Food For Thought

Posted on Fri Sep 23, 2016 @ 1:52am by Piper Aravan & Lieutenant Martha Cusack & 2nd Lieutenant Gage Aravan & Elsie Cusack

Mission: An Orion to Die For
Location: The Black Hole
Timeline: MD 2 || 1200 Hours

Elsie was busy with her first shift in The Black Hole. It had been a fairly busy morning and she was happy to be kept moving rather than stood around looking at an empty bar. She had asked for her mother not to come in to visit but Elsie knew that Martha probably would anyway - more because she genuinely wanted to know how she was getting on rather than just to get in the way or embarrass her.

She worked on taking a couple of orders and passed them back into the kitchen to be processed for some hungry customers. She'd not had a break yet but Elsie didn't care as she was happy to keep things moving - it was her job after all. Moments later the chef in the kitchen passed out some food for a previous order and Elsie carried the order over to the table before returning to behind the counter - where she then made a drink for another customer before they went to sit down. The Black Hole really seemed to be taking off and was already a popular place for the Triumphant's crew.

Piper sat at the far end of the bar holding her month old son, Liam, against her chest. She'd been watching Elsie since she started her shift and couldn't help but smile. The young lady certainly was proving to be quite efficient, and she definitely had the attitude to match. So far, The Black Hole owner liked everything she was seeing. "Elsie, why don't you take a break, maybe get something to eat? You've been going non-stop since you've gotten here."

She was happy to continue - but if Piper was encouraging her to take a break then Elsie guessed it was a good idea. Martha hadn't shown yet - she hoped that if she did - it would be on her break. With a smile on her face as she looked at Piper's baby she replied.

"Are you sure? I don't mind" Elsie said.

"Of course, I am. Go ahead and order something, then come sit with me and Liam for a while," Piper said with a smile. "I'll even let you hold him if you'd like to."

Elsie smiled and decided to order herself some lunch before taking up her boss' offer of joining them for lunch. She often wondered why her mother had never had more than one child - but then again Elsie knew even though Martha felt like her real mother she wasn't. Even so Elsie knew Martha had always treated her like her own daughter.

"Aww he's adorable" Elsie said.

Piper smiled and looked down at the sleeping baby in her arms. "Thank you. He certainly is a sweet one," she said, carefully shifting him over to Elsie so she could hold him for a minute. "Just make sure you support his head and neck."

Elsie expertly held baby Liam and supported him in exactly the right places. She looked down at him and smiled sweetly - again wishing she had a little brother or sister. Elsie had tried to drop hints to her mother but Martha had never really seen herself as a mother - although Elsie thought Martha had done a very good job caring for her.

"I wish I had a brother or sister. My mum only ever...well...adopted me. I did try and suggest to her about having a baby of her own - but I guess she was just happy to have me and make sure I was happy and safe. I love them both so much though...they're the best parents I could ever ask for" Elsie said.

"I didn't get the chance to meet them last night sadly," the older of the two said with a frown. In fact, after helping the little ones make milkshakes, she didn't even make it back out of the kitchen to mingle with anyone. Piper was busy the second orders started rolling in, and was quite pleased she'd called in back up. Had she not done that, there was no telling where she would have been before the evening was over. Plus, Gage was there helping her out, which pleased her a great deal. "I hope to change that, though. Maybe I'll be able to do that soon enough."

Elsie kept hold of the baby as she waited for her dinner to arrive. She wasn't expecting it to be there straight away - even if it wasn't the most complicated of things to cook. Elsie enjoyed her food in The Black Hole the previous evening - she was even hoping to be able to have a go in the kitchen herself sooner or later.

"My mum said she might come in and visit soon. I just hope it's while I'm on my break holding this little one. It might change her mind...although she's pretty set in her ways. My other mum is really cool - she's a lot more outgoing - the one you'll meet is a bit more reserved and likes to spend a lot of time in our quarters" Elsie replied.

"There's quite a bit to do on board the ship, even for someone your age, so maybe she'll start spending some time outside of her quarters. Me, though... I haven't been anywhere in the last two months. I'm either here, or at home."

Martha had always been awkward in social events and she'd never felt able to adjust to them - even after she'd manage to conquer her depression and anxiety issues. She only ever attended social events if she was ordered to. However as she walked into The Black Hole she saw her daughter and sat down opposite Elsie and Piper.

"This is my mum...or Lieutenant Martha Cusack" Elsie said.

