On Your Marks, Get Set, Baaaake!

Posted on 29 Sep 2018 @ 5:42pm by Commander Luke Wyatt & Commander Marisa Wyatt
Edited on on 30 Sep 2018 @ 9:46am

4,483 words; about a 22 minute read

Mission: Episode 17 - Crystal of Life
Location: USS Galileo-A - Wyatt's Quarters
Timeline: MD -179, 1900 hrs

[ON]

Luke hurried about his quarters preparing for his visitor. Moving this, polishing that and moving it again. He couldn't remember the last time he was so nervous about having a friend round, even when Amaranai visited and they ended up eating bangers and mash he had handled that a lot better. It somewhat dawned on him then that his visitor to be was obviously a little more than a friend and work colleagues.

Stopping in the center of the room he did a 360 survey before nodding happily to himself "Good work Wyatt, you've passed" He said before heading to the small kitchenette area wherein the oven already his beef wellington (minus the chestnuts and mushrooms and instead replaced with a cranberry stuffing mix) was almost cooked, ontop the vegetables steam beautifully and finally next to them the gravy.

Marisa rarely fussed about what she wore off-duty. She generally preferred jeans or Vulcan tunics, but this time was different. This time, she needed a boost of self-confidence. She didn't have much of a wardrobe, so she spent some time looking through the replicator files until she found a simple dress in sapphire blue that pleased her. What pleased her more was that it looked good without looking like she was trying too hard.

She caught herself looking in the mirror again and turned away to run a comb through her hair and add a touch of honeysuckle perfume. If she fussed any longer, she'd be late.

She paused long enough to pick up the bottle of the equivalent of Vulcan wine and headed to Luke's.

She paused outside the door to take a deep breath and straighten her skirt before ringing the door chime.

Luke was just finishing making the table and in the background, popular pop music from the 21st century was playing. Quietly enough so that it wouldn't hinder any conversation, yet loud enough to provide a nice tone that when they were eating or not talking they had something to listen to. The door chime rang over the music and sucking all the air our in the room, Luke couldn't believe himself. Walking over to the door he stood for a moment catching himself in the reflective material wearing an unbuttoned white shirt and jeans. With one final breath, he opened the door.

"Hi," she said quietly, a smile spreading across her face at seeing Luke. "I brought a Vulcan wine," she said, holding up the bottle.

"Awesome, that's two bottles of wine we get to drink tonight." He said inviting her in with a hand gesture before adding. "You look lovely tonight Marisa." Luke closed the door behind them and followed her in. "There's a wine cooler next to the table, and dinner should be ready soon. I imagine our quarters are the same so I won't give you a tour, how are you doing?"

She put the bottle in the coler with the other one, then glanced around the room. "Pretty much, although mine has a few more books." She had a habit of collecting books whenever the opportunity arose. "I'm good. We're still getting used to each other, but so far science hasn't had any major issues. How about you?"

"Luckily for me most of my department was reassigned to the Galileo, other than dusting out the cobwebs from the few months off we had we're performing splendidly." Luke answered as he began to plate up the food. "Is there anything you don't particularly like? I forgot to ask before i made dinner"

"I like most foods. Even seaweed," she couldn't help adding. "It all smells wonderful."

"Good, I hope you do like this meal. Its one of my favourite so no pressure. Beef Wellington with steamed vegetables, potato gratin and beef gravy" He said walking over with plates in hand and placing them on the table mats. "A drink?" He asked already picking up the wine she had brought and pouring the two glasses.

"Sounds perfect." She was impressed yet again by Luke. "Is there anything I can do to help?" He had everything under control, but she felt that she should at least ask.

Luke shook his head and sat down, "Just keep dishing out compliments like that" He said teasingly sliding her full glass of the wine over to her. "Bon Appetite" With that he began to eat, waiting to allow Marisa to take the first mouthful.

Marisa took a moment to appreciate the aroma from the beef, then took a bite. For a moment, she did nothing, then, as she chewed, a smile spread across her face. She swallowed and took a sip of her wine. "That is marvelous."

