Students and Rain and Spies, Oh My!

Posted on Tue Jun 27, 2017 @ 4:59pm by Lieutenant JG Jacob Hartley & Ensign Holly Meadows

Mission: History
Location: Hartley Home, Earth
Timeline: 2387

Holly stared miserably at her feet and watched the water channel through the side of her sandal and run out at the toe.

It wasn't just her feet that were wet. Water dripped from her saturated hair onto her soaking jacket that wasn't worth the name.

She looked up at the red lettering moving endlessly across the information screen which assured her for the fifteenth time that the shuttle was due at 22.24.

It was now 22.26 and there was no sign of it.

The shuttle stop was set half way down a steep hill on an intersection. Above her the hill was lined on either sides by elegant homes and below her it led down to a curve in the road and pretty flower gardens.
Through the teeming rain everything looked grey and cold and completely unappealing.

Walking down the street, Jacob stood under his shield umbrella, a piece of technology he had created that worked to keep him dry in the rain. It wasn't that he didn't like the rain, but there was rather a lot of it. As he neared his house, he saw a young woman standing at the shuttle stop. He sighed as he saw the poor woman was wet. He was a little wet, but his Starfleet Uniform tended to keep him dry. They definitely made them well. "You're going to have trouble if you're waiting for a shuttle, they stopped the 22:24 three weeks ago, something to do with not enough use." Jacob said as he approached her.

"What?" she said and looked up at the information board. "...but it says..." she looked back at the stranger " Oh....oh well, thank you for telling me. I'll..ummm...I'll have to wait for the next one then. Thank you." She forced a small smile, picked up her bag and moved it further back and set it down again.

Jacob shook his head. "Last one on a Sunday is the one before that you already missed, I'm sorry to say. Do you have someone you can call for help? Communication unit's about half a mile up the road." He said, trying to be helpful.

She looked worried now as well as wet and rather chilled. "Umm yes." she said trying to work out what to do for the best. "Thank you." she added giving the man another polite smile and hoisted her bag onto her shoulder.

"Are you okay?" He asked. "If you like, my house is just there. I'm Lieutenant Junior Grade Jacob Hartley, Starfleet." He said, by way of introduction. "I wouldn't be much of an officer or a gentleman if I left a lady in the rain by herself." He said

Holly looked in the direction he had indicated then back at him. She shook her head. "Thank you but no. I don't know you ...I wouldn't...you know. Thanks all the same."

"You're welcome." Jacob said. "I hope you aren't left out in the rain for too long." He said, as he turned and headed off towards his house, grateful that it was only a few meters away.

She watched him stride off, head bent before the torrential rain.
She shivered,feeling rivulets run down her back and blinking through raindrops as she watched him walking away. She glanced along the road. Half a mile suddenly seemed a very long way.

He was turning towards a house now. "Lieutenant!" she called.

Jacob turned around and saw the woman calling after him. "Right here." He called back. "Is there a problem?"

Holly hesitated, torn between the offer of not being rained on or the prospect of a ten minute walk in a down pour.
She took a step in his direction.

"Could I shelter until this eases off please?" she called slowly making her way towards him.

"Of course." Jacob said, nodding. He opened the gate, and walked over to his front door, opening it with the old fashioned key. As he opened it, he walked in, leaving the door open. "Come on in. I'll start the fire." He said, shutting off the shield umbrella and walking into the lounge,
using the fire lighter to start the old fashioned log fire in his lounge.

Holly dumped her bag on the tiled floor and closed the front door wondering whether she was really making a wise move. She dripped gently onto the doormat for a few moments then slipped off her soaked shoes and in bare feet, leaving footprints behind, moved to the doorway through which he had passed and peered inside.

What she saw made her smile a little to herself. It was a beautiful room seemingly lined on three sides by shelves which were almost fully stacked with books.

A tall clock ticked patiently to her left and the fireplace opposite the door already showed signs of flames as the Lieutenant knelt before it and placed small logs onto the grate.

