Jesa sighed as she continued in one of the base's corridors. She had always felt trapped between groups and classes, and tonight was simply a reminder of that yet again. The formal-attired Jesa stopped in the hallway for no apparent reason, watching the play of shadows in the minute corners of this area of the station, which was refreshingly non-federation in its décor.

Her thoughts finally came together, realizing why she had felt as she did. This dress, the one she was wearing, was really purchased for another occasion, for another person---yet he had not been able to make the invitation. And though she looked the part, among her senior staff, she was still the captain. Jesa had seen how it made some of them quite uncomfortable, uncertain of how to treat her---as stunning as she could, and did, look at that point.

There really had been only one option, to leave. And she did so with grace and dignity, though she normally thought herself having less than adequate amounts of each. Jesa then set herself wandering, even in her clothing as it was now; which led her to this place. Her eyes caught a doorway on the other side of the corridor, to a bar, of course. She simply noted it, and dismissed, moving to walk past.

But as she passed the bar's entranceway, Jesa heard a piano playing. The notes managed to perk her interest, and without questioning why she moved to do so, she stepped inside. Though she should have, Jesa didn't even think about her attire until someone reminded her of that fact. She followed the sound of the piano, ignoring comments from a few merchants and grunts at the bar.

Jesa's understanding of old Earth music was comparatively good, given that she had been born on the opposite side of the galaxy; but she couldn't quite place this. It was minor, with plenty of fudge-chords, and lots of syncopation. She moved into sight and was rather surprised that the newest cadet addition to her crew was at the piano---the source of the music.

The girl was wearing a flowing, red dress. It broke from what Jesa knew of her, the girl obsessed with Victorian fashion -- only one type of person would have worn a dress like that during the Victorian era.

As Jesa approached, the girl finished what must have been an introduction, and began to sing. Her voice was a comfortable contralto, with fairly sultry overtones. So much for the innocence Jesa had espied earlier that same day.

As the song closed, to a general applause and some whoops and whistles from the younger members of the crowd, the girl finished the last refrain. "Like some other men... Do..."

She stood up, and curtsied before the assembled masses, then went to the bar.

Without so much as a thought, Jesa found herself half in shadow beneath a room-support. Though with her clothing and being a woman in such a place, it was silly to attempt to not be noticed, yet she continued with her familiar mannerisms; watching quietly. She was curious at Jelandra's occupational, and mannerism change... could all this have been brought on by what happened with LAURA? Jesa found it unlikely, but possible.

In the corner of her eye, she caught movement of something---moving in a rather dangerous direction towards her posterior. Jesa suddenly snatched the man's hand by the wrist, digging her fingertips into a few pressure-points and in one quick movement putting the man in an arm-lock. She held his arm tightly, applying pressure with only three fingers. The man's knees began to buckle, but he didn't cry out. Jesa's eyes were steely-cold; she didn't even dignify his action with a rebuke. Only once he fell to his knees did she release him, walking off with her head held in an indignant manner.

Jelandra was really the only direction she could head, and she walked up to the bar beside the girl. Jesa mentally brought up the information on exactly how old she was again, and tried not to raise her eyebrow outwardly. She stepped up to one side of the bar, making sure she knew exactly who was around her before turning her attention to, quite literally, 'the woman in red'. "Well, hello Jelandra, fancy meeting you here." Jesa fell back on the clichéd line, though not sounding unkind or judgmental.

Jelandra turned, bright eyed, and smiled at Jesa. "Well, you know how it is -- we grunts can't sit in the Officer's Lounge, and believe it or not this is the only other bar with a functioning Grande."

She picked up the drink the barman had left for her. "And Frank has unsurpassed taste when it comes to vintage red, don't you Frank." She called after the aging barman, who smiled, blushing.

She turned back to face Jesa. "So -- what brings you down to mingle with the commoners, Captain?"

Jesa wasn't surprised by Jelandra's cool behavior, and try as she might she couldn't get the feeling of Jelandra having the manner of a rebellious teen explaining herself, without the least bit of shame, to her parents' friend who caught her in something inappropriate. Actually, Jesa found it rather annoying, but she smiled brightly at the girl. "Nothing really, just wandering about." The Commander answered vaguely, leaning back on the bar with an air of nonchalance.

