The more things change...the less they seem the same

Posted on 27 Feb 2014 @ 11:04am by Petty Officer 1st Class Taryn Galepsie & Commander Luke Wyatt
Edited on on 27 Feb 2014 @ 12:20pm

4,681 words; about a 23 minute read

Mission: Episode 05 - Solstice
Location: San Francisco - Promenade
Timeline: MD 58 - 1430

[ON]

This was not how Taryn had wanted to spend her shoreleave. She didn't want to be pregnant. She didn't want to have a conversation with her father and see that disappointed look on his face when she stood her ground. She was not going to get married to Banks simply because she was pregnant. This was not the old days and she had put her foot down.

She was lost in thought as she wondered though San Francisco. She was starving and she was nauseous. The doctors all told her that this would pass. They had a hypospray that she could take that would hide the symptoms but for whatever reason she felt like she needed to be sick. Her hand floated to her belly absently as she turned a corner and nearly collided with a familiar figure, despite the fact that she didn't recognize him.

Luke was caught in a daydream with shore leave almost over he was thinking to the next mission and what his future on the Galileo would have in stall for him when he collided with Taryn. "Oh gods are you alright?" he asked holding her shoulders lightly.

"Hey Luke." Taryn replied somewhat less enthusiastically than normal. With all the turmoil going on in her brain he was pretty much the last person she wanted to run into other than Banks "Sorry I should watch where I am walking." She tried to joke. "I seem to have a habit of colliding with jarheads."

Luke smiled "Well you need to be careful with that because the next time you do that they may just walk over you" he waited for a reply but when she didn't his faced frowned and curiosity bubbled inside of him "Urm Taryn?" he said.

It wasn't Luke, Taryn's mind was elsewhere. Her thoughts drifted off while he was talking, and it wasn't until noticed the silence before she realized what she had done. "What?" She started a little stunned by her behavior. "I am sorry Luke...I seem to be lost in thought lately." She tried to grin it off. "I was just going to try and find somewhere to eat...wanna join me and I promise I will listen this time."

"You seem to be lost in thought a lot recently, what's up with you?" He asked but not expecting an answer back. "I know a nice place, when I was on Earth during my Marine Officer training that I used to visit! It does the best food, you'd love it" He said excitedly.

Just as Luke had expected she didn't answer his question. She didn't really want to tell anyone what was going on. She sure didn't want to tell Luke. Smiling she looked up at him. "Perfect..." She grinned, "Marine's always know the best places to eat. I wonder why that is?" She teased.

He scrunched his face sorely before laughing "Wow look at you throwing all the digs, if you're finished shall we go to dinner?" He asked taking her hand, the motion didn't mean to show any affection he had grown far too comfortable with Taryn to be anything but friends, at least he thought so. "Come on or you're going to start looking yummy"

"Start..." Taryn started with a laugh."I am yummy..." She couldn't help but grin to herself as they headed in the direction of the mysterious Marine known restaurant. "I am sad shore leave is almost over...Well I am sad and I am glad. I never really appreciate San Francisco until I am getting ready to leave. There is something about being on Earth that you just don't get on a ship."

Nodding in agreement Luke took in their surroundings, it was just past midday so the streets were relatively busy especially since they were making their way through the shopping and food court area around starfleet hq. Luke even felt a bit to close with people, every knock threw him of. "I miss that to and the real smell of the air" he replied, he hadn't thought much about returning to earth but now he was here he felt lost.

"You ok, over there jarhead?" Taryn asked easily. This was the best she had felt in days. Granted for the life of her she couldn't figure out how or why things with Luke had gotten so awkward, but she determined to power though it. She needed someone in her life.

He nodded mindlessly before turning to face her "yeah I'm good, it's a bit overwhelming after a few years you kind of forget what it's like to be somewhere that you're not running the risk of being killed, captured maimed assimilated or some other crazy thing round every corner" he let out a sigh before looking into Taryn's eyes, she always managed to carry that stunning look about her and the way she made him feel easy, taking in her gaze a moments longer he turned away and recognised where he was "urm, its just up here" he kicked himself for that moments glance but he couldn't help himself.

