[NVC Day 27] -- [Open Office] -- [Open to All]

[kirktastic]

With the sentencing over, the Enterprise would soon be leaving Sha'Kwai and returning to its original mission. By this point, Jim was ready for it. He wanted off the planet, his wanderlust getting the better of it. It was the longest stretch of time he had spent in once place minus his years at the Academy - always moving, always traveling, wanting

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[lt_paula]

What with one thing and another, Paula hadn't seen Jim or Leonard since she'd snuck out of their quarters that morning nearly two weeks ago. She wasn't particularly worried that seeing either of them would be too awkward, so when she received Jim's message she decided to stop by.

The door was open when she arrived, and she could see Jim sitting out on the deck.

"Hello," Paula called out.

[kirktastic]

He recognized that voice immediately. Jim turned in his seat and gave her a smile. Paula was beautiful, damn. ...She had particularly nice-- BUSINESS, JAMES.

He gestured for her to come over. "Paula. Have a seat. Want a drink?" He indicated the pitcher beside him.

[lt_paula]

She returned the smile, sinking into the chair across from him. Luckily she was wearing sunglasses, so hopefully it wasn't too obvious that her gaze lingered on his mouth, or his hand gesturing toward the pitcher. And if her face was a tiny bit pink, it could be chalked up to the sun.

"Yes, please," Paula replied, leaning forward to pour herself a glass. "Thanks again for the flowers. They were beautiful," she continued as she sat back comfortably.

[kirktastic]

He hoped they were, as Bones picked them out. Bones was... more gentlemanly than him in that area. "Glad you liked them. So, what brings you here?" How awkward was this going to get?

[lt_paula]

"Curiosity, for the most part," she replied, pausing to sip her drink. "I was wondering if Starfleet had forwarded my file yet."

She had received her new course work earlier in the week, and judging by the fact that it hadn't been forwarded through the Defiant's science department, she assumed her transfer was complete, or soon would be.

[kirktastic]

"Yea, got it a few days ago. Actually, I was hoping you could get a chance to meet Spock today. He's our head of the science department, and my first officer." Jim tugged a PADD from the pile and started typing. "You have a few minutes?"

[lt_paula]

"I'd like that," Paula replied, watching him type the message. "And yes, I'm free. I don't have anything other than studying planned for today, which I've been doing all morning. I definitely don't mind the break," she told him with a grin.

[kirktastic]

"Studying?" Jim asked without looking up from his typing. "What's on your plate studying-wise?" Not that he didn't have something cooking up of his own.

[lt_paula]

"I've been taking some pharmacology courses," Paula said. "I got my new course materials the other day, so I've been going over everything and trying to get a head start on the required reading." She paused, remembering part of their first conversation.

"I think you said you're taking some additional courses, too?" she asked curiously.

[kirktastic]

He would be shameful to admit he was surprised she remembered that about him. It pleased him, making him grin and nod. "Sure am. Actually..." He leaned forward, eyes bright. "I'm trying to learn a new technology."

[lt_paula]

"Really?" Paula asked with interest. She shifted in her chair, tucking one foot under her. "What is it that you're working on?"

[kirktastic]

Jim's grin turned playful. "It's a secret." Oh yes he knew was being a huge tease. "But the other stuff... I've been studying a new culture that they discovered, as well as a new species we're getting on board."

[lt_paula]

"Oh, I see," Paula grinned, falling easily into the teasing rapport they'd established in their first meeting. The second part of his reply caught her attention, though. "A new culture? How interesting." New cultures, new planets to explore... it was part of why she'd joined in the first place.

"And a new species... new to Starfleet in general, or just Enterprise?" She leaned forward a little, absorbed in the conversation.

[kirktastic]

"Both. She's one of the first of her kind to pass through the Academy." Jim was excited about it - Spock was the first Vulcan to do just that as well. "Though evidently a couple have served in other places, just not on a ship."

[cso_spock]

He had been in the nearby shopping district, alone by choice. Spock preferred buying certain items at his own pace and in his own company, and while his fellow Vulcans could be curious (nosy), they weren't so rude as to keep staring after he already acknowledged their presence

[kirktastic]

A small smile towards Spock, and he gestured towards Paula. "Spock, I'd like you to meet Lt. Paula Collins. She's our new transfer into your department, figured you might like to meet her and visa versa." He wouldn't admit that Spock looked... good in the long, simple deep blue robes he was wearing. It made him look more alien, more... Vulcan.