Shore Leave 1

Posted on Sun Aug 28th, 2022 @ 11:58pm by Lieutenant Jessica Holland & Lieutenant Anna S. Thesia M.D.

Mission: New Harrington
Location: Bajor

OOC: A back post starring Anna and Jessica


"So where are you putting us down?" Anna asked from the passenger seat in the shuttle. It was definitely best for everyone involved not to let Anna handle the shuttle controls. "What wardrobe will I have to replicate?" Since they were on leave, Anna was already in civilian attire, which meant a light summer dress with floral patterns, as Jessica had promised a warm location.

"A nice, secluded spot next to a small lake." Jessica answered from the pilot's seat as she brought the shuttle down through the atmosphere. She turned to look at Anna in her summer dress. "Hiking shorts, loose fitting tops, socks, a bathing suit or you can go au natural." She smirked. "As there won't be anyone around for kilometers. This is the perfect place to escape to."

"Right, I'll pack us rucksacks so we'll have the essentials for the trip", Anna suggested. "Water purification, some food, my medkit, sunscreen, insect repellent... what else might we need?" She normally went light, but Anna's physiology was robust, so she didn't need as much for safety.

"Um, head covering, perhaps sunglasses and oh just to be on the safe side a phaser. Don't want to get caught off guard even though I think that happening is remote." Jessica answered with a grin.

"Well, you take a phaser. I don't want one", Anna said. She wasn't terribly good with one anyway. "If it comes to the point that we need a phaser, we'll have quite a different problem anyway."

Jessica nodded, "Fine, I'll take it. I am a security officer after all." She grinned. "And you're right, if we need one where we're going we will definitely have a problem."

"Though, I suppose it's useful to start a fire, so we can fry some things we've found along the way", Anna smirked. "I enjoy eating things I find."

Jessica groaned in good humor. "I know. I remember our time out in jungle participating in that stupid game and you eating leaves. please don't eat any leaves this time love."

"What's wrong with eating leaves?" Anna asked. "Some of them just taste good." She started putting everything together. "Though we could try looking for snails, or grubs?" Anna snickered.

"Nothing if your digestive system can and handle it, which yours can." Jessica rolled her eyes, "We'll look for snails or grubs only in an emergency, thank you very much." She finished as she brought the shuttle down with a gentle bump to the selected spot for their little getaway. "We're here." She announced, "Let the good times begin."

Anna handed Jessica one of the rucksacks. "Let me just put on my socks", she said, replicating a pair of socks with a thicker sole, which allowed for toe grip and a natural feeling without the danger of sharp stones or thorns poking through, as Anna wasn't exactly fond of getting pierced. "Should we take some wine?"

Jessica accepted the rucksack and threw it over one shoulder while Anna replicated a pair of socks. "Wine? Absolutely Anna, we're here to have a good time and just relax, enjoy nature and wine will certainly help us get there."

"Agreed", Anna grinned. "But I think I'll be lazy." She grabbed a PADD. "I'll just instruct the shuttle to replicate it and beam it over to where we are." Taking essentials, in case things failed, was important. Luxury items they could technically do without, they could afford to be lazy about.

"Well, we're in the right place to be lazy." Jessica smiled. "Now come on and let me show you our little version of paradise." She said as she hit the door switch to let the door on the shuttle open so Anna could see firsthand the beauty of the spot Jessica had selected.

Anna stepped outside and took a deep lungfull of air. She looked around, listened to the calls of the animals in the surrounding forest, and smiled at Jessica. "Great choice, love." She turned around and spread her arms to receive her as she stepped out of the shuttle.

Jessica stood behind Anna as she took a deep breath of the fresh air that greeted them. She beamed at Anna's compliment and happily moved to her for a hug. "I think it's perfect but I am thrilled you like it as well." She finished as she kissed Anna's cheek.

Anna held her and spun her around. She laughed happily and grabbed her butt. "Now show me what your security officer training is worth, or if you're tired of walking after an hour or two."

Jessica squealed happily, "Oh, don't you worry Anna, I'll be happy to show you what my training is worth. However let's get the camp set up before we get down to more pleasing activities." Jessica winked at her.