Martha looked over at Elsie and smiled. She could see how happy Elsie looked holding the baby she presumed was Piper's - she'd never really thought about it before but she was starting to come around to the idea of having a baby of her own. She was 30 and had been married to Lucia for four years - more than enough stability for a baby brother or sister for Elsie.

"Piper Aravan, it's nice to meet you, Missus Cusack," Piper said, offering the newcomer a smile as she reached out to shake her hand. "Haw are you adjusting to life aboard the Triumphant so far?"

Martha smiled and shook Piper's hand. She was happy to see Elsie was enjoying herself so far - and pleased to meet the owner of the establishment Martha was quite fond of already.

"Nice to meet you too. I love it so far thank you. Who's this little one?" Martha asked.

Elsie beamed down at baby Liam as he lay comfortably in her arms. One of these days she knew Martha would regret not having one of her own - maybe this was enough to change her mind.

"This is my son, Liam. I don't really let him out of my sight, which annoys my husband, I'm sure. He suffers because of it," Piper said with a smile. "I don't let either of them go out of the line of my vision at any given moment."

Martha giggled. "I didn't really let this one out of my sight for a while. Long story I'll save for another day..."

"Mum...?" Elsie asked.

Martha smiled. "Yes sweetheart?"

"Can I have a brother or sister please? I promise I'll look after him or her" Elsie said.

Martha went bright red. It had started to cross her mind but she was a bit embarrassed it had come up in such circumstances. Although she knew Elsie didn't do it purposefully she couldn't help as she went a rather bright shade of red.

"Errr..." Martha replied.

A strapping young Marine in uniform with the chevrons of a Master Sergeant entered The Black Hole and headed over to the bar. He nodded to a few people and called out cheerfully to a group of Marines who sat around a table enjoying a lunch of their own. He paused to whisper something in one of their ears, causing an outburst of laughter before he continued on. When he finally spotted his wife at the end of the bar, he made his way through the crowd until he arrived.

"Busy day," Gage observed. "I haven't seen it this packed in here since the replicators went offline and the crew was threatened with ration bars."

Piper looked up to her husband and squealed, launching herself off of the stool she sat on. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Hi!" she managed, then kissed him properly, which was short-lived when she remembered they had company. With a blush, she cleared her throat. "Er... sorry. Gage, this is Elsie Cusack, and her mother, Lieutenant Martha Cusack."

Still feeling a bit embarrassed by Elsie's request for a baby brother or sister Martha looked up at the Marine and smiled.

"A pleasure to meet you Sergeant" Martha said.

Elsie smiled. "Hello. Liam is adorable - I think he looks like his daddy"

Martha still thought about it - it would be a discussion she would need to have with Lucia before she made any decisions. They were married and decisions such as having a child together were to be made together.

Gage kissed and hugged his wife to him before she looked at the others with a smile. "I'm not on duty at the moment," he said. "So call me Gage. It's a pleasure to meet you, Martha."

Martha smiled at the Marine and appreciated how informal he was. Martha herself generally was - but when meeting new people she also felt it best to address them by rank and then if they corrected her she knew for other occasions.

"Fair enough...Gage it is. I don't let everyone call me Martha but I'll let you off" Martha replied.

Gage released Piper and gave a laugh. "Sorry about that, Martha," he said. "I'm a bit forward. Ask Piper; she can tell you."

"He's not kidding," Piper said as she settled back down on her stool, gesturing for Gage and Martha to join them. There was an empty stool next to her, and another on Elsie's side.

"There's nothing wrong with being forward Gage. I've tried to be the same way...I always try and call people by first name...although if I only know their rank then that's all I can call them" Martha replied.

Elsie was pleased to see her dinner had finally arrived - breakfast had felt like such a long time ago.

"Oh here's my dinner...here you go Mrs Aravan" Elsie said.

Elsie gently cradled the baby boy and decided to let her dinner cool down for a few moments. She watched as Martha placed an order herself and the waiter nodded before disappearing.

"The food in here is great Piper. I meant to come and tell you last night but...it truly was something else. Whoever's in that kitchen is definitely earning their wage and then some" Martha commented.

"Thank you. I actually have two. Right now, Hig Maridas, is manning the kitchen. He's Bolian and knows what he's doing. Aarim Sugot, who is Betazoid, handles the second shift, and he's just as amazing. Both of them are worth their weight in latinum bars and then some. They've both been with me since the very beginning, too. I would be completely lost without either of them," Piper said. She knew a good thing when she had it, and wasn't going to mess anything up with the two men she had on her staff.

