When the Moment Comes

Posted on Fri Apr 10th, 2026 @ 8:50am by Ensign Raven DeVine & Lieutenant Commander Christine J'Oh & Lieutenant Liana J'Oh

Mission: A New Day at Midnight
Location: Deck 5 - Pandora's Box

ON:

Lt. Commander Christine J'Oh - as usual - had her gaze firmly held into a PADD as the turbo lift doors opened and waited for her to leave. Christine was busy scrolling through an Operations report, unaware that the lift had come to a stop and opened. Sick of the human presence that remained inside and likely being called to another deck, the computer sent a friendly reminder chime through the cabin.

"You have arrived at your destination." The computer spoke plainly and evenly.

"Huh?" Christine distractedly hummed as her eyes remained held to the PADD like they were transfixed, not moving anywhere.

"Girl, get off the damn lift." Came Liana's voice.

Her wife was standing in front of her in the corridor, arms folded with a bemused and slightly annoyed look on her face. It was how Liana usually liked to look at Christine when she was too hyper focused to notice what was going on around her. Christine gave a slightly surprised "Oh" before stuffing the PADD in her pocket and finally stepping out of the lift.

"Sometimes, my love, you need a gentle nudge to get you out of your head."

Christine gave a knowing nod as she embraced her partner. "I know." She sighed, "But there's just so much going on today with the launch and the new mission. I want to get everything right."

"Everything is right." Liana said gently, placing her arm around the small of Christine's back. "The launch went perfectly, every deck is reporting status ready, mission preparation is under control. Believe me, I know. It is my job to know."

Christine leaned into her and smiled, "And you've done amazingly, my sweet. I'm nervous."

"Of course you are." Liana nodded gently, staring into her wife's dark eyes, a smile on her lips. She leant in and gave her a soft, gentle kiss. "But you also need to eat."

Liana had made sure to use her position as Chief of Operations to schedule a time in the Executive Officer's day for lunch, knowing her wife all too well that otherwise she would have likely worked right through it. Christine could power through an entire day without stopping, done marathon back to back Bridge shifts, survive on barely a whisper of a protein bar that looked and tasted like reimagined cardboard from the "rations" section of the replicator; all in the name of nerves and perfectionism. Liana meanwhile needed a scheduled coffee and a proper three meals throughout the day or she would become a nightmare not even the Borg would want to assimilate.

With today being their first as serving officers on the USS Pandora, and especially with Christine's first day as Executive Officer, Liana had not left it up to her wife to nourish herself. It was her constant side-project to keep Christine fed and functioning.

"I would have gotten something." Christine vaguely protested, but her tone revealed the truth. The replicated ration bars was in her "Favourites" tab on the Replicator for a reason.

"Well now you definitely are." Liana said pointedly, in order to end the argument, "And I wanted to check out this Recreation Deck, so two birds and all that."

The couple turned and walked into the main street of the Recreation Deck. Unlike most Starfleet vessels, the Pandora had received an expanded, station-like promenade level that featured restaurants, cafes, and amusement areas to entertain the crew during long missions. It had proven through studies that to have a non-Starfleet like area, where officers could really switch off from their duties and relax in an environment that appeared more akin to a civilian city street, improved morale, reduced fatigue, increased crew adhesion, and improved crew retention. The Pandora's Recreation Deck was revolutionary when it launched with the ship nine years ago; everyone heard rumours of giant Christmas parties in the Luna Eclipse, restaurant-like meals in Pandora's Box, epic nights in Mindo's bar; it had been a source of jealousy from other ships that they began to replicate the area on newer ships.

On the refurbished Pandora, the strip had become a sexy, sleek boulevard. The lighting had been toned down with more black, glossy metal on the floors and walls, mimicking the changes made throughout the rest of the ship. The shops had been changed to smaller eateries and a new cafe, with expanded holodecks, Play Centre, gym, a school for the children of serving officers, and a so-far unused space that had "Coming soon" written on the entrance windows. The Deck was busy with officers experiencing it for the first time or coming back to the Pandora after her long absence.

"It looks like a station promenade. Or New York at night." Christine remarked as they walked, having to pause to let some faster paced officers move around them. "Busy, too."

