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8.
Aug 6, 2020 15:57:42 GMT
via mobile
Post by Admin on Aug 6, 2020 15:57:42 GMT
May 20, 2020 Mar and Lera Pm
Mardusk walked into Mike's Place. It wasnt opened yet, but he needed a drink. Walking in, he heard and saw the jukebox and smiled. Rancid's 'DJ DJ' was playing, one if his favorites. Walking to the bar, he looked around for his old friend. Not seeing him, the big green man took a seat on his stool and reached over the bar without looking. He found the bottle and pulled it out... and then noticed the shot glass sitting on the bar, placed just to the right of his seat. Mardusk smiled and poured the shot, slammed it, poured another, slammed it, and then yelled out "How'd you know I was comin'?!"
A voice from the back yelled over the music "Because you always do!" and a moment later Big Mike walked into view. He smiled at Gravel and said "Rough day?" Mardusk filled the glass and motioned for Mike to join him. "You have no idea..." Mike's mouth twitched at the corner, but he simply grabbed a glass poured his and Gravel's and held the glass up. "To hard days." and they clicked the glasses together and tossed the shots back with practiced ease. <e>
They drank in silence for a while, the jukebox cycling through half a dozen songs before Mike spoke up. "Ok. Work doesnt get you like this. So its personal. What's up, big man?"
Mardusk just shook his head and smiled as he drank a bit. "Honestly, Mike? I have no flippin' idea. I was looking into this... thing... and it just took a turn I wasnt expecting. Not sure why, either." Mike smiled and looked down so that Gravel wouldnt see it. "Not sure why what, ya big ox?" and he looked up without the smile and said "Just say it. What is in your head right now?" and Mardusk looked at him and said simply "A woman. A woman is in my head." <e>
Mike looked at him but then turned and began organizing something so Gravel couldnt see his face. "A woman? Huh... been a while since that happened. She must be something..." he said.
Mardusk nodded. "Yep. She most certainly is. She stared down some piece of crap that had caught her and her team and was using a damn whip on her, Mike! Just glared at the sonofabitch like it didnt phase her, just pissed her off." His voice was accented with a mixture of amazement and admiration. "And it was one of those damn Orion Male Right's groups. F-ing incels, couldn't get laid in an Orion whorehouse with strips of latinum hanging outta their pockets." and he poured shots. Mike stopped and said "So what? You worried she wont like you cause you look like them?" and Mardusk shrugged. "Those bastards had them for months, Mike. Used the women... said they were 'turning the tables' or some dumb shit. I dunno what all they did... but I know I would understand if she hated every green skin man who ever looked at her again." <e>
The door opened and Lera's back could be seen as she laughed and hollered above the din of the music box. "MIKE!! Hey, are you having issues with your door? Two other doors on board are claiming they aren't sliding like they should." She was examining the door slot the barrier slid into. "And we have GOT to talk... How the HELL am I supposed to get Mar to stay in the same room with me while I work, much less long enough for me to figure out how to ask him to your opening? I need more than 3 days!" She cursed and shook her head. "Dammit... TWO days now..." She actually growled loud enough to be heard over the music. <e>
As if on cue, the music stopped as she finished talking. Both men looked at her, then at each other, then back at her. Mike said "Well... I think you just did." and he looked at Gravel, who sat there in obvious shock, and shrugged.
"You're welcome." he said, and he set another glass on the bar next to Gravel's chair. He then set two bottles between them and said to the space as a whole "Man... long day. Think I'm gonna retire. You two lock up. And dont break the jukebox." and he turned to walk into the back. <e>
The green on Lera's face as she froze and turned, could have riveled the skin on Mar's arms. She bit her lip and then gave Mike an open glare that would have killed all her captors had she done it back then. "SHIT!" was all she could manage.
"Mike..." she actually put her arm out as if she could stop him. Dropping it, and realizing that if she left, she was running, she took a deep breath and pulled her shields back around her and walked up to the bar. "Chief..." she said and poured herself a shot and downed it immediately. After pouring a second one, she moved to the jukebox and tried to concentrate on the music choices. <e>
Mardusk just stared. His face was a combination of shock, surprise, and confusion. It was a good thirty seconds before he spoke.
"Lieutenant... uh... um... you... I... I like your hair." was what came out of his mouth. In his head his brain was screaming ARE YOU KIDDING!! 'I like your hair'?!?! THATS your line here, dipshit?! and he cursed under his breath... but it was loud enough she could probably hear it... and the embarrassment that shrouded it. <e>
A smile touched her lips as she raised a hand to touch it. It was coiled at the base of her neck, still. She wasn't in uniform, her body clad in deep blue leggings and a matching tunic top that was untucked and flared enough to sway around her hips as she walked. She had on calf high black boots.
She closed her eyes a moment. He was trying. Whatever else she feared, or worried about or thought... he was trying. She opened her eyes and turned. The smile on her face, forced to begin with, grew a bit softer around the edges and turned genuine. "Thanks... and please. Not Lieutenant... it's Lera." She turned back and picked a random song, not knowing any of them, and moved back to the bar as she heard it make sounds she had come to realize were for programed reality affects before the song played. "Did you have a good day?" She asked as she took a stool on the front of the bar, near his seat, and in reach of the bottles. <e>
Mardusk exhaled slightly. Chill out. She's talking to you. She sat with you. So she doesn't hate you. Just... be calm. he thought to himself.
