Hello Gorgeous!

Posted on Fri Aug 9th, 2019 @ 11:58pm by Commodore Jane Saulitis

Mission: For Whom The Bell Tolls
Location: Bebe's quarters
Timeline: MD4, 0800 hours
966 words - 1.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Children settled in the ship's day care, Lhaes knew he probably had a busy day ahead of him. However that didn't stop him from stopping by the quarters of who he currently believed to be the most beautiful person on the ship. He was smiling as he pressed the chime, then took a single step back so not to be straight up in the occupant's face when the door would open.

"Lhaes," Beatrice said, surprised by his sudden arrival. "What are you doing here?" Not that she minded. Her cheeks were turning red, she was sure. Why did this man make her weak in the knees by just smiling at her? It had been so long since she'd had anyone interested in her to this level.

Drawing his arm around her waist, he drew her closer, apparently not caring that any crewman walking by was witness to this display of affection. "Visiting you," he said as he kissed her cheek. "Want to come with me for breakfast?"

She really did blush this time. "Well who can say no to an invitation like that?" She ran her fingers through her curly red hair and decided she was probably presentable enough for the public. "The lounge or the mess hall?" Beatrice slipped her arm in his when he offered it and began walking with him. "You know people are going to start talking about us."

The Romulan shrugged. "What I do on my own time is my affair isn't it? And I want to spend time with you, who knows how long we have and I want to make the best of it." He smiled brightly at her. "Which has your preference?"

"It doesn't matter to me," Bebe sighed. Why couldn't this last forever? Probably because her daughter didn't want her mother hanging around on her starship and she couldn't ask Lhaes to leave Starfleet. It certainly wouldn't be fair to him. "I want something really good, lots of calories, decedent. I'm starving."

"Then the mess is probably not a good idea because Patrick doesn't serve calory bombs," Lhaes chuckled, "lounge it is. I have a busy day ahead of me but...would you like to come over for dinner? After my shift I mean."

"I would love to," she nodded and then thought of something. "Are we including the children in this dinner?" That meant things were getting kind of serious in her book and hadn't he just said he wanted to enjoy the time they had left?

"No they will most certainly not be," Lhaes answered seriously. "I don't involve them unless I'm absolutely certain the woman of my interest is actually staying for the long run." He gave her an apologetic look. "We both know you won't stay."

"Oh, okay." Bebe felt stung by the abruptness of his response. She would have assumed not, but the sharpness of his answer was unexpected. "Honestly," she said choosing her words carefully. "I would like to stay. But I'm not a Starfleet Officer and it's my daughters ship," she said quietly.

Very aware of her feelings, Lhaes stopped and turned to face her. Lightly pushing her back against the bulkhead, he cupped her cheek and kissed her. Then he looked her right in the eyes. "Marry me," he said simply, as if it was the ultimate solution.

Bebe stood there staring at Lhaes. "But you just said . . . Are you feeling all right?" She reached up to feel his forehead.

"I'm feeling fine," Lhaes smiled again though he gave her an expectant look. "I'm a doctor, I'm pretty sure I know when I'm sick."

She didn't look at all convinced. "But you just asked me to marry you, that's not something that just comes up in conversation." Her voice was steady but her heart was pounding. If he was serious she didn't know what she was going to do. She really liked Lhaes but she didn't know if she was madly in love with him, heading that way certainly.

He seemed convinced however, even if he barely knew her. Still his senses told her she was a good woman, and someone worth to stick around with. "It feels right," he answered, lowering his hands to rest them on her shoulders, only to finally have them rest around her waist. "And if that'll keep you here... with me... I don't care what others think. I've stopped trying to please others years ago."

"Well that's great. But Lhaes, you just said not two minutes ago I wasn't allowed to meet your children. You were protecting them and you were right. Things can't work out between us because there are too many barriers. I really like you, more than I've liked anyone in a very long time. And if you weren't on my daughters ship I think I would put my whole heart in this relationship instantly. But Jane isn't going to let me stay on board this ship and I can't ask you to leave it."

Now it was his turn to look hurt. "Then what would you have us do? I don't want you to leave."

"I'm not sure. We will figure something out. Let me talk to Jane." Beatrice kissed him, her hands on either side of his face. "You are so handsome, and so sweet. How did I get so lucky? Been feeling like I'm floating around the ship since I met you."

Feeling the heat in the tips of his ears, Lhaes held his breath as she kissed him. "Are we still having breakfast?" he asked slowly, reaching up to take her hand. "Or are we returning home..."

She grinned, deepened the kiss and then pulled him back towards her quarters with saying another word.

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Beatrice Benjamin
Jane's Mom
Pnpc by Saulitis

LtC Lhaes Sommers
CTSO