Taryn couldn't help the flush of heat that came to her cheeks in that moment. She didn't want too, but she was still attracted to Luke, even though she wanted to punch him more often than not. She dropped his hand as soon as he announced their arrival. The smells coming from the shop were making her stomach growl. Turning towards the restaurant she easily forgot the moment as she stepped through the door.

Luke too could feel his stomach growl and quickly entered behind Taryn holding the door open for a couple as they left. Rejoining Taryn in front of the waiters box he looked around and luckily it wasn't to busy.
After a few seconds a waiter stood with two menus in front of them "Table for a couple? We have the best atmosphere in town and for the romantic meal out we have the high moon lounge situated on the second floor, so is that where you will be dining?" Asked the young brunette female who carried a peculiar accent which Luke couldn't put his finger on it.

"Just a table by the window will be perfect." Taryn replied with a smile. "Nothing special about tonight..." Or us... She thought, some what missing the happy days when flirting with Luke was high on her to do list.
The waitress showed them to their table which wasn't to far from the bar and just out the way of any main walkways and of course to Taryn's choosing by a window. Pulling out a chair he smiled "ladies first" waiting for her to sit before sitting down himself "nothing special huh?" He asked from behind his menu.

"Nope, not even a little." Taryn replied fairly easily, eyeing him slightly over her menu. "It isn't hard for a girl, even an out of practice one, like me to know when she no longer has a man attention." She grinned, "I would wager a guess that there is some other little lady that has your heart these days."

It was painfully true Luke had been trying to get the attention of another woman but he couldn't help but wished he had given him and Taryn a try especially since the other person one, didn't want a man in her life and two didn't seem to notice his affection. "You might be right but... Just makes you think you know" he continued to stay hidden behind his menu "Prawn toast sounds like a good place to start" he added.

"Makes you think..." Taryn muttered under her breath. I don't want to think about it. She looked over the menu. "Sure, as long as there is thai basil chicken and chocolate cake....I am happy." There were quite a few things that were calling to her, but those were the most prevalent.

"Oh god I could just skip the the chocolate cake now" he joked finally Settling on bird nest soup as a main with some finger bites for a side. It didn't take long for the waitress to clock them as she hurried over and smiled politely "what will it be?l she asked with her padd at the ready.

"I'll have some prawn sesame toasts with bird nest soup, oriental crackers and some duck spring rolls please" he looked over to Taryn.
"I'll have the tempura sweet potatoes..." Taryn started as she looked over the menu some more. "And the cheese sticks."

After jotting the order down the waitress looked back up "can I suggest a bottle champagne?" She smiled waiting for an answer.

Taryn didn't know much, but she knew that drinking was on the menu for herself. She looked over at Luke hoping her face wasn't screaming "no" as much as she felt it was.

"Ye..." Luke looked across to Taryn.

"Don't mind me." She grinned turning her eyes once again back to her menu. Anywhere to avoid looking at Luke. "I just want some water...Champagne just dries me out and makes me slutty." she added the last bit in hope of covering her secret.

"One glass won't hurt will it Taryn? And I don't think I can ever imagine you being slutty?" He said smiling back oblivious to the situation that she was in. "Can't I convince you just a little bit? He added fluttering his eyelashes childishly whilst attempting a point.

"Aww...see." Taryn started with a laugh. "My Daddy always taught me to avoid boys who didn't take no for an answer." And ones that tell me I am beautiful She gave him a little wink. "I promise I am fine without, but by all means..." She motioned for him, do what he wanted.

After a quick moment of mental debate he smiled "we'll pass on the champagne, just two waters Thank you" he watched her disappears before putting his attention back to Taryn, mistake number one was looking at her mistake number two was not looking away. "I don't often find myself without anything to say" he said still fixated, lost in her gaze. "Even more so when we could say so much, Reckon if things were somewhat different? If we played it slower or faster we'd you know? You and I? Not that I'm saying we should or anything" he said quickly stating the matter.

"Luke...." Taryn began trying to keep the sigh in her voice to a minimum. "I appreciate the sentiment. But you don't have too..." She shook her head as she tried to grin. "You are bored, and what or who you want isn't here and I am...Lets just leave it at that." She put the menu down. She was a little more irritated than she wanted to be after everything that had gone on in the past few weeks.

