The Chance Encounter
Posted on January 24th, 2005 by Adam Drake

Special Guest Writer:
Angelika Rose as Ensign Morgan Andrews

The shift hadn’t seemed as long as it was. For the first time in a long time – as far back as he could remember – Adam didn’t have much to do during his shift in Engineering. The warp core was humming like the purr of a cat, the diagnostics hadn’t yielded anything that he didn’t know already, and the people were generally content with running the standard procedures and watching the typical readouts. It was like she was freshly launched from dry dock again.

His crew scattered once the shift ended. Adam found himself walking alone into Ten Forward with nothing but dinner and a holodeck program on his mind. He wasn’t proud of practically being a social recluse, but it suited him and he wasn’t have any trouble staying busy. “Seafood Pasta,” he ordered with a raising of his finger as he slide into a booth and stared out at the stars. Getting his food, he began to chew away happily until he saw her.

Morgan Andrews sighed as she walked down the hall to the Ten Forward. It was a new ship with new living quarters and, maybe soon, some new friends. She threw back her shoulder-length auburn hair, and thought about her first couple hours on the Atlantis. No one had really talked to her. But then again, she didn’t really make an effort to talk to anyone either.

The one thing she had always wished she could change about herself was the ability to meet new people. In school she’d always been the girl who sat quietly in the corner and read a book. She didn’t mind it, but sometimes it got lonely. She walked into the lounge, and found a booth near the window. The view was extraordinary. She noticed a handsome man sitting alone at another table, but decided to let him eat in peace.

It was like a piece of heaven had floated into the room. Adam watched her sit down, she made eye contact with him for a brief second before she averted her gaze out the window. He cradled the fork delicately in his right hand, pondering what to do next. Another bite came and the food wasn’t as good as the bite before. Why was he always the one taking the initiative? Adam cursed himself for being the only person to care enough to make the first move. No, he thought, she would come to him; that was if he could last that long. For the moment, he was happy merely watching and admiring her from afar.

Gazing out the window she lost herself in her thoughts. Morgan was thinking mostly about her first hours on the ship, and how she would go about trying to make some friends. She wasn’t good at this. The few friends she had, she had only because they talked to her first. She couldn’t imagine why. She didn’t really have anything to offer; or, so she thought. The fact that she stayed shut up in her room most of the time didn’t really appeal to most people. But, to the select few who had become her friends loved her for everything that she was, it was enough. Now she would wait to meet people like that here. She glanced over at the man eating his dinner, and smiled.

Was that a sign? It was a sign. Wasn’t it? Adam’s mind raced and, for a brief moment, he felt as if he was at the Academy again. He managed to push the immature and impulsive thoughts out of his head as he polished his meal off as gracefully as possible and took his holodeck program list and stood. Moving across the room, the engineer paused at the table the lovely woman was seated at. “Is this seat taken?”

“I’m sorry? Oh, no, of course not. Go right ahead.” She hadn’t realized the charming man had finished, and was now standing right in front of her. She smiled and stared at him with her deep green eyes as he sat down across from her. “I’m Morgan.”

“I’m Adam,” he said, extended his hand out towards her. “I haven’t seen you in here before.”

She shook his hand, sighed, and thought to herself: The worst is over. I know his name. He knows mine. I think I’m going to be OK. “I’m new. I just got transferred here, and I don’t really know anyone.” She gave him a weak smile.

“Welcome aboard then. New assignments are the worse, but only if you let them get to you. If you just came onboard and are here now, you haven’t been on shift yet. I’m sure that your department head and supervisors will help you fit in – it’s their job.” He smiled, “can I get you something to drink?”

She smiled and replied, “Um, a cup of coffee would be great. Thank you.”

After flagging down the waiter, Adam looked at her over his own steaming glass of coffee. “So, what department are you in? If you’re in Science then I’m sure that you’ll be just fine. It’s got a diverse group of people. I noticed that you’re not a marine so you can’t be in security. You don’t want to be in there anyway. Medical is good too; the most competent doctors in the fleet are there. Engineering is good too, but I’m bias.”

Morgan laughed. “Engineering actually. Why are you bias? Are you in engineering too?” Morgan was now excited to know if she had not only made a new friend, but a new friend in her department.

She hadn’t done her homework, that was certain. “Uh, yes, I’m in Engineering. I’m Lieutenant Major Adam Drake. Chief Engineer.” It felt good to use his rank and position in a sentence. It made him feel confident and important. “I’m sure we’ll be working together at some point or another.” He smiled, hoping to alleviate any nervousness he may have just caused pointing out her uninformed state.

She took a short breath, realizing her mistake. “Oh, of course. I knew that sir. I’m sorry, it’s just been a long day, and I didn’t put the name to the rank. ” She struggled to find any excuse to cover up her embarrassing mistake. She looked down at her half empty cup of coffee, and felt her face burn under his gaze.

“No worries, it happens.”

Morgan smiled weakly, and finished off her coffee. “Well, sir, it was very nice to meet you, but I’m afraid I must turn in. It’s been a long day, and I want to be well rested for my first day tomorrow.” She was looking for any reason to escape and run back to the cool darkness in her quarters.

“Ah, of course,” Adam nodded, “it was a pleasure meeting you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Good night sir. Hope you have a pleasant evening.” She stood up, and walked towards the door. The only thing in her way. She turned and smiled at her new found friend, and superior. Giving him a quick wave she stepped out the door into the hallway. Looking forward to a long night’s sleep her legs took her towards her quarters, while her mind remained back in the lounge with Adam. He was so handsome. She let her thoughts dwell on him the whole way back to her dark, cool, bedroom.