( nsfw open )

[skittys]

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[whistles_loudly]

She liked it, so it made me think of her.

[It still wasn't her preferred habanero sauce, but it was something.]

I hope everything works out today and they don't put you through too much.

[unas]

Well, if they do you might hear me yell at them across the offices.

( he wouldn't, when she was really mad she didn't yell, she got quiet and that was more terrifying even to her superiors. she trusted it to be the same here, though she assumed that even if she was annoyed here she'd be stonewalled rather than coming out on top. they had to make her work in this universe, she didn't have any cards here. the truth publicly would hurt her over help her )

Though I'd bank on it being a long day just to be safe, with a few more after that.

[whistles_loudly]

[Una might not yell at them across the offices, but there's no guarantee Pike wouldn't yell at them after he finds out what happened.]

We'll get through it all, then deal with whatever the aftermath of their decision is going to be.

[unas]

( she was just looking forward to curling up in bed tonight once the day was over, hopefully besides him. she still felt a little conflicted on how she should feel about that but he made her happy, he was happy... she wanted to not care )

How long will it take to get over there?

( she's considering asking to go early, calm in his office before it starts )

[whistles_loudly]

Not long, it's just a few minutes walk back. Itching to get over there?

[He doesn't blame her, the faster she gets over there, the faster it would be over.]

[unas]

I just want it done so I can figure out my life.

( because she wasn't going to count on starfleet intelligence to get her back, betting that they'd find a way to smooth it over. she's seen it before. that'd be a project she worked on privately. it wasn't a lack of faith just acceptance of an awkward situation )

And maybe I'm trying to get back to you quicker.

[whistles_loudly]

That'll make things at least a little easier. We can go if you'd like.

[He gets up to clear his plate.]

And honestly, the faster we can get out of the city, the happier I'm going to be.

[unas]

Give me ten minutes.

( she gets up to sort herself out, rebrush her hair, make sure she looks fine for the day, even if it is just a meeting with starfleet. but she's in civilian dress, not certain she should be in uniform here, and at least a damn sight more presentable than her pyjamas last night in medical.

when she comes back out, shoes replicated and on, she rests a hand on his arm, kissing him )

You'll get me through this. ( even just the thought of him. she'd get through it alone but he helped. always )

[whistles_loudly]

[While Una's getting ready to face the day, he cleans up the breakfast dishes, and finishes getting dressed himself.]

You know where to find me, if you need me.

[But he does kiss her back, and can't help his complement.]

You look great.

[unas]

Thank you.

( his compliments always mean the most to her, always cheer her no matter how small they are. and today she kind of needs it, needs something to hang onto )

Let's go?

( she holds out a hand to him. it'll be safe enough until they get there, at least )

[whistles_loudly]

Let's go.

[He squeezes her hand, trying to let her know that it's going to be okay. Whatever happens he'll be there for her when she needs him.]

I have a class in the morning. I'll have lunch brought to my office, if they give you a break.

[They should, as she isn't a prisoner, and then they were off to Starfleet's main buildings.]

[unas]

Oh, they're giving me a break.

( she would cite so many regulations back on them if they didn't. or maybe get up and leave. she'd keep her head down, no one would have to know that una chin-riley somehow wasn't dead. no one would know she was there if she wanted it so.

but una also didn't want it to come to that, she figured at some point she might need their cooperation and she didn't need to give them a reason to investigate her )

They need this to go as well as I do. They might be able to bury me but I don't think they will, not yet, and they've got nothing after they do that. They'll be reasonable enough. Irritating but reasonable.

[whistles_loudly]

[He's amused, this Una and his Una really were the same person.]

I hope they won't. As far as they know, there's no reason to, and I think irritating might be a very large understatement.

[unas]

I'm being nice.

( she'll give him the real rant later when it's all done )

If you've got any paperwork to do you should still do it. I was thinking of lying on your couch until it's time, relax, maybe get ahead of them with a story. Or facts.

