Two Thorns and a Rose

Posted on Wed May 22nd, 2019 @ 8:55am by Captain Nathan Bishop & Commander Nathan Hawkins & Civilian Jeyson Zarland
Edited on on Thu Jan 2nd, 2020 @ 5:37pm

2,395 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Atlantis
Location: Ten Forward
Timeline: 2429-12-02, 09:30

The normal gentle hum of chat in the ships lounge lacked it normal volume as the crew contemplated the days events. They'd lost two of their own, nearly the entire ship not to mention the Vulcan colony all in the space of one day.

These were the times you ordered a stiff drink, reflected on your life choices and if your fate remained in the stars or somewhere less dangerous.

For Nathan Hawkins they'd been several steps if given the chance he'd redo again, experience had taught him many things, some good, some not so. The passage of time had bought, him not to mention the grey wisps now appearing at his temples, heartache, joy and sorrow to name a few emotions. His career had taken vast distances across the expanse of space to distant and alien worlds meeting many new and familiar faces along the way.

Those familiar faces were the ones that watched your back, the ones that would everything withing their power for you and since his move to the Enterprise and demotion back down to Commander Hawkins felt more in tune with the crew. No more sitting tucked away in an office pawing over reports and dossiers feeling alienated and out of sorts with those amazing familiar faces.

It was a surprise how much more free time now he had, an unexpected perk of his new role, and the huge benefit of having someone to share that time with. That was in a word priceless, yet, a tiny part of him yearned for something more, a glimmer of his previous position. He was jealous of his friend and former right hand man Bishop who now outranking him. In the big picture it was petty, he was of course very happy for his friend yet, addressing him as sir seemed to stick in his mouth.

"What can I get you Commander?" Jeyson, the bar tender asked interrupted his brooding.

Nathan blinked and came back into focus. He'd agreed to meet Bishop for a drink to catch up since they'd hadn't really had the time since he came board. He was early so took a seat at the bar. He pondered the question unsure: "Surprise me," he shrugged.

The Bolian's brow crinkled even more than normal before he turned away.

Moments later Bishop entered. He was looking forward to this reunion with Hawkins. It was the first time since his coming aboard where they both had free time. He scanned the room looking for his friend when he suddenly spotted him sitting at the bar, a drink in front of him. Circling around to come up behind him, Bishop placed a hand on his shoulder, "Starting without me? I'm disappointed Nathan." He teased as he came to sit next to him. "What are you drinking?" He asked as he peered at the glass and the concoction it held.

His friend laughed good natured at the jibe before turning his attention to the glass the bar keep had knocked up. "To be honest I'm not sure what this is". He inspected the vibrate pink liquid with curiosity. "I asked for a surprise, maybe not the smartest idea of the day."

"That doesn't sound like you." Bishop quipped, motioned the bartender over. "I'll have what my friend is having." As the bartender nodded and moved away, Bishop looked at Hawkins and shrugged his shoulders. "What the hell. In for a penny, in for a pound." Bishop studied his friend. "How have you been Nathan?" The question was more than a polite inquiry. It was from a friend who deeply cared.

"Discounting today's near disaster?" He asked with a sigh before taking a heavy swig from the frosted glass and suppressed a shudder. "No complaints. You?"

Bishop nodded soberly at Hawkins's comment. "Nathan, it was bad but it could have been so much worse. We could have lost the entire colony and everyone aboard the ships in orbit." He pointed out then shrugged his shoulders, "Like you, no complaints." He finished as the bartender returned with a frosted glass full of the pink stuff.

"I know it could have worse," Hawkins twisted his glass. "Still doesn't make me feel any better. How could we have missed the generator under the podium? We should have destroyed the first one instead of bringing it aboard."

"Nor me." Bishop agreed. "It probably wasn't active when the area was scanned." He offered 'As for destroying the first one. We needed to know what it was first. Hindsight is always 20/20. You know that. Beating ourselves up over this isn't going to change a thing." He looked at his glass. "Oh what the hell." He mumbled and downed the contents in one swallow. "Hmm. Not bad not particularly good but it'll do."

