Take Two

Posted on 22 Oct 2018 @ 9:15pm by Commander Luke Wyatt & Commander Marisa Wyatt
Edited on on 23 Oct 2018 @ 4:09pm

1,757 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 17 - Crystal of Life
Location: USS Galileo-A Deck 2, Section 28, Room 15
Timeline: MD -166, 2100hrs

[ON]

The next time she and Luke were off the same evening, Marisa invited him over for dinner. She wasn't as good a cook as he was, but the meal was simple enough. Fish and seaweed. Well, the first course was from aquaponics as she promised to let him try the fish when the first group was large enough to eat. It was also an excuse to spend time with him.

She grilled the fish with butter and fresh herbs and sautéed the seaweed and herbs. But, just in case he didn't like them, she also made stir fry.

For tonight, she'd chosen to wear a black wrap-around dress that fastened at her hip. It had a floral pattern along the edges that reminded her of the Andes. She added just a hint of honeysuckle perfume to bolster her confidence.

"Computer, play Wiracocha, soft." The folk music began to play quietly in the background and she began to dance as she set the table.

Luke was literally vibrating with excitement if he continued to get any more impatient as he made his way through the ship towards Marisa's quarters he'd have to contain himself in a forcefield. Fortunately however the trip wasn't long and he found himself outside her door. Sucking in a breath of recycled air he pressed the door chime with his free hand the other carrying the painting he had swapped with Kala an engineer who had a fantastic ability to paint and a bottle of white wine. Luke was wearing the most casual of clothing a pair of light blue jeans and an unbuttoned collared shirt.

Marisa turned to the door and took a deep breath to calm her sudden nerves. Then she walked over to the door. "Come in."

When she saw Luke, she smiled. "Hi."

"Hi to you too," He said smiling. "I have some things for you, some wine and some painting." Luke presented the two gifts to her with a grin. "Tadaaa".

She looked at the painting, her smile broadening. "Thank you!" She took the painting and kissed him on the cheek. "I'll set this over here for now." She put the painting beside her bookshelf so she could hang it later.

Luke felt the warmth of her kiss spread across his skin, "Wow smells good in here what ya got cooking?" He asked following her around the room, somewhat like a lost puppy. "I think I smell fish and is that your seaweed cooking?"

"It is. I promised I'd let you try the fish, so we're having fish and seaweed from aquaponics." She turned and grinned at Luke. "And stir fry if we don't like it. I admit, I'm using us as guinea pigs." Mostly, it was an excuse to see him again. She wasn't sure if she needed an excuse, but it was early enough in their relationship that she wasn't sure how to proceed.

She did nothing for several long moments and smiled.

"Well I'm starving and will eat just about anything, I bet it tastes beautiful anyway." Luke returned her smile taking in just how beautiful she was, even more now she was relaxed and out of uniform though she had a different kind of beauty when she was positively glowing about her work.

He looked good, too good, in jeans. "Have a seat. Dinner should be about ready. Feel free to pour the wine."

She prepared two plates with fish and seaweed and set them on the placemats. Then she put the stir fry in a bowl and set it on the table for them to help themselves.

When they were both seated, she asked, "How are things in security?"

Finishing up pouring the two glasses of wine Luke placed the bottle back where he picked it up of the table before answering her. "Well you know, other than our little stowaway its mostly just training and brig duty." He looked at the Fish and Seawood combo before smiling, the smells were gorgeous. "How about science?"

"So far, so good, but I'm getting concerned that it's going too well. New ships usually go through some growing pains and we've had nothing." Then she added, "I heard scuttlebutt about the stowaway. How's she doing?"

"Ill pretend I know what scuttlebutt is but yeah. While I don't condone her actions I do understand her reasoning behind what she did. No one should be essentially sold on especially for marriage." He said sadly before taking a bite from the meal she had prepared for them "Delicious" Luke added between mouthfuls.

"Sorry, another Earth term I picked up. Basically, I heard people talking," she said.

While Marisa had tested several recipes with the fish, she was still a little hesitant about how it would turn out, thus the second dish, just in case. But when she took a bite of the final product, she was pleased with the texture and flavour of the fish, and the way the herbs complimented it. "What plans do you have for security over the next few months?"

