Upside Down

Posted on Fri Mar 1st, 2019 @ 2:18am by

Mission: Sojourn
Location: Marga III
2399 words - 4.8 OF Standard Post Measure

Beata woke with Stef wrapped around her. She found this a little odd as she couldn't remember if they had fallen asleep together or if he had come to her in the night. It didn't bother her, but she found it strange that she couldn't quite get her memory back about it. "Stef," she spoke softly, lightly nudging him.

"Hmm?" The teenage Vulcan stirred, but didn't open his eyes. It was almost as if he was roused but almost fell straight back asleep. He was comfortable, especially with the woman he loved wrapped up in his arms. Where he was exactly, didn't quite matter to him, nor was he really conscious of where he was. Bee was with him, and that mattered.

"Hey, wake up for a minute, then you can go back to sleep. I just . . . did we fall asleep together or did you come in after I was asleep, I can't seem to remember and it's bugging me." Beata didn't really know why it was bugging her, she guessed because she always had such a sharp memory.

Grunting at being prodded again, Stef opened one eye to look at her. "Does it really matter?" he asked groggily, "I do not know when I came in. I am certain I did not after you fell asleep...I would never invade your privacy like that. Would it not be more likely you asked me to stay as...I was your personal spaceheater a prior time?" In all honesty, he didn't really remember either.

"No, I guess not. It's just I don't remember either. And that bothers me." She rolled over and kissed his head. "You are welcome to enter my room at anytime. I trust you. I just wish I remembered or knew why I don't remember what happened."

"did we eat or drink anything out of the ordinary?" Stef asked, shifting to roll over onto his side. "because it is odd that I do not remember either and I usually have a very good memory."

"Not that I'm aware of, it was all food that was listed as safe for our two species." Beata couldn't help think maybe Jenkins had done something, but no, he was far away from here right now. Wasn't he? She tried not to let her worry show. "Go back to sleep." She had no intention of doing so but maybe his warmth would lull her.

"That does not mean someone could not have spiked it." He drew her back into his arms. "I am not certain I can sleep now...you radiate concern Bee. What is it? Why does my presence trouble you?"

"It doesn't, not at all. I just, well I can't help but think maybe he isn't gone. Jenkins I mean. That maybe he's done something. I know he's far away but he had influence."

"It is not impossible." This time, Stef sat up, concern clear on his face. "i find a lack of recollection extremely concerning, especially since both of us do not remember." he frowned, sizing her up. "At least we are clothed," he added, a touch of relief in his voice. "Mostly, anyway. Do you feel out of the ordinary?"

Beata shook her head. "I feel fine, maybe a bit groggy but I don't know if that's from just waking up or something else. Otherwise everything feels perfectly normal." She sat up and stretched a bit. "It could be nothing, I have been known to overreact on occasion."

"Could be..." A little annoyed that she sat up, Stef tried to draw her back into his arms. "We should go back to sleep," he suggested quietly, "unless you do not wish to sleep anymore?"

"You're awfully demanding lately. Are you incapable of sleeping without me now?" She was teasing him, but in the back of her mind she was still worried a little. "I don't think I could go back to sleep but I'll stay here if you want me to. Or, alternatively we could go out and enjoy the beach and sunshine. Let our bodies soak up some of the warm rays? It will be much easier since it's a nude beach."

"Demanding?" Stef sat up further, brows pulled in almost a solid V as he frowned. "No I do not need to sleep. You want to go back to the beach?" He would not object to that, however one word caught his attention. "Nude beach?" This time his look was one of utter surprise. "Why?"

Beata decided to let the demanding part go, though she was just teasing him she didn't want to make him angry. "Yes, the beach I saw on the way in, it's a nude beach. People don't wear clothes on it. Because it's a beautiful morning and it might be fun to do something . . . . different. Are you nervous about it? You shouldn't be, you're a very handsome young man and I'm sure most people will keep their eyes above the waist."

"I see..." He wasn't vain by any means and perfectly comfortable with his own body. "No I am not nervous, is this something you wish to explore? I will join you if this is what you wish to do."

"I thought we could try it, it would take our minds off things." Unless of course someone was watching them but she refused to let herself think of that. "We can wear a little clothing if you like. But the whole point is to soak up the sun's rays."

"If the point is that we are unclothed, should we not follow the example of others? We would be noticed sooner if we did not, would we not?" While the idea still seemed odd, he seemed undisturbed by it. "I would like nothing more than to spend time with you, however you wish to spend it."

It was what Beata called being brave, and it seemed rather a wild thing to do but since she hadn't been carted off to prison on some Federation colony and she had been allowed to stay with Stef on the Majestic, she felt like being brave. She got out of bed and began to undress, she couldn't look at Stef though or she was sure she'd be bright red. When done she slipped on her sandles so that the sand wouldn't burn her feet. "Ready."

Stef blinked at her. "Should we not wait until we get there?" he suggested mildly, "unless you wish to traverse the distance from your room to the beach in the nude?" He had no idea how far a walk it was to begin with. He made a point of trying not to stare at her, sensing that doing so might make her uncomfortable.

"Oh, I suppose so," Beata blushed furiously and threw on a swimsuit coverup. She mumbled something unintelligable and looked at herself in the mirror, trying to decide whether to pull her hair up or not. Given that it was about the only thing she would be wearing once they got to the beach, she decided to leave it down.

