Grin and Giggle

Posted on 28 May 2014 @ 9:06am by Commander Andreus Kohl & Lieutenant Elijah Williams IV, M.Sc.

1,951 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Episode 06 - Legend of Souls
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 7, Callisto Bar
Timeline: MD -06 - 1623 hours

[ON]

Perched on the edge of his chair, elbows planted firmly on the small table, Andreus Kohl allowed his gaze to drift from his companions. His gaze leveled on the wine glass in front of him. The empty wine glass in front of him. That wouldn't do, not at all. Reaching across the table, Kohl grabbed hold of the bottle's neck, and poured himself another half a glass. He kept watch of the steadiness of his grip, pleased that he hadn't drunk too much yet. The bottle wasn't shaking and he wasn't spilling a drop. The wine was perfectly serviceable; an Argelian wine from the replicator inventory. It wasn't based on any particular vintage, but was rather one of a selection of synthehol house wines.

Abbey to was doing surprisingly well despite the lack of self control when it came to drinking, "I've not had this much fun since... since forever!" She giggled drinking another gulp of wine.

In reality, Elijah never had this much fun... ever. He didn't do drinking games, or drink for that matter, or socialize or really anything. Even when he was stationed on Earth, he never went out after his shift with co-workers. He went right back to his apartment. Yet he was drawn to these two, maybe because it meant a side of him that was wanting to burst out. Abbey was fun and giggly and spontaneous and Andreaus Kohl, well he wasn't really sure about the other man just yet. Maybe it was his relaxed demeanor, either way Elijah couldn't really put his finger on it.

He hiccuped, it was unexpected but there it was. He smiled as his hand went to his mouth and he mumbled an 'excuse me'. Elijah smiled as the strangest sound escaped his lips... a giggle. He just giggled. He never, ever giggled. Sure he laughed, he chuckled, sometimes - everyonce in a great while - there was a big belly laugh that brought him to tears. But he never, ever, ever giggled. His attention turned to Abbey. "You made me giggle."

Abbey gasped "I so did not!" Giving him a slight bump she smiled, "But its good feeling right?" Abbey couldn't help the thought of how happy she was right now, she had been spending most days working and sulking about but now she had found a group of people she could call friends.

"You did make him giggle," remarked Kohl. His head bobbed as he nodded enthusiastically. Kohl gripped the edge of the table. "I saw it happen. I am prepared to testify that fact to my commanding officer if pressed to do so."

This time Elijah laughed, a good hearty, belly laugh. "It's good to know you have my back lieutenant," he said after his laugh died down to just a mere chuckle.

Pushing both of them with either hand she laughed before tightening her face and frowning at the two "You guys are just bullies! Need I remind you my daddies a Marine... Well ex-marine" she winked.

"Ex-marine or not, I have a feeling he could disable me with his pinky," Elijah said. In a way, though he was fit, he was making fun of his own small frame.

A bleating laugh came out of Kohl, as his looked from Abbey to Elijah, and back to Abbey again. He waggled an index finger Abbey's way. "Your daddy could disable me any time he likes," Kohl remarked in a suggestive manner he regretted only two seconds later.

Shaking her head Abbey laughed "I'd set you up with a date if my dad didn't have the hots for the Executive officer!" She quickly cupped her mouth realising how she wasn't herself actually meant to know but after following him around and listening to his logs she could easily guess.

"It's a small ship, things are bound to happen," Elijah said and shrugged. He didn't have the hots or even the likes for anyone on board. He didn't really notice people that much. That was what happened when you kept your head down most of the time. He was glad he knew Keval and was happy to add Abbey and Kohl to his circle of friends. Each one was unique in their own way. "I mean, well... it's purely logistical right."

Kohl lifted his wine glass to his lips, but he studied Elijah with a quizzical expression over the rim of the glass. After he knocked back a gulp of wine, Kohl remarked, "No." He shook his head slightly. "No, I can't say I speak about romance in terms of logistics."

Abbey shrugged as she rolled onto her back looking at the almost empty bottle of wine that rested next to her head "I've got a friend" She started off, "Who has a feeling this guy likes her and she finds him fun and all but is basically her boss" Picking herself up so that she was in a reclined position balancing on her arms "What should she do?"

After some consideration, Kohl was starting to say, "She should kiss him--" but Elijah was already speaking.

Elijah sat there and listened, he had always wondered why when people wanted advice they would say 'their friend'. He understood there might be embarrassment involved, but didn't these things typically come out anyway. "I am the wrong person to ask advice in that arena, I have never even been on a date let alone ask anyone out." At the admission his eyebrows went up as his eyes went wide. He knew his cheeks were coloring now and he immediately felt flushed. "I... I... um..." he stammered. This is why he couldn't hang around people, things like this happened. "I think, I think, I think I should uh, should uh go," he made to stand and in his haste almost knocking the chair backward.