“I am glad you like it.” Luke said taking his own bite before speaking again. “The recipe is slightly modified, I don’t like chestnuts or mushrooms but I love beef Wellington. I only cook it for special guest” he said picking up his glass of wine and watching her over his glass. “How have you been? Have you grown anymore Delicacy’s in your garden?”

"Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow?" she teased. "Actually, I'm developing a very nice herb garden."

“Herb garden huh?” He said between mouthfuls. “You'll have to show me around again when you’re free, it would seem you’ve upgraded since I last spent time with you” Luke said watching the woman over this glass, he couldn’t decide if it was his head or heart that was driving him but he had decided that he liked Marisa.

"I like using herbs for spices and teas. They taste better if you grow them fresh than if you replicate them," she said. "I'll be happy to give you a tour whenever you want. My schedule is pretty flexible right now." She took another bite of her meal. It really was good. Far better than what she generally made for herself--on the occasions she didn't just replicate something.

“I can appreciate that, I’ll definitely have to take you up on that offer. Even if just to steal some of your herbs” Luke said teasing her. He loved how easy the flow of conversation was between him and Marissa and had decided a few things inside his head.... “Wow that was just something huh?” He asked having already finished his dinner. “Would you like another drink? Or perhaps retire to somewhere more comfortable, like the couch?” He asked.

"Somewhere more comfortable would be nice." She stood and began gathering the dishes to help him clean up. "You're an excellent cook. Thank you."

Luke picked up the remainder of the things and put them on the stacked pile inside the replicator before Marisa had created before dematerialising them. "Thanks, I like to cook but not many people are lucky enough to try my signature dish," He said making his way back and towards the Couch, picking up his glass and the bottles of wine.

"Then I am fortunate indeed," she replied. "You're an excellent cook." She took her glass and sat down on the couch.

Sitting down next to her Luke left a respectable gap, "With so much time between here and our final destination do you have much planned for your department?" he asked sipping his drink "Its going to be hard keeping security interesting, even with training."

"We're working with the fish tanks," she said. "If all goes well, we'll have our first real test in a few weeks. The idea is to have fresh fish every few weeks, even if we have to feed one shift at a time. I also have all the labs available on a rotational basis for personal projects. Each scientist can work on one project, as long as they write a paper on it when they're finished." She smiled and explained. "Outside of Starfleet, it's important for scientists to write papers on something in their chosen field. research is always important. So, I figured why not give scientists time to do their research, test their thesis, and write their papers when they aren't working on a project for the ship? It keeps them active in their chosen field, and it gives them something to do when we have long periods of free time, like now." She paused as another idea came to her. "They should also be working on their marksmanship, if you have the time."

Luke listened intently to her words visualising how she led her department and approved how she game them enough time to achieve their own scientific studies, "Well I look forward to seeing your first batch of fish" He said genuinely intrigued, fish for him were either in a meal or in a pond, he couldn't remember ever seeing any on a starship before. "I always have the time for anyone who wishes to work on their shooting or fitness, I'm actually running several training simulations and programs over the coming months. Feel free to invite your department" Luke said finally as he addressed her last comment and sipping his wine.

"I will. It's been a while for me, too, so I look forward to it." She paused for a moment, remembering fondly some of the games she played in the past. "Have you ever played paintball on the holodeck?"

Luke had never heard of paintball before so tried his best-educated guess. "Urm, is it something do with paint and a football or something?" He asked sounding unsure of himself.

She shook her head and smiled. "It's a game I learned on earth. You have two teams and you're trying to take out the other team, or sometimes take their base. Each team wears coveralls and use guns that shoot little balls of paint. That's how you prove you hit your opponent. I was on a ship once that used the game as a training exercise. But that was more a Capture the Flag with paintball than a real paintball game. Still, covering your opponent with splatters of paint can be...cathartic. The balls of paint sting, so it makes you more cautious as well."

Luke could see the value behind it and noted it mentally to look into the topic of 'paintball' "Thanks, ill have a look at it!" He said genuinely grateful. "So other than running your department how have you been?" Luke asked drinking the remainder of his wine and topping it up, holding up the bottle towards Marisa, an invitation for hers to be filled.

