The Irish Fire

Posted on Sat Jul 25th, 2026 @ 12:27pm by Ensign Connor Watts & Petty Officer 2nd Class Rhihannon O'Connell
Edited on on Sun Jul 26th, 2026 @ 7:39am

1,544 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 3 - The One Who Got Away
Location: Sidebar Lounge - Deck 5 - USS Artemis
Timeline: MD003 1400

"Good luck" was what the trill woman said to him, Connor having a momentary bit of confusion as to her words.

He knew her name was Siadra Molaur, Chief Science officer and that was about it. Connor gave her a nod in greeting, he watched as she disappeared from view, then his eyes went back to Rhihannon.

She was alone, and gosh she looked so pretty. Rhihannon, the Captain's Yeoman. Brushing his hair with one hand while holding the rose in the other, Connor felt he was now ready to go say hello.

Connor hoped his outfit wasn't pretentious, just a button down dark blue long sleeved shirt, simple slacks and black shoes.

He stepped deeper inside the Sidebar, Connor having to dodge out of the way of others who were leaving as he approached her table.

He almost crashed into a server who seemed in a hurry to get to the next table. Connor's eyes flared wide as he did a twist to keep from having drinks spilled on him. The movement much like a dance step.

"Whoops, sorry" The server said giving a glare towards Connor, as if it were Connor's fault for being in his way, and not his for being in a rush.

Connor mumbled an apology, then arrived at Rhihannon's table.

"Hi, Miss O'Connell, may I sit at your table? My name's Connor Watts. And this is for you." holding out the red long stem rose towards her.

Rhi tried not to allow the anger of the conversation with Siadra carry over, she tried to give the poor man a chance. But, her grammy always said that once the Irish was out it was hard to put away. So it was right now. She raised an eyebrow as he approached and slung back the rest of her whiskey. Her first glance told her that he was handsome, and the rose was sweet. "Tis a free Federation it is." She said in response to his request to sit. "You're Connor Watts, rank Ensign, assignment Communications Specialist. Graduated the Academy class of 94." She signalled for another whiskey and it was served almost immediately. A smile that was half genuine and half smirk crept across her face. "Ya don get to be the Captain's Yeoman without memorizin a few files."

"Of course that is true." Connor remarked as he took a seat across from Rhi.

When the server came to give Rhi her drink, Connor requested a Whiskey.

When the server left, Connor met Rhi's eyes, and had a warm smile.

"I wouldn't consider you to be unobservant, and you are right. A person who works with the Captain would have that sort of knowledge" Connor paused for a moment when the server brought over his drink, the ensign thanked him before he turned his attention back to Rhi. "I had noticed you at work when that little girl had come to the bridge with her dad. And had determined to seek you out and get to know you." Connor took a drink from his glass, just to give himself a slight bit of courage and also the taste was good, lowering the glass, he spoke. "I will confess, I did ask the computer where your location was and decided to take a chance and approach you."

"The Ensign afraid of a poor ole Petty Officer such as myself." Rhi took another sip of her whiskey with a smile. She seemed to be rather enjoying making Connor squirm. "Well now. You are here so I guess I should ask what I can do for you. I will have you know something about we O'Connell women. Beating around the bush will get you nowhere fast with us. Just cut to the chase and things will go better. So, I will ask again. What can I do for you?"

The mirth in Rhi's eyes, made the corners of Connor's mouth raise upwards.

"Well, I like that fire you're exhibiting." he paused for a moment, as a full fledged smile appeared. "But to not beat about the bush as you had mentioned, I'd like to ask you out on a date, to dinner. or some sort of activity you'd like to do." another sip of his drink, he continued. "Do you like to dance?"

"I do indeed like to dance. Ballroom mainly. I got into dancing as a way to practice figure skating when there is no ice. But the dance of the foil is better, fencing there is nothing like it." Rhi began. "So, you fancy yerself a date do ya..." Her voice trailed off as she looked him over. He was handsome, and quite different from the Irish fellas that usually tried to make a pass. "...Right then. Name the time and place and I will be there."

"There is a dance scheduled in Holodeck One, at 1800. Of which I'm thinking you would know of that." Connor smiling once more. "I too do ballroom dancing, and fencing? I would love to see your footing and um... swordsmanship. If that is the correct way to say that."

He looked at Rhi, at how the lights shone upon her hair, making the copper tones come out warm. And that smile of hers. He could feel his heart beating faster.

"Would you come with me to that dance?" Connor had just thought of that, and the fact that she mentioned ballroom dancing. He loved finding out that fact.

"Alright then you better put yer dancing shoes on. What is the dress code?" Rhi was not looking to get a date. However, it had been some time since anyone got up the courage to ask her out. So, she decided to give him a shot. She suddenly realized that her behaviour reflected upon the Captain, and got self conscious. "Do you know who else is going to be there?"

"From what I had found out, it will be open to the crew so who knows, who will be there. The notice had gone out a couple of days ago, and with you being the Captain's yeoman, I'm sure you already knew about it." a genuine smile when Connor said this. He was feeling really lucky that she said yes.

"The dress code will be semi-formal which gives everyone the chance to really dress up or just wear something nice." his warm smile, faltered a little bit.

Color swept up from his neck to his cheeks, as his fingers nervously played with the glass in his hand.

"I do want to apologize for not approaching you earlier. I, well...". Connor cleared his throat "had to muster up the nerve to come ask you. Today I decided to quit hemming and hawing about it and just come ask you. I mean the worse you could have said was, No."

"Right then. If there is anything you need to know about me it is that hemming and hawing will get you nowhere. Be as up front as possible. State what you want or need and then we can go from there. Ye got that." Rhi took the last swig of her drink. "Ye can pick me up at 1800, and make sure ye where something emerald green to match."

A quick nod, and a huge smile, from Connor at Rhi's answer.

"Got it, crystal clear." Looking her straight in her eyes, and admiring the hue of them. He was comparing them to--

"You know, you've got beautiful eyes, reminds me of a summer sky after a rainstorm. " Connor saying this softly. "I've not been to Ireland myself but, I can imagine that the hue is like that the sky over your home."

Rhi downed the rest of her drink and stood up. She had a date to get ready for apparently. "Well... that's a dangerous thing to say to an Irish woman. We might start believing you." She looked at Connor for a reaction as she spoke. She wondered if he understood sarcasm as a love language.

A gleam of understanding flickered in his dark eyes, a playful smile accompanying it in answer.

"Duly noted, and I stand by my words." Connor rising from his chair.

"I will see you at 1800." the man was feeling excitement and also amazed, that this beauty was willing to be his date.

Rhi stood up with a smile, she knew that the rest of today would be fun. At the very least she would enjoy torturing the hell out of this guy. But, who knows he may turn out to be someone to keep around. "Don't be late." She hopped off the barstool and made for the door without any other word.

He couldn't help but watch Rhi, his hand going up to the back of his neck. "Wow what a woman." Connor remarked, finishing off his drink. He left the Sidebar feeling rather excited about the upcoming date. Now to figure out something that was stylish.

A Joint Post By

Petty Officer Second Class Rhihannon O'Connell
Yeoman, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit

Ensign Connor Watts
Communications Specialist, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit

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