"But we don't even know where we'll end up at the end of our hike", Anna wondered. "Where do you want to set up?"

"No matter where we end up on our hike, we'll have a good time." Jessica answered with a smile. "As to where to set up camp. Just inside the tree line, where we'll have an unobstructed view of the lake."

"Oh", Anna said. Now she understood, Jessica wanted to camp here. "Hmm, I've never set up a camp before. I usually just lay in the grass and slept in the open."

"Hey, we can do that." Jessica readily agreed. I can make a fire pit to cook our food and then we can just lay under the stars. That will be nice.''

"The good thing about Bajor is that the insects won't be interested in our blood", Anna said. "Well, at least not mine. I'm just hoping not yours either. Otherwise, a tent would be better."

"We'll try under the stars and see how that works. If the insects think I'm their own private meal, then we can use the tent." Jessica suggested. As she spoke Jessica looked around the area and saw a small, sturdy tree that would be perfect for something she had in mind later.

"So, are you ready to chance it and start going off, say, around that hill?" Anna asked, pointing to the hill that had a stream coming off it, which fed the lake they had landed next to. If nothing else, following that stream back down meant they couldn't get lost and would find their way.

"I am absolutely ready." Jessica replied happily. "I think that is an excellent route to begin start off with. By the time we're finished we should have worked up an appetite."

Anna snickered. "I already have an appetite." She headed in the direction she had indicated, and just to tease Jessica, she plucked a few leaves off a nearby bush and started eating them. They didn't taste all that good, but that was beside the point.

"I have an appetite too." Jessica whispered then groaned as she saw Anna pluck some leaves off a nearby bush. "Ohhh Anna!" She groaned. "Please don't eat any leaves." The sight making her stomach flip flop.

"Find me something better?" Anna challenged her. "Just remember, I like to live adventurously."

*Like to live adventurously? I'll give you adventure.* Jessica thought to herself but aloud, she smiled and nodded her head and said. "I accept your challenge."

Anna kissed her and put her arm around Jessica as they walked. "I knew you would. If you didn't like challenges, you'd never have gone into security to begin with."

Jessica returned the kiss. "You are so right, I do like challenges and so do you, you went into medicine that's a huge challenge." She answered as she stopped and saw a pretty purple flower. "Try this one." She said to Anna.

Anna picked the flower and smelled it. "Mhm, sweet", she said, nibbling on it. "Oh... quite... quite poisonous." She smirked. "Might be interesting in small doses. Those toxins are usually good against some ailment or another."

"Do you want to come back before we leave and take some samples back to the ship so you can run some experiments on them? Jessica questioned.

"Maybe", Anna said, eating the rest of the flower. "Likely is something already well-known to Bajoran scientists, though. I'm just idly wondering."

Jessica nodded, "Okay, was just a suggestion." She replied as she walked further down the trail, looking for different leaves or flowers Anna could try out.

Anna followed, and the vegetation changed as they moved away from the lake and higher up the hill, with more drought-resistant species dominating at higher elevation. Limestone formation, it looked like. "It feels great to breathe clean air again, and have vegetation not covered in a thick layer of industrial dust."

Jessica stopped her sightseeing and turned back to Anna. "I'm sure it does, love. This air is so invigorating!, so crisp." Her eyes on Anna, she continued. "Was it bad Anna?" She asked as she walked back a few steps to Anna. "Being on Cardassia and having so many people to help. Did you feel overwhelmed?"

"At times, yes", Anna nodded. "Especially since there was no quick fix for the underlying causes to their conditions. That can only come from environmental clean-up, which takes decades even at the best estimates." And most of the blame did not rest with the Dominion, the Cardassians had done most of the damage to themselves.

"I'm sorry love," Jessica answered softly. "I'm sorry for you having to deal with the enormity of a problem that as you said has no quick fix and I'm sorry for the people of Cardassia and what they have done to themselves and their world. Maybe now, they will open their eyes and take the steps needed to fix the problem."

"One can only hope", Anna said. Though she doubted those currently alive would ever see the fruits of their labour, the damage done was too great to clean up quickly. "Many Bajorans call this justice. I still don't like it, though." She sighed. "Look at me, spoiling our shore leave with my gloomy thoughts."