The waitress returned with their waters and placed them down before assuring their food would arrive shortly Luke couldn't help but wonder if Taryn was mildly angry with him but he pushed on "Exactly you are here" He said sipping his water.

"So what?" Taryn asked. She was very aware of the fact that she was over reacting. "I am second choice but first to finish?" She shook her head as she looked down at the napkin in her lap. She grabbed it with both hands and soon found herself tugging on it. She looked up at Luke, "You know what...I am not hungry." She rose from the table, tossing the napkin back on the table before heading towards the door and back outside.

Luke wondered if he had that coming or whether she was over reacting, he thought they were at the stage where they could just talk about it but clearly he was wrong, he mind was somewhere else. Picking up and smiling awkwardly to the waitress he hurried after Taryn. "Hey Taryn what the hell?" He asked somewhat less softly than it was intended.

Taryn didn't stop walking. Her hand moved defensively at her side."You know what Luke.." She started finally coming to a stop. "I am tired of being the convenient girl in everyones life." She turned and looked up at him. "I adore you...I really do. I love being around you...But I can't be that girl any more. I can't be the one that fills in the gap for you....or for Banks...anyone else." She let out a sigh as she looked down at the floor. "I should go."

Luke was slightly unsure at what she meant especially with the last part "I don't understand, Banks?" He asked stepping closer towards her "What do you mean?" He felt a slight hint of jealousy.

"What can I say..." Taryn started, her tone full of self loathing. "I have been acting like some love starved pet lately." She bit her lip slightly. She looked back up at Luke, doing her best to avoid getting lost in them. "I will level with you...In a moment of weakness I slept with Banks. A mistake that is going to haunt my life." She paused, afraid to say it out loud. "I am pregnant."

"Does he know?" Was all looked could mouth, he wasn't as much jealous anymore if anything he felt bad and the same worried for her.

"Yes..." Taryn announced almost mad. "I told him the day I found out. As you can imagine he is fucking eliated. It is the greatest thing that ever happened to him." She huffed.

Luke frowned and wondered how she had managed to end up in this prediciment "Weren''t you taking your contraceptive injections?" He asked quickly wondering. He couldn't even remember the last time he took his especially with the state the Galileo was in.

Taryn couldn't help the tears that welled in her eyes as she leaned against Luke. She couldn't help the laugh that came out of her lips, "I got my shot two weeks before the Borg attack...Slept with Banks my second night on the Galileo. More then enough time for it to be effective but close enough not to have worn off."

"So what going to happen with you, you're staying right?" He asked.
Taryn shook her head. "I have no idea...I guess I am going to be a mom...past that I haven't figured it out." She stepped away from him but didn't look up. "You should go enjoy your prawn toast." She said after clearing her throat. "This is my mess..." She tried to smile but she wasn't sure how well she pulled that off.

Luke chuckled "It is indeed messed up however I won't go unless you come with me and then maybe we can work something out, how does that sound?" He pulled her of him and looked down at her with either hand on the corresponding shoulder. "Yes?" He encouraged.

Taryn thought for a moment as she looked over the restaurant to her left. "That thai food and chocolate cake did sound heavenly." She admitted finally.

"Well then, Miss hormonal" He hoped joking with her was still a good thing at this stage "Lets go eat!" He held out his hand if anything he needed to be more the loving friend than just the lover. "And we can see about that chocolate cake" He winked.

Taryn eyes his hand for only a moment before she took it. Following him back in she retook her seat. If nothing else she was starving. She would worry about the future after she satisfied what could only be considered her first pregnancy craving.

It didn't take long for their food to arrive, Luke was surprised that the order wasn't cancelled but he was thankful for the hosts patience. "So." Luke started "Do you know if its male or female?" He asked picking up his spoon and taking a sip of his soup.

"I am having a boy." Taryn admitted taking a bit of her food. "I found out last week. About a day after I told Banks actually." she thought over the doctors appointment. that had been hard to do my herself, but she survived it.
"Well atleast you're handling better than I would, you didnt answer earlier. Are you staying on the Galileo I know pregnancy can be hard" He didn't mean to suggest that she wasn't capable but he wondered how she received it.