The epitome of languid, Andreus Kohl was slouched low in his chair. His posture barely shifted in response to Elijah's retreat; he sat still except for his left arm. Kohl's hand reached out, and he gripped Elijah by the wrist. "I don't want you to go," Kohl said.

Kohl was quick, Elijah didn't see that coming. He was at a crossroads now, did he jerk away and make for a hasty exit or just sit back down. Abbey and Kohl hadn't laughed at him, but then again he got up quick enough to make sure they didn't. He looked to Kohl and nodded. "Alright," he said slowly as he returned to his seat.

"See now," Kohl said, sounding satisfied that Elijah understood better now. "There's no need for any body to go any which where. The whole point of getting to know new friends is the getting to know them, for exactly who they are."

Elijah slowly nodded, but didn't say anything in response, at least not right away. He was still embarrassed but at least his heart stopped thumping hard against his sternum. His breathing had also leveled. "Well," he now finally spoke. "When you get laughed at for admitting such a thing, you tend to guard yourself from another occurrence."

Abbey felt a small piece of her heart crush in her chest as Elijah admitted what he felt, she couldn't believe he had never really dated anyone but then again he was a very shy person. "Nobody's laughing at you Elijah, were laughing with you because despite what you think you're a very fun person to spend time with" thinking for a moment, "Elijah, you should ask me on a date" she smiled she wasn't sure if it was wine she had been drinking or the fact she actually felt an attraction to him but either way she felt like it would be a good idea.

"Oh I don't know about that Abbey," Elijah said. "I mean, not that you aren't pretty and funny but I..." he paused and bit gently into his lower lip. "I'm, well... I tend to be attracted to people of my own gender."

Abbey pursed her lips "I didn't mean like... It doesnt have to be of a romantic interest" She admitted only wanting to help Elijah come out of his shell a little.

Kohl sighed, somewhat fitfully, and he knocked back another gulp of wine. "Oh Elijah," he said, "You certainly are a pretty one yourself. Those eyes of yours? Come on." His elbows settled on the table as he leaned in. "But I can't say I've ever been comfortable with dating anyone under my command," Kohl remarked and he looked over at Abbey with meaning behind his gaze; "Nor my very own superiors. It's possible. I think you can make it work, make it last. But you have to think about the relationship and the regulations a lot, and talk about it more. You have to put everything into boxes and behave a certain way. I find it hard to let love flourish within constraints."

Elijah couldn't ascertain if Kohl was messing with him or being genuine. Either way, it didn't really matter. As much as he found the assistant science chief cute, he had the same rule. In fact he would probably never, ever date anyone in his department. That would complicate things tremendously. He looked between Abbey and Kohl, not really sure what to say to either.

"Well, now, you never told us what you think, Abbey?" Kohl interjected into the awkward silence. Playing along with the ploy, he asked, "What do you think your friend should do? What did you tell her?"

Abbey bit her bottom lip and tried to think of a good answer. She guessed they knew she was talking about herself. "Well... I... Urm... Said do what makes you happy" She lied.

Glad that he was now not the topic of conversation, Elijah gave his attention back to Abbey. "Well, I mean that sounds like sound advice. I know there are rules and protocol on this sort of thing, but you... I mean your friend, still has to follow her heart."

Kohl knocked back the rest of his wine. After he swallowed, he chimed in with, "And her libido."

Elijah looked to Kohl, to him that was rather crude but didn't say anything. "Is that always the case?" he asked. It was naive, he knew, but he refused to believe matters of the heart followed the matters of libido.

"You tell me," replied Kohl. To the Argelian, this was all matter of fact, and it showed in his manner. "You just turned down a date with Abbey because she wasn't your preferred gender. That says to me that sexual chemistry is a fundamental cornerstone in any romantic entanglement."

"Um okay," Elijah said. He wasn't really sure what to say to that so he didn't.

Abbey shrugged and sighed as she slouched back against the desk "Well, As much as I've enjoyed chatting and drinking with you guys were running low on drink and I'm sure my room mate has already filled a missing person report" She joked.

Kohl looked to his wine glass, and frowned at the sight of it. An empty wine glass. He pushed his chair back away from the table. Kohl cast one last confused glance over at Elijah, and then he shared a grin with Abbey. "You don't want to keep him waiting," Kohl said.

Abbey gave a quick wave as she stumbled and giggled "Don't do anything I wouldn't!" She teased before leaving the room.



[OFF]

Lieutenant Andreus Kohl
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

Crewman Apprentice Abbey Wyatt
Scientists Mate
USS Galileo

Lieutenant JG Elijah Christopher Williams IV
Geologist
USS Galileo

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