Jessica shook her head. "You haven't ruined anything Anna and your thoughts aren't gloomy, they are honest and realistic, not a thing wrong with that. I'm just sorry for the Cardassians. They have a long. long road to go." She looked at Anna, "Do you want to continue our hike or return to camp?"

"Let's keep going", Anna said. "Walking is good for clearing my head. And you know what they say: Not all who wander are lost." She smiled and took Jessica's hand. "And who knows, maybe we'll spot a rare beast?"

Jessica nodded, "Sounds good to me love and I never think you're lost and you are right it is good for clearing your head. A rare beast? Now that would be something!" Jessica exclaimed a smile on her face.

"I've been lost before", Anna smirked. "Actually, happens more often than I care to admit publicly." Especially new ship classes, they were often very confusing to move around. "But you won't tell, will you?"

Jessica shook her head, "Of course I won't Anna. It will be our secret and I never betray secrets." Jessica answered seriously." Besides, I've gotten myself lost and turned around before. But I always manage to find my way home."

"Interesting metaphor, I'll have to remember that one", Anna teased. They reached a steeper bit of rock, and Anna said, "After you, love. I'll catch you if you fall."

"Maybe you should be writing these down. You know, make them into a book." Jessica teased as she began climbing the steeper rock. "Well, I hope so Anna." Jessica quipped with a bright smile on her face.

Anna waited until Jessica had reached the top of the steep bit before following, finding an easy foothold with her hiking socks. "I'm not much of a writer. I'm sure people will think me terribly dull."

Jessica shook her head, placing her hands on her hips. "You are not dull Anna! You are warm and compassionate, witty with an absolutely brilliant sense of humor. A fantastic doctor, a wonderful friend and I bet an engaging and vivacious lover. Um with the right person of course." She hastily added as she blushed furiously as she said the last."

Anna laughed. "Keep going, you might just find out tonight." Of course she enjoyed hearing praise, who didn't? Some of it might even be right.

Jessica giggled, "Oh, promises, promises Anna." She teased Anna even as her mind went to the possibility of evening with Anna.

Anna pulled herself back onto even ground. "You haven't considered that this half-Orion here is highly susceptible to flattery?"

Jessica bobbed her head up and down. "Oh, I've considered it, my attractive, compassionate and intelligent my darling doctor." Jessica replied a smile on her face. "How am I doing?" She giggled.

"You left out the most important one, mischievous", Anna teased. "So you only get half points for that one."

Jessica sighed dramatically, "Well, that's true but I did mention your sense of humor. OH! You're also adventurous!"

"I am indeed", Anna said. "For example, I'm wondering what that bear over there might want with us. Or whatever the Bajorans call it, it seems to have a longer tail." There wasn't anything large in the direction Anna indicated, but she figured she might scare Jessica a bit.

"A bear!?" Jessica didn't quite yell but she raised her voice as she went into full security mode. Her hand went to her phaser as she spun in the direction Anna had indicated. Her eyes scanned the area and after several seconds, she relaxed and looked at Anna. "Ha, ha, ha. very funny Anna. I'll have my revenge." She warned playfully.

Anna snickered. Jessica was easy to trigger. Even if she'd have to pay for it later, this was worth it. "You went into security because you like jump scares, admit it."

Jessica grinned, "No, I won't." She said stubbornly then a second later relented. "Okay, yes I do. I like feeling the rush of adrenaline. You are still going to pay later."

"Just don't feed me anything too bitter", Anna said. "I much prefer sweet or savoury." She took the lead, heading into the underbrush, still going uphill. She figured they's find the source of the stream soon.

"Yes ma'am. Message received and understood. Nothing bitter, just sweet or savory." Jessica quipped as she followed Anna through the underbrush, the whole time she was thoroughly enjoying herself.

"Speaking of sweet", Anna said, stopping by a tree and looking up. "Remember jumja sticks? This is what they're made of." But the lowest branch was a way up. "If you can give me a bit of a lift, I could get us some. They're delicious."

"Come on over her Jungle Jane." Jessica said as she positioned herself under the tree and cupped her hands together to give Anna her requested boost. "The things I do for love." She muttered in good humor.