Tossing back the remainder of his drink Hawkins grimaced at the taste. "You always had a stronger stomach for the hard stuff," he returned the glass with a smile. "Remember Kor's bachelor party? I don't think I could drink that much ever again, yet you kept going."

Bishop nodded at the happy memory. " I sure do and I really don't understand that. I'm not a drinker by nature." He looked at his friend. "Those were good times Nathan. Happy times." He paused and drew a deep breath, "What happened Nathan? Last time I saw you, you were a Captain. Now your a Commander. What's going on?"

His friend smirked knowing that question would at some point arise. "I was careless." He nodded for the Jeyson to mix him another drink. "Which the ever so cheerful Adar didn't approve. The whole Sphere Project was his pet and no one was going to be let into his inner circle of trust not even the Captain of ship he'd hitched a ride on. I wasn't happy at the way he continued to keep us in the dark, our crew we're at risk because of him. We butt heads a couple of times over that, though, I doubt he actually said any of this after he had me removed."

Bishop searched his memory, "You mean Captain Adar? The Romulan. Hell Nathan, I knew it was his pet project, we all did and he was only going to tell those around him what he wanted them to know which was next to nothing. Then I got transferred out and lost track of the project. Next thing I know I'm recalled to the Enterprise er Starfleet One as it's Executive Officer and who do I see? My good friend Nathan Hawkins who is now Security Chief and a Commander. Nathan, you had to do more than just butt heads with Adar. You didn't punch did you?" Bishop asked his voice lowering even as he asked the question

"I wish I had. No, that's not the reason why," Hawkins continued taking a sip from the second glass of pink stuff. "He pulled out the regs on me after I became, distracted lets say."

"Distracted? Must of been a heck of a distraction. What was it?"

Hawkins chuckled. "What always distracts the warm blooded man? A woman."

"Ah." Bishop replied. He understood perfectly

"She was a junior officer." Nathan threw back his glass without hold Bishop's eye. Retelling the story uncomfortable, retelling it at tribunal was by far the worse.

"Say no more." Bishop offered, giving his friend a way out. He saw the pain on Hawkins's face and he really didn't want to dig up painful memories for his friend.

"Still," Nathan grimaced at the bitter drink thankful Bishop didn't push the topic much more. "I still have the uniform, could have been worse. I think Kor pulled some strings to save my bacon. What about you, how did you end up here?"

Bishop nodded in agreement, "Sounds like something he would do." He motioned for a refill before continuing, "I was on Cestus III, chief of security. Going over upgrades in the defensive grid. You know, minding my own business and laying low but not low enough it seems I got on somebody's radar and here I am." He chuckled as he remembered the shock of being told to report to Starfleet One. "I tell you, I didn't know what to expect. I mean I didn't know and no one would say anything."

"After being put through the ringer I certainly didn't expect to find myself here. Thought my days were numbered, you know." Hawkins smiled. "It's good to see you my friend. Though Cestus III you could have done better, " he chuckled.

"I know all too well." Bishop added with a smile of his own. "It's good to see you as well Nathan. Very good." He laughed at the comment about Cestus III. "Oh, I know. I was out of the spotlight but not off the grid hence I was found and here I am." He looked at his glass and then at the bartender, "What exactly is this?"

"Its a Bermuda Rose, Commander." The Bolian bartender Jeyson explained. "In my research I discovered terrains love for Gin, a strong spirit often mixed with a carbonated drink or fruit juices. This has also a measure of apricot brandy and lime juice. All synthetic of course."

"That explains the bitterness," Hawkins noted before holding out his glass for a refill. " "Its grown on me."

Bishop listened to the Bolian as he explained what was in the drink. "A Bermuda Rose huh? Okay well, let me have another." He looked at Hawkins. "Grows on you? Really? So does mould Nathan." He said with a teasing smile.