"I like it when you wear you hair like that," Stef complimented, sliding out of bed to walk up to her. To show her that he really didn't care about being dressed or not, he went to find his swimming shorts and changed right in her presence. After all she'd already seen him in all but his shorts, so there wasn't really much else to hide. He reached to run his fingers through her long hair. "It is beautiful."

"Thanks," Beata said, blinking at his touch. She'd always loved having her hair played with and Stef had magic fingers for such a thing. "I like it too, but I can't wear it this way for work." She seemed to instantly relax.

"Why not?" He arched an eyebrow at her. "Because of a dress code?" He drew his arm around her and started to lead her towards the door, grabbing two towels along the way. "Come, or we will never get to the beach."

She grinned as he ushered her out of the room and toward the lobby. "I'm surprised you agreed to this, I didn't think you would for some reason. I thought you might be . . . shy about it."

"Why would you think that?" He turned his head to look at her. "There is no logic in being shy about your own appearance. I have nothing to be ashamed of, do I?" Stef shrugged. "If anyone has an issue with my appearance, then that is their problem, and not mine. And if anyone makes any comments about you, then they have me to deal with, I promise."

"I don't know, I guess it was one of those moments that I thought you would act more Human than Vulcan." She shook her head. "It doesn't matter. And why would anyone comment on my appearance? I doubt anyone will notice me." She put her head against him as they walked. After a few minutes they both went through the gate leading to the closed off beach. Beata stopped just inside the entrance. "Stef . . . have you been here before? Because I have." She frowned at him, her heart rate increasing for some reason.

Sensing a change in her, Stef paused. "I do not believe so," he answered, though he seemed uncertain. "This does not appear familiar to me. Should it be familiar?" He tilted her face up to him so he could watch her expression more closely. "When have you been here?" he asked, though there was no accusation in his tone or expression. All he felt was concern.

"I don't know, very recently." She let him turn her head but she kept her eyes on the beach. "I want to just relax and enjoy my time with you, but this is the strongest feeling I've ever had and combined with not remembering how you came into my room last night. Something's not right."

"Do you want us to return to the ship and have you checked out?" he asked her, clearly concerned now, "or do you want to proceed and see if going here and doing as we planned unlocks your memory. Or mine because I do not remember entering your room either."

"Let's explore and see what we can find or figure out." Beata said quietly, almost unsure. But she felt alright, she didn't think there was anything physically wrong with her. Perhaps they had been drugged the night before?

Nodding, Stef took her arm and led her onto the beach. "We look out of place," he told her quietly, "we should continue as planned..." Eyes never leaving her, he removed the one item of clothing he had on him, then drew her into his arms. "Even if we have been here before, or perhaps the memory was planted, we can always make it a favourable memory for ourselves. And I do very much want to remember being here with you."

She smiled, "Maybe it will come back to us." She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him. Beata had yet to disrobe but it was an almost sheer fabric that left nothing to the imagination anyway. "Let's just sit here for a bit." She put the towel down on the beach, took off her cover up and sat down on the towel. No one was bothering them, no one was even looking.

Shifting to sit behind her, Stef drew his arms around her like a protective cocoon. "I am certainly enjoying the view," he whispered as he moved her hair so he could kiss her neck. "Being here with you, like this..." He paused, working up the courage to admit his feelings. "It certainly makes it difficult to... resist you. You may yet be testing my resolve." He smiled as he kissed her again. "I will be good," he vowed.

"Sorry," Beata said, a slight blush to her cheeks. "I started it," She reached for her coverup and slipped it back on over her head so it at least covered a little bit of her body. "What a beautiful place though," she murmured determined to relax.

"Started what?" Stef asked, feeling disappointment over her covering herself up. "Yes the captain picked a beautiful planet and I heard that there are several seasons available to the crew. Even colder climates for those who desire it, though I believe the majority of the crew chose the warmer climate." He chanced a look around, not even squinting against the bright sunlight. "This area seems fairly secluded however," he added slowly, "we seem to be alone."

"True . . . I'm sorry Stef, I wasn't trying anything. I mean I didn't intend for anything to happen because of this. It just seemed like something brave and daring to do and after what happened on the ship, I don't want to lose that part of myself. I don't want to be scared and let him win all the time."

"Bee..." It took some effort but he managed to turn her around in his lap. "I trust you. If something does happen, it happens, then it is meant to be. This is daring, and it is very brave. I meant to say, we are alone here, there is no reason for you to cover yourself up. May I...?" He tugged at the hem over her shirt, aiming to pull it back up over her head. He gave her a teasing smile. "Otherwise you get tan lines..." he suggested playfully.

Beata knew she would not let things go too far. "Oh yes, Starfleet officers really care about tan lines. I'm almost as white as a ghost." But she let him pull the coverup over her head. "Have you ever tried to paint?" Beata asked curiously, knowing he would not know why she was asking.

"No." He cast her a curious look as he let his hands wander across her body. "Why?" He put the piece of clothing aside, not even bothering about folding it. "I do not know if others would care about tan lines. Surely if you go to a gym, someone would notice?"

"We can discuss it later." Bee said wrapping herself around him and bringing her lips down for a kiss.

"Hmm," Stef said as his answer was smothered.


Ensign Beata Lauryl
Operations Officer
USS Majestic
pnpc by Saulitis


Crewman Apprentice Stef
Yeoman/Animal caretaker
pnpc Lhaes