Jelandra sipped at the wine. "Good. I think you'll like it here - it's one of those places where everybody knows your name."

A voice from behind her said, "Hello, Jelandra."

The girl's smile became a grin as she turned to face him. "P'lor! Long time, no see---catch the show tonight?"

P'lor was a Ferengi, and an ugly one even by Ferengi standards. He was wearing one of their usual, elaborate suits and a large headpiece behind his lobes. "Couldn't miss it -- you get better every time you play it."

Jelandra slapped him playfully on the shoulder. "Very funny -- I blew the third verse and you know it."

"I honestly couldn't tell."

"You're a liar, P'lor, but I like you. How's business?"

"The usual fare."

"No luck with the Vulcan trade deal then?"

"Nah -- Vulcans have no understanding of commerce. I offered them barely used warp coils at just one-hundred-ten percent of cost, and they turned me down. Failed safety checks, they said, but I'm pretty sure they've found a homegrown supplier instead."

"The villains---taking business from a starving Ferengi, eh? Still, plenty more fish in the sea. From what Telani was telling me yesterday, there's a big demand for warp coils in the capitol of Betazed -- a new engineering firm is setting up, and they're after all the reasonably priced raw materials they can find. I'd snap it up soon, if I were you---before the Vulcans beat you to it." She chuckled.

"I think I will. A pleasure talking to you, as always. Regards to your mother."

"I'll tell her you were asking after her." Jelly smiled as the Ferengi left, then turned back to Jesa. The Commander was frowning. "I know, Telani's data was privileged information, but don't worry---P'lor is a good egg." Jelandra paused, re-evaluating the statement. "For a Ferengi, that is."

Jesa stayed silent, crossing her arms across her body. She had watched the scene with interest, amusement, and she also was wishing for about the eighth time today that at least somebody wouldn't be involved in working the ways of scuttlebutt. Mentally adding up the amount of time it would take to "know everyone's name" in a place like this, and at when she thought Jelandra arrived, she found a discrepancy.

Which meant either she had been hanging around here for a lot longer than would seem reasonable, or she had been here before. Either way, here was another one to keep Jesa's eye on, and she wasn't particularly pleased in any case---nor about that information up for grabs, either. But then again, she should have learned to expect such from a Gear.

Jelly smiled; she seemed to be smiling a lot. Jesa drew the conclusion that Jelandra had been moonlighting here during her training. It wasn't a particularly happy conclusion, and not one that she wanted to have to relay to Buck.

"So, Captain, do I still have to call you Captain down here? It's just that most of the guys respect me, and if I go around being the 'Fleet Brat in front of them they might draw the conclusion that I can't look after myself, if you get my meaning." Her eyes indicated the group of particularly unsavory characters in the corner.

Jesa shrugged, she understood Jelandra's point, and never liked protocol anyway. She lifted her hand and pointed up to her throat, where there wasn't a collar. "Do you see any pips on my throat?" she asked, rhetorically. "You may call me Callen, or Jesa, if that is your wish. Just don't think this extends to anywhere but this place." Jesa gestured at the barman, to bring her some of what Jelly was drinking, it saved her the thought of choosing.

"Thank heavens, Jesa. And returning the courtesy, call me Jelly when we're here." For the first time this evening, Jelly stopped smiling. She looked into the half empty glass, and paused. There was something about its blood red color. She could get lost in it. Her eyes lost in thought, the grin faded and the face of a sad little girl appeared.

Jesa watched Jelly simply observing her expression. Her drink arrived, and Jesa took a sip, having already observed it for quite a bit longer than necessary in Jelly's glass. Jesa's tone was quiet, not to be overheard, and quite a bit gentler. "I'm sorry about LAURA. I know she was a big chunk of your life's work." she intoned softly.