"Yeah," Liana remarked slowly. Her nostrils filled with the scent of roasted beans. Real coffee beans. Ground and warmed in a real cafe. "Oh. Look!" She pointed ahead to the Crescent Cafe, where a small crowd had gathered to wait. "Real coffee."

"Ooh and it looks like they do food, too." Christine smiled, "I think I see pancakes."

Liana smiled giddily, "I think we have our new breakfast haunt."

Christine nodded, "Not everyday though." She said with a slight tinge of seriousness to her voice. "Or we'll need to start hitting that gym more often."

Liana laughed a little, both because it was absolutely true and because it was the most Christine-esque response she could have said. Of course there could be no indulge without consequence; it's what made her so disciplined and routine. Liana loved that about her. "A special treat then?" Liana asked.

"How about weekly?" Christine raised her eyebrows, she always had wiggle room for Liana.

"Deal." Liana smiled, taking her wife's hand and shaking it firmly. "For now, lunch?"

"Yes please." Christine breathed out, willing to admit that she was now feeling very hungry. Perhaps imbued by all the wonderful smells wafting through the corridor.

Not long later, the couple made their way into the Pandora's Box. The restaurant was the main mess hall of the ship; but it was designed like a modern, artistic fine dining experience instead. Elevating the boring, functional role of meal times on a Starfleet vessel into something a little more human and sociable. Of course, Officers could sit in their quarters and use replicators if they wanted something simple and easy during their off-duty time. But if they wanted to feel like people and not robots, they came to Pandora's Box.

As senior officers, Liana and Christine were shown to a private booth in the far corner of the restaurant. Christine had tried insisting that it wasn't necessary but the service office insisted, knowing that they would likely get interrupted otherwise.

"I don't mind being interrupted." Christine complained to Liana after they were seated, "It's important that we are approachable and available."

As Liana slid into their chair and re-arranged the fork to be on her left instead of the right, she shrugged a little. "It's okay to have off-duty time when you are off-duty." She said firmly.

"I don't want to be..." She shook her head, searching for the right word, "Elitist?"

"You're not. Stop worrying." Liana said firmly, fixing a stern eye to her wife to stop her from spiralling into a tunnel of self-doubt. "Did you see how many people were happy to see you just eating here?"

"No." Christine frowned, as she looked around the rest of the restaurant floor. "Did they?"

"Yes." Liana smiled, "They were looking and smiling. I hear Captain Temple likes to dine here often, too."

"Does he? Of course he does." Christine corrected herself halfway through her sentence. "He would completely do that."

"And now you are, too." Liana shrugged. "Why do you think I booked the table?"

Christine felt the warmth wash over her as she looked to her wife. Liana had picked up the menu PADD and was scrolling through the options, but Christine could do nothing else but smile at her.

"They do a lot of authentic dishes made - " Liana started speaking then paused as she realised she was being stared at. "What?"

"I love you." Christine remarked, reaching across the table and placing her hand over Liana's and giving it a squeeze. "Just in case I haven't said that lately."

Liana was always moved by Christine's frank admissions of love, as if it was the first time she had heard the words. She felt her breath catch slightly in her throat, feeling her wife's caring eyes falling upon her face. Liana placed her other hand over Christine's and likewise gave it a squeeze. "I love you, too."

After a tender moment, perpetuated by a growl in Liana's stomach, they agreed to go back to ordering.

"What were you saying?" Christine asked softly, blinking hard.

"They make real dishes here. In a kitchen." Liana remarked, though that was hardly anything to be surprised by. The Recreation Deck was all about giving authentic, real experiences to the crew so of course the main restaurant would cook real food. The ingredients were replicated - Liana knew as Chief of Operations that there was neither the space nor proper food storage facilities to house enough supplies for the whole ship on a long mission. But, those dishes were created for real in a genuine kitchen by a genuine, trained chef. It was all about elevating the experience for the crew.

"Ooh I wonder if they have a lemon pepper salmon dish." Christine said as she scrolled through the dish. "Or if they would make it."

