Tell Her About It

Posted on Thu Jul 10th, 2025 @ 1:30am by Lieutenant Commander Jason Reeves & Lieutenant H'iri

2,141 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Admiral Ambition and the Borg
Location: XO's Office

OOC: Backpost takes place before The Memorial

Jane Addams was a chaotic ship due to all the refugees, rescues, and running away from Borg. Just trying to categories the MIA, KIA, and casualties was another nightmare. Trying to figure out how to talk with the Federation was a complete nightmare. While forming order from chaos was one of the things she did best, it was exhausting, and it prevented her from meeting anyone.

There was one person that she wanted to talk to in particular: the XO, Jason Reeves. She did not know him but he did know Raz and she wanted to know what his life was like after they had parted. He would know. Therefore, she asked the computer where Commander Reeves was and headed off to meet with him.

Reeves was sitting in his office after finishing up his meeting with the Captain. He was going over some information that he needed to get started with putting together some sort of memorial with Lieutenant H'iri. During their encounter with the Borg, they lost more people than all the time they spent fighting the Cardassians the last few years.

After ringing the chime and being welcomed in, H'iri walked in delicately. "Thank you for allowing me in, Commander. I wanted to take the time to thank you for recommending me for my current position on the ship. I know that you have had little time to evaluate much with everything going on, but I wanted to know how you viewed my performance thus far."

It only been about three days, but overall H'iri was doing well. The concern was clearly with the Captain. Honestly, he had no details of their prior relationship, other than there was something a long time ago. "You're right, there hasn't been much time, but so far you're doing a good job. Can I get you something from the replicator?"

There was a slight purr to her voice as she replied, "Just an herbal tea, if you don't mind." She patiently waited, wondering whether the XO was going to say or ask anything more. She did not want to rush into discussing Raz.

Replicating the herbal tea, he walked over and handed it over to H'iri. By the look on her face, there was clearly more that she had in mind or she didn't like the answer he gave. "Please have a seat and I'm assuming that there is something else on your mind?"

"I seem to be more transparent than I would like to be," H'iri answered. "I've never been a good liar. Though, I have to admit that I was looking forward to some pleasantries and learning more about my new XO before getting into my queries."

A huge grin appeared across his face. "For the record you brought up the inquiry. But I am all up for pleasantries. So how have you been settling in?"

"I suspect that I am settling in as well as anyone can in these trying moments. I try not to think much about what we are up against and try to do my job as well as I can. It keeps away the frightening thoughts," she answered sincerely. "Do you mind telling me about yourself? I should like to get to know you better. As I came on in a crisis, I never really got to become acquainted with you or anyone else for that matter."

"Fair enough," he responded. "I'm a father of two daughters. Kimora eleven and Leila nine. They live with their mother on Mars, until recent events and are now here with my ex-wife, Sakura Meng, I originally arrived here as the Chief Security Officer, until the previous Executive Officer was killed in battle with the Cardassians two years ago. Captain M'Raz saw fit to offer the position to me as the replacement. So outside of your Starfleet record. Tell me a bit about yourself."

H'iri's eyes widened when she heard that the ex-wfie was here with the current wife and kids. "That has to be a bit awkward, having your ex-wife and wife here. No?" She changed the subject to answer the XO's question, "As for me, I'm the first born child and have a younger brother and sister. Raz and I grew up together on Cait. He left for Starfleet about the time that I got married to the governor's son. I was supposed to just be an ornament on his arm but I could not stand doing nothing, so I started doing Samaritan work. I became quite the organizer. However, apparently I did not fit in with my husband's world and eventually we divorced. I joined Starfleet and the rest, I guess is history. Until a few days ago, I had not seen or heard of Raz in 17 years. It was a bit of a double shock, if you would."

Jason couldn't help but laugh at the confusion. "Actually, I have no wife currently. Sakura is the ex-wife and the mother of my children. Currently we reside in the same quarters, which is indeed awkward. As for the double shock, I noticed."

"I can only assume that situations like both of ours will become more common with everything going on with the Borg...." H'iri's voice drifted off as she thought about the unpleasantness of having barely avoided them and how many had been lost to them.

"So how are you handling your situation? " the Commander inquired. "Separating duty and the personal can't be easy. Also, not really sure if you planned on making this posting permanent. Everything was thrown together based on convenience."

"You've obviously known Raz for awhile. One thing that is bred into we Caitians is that family/clan is everything. You have accepted me here, so I will do whatever is necessary for this ship. I do not know what the future holds, especially now. So, I am not looking to jump ship. But, now that you bring the subject up, I would like to know about Raz as he has become. When I last knew him, well, we were both back on Cait and he was considered by many to be an ill omen. I would like to know more about who he became when he left, if it is not too much trouble...."