"Lera..." he said, as if trying out the word. He poured her a shot and slid it to her, stopping just short of in front of her. He filled his glass and said "Not bad. You? You settling in ok?" He was faced forward, and there was a stiffness to him. Not uncomfotable, but... tense. <e>
She smiled and took the offered drink. "Thank you..." Taking half of it down, she answered him. "I am, thank you. And it's going all right. Couple ummm... sticky doors today." She glanced back at the now closed door as if it mocked her that she couldn't leave. Looking back at him, she smiled. "How's the new chair? You and the quadruplets enjoying it?" She managed a laugh. It was short, but it was genuine. Looking down at her glass, it didn't occur to her to brace for a brash response. <e>
Mardusk chuckled and smiled, but still didnt look at her. "Its great. The oldest two like that it lets my legs stretch out so they can slide." and he took a drink, then another. "So what brings you by to see Mike?" he asked. His tone was hitched, as if he was unsure if this was the right road to take. But he hoped that he was conveying that maybe... just maybe, he hadnt heard her request to talk to Mike about him... and asking him out. Even though there was no way he hadn't, maybe giving her the out would help ease the tension a bit. <e>
She laughed at his comeback. "I'm glad they approve." When he asked, she glanced to the back. "Actually... Mike is the reason I'm here." She took a deep breath and looked at Mar. "He told me if you and I didn't show up at his opening, the night after next, there would be hell to pay. I'm not sure which of us he would give hell to. But something tells me he meant it." She smiled and looked down, finishing her drink and wiping the back of her hand over her lips. "I had come to tell him it was foolish to ask such a thing." She looked at the Chief. "I mean, it is... right? I get the feeling he can't force you to do anything. Right? And I didn't want you to be forced into anything." There was the edge of something in her gaze. Hope... perhaps? <e>
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8.
Aug 6, 2020 16:05:37 GMT
via mobile
Post by Admin on Aug 6, 2020 16:05:37 GMT
Mardusk swallowed his drink and took in a breath through clenched teeth. Damn you, Mike he thought. Finally he turned and looked at her, his eyes looked onto her. "You want to have dinner with me tonight? Like... right now? We can go anywhere you want. I'd just like to spend some time getting to know you." he said flatly, but with a hint of... hope, maybe as well. <e>
Had she had a drink, she probably would have dropped it. She didn't stiffen, but she did freeze for a moment. Turning her head, she cocked it slightly and a slow smile touched her lips. She hadn't expected him to be looking at her like that and her eyes got caught.
It was the first time she had gotten a chance, and the nerve, to actually look at them. She had most certainly noticed them every time she had been around them. And she had most certainly noticed them in the holo program. But this time, despite something dark she saw floating behind them, the eyes she looked at were exactly as she imagined they would be. Full of strength and resolve.
She didn't answer at first, merely nodded her head. "Yes.." she finally answered. The word broke her tension and she relaxed. The nod was more intentional. "I'd like that. But you know the ship better than me. Perhaps you could suggest a place? I admit, I haven't been to any place other than your office and here, since I got here." <e>
Mardusk smiled. A genuine smile. "Ok. How about we keep it simple. Officer's Mess? Shouldn't be too crowded right now, so we can talk... if you want. And they make a really good Reuben sandwich." <e>
She nodded and stoppered the open bottle. "I'd like that. Shall we?" She slid off her stool and nodded to the door. Her mind was racing. She had tried to think of all these excuses just to coax him into entering Mike's place in the same timeframe as her so she could fulfil Mike's parameters without being overbearing about it. And here he was, asking her to dinner and talk.
Yet, something felt natural about it. She just wasn't aware that 'natural' was the feeling she was having. <e>
Mardusk stood and moved next to her. "We're leaving Mike. You can have your bar back." he rumbled. A familiar voice cam from the back and Mike said "Mike left and didnt hear shit. Now get out and go have dinner and talk you two." Mardusk chuckled and his hand went unconsciously to Lera's back and he, surprisingly gently, steered her towards the door. <e> Lera sighed and shook her head. "No door that way... I had forgotten." She laughed as she felt his hand steer her and she allowed herself to move just fast enough to allow it to remain.
It was an interesting sensation. Sure, she had felt that from other men. But the hand hadn't been so hard, the pressure so sure, yet gentle and the motion so natural that she didn't even so much as twitch.
When they reached the door and she turned the corner, he let go. Oddly, she actually acutely felt the loss. Smiling, she stepped to the side to allow him to choose the direction and take the lead. "I admit, I haven't had a Rueben in years. Hadn't thought about it actually." <e>
Mardusk stepped out and to the left. "This way. If you want, I can give you a tour on the way." he said with a smile, his teeth bright white against his lips. He began walking, slower than his typical, and he kept a step behind her so as not to fill the passageways as they walked. <e>
She moved ahead, realizing what he was doing. "Sure..." she said to his offer for a tour. "So are Ruebens a favorite, or merely the first thing that came to mind?" She gave him a light smile over her shoulder a moment. <e>
"If they're done right, they're really good. Dunno if I have a favorite, really. I do like steaks though." and he smiled back at her. " What about you? Any favorites?"
As they made their way through the ship, they came to the Arboretum. "Want to take a look? It's actually kind of impressive..." <e>
Her eyes lit a moment. "I'd love to. I had forgotten there was one on board. This is the first ship of this kind of size and, well, luxery, that I've been on. Most have been basic and mundane." She palmed open the door and stepped in, an appreciative whistle falling before she realized she was blocking the door and double skipped to let him in. "Sorry," she laughed. <e>
He smiled and said "No apologies. You are the best looking road block I've seen." and he stepped in and looked around.
The place was actually huge and paths wound their way through the gardens. Gravel stepped next to her and looked down. He offered her his arm, and said "I'm glad you said yes. I was sure you wouldnt." His tone held a bit of the uneasiness he must have felt asking her to dinner, but there was also relief. <e>
She blushed at the compliment. Her arm reaching up to wrap around his. Her small arm, while not able to reach all the way around, still managed to get far enough to rest her finger tips on the inside of the crook of his elbow.