"Come on in. Make yourself at home." Jacob said. "This used to be my grandparents house. Now it's mine. Just me here, but it suits my needs for when I'm not on assignment. Right now, I'm working out of Starfleet HQ for now." He explained. "I have some towels, and can make a hot chocolate whilst you wait. I have a communication device if you have someone you need to call." He offered.

She seized his last offer. "Oh please." she said "I'd like to do that. They will be worrying if I'm too late back. Thank you."

She'd stepped forward in eagerness but halted at the edge of the carpet not wanting to cause a puddle.

"You're welcome." Jacob said. "Computer's on the desk, ignore the writing. Don't worry about the carpet, little water never did it any harm." He said. "When you've spoken to them, feel free to sit in front of the fire." He said, heading into the kitchen as the fire began to warm and light the room. Jacob turned on the lights as well, not too bright, but enough to show the room perfectly.

He passed her on his way out and she went straight to the old desk on which the computer stood ready.

She soon put through a call which was answered promptly by a slightly scandalized voice asking what had happened.

Holly outlined her adventure such as it was. A wrong shuttle taking her to the wrong place, a sudden prolonged downpour, a shuttle that never came and offer of shelter and a chance to dry off which she had taken in favour of walking a half mile in the dusk and rain.

'And where was she' the voice inquired 'and who was she with.'

"A Starfleet officer." Holly replied. " A Lieutenant Hartley from Starfleet HQ....and I'm not sure...hang on a sec."
Holly hurried to the door and called into the hall: " Lieutenant? where am I exactly?"

As Jacob poured milk into the pan, to heat it on the stove, he smiled. "Lower Quinton, about twelve miles away from Stratford-Upon-Avon." Jacob called back, getting the chocolate powder from the cupboard, and putting the milk back into the fridge.

Holly returned to her communication and relayed the details adding that yes she was fine, no she didn't know when the next shuttle was but they usually ran every half an hour and yes of course although what that alluded too Jacob couldn't have heard.

"Okay, yes I will bye bye bye." Holly ended the call and gave a shake of her head then realized she was looking at Shakespeare or rather a book of his plays and that the desk was obviously well used for there were other books stacked on it too and a large writing block and an old fashioned pen which she lifted to look at.

Jacob entered the lounge, and handed her a cup. "Home made hot chocolate, it'll warm you up. Not the replicated stuff either. No replicator in this house. My grandparents were...traditionalists." He explained, taking a sip of his own drink.

Holly hurriedly replaced his pen, hoping he wouldn't mind that she had touched it and accepted the hot drink gladly.

"Thank you...it sounds ideal." she said and took a sip finding it far too hot to drink yet.

"I tend to drink it every night, whilst I'm working on a new story or something." Jacob said, placing his mug on a coaster on his desk. He saw the pen, and smiled. "I know, not many people use pen's these days, but when I write, I like to feel what I'm writing, if that makes sense?" Jacob said.

Holly looked at him. "Yes it does." she replied surprised that he could hold such an opinion. She smiled too then asked: " May I?" and looked towards the fire now crackling invitingly.

"Go ahead." He said, as he sat in his armchair. "I first moved in here after I graduated from the academy. Before that, it had been looked after by people. My family...well, my grandparents died before I was born, and my parents were killed in an accident not long after I was born, so I was raised elsewhere. But I like it here. It's...peaceful. Too many people depend on technology, and sometimes, I like a place I can be where I can focus on anything but technology." He explained, leaning back in the chair.

Holly listened him as she made her way to the fireside where she set down her mug of chocolate with care on the hearth then peeled off her wet linen jacket, put on that morning to guard against a stiff breeze but never designed for protection from rain.

"I'm sorry about your family." she said looking back at him. "But you're right. This seems a peaceful place...a happy place. I think you can tell things like that, can't you." It was more of a statement than a question. She turned away and gathering her hair in two hands, squeezed it so setting a trail of water to fall near to her mug.

