Permission to Love, Sir?

Posted on 11 Feb 2016 @ 7:37am by Lieutenant Wilhelm Von Haeften & Captain Jonathan Holliday & Petty Officer 1st Class Rebecca Williams
Edited on on 11 Feb 2016 @ 7:45am

3,113 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Episode 10 - Symposium
Location: USS Galileo: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: MD89

[ON]

Brushing her fingers across the shoulders of Wilhelm's uniform, Rebecca felt the nerves building inside of her body as they readied for the meeting that would essentially dictate the future of their relationship. "Remember...Holiday respects people being upfront with him, not beating around the bush and getting straight to the point….Oh hell...who am I kidding…”

Stepping back, Rebecca pulled her hands down over her face as she tried to steady herself, having never felt this nervous in her life. “Why do we have to do this? I mean what’s the chances of the crew finding out? Why not just continue as we are and to hell with rules and regulations and other people…”

Wilhelm Von Haeften looked around to see if there was anyone in the corridor. Seeing none, he reached out with his hands and placed them on his lover’s face.

“Darling, it’s going to be ok. I’ll be ok. Holiday is a hard-nosed Skipper, but he’s also a by-the-book kind of guy; so long as I stick to the script I rehearsed at least three times last night and with your always lovely self as inspiration, I’ll be alright. We will be alright.” he said.

Rebecca saw the look and felt the grip around her heart when she realised that this would always be an issue between them unless they got it sorted. They would spend their lives looking over their shoulder, tip toeing around in fear that someone would stumble across them both and that retributions would result in hiding a relationship that went against the rules and regulations they had signed when joining Starfleet.

Closing her eyes, the woman rested her head against Wilhelm’s forehead as she forced herself to take a breath and try to somewhat relax. “Sorry...I know he’s your boss as well as mine but I work with him day in and day out...once this is over I still have to be able to look him in the eye everyday and go about our daily tasks.”

“I trust the Skipper sweetie. He’s a professional, and he’s not vindictive. We break no regulations so long as I do not directly rate you. The most that will happen is that maybe some people will talk, and maybe I’ll be the envy of every man aboard ship.” Wil joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Nuzzling in against Wilhelm’s hands, Rebecca finally opened her eyes as a smile crossed her lips. “I’m not sure about that...I may have signed your death warrant with every man on the ship being jealous that you were the one who finally caught a firm grasp of me and have tied me down for good.”

Wilhelm harrumphed. “I countersigned it love. Every time I kiss you, I renew the lease on that warrant.” he smiled at the lady.

Hearing the turbolift door open behind her lover, the yeoman quickly stepped back as she nodded to the officer who exited. “We had better not keep the Captain waiting any longer Sir...he’s already in a bad enough mood as it is.”

“Right...uh...Petty Officer.” Wil said, loud enough for the officer who passed them to hear.

As they got in the turbolift to go the bridge, Wil noticed they were alone in it. Before it got to their destination, Von Haeften reached out with his hand and gave Rebecca’s a squeeze of reassurance.

Rebecca had become lost in her own thoughts, she didn't know why she was worried; they hadn’t done anything wrong. You could not control who you fell for in your life and that’s what had happened here...a woman who had swore off monogamy for life had met a man to whom she couldn’t say no to.Unfortunately that man also happened to be an officer.

Smiling weakly as she felt Wilhelm’s touch, she rationalised that Holiday was a fair man. He would hear them out and make judgement on if he would bend rules or not. It was the outcome that worried her the most, yes he was fair but he also stood firm on policies and procedures, he was strictly a by the book man.

Even as the turbolift doors opened onto a scene she saw many a day, the bridge crew rambling about with their day's work, the yeoman struggled to take a step forward. “No matter what...we’ll make this work. Right?”

“On my word as an officer and gentleman my dear, I will do everything I can to make it so.” Wil replied, the twinkle in his eye speaking of unspoken affection.

Still taking a moment more, finally urged on by the turolift alarm as it needed to move elsewhere, Rebecca took the lead as she squared her shoulders and moved across to the Captain’s ready room. She had an overriding code to the room as the Captain’s personal yeoman, but felt it more proper to chime the bell and await entry.

"Come!" Holliday replied, the doors parting automatically now that John had been able to alter the settings on the entry protocol. It seemed that people were darkening his doorway so much at the moment it made more sense to eliminate the delay whilst he waited for either his guest or himself to tag the door release key.

As the room opened up, Holliday could be found stood looking out the window at the Jovian atmosphere below. Jupiter station was high above the clouds, but still close enough that it felt like he could touch them.

"Lieutenant. Petty Officer. An unusual combination to see appearing before me? Something I can do for you?"

Rebecca looked over at Wil before looking back at Holiday. The thought crossed her mind that something didn't seem quite right with her Boss...she couldn't put her finger on it precisely but now wasn't the time to try and see if she could figure it out.