She let him lead them around a bit. Her free hand reaching out occasionally to run with a bare feather touch over the edges of some of the plants. After a few moments, she asked him, without looking up. "Why would you think I wouldn't?" She knew, but hoped she was wrong. <e>
He stopped as they passed by a bench, and he gestured for her to sit. The bench was next to a small retaining wall around a group of trees on a rise, and Mardusk sat on the wall. He took a deep breath and looked at the ground, and played with his fingers. Finally, he spoke.
"So this is gonna make you mad. I just really hope after you get done being mad, we can maybe try this again." and he gestured 'around'. "After our first meeting, I pulled your file. And I read the report of when you got held. And something just... well... it just didnt sit right. Dont ask what, 'cause I really dont know. Anyway, I had a crime scene recreation done. Took briefing statements, physical evidence, helmet cam recordings... and I had a guy dump all of that into the Computer and recreate what had happened to you right before the rescue." and he kept his face down and he picked at his fingers as if he felt guilty.
"I dont know how you did it, but you weathered that like a pro. Hell, I know Intel folks that would have cracked long before that rescue. But you took it, and you took it by choice. And that really impressed me. A lot. And then I thought about you and then what those bastards -" and he almost bit the last word as he spoke it, "- did that and I just knew.. knew... that whenever you'd look at me you could see them. And I really didnt want to do that to you." <e>
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8.
Aug 6, 2020 16:12:18 GMT
via mobile
Post by Admin on Aug 6, 2020 16:12:18 GMT
She sat on the bench and watched him perch on the wall. When he started to speak, she watched him from the corner of her eye as she fiddled with her own fingers. She knew, of course. But to hear him tell it, she realized it wasn't what she had thought. Whatever reason he set out do find when he started the project, it was here, there, in the middle of the room, chained to a post, that had distracted him.
When he finished, she stood up and walked over to stand close enough to rest her rest her hands on his arms. "I don't see you that way, Mar. I don't." The shortening of his last name had been so common for her in her mind and when talking to Mike, it was automatic when she spoke to him.
"Perhaps, if Fleet or Ops had rescued us. Or if I hadn't already been dealing with Orions enough to know that what happened wasn't usual habits, I would have acted different to you. Maybe I would see this..." she ran her hand over his arm indicating his skin, "differently."
She took a deep breath and let it out. "I was an ass the first time we met. You were right. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. But when I turned and saw you. It was size, Mar..." she tilted her head and half bent over to try and look into his eyes. "JUST size, that startled me. I swear it to you."
She sat back on the bench, but was on the edge of the corner closest to him. "After that, I thought maybe you had just kept your distance because you thought I feared you. That's why I tried to get you to stay. To let you know I wasn't scared of you. I had just been startled the first time." She looked down at her hands once more. They had been at odds for the wrong reasons. And it had taken Mike to kick them back to sense. <e>
He looked up and smiled a kind of sad smile. "Well... you certainly arent the first person to tell me that, at least." and he shrugged his shoulders, the muscles there rippling like waves. "And I get that, absolutely. I mean this..." and he stood up and held his arms out wide, "... isnt exactly the most comforting and zen inspiring frame to have come up behind you." and he chuckled a kind of resigned chuckle and sat back down. He sighed and said "I'm really sorry, Lera. Last thing I want to do is make you uncomfortable. And I'm sorry I did that recreation. I know it was an invasion of your privacy in a way. But I deleted it, just so you know." <e>
She laughed softly and shook her head. "Honestly... I could get used to having that," she held her hands out to reference him, "behind me. I'd feel safe."
"And I don't care about the sim. I wish you had told me, sure. But then I could have given you more information. More context for what you were going to see. I didn't take it, the abuse, because I wanted an adrenalin high, or am a risk taker. I didn't do it to be all heroic. I did it because I knew I would survive. Angela was a science geek. Great at her job, couldn't lift anything heavier than a petre dish. Gwen, great security officer if she was in the office like Koll is. Much like him, knows the ins and outs, can fire a phaser, but would have broken out of choice. And Arie and Rebecca just weren't built with bodies meant to withstand repeated blows."
She stood up and walked a few feet away, a deep breathe in and out to calm herself. "We discovered they liked the fight, the struggle, the resistance. If we laid there, and took it. They got bored. It's why we weren't raped after the first night. When they tried with me the next time and I shut down, he got mad." She shook her head, "Furious... I told the others. They laid there, and then they were left alone. By the fourth day I had made the connection. The guys calmed the girls to keep them docile as much as possible. I was the ruckus raiser." She laughed cause it was almost ridiculous in thinking. "It didn't stop the abuse on them all the time. But it shortened their ordeals. They found they could rile me up by hurting the others. Once I peaked in rage, they left off the others and used me." She went silent, her back to him still. Then her voice got almost quiet. "I'm sorry you had to see it." <e>
Mardusk looked at her. He hadnt known about the rape. His blood boiled, but his face just showed hurt. Hurt for her. Not pity, but hurt because she had suffered.
"I didnt see it all... just the last moments before the rescue." and he looked down again. "Your face was caught on one of the helmet cams. I saw you... your eyes... Defiant. Angry. But not broken. Not scared. It... it's really impressive, Lera. That you could take all that and not give up. It says a lot about you. And that's why I wanted to know you... that kind of will is... well... it's a rare thing." <e>
"I guess..." she said. She turned to look at him, her brows furrowed with curiosity. "You thought I would reject you cause you are Orion. Why aren't you shunned by the ordeal I went thru? It's obvious I was broken, no matter what those eyes told you that you saw. Which I don't believe was anything but survival. And I won't lie, Mar... I don't know how to act around you. Around others, I know what I am. I'm a protector. I'm the one who takes the blows cause they can't. But I can't take the blows you would fear." She laughed and shook her head. "I told Mike that this morning. But it's true. So how do I act around you? Because posturing as your body guard will merely make us both look foolish. Me for doing it and you for letting me." She shrugged at her loss of what to do. <e>
Mardusk looked at her and shook his head. "You can act however you want." and he stood up and came and actually knelt down on his knees to look at her directly. "Or you dont have to act at all. You can just... be. You dont even have to talk, if you dont want to. You can just be near me. I wont judge. Or feel sorry for you. Or ask you to talk about it. Of if you do want to talk, I'll listen." and he slowly rose to his feet.