Raising an eyebrow, Reeves was clearly disturbed at the term 'ill omen'. Raz was far from whatever his people thought about him. "I'm not one to put his personal business out there. Whatever you want to know you'll have to ask him yourself. But as far as who he is, he is one of the most determined and caring individuals I know. He cares about this crew, even though at times he can be a little grumpy. Not really sure what you all put him through. But the man is a success. If he chooses, the man will make Admiral one day."

"In other words, he became the Caitian that I always thought he would." She sighed dreamily and then her posture slumped. "Stupid superstitions," she muttered in a low, angry growl.

"Superstitions that you must have seriously believed in," Jason responded. "Listen I don't much about your people's superstitions or way of life, but Raz is one of the best people I know period. Whatever he was subjected to on your world, he found success in Starfleet, So, as his First Officer, I must ask what are your intentions regarding my Captain."

"Why would you think that I believed in such nonsense?" H'iri asked, her voice starting out shocked and moving into a soft, aggressive growl. "I stood by Raz for years while others refused to see anything but his white fur. My parents didn't want me with him. Nobody did. I didn't care. So, let's just get that clear, straightaway, shall we?"

"So, what ended the relationship?" he inquired,

H'iri wrinkled her nose sideways. She had not said that she had a relationship with Raz but her outburst must have alerted Reeves to it. "My parents. I apparently was obligated to marry upwards and not be seen with someone of Raz' standing."

"So, you opted to go along with your parents and silly superstition? Just coming to the conclusion since you and Raz were never married."

"It was not a choice that I had any say in. You obviously do not understand Caitian culture well," she told Reeves, her eyes glassy and her voice full of unspoken pain.

"Please help me to understand," the Commander requested.

"Caitian society is very hierarchal and clan based. I was born into a fairly prominent family. White Caitians are practically unheard of and as I explained earlier, are perceived as unlucky, ill omens, and bad luck. The only one that I knew of historically was jailed. My job was to learn and find a way to marry upwards and improve the family standing. After all, my father was a judge and my mother was a local artisan of some repute. Because my job was to marry better, I had to be well educated to be able to keep whatever male I ended up with happy. My parents never forced anyone on me. Well, not until I bumped into Raz. The rest you gathered. We dated and you can figure out the rest. When my parents learned of it, I had a husband thrust upon me and I was a kept Cait. But Raz was lost to me." Her voice faded as she ended her explanation, and her eyes were downcast.

Jason thought about everything that was just explained to him. No wonder Raz seemed to have a little bit of a chip on his shoulders at times. He was born into a world of judgement. And honestly, he was better than most of those on his world. "And you chose to the husband thrust on you why?"

"Duty," she replied simply, yet mournfully.

"Even though that was based around silly superstition as you call it?" Reeves spoke. "Lieutenant, I don't want you to take what I am saying as judgement. But it sounds like you were a part of what you deem to be a problem."

"Caits do not defy their parents easily, Commander Reeves. You do not seem to understand the consequences of such a defiance and at 19, few are prepared for that."

"Consequences?"

"Ostracization for one. Clans and family are everything to Caitians."

"The Captain after dealing with a lifetime of that left and built something for himself here in Starfleet. What is it that you want overall, now that fate has allowed for you two to cross paths again?"

"Want?" H'iri asked confused. "I wanted to know who he became, what he has been doing, and to get to know you. Doesn't a girl have a right to be curious?"

An old quote on how curiosity killed the cat popped in his head. But Jason opted not to go there. "There is nothing wrong with being curious. Just had a sense that perhaps you wanted more from him. But I could be wrong."

"I think that I am fortunate that he is no longer angry with me."

"Yeah, nobody wants to get on his bad side," Reeves replied as he burst out laughing. "I've seen his temper when he really gets upset."

"How bad was it?" H'iri asked timidly. She knew how much he yelled at her in their first private meeting and it had upset her greatly.

"The guy screwed up badly and admittedly I tore into him as well. But that's a tale for another time."

"I see," H'iri answered softly and thoughtfully. "You have been most gracious with your time and I appreciate you giving me some more insight into Raz after all of these years. Is there anything further that I could be of assistance to you?"

"Yeah, we need to come up with something for the memorial," the Commander answered. "It's short notice, but we need something to help the crew grieve."

"I will come up with something. I don't know what yet, but I'll sort it out. Perhaps a plaque would be a start...."

Jason nodded in approval. "A plaque is a good idea. Perhaps set up a nice area around there."

"I'll see what I can do. I spent many years on Cait organizing things before coming to Starfleet. This should not be much different."

"Do you need anything from me?"

"When I do, I will come to you. I'm not shy about getting things done."

"Regardless of some of my questions," Jason spoke. "I do appreciate you being here. These are stressful times and I'm just trying to ensure that nothing else stressful arises."

"I appreciate that, Commander. I certainly have no desire to cause that."

=================
Lt. Commander Jason Reeves
Executive Officer
USS Jane Addams

Lieutenant H'iri
Chief Operations Officer
USS Jane Addams

 

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