyway. I trust that the issue between you and Phaedrae have been resolved now though? Because the last thing anyone wants is for it to affect the rest of the crew..."

“I believe we’ll be fine. Not worried about it too much. And I don’t think I need counseling just yet, thank you very much. Enough about me. How’s it going with Malcolm? You seem to be pretty happy. It’s nice that you’ve found each other.”

"I was only joking about the counsellor, Nash," Eirly grinned at him as she sipped the wine again before putting it back down. "Things are pretty good with Malcolm, he's an amazing guy." She blushed as she spoke fondly about him. "Being with him is just easy, you know? We don't argue, we don't fight, we pick each other up when we've had a bad day, and I'm definitely not complaining about the physical side of things either... not that you need to know that part of it." She gave him a playful grin and a wink.

“Glad to hear that you were joking, Eirly. Sara and I have a pretty strong relationship. All the stuff with Brunel has brought us closer, I think. And you’re right in that I don’t care to know everything that happens behind closed doors with you two. Like I said, I’m glad you’re happy being with each other. I’m looking forward to what’s next, both professionally and personally. My kids are growing up too fast, Eirly. I don’t want to miss anything.”

Eirly sipped her wine again, "Unfortunately, I can't really comment on children growing up too fast. Kas and I are the oldest of the four of us and no one has any kids yet. Out of everyone, it will probably be Lief and he'll have the cutest kids. Before you ask as well, there's no plans for Malcolm and I on that at all, not even a discussion." She frowned at the idea. "You should maybe take some time with Sara and the kids and real holiday somewhere that's off the ship and not on a holodeck?"

“That’s an excellent idea and I’ve actually been thinking about it. Haven’t been back to Earth in a long time. Getting back to San Francisco would be nice. Maybe even take the kids to see the Phoenix in Montana. We just have to make the time to get away. There’s the hard part.”

"My brother and I have a three-bedroom apartment in San Francisco that's currently vacant, furnished of course, if you'd want to use that?" Eirly offered. "I can't say I've seen a lot of the country, but maybe one day I'll get to go."

“That’s a tempting offer. I’ll definitely consider it, Eirly.” Nash glanced at the chronometer on the wall and realized that almost two hours had passed. “It’s late….I didn’t realize what time it was. I should probably get home. I really miss my kids.”

Nash reached and squeezed Eirly’s hand as it lay on the table. “It’s….um….always nice talking to you, Eirly. Thanks for letting me bend your ear. The dinner invitation still stands, by the way. Feel free to bring Malcolm if you’re up to it. The kids would love to see you, especially Brunel.”

"Just name a date and time and we'll be there." Eirly smiled back. It was a comforting presence being with Nash and having his friendship. "You should go home and see everyone, tell them I said hi, and I'll see you around. Have a good night, Nash."

She watched as he stood up and exited the lounge, leaving her there with a drink, a nice view and some well-deserved alone time.


OFF

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Lt. Commander Eirly Andersen
Second Officer
USS Astrea


Lt. Commander Nash Winters
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Astrea

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