"Only if you stand still long enough!" Hawkins chuckled. "I didn't congratulation you on the promotion, First Officer of the Federation's flagship, that will really open doors for you in the future. Just be mindful of Teagarden, he's complicated and will expect you to be able to move heaven and earth for him."

"That's true. I suppose." Bishop chuckled, "Thank you very much Nathan. I appreciate it. This doesn't change anything. We're still friends." He answered sincerely. "I certainly wasn't expecting it." He studied his friend, "Complicated." He repeated. "How so? And don't all Captains want their execs to do the impossible?" He added with a grin.

"Maybe I was the exception," Hawkins acknowledged accepting the refill from Jeyson. "There's something about him I just can't figure out, buckets of rumours including something about a clone our but a few I've heard."

"Listen to me Nathan. You're a Captain. I don't care what your rank is right now, you'll be a Captain again." Bishop answered, then waited a moment before continuing. "Come on, what's got you on edge with the Admiral? Rumours? A clone? Do you believe that?"

"I don't know what to believe," Hawkins responded with sigh. "Kor could never say a bad word about him, and rumours, well their nothing more than just that." He sipped his drink, curling his lips at the extra lime Jeyson must have added. "Call it hunch, I'm sure it's nothing."

"Nathan." Bishop said quietly to his friend, "You've never been one to listen rumours, you're your own man and you make your own mind up. Look. I'll keep my eye on the Admiral but like you I'm sure it's nothing. You know how these things get started and then they take on a life of their own. So quit worrying and lets enjoy ourselves."

"Alright, you're boss." Hawkins smiled over the rim of this glass. "I suppose I'd better tell you that Junior Officer I mention earlier, well, she's Carla Green."

"Oh Nathan, that's just mean." Bishop smiled at his friends comment then nodded as Hawkins revealed the junior officer was Carla Green. Bishop wasn't surprised by the admittance, he had suspected something of the kind when he observed the look the two shared in the briefing given by Admiral Coulson. "And now Nathan? Are you and Carla still involved?" He posed quietly.

"Yes, we are." Hawkins nodded. "That's another reason why sending that thing back up here feels like a terrible mistake. I put her in direct line of danger."

Bishop put a hand on Hawkins' shoulder, "Nathan, you can't think like that, second guessing yourself. You made the right decision. Starfleet One has the scientific equipment to carry out extensive examinations that couldn't be preformed on the ground. I know you don't want any harm to come to Carla but she isn't made of glass. Let her do her job as chief science officer. You can still protect and watch out for her."

"I know," he sighed know Bishop was right reminding himself of those facts were easier said than done. "I thought I'd lost her after the Vigilance incident." He explained softly, "It was worse than the hearing, like my soul had been torn, I felt utterly lost."

Bishop reached out and put a hand on Hawkins's shoulder. "I envy you Nathan. You have a woman you obviously care a great deal about and love. Someone you can talk to and who not only listens but understands what your talking about. I can understand your worrying about her. She is indeed special."

"She is indeed " he nodded. "I just hope she agrees."

"I'm sure Carla knows how much you love her and if that doesn't let her know she is special than there's no hope for her." Bishop said with a smile. He was glad Hawkins and Carla had found each other. The relationship would do them both good.

Hawkins stayed silent for a moment, toying with his glass clearly lost in his own thoughts. Carla and himself had become closer since over recent months, yet neither had voiced their feelings to one another, too afraid to change what they had, or frightened things would turn sour perhaps. Faced with the prospect of death earlier today had bought things into focus and Bishop's words had sealed it. He needed to tell her how he felt before it was too late.

"This has been great," he said at length putting down his glass. "But will you excuse me, there's something I need to do."

Bishop nodded, "It has been great." He agreed then nodded when Hawkins's said there was something he needed to do. "Of course Nathan. Lets make sure we do this again."

"Thanks," he slapped his friend on the shoulder fondly. "I'm sure we're find time in the future."

 

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