"I just hope my dress doesn't get caught in the branches", Anna said, as she didn't have anything else she could wear. Not before going back to the shuttle, anyway.

She stepped into Jessica's hand and, as she was pushed up, grabbed one of the branches and pulled herself up by it. Once she had purchase, she was surprisingly nimble, despite never being seen working out. Standing on the branch moments later, she picked out the best fruit. "Can you catch? If they fall to the ground, they'll get messy."

"Toss em down here, I'll catch them. We can eat some here and some back at the camp." Jessica assured Anna. She was impressed how quickly Anna had climbed the tree. There was definitely more to Anna then met the eye for which Jessica was glad about.

Anna started dropping the fruit carefully, one by one, to minimise the risk of wasting one. "They are my favourite Bajoran food. Mostly they're grown in orchards. This one's sheer luck." She was clearly delighted with the prospect of eating the real thing.

Jessica smiled at her friend's obvious happiness over finding the fruit. "I can't wait to try one. Especially if they are as good as you say they are Anna." She answered as she began catching the fruit Anna was dropping down to her.

Anna quickly grabbed one more and then jumped down, with it in hands. She landed on her feet and stood up with little effort. Climbing trees, swinging and jumping around in them, was second nature to her since childhood. "Try one", she suggested, taking a bite out of the one she had in her hand. "Mmm, delicious!"

Jessica looked at Anna and marveled how she made everything look effortless. She raised the fruit to her mouth and took a bite. A little one to start to see if it was a delicious as Anna claimed. After rolling it around in her mouth she found the taste quite pleasing and took a bigger bite. "Hmmmm, good. You were right Anna."

"I try to make a habit of that", Anna teased. "It's a tough life goal, but I have been able to succeed occasionally." She revelled in the sweet flavour, and the slightly different taste of every bite. Not replicator-perfect. Interesting. She loved shore leave.

"It's a good habit and a good life goal. You succeed quite often Anna." Jessica answered as she took another bite of the fruit. "I don't want to eat too much save some for later after dinner. What about you? You going to eat all yours?"

Anna nodded. "Yes. And I'll find something to eat after dinner too. I'm always hungry." But she could walk and eat at the same time, without stumbling. Forest floors were her home. "Isn't it great to be walking on some uneven ground? Ship corridors are so... sterile. Which, yes, is something we want in sickbay. But still..."

Jessica smiled, "I wish I had your metabolism. To be able to eat and still stay fit and trim. It's great to be out in the fresh air Anna, to smell all the different fragrances." She smiled again at Anna, "This is your second home. You could be perfectly happy living out here and by here I don't mean this specific place but outdoors in general."

Anna nodded. "Yes, that I could." She smiled at Jessica. "You know, I've been supporting this engineer who... well, for some reason that's beyond me got rejected at Utopia Planitia. But! He wants to equip a moon or a small planet with warp engines, so that people can travel the universe while living... well, in a place like this. Even looked at the T'Kon for inspiration. But no, eggheads at Starfleet Command were all like, people might be afraid for the safety of their worlds if they can't tell a moon from a space station any more."

"Well." Jessica replied, "It is an interesting idea, Anna. However I can see Command's point of view on this." She said simply before shifting the subject . "I know you could. You are right at home in the outdoors. I that is fantastic."

Anna shook her head laughing. "You should stop believing most of the stories I tell you. It'll be harder to make things up that way."

Jessica 'glared' playfully at Anna. "You made that story up?" She shook her head, her hands on her hips. "I should have known better. You're incorrigible. I will have my revenge." She promised.

"Just making sure you're aware that I'm only half as mad as I sound", Anna said. "Otherwise, one of these days, you might ask me to make you a hat or some such."

"Oh, trust me love, I am aware." Jessica grinned. "And just why would I want you to make me a hat?" She questioned.

"You know the expression 'mad as a hatter'?" Anna asked. "It's from back in the day on Earth, when toxic chemicals were used for pest control, and hatters were often exposed to them during their work, slowly turning them mad over the years as the chemicals accumulated in their nervous systems."

Jessica fixed a frankly disbelieving stare on Anna. She slowly shook her head from side to side. "No, I don't believe that. That sounds like one of your jokes and you aren't going to trick me this time."

