Well, this just became awkward

Posted on 25 Oct 2013 @ 11:51am by Warrant Officer Vernon Banks & Petty Officer 1st Class Taryn Galepsie

1,541 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 04 - Exodus
Location: USS Galileo - Vernon Bank's Quarters
Timeline: MD 04 - 2350 hrs

[ON]

After finally finishing his duty shift for the day and diligently yet boringly standing guard in front of the computer core for a full eight hours, Vernon retreated to his quarters for the night and stepped through the small door as it recognized his commbadge and parted for him. All of the lights were off and he squinted in the darkness as his eyes adjusted to the dim hue. He walked into the main room which contained two bunk beds capable of housing four crew, and noticed that only one of his roommates was present and was currently fast asleep on the top bunk in the corner.

Vernon made his way in the dark to his own bunk and sat down on the mattress, then began to strip his uniform top off and remove his boots. He let out a tired yawn as he lazily kicked one of his shoes beneath his bed and flopped down on his bottom bunk, ready to have a good, long sleep for the night.

Taryn was about to tap on the chime to Banks' quarters when she paused and dropping her only working hand back down and turning around in place. She had told herself that she wasn't going to contact him if he didn't contact her. It was juvenile, but even after they had slept together she felt like nothing should have changed. In most ways, it hadn't. She stopped, for the thousandth time before she finally turned and just tapped the chime.

The familiar soft and distinctive sound of the door chime sounded in his quarters but Vernon didn't bother to sit up. "Come in." he called out quietly, then rolled on his side to look towards the door and see who would possibly be needing his or his roommates' services at this late hour of the evening.

Dressed in a simple t-shirt and jeans entered Banks quarters when she was bid. Her arm still hung useless in the sling as she moved into the room. "Banks?" She asked softly as her eyes weren't used to the dark when the door closed behind her. She bit her lower lip as she debating running.

Vernon's eyes had adjusted to the darkness by now and though he couldn't make out her face, he could identify the curvy silhouette of Galepsie's figure as well as a medical brace on one of her arms. He quickly sat up suddenly filling with concern for her as well as happiness to see her alive and well again following the Borg incursion. "Over here." he answered, directing her towards his bunk in the darkness with his voice. "Don't trip on my shoes." he joked.

"What?" Taryn started as she moved towards his bed. "Oh...uh..." She tried to keep her voice down as she moved though the dark quarters. It took a moment but her eyes finally adjusted to the low light. She reached his bunk but didn't know if she should sit down or not. Standing not far from him she hesitated, "I uh..just wanted to...uh...make sure you were ok."

He scooted over on the mattress and patted in invitingly. "I'm okay...no scrapes but a couple bruises." After hearing of her injury from Rhodes he wondered exactly how badly she had been hurt. "You? What happened to your arm?"

Taryn took the offered seat. She sagged into the mattress as she thought over how to explain. "One of the drones in the engineering got the better of me." She started thinking over it for a second. "I am lucky he didn't rip it completely off." She tried to sound nonchalant about it. "I still managed to disable him but not before he damaged me. The Docs think they can fix it with surgery, but as you can imagine it isn't high on the list. Until then it is pretty much dead." Her eyes went wide, even though he couldn't see it. "Sorry, that was a little much."

"Did they give you some pain meds, at least?" he asked, reaching out and patting her back to reassure her. "Doesn't sound like it feels too good. Is the sling helping?"

Taryn nodded in the dark despite the fact that she was unsure he could see her. "They gave me some...but I have no intention to taking them." She started, "It doesn't hurt all that much." She thought about whether or not she keep talking about herself or not. She dropped her head to the side resting it on his shoulder. "The worst part is that no matter how much I try it won't move. Fighting is going to be a bitch." She added the last bit as a joke.

He put a loose arm around her shoulders, careful not to disturb he injured arm. "Looks like you're out of action for a while. Well, for Security, at least." he grinned to himself as sensual thoughts crossed his mind, then leaned into her and gave her a light kiss on her cheek. "So...you found my quarters, huh?" his question was a bit rhetorical but the implied question about why she had come to see him was still present.

"You never called." Taryn said softly. "It was show up or stab you the next time I saw you...I decided this route was less likely to get me court martialed." She chuckled slightly.

Vernon quietly laughed. "Good idea. I don't want to bleed anymore than I have already in the past few days." He rubbed her side and felt her smooth ribs and belly. "Sorry, I guess. I've been busy recently. Rhodes has me guarding the computer core at all costs in case the drones decide to make a move on it."

Taryn thought to punch him in the arm, but her arm didn't respond. She let out a frustrated sigh and then figured she should explain on the off chance he took it the wrong way. "Damn arm..." She started with a smile. "It is fine...I get it...you are a guy." As if that explained anything. "I figured I would show up and you would either send me away or you wouldn't." She jumped slightly with a soft giggle as his fingers tickled her side.

"Nah, you don't have to leave, I don't mind." he replied. Yes, he was a guy. Was she trying to send a hint to him about not calling? He had been busy, after all, he thought with a mental shrug. Or...maybe she was the clingy type? Hopefully not.

Taryn's eyes pressed closed as she shook with yawn. She turned slightly leaning against the post that held the upper bunk up. She looked over what she could see of him in the dark. "I won't stay long..." She started. "I really just wanted to check up on ya. The Venture crew doesn't seem to be having good luck." She laughed at the idea. She cupped her hand over her mouth when she realized her volume was rather loud. "Sorry..." She whispered before letting out a sigh as she let her eyes close in the dark. It was just nice to not be sitting in her quarters with the catty women she was forced to live with.

Vernon shook his head to dismiss the disruptive nature of her talking. "It's alright, Keplin over there sleeps like sloth." he gestured over to the other bunk where his one roommate was sleeping. "So...if you're checking up on me, are we boyfriend and girlfriend now?" he teased in a somewhat-serious nature.

"I would like to think that we are friends." Taryn started placing an emphasis on the friends part. "I don't date." She admitted. "It has only been a year since Gerald died and I am not ready for anything serious. It was nice to relieve some frustration the other night and I am not against the idea of it happening again but..." She couldn't help but feel that her being there was making things awkward. "I think I should go." She rose from where she was sitting on the bed.

"Um...okay...?" he listened to her rather adamantly state she did not want a serious relationship -- which was fine with him, but was also an indicator that she might have some baggage left over from her past husband who she had told him about back in the mess hall a couple days ago. He understood, he supposed, but it was still a bit strange to see her suddenly rise from his bed so quickly. Women... he muttered to himself in his head. "See you tomorrow?"

"Yep..." Taryn replied easily as she moved towards the door. She was glad when she was out of that room. It was strange and had been a bad idea. With a shake of her head as the door closed she moved down the hallway. She might just take the pain meds. Get some sleep. Just wait for this whole thing to be forgotten. It would be the best for both of them.

[OFF]

--

WO Vernon Banks
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo
PNPC Lirha Saalm

PO1 Taryn Galespie
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo
PNPC Tarishiana Barel

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