Redemption?

Posted on Sat May 17th, 2025 @ 11:28am by Lieutenant Liam O'Riley & Lieutenant JG Stevie Thomas [O'Riley]

1,398 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Below Decks
Location: Various
Timeline: Current

A few days had passed since their disastrous dinner date. Liam was still baffled by Stevie’s behavior but was hoping for some sort of explanation at some point in time. The past few days had been tough for him seeing her when on duty while mostly avoiding any direct contact to give her some space; although Liam would put duty first concerning her but hopefully she would come to him when she felt ready.

[ Main Engineering ]

Lieutenant O’Riley was checking on a few things before turning over the department to Beta Shift and calling it a day.

Shortly Lieutenant Marcy Domas, a Klingon woman and also beta shift lead, entered engineering walking over to O’Riley “Good afternoon Chief, anything I should know about” she inquired noticing the Chief didn’t quite seem himself.

Looking up “Hi Lieutenant, nothing unusual just the same routine stuff” he responded forcing a smile.

“Chief, I don’t mean to pry and feel free to tell me if it’s none of my damn business…but you seem a little…..off lately….everything alright” Marcy inquired.

“Everything’s fine; I guess I’m just a little burnt out” he replied knowing he was lying through his teeth but his personal life was just that; personal.

“If you say so. Why don’t you call it a day and get some rest; we can’t afford to have the Chief down and out” she commented with some concern in her voice.

“Thanks and that’s exactly where I’m headed; to my quarters for some rest and relaxation. Have a good shift” O’Riley replied then turned and exited engineering for a nearby lift.

[ Stevie’s Quarters ]

It had been a few days and Stevie knew it was time to face Liam and explain herself then let the chips fall where they may. She was hoping upon hope that he would actually forgive her for her horrible behavior, especially considering he was finally ready to take the next step…..if he didn’t she couldn’t blame him.

[ Liam’s Quarters ]

Arriving back home he went and changed his clothes getting out of his uniform to be more comfortable. Grabbing a water he sat on the couch to relax. Soon, and as hard as he tried not to, his thoughts went right to Stevie as he sipped his water. Minutes later Liam heard the door chime go off.

Going to the door he opened it as a smile came across his face seeing who was on the other side.

Standing there trying her best to smile “Hi Liam, can we talk” she inquired being extremely nervous to be facing him.

“Yes, please come in” he replied as he stepped back to let her in “Please sit and we can talk” thinking maybe she would explain herself for the other night and put his mind at least somewhat at ease.

Sitting Stevie faced Liam as she took a deep breathe ready to talk to him face to face “First and foremost I am so, so very sorry the way I treated you the other night in bed…..it was a horrible way to act and you deserve so much better than that” she stated scared to death at how he would react.

“You’re forgiven” he replied with a smile “But” then he paused looking into her eyes “I would at least like to know what prompted that behavior…..I thought things were going well between us…..I mean after all the hints I thought you wanted us to be intimate.”

Trying her best to hold back the tears “I did…..I mean I still do…..it’s just….” As she looked away.

“It’s just what. You can tell me anything ; no judgement here” Liam answered.

Looking into his eyes “There is something you need to know about my past that will hopefully help explain the other night” she commented.

“Go on, I’m listening” as Liam tried to make her feel more at ease.

Taking a another deep breathe she began to explain “The first ship I served on, the USS Drake, everything was going fine and I really liked it there. After a few months abroad I met this really great guy…..he was thoughtful, sweet, very complimentary…a lot of the same traits you have” then she paused a moment collecting her thoughts before going on “Anyway we got to know one another then started dating. After a couple of months we made love and I was so happy” as she paused once again still looking into Liam’s eyes “Then he betrayed me by being with another women and ended it with me over the comms; he didn’t even have the decency to tell me to my face…..it broke my heart that he’d do such a thing. To make matters even worse I later found out that was a game he was playing with young women fresh out of the academy” she concluded her heart racing.

“I’m very sorry you had to go through something like that but what does that have to do with the other night” he inquired still not making the connection.

“After that experience I vowed never, ever would I let a guy get that close to me again” as she paused “Then you came along and everything started to change” Stevie replied still wondering what was going to happen between them.

Letting out a long sigh “First off you approached me that night in the Lounge if you recall” he stated with a smile “But what happened to you certainly explains a lot about some of your questions about me and my intentions.”

Finally smiling back at him and starting to feel a little more at ease “Yes I did; I didn’t know it at the time but it was one of the best decisions I’ve made in a long time” as she paused “The other night in bed all of a sudden all those thoughts, emotions, and feelings from years ago came flooding back at me…..I guess that’s what made me panic being so close to you even though that’s exactly where I wanted to be” Stevie concluded.

Thinking for a few moments “First of all you do know that I am not that guy from years ago. To be honest I very much like spending time with you” then Liam paused “I’m a one woman kind of guy so unless you say otherwise I hadn’t planned on going anywhere and I would never consciously hurt you; you’re way to special” he replied with a smile.

Fighting back tears of joy “Thank you so much for being so sweet and understanding; I really don’t deserve a guy like you the way I acted” as she felt a tear roll down her face.

Reaching up with a smile he wiped away the tears from her cheek “I’ll give you the same advice that my grandfather once gave me ‘Don’t dwell on the past for the past is just that….the past and nothing can be changed. Live in the present but don’t be afraid of the future’ those words I’ve always remembered” as he paused “I would very much like to continue our relationship. I really like you….a lot and look forward to our time together. As far as I’m concerned making love to you is just icing on the cake” he replied smiling.

Not quite believing what she was hearing “You mean after the terrible way I treated you, you still want to be with me” she inquired.

“Yes, but only if you really want to be with me. If not then we can part as friends” he replied.

With a big smile “Yes, of course I want to be with you…..why do you think I’ve been dropping all those hints and I don’t mean just about making love” Stevie stated as she smiled “I would really like to kiss you right now.”

Moving closer to her “Go for it” was all she needed to hear as she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him with passion and a new found purpose.


Lieutenant J.G. Stevie Thomas
Computer Systems Specialist

Lieutenant Liam O’Riley
Chief Engineering Officer

 

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