Martha smiled. She took a look at the baby and decided to ask Piper if she would be allowed a hold of him. Martha had never held a baby before - but somehow she was starting to feel like now was a good time to have one of her own.

"May I hold him please?" Martha asked.

Elsie couldn't help but admire the meal that Hig had cooked up for her. It was a rather generous portion - the Bolian chef had certainly wanted to make sure Elsie had a good meal for her lunch. Fish and potatoes was one of her more favourite meals - one she enjoyed making herself in her quarters. She hoped Hig would show her a few things in the kitchen when he had some free time.

Meanwhile, Gage ordered half a rack of honey glazed ribs wrapped in bacon, an order of chicken fingers, cole slaw, a double order of french fries and a quart of honey mead synthehol. He turned back to the ladies and settled down on the stool. "I hope I'm not interrupting you ladies."

"You can hold him," Piper said with a smile, taking the baby from Elsie so she could bring him over to Martha. She got the little blue bundle settled into her arms, then moved back over to her stool to finally order something to eat herself. She kept it on the lighter side, though, asking to brought a grilled chicken salad and tea before she looked to her husband. "I'm going to have to roll you out of here, aren't I?"

Martha held the little bundle in her arms and smiled. She supported him and looked down at him. He was beautiful and it suddenly dawned on her what was missing from her life was a child of her own - she loved Elsie has her own and treated her as such - but they both knew that wasn't the case.

"Aww that's so adorable. You'd be a great mummy" Elsie commented.

Elsie started eating her dinner - satisfied it had cooled that little bit where she wouldn't have to blow it to cool it down so it was 'just right'.
Maybe her wish to have a baby brother or sister was about to come true...or at least the wheels would be set in motion.

Martha smiled. "Maybe. We'll see sweetheart"

"No, Piper, you won't have to roll me out of here. I need refuelling after this mornings exercises." The Gage got his drink and took a swallow of it before he turned his attention to Martha. "What do you do on the ship?"

Martha continued to hold Liam before she heard Gage speak to her - so whilst keeping a gentle hold of him she turned her attentions up to the Marine - and the baby's father - to reply. So far it was an enjoyable and eventful lunch break.

"I'm the Chief Tactical Officer. Also the mother of that P-I-T-A sat next to me" Martha replied with a smile.

Elsie giggled. "Hey!"

"I love you really sweetheart" Martha replied.

Elsie smiled. "Yeah yeah. I know you do"

Piper smiled and took a sip of her tea when it was placed in front of her. It wasn't long before Martha's food arrived, and she found herself getting to her feet to take the baby so she could eat. "I promise I'll let you hold him again before you leave," she said, moving back over to her stool to settle down once again. After pressing a kiss to the top of the baby's head, she cradled him in her arms again.

"Thank you Piper. I'd love to" Martha replied.

Martha settled down to her dinner - she certainly a lot of food for thought now. It was going to be the subject of discussion in the Cusacks' quarters tonight although Martha was hoping to discuss it with Lucia without Elsie there. Not because she didn't want her to feel involved - but because it was something Martha felt she needed to discuss with Lucia by themselves.

"You looked so happy mum. You still do" Elsie said.

Martha smiled. "Maybe I'm just happy having you P-I-T-A. Like I said...we'll see"

Elsie and Martha giggled as they continued to eat their respective lunches. Elsie thoroughly enjoyed her fish and potatoes whilst Martha was enjoying her jacket potatoes and chicken.

"Just remember that today's P-I-T-A's are tomorrow's leaders," Gage pointed out. "It's our job to shape them to ensure that the....oh gods...I sound like my parents. Please don't tell Michael, Piper! I'll never hear the end of it if you do."

Martha smiled and placed an arm around her daughter and rested Elsie's head against her shoulder. In Martha's darkest hours and days she and Lucia had kept her going - without them she knew she wouldn't be where she was now.

"She might be one of those sometimes but she's the best daughter I could ever ask for" Martha replied.

Elsie smiled. "And you're the best mum I could ask for. As for being a leader...well...maybe one day. I'm happy to work here with Piper and stay with my mum and Lucia on this ship for now"

"Oh, I'm telling him... the next time I see him," Piper said with a grin, passing Liam over to his father for a few moments so they could have their time together. "As for you, Elsie, I'm all too happy to have you working for me. You've definitely proven to me that you're an incredibly hard worker. I know I promised you some time in the kitchen, too, so I'll talk to Hig and make that happen. You won't find a better teacher anywhere."