Jacob nodded. "My grandparents, from what I know, were very happy. I chose to live here though more because I wanted my own space, and I can think here. My adoptive parents were caring, but it wasn't the same. So when I moved here, I found it to be...well, comfortable anyway." He said. "My grandfather used to write stories, so I use the desk for the same thing. I'm working on a mystery story at the moment, although I'm still ironing out the plot. It's slow work, but then, there's no point in rushing it." He explained. He took a gentle sip of his drink.

"So what about you? What brings you around here, Miss...?" He asked, not knowing her name yet.

Holly nodded slightly as he told of his link to the past and his writing and his apparent patience.

"Meadows." she replied. " Holly. I got lost." She made an expression that indicated it had happened before and might well do so again.
"Long story." she said. " I was going to visit a friend but she cancelled so being in this area I thought I'd go to Stratford but then got on the wrong shuttle which brought me to the wrong place." She smiled at her own foolishness. "Then it began to rain." she shrugged her shoulders.

Jacob smiled. "Easily done, of course. But in this weather, it can be nasty." Jacob said. "It's why I like the fire. It gives this place a sense of...warmth, and welcome. I will admit, I don't often have guests, but sometimes it is nice to talk to people, Holly." He said, his British accent warm and kind.

Her mouth curved in a soft smile and she looked at the flames relishing their warmth.
"You have a lovely home." she said.

"Thank you. I'm hardly here, I'll admit. Service in Starfleet tends to keep me away, but it's important to have some form of roots I suppose. More than anything, it makes us remember why we fight, to protect our world from those who would destroy it. Don't get me wrong; I'd rather not have to fight, but the galaxy we live in...it's not exactly a nice place." He said, before taking another sip of his drink, looking at the flames.

Holly looked at him wondering at this seeming change of mood and what he was seeing in the flames.

"I have roots." she ventured after a few moments. "I've never been far from home actually but I will be soon."

"Let me guess; just joined Starfleet?" He asked, his eyes still on the flames.

"Yes" she replied. " How did you guess?"

"An educated guess. The way you said you will be far from home, and you don't seem like the type to sign on to a merchant vessel. Again, taking a guess, but I'd guess medical. Pilots tend to be a little more...energetic, security and tactical officers are much more guarded. Engineers analyse everything, and science officers are predicated to researching pretty much everything, including shuttles, and weather patterns. That leaves Operations and Medical, and you don't look like the type to be Ops. After all, you think carefully about what you say, you're somewhat reserved and polite, and clearly care about not wanting to say the wrong thing. Good traits for someone in the Medical profession." Jacob explained.

"Are you some sort of Counselor?" she asked with a slightest trace of humour in her tone. " You seem very good at reading people."

She tilted her head a little, pulling her fingers through her hair which, like her blouse, was beginning to steam in the warmth.

"No, not a counselor. I have a set of skills which can help in a variety of situations." Jacob replied. "Just remember one thing out there; you're going to see things that will change your view on life. It isn't nice out there, and it's dark, and dangerous and far deadlier than people let on at the Academy. But it's worth it, making sure people are safer out there. If it wasn't for people like yourself, innocent people would die. So just...don't lose your enthusiasm, no matter what." He said.

Holly frowned. A thought jumped into her mind that somewhere along the lines he had experienced a life changing moment, perhaps he had lost a good friend or friends or even someone closer but she didn't ask.
He hadn't disclosed it and she wouldn't ask a stranger about anything as personal as that. She watched him watching the flames.

"I hope I wont." she answered quietly.

"So do I. Starfleet needs good people, those with a heart, those who care. Remember why you joined, and don't allow the darkness in." He said softly. He watched as the flames flickered away at the logs, eating the wood gently, ashes falling into the pit. It reminded him of how he felt when he first joined the Academy, and how he was recruited into Intelligence. He had been told a wonderful story about making a difference, and maybe that was true...but he had also seen too much in his time in Starfleet, as short as it had been compared to others.