"And I dont see you as broken. Not now... not then. Hurt and tired and scared? Sure. But you were never broken. Because if you were really broken by those cock suckers... you wouldn't be standing her talking to me about how you dont know act around me. You'd have fled the ship the first time you saw me." and he bent over and put his face in front of hers, emerald-like eyes looking directly at her.
"When I see you I dont see what happened. I just see you. Right now. And I hope and wish that when you look at me you just see me, not the past." <e>
Her hand rose without thinking and touched the side of his face. "I don't see the past..." she said to reassure him. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Opening them she smiled, but it was almost sad. "I'm gonna press your buttons. I'm gonna push, and kick and shove and do things you won't like." She laughed then, "Or least try damned hard to. I'm gonna stand up to you, and for you, and end up looking like like some small pup chomping at the heels of a large warg. Can you live with that?"
Was this happening? Was Mike the reason, or were they managing on their own? She didn't care. The look she saw in his eyes was something she wanted to see always. A man who didn't know of her past and either try and tiptoe around her like she was made of spun electrum. And didn't go the other extreme to become overbearing thinking that was what she wanted or needed. <e>
A smile crept across his lips and he said "I can if you can. And push all the buttons you want. I can take it." and the smile grew onto a grin. He reached out and took her hand, and it disappeared into his. <e>
Her heart was racing, but it wasn't from fear or uncertainty. She laughed softly, her other small hand resting on top of his. "I think I can handle one Orion Male..." She wanted him to know he was certainly not in the department with the others. Leaning over, she kissed his forehead. Realizing what she had done, she blushed and tried to back up, stammering her apology. "I'm sorry... I didn't... I should have asked." <e>
His speed was almost as impressive as his size. With a sudden motion, he had scooped her up off the ground and cradled her in his arms. He bent his head low and placed a single, soft, delicate kiss on her lips. "You dont ever have to apologize for that. No matter what or where it happens. Ok?" and his hand brushed a strand of hair from her face.
If she was paying attention, she would realize he was holding her with one arm. <e>
She cried out but there was an edge of a laugh to it and her arms reflexively went around his shoulders. "Mar!!!" She settled as he he did and his hand, for as large as it was, managed to brush the hair away with a tenderness she wasn't sure even she could have managed.
As he told her not to apologize for kissing him, she nodded, "Ok..." It was then that she realized she was cradled on one arm. She smiled. "Show off. And no, it doesn't scare me." She furrowed her brow and a hand rose to run gently over his own brow. "I don't think I would ever be scared of your touch. Is that silly?" <e>
He shook his head and said "Nope. Not to me." and then he looked around. A couple he recognized had stopped some ways away and were very interested in an exhibit of grass. He looked down and asked her "Want me to put you down? Or are you good?" with a big grin. <e>
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8.
Aug 6, 2020 16:21:03 GMT
via mobile
Post by Admin on Aug 6, 2020 16:21:03 GMT
She glanced at the couple then back at him. "I'm good... are you?" She grinned at him worried more about his reputation than her own. <e>
"I'm fucking great." and he began walking. Moving past them, he said "Evening Lieutenants. Good to see you." and continues on about their way. As they rounded the corner, Gravel put a finger to his lips and then pointed at his ear and then to hers.
As the stood quietly, nothing happened. But after about thirty seconds a woman's voice belted out "OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD!! Did you see that?!" and there was a smack and a man's voice said "Ow! Yes! I saw it! How could you not see it?" and the woman said "I cant believe that. And who was the girl? I don't think I know her." "Because it's a huge ship, Kathleen. You dont know everybody." " But now I have to know! I cant just say 'I saw Savage Dragon with a red head cocked up on his arm strolling through the Arboretum.', now can I?" "Well, you could not say anything and let them have their privacy." "Oh shut up. You're gonna be making crass jokes about him and her in the locker room first thing in the morning." "I am not! Have you seen the man?!? He punched a shuttle, Kathleen. A shuttle. And the shuttle lost! I'm not saying anything." and there was a long pause. Then the woman said "I wonder how that works...?" "What works?" he replied.
"You know... that. They are so different in size. Poor little thing will probably pass out first time she see's his di-" "AANNNNNDDD WE'RE DONE! and their footsteps moved away. <e>
"Ma..." she started to ask why he stopped when he told her to shush and listen. She frowned a moment then heard the voices. Her eyes grew wide as the woman freaked out. She actually had to put her hand on her mouth to keep from laughing as the woman talked about her cocked up on his arm.
When the man mentioned Mar had punched a shuttle and won, she looked at him with a questioning glance. And as the conversation ended, she turned beat red and actually buried her head into his shoulder. "Oh gods..." she was caught between murmuring and laughing in embarrassment.
In a couple minutes, she had the hiccups from laughing till tears choked her throat <e>
When she looked at him about the shuttle, he shrugged and smiled a guily grin. And when the woman talked about Lera passing out, well, it turned out that Orions blush slightly red. But as Lera laughed, so did he, enjoying the feeling of her face in his shoulder.
He looked at her as he caught his breath and said "I am SO sorry. I had no idea Lieutenant Hines had such a dirty mind!" and he laughed again. <e>
She bit her lip as her body jerked from a hiccup. "I'm sorry too. It's not gonna get easier, Mar... it's gonna get worse. Are you ok with that? You are security and have to be able to do your job. I don't want that compromised for..." she wasn't actually sure what they were, so after another hiccup, she finished, "for anything..."