Finishing what was in his mouth "Training mostly, I have some new guys in the department and I want to bring everyone up to a default standard. One above that of most Starfleet officers. What about you guys?" Luke asked returning the question as he had another spoonful.

"I have a cadet, non-coms, civilians, and officers. All have different levels of experience. As I've worked both as a civilian and Starfleet science officer, I can relate. I personally think the blend of knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm will be good." Even if there was likely to be some bumps along the way. There always were. "Training reminds me that I need to get on the shooting range so I can take my phaser recertification. It's been too long." She'd done nothing in two years, and for er, that was far to long.

"You know where I live and where I work, if that fails one of my officers will gladly take you for some practice before the recertification test" Luke offered his meal slowly diminishing as he ate with such delight, it truly was beautiful.

She would definitely prefer Luke, but she didn't want to inconvenience him, either. "Thanks."

Even with the conversation, it wasn't long before they both finished their meal. "If you want to take our drinks to the couch, I'll clean up and join you."

Luke would usually object but knowing who Marisa was and how she was brought up offering to help her especially in her own quarters may come across rude so instead, he smiled "Well be quicky, I don't want to be drinking all on my own." With that said he made he was slowly but surely to the couch sitting himself down with his drink and waiting eagerly for Marisa. As the pair continued to interact both during these planned dates and between the times the catch each other on-duty Luke knew something was kindling, perhaps even already burning between them. Their conversations were easy and when there was nothing to be said they simply enjoyed each others company.

"It only takes a minute. I just have to store the leftovers and recycle the rest," she said.

It actually took her two minutes, but she was shortly back and seated next to Luke. She took back her wine class with a smile. "Thanks."

Once again she recognized how comfortable she felt around Luke. Just sitting next to him she felt her stress melt away to be replaced by a warmth she was not going to analyze.

Luke sat for a moment's longer their company enough to fill the gaps between them until he found his arm around her shoulder in a simple gesture. They had been talking for several weeks on and off and he finally decided that he was willing to take their relationship a little further. "I like you Marisa." He said before continuing after a sip of confidence in the form of wine. "I really enjoy the time we spend together and I think I can see a future were we spend more time with one another."

Marisa leaned closer to Luke when he put his arm around her. She definitely wanted to spend more time with him. "Can I just say yes, please?" she replied, only half joking.

He chuckled and could feel her weight settling against him comfortably. "You can say anything you like," Luke said leaning in to kiss her hoping the act would be reciprocated as before.

Marisa felt the kiss all he way down to her toes. She put a hand on his chest and kissed him back.

Feeling her press back he deepened the kiss, one hand sliding behind her head the other placing the wine glass on the table. Her kiss was electric sending jolt of excitement through his body.

Marisa set her glass down so that she could lean closer to Luke. His kisses were like nothing she'd ever felt before and she didn't want them to end. The kiss grew more passionate and she eagerly welcomed it.

Experimenting he began to nip softly at her bottom lip between kisses.
He wasn't sure where to put his hands anymore, in tandem they explored her body while their kiss deepened. Luke's breath getting shallower until soon they sat still luke gazing into her eyes with a knowing smile. He was falling in love.

Her smile was soft and tender while her eyes reflected the heat that still coursed through her veins. She gently ran a hand down the side of his face and neck, unwilling to break the physical contact. It felt so right to be with him. Her eyes met his for a long moment. "Luke..." She couldn't think of words to express what she wanted to say, so she pulled his head down and kissed him. Then she cuddled up next to him. "Can we just stay like this?" she asked.

Luke didn't expect the words to so easily leave his lips, "I'd love too." He said leaning forward to kiss her forehead as she nestled her face into his chest his arms closing around her in an embrace he never thought he'd find with anyone again. "For as long as you'd like." He added.

She sighed happily. "That could be a very long time," Marisa said very softly.

[OFF]

--

Lieutenant Commander Luke Wyatt
Chief Security Officer
USS Galileo-A

Lieutenant Marisa Sandoval
Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo-A

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