Gage took his son and gave Piper a look. "Don't. Even. Think. About. It," he mock growled. "He'll never let me live it down for a single second of a single day. I may as well put in a transfer to a post guardian a dilithium mining facility."

Elsie smiled. "I'd love that - thank you. He's a lovely man...even if I only really met him this morning. He makes really good coffee too...much better than the stuff that comes out of the replicators"

"Who said coffee? I can't stand that replicated stuff" Martha said.

Elsie tittered. "Hig has some in the kitchen. It's really nice"

"Oh good...I'm glad there's some real coffee on this ship. Seriously though Piper - this girl's a hard worker and she won't let you down. She's a pretty good cook too...she might be able to rustle a couple of new things up for your menu if our Bolian friend lets her. I'll have to start coming here for my morning coffee too..." Martha replied.

Elsie smiled. "I just try my best"

"We do takeout and delivery, too. Not to mention, we're open twenty-four hours a day," Piper said, offering Martha a smile. "Some places civilians aren't allowed, as you know, but we don't mind meeting up with people. I handle most of the deliveries these days since I can take Liam with me while I do that, but I get into the kitchen when things get super crazy and help out. The only reason I'm not in there right now, is because I needed a break."

With that being said, she looked toward Gage. "Okay... I won't say anything to him... this time, but that's only because I know you'll take Liam and lock me out of the bedroom until he needs to be fed."

"I'd never do that," Gage protested. "He may need changed before that." He winked at his wife and looked at Martha. "Repicated coffee may as well be chicory for all the good it does. Never touch the stuff. My brother keeps a fresh supply of Raktajino in his ready room, but make sure he isn't even on the deck if you try to go in there."

Martha smiled. "I'll have to bear that it mind Piper - maybe I'll order breakfast in for the three of us once or twice a week so we can avoid the queues. This place is pretty popular...I noticed how busy it was this morning before the start of Alpha Shift. As for the Raktajino...now that is proper coffee...I'll have to see if I can get some from somewhere at some point. Maybe next time we enter space dock I'll have some delivered"

Elsie kept eating her dinner - it was certainly a very delicious and filling portion.

"We normally stay pretty busy regardless of the time of day, but that's because there are always people up and moving around on the ship. It wouldn't be fair to be open for alpha and beta shifts only while gamma is left to their own devices. It works out for everyone this way, and keeps people happy," the young woman said with another smile. "And when Gage isn't on duty, he comes in to hang out with me until it's time for me to get out of here, which is an added bonus. For the record, we serve Raktajino here, too."

Gage's food arrived and he shifted Liam to his left arm and reached for a fork. "If I'm not here, there's usually a couple Marines around here somewhere," he said, giving a nod to the group at a nearby table. "We like to keep order here and ensure that it stays a family restaurant, even if we have to politely, but firmly, escort a potential troublemaker out."

Elsie knew that she'd been kept busy all day - but that's how she liked it. She didn't like to be sat in their family quarters not doing anything useful. Plus it gave her some extra spending money she could get herself a few treats occasionally.

"That's true. I've never been one for working on Gamma Shift although I did do it for a few months on one ship...it was the quietest and most boring shift I've ever done in my entire life. If you have real raktajino stocked here then you are my new best friend...and my mornings just got a whole lot easier" Martha said.

Elsie grinned. "My mum actually needs coffee in the morning. You should see her"

"Hey you missus. I said lots of nice things about you earlier" Martha giggled.

Elsie beamed cutely. "I know. I was just getting you back for calling me a P-I-T-A"

Martha couldn't deny she loved Elsie's sense of humour and how infectious her beautiful smile was. It was enough to make anybody's bad day get even the slightest bit better.

"I'm grateful for the Marines, too. They've always been good for crowd control, and making sure things never get too out of hand. I tried to handle a fight shortly after the first time the ship launched years ago, and ended up in sickbay with a lacerated head. I still remember the look on Gage's face when he got there," Piper said, giving a shudder as her salad arrived. She reached for her fork. "Things have never gotten that bad since then. Not with my personal bouncers around."

Gage's face fell as he remembered that and the events that had led up to it. He looked down at his son and back to Piper. "Those days are never going to happen again, love," he said before he reached for his food. "Not on my watch."

Martha was pleased to see that there were a good number of families aboard the Triumphant. She already adored the Aravan family and hoped that she would get to meet more in the many years she hoped to spend aboard the ship. Although it was starting to get her really decided on having a baby of her own - providing Lucia felt it was something she wanted too.

"Yeah...I've seen some sights too. Although I'm sure Elsie here will sort any disruptive customers out. She'd make a good security officer that I'm sure of" Martha commented.