She didn't realize it, but she was being the Protector again. Worrying about others instead of herself. <e>
He grunted and started walking, her form still perched on an unmoving arm. They'd talk if we hid, they'd talk if we didnt. And dont worry about me not being able to do my job. He wasnt lying about the shuttle." and he glanced down at her and grinned. "Just cause I'm dat... um... wit... seei... spending time with you doesnt change the way I do my job." and he looked forward again. "Just means I get to look forward to end of shift a bit more." and he smiled as they came to the Arboretum doors. <e>
She looked at him. She wasn't sure what the stutter was for, she had trouble following it, but somehow she realized he wasn't sure what they were either. "Well, then. I guess we will both have reasons now not to spend the better part of three shifts in our uniforms and in our work places, huh?"
She laughed because that's exactly how they had spent the last couple days. She knew, because she had been in his office and he had been there. <e>
He set her down, slowly, and his fingers lingered on her noticeably. He looked down at her and said "Best reason I can think of right now." and his hand went to open the door and he stopped. "I haven't... well... yeah, never mind." and he opened the door. Before she could ask he said "Some conversations I dont mind having in public... most really. I got nothing to hide. But some..." and a giant green finger slid gently and with surprising grace down her cheek, "... some need to be held in private. And I think I mentioned dinner." and he looked up and then, just as when they left Mike's bar, he put his hand on her back and gently steered her forward. As they started walking, he grinned.
"Need to get some food in you before you... you know... pass out." <e>
She laughed and pressed back slightly into his hand before he let go. "I'm open to suggestions if there is somewhere else you want to eat. We can always get the food and go elsewhere." She glanced up sideways at him and grinned. "I have faith in your decision for a quiet and private place for us."
As they walked, she wondered what had done it? What had broken that barrier that had them ready to completely break down at the sight of one another one moment, and now he was holding her like a treasured possession and not caring who saw? <e>
"Well..." his voice rumbled after a moment, "... we can go to my place. I mean... I dont mean...well... I just mean... you know... its private... and we could talk." he stuttered and stammered out the suggestion, and there was an obvious embarrassment in his voice. "We can swing by the Mess and just grab some food? Yeah?" he added with slightly more bravado than necessary. <e>
She hiccupped and turned suddenly, making him stop short or run her over. She was prepared to step back if she had caught him off guard. "Hey..." Her hand, small and lithe, pushed to his chest. She couldn't have actually stopped him if he didn't want stopping, but she hoped she could get his brain to register she was there and stop him on his own. "Your place is perfect. And if it makes you feel better. We can just use the replicator in your room." She smiled and nodded down the hall. "We have to go to Mike's opening together in two nights, or we are in far more trouble than I think either of us can handle." She laughed and hiccupped once more. A small growl behind it at her feeling foolish. "So if you want some privacy till then, I'm ok with that." <e>
Mardusk's mouth opened and closed, and then he cleared his throat. "Oh... ok... ok then... let's." and he led her to the turbo lift. In a few minutes they were at his door. It slid open for him and he and she stepped inside.
The room was nice and comfortable, and well kept. The oversized, overstuffed furniture was clean and comfortable looking. In one corner of the room, where the window met the far right wall, stood a tailor's dummy on which sat a full set of Klingon Nobel House Ceremonial armour and robes. Hanging above the door was a truly massive bat'leth, points down. Various odds and ends lay scattered about.
Mardusk simply said "Lights." and the room lit up softly as the door slid shut silently behind them. He stepped to the side and said "Well... make yourself comfortable. You want a drink? Like... a real one? Or something to eat?" <e>
She walked around the room admiring everything, pausing before the armour. "I'd love a drink, though I warn you, I think I'm already a but buzzed." She laughed and reached a hand out, pausing to run her fingers lightly over the armour, just above the surface so she didn't leave smudges. "It's beautiful," she half whispered. "And I guess we probably both need dinner." She turned to look at him, her hands going behind her as she leaned on the wall under the window. "My guess is, if I didn't eat, you probably didn't either." She smiled and nodded to him daring him to prove her a liar. <e>
Mardusk went to the cabinet an pulled out a large bottle, then used an old style bottle opener to take the top off with a slight swisssh-pop sound. Taking two glasses, he filled them with an amber liquid with a pale brown foam at the top. "Beer. Nothing heavy. And what do you want to eat? One of my guys hacked the Skipper's replicator menu, so we can have anything." and he chuckled. A hand wrapped itself around the glasses and he moved to the low table and sat them down. <e>
She moved over to the couch and kicked her shoes off. Grabbing a bottle, she sat on the arm of the couch, stocking feet on the cushion. "Ummm... well the Reuben was a good idea but I'm up for," hiccup and growl, "dammit... up for almost anything. Though I admit I'm not a fan of Klingon food." She tipped up the bottle and downed three big gulps trying to kill the hiccups.
Coming up for air, she held her breath. Hoping it was over, she exhaled. <e>
Mardusk grinned and tapped some commands. A few seconds later he turned and held a platter. Grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup, and chocolate brownies. "Yea or nay?" he asked with a smile. <e>
Her face lit up and she nodded. "Definitely, yea!" Laughing she scooted down on the cushion, leaving plenty of room for him beside her. "I love your choices. Haven't had grilled cheese in ages." <e>
He set the platter down and settled in beside her. There were an inordinate amount of sandwiches, probably a gallon of soup, and at least two pans of brownies. He looked at her and said "So, yeah... um... I eat a lot. Just fair warning." and he laughed. <e>
She laughed, grabbed a sandwich half and nodded. "Good... then I don't have to be polite and only eat one serving around you."
