Scrambled Eggs - Part II

Posted on Tue Feb 17, 2026 @ 3:19am by Lieutenant JG Brianthe Oaxaca & Lieutenant JG Ace Cannon

1,339 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Chicken Run
Timeline: After the Marine Ball

[PREVIOUSLY[

"If it makes you feel better, she doesn't like you, either." Brianthe couldn't help smiling. "But then, you both know that, so it's a moot point." She paused. "What I would like to know is why you don't want Ensign Cromwell helping out in the arboretum."

[CONTINUED]

"Oh, that's true. Paula and I mutually dislike each other with a certain, what's the word? Vim?" Suddenly the table felt lighter when Bri smiled. "I don't think either of us can figure out what you see in the other. However, I'll mind my distaste for her when we're together. After all, I'd rather enjoy my time with you and not have it sullied by, well.... You know.... So, I'm done with that."

He then shuffled in his chair, leaning on his right side. "I think you may have some misinformation regarding Ensign Cromwell." He stroked the stubble on his chin, trying to determine how best to work his way out of this conundrum. "We were talking about the issues with the station and how something is always breaking down. I mentioned that seemed to be more prevalent in the Arboretum. She immediately wanted to check it out and I told her that I had it under control. Despite that, the Ensign decided that she 'had to check it out.' She's rather defiant, that one. Fiery too. Doesn't help that we had an extended tryst, which I broke off...."

His head bent lower. "So, you see, it really is not as simple as she made it out to be. I'm sorry that you got pulled into that, Bri." There was a heavy, tired, and repentant tone to his voice. "I swear, if I ever found men attractive, I'd be tempted to become gay at this point."

"We--Paula and I--like working with her. She's been very helpful, and she came up with a clever way to monitor all ten decks for intruders. We've asked to have her assigned to the arboretum." Before Ace could argue, Bri continued. "That will free you up for the more important work I'm sure you have on your schedule."

Ace shook his head slowly. Why did it bother him so much that Paula and Bri wanted Tillie and not him? "Why would you say that? What do you think that I do all shift?"

"You do quite a bit. Don't they say operations does a bit of everything? As I said, Ensign Cromwell had an excellent idea for helping us out. And she'll be coming back from time to time to make sure everything is still working well. That doesn't mean you can't visit. We do tend to do most of our own maintenance when we can anyway." She didn't have a problem with him doing repairs. But she did have a problem with his attitude about Paula and Matilda.

"I have people that do much of that for me," Ace answered. "I rather enjoy helping out in the Arboretum." If Ace's eyes could look back at himself, he would wonder what in the world possessed him to say that. "Everyone needs a side project and well, since it helps my friend, I rather make certain that it is being done right."

At that very moment, both of their omelets arrived and were placed before them. The man in the apron smiled at the two of them and said, "Enjoy!" before disappearing back towards the kitchen.

"Thank you," Bri said, before turning her attention to her omelet. It looked perfect, with the cheese practically oozing out the fold. She placed her napkin on her lap and cut a bite.

She closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the blend of flavors. She didn't care what Ace thought of her delight in her food, knowing she probably looked a little silly. It was really good, and she'd definitely come back here another time.

Ace smiled as Bri ate her omelette. There was just something so delightful about the way she enjoyed food when she ate. He had seen this at Guiliani's, as well. He did not touch his food as he probably looked at her for too long. To break the silence, he told her, "That was my first reaction, too, when I found this place. I'm glad that you like it." He then took a bite of his own omelette. He chewed on it while watching Bri. What he did not recognize was a thin shred of cheese hung from the corner of his lips as he chewed.

He was watching her. She could feel it. And it made her a little uncomfortable. Was there something odd in the way she ate? Or did Ace always watch people eat? She really hadn't noticed, and she didn't want to start now. So, she nodded and took a sip of her drink and patted her lips with her napkin before cutting another bite and eating it.

Why is she silent? Ace wondered. She normally was not this quiet. Sure, sometimes her responses could be curt or simple, but silence? Thoughtfully, he took another bite. He chewed, and as he did, the cheese hanging from his lip became evident. He pulled up a napkin and wiped it away, continuing to ponder the problem. Why would Bri go silent? She was much more energetic at Guiliani's. In his experience, women only went silent when they were tired or were angry, though they could be quite shrill when the latter occurred too. So, finally he asked, his eyes growing puppy doggish. "Did I do something to upset you? Are you mad at me? Help me out here. Remember, I'm still newer to the having a female friend thing...."

Bri took a moment to finish her bite of omelet, then wiped her mouth with her napkin before responding. "No, I'm not upset. I'm enjoying my brunch. Not every female feels the need to talk all the time." She paused and smiled. "That is not a criticism. It's a comment. Friends can enjoy being together even if they aren't talking. And a good meal deserves attention."

"I don't understand why more women can't be like you," Ace told Bri simply. "You make sense most of the time. There's no games. You generally say what you mean and mean what you say. I don't even have to pour on the charm." He thought about that for a moment and said, "Then again, I'm not trying to take you to bed. Wouldn't forgive myself for trying that."

"Good. I don't want to sleep with you, either. I prefer you as a friend," she replied and meant it. Yes, he'd tried to flirt with her before, but she found this Ace was someone she would like as a friend--and just a friend.

Ace laughed. "Well, you know my opinion on that subject. You have some seriously deep wounds. I do hope that they get fixed," he told her sincerely. "Regardless, I think having a female friend is rather novel and could be instructive. Heck! Maybe you could even help me with some translations or the way the female mind works. I'm pretty good but there are some mysteries that even *I* can't solve."

Bri widened her eyes in mock surprise, then laughed. "I can try. I do speak female quite well, but there are some dialects I'm not familiar with."

"Perhaps you should tell me which dialects you don't speak?" he suggested. "Tell me, why is it when a guy asks a woman to leave something alone, that she does the complete opposite?"

Bri took another bite of her omelet and chewed while she considered the question. after washing it down with her drink, she answered. "That depends on what you told her not to do and why. The context can be more important than just being told no."

"Why?" Ace asked, completely bewildered.

"Is this about Matilda and the arboretum?" she countered.

(To be continued...)

Lieutenant JG Brianthe Oaxaca
Botanist
Deep Space 5 & Pangaea

Lieutenant JG Ace Cannon
Assistant Chief of Operations
Deep Space 5

 

RSS Feed