"I got my new posting on the Galileo." Taryn started. "I am going to take this one day at a time and Banks can do whatever he wants....I guess."
"I'm glad you're staying with us Taryn I'm just sorry for what has happened" He gave her a short gentle hug the one he only ever gave to a friend or his daughter Abbey when she was sobbing over the next love affair.

"Don't apologize for saying what you think." Taryn replied easily. She was amazed at how much lighter she felt not keeping this whole affair a secret on her own. "I cannot control what Vernon thinks...Or what he does." She paused taking a bite of her food. "This will play out how it does and..." She looked down for a moment a smile crossing her lips as she sighed.

"And?" Luke asked understanding the situation, he felt like he was in a difficult position and he could not even guess how difficult it must be for her.

"I will love him ...regardless." Taryn responded absently as her hand touched her belly. She looked back up at Luke. "I always wanted kids...but needless to say this isn't how I planned it." A devious smile crossed her lips as she reached out with her fork and stole a prawn off his plate. "We don't have to talk about this you know." She smiled as she bit down on the stole food.

"Oh of course" he replied quickly with a smile "it's just if you ever need me Taryn... I'll always be here" he stretched his arm across the table and held her hand "I mean that" luke released her hand and patted down his trouser "now let's eat!"

Taryn couldn't help the weird emotions that washed over her. Being with Luke was easy and hard all at the same time. She had fallen for him hard and while she never lied to herself about how she felt, she had no intention of telling him. She tried to clear her throat to avoid the sob that wanted to escape. She wasn't so lucky with the tears. "Don't mind me...it is just the hormones." She tried to laugh it off.

Luke couldn't and wouldn't try to comprehend what she was going through, perhaps it was hormones but he knew Taryn better than that even if she thought she could deceive him "Just say what's on your mind Taryn" he asked softly, his cold moist lips barely parting.

She couldn't. Taryn couldn't tell him what she was thinking. It wasn't fair to either of them. She cleared her throat. "Just thinking..." Her voice broke slightly. "I appreciate having you in my life." That was the most she trusted herself to admit.

"You're avoiding the question Taryn, you do it enough to me for me to know it now and usually I'd be willing it go on but, look Taryn" he picked up her face as he lifted her chin with one of his hands "please I sick and tired of games"

Taryn looked up at him, so close to her. "You want to know." She stated not really asking. She wasn't sure what she wanted tell him but at this point what did it matter. "It isn't fair..." She whispered. "I shouldn't be in love with you...I shouldn't be pregnant this way...Everything is wrong all the time."

Luke felt bad he couldn't imagine what she was going through "Taryn, it maybe have happened this way but it doesn't mean it is wrong!"

Taryn closed her eyes and pulled back from Luke's hand that had been holding her face. A tear ran down her cheek that she quickly wiped at with the back of her hand. She nodded slightly as she thought over everything. She took a deep breath and let it out slightly. "Right..." She wanted to change the subject, she wanted to go back to before...before all of this.

"Right..." He mimicked. "This food is beautiful don't you think, the food that is?" he asked seeing the sadness in her eyes.

"Yep, fricken gorgeous." Taryn scoffed under her breath as she stabbed a piece of chicken and placed it in her mouth. She couldn't help the little sigh of satisfaction that escaped her. The chicken was...amazing. It was either amazing or she was starving or both. She looked up at Luke as he ate his food. "I hate that I met you." She couldn't help the pull at the corner of her lips as proof she didn't really mean what she said.

Luke frowned "I hate that I met you to! This food bill is going to cost me a fortune" he joked as a smile tugged his lips "You should have visited over shore leave I'm sure you would have loved it in both Australia and London". It was nice to have two different homes. London was where his side of the family were from and Australlias Lillian's. Despite their divorce and her death

Luke planned on returning there for a week or two with Abby.
"Your other girlfriend not going?" Taryn tried to joke even though it came out more pissy then she had intended. "I mean I would hate to be there at the same time." She knew she wasn't more than a friend to Luke, but that didn't mean she didn't feel a little jealous. She grinned trying to hide her slightly over reacting emotions.

Luke rolled his eyes. She could always find a way to both joke and be completely serious at the same time. Taryn always had that way about her."Well to be honest I think I'm so far into the friendzone that theres and much I can do or say to change how she feels"

"Can't possibly imagine what that is like." Taryn scoffed. She took a sip of her water. She had been in only two zones with Luke. They had a strange chemistry but nothing ever came of it.