She took a bit and hummed in pleasure. Probably the closest to a human purring as it got. She scooted back and crossed her legs, shifting more to face him.
After several bites, she looked up at him. "What was it you felt was off?" <e>
He looked at her after having bit a sandwich in half with a confused look. He chewed and swallowed and took a gulp of beer. "Off? What do you mean?" <e>
She took a sip of her beer and looked at her sandwich. "The holo... you said something was off. That's why you had Koll put the program together." She took another bite of her sandwich. <e>
Mardusk stopped mid bite and looked at her, his eyes narrowing, but a sly smile on his lips. "And just how exactly did you know Koll was the one who put it together, huh?" <e>
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8.
Aug 6, 2020 16:28:17 GMT
via mobile
Post by Admin on Aug 6, 2020 16:28:17 GMT
Her face dropped. She set the beer down very carefully and the sandwich crust she almost finished. She took a deep breath and turned to him. "He told me. I made him. A file was sent to me. A recording of you on the holo deck running the scenario. I asked for his help because I wanted to see your eyes. I had to see your eyes. You had stopped to look at me... that me... and you stormed out." She put her hand lightly on his arm. "I thought you had seen disgust... a woman who'd asked for it... or had seen the tears and seen weakness. I had to know. And I needed him to erase it from the security files." She looked at him for his reaction. <e>
He looked at her for a long time, his eyes boring into her like had rocked so many suspects before... and then he said...
"Ok. That seems teasonable." and took a bite of his sandwich. He looked back at her and made a silly face with a mouthful of grilled cheese, made sillier by the size of the face making it. <e>
She bit her lip and her heart stopped. Her feet were perched on the floor about to launch her to the door if he went after Koll.
With his statement of it being 'reasonable', she exhaled. And when he made the face, she laughed and shoved on his arm. She picked her bottle back up and one of the brownies. Scooting back to lean on the arm of the couch, she frowned slightly. "You didn't answer my question, Mar... and please don't be mad at Koll. He took me to Mike afterwards. I was a mess. Promise me... please.... And yes, Mike knows. I was a wreck. I thought you despised me. That's when he told me I had 3 days to figure it out and come to the opening with you or there'd be hell to pay." She took a bite of the brownie. "And that is how we ended with where we are tonight..." Suddenly the bottle in her hand held rapt fascination for her. <e>
Gravel leaned back and said "You know, you look really tiny on this couch." and he laughed. He then calmed and got a bit serious. "Ok, let's just get everything out in the open, all right? No secrets. You want me to go first? Or you?" <e>
She nodded and moved to sit up on the arm of the couch as she had been before. Seeming 'tiny' wasn't how she needed to feel right now. "Go ahead... and I'll answer any questions I can. Even about then." She finished the brownie and the beer and set the bottle on the table before sitting back up to listen.
He dusted crumbs off his hands and took a drink. "Ok. When you came in my office..." and he proceeded to go over the events of the past few days involving him, her, Koll, and Mike. He explained that he wanted to know what had happened, but the file was redacted and missing parts... typical of an embarrassment to the Fleet. He explained the holo, and when he got the part of him watching it, he got quiet. "Listen... what I am about to tell you will color how you see me. But I said no secrets... so...." and he told her about his reaction. "Lera, I just... I was so pissed. That they hurt you and your team. And that no one did anything for so long! And that... that... " and he looked at her and said "... that they made you cry. I know, it's weird. I mean, it's not like we are officially a thing or anything and this was before I even knew you... but I didn't t care. They made you cry, and so I did what I did." He went on to tell her how he saw her eyes and knew that the image was from the actual rescue. "You were so defiant... so... strong." and he looked at her. "It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen." he said softly.
He cleared his throat and then went on to tell her how he had tried to just forget it, but he couldnt so he had gone to see Mike and get drunk.
"So... that's my side" and he took a drink of beer. <e>
She listened and watched him. As he mentioned seeing her and being pissed, she bit her lip. The idea, now, of him hurting in any way cause of her tightened her chest like it was being compressed.
She let the silence sit a moment. “It wasn't anyone's fault but theirs,” she said. When we were taken, a shuttle had departed the planet with the right number of life signs on it. It got into a ship that took off to warp before anyone could make the connection and follow.” She sighed remembering how she had been mad they had been forgotten for so long. One of the rescuers had confided in her at risk of being reprimanded severely. “They thought we were gone. They went looking. No one had any idea we were in a cave system just a couple hundred kilometers away.” She stopped as her voice cracked.
She was leaning over, her elbows on her knees as she half leaned off the armrest. “I was defiant because it was the struggle they wanted. To feel powerful over a woman. Any woman. I saw how you dealt with the one who whipped me. You aren't far from how the Orion soldiers treated them. I believe only two of the ten made it out of the cave. The rest couldn't have been swept up from the debris that was left.”
She inhaled and sighed. “I was able to make the distinction and came out without the fear of Orions that many of the others will hold for the rest of their nights. Oddly enough, my nightmares aren't of green giants attacking me... it's of pain. Pure and simple. Just pain from unseen hands.” She went to her knees beside him so she could put her hands on his arms. “So you see... I'm not colored by how you reacted. Now that I understand it, I'm glad. I'm glad you hate them and wanted to see them all dead. And I'm glad you didn't see a pitiful creature when you looked at me.” She looked at him and smiled. “I'm just sorry that your first look into my eyes was the fear you saw in your office when I jumped.” <e>
Gravel looked at her for a long while in silence and then said "I'm not sorry. I still got to see your eyes, and that was worth it." and he traced her cheek with his finger. He then shook his head and sat back. "Ok. You're up. Everything from your side. And no judgement, ok? We just need to start with both of us being open, ok?" <e>
She took a deep breath and settled to cross her legs again. She forgot he had said she looked small sitting there. "I actually think you know it all already. I wanted to get your requests done and be around you so you would know I wasn't scared of you. Mike and I started talking about you the day I met him, wiring the club for proper power needs." She took a deep breath.