Elsie tittered as she ate her food. She had aspirations to join Starfleet at a later date - but not right now. Maybe a bit further down the line when she'd had a chance to enjoy her life before committing to Starfleet.

"Like I said, things have been pretty quiet since then," Piper said. "Gage has been training me off duty a bit, too."

Martha finished her dinner and decided to and take a walk to think about things - although she'd need a pretty good excuse to make such a hasty exit. She had promised to spend her lunch break with Elsie but Martha now felt she needed some thinking time by herself.

Martha smiled. "Good I'm glad. I'll let you guys get on so I can go and do something before my shift resumes. I'll see you later missus - I'll make us something nice for dinner"

Elsie hugged Martha and smiled.

"I'll see you later. Love you lots mum" Elsie said.

Martha replied. "I love you too sweetheart"

Martha bid the Aravans farewell before she disappeared. Elsie watched her leave and take a left out of the bar - wondering what it was that Martha was up to.

"I love my mum. She's the best thing that ever happened to me" Elsie commented.

"See you around, Martha," Gage said between bites of his food and checking on Liam. "She's a really nice woman. Normally, Tactical types like to be all tough and hard, but she doesn't seem like that at all."

"She seems like a lovely woman. I just wish I would have had the chance to say goodbye, but I know duties call and everything," Piper said, taking a bite of her salad.

"She'll be back as good as the food here is," Gage said as he polished off his cole slaw and fries before he turned his attention to the bacon-wrapped honey glazed ribs.

Elsie smiled. "She tries her best. She's had a few issues before but she's never let them get her down. I know she'll be back though...I think she likes the food too much. And we sell raktajino so that's another reason we'll be seeing her in here again"

Elsie grinned as she indicated Martha's completely empty plate. Elsie's was nearly empty herself as she continued to eat her lunch at a steady pace.

"Let me take Liam before you start to eat those," Piper said, carefully reaching for their son. "I know you'd be careful, but I'm afraid sauce will fall on his little head." She settled the baby down once more, then turned to Elsie. "I didn't ask you yet. How do you like working here so far?"

Elsie took another mouthful of her food before placing her cutlery down to one side for a moment. After a few moments she smiled and turned to face Piper. She was loving her job so far.

"It's awesome. I love it here - it's great to be seeing so many people and always being kept busy. I'm gaining so much experience too which is really useful" Elsie replied.

Gage tucked into his ribs after passing Liam to Piper but kept an ear on the conversation to see where he could add to it. Meanwhile, he kept another ear and eye on the others in the restaurant.

"We stay pretty busy, so if that's something you like, then you're definitely going to get it," Piper said. "I'm glad you came to see me about a job, too. It's always nice to have another set of hands."

Elsie finished what was left of her meal before placing the cutlery neatly in the middle of the plate and moving over slightly. She turned in the chair so to face Piper and smiled.

"I like having something to do - and I'm glad you're happy to have me. I appreciate the opportunity" Elsie replied.

When Gage finished his ribs, he looked over at the young woman. "Stick with my wife and soon you'll be running your own business," he said. "Provided of course it isn't in competition with her."

A business was never really on Elsie's mind - she wanted to go out there and see things for herself. She wanted to be around her parents as long as possible - but she knew if Starfleet was what she wanted to do then Elsie wouldn't be able to be with them as much as she was now.

"She won't have to worry about that. I'm going into Starfleet" Elsie replied.

"Really?" Piper asked, looking a bit surprised. "Which department are you most interested in?"

"Same as my mum - I want to be just like her. She's a great officer and I hope I can be too" Elsie replied.

Piper smiled. "I'm sure you will be all things considered. Me, though, it's time I got back to work. I've been sitting around long enough. Take your time getting back to it, though." She turned to her husband. "I'll see you a little later. I love you."

Elsie smiled and she climbed off her stool. She didn't receive many compliments but those Elsie did receive she cherished. She had idolised Martha for over four years and wanted to emulate her career herself. For now however she'd have to wait at least another two years before she could even go to the Academy.

"Thank you. I'll just go for a walk for a five or ten minutes then I'll come back and give you a hand" Elsie replied.

Elsie put her plate out of the way behind the bar before heading off on a short walk to get some exercise before the rest of her shift.

"I love you, too," Gage said as he finished his meat and got up. "Time for me to head back to the Country, babe. Can I get a kiss?"

"Of course," she said, leaning in to kiss him.

He smiled as he returned it, then headed out.