"Sir...Captain Holiday? Would you have a moment? We need to talk with you." The nerves were evident in her face and the very slight stammer in her voice as the yeoman spoke her words.

For Wilhelm's part, he decided to simply stay at attention, observing total protocol and allowing the Skipper to dictate whether or not he should take it down a notch.

"I suppose that can be done. What exactly did you want to discuss? And stand at ease Lieutenant - before you strain something."

Holliday replied, raising an eyebrow before folding his hands behind his back and heading for his desk.

"Yessir." Von Haeften replied obediantly before relaxing...slightly.

When Holiday's back was to them, Wilhelm reached out quickly and squeezed Rebecca's hand lightly for reassurance. As quickly as he had grabbed it, he released it when Holiday began to turn around.

The CSO approached the Skipper's desk and stood at parade rest, his hands behind his back, his legs shoulder-width apart, his knees locked tightly. It wasn't quite attention, but wasn't precisely a relaxed position either.

Wilhelm took a deep breath before continuing.

"Sir, persuant to Starfleet regulation SR 320-1, I am hereby required to inform you that I wish to pursue a romantic relationship with a crewmate aboard this ship..." the German said, his nerves and his accent making him spout the words at a machinegun's pace. He handed the Skipper a PADD with said regulation highlighted for ease of reference.

"According to aforementioned regulation, such relationships are permissible under the following circumstances: One, the two personnel involved do not have a relationship that requires one to rate the other's conduct reports. Two, such relationship does not conflict with duty performance. Three, such relationship cannot be construed as going against the good order and discipline of the unit. Four, the commanding officer grants permission for said relationship, assuming criteria one through three are met." He said, finally taking a breath.

"Skipper, I am formally requesting your consent to pursue a relationship to satisfy criteria number four."

Holliday wasn't sure whether or not he should be getting the man a stiff drink, a medic, or a sedative - in fact all three might have been a sensible move at this time.

"And breathe Lieutenant." Holliday replied, conscious that the man had probably used up the bulk of the oxygen in the room to make that sentence come out in one fell swoop.

"That was possibly the most formal request I have ever received during my time as a Commanding Officer. Congratulations."

"Uh...yes sir." Wil said, figuring it a safe answer.

Rebeccca couldn't help but smile as she tried to hide it behind a cough. She had known Wil was nervous but she had taken for granted just how much. She also hadn't realised just quite how well versed he was in Starfleet regulation and how read up he had been.

"You are correct in quoting the regulations - extra points for the PADD by the way. My main concern is that my Yeoman has yet to say a word - I'd appreciate your thoughts on the matter Petty Officer?"

Holliday wagged the PADD in the direction of the Lieutenant to show his appreciation before turning to his Yeoman. It was not like her to be so quiet - certainly in their usual work sessions he usually found she was never short on conversation material.

Rebecca had remained calm, just watching the two men converse between the two. She wasn't sure why but she felt alot calmer than she had earlier. Wil had clearly throughly put his argument together and researched it extensively to ensure that he had all of the facts he would need to hand. She wasn't certain yet if Holiday had put two and two together to realise that she was the woman whom Wilhelm spoke of but the Captain was remaining alot calmer than she would have expected.

"My thoughts Sir? Well....Wil...Lieutenant Von Haeften has put together a strong case on why this should be allowed and that no rules have been breeched. My sole concern would be that the person in question has no relation to the Lieutenant's department. Even should the person have no direct contact with the man, as a department head the Lieutenant has a responcibility to each person under him and an inter-departmental relationship could inadverently cause damage through the ranks. The same would go that the person involved would not be a superior to the Lieutenant as the same reasoning could apply."

"I know the Lieutenant is referring to you Petty Officer." John replied with a wry smile and a serruptitious look in his eye.

"I may still have a few things to learn about our Admiral but I have spent enough time with you to know when you are deviating from the truth. You don't need to keep up this third person charade."

Holliday was truthful in his words. He might not have been the master of body language on some things, but people trying to deceive him, no matter how slight, was something he was keenly aware of. Of course he could understand why two of his crew would try to distance themselves from the subject matter, but it was unnecessary in this instance.

"As I say...my concern is for the efficiency of my crew...if this relationship is likely to have a professional impact I want it taken care of immediately. No questions asked."

Rebecca felt herself wince as she listened to Holiday speak, she had been intentional in not mentioning herself; he had just asked her opinion. Figuring that perhaps she'd put her foot in it enough, she left it to Wilhelm to reply.

"Sir, do not blame Re...the Yeoman; I put her up to the charade sir, it was I who coached her to say those things. If someone needs to be blamed or punished for that, it is I." the German lied, trying to protect the woman he cared for.

"As for your concern sir, I respectfully tell you it is unfounded. I care for Ms. Williams, and assure you my intentions are honorable. I do not have any professional responsibilites towards her aside from ensuring that she receives the necessary reports for my department. If you grant us your kind permission, I give my word as an officer and gentleman that we shall be discreet with our relationship. We are not teenagers, sir, we won't get into any uh...'antics'....sir." the CSO stated, having to force himself not to snap to attention, where he felt mildy more safer than just standing there before the Old Man.