She looked at him and shook her head with a soft smile. "I don't even know what to say that I haven't already. Ask me anything, Mar... whatever you want to know. I'll tell you everything. I just don't know what I haven't already blurted out in my moments of blathering." <e>
Gravel looked at her and he said "Tell me about you and Koll. Everything. Not because I'm mad... but because I need to know if he broke an agreement he and I have." <e>
She sighed. "I got the file of the holo. It was anonymous. I couldn't trace it. But the view when the scene was frozen left your back to the viewer... to me." She looked down and started fiddling with her fingers. "I called him and asked him to come help me run it, then delete it. Even from Security logs. I needed to see your eyes. He accidentally let slip he had sent it." She looked up. "He wanted me to see you weren't the mean bad guy I thought you might be. He didn't want me scared of you."
She sighed again and stood up to go look out the window. "All I remember was seeing your face. The anger, then, what I know now to be admiration. I thought it was, but I wasn't sure. But then you walked away. It pissed me off and hurt like my chest had been crushed. It didn't dawn on me, then that it was a program. I hadn't needed rescuing. I was sick with rage and misunderstanding. Koll took me to Mike's and I sent him away. Told him to get rid of it. All of it. Every trace I had seen what I had seen, or that the program had even been run by me." She shook her head. "I almost got drunk. And sick... Mike helped me realize I was focusing on the holo, not on you. And he sent me to bed with orders to figure it out... figure us out... and be at his opening with you... or else." She fell silent and prayed that Koll wasn't going to be on the receiving end of Mar's ire. <e>
Big hands settled on her waist. He was behind her again, silently, but as he touched her he said "Dont jump. And dont scream. And dont be mad. I'm behind you."
He held her for a moment and then turned her around. He put his hands on her hips... and slowly she came off the ground. He brought her face even with his and he said "I'm not mad. At you or Koll... or Mike. I'm glad. I'm glad that things worked out the way they did... but most of all, I'm really glad you are here. Now, if it's all right with you, I would really like to kiss you." <e>
She had actually leaned back into him when he took her by the waist. And when he turned her and lifted her up, she smiled and bit her lip, her hands coming to rest automatically on his shoulders. "I'm glad too. And," she smiled brighter, "I think I'd like that." <e>
He brought her close and their lips met. He was hesitant, but gentle. His lips pressed to hers, and a small groan came from somewhere deep in his throat. He didnt rush, just savored the feeling of her against him and her lips on his. <e>
She parted her lips. The differences in proportions flying into the streak of stars behind her as she gripped his shoulders to try and pull closer to him. Her own low moan flowing from her as she relaxed in his arms, trusting him wholly to keep her aloft. <e>
As her lips parted, his did as well. His tongue was proportional to him, of course, but he only used the tip to brush against hers. He let her pull close, and his arms crossed and held her to him. <e>
She opened to him and it surprised her. But only for a moment. The conscious awareness disappeared in a soft moan as his tongue extended to touch hers. Her right hand caressed his cheek as her left rubbed on the back of his head.
He'd stolen her breath, and her body didn't seem to mind, either. After several minutes she slowly, and reluctantly, pulled back from his kiss with a soft whimper of need.
She looked into his eyes and a soft smile touched her kiss swollen lips. "I think Mike's gonna kick himself for forcing our hands." She laughed and nestled herself against his collar bone, just under thre left side of his jaw. "But I, for one, am glad he did." Her body was pressed gently by firmly to him and he'd feel the racing of her heart and the swiftness of her breathing. Her left hand moved down to rest on his chest.
A soft giggle shook her in his arms. "Is it silly to feel perfectly content to be nestled against you like this?" She realized her entire body weight was suspended by his arms. And normal human would have set her down long before now. Or at the least, she would have protested she was too heavy to hold. It never occurred to her to say that to Mar. <e>
A low rumble sounded deep in his chest... an internal laugh. "Nope. At least not from where I stand." His arms didnt even tremble. He looked down at her and said "So now I guess we need to figure out what we are gonna do moving forward, right?" and he chuckled out loud. "I mean, its been... more than a while since I was interested in anybody. So I may be a bit rusty." and he turned and lightly tossed her onto the couch and sat down next to her. <e>
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8.
Aug 6, 2020 16:42:19 GMT
via mobile
Post by Admin on Aug 6, 2020 16:42:19 GMT
She was suddenly airborne and a cry of surprise was gasped out as she landed lightly on the couch and laughed. "Yeah...I can see me telling my Chief, 'no, we're good... he tosses me around and I laugh... it's all good'."
She curled up against his side as she laughed. "It's been a long while for me as well, Mar." She frowned a moment. Looking up at him, she asked, "What is your first name? I'll be honest. I haven't actually looked you up, yet." She bit her lip wondering, suddenly, if that was a bad thing. <e>
He chuckled. "You couldn't anyway, with your clearance. And it's Gravel. But you can call me Mar if you want... I kinda like it." <e>
She laughed, "I could have found out your name, at least. The rest," she shrugged, "I'll learn in time, I guess."
She nodded and snuggled back up against him. "I thought that was just something I'd heard Mike call you once, but was in reference to your voice, or something." She laughed. "I'm glad you like it. I hadn't realized till tonight that that's all I've called you, except Chief, of course." <e>
He shrugged and grinned. "Oh... I bet you called me more than that after our first meeting..." and he looked at her and winked. <e>
She blushed and slapped his chest. "No I didn't... ok maybe I called you a giant bully. But that's it. Just don't ask me what inflection I put on the word Chief." She laughed and shook her head. "I'm half tempted to walk into Mike's, for the opening, without you." She giggled at the idea. "See what you did to me!"she laughed and sat up to look at him. Mischief dancing on her face and lighting up her eyes.