"I think you have a better understanding of it than I do, it's obvious that we are both playing this game of cat and mouse" he admitted "I just don't think nothing good will come of it in the end" he stopped eating and say back in his chair "I value you deeply as a friend Taryn"

"Yep..." Taryn grinned as she took the final bite of her chicken and rice mixture that for one in the last week finally had her nausea at bay. "I can tell....you bought me dinner." She laughed, avoiding this particular conversations.

"You're uneasy?" He pointed out, he could read her like a book and she wasn't particularly good at hiding her emotions "Whats up Taryn?" He added trying to making eye contact.

"Nope..." Taryn announced. "This conversation is totally not worth having." She grinned. "I am not going to play coy about any of this." She knew she wasn't really making sense but she didn't feel like explaining it. Her tone was easy going despite the nature of the conversation. She reached forward and took a sip from her glass. "Thanks for dinner." She moved to stand up. "But I should go."

Luke beat her to it and stood up holding out his hand and taking hers "Taryn don't make me ask twice" he smiled out of the corner of his lips whilst giving a shrug of his shoulder.

Taryn let out a sigh as she shook her head. Looking back up at him she spoke. "I like having you in my life." She started. "Something is missing you when you aren't around...And I think I..."

Luke didn't want to hear anymore instead he kissed her on the lips quick but held it long enough to show the intent behind it. Still holding her hand he pulled back "Sorry I just had to know what your lips felt like again" his face flushed a warm rosy glow.

Taryn's eyes slowly drifted open after the kiss ended. She looked up at him a little dazed. She was so confused and the kiss hadn't helped. That was not to mean that it wasn't welcomed. Pressing her lips together as she wet them slightly with her tongue she cleared her throat. "I...uh...ok." She paused. "I don't know how to take that."

"Perhaps another one and you'll think if something?" He asked smiling with his now bright red cheeks he wasn't used to these tactics. "I'm fed up of playing cat and mouse Taryn it's time to end the game one way or another".

Taryn couldn't help but cock an eyebrow at his statement. This whole situation had been confusing from day one and this wasn't any helping. She wanted to be with him. She wanted him in general, but she didn't know what he wanted. That was where the dilemma lie for her. Did she jump in with two feet but risk him picking someone else? Looking up at him she watched his face. "Ok..." Her voice was shaky as she still couldn't be the one to make any decoration.

Moving his hand up to her face slowly he caressed her cheek, he slowly moved a lock of hair behind her ear and cupping the back of her head before approaching her plush red lips for another kiss. This one was more driven and thoughtful, Luke was sure of it how he wanted this game to end.

Taryn gave in. She practically melted against him as her lips parted against his. Her hands moved to rest on his chest as she was in no hurry to end the kiss. That was until some part of her brain realized where they were. She pushed away from his slightly, only enough to break the kiss. Her cheeks turned red and she could feel the heat in them as she glanced around them. "Sorry..." She admitted embarrassedly. "I really like kissing you...but not here."

"Fine, lets find a quieter place!" He took her hand and led her out of the shop.

Without much hesitation Taryn trailed behind Luke. She couldn't help the smile that crossed her lips. They were moving down the street when she planted her feet, stopping. "Wait..." She started with an almost chuckle. "What does this mean? I am not going to sleep with you just because you think I am easy." Her hands moved to rest on Luke's chest as she looked up at him, waiting for his answer.

"You won't huh?" He teased for a moment "well I guess we best go our separate ways then" he winked before caressing her cheek. "Taryn I think this means I'm just going off what's in front of me, I think this means were dating and I think it means were getting to the love stage" he kissed her again. "Of course I could be wrong" at that he let go and walked slowly trying to suppress his grin from showing.

Taryn couldn't help but laugh at him. This was the happiest she had felt in a while. The questions as to what would hold for them in the future were far from her mind as she slipped her hand silently into his. She was content to finally be on one side of the fence or another. She would remember this moment, and bring it up in the future but for now...she was happy. They were happy.

OFF:

CPO Luke Wyatt
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

AND

PO1 Taryn Galespit
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

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