She held her glass out for Luke to fill. "Like most of us, I'm adjusting. How are you doing?"

Luke filled her glass before placing the wine bottle back in the bucket which sat at the foot of the table. "Well I think, department is doing as expected, the ship is surrounded by other warships and I get to spend my off hours with some fantastic company" he said smiling as he sipped his drink.

"Sounds like things are going well." She smiled back as she, too, took a sip. "I'm quite enjoying the company tonight."

"Oh you are, huh?" He said teasingly before adding, "and just what about my company are you enjoying? Perhaps these dashing looks or my Michelin star cooking, maybe it's the wine?" Luke smiled as he sipped at his drink, the wine going down well.

"Well..." she took another sip of her wine, her eyes sparking with humor. "The food was excellent, as I said." She took another sip, drawing out her response. She looked at him critically for a moment. "Yes, I can see that you are quite dashing." One side of her mouth quirked up as she tried and failed to act serious. "Your conversation is quite scintillating as well." For the rest, well, she was determined to keep a few secrets.

"Well I am glad you're finding it scintillating," he said teasing, "So..." Luke said sitting back into the chair their legs now touching. "What would you like to do? I hadn't really planned past the meal stage and you're very distracting, in a good way of course"

For several seconds she said nothing, finding the touch of his leg against hers quite distracting--in a good way. It was giving her some very definite ideas of what she wanted to do next, but she wasn't going to mention any of them. "I think we're doing a pretty good job of distracting each other." She hadn't meant to say that. Her Vulcan side was being most uncooperative in helping her maintain control of her emotions. She wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad one. She fell back on a common conversational topic. "What are some of your hobbies?"

Luke didn't have to think too hard about her question, it was a good place to keep the conversation and it would open each other a bit. "Obviously I'm a sucker for anything physical," Luke said as he went a little red realising how that could have been perceived before trying to explain. "I mean like sports such as football, rugby and boxing. I also love to scuba-dive and camping out especially, in the wild where you have to live off the land. I'm pretty good at ice-skating if you can believe that, mostly for the ice hockey though, I don't think I'd make a very good figure skater."

"Which football? International or American?" she asked. Having spent time in South America, she had a special fondness for what was commonly referred to a International Football. "I still maintain that we need to go camping together."

"International" He replied almost out of instinct. "American Football is hardly... real football, more like a child's version of Rugby" Luke chuckled at his own joke before addressing the latter part of her statement. "I'm glad you do, but I was thinking I don't think a holodeck sessions would be the same or even as good as the real thing. If we went camping alone, together, I'd want it to be the real deal.

The real outdoors under the real night sky with the bugs and a real crackling fire." He hadn't intended it to sound quiet so... romantic and the thought hadn't even crossed his mind until after he had said it. Luke wasn't sure if it was a result of his passion for camping, the fact he meant for it to be romantic or a mixture of both that it came out the way it did. What he did know, was that he was worried about how she'd reply.

"Yes. The real outdoors with real trees and a real fire. I love the smell of a wood fire. Even the smoke, to keep away some of the real bugs." She smiled at the thought. She would often stand in the smoke from the fire as it was her favorite type of mosquito repellent. "I wish the opportunity wasn't months away." Or maybe even years, depending on what they came across. But she'd settle for the holodeck. It wasn't just the idea of going camping, though. It was going with Luke that was so appealing.

"Me too," Luke said somewhat sadly. He didn't want to rush things after all he still felt some form of connection with... With who? It didn't matter, how long was he going to really chase someone for? Luke felt at ease and comfortable with Marisa, he remembered how they just sat in the arboretum without saying a word just enjoying their surroundings and each others company. He drank of his drink and then poured himself another, topping up Marisa's for good measure. "What are your Hobbies Marisa?"

She took a sip of her wine before answering. "Books and reading. Especially books about history and ancient civilizations. I play a couple of instruments and I dance." She took another sip. "And the outdoors. Hiking and camping, rappelling and white water rafting." It was an odd mix, come to think of it. "And football."

