Chatting over a drink.

Posted on Thu Jul 18th, 2019 @ 11:58am by Brigadier General Kaden Ross & Liam O'Connor

2,178 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Episode 98 - A Raid on Peace
Location: Kitty O'Shea's
Timeline: MD04 1215 hrs

Kaden was walking down the promenade reading the messages on his personal PADD it had been a long day as he came around the bend he saw Kitty O’Shea’s the place that Liam fellow told him about. It had been some time since he saw the guy tapping the PADD in his hand Kaden walked inside and took a look around finding the place with a few patrons inside but mostly empty. But there was plenty of open seats at the bar and decided to take a seat placing his PADD in his pocket.

“Hey there,” Liam called out in greeting, emerging from the back carrying a tray of pint glasses nearly stacked. After carefully setting them down he offered a wave as he quickly put the glasses in place, ready for tonight. “Welcome to Kitty’s! What can I get you? First drink always on the house.”

Kaden was glad to see Liam again honestly he enjoyed their last chat before it was rudely interrupted. “Hello again, Liam, was in the neighborhood figured I come by.” He said.

"No problem at all," the Irishman assured him. "What can I get you to drink? Or we've been told Kitty's cooking isn't half bad, if you are after a bite to eat?"

“Got any Saurian Brandy?” Kaden asked.

“Ordered some in, in case you stopped by,” Liam said with an easy smile, “just the brandy or some food?”

Kaden couldn’t help but smile. “Just the Brandy, unless you are asking me to sample the food as your Guinea Pig?” He joked.

“Finest Irish homemade cooking you’d ever hope for,” Liam promised as he poured the drink, setting the glass down in front of Kaden. Picking up another glass he poured one for himself. “How are things?”

Kaden swirled his drink before taking a sip. “Good, considering a lot has happened since we last spoke dealing with Remans and such. Can’t say I made friends with members of the medical staff on this station...particularly Dr. Corrigan seeing as I am not very nice to these so-called ‘experts’ going around telling me every time my wife wants kids they could wind up a freak like me.” He set his glass down and hung his head.

“Heard some stories about the mission,” Liam said, topping up the other man’s drink along with his own. “Stories like that almost make me wish for the old days. Almost. And hey, I’m no medical expert and I can’t say I can even begin to relate, but I’m always here with a friendly ear and some brandy whenever you need it.”

“Thanks, Liam,” Kaden paused to take a drink of his brandy. “I don’t know much about Dr. Corrigan, but right now I just feel she is not very happy right now with me especially about my feelings on my offspring inheriting my condition. I just want them to be free of it and have a better childhood than I did.” He added.

“Any parent with their salt wants their kid to have a better life so sounds like you are half way to nailing the parenthood part,” Liam observed. “And advice from a friend, don’t worry so much about other people. Way I see it, this is a choice for you and your wife. Maybe you caught the Doc on a bad day, or maybe there is something else going on. Who knows? Either way, what matters is you and your good lady. Another round?”

Kaden nodded as he moved his glass over for Liam to fill again. “Still, can’t help the fact I pissed her off I mean what are the chances I wind up dying and have to to rely on her to save my big dumb ass? Last I want is this storm cloud hanging over her head if you get my drift especially with me and Freya uh...” He fell silent not sure if he should tell Liam.

Liam didn’t miss the way his voice trailed off but he didn’t want to push. “Well, I think I know a thing or two about Irish women,” he told Kaden, leaning on the bar, lowering his voice so Kitty didn’t overhear and beat him over the head, “they like to scream at ya, throw a pint over you and they’ll stew a bit. Best to leave ‘em be. Normally safe to approach after a week or so - depending on what happened. I’ve seen her in that chocolate place over by. If you wanted a peace offering. Though I’m sure it isn’t as bad as you think.”

He realised he had been paying too much attention to the good doctor whenever she was in proximity of the bar. Something Kitty would definitely not approve of.

Kaden raised an eyebrow. “Liam, you sound like you speak from experience are you dating the woman or something?” He asked.

"Noooooooo, not me, nope," he replied with a firm shake of his head, well aware that Kitty had emerged from her kitchen and was giving him a look that could kill. Leaning closer to Kaden, he grinned, "no harm in admiring from afar though. Problem is, when she comes in here, I seem to lose the power of speech. You'd think I was a hormonal teenage who'd never dated a girl. But it is what it is."

Kaden lifted his glass up to his mouth before pausing and smile forming on his lips. “Women seem to have that affect on us, you know I was the same way when I first saw Ariana and Freya I was awe struck funny thing about Betazoids they know you wanna ask em out before you even pop the question.” He took a sip of his drink and set the glass back on the bar top.

"You are a braver man than me," Liam laughed, "I have enough trouble with the ladies without them knowing what is going on in my head. You'd think I'd be older and wiser by now, but nah. Then again, when I say things the wrong way round, at least they'd know what I meant to say, which might actually save me a slap or two... You want that topped up?"