Liana smiled broadly. Those protein bars were now long forgotten.

~~~~~

Sometime later, the couple had ordered and shortly after, received their dishes.

"So I met with the Captain." Christine announced as they were eating. Lemon pepper salmon had been delivered and it was delicious, as expected.

"Oh?" Liana raised her eyebrows, twirling spaghetti onto her fork. "Went well?"

"He's very personable." Christine nodded, "As everyone said he would be. I feel like..." She shrugged, "He won't be micromanaging me."

"That's good." Liana agreed with enthusiasm as she slurped up her meal. She held a hand to her face to cover her mouth while she chewed. Christine used to hate when she spoke with her mouth full but she was used to it now. "You hated when your last Captain basically never let you breathe."

"Very true," Christine replied, "But I did like living in a clear structure. Boundaries, you know?"

Liana smirked, knowingly, "Very much."

"And Captain Temple seems like he's going to expect me to make more of my own decisions." Christine said, "What if I make the wrong ones?"

"You? Never." Liana laughed. "Mrs. Preparation and Consideration."

Christine rolled her eyes, "I know."

"Which is still incredibly cute, by the way." Liana quickly added, "You're not going to be reckless, Chris."

Christine smiled while sighing, taking in her wife's words. "Thank you. I know I won't be. But he did say something about how he's always expecting the unexpected."

"On this ship? Of course." Liana agreed. "We knew that before we came."

"He's just..." Christine paused, trying to find the right words. "More used to it. Does that make sense?"

"Ah." Liana nodded, "I see."

"So what if I make the wrong choice because there's too much unexpected happening or - " She frowned, "Don't make a decision because I'm too paralysed by indecision?"

Seeing the concern on her partner's face, Liana dropped her fork onto her plate and reached over the table, practically forcing Christine to do likewise and intertwining their fingers together. She made Christine hold her gaze.

"You have never done that before." Liana said seriously, "Because you are a super trained, super prepared, instinctual, excellent officer. You will know, when the moment comes, what to do."

Christine allowed a smile to spread across her face but she just silently nodded, warmed by her wife's confidence in her.

"Say it." Liana said firmly. "You are an excellent officer and the right Executive Officer for this ship."

"I am an excellent officer and the right Executive Officer for this ship." Christine said quietly.

"Louder!" Liana implored, laughing.

"No!" Christine giggled. "People will think we're crazy." She looked around to the other faces in the room. "But thank you."

"It's my pleasure." Liana leaned over and they kissed once again. "And my other, secret job."

"Is that so?"

"Ah huh. Spoke to the Captain, too, you know. I am Chief Christine Officer. Even got a title badge made. It's on the database."

Christine devolved into laughter, squeezing her wife's hands tightly. "You're so sweet."

Their peaceful moment was interrupted by the chirp of Christine's comms badge.

=/\= Ensign DeVine to Lieutenant Commander J'Oh. =/\= Came Raven's voice out of the small device.

Christine gave a forlorn smile to Liana. "So much for lunch." She remarked as she hit the badge. =/\= J'Oh Here. =/\=

=/\= When you get a chance, I'd like to meet to discuss Medical's plans for the mission. =/\= Raven replied, trying her hardest to sound serious but impeccably respectful.

=/\= Of course, Ensign. I have worked out a planner for the allocation of crew and resources. =/\= Christine replied warmly, =/\= We can meet in fifteen with Lieutenant J'Oh to discuss in detail. =/\=

=/\= Aye... uh, Ma'am. =/\= Raven replied. There was a slight paused as Raven considered whether calling the XO a "ma'am" or a "sir" was the right appropriate response.

"She sounds nervous." Liana remarked as she tucked back into her meal. Now that there was an unspoken time limit placed on their lunch together, she was keen to finish.

"It's a first for her, too." Christine replied, "I guess she's not the only one feeling the jitters."

Liana leaned back as she scooped up more of the beef sauce into her mouth, swallowing it quickly. "See? You did that fine."

"What do you mean?" Christine asked with a slight tilt of her head.

"You knew what to do." Liana shrugged, "Doesn't matter if it's a big, urgent crisis or something small like that. You know what to do."

Christine smiled, "Message received. Now let's see if we have time for dessert, okay?"

Liana laughed a little, glad to see Christine feeling relaxed. "How about we take Ensign Raven something? Show that we're not some super serious officious bosses. Maybe the computer will know her favourite dish?"

"Good idea." Christine nodded, picking up the PADD.

Liana shrugged, "It's my job." To which, Christine laughed again.

OFF