Holliday cleared his throat. The Lieutenant was clearly an honourable man, and appeared to be speaking honestly from what the Captain could tell. From that he could see no reason why he should interject, even if personally he could never see himself pursuing a romance, ship-board or otherwise.

"Lieutenant, Petty Officer, as you so delightfully put it, persuant to Starfleet regulations I hereby grant permission for you to pursue a relationship as long as it does not, in any way, affect ship activity. Will that suffice?"

Rebecca bit down on her lip to prevent herself putting Wilhelm in his place. She knew the lie he spoke as she very well knew that Holiday did too. Coached her? Holiday knew her better than that to know she spoke her own mind.

At the same time relief flooded her body as soon as she heard him say the words that they'd wanted to hear. Herself and Wilhelm could be together without interference from rules and regs or superiors. They wouldn't have to creep around as if what they were doing was something to be hidden and ashamed of. They could...they could be a couple.

The thought caused her face to blanch as little as reality hit her square in the chest. She was in a relationship...Wilhelm was her boyfriend, her partner, her significant other...she was in a committed relationship with just him.

Feeling slightly queasy, she looked between the man who still stood rigid and her boss, "Thank you Sir..."

Wilhelm couldn't help but smile as he came to an attention that would have made the guards at the Memorial Tomb on Earth look like rank amateurs.

"Thank you sir." the German saluted crisply. "By your leave Skipper."

"Dismissed." Holliday replied, without another word.

Von Haeften and Williams walked briskly out of the room, to the turbolift.

"Deck Four." Wil ordered. The lift reached their destination swiftly, and the newly minted couple walked at a quick pace to Wil's quarters. As soon as the doors had closed, Von Haeften pulled Rebecca, now officially his girlfriend to him for a kiss.

Rebecca had just followed Wil in an almost complete daze, even in the turbolift she hasn't managed many words as her hand reached out to take his and hold it tight.

As he lead them both to his quarters the feel of his lips against hers was an almost wake up call. This was really happening...what was between them was real.

Pressing her lips hard against his, Rebecca kissed him hard and fast in an almost attack as her arms went around his waist and pulled him close.

"God you are wonderful." the German said after finally breaking their kiss. "When do you get off shift? I would like to celebrate together, say...dinner and dancing on the holodeck?" the German inquired.

Rebecca fond herself breathing hard as she restrained herself from lunging back at Wilhelm. Their kisses were intoxicating and she wanted more...she wanted it now.

As comprehention dawned on her, the yeoman realised that she had completely forgotten that technically she was still on duty...that was a fantastic way in which to show Holiday that his trust in them with this relationship was founded.

Rubbing her hand across her eyes, Rebecca's vision moving to the chrono she was coming to know so well. Being back on the beta shift meant that she wouldn't be finished until midnight tonight and even then it could be later depending on what the shift threw at her. There was also a senior staff briefing schedualled for the morning which she was on standby for.

Pushing her fingers against her hair, Rebecca felt some of the pins of her bun shift but ignored them as she'd sort them later. She just needed a little bit of breathing space to juggle her scheduals and (if she was honest with herself) to sort out her own head because this was becoming so real. "What about tomorrow evening? I'm back on alpha shift tomorrow because of the briefings but due to us still being on shore leave I can rangle it so as I can get off my usual beta early. It'll take some managing but it should be doable. It's a good thing I've still so much leave to use up...."

Wilhelm Von Haeften, Chief Science Officer of the USS Galileo, and, more importantly to him at the moment, the boyfriend of Rebecca Williams, smiled and kissed his love once again.

"I have waited thirty years for a woman such as you. I can manage another day my sweet." the German said, touching his forehead to Rebecca's.

As she tasted Wilhelm's soft lips, his scent surrounded her as the woman moved her arms back around his waist. It was these times that she had no doubts, when he held her close and they fit so perfectly...almost as if they'd been created originally as one piece...it was only when she'd time to think that she felt so overwhelmed. It's all been so fast...so against what she'd always believed that she wanted in life.

The woman bit back a whimper as the contact between their lips severed. She kept her eyes closed just a few moments more as their foreheads touched. His words hit a chord in her chest as Rebecca found herself fighting back tears once more. Was he the man she'd spent her life waiting for, participating in dalliances as she knew that eventually the one who would capture her heart would appear?

Opening her eyes, she looked into the warm depths of Wilhelm's orbs as she wondered...had she finally found the man who would show her what love truly was?

[OFF]

CAPT Jonathan Holliday
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo

&

Lieutenant JG Wilhelm Von Haeften
Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

&

Petty Officer 2nd Class Rebecca Williams
Yeoman to the Commanding Officer
USS Galileo

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