Kaden moved his glass over to Liam to fill. “Brave? Not really when it comes to women or people in general I guess to be truthful there are two sides to me. On one side I am always worried about things, shy, and hard on myself all the time that I can’t help it. But on the other I try to put on this facade that I am some courageous, battle hardened, beast of a man that people can look up to in a tight spot.” He sighed as he slouched in his seat resting his chin in his hand. “But...I am not I am just some guy born with a muscle growth condition that wonders why he was put here just to be tormented his entire childhood yet alone be told there always a strong possibility his children could wind up like him.”

"And from what I gathered, you and the rest of them saved a lot of lives that last mission. Friend of mine liked to keep count of that, rather than his kills. Said it helped keep him more grounded. If anything can keep a marine grounded!" Liam commented. "As for the rest...Well I don't know much of that, but I know how tough it is being a marine. So anytime you need to bend an ear, I'll make sure there is some of your brandy on hand."

Kaden offered a smile albeit a short one before tapping his index finger on the counter top. “Liam, can I tell you something as a friend? Well hopefully we are becoming friends I mean...” He began.

“Course you can,” he assured the other man.

Kaden paused to think of how to best word it but couldn’t think of anything on how to sohe decided to just be straight up blunt. “Freya was hurt back there fighting those Remans I realized that if something was to happen to us I want something of us left to carry on our legacy. I mean I don’t want anything bad to happen to either of us but I don’t want to leave nothing to keep us going should one of us wind up dead. I decided to try for a baby with my wife, Liam, but despite my concerns and fears of it wind up with my muscle growth condition. I am just trying to not think about it and focus on the good things...am I crazy to think like that?” He asked.

“I think that is fantastic news, Kaden. Just so you know, my friend, I am not considered a responsible adult when it comes to babysitting,” Liam added with a grin. “How about one more for the road?”

Kaden raised an eyebrow as he moved his glass over for Liam to refill. “Liam, exactly how much brandy did you guys order? Starting to think you are trying to get me drunk on purpose...” He said.

Liam held up his hand, his face a picture of perfect innocence, “now, Would I do such a thing?”

Kaden shrugged his shoulders. “I am not sure, but so you know last I got drunk I found myself face first on a sandy beach littered with beer bottles from my cooler with a harbor seal passed out next to me that smelled like beer...and fish” He said.

Liam’s laugh echoed round the bar, “now that is a story I gotta hear.”

Kaden frowned feeling sad as he took a sip of his glass of brandy. “It is not something I like to talk about really, Liam, Counselor Monroe and I was lovers for a long time...till my fear of having kids with her pushed her away and caused her to leave me.” He stared at his glass and sighed.

“So you had a drinking session with a seal?” Liam asked, confused by the turn the conversation had taken. “I prefer waking up next to a beautiful brunette myself. Look, I ain’t no doctor or mind reader, but I do know living in the past? You do that too much, you can’t see your future.”

Kaden looked up at his new found friend. “I can’t help it sometimes, Liam, it’s just something I always have problems with ever since I was a kid. I gotta tell you it’s nice being married to a counselor it helps to have someone that can help you get thru life when times are tough.” He replied.

“True that,” Liam agreed.

Kaden couldn’t help but grin a little. “I got with this Orion gal for a month trust me they are rather...wild in bed a bit too wild. Freya and I found each other well she found me actually on the beach during the summer had this really nice bikini she was wearing still has it too by the way. Gotta say she is the best damn thing to happen to me really makes it worth for me to get back home to after a long shift.” He took another sip of his drink. “What about you? Got anyone special to go home to?”

“No,” Liam sighed. “Been married. Twice. Now crazy doesn’t describe number two. Six days and I realised she wasn’t quite the full shilling... so now it is just me, myself and I. Not to say I’m never tempted, but I’m in no rush to repeat old mistakes.”

Kaden reched over the bar and patted Liam on the shoulder. “Well, like my gal says when you are ready and the timing is right you will find that special gal that will put up with you for the rest of her life...and treat you like a king.” He took another sip of his brandy. “Say...Freya has been telling me I should get out meet people maybe do a boys night out what do you say we do that sometime?”

“Sure thing. Just tell me when and I’ll make sure I escape from here,” Liam agreed.

Kaden raised an eyebrow before leaning forward. “Escape? Why do you have to escape can’t you just...oh I don’t know...go when you want?” He asked.

“I am officially on the staff rota, they need the help and not like I have much to rush home for. I figured I’ll stick around for a while. But just say when and I’ll be there.”

It all made sense now to Kaden he was about to take a drink when he heard his tummy rumble apparently it seemed all this talking made him hungry. “Hey, Liam, is that offer for a bite to eat still on the table?” He asked with a grin.

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