"Which football? International or American?" Luke said in his best Marisa voice as he returned the question before adding, "You surprise me yet, just when I think I know you, something new and something completely unexpected comes out of your mouth. It's refreshing."

That made her laugh out loud. "International, of course. What's so surprising?"

Luke enjoyed listening to her laugh, "Well it would be because of your lineage. You're half human and half Vulcan I wouldn't expect you too enjoy those finer things in life. You are truly fascinating Marisa Sandoval."

Yes, she'd heard that a lot, and couldn't blame him for asking. "Not according to my mother. I'm too Hispanic to be a proper Vulcan." She couldn't help grinning again. "And sometimes I'm too Vulcan to be Hispanic. I spent my childhood on Vulcan trying and failing to fit in. My human cousins were more welcoming, but they didn't like the fact that I was stronger and smarter than they were. Still, that's where I learned to love the outdoors. And history." She shrugged. "Science is the place I fit the most. I can be both and neither."

He appreciated her explanation more than she probably expected. His whole lineage was human so he always wondered what it would be like to be apart of two different species. "Well I like the half Vulcan and Half Hispanic you, don't change" Luke admitted to her.

Coming from Luke, that meant a lot. "Thank you."

Luke smiled before standing up having a moment of weakness and a moment of insperation. "You said you like to dance? Why dont you teach me? I'm a sucker for anything with a rythem and maybe its time I learnt, impress the ladies and all"

Marisa held out her hand for him to help her up. "It would be my pleasure."

When they were both standing, she stood facing him. "First, the proper stance for most ballroom dance styles is to put your right hand on my hip and your left hand in mine." she demonstrated what she meant. "I mostly dance Latin ballroom, but we'll start with a basic waltz. It starts with a simple three count. Step forward with your left foot on one, then to the right on two three." Again, she demonstrated. "Then you step back on your right and then to your left, completing a box."

Watching her demonstrate Luke realised he knew even less when it came to dancing. None the less he gingerly took her hand and placed his other on her hip, though perhaps slightly higher to be sure. "This isn't so bad" he said after a few attempts.

She let him lead her through several steps. "That's the easy part. If you want to do a spin, you need to pull me in close."

It was clear Luke was nervous. Which was an unusually odd sensation for him but he as he genuinely felt confident about most things. He finally nodded in agreement "OK let's give it a try, not promises though." Luke began to mentally imagine the move in his mind.

"It's okay. The important thing is to have fun," she assured him. She moved in close to Luke. "Now, move your right hand to my lower back and turn like this." She did it slowly, so he could follow along. "You can do a wider traveling turn around the dance floor, or a tight spin like this as part of a pattern."

Following her instructions, Luke had decided to treat it like a military manoeuvre more than dancing with a friend. "Ok, yeah," The marine in him commented. "This isn't so bad," he said as he began to twirl her around more elegantly, he began to laugh "I quite clearly missed my true calling." Before they he knew it they were dancing with each other, then breaking apart to commit to a few moves by themselves before meeting again in the middle of his quarters. Luke was now laughing, dancing and simply enjoying himself more than he could last remember.

"You're a natural." She was glad he was enjoying himself after his nervousness at the beginning. Indeed, she was having more fun than she expected, too. "I haven't enjoyed dancing this much in a long time."

Luke didn't need to reply, again just another added bonus to this friendship. Despite only having really connected the two seemed to fit together like a jigsaw piece. Both different in many was, even in shape colour and size but with each other coming together to create something better. He had to admit he wondered if it would be lost through work or risked losing it if they took their new found friendship further. After Miraj and his fruitless efforts chasing Scarlet, he wondered if he'd ever want to meet someone whom he could have a relationship with and here Marisa was breaking down his walls. "Marisa, I've...." he started unsure of himself whether it was worth risking their friendship.

The expression on his face made her pause. "Yes?"

The dancing had come to a slow and steady stop as the commander let out a short sigh though not removing his arms from around her. "Do you think that we are somehow becoming more than just friends, I feel like our relationship has advanced a considerable amount" Luke was trying to be diplomatic but perhaps sounded silly in the process.