"The trick is figuring out which ones are true, and which ones are not", Anna laughed. "I can't make all of them up."

"That is for sure." Jessica agreed. "It will definitely keep me on my toes and mentally sharp....I hope." She grinned at Anna.

"You could always entertain me with stories of your own", Anna suggested. "I like listening to stories, and I use the best ones and twist them into my own fun at the next opportunity."

"Now, that is a distinct possibility Anna and one I like. I'll have do to some research for my stories so I can mix fact with fiction as effortlessly as you do." Jessica answered with a grin.

"Just tell stories about your childhood, or your professional experience... something that sounds believable and relatable", Anna advised. "Make sure you tell the story in a serious tone of voice, so as not to give away it's just a joke, and only reveal the punchline by the end. That way, people will keep paying attention to you and not stop listening halfway through because they've already figured out you're just pulling their leg."

Jessica nodded as Anna gave her advice on how to tell stories and weave fiction, so it sounded like fact. "This is great advice Anna! Thank you so much! Just give me some time to work on a few stories, I can try on you and then you can critique me on how I did."

"Just do me a favour and don't tell anyone else what my big secret is", Anna asked. "I wouldn't want it to get out and spoil my fun."

"Anna, I would never tell anyone your secret. That is between us. Besides, I like hearing you tell the stories and seeing everyone's rapt attention as you do." Jessica replied with a smile.

"Oh come on, now you're just leading me on", Anna poked her in the side, though not hard enough as to risk her dropping the fruit. "So, what's the funniest thing you ever experienced at Starfleet Academy? Keep in mind, I've never been."

"Well." Jessica began, "l one time, as an upper classman, I had to give a speech on security protocols. I was allowed to dress in civilian clothes, so a wore a skirt and a slip underneath and a nice, ruffled blouse and heels. I was stunning!" Jessica giggled as she remembered. I had begun my presentation and was sitting at the desk when I felt my slip fall around my ankles! I tried to kick it off my feet and into a corner but was unsuccessful and now all the under classman are staring at me. So, i reached down and grabbed the slip and waved it over my head and continued my speech as the whole room laughed and clapped."

Anna chuckled. "See, you can do it. Even better if you demonstrate, especially something as juicy as this." She winked. "You wouldn't mind that, would you?"

Jessica smiled, "Thanks Anna. I have to admit, it was fun." Then she stopped and questioned Anna, "Demonstrate? Demonstrate how Anna? Wave my slip over my head?"

"Of course", Anna said. "If you can, tell the story by acting out parts of it, like this." Anna made the motion of waving a slip over her head. She looked up and stopped. "Well, you'll have to imagine the slip. Just do the motion if you haven't got one handy, like I do."

Jessica nodded, "Yes, I see what you mean. The demonstration embellishes the story. Makes it even better. Thanks, love, for the suggestion."

Anna shook her head in amusement, wondering whether Jessica had even understood what she was referring to. Or she had been looking up during the tree climb, and it wasn't news to her? "See, there is method to my madness."

"That I never doubted. Sometimes I'm just not sure what it is though." Jessica admitted, "But I know there is something to whatever you say."

"Except when I'm just hungry", Anna said, eating the next fruit. "Then it's pure instinct."

"I wish I could eat like you do. If I did, I'd weigh 300 pounds and look like a beached whale." Jessica replied as she watched Anna eat.

"As long as you needn't be hungry, you're good. I'm often hungry. If I don't eat, I'm not comfortable", Anna replied. "I wouldn't eat this much if my metabolism didn't require it. Plus, I'm one of the first ones to go if they have to ration food supplies."

A scowl appeared on Jessica's face. "Don't talk like that Anna. I don't want to hear that kind of talk. You are a doctor, a damn good one. They will want you around. Besides if food does get rationed, You can have some of mine."

"Or I'll eat all the leaves and roots in the arboretum", Anna said. "Provided the Sunfire has one. I don't know, does she?"

"An arboretum? I don't know." Jessica answered honestly. "I never even thought about it. Stupid I guess but you weren't on board and i didn't have a reason to check. Now, I do."

