Personal Log: FO Cmdr. Paul Velden

It is hard for me to accurately describe how I am feeling at this very moment. Many different emotions are souring through me, but I don't know what to do with them. Although I cannot grasp these feelings exactly, I do know what caused them: Helen.

[More:]

The Odyssey has suffered damage at the hands of the comet we ran into during our previous mission. We are currently docked at Starbase 12 -- after limping home, one could say, although we did reach warp eight point six; not bad, if I do say so myself.

My engineering staff is working around the clock to repair all the damage, which is quite extensive. If it weren't for the help of Helen (excuse me, Lieutenant Ciena) and her engineers, we would probably never have finished repairs this quickly.

Ah yes, Helen. I find her a mystery, yet an attractive one. I spent quite some time with her yesterday and, to be honest, also this morning. I feel comfortable around her, and I get the feeling she feels the same way around me. I went to her quarters yesterday to discuss what could be done to speed up the repairs, because there will be a staff mee--

Argh... I forgot about the staff meeting. Well, there is enough time to finish my log before I'm going. About Helen: well, let's just describe our relationship as more than a working relationship. I will miss her dearly when we leave, but that is the life of a Starfleet officer. The Odyssey is my home... Yet I admit that I have never been this tempted to leave the ship -- at least for a few days or so. I would like to explore the nature of this relationship with Helen. However, I will go where Starfleet sends me.

And at this moment, that destination is the conference room.

This is Lieutenant Commander Velden
Ending Log.