Marisa looked at him for a long moment, just to make sure she heard him right. Then a slow smile spread across her face. "I hope so. I know my feelings for you have grown well beyond friendship." Being with Luke was like nothing she'd ever experienced before, and it was both terrifying and incredible.

He nodded in understanding, "That's good." The words seem to linger, left hanging in the air. "I don't want to go too fast though, I mean this isn't fast is it?" Luke had his fair share of relationships in the past even a daughter and he wasn't sure if he was ready for another one but he wasn't going to stop how he was beginning to feel about Marisa.

"I don't think so." This was not an area in which she had much experience. However, as an observer, she'd seen plenty of relationships, both good and bad. "No, we shouldn't rush things." She raised an eyebrow quizzically. "Maybe we should just let this develop as it will and enjoy the journey?"

He nodded with a faint but noticeable smile "I like that idea, enjoying our journey." The words seemed to come naturally and while they had agreed to take it slow Luke didn't have to think when he leant down to kiss Marisa and again it seemed only fitting. It was intended to be a small kiss but a kiss none the less. The first thing he noticed was how soft her lips actually were, he imagined his own were rough and rigid like him but as the kiss intensified it was clear she wasn't going to object.

It ended up being a little more than a small kiss. When they broke apart, Marisa gently caressed his cheek and smiled. "I would say that's a very nice beginning." And because she couldn't help herself, she kissed him again.

Luke didn't object to the second kiss and by the time the third and fourth kiss was finished his heart was racing so fast he wouldn't have been surprised if the ships internal medical alert system didn't start notifying sickbay of a medical emergency. "I don't know if its the wine or some kind of atmospheric phenomenon but going slow seems a whole lot faster these days." He said resting his forehead against hers his hands cupping her face gently as his thumbs stroked her cheeks.

Marisa chuckled softly. "I don't know, but I'm not complaining." She ran her hands from his shoulders to his waist, unwilling to sever the contact just yet.

Feeling her hands fall to his waste Luke followed suit so they were now in a more relaxed embrace "I'm not going to complain either, I've had a really enjoyable night" He said taking her in for the first time and realising just how much he actually liked her. Before he hadn't want to look at another woman especially after Miraj and with Scarlet around but why should he have to wait for her she made it clear she didn't want anything from him except his friendship so maybe this was a good thing, a really really good thing.

"It's been...magical." Okay, that sounded corny, but that's how it felt to Marisa. Luke was like no one she'd ever known, and this evening was far better than she'd hoped it would be. "Now, if we're not going to rush things, I should probably go back to my quarters."

Letting our an inward chuckle "That though regrettably annoying is probably a good idea." Luke admitted slowly releasing their embrace. "At least it gives me something to look forward to, though we should address whether or not we just keep us... between us?"

"I don't care of the entire ship knows how fortunate I am to be with you," she replied. "But I will leave it to you to decide." She chuckled softly. "Although those who know me will wonder why I'm acting so twitterpated."

Luke looked at the woman in confusing "What is 'twitterpated'? I don't think I have ever in my entire life heard that word" He said chuckling guessing it meant something along the lines of crazy? Or perhaps it meant something else entirely.

"It's from an old Earth vid from the 20th Century. Animated." She felt her cheeks flush. "It means that I'm acting giddy because I'm in love."

Luke was surprised how she openly expressed herself with saying she was in love, though he may not be ready to use the word yet he could see himself using it in the future and even look forward to it. "Ah I'll pretend I know what a vid is too" he joked walking over to her. "It was nice having you round."

She shouldn't have said what she did. Luke's reaction was a clear indication of that. She'd been too quick to voice her thoughts. "Ask the computer about Bambi. It's something my father showed me when I was a child." And now for the awkward goodbye before she said something else to embarrass herself. "Thank you for a lovely dinner. And dancing."

"We'll do it again soon when our shifts align." He said hopeful for their future and leaned forward kissing her on the cheek. "Sweet dreams Marisa."

Her dreams would be...interesting. She put her hand on his cheek for a moment. "Goodnight, Luke."

[OFF]

--

Lieutenant Commander Luke Wyatt
Chief of Security
USS Galileo-A

Lieutenant Marisa Sandoval
Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo-A

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