Jelandra's eyes watered slightly. "She was my life's work... I thought." She faltered. "I thought I could make a difference. But, as always, Jelandra screws up on the final hurdle. It's been the same with everything I've ever tried. It'll probably be the same with this... Everything I've ever wanted to make a go of, goes up in smoke."

She finished the drink and dried her eyes with her handkerchief. "Still, plenty more things for me to mess up yet. I'm thinking of trying out government when I screw up this assignment---at least then when I screw up, I'll make a difference."

Jesa gently placed her hand on Jelly's shoulder, squeezing gently. She knew it was probably an unwelcome gesture, but it was how Jesa felt. Then she removed her hand, lifting her glass of wine. "Could be worse..." Jesa said softly. "You could have two hundred years of that behind you." She took a sip. "And my advice would be not to go into politics... at least not openly, you get too many pot-shots. It's the people in the shadows who control everything anyway."

Jelandra looked at her and raised her eyebrows, the grin returning. "Remember who you're talking to, Jesa. People in the shadows?"

Jesa only smiled. "I know."

Jelandra pushed the glass away and turned to face the barkeep. "Frank - I'm off, okay?"

"It's been a pleasure, Miss. Next time the Isannah's in dock, maybe you'll give us a guest performance."

She smiled again. "Count on it."

Turning back to Jesa, she opened her mouth to speak, then stopped as her jaw dropped. Her eyes moved to a space just above Jesa. Emerald green eyes stared back at her.

"Hello again." But there was no pleasantness, or humor in the voice.

There was a general murmur from some seemingly semi-respectable people by the bar. Frank stepped forwards and looked at Jelandra. "Is there any problem here, miss?"

Jesa didn't even need to turn around. She knew that voice by heart and would recognize anywhere. Yet, the tone of the voice wasn't something that even Jesa would have shrugged off. Jesa looked at the barman, biting back a 'No problem, just a family matter, hopefully there won't be any bloodshed.' Jelly seemed unable or unwilling to answer. Jesa turned to the barman. "No, no trouble." She turned around and looked at Buck, knowing just the kind of look he'd have on his face.

A million things ran through her head, possible threats in the room, which were only intensified by his presence. And what if Jelly's "contacts" knew of her family, the danger that would bring was something Jesa hadn't thought of before. She silently cursed herself, her job was making her soft, she knew it. But as she looked between the two siblings, she couldn't for the life of her come up with anything peace-evoking to say. "Buck." She said quietly, hoping he'd pick up on everything she was trying to say so she wouldn't have to utter it here.

'I know. Family matters aren't your affair, sir.' He said to her silently, paused, then smirked. 'Yet.'

Jesa heard his words in her head, and frowned. He hadn't been able to do that before. He had required physical contact to say something to her mind. Either his abilities had grown in his absence, or something else had happened. She acknowledged his words with a nod. Then he looked at Jelandra. They stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity. Heaven alone knew what the two telepaths were saying to each other. It actually annoyed Jesa somewhat to know a conversation was going on, yet unable to hear it. Eventually, Jelandra nodded and Buck smiled.

"Ladies." He changed his focus so he could see both his sister and the Captain. "I believe we are required in the Officer's Lounge."

Before moving, Jesa looked between them again. Then she rose from the barstool, smoothing the back of her dress as she did so.

It was at this point Buck began to feel like a fish out of water. The two ladies were wearing very pleasant outfits, and he was wearing his white and teal dress uniform.

Buck tugged at his jacket out of habit, and stepped aside so the ladies could leave first. Jelandra stood up, and looked at the barman. At that instant, Buck wished he was as good a telepath as she was. He knew she had sent something, but the only indicator as to what it was, was the blush on the cheeks of the old man.

"After you, Jelandra, Captain."

Jesa, being slightly miffed at being left out of the conversation, left first. She shook her head slightly, in a mental note to herself to stop being so annoyed at telepathy. She had lived on a planet of telepaths for fourteen years, but she still never could seem to get over that particular annoyance. Like people in front of you were carrying on a conversation but then switched to a different language they knew full well you couldn't understand. Jesa had always adjusted to that by learning every language she came across. But those thoughts weren't welcome now and she shoved them out for later. The other two were behind her, though as soon as she was in the corridor, she stood aside---never liked people walking behind her anyhow.