He finished his drink, and placed the mug on the table by his chair. "Were you able to arrange transport for tonight? If not, I have a guest room you're welcome to use. I know there are some clothes that belonged to my grandparents and my parents, they might fit if you need something. Of course, that's if you like. I know, I'm just a stranger who offered you shelter. It's up to you." He said.

"I was going to walk to the shuttle stop if the rain eased off." she said, "Do you think it has yet?" She made a move to stand up reaching for her jacket which was still very damp.

"There won't be another one until morning now. The 22:24 used to be the last one of the day until they stopped it for lack of use, so the 21:54 was the last one of the day." He explained.

"Oh....oh yes, you mentioned that." she said pressing her fingers to her forehead and closing her eyes for a second or two.

"Umm..." She saw his expression which looked kind and yet a little sad somehow.

"I don't want to treat your home like a hotel." she heard herself say. "but if you..I mean.....yes please then...but I have to call home." she added quickly.

"It's fine. Like I said, I'm not one to allow a lady and fellow officer to be stranded for the night." Jacob said. "When you're ready, I'll show you to your room."

"Thank you...may I?" she asked indicating the desk and the communication device she had used not long before.

"Of course." Jacob said, as he stood up. "I'll likely be down here for the night, so if you need me, just let me know. I'll prepare a light supper for you, if you like."

"Oh...that's more than kind." Holly replied and smiled to him.

"Not at all." Jacob said, as he stood up and went to the kitchen, with a small smile as he began to gather a few items for a light meal.

Holly spoke to her parents again and explained about Sunday shuttle services, the appalling weather and the kind offer of Lieutenant Hartley that she stay in his guest room. This caused a few questions but eventually after agreeing to be on the very earliest shuttle the coming morning offered, all was settled and she said "Goodnight, see you soon. Bye bye bye.".

With a sigh she closed the communication and idly casting her attention to the desk, saw the writing block again with the pen beside it.
Movement distracted her and looking up, she saw her host had returned.

"Nothing too major, just a light salad. Hope it's okay, I need to do some more shopping tomorrow." Jacob said, as he brought the meal in. "Grilled chicken, with a Ceaser salad." He explained.

"That looks lovely, thank you." Holly said looking at the carefully arranged food then at him. "Are we eating it here?" she asked glancing at the crowded desk.

"Good point. I do have a dining room, I don't usually use it." He said, leading her through the kitchen and to the dining room, where he placed the plates on the table.

A little over an hour and a half later when the tasty meal had been enjoyed and Holly had been shown where she was to sleep, she climbed into a comfortable bed having had a warm shower and having locked the bedroom door. She wore a rather voluminous nightgown but that didn't matter she thought as she drifted to a sound sleep.

Jacob watched as she went up the stairs, and waited for an hour until he was positive she was asleep. Going to his desk, he sat down and accessed his computer. He first ran a scan of his house, to make sure there were no scanning devices in the room. He then opened a secure channel to his mentor, William Francis.

"Ah, Jacob. How was your evening?" William asked.

"Quiet, mostly. I met a stranded young woman, offered her shelter for the night. She accepted." Jacob replied. William smiled, and nodded.

"So the play worked. Nicely played, Jacob. What's your view on our Miss Meadows?" William asked.

"Cautious, but willing to trust. A bit naive, but nothing that a tour in the service will cure. She isn't the mole, that's for sure. I doubt she's good at keeping secrets. I shared a couple of stories, she opened up a little, more so over dinner. Definitely not our target. How did you get her transport changed?" Jacob asked. William chuckled.

"Not really the hardest task I've performed. I'll meet you tomorrow to give you your next target to check. From what you've told me, and from what I've read, I agree, she isn't the target." William said.

"Aye sir. Signing off. See you tomorrow." Jacob said, before closing the channel and leaning back in his chair. He liked the young woman, she seemed nice enough. He was just glad he hadn't needed to use his hidden phaser. He would have hated to have had to get into a fight in his home.