Wearing a Hole in the Deck

Posted on Thu Aug 22nd, 2019 @ 12:22am by Crewman Recruit Zeria & Commander Dominic Aldrich

Mission: For Whom The Bell Tolls
Location: Science Offices/ Dominic's Quarters
Timeline: MD 07 22:00 Hours
2401 words - 4.8 OF Standard Post Measure

Dominic had been at it for hours. He was pacing back and forth reviewing medical scans and looking over internal and external sensor data. The lack of sleep was beginning to drive him to a very frustrated place. It was out of character for him. There were times when he wanted to simply throw the PADD against the wall, and anger wasn't in his wheel house.

Zeria entered the science office. She wasn't even sure she was actually allowed there so she stayed just inside the door. Her eyes watched Dom pace back and forth, he hadn't noticed her or heard the door open. She could tell his mind was deep in contemplation but he didn't seem to be getting anywhere. Finally when his back was turned she walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him hoping he wouldn't be startled by the action. "You should take a break. I made some food."

He stopped in his tracks and stood there silently for a moment. He had been in somewhat of a daze. Checking the time he dropped his head and sighed. "Maybe you're right. Apparently, I have been working and pacing for nine straight hours if the time is right." He turned in her arms and set the PADD down. "I just can't find any real answers."

"Well come eat, sleep for a few hours and see if that rattles anything loose in that brain of yours. You can't expect to be the hero every time. Besides, with what's going on around here, I don't really want to be alone. I feel like I'm going to be kidnapped in my sleep. Isn't that funny?" She gently pulled him toward the door. "Dom, can I ask you something?"

Feeling himself relax he said, "You just did," He then gave her a smile. "What is it?"

"Two things." Zeria didn't know if it was proper to just come out and ask. She'd been around humans for five years but often noticed that species acted differently when they were around their own kind. "Why do you love me? And can I sleep with you again?"

Dominic almost fell over from stopping short in his steps so abruptly. "Wha...what?" His brain, which had been so focused on work was now a mess, like the pieces left over from shifting into reverse at sixty miles an hour. He realized he had been quiet for longer than a moment and started by saying, "Well, I love you because you are a wonderful, giving person. You light up every room you walk into. You make me feel like I have real value outside of my intelligence, and that is a big deal." He wasn't sure what to do with the second question, so he let is hang for the time being.

Well of course he had value. He was really rather sweet and she had figured that out very early, the day he had helped her bring the cart of melons to her house. He'd walked inside and then seemed to become nervous. The blush that had formed on his face told her he was absolutely no threat to her. In a way it had encouraged her to invite him back again and again. "Did I say something wrong?" She asked quietly when he clammed up. She thought back to her words. "I only meant maybe we could share the bed? To sleep." She clarified.

"No, you said nothing wrong. It was just so....blunt," he replied with a chuckle. He was blushing slightly now like he had then. "I, uh, wouldn't be opposed to ending my nights with you next to me. Despite the reaction I had that morning, I am fond of that memory waking up with you there."

Zeria smiled warmly at him. "Me too," but in the back of her mind she wondered something. "Can you tell me about your past? I mean, was there someone before me?" Perhaps he was just shy, but he had mentioned a similar situation, waking up next to someone and she assumed it had not been pleasant.

"Oh, yeah, that...." he said. "Let's get to the meal you made and we can discuss it there. It is a big scar in my past and I want to take my time to tell you." He squeezed her hand. "I am happy to let you into the darkest corners of my life."

"I'm baffled by how I got so lucky." Zeria replied, kissing him softly. "But I understand some things are private, you don't have to tell me everything if you don't want to. I just . . . your reaction that morning made me assume you'd been in pain. Dinner first," she nodded, leading him back to his quarters where dinner was already on the table in containers to keep it warm. Stew with biscuits and a salad.

As Dominic began to eat he said, "This is delicious. Thank you." Then, after a moment he took a breath and said, "Her name was Erica. She was a Marine on board the USS Illustrious when I was also serving there. It was quite the odd pairing. Over the course of two years we got engaged to be married. She moved into my quarters. We made plans. Then, one day I woke up alone. She left a note saying that she loved me, but had felt she needed to move on. That was seven years ago. It has taken me a long time to feel worthy of anyone's love or to feel safe to love someone again." He looked straight into her eyes. "You did that for me. You broke that wall down."

"I didn't do anything but try to be your friend. You were lost, alone. I've always tried to be compassionate to people even if they weren't toward me always. Besides, you saved me from that place. The truth is I don't really miss it. I miss my house but not the place it stood." It was Zeria's turn to feel a bit embarrassed. "I never had anyone, I mean before you. Because I didn't have a family and on that world, if you weren't the product of two respectable parents after they were married, then you were nothing."

"You were strong though. You kept your head up and pushed on despite being an outcast. There is a real fire in you that is absolutely wonderful." He took another bite and after swallowing said, "Perhaps we were simply meant to find each other to stop being so lost." He then gave her a kind smile.

"The universe took it's time." She said slightly annoyed and then laughed because she couldn't help it. "I think we've both been through our fair share and come through it because we had to." She settled down into her meal, a more relaxed expression on her face. Things were going to be okay. "So . . ." Zeria asked, suddenly at a loss for words which was rare for her. "What do you think is going on in this ship? I've heard rumors and having been the brunt of rumors I know it's not nice to listen to them, but they are strange ones."