"We'll figure it out when we get back", Anna said. As they reached the top of the hill, Anna put her rucksack down. Time for a break, and the view from the hilltop was great. "Though,l I can't deny that part of me wants to go back to civilian work, on a planet like this one."

"It is nice." Jessica admitted. She looked over at Anna, "Would you be upset if I came with you if you ever decide you want to go back to this? You know be your own personal bodyguard."

"I don't need a bodyguard", Anna said. "But no, I would not be upset at all."

Jessica sighed, Anna had missed the point of the question. Jessica wasn't coming to be her bodyguard, she was coming to be with Anna because she loved her. She smiled at Anna "Good." she said simply.

"Reminds me", Anna said, sitting down on a rock. "I was wondering if you could teach me some avoidance techniques? While I can regenerate, I'd much rather not have to."

"Sure thing Anna. I can show you when we get back to the ship on the holodeck." Jessica replied.

Anna took Jessica's hand and pulled her down onto her lap. "Or you could show me while we're down here, turn it into a fun little dance."

Sitting on Anna's lap, Jessica stared at her, "You want me to do a fun little avoidance dance down here?" Her voice perfectly level and controlled.

"Yeah, I mean, why not?" Anna asked. "It's not like we'll need a holodeck for it, do we?"

"I just wanted to make sure that's all Anna." Jessica said as she stood up and moved several feet away from Anna and near a group of trees, "Okay here we go," with that she started to sing and move from tree to tree, ducking behind and peeking out like she was avoiding someone, Her song went as follows.

"You jump to the left and then to the right.
Make sure you stay out of sight.
Crouch real low, don't stand tall, you might fall
You're doing the avoidance dance.

Creep around nice and easy all while trying
not to look sleazy.
Blend in with your surroundings
Look like tree or maybe a bush with your arms flung wide

Just make sure you're watching the bad guys
Cause you're doing the avoidance dance."

She finished as she jumped in front of Anna, "Well, what do you think?"

Anna was laughing so hard she had a hard time answering the question. "I think I'm rubbing off on you", she finally said. "Not what I had in mind at all, but technically exactly what I asked for."

Jessica absolutely beamed at Anna's statement. "Thank you, Anna, that means the world to me and yes you are rubbing off on me, you're getting me to relax and unwind. It's a new experience and I like it."

"You've never relaxed on leave before?" Anna wondered. That was hard to believe. But then, she knew what kind of drive and attention to detail, what nigh-perfectionism it took to be accepted at Starfleet Academy. No wonder she'd never have been brought into Starfleet herself if it hadn't been for the personnel shortages caused by the bloody war. "You've just always been a high achiever, right?"

"Well, I've relaxed sure Anna but not like this so completely. It's liberating, just to have fun and not worry about what others might say or think. Of course, the company helps as well and You are the perfect company, getting me to unwind and just go with the moment." Jessica answered with a grin. "And yes, I've always been a high achiever. Always reaching for the top. I didn't know any other way."

"So you want my help to unlearn competitiveness?" Anna teased. "I've never enjoyed competing with anyone for anything. Only ever done that if there was no other way."

"Well, no not exactly, I want to be less competitive Anna. I mean, sitting down to smell the flowers and the enjoy the day is great but so is having goals. I guess what I'm saying is I'd like you to help me find a balance." Jessica answered.

"Easy", Anna said. "Have goals that aren't at the expense of anyone else, and there's no need for competition." She smiled at her. "Find a way for everyone involved to gain from it."

Jessica sat and listened as Anna spoke and gave her advice. After Anna had finished Jessica sat quietly for a moment before she answered, "I can do that.... I think. It will take some time getting use to no competition, but I can do this."

"It does involve the willingness to share, though", Anna cautioned. "Means you can't have most things just for yourself."

"I can do that Anna. I just will have to work on it... a lot." Jessica answered.

"How can I make it easier?" Anna asked. "Shall we see if you're willing to share the bed tonight?"

"I would say, that is an excellent way to find out Anna." Jessica replied with a smile and a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Yes an excellent way." She repeated.

"Good. We'll make you comfortable with this after all", Anna laughed, pulling her in and kissing her.

Jessica returned the kiss happily, her arms coming around Anna in a warm hug. "I'm sure you will Anna. In fact I know you will."