[whistles_loudly]

[He has no doubt that she will.]

All right.

[Then into the Academy office building they go and up to his office on the sixth floor. It's a nice office with a view. There're pictures here and there, even a few of him, Una, and Phil.]

[unas]

( time passes both quicker than una would like and not quick enough in his office. there's compliments given about it being a nice office and the view before she settles pn the couch and tries to think of everything that they could possibly ask her in preparation.

and then before long it's time. she hesitates slightly before leaving, making her way back down to medical, glad that the way is still familiar.

a lot of questions are asked, scans taken before she's led to an office for starfleet intelligence to really ask her questions.

it's hours when she returns, closer to three than any decent time for lunch, and whilst una's a little exhausted from it she's not as frustrated as she'd expected to be. though she does lay back on the couch, hands resting on her head for a minute to try and absorb it all )

[whistles_loudly]

[Chris, for his part does order lunch, but when he realizes she isn't going to make it back in time so he eats his, puts hers away with plans to bring it back to his Academy Apartment, and gets her a bowl of strawberries and her favorite tea, both of which go on the table in front of the sofa.]

I also have scotch if you want something stronger.

[unas]

Normally I'd say no but it's sounding tempting.

( she sighs, another minute on the couch before she sits up, drawing her legs up beside her and reaching for the strawberry bowl, resting it on her legs )

It wasn't as awful as I expected but it's also not done. They don't yet know what to do with me. Or really what they want to do with me.

[whistles_loudly]

[He goes behind his desk, pulls two glasses and a bottle from his bottom drawer, puts it all on the table and sits on the couch before pouring two drinks.]

When do they expect to figure it out? And what were the choices for what they can do with you?

[unas]

Give me back a ship, find a different position... they're looking to find a way of keeping her commission, a lie of how she isn't dead.

( part of her feels guilty for being torn about this, strange when starfleet has always been her dream. that hasn't changed but these are circumstances she never could have expected )

They want me out there, keeping how I'm really here a secret.

[whistles_loudly]

[He knows that isn't what she wanted, but Pike figured it was the easiest explanation and the one command was going to take.]

Do you want to be out there?

[unas]

It feels strange to say that I don't know but this situation isn't my normal one.

( in her normal situation she wanted nothing more than to be in starfleet, to be out there. but she'd been thrown into circumstances she only partially knew and she at least needed some time )

I could do it, it wouldn't be difficult but... it's not really my life. Which isn't really anything, I could figure out everything I needed, I could do the job... but there are things I'd miss.

( she herself hadn't yet said goodbye to him, hadn't gotten ready to move on as a captain. she could do it but she wasn't there yet to leave him )

[whistles_loudly]

Fair enough.

[Then he pours two drinks and leans back on the sofa.]

You'd be good at the job, and if you're anything like her you should have had your own command years ago, even if I would've missed you.

[It's actually nice to be able to say things like that out loud now.]

It doesn't need to be a ship-board posting. I needed a break after Talos. It would stand to reason that you would too, after being left wherever they decide to say you were left for two years.

[unas]

( she smiles at the compliment even if she doesn't comment on it. starfleet had been trying to give her her own command for years, had tried promoting her multiple times but she'd turned them down each time. he wasn't the reason, no matter how she felt about him he'd never been the reason that she'd hung on. not in how feelings might be interpreted, anyway.

but he was right. she didn't have to go back out there to do something, there were many things she could do, right? )

You're right. After 'being dead' for two years, after whatever story they come up with... having a break would probably be sensible. Medical would feel better about it. ( she did not look forward to the therapist they were going to send her to ) Something planet based might work better.

[whistles_loudly]

At least for a while. Besides, all the current ships have commanders.

[He'd like to say she's welcome to stay again, but after letting her know he wasn't throwing her out it might seem like a bit much.]

It doesn't have to be forever, just for right now.