And the conversation went on, with Jesa completely unaware of it.

'What were you thinking? Dad would have had a seizure if he'd seen you in there!' he demanded, speaking to her telepathically.

'I was having fun. Big deal.' She replied.

'If you needed currency, though god only knows why you would need currency, you should have come to the family.' He thought.

Her face adopted a disgusted expression. 'I didn't do it for money---it got me out in evenings. I'm not a bookworm any more---I don't have to be.' She returned.

'Don't think this is over. I'm your superior officer now. If you think you're going to get anything more than toilet cleaning duty for the next four weeks, you're very much mistaken.' She turned away from him, evidently huffing. He turned to Jesa.

"I'm sorry about that, Commander. I'll ensure she doesn't do anything that stupid again while under your command." Then his tone changed, to one harsher and definitely speaking to her as a person, seeming to contemplate whether he should go back in and bust some lips---among other things. "Now, Jesa, I want to know what my fiancée was doing in there!"

Jesa quickly looked over at him; her face betrayed a slight bemusement, like she hadn't thought about him possibly having this reaction. She turned her eyes forward, and spoke in a calm tone. "I was unaware I am forbidden to visit certain parts of the station."

"You know I didn't mean that." He said, "I just want to know why you went there. Are the officers on the Isannah really that antisocial now?"

She smiled slightly, looking over at him. Gently she touched his elbow, moving to take his arm. "No, just me..." Her voice was gentler as she spoke "I heard Jelanda's playing and was interested, no other reason," she shrugged slightly.

He pulled his arm back, his eyes cold. Then he softened slightly. "Thank you for your concern about my sister. I'faith, she can look after herself, and if she can't, it's my job to deal with it. You shouldn't place yourself in jeopardy, Captain." His tone became formal again.

Jesa looked down slightly then looked straight ahead. She wouldn't show her hurt in front of Jelandra. 'I'm sorry... I didn't know it was her when I went in there.' She thought, wondering if he was still listening to her mind.

"Still, no harm done I guess." He said, not letting on if he had heard her "Next time you intend on hanging with the scum of the Universe, though, tell our Head of Security. Give the yellow-shirts something to do besides polishing their phasers." He grinned at her. "Now, I believe we have a party to attend on the holodeck."

She looked back at him, just for a moment letting the slight hurt show, the one she felt at his coldness towards her. Then she pasted a smile on her face, replacing the true emotions in her face with a mask of constructed ones. "Apparently so, might as well get back there before someone decides to hunt me up." She smiled.

"Well let's get there. It doesn't do for the commanding officer to be tardy---sets a bad example for the rest of the crew." Smiling, he started to wander off in the direction of the Turbolift.

Jesa just stood there, looking at him in what could only be described as shock. 'Chastising now?' she thought, trying to put out the hurt she felt, and remind herself of what he must have been through lately. Taking that opportunity, Jelandra walked up to Jesa's ear and whispered. "Is he always like this?"

Jesa looked at Jelandra almost sharply, but softening quickly, then turned her eyes away, looking at Buck. She was awash of so many emotions, and despite her hiding it, tears were close to the surface. All she wanted to do was hold him, talk to him. It was so hard to be pushed away like that. Jesa had never allowed someone this close to her and she found the fact that a motion could hurt her so easily... disconcerting.

'I love you, Buck... I hope you see that.' She thought, faintly his direction, though she doubted he'd even hear it. Of course, the best way to answer a question you weren't sure how to answer was... with a question. She recollected herself and looked at Jelandra, smiling again. "You tell me, you're his sister." She said with humor.

Jelandra simply smiled back and they walked silently to the turbolift together, joining Buck who was already standing inside. Jesa just hoped she could make it through this party in one piece... when he walked in all kinds of things were going to be asked, assumed, and said. And right now, Jesa just wanted to do one of two things, him to smile at her and hold her, or to find the deepest darkest hole she could find and just crawl in.

Unfortunately the latter was looking more likely.

Loaded: 06.04.2004