Aftermath

Posted on Mon Oct 26th, 2026 @ 6:20pm by Lieutenant Commander Callie Raven-Grayson & Commander Jonathan Grayson

1,261 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Creatures of the Night
Location: Grayson Quarters
Timeline: After bridge test

With the bridge test out of the way, and their children tucked up safely in bed Callie sat on the sofa cuddled up against Jon.

“Jon, can we talk about my test? I know I passed, but I only did so by keeping the thought in the back of my mind that it wasn’t real. That kind of let me have some fun with it.”

"Of course we can talk about it. I've been waiting to talk to you about it."

“Then that makes two of us” Callie added. “I barely scraped by that test Jon, I didn’t feel very confident at all.”

"You passed Callie. You did very well in handling the torpedo situation. The actual combat situation not so good which leads me to believe that you aren't fully prepared for what command means." Jon replied honestly but not harshly.

“So why did you pass me?” Callie looked at Jon in surprise. “If I’m not ready then I shouldn’t have passed this time.”

"Because you handled the torpedo scene skillfully. I didn't say you weren't ready for command I said not fully prepared. That might be a question of semantics but it is true and you can learn what command entails without losing your compassion and concern.

Callie nodded. “That’s true. I couldn’t see any way out of that situation that didn’t lead to everyone being killed. That’s why I chose to go with taking out the whole ship, to spare the crew and our families a grizzly death.” She sighed. “It certainly leaves you second guessing yourself.”

Jon shook his head, "No, don't second guess yourself. That causes doubt and leads to the inability to make a decision or even function. Own your decisions but also try to think of better options. Think of it like helping a patient, finding the best course of action."

Callie nodded and smiled. “I’ll do that, I’ll be watching you very closely from now on seeing how you go about it. Seeing as I’m now qualified to do bridge command I want to make sure I’m prepared for it.”

Jon chuckled and smiled at Callie's comment, "Watch away. I hope you do learn and don't be afraid to ask questions. You can never go wrong by asking questions. Only by not asking can you go wrong."

Callie smiled. “I’ll remember that, I’ll certainly have a good teacher in you anyway.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I guess this means that I’ll be added to the duty roster for bridge shift now. I just need it to fit in with our family life.”

Jon smiled at the kiss, "Oh, flattery will get you everything." He teased. "Yes, you and James will be added to bridge duty roster. You'll both get the occasional bridge shift to begin with to get your feet wet and into the bridge routine. After all your primary duty is that of Chief Counselor."

“For that I’m grateful” Callie smiled. “At least now I passed I’ll be able to help with bridge command if there’s no one else to do it.”

"Never let it be said I don't care about my officers." Jon bantered back a bright smile on his face. "And welcome to the bridge crew."

“Thank you Sir” Callie gave him a mock salute. “I’ll endeavour to do a good job.”

"I know you will do a good job Callie. I have no doubts about it. Just watch, trust your instincts." Jon replied.

Callie nodded. “I will, I promise.” She gave him a curious look. “What simulation did you get for your bridge officers test?”

"What?" Jon asked and then added. "Oh. It was so long ago. I um forgot." He said in an attempt to brush it off.

“Are you trying to avoid telling me?” Callie asked as she looked at Jon with a suspicious glance. “It can’t have been that bad, or was it?”

Jon looked sheepishly at her, "Um. How am I doing so far?" He asked his eyes on hers.

“Terrible” Callie smiled. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, I’m just curious as to what you had to face, and how you dealt with it.”

"That well." Jon bantered back before getting serious. "No, I'll tell you. I took the Kobayashi Maru like you did but my results were a bit different." He paused, "We were surrounded by six Klingon Bird of Preys. I ordered the crew into the life pods and then built up a warp core overload and piloted the ship into the Klingons. We blew up and so did they."

Callie nodded. “Similar situation, I figured if I launched escape pods they’d either be captured or destroyed, so I decided it best not to leave any prisoners to be tortured.”

Jon nodded, "Yep. Good thinking. Klingons don't take prisoners or didn't at that time."

Callie nodded. “I couldn’t let our children face that. I’d do whatever I had to do to protect them.”

Jon nodded. It is part of what makes you a wonderful, loving and caring mother."

Callie smiled. “Thank you, just as you do everything you do to look after and protect us.”

"You and the kids are my universe Callie. I will always do all I can to protect and watch over you." Jon replied with a smile of his own.

“So what shall we do to celebrate my passing my test? A movie maybe? With all the treats and everything to go with it? We could put out the blankets, the pillows, and have lots of fun!”

"I think that is an excellent idea. We keep it PG for now and then alter tonight or at a more appropriate time we can go and take it to R." Jon replied with a grin.

“Sounds wonderful to me” Callie grinned. “Especially the R part.”

"Somehow I just knew you were going to like the R part of this equation the best. Not that I blame you. That's my favorite as well." Jon answered a broad smile on his face.

Callie grinned. “So what movie shall we watch? Any ideas?”

"Now, that is an excellent question. Has to be something PG. What's that movie with the pirate and his ship the Black Pearl? Can Harry watch that?" Jon asked.

“Pirates of the Caribbean? I don’t see why not” Callie grinned. “Let’s get everything set up and sorted then we can all sit down and enjoy it.”

"That's the one." Jon answered. "Come on Harry, let's get everything set up for movie night. You are in for a treat."

Heading into the bedroom Callie pulled out some cosy blankets, they could use the sofa cushions instead of the pillows. “I’ve got the blankets.” She grinned as she brought them through. J

"Excellent!' Jon exclaimed as he took the blankets from Callie.
"Here you go Harry, Wrap up in one of these, while I get some popcorn and drinks."

“I’ll be right back” Callie grinned before heading into the nursery to check on Stephen and Shona, once they were asleep they tended to sleep for a while. Making sure they were both alright she returned to the living room. “Both still sleeping, so I think we’ll be alright for now.”

"Excellent." Jon said as he carried three drinks and a bowl of popcorn on a tray. "Let's get this party started."

 

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