"I was thinking of telling him what a pain in the ass you are and that 3 days wasn't nearly enough time to forgive you and get to know you. Then," she was laughing and shaking her head. "Then you walk in, looking your usual magnificent, furious self, see me and charge at me. Mike would freak! Then you just scoop me up and kiss me like you just did." She had tears in her eyes. "Oh, my Lord and Lady... he'd kill us both!" <e>
Gravel chuckled... "Mike wouldnt fall for it. Especially now. He's a bass player, but still not an idiot." <e>
She laughed. "Probably not. He knows you'd never stalk up on me like that. By the image was funny in my head." She sighed and closed her eyes against him, relaxing. Softly she whispered, "We have work in the morning. I should go..." though her body didn't shift. <e>
"Yes, we do. And no... I dont think you should, not just yet." and he wrapped an arm around her and held her to him as he laid back and stretched out on the custom couch, laying her on his chest with her head still near his collar bone. " Now dont fall asleep, but I thought this would be more comfortable." and he took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
"So what do we say when people ask us what's going on? Whatever that is, it needs to be the same thing from us both. Keeps the rumor mill from working to hard." and he laughed. <e>
She curled up on his chest, feeling oddly the barrel of his ribs and the curve of his collar bone had been formed just to fit her. At his comment about sleep, she laughed. "No promises."
When he asked about them, she sighed. "I suppose 'none of your business' would be just as bad." She lifted her head and crossed her arms to settle her chin on. "I don't know... what would you like your response to be?" Her smile was soft. <e>
He moved his head to the side so he could look down and directly at her. Smiling, he said "None of your damn business?" and he chuckled. "You know... I dont really know. You have any thoughts as to what we call this?" and he wagged a finger back and forth between them. <e>
"Majority rules... 'none of your dammed business' for the win." She laughed. A softening of her face came on the heels of the laughter as she reached to run the back of her nails over the hand he'd raised between us. "I think 'yours' is how I see myself, though. To be completely honest," she said and looked up at him for his reaction. "If that's not ok, I understand." Her body stiffening every so slightly on his chest."
He grinned softly and said "If you like, you'll get no protest from me." and he laid his head back.
"So you know you're gonna get a question that I wont. Especially if you see that Lieutenant around." and he smiled broadly. "And I doubt 'none of your damn business' will stop it." and raised his head and grinned at her in amusement. "How you gonna handle that one?" and he laughed a bit more at the thought of it. <e>
She blushed clear to her toes and looked down at his chest. "None of your business works there as well. Though I'm sure something snide will slip if I'm pressed." She laughed and shook her head. "Honestly I don't care."
Lera looked back up at him, her finger rising to trace over his lips. "When we come to that... we'll figure it out. And we'll manage... and we'll love it. That's all that matters. Isn't it?" The was a hint of worry in her voice. <e>
"When it comes to that, bet on it. And I am in no rush, just so you know. Whenever we want to take that step, we will..." and he shifted slightly. "I'll be honest... I hadn't really thought how that will work. But like you said... we'll figure it out whe the time is right." <e>
"MMmmmm I agree..." she yawned and smiled. "I should go..." But the sigh she gave only spoke louder that she was content where she was.
She took a deep breath and propped herself up. Leaning over to kiss his lips, she whispered, "I should go..." but then kissed him once more. <e>
He kissed her back, his hand gently alighting on her back. He held for several minutes, their lips and tongues exploring, and then he slowly pulled back.
"You... you can stay, if you want. Right here. Clothes and all. You can fall asleep right here and I'll wake you up in plenty of time to get ready for shift. Promise. But you can say no, too. And I will understand. Your call." <e>
She looked at him and smiled. "I shouldn't stay. I want to! Please know that. More than anything. But when I do, I want it to be falling asleep with you. And no rushed good bye in the morning." She ran her fingers over his lips once more, smiling. "But gods how I want to."
She lingered a few moments more then slowly slid to his side and reached to the floor to grab her boots. She hated to leave... it ached somewhere deep inside her, to do it. But she didn't want to have to rush off in the morning like she was sneaking away. <e>
Mardusk nodded and said "Open invitation. Take it up whenever... and however... you want." and he stood as she stood. He looked down at her and smiled. Large green hands found hers and swallowed them in their gently grip.
"I really enjoyed this. And I'm glad we talked." <e>
She smiled. "I am as well. I hate to say it. But I want to take you up on it the night of the opening. Night after next. I had the following morning off. But only if you do as well." She realized their biggest hurdles would be scheduling. <e>
He laughed and said "I make the schedule. I'll be off." and he shrugged. "Actually... already took that day off. Knew I'd need it after the grand opening. And it's a date. Night after next." and a thought occurred to him. "Dinner tomorrow? We never got those Reubens..." <e>
She laughed as she reached the door. "I'd love dinner tomorrow. Officer's mess at the end of second shift?" She rested her hand on his chest. There was something calming about her skin touching him. Even with the clothes, it was a comfort. <e>
"That's a date, too. See you there. And no uniforms. Just us, no rank." and he bent down and slipped a kiss on her lips. "Goodnight, doll. See you tomorrow." <e>
She rose on tiptoes to meet him and kissed back. "Gnight Mar..." She turned and with more than a little reluctance, departed his quarters and headed to her own.
This wasn't how she thought they would end up... but she had no complaints and had never felt better about being wrong. <e>
As the door closed, Mardusk put his head on the cool metal of the door frame. A long exhale escaped him and he slowly stood up. He went over to the couch and laid down. Her scent lingered on his shirt, and he smiled and willed himself asleep. <e>
End
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