Shaking his head, "I wish I knew. Scans don't show anything obvious. Our medical scans don't show anything. I've even dug all the way down into the micro-ohm power fluctuations through the power systems of the ship and there is simply nothing clear. I am beginning to worry that there isn't a clear scientific explanation to what's going on. That scares me because it means either some sort of undetected rip in space or some sort of mental manipulation we can't detect through normal processes. I do not like answers I can't see or touch."

"I know you don't. But I'm no stranger to your frustrated side when you push yourself. I wish there was something I could do to help, but I don't have any kind of degree. All I can do is keep my eyes and ears open." She shrugged. "And remind you to eat once in a while."

Dominic grinned and chuckled lightly, "Well, I'm glad you remind me to eat. After all, one of the sacraments of the city I come from is eating. And you're right," he said with a somewhat more serious tone, "I can get a bit intense under pressure. I am sorry for that." He then stopped, "That gives me a thought actually. I wonder if the issue is somewhere in the amygdala of the brain. It controls emotions and has affects on the sleep cycle." He then took a breath. "But, I am not going to worry about that right now," touching her hand, "the most important thing is right here in this room."

"Never apologize for who you are. See, you're already coming up with ideas and I know how important your work is to you so don't feel guilty. You've not neglected me. I haven't let you. Coming to your quarters, dragging you back from the science lab . . . " She grinned. "And asking to sleep with you, I know how to get your attention."

At that he couldn't help but laugh, "Yes, dear. Yes you do." As he finished up his meal he leaned back in his chair and looked around. All around him were artifacts of various civilizations. He had old books and journals in stacks in the corner. He had photos of his friends and family and Zeria. This was a good space for him to be in and just relax. Then, to see her sitting there in the midst of all of the things that helped him to understand who he was, Dominic was at peace. It was a true peace he hadn't felt in years. He simply sat there with a boyish grin.

"Well," Zeria said, pushing her bowl away. "Now what? Shall we sit on the couch and talk?" She had ideas of cuddling up next to him and he never seemed to mind anything she did.

"Yes and no," he said shaking his head. He stood up and walked to her taking her hand and leading her to the couch. He sat her down, kissed her firmly and then walked over to a shelf in the corner. Grabbing a book he sat next to her and opened it. "I want you to see my past." He opened the book showing her pages of old photos. "I'm a little weird by today's standards. I like physical things like books and photos."

"Me too, but then again I grew up with them. Makes me happy that you like them too," Zeria whispered, cuddling up to his chest. "They're kind of magical to me." She glanced at the photos for a minute and then asked. "Your family?"

He turned one page and pointed to a picture from about the time he was ten. "My mother, Nicole, my dad, John, and my brother David, and I were spending the day at the aquarium in this picture. As you can see, I was a little nerdy back then too." He smiled at the memory and the weight of her head on his chest.

"I don't know what nerdy means but you were adorable. And your father has since passed away?" She asked carefully, remember something he'd told her down on Marga III once. She had a lot of questions but was trying to restrain herself from asking. "Do you think they'd like to meet me?"

Dominic nodded, "Yes, my father died in an ion storm while trying to garner interest in the research we had been doing together. It took me a long time to get past that to the point where I could function without it bogging me down. And yes, I think my mother and brother would absolutely love to meet you. Perhaps we can try to take some leave soon to return to Earth. I told you I'd help you track down your own father. We can also pay my family a visit."

Underneath that quiet and observing exterior he was a very sensitive man. Zeria reached over and kissed one of his palms. "I'd be terrified," she admitted honestly, "About both things, but we need to do it. My father should know I exist. And I do want to meet your family too."

He placed his arm around her. "Don't be afraid. I'll be by your side. Plus," he said with an air of brightness, "the food back home will make all of your worries disappear." He could almost smell the red beans and rice as he thought about it.

Zeria didn't think she'd ever had food that made her worries go away but she looked forward to it. With his arm around her, even more warmth was soaking into her body. She suddenly moved, got up and offered him her hand."Come with me."

He stood and followed her. He said nothing and simply let her lead him. It was a moment of total trust. She could have led him into an airlock at that moment and he wouldn't have cared.

Zeria smiled when he couldn't see her face. She led him right into the bedroom. She took off her jacket and detached her outer skirt so she was just wearing the slip underneath. "Do you want to change first?"

Dominic's face flushed red and he coughed as his breath caught. "Uh, change….fo, for, for what." Her standing in front of him in just a slip had him flustered and his usually ordered mind completely jumbled.

Zeria smiled, amused. "Just sleep." Dominic was the first man to show much interest in her and she couldn't deny that she liked to tease him and liked the way he looked at her. "I'm not sure I'm ready for anything physical but . . . I," she swallowed. "I do love you Dom."

With those words all of the clutter disappeared. He was no longer flushed. He no longer had a thumping heart that beat against his chest. He was at peace. The walls melted away and it was only the two of them in the entire universe. He walked over, wrapped his arms around her, kissed her and held the kiss for several seconds. He then said, "In that case, let me get you pillow."

Then it was Zeria's turn blush.

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Crewman Zeria
Hydroponics extraordinaire

LCDR Dominic Aldrich
CSO