How was the party?

Posted on Thu Oct 4th, 2018 @ 11:41pm by Lieutenant Sandra Adamson

Mission: A Majestic Affair
Location: Mess Hall
Timeline: MD2, 0700 hours
2569 words - 5.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Bright and early, Sekat walked into the mess hall. He paused in the doorway, closing his eyes a moment to savour the smell of breakfast being freshly prepared. It wasn't something he was used to experiencing while on a starship, but it was a welcome change.

He had agreed to meet the doctor here, prior to being re-evaluated to go back on duty. As promised he had rested the prior day, and had foregone to attend the diplomatic party that everyone had been invited to. Still using his cane, he ventured further into the mess, following the smell of food. casting the very busy chef a single nod, he moved straight to one of the vacant tables. He'd wait with ordering until his superior officer would arrive.

Sandy walked in. She looked around. The lighting wasn't that bright here as in sickbay or in her room. She hardly would come here for that reason. She looked around and spotted Sekat on the other side of the room, sitting at the table. She walked straight for him and sat down. "Good morning," she said cheerful as she looked around a moment.

"Good morning doctor," the Vulcan greeted in return. "I have not yet ordered, choosing to wait for you. What would you like to have?"

She thought a moment about that and then said, "French toast, fried eggs with bacon and freshly squeezed orange juice. What do you want?"

"I will have the same as you, minus the bacon," Sekat answered, getting up from his seat. "I will be right back." He got up to the counter, placed his order, then returned a few minutes later with a large tray. Sliding the tray across the table he placed one of the places in front of her, along with a large glass and some cutlery. Then he sat down and pulled the tray towards himself. "Freshly made," he announced, "compliments from the chef."

"That's great, that's how I like it best." She cut in the fried eggs and the french toast and took a bite. "mmm...remind me to thank the chef."

Sekat gestured with his fork. "He is right over there, though he is busy slaving over something." He took a bite from his own breakfast, chewing thoughtfully. "Did you enjoy last night's party?"

Sandy took a sip from her orange juice. "I spoke a while with commander Sommers. There was good food and drinks. I didn't stay long, as you know. Lighting wasn't there much. I was uncomfortable most of the time. Kind of like now." She put her for in her mouth as she looked. "It stresses me out even now, but I try my best to be here."

Studying her for a moment, Sekat took both their plates then went back to the counter. Seconds later he came back carrying a box. "Then we shall go somewhere with more light," he suggested, "where would you like to go?"

Sandra got up from the table, a bit surprised by his action. "Well, we could go to my office, eat it there. If you don't mind of course." She suggested.

"We could but was it not the point to enjoy meals away from our workspace?" the Vulcan countered, arching a single eyebrow at her.

"You're right," She said, "Then we should go to my quarters." She then held out her hand. "I try not to run this time." She chuckled.

Shifting the box in his arms, he took the offered hand. "Will you take my cane, please?" he requested, unable to carry both the box and his cane, and hold her hand as well. "Though I do not understand... why would you run?"

She took his cane. "It's because I want to get out of here as quickly as possible. I am so freaked out." She started whispering softly and then she just ended with a pitched squeak.

Squeezing her hand, Sekat tried to quicken his pace. "We are leaving," he reassured her, "as fast as I can go, but we are leaving." He considered leaving the box in favour of drawing her close to him to comfort her. Sighing softly, he dumped the box on the nearest table and wrapped his arms around around her shoulders. "We are almost at the door," he told her softly.

Sandy chuckled as he put his arms around her and moved her closer to the door. As the doors opened and they were standing outside in the hallway, which was bathing in a lot of light she looked up to him and said, "Sekat, you forgot our food." She giggled. "It's alright, thank you for that. That was amazing of you." She then fell silent. She then put her arms around him. "Sekat? I want to do whatever it takes to get over my fear. As much fun as at was, getting to see you go so fast, I don't think I want to keep doing it. I want to be able to sit in that messhall with you and eat a decent meal. And what if the ship get's attacked and the lights go out. The captain is going to need to have a chief doctor she can count on to do her job, even in a situation like that. So, will you help me?"

"I will help you," the Vulcan promised, "at your pace." He gave her the smallest of smiles as he released her. "Do you want me to go back for our breakfast?" He looked back at the door, then back at her. "Or do you want to go for a little walk?"

She handed him his cane. "You know, the chef did make it, we should keep him as a friend." She smiled. "If you don't mind of course, and take all the time you need."

Nodding, Sekat turned to retrieve their breakfast. He returned seconds later, handing the box to her. "We could enjoy it in the arboretum?" He suggested, "food should be enjoyed, especially with the effort he put into it."

Sandy took the box and then held out a hand to Sekat again. "You are right. Let's go to the arboretum." When he took her hand they started to walk towards the arboretum. Unaware she held his hand very tight.

He noticed but said nothing. It was an unusual gesture for him, but he allowed it, recognizing the Human need for touch. "Do you have any further plans for today?" He asked, in an attempt to make small talk.

"I got tons to do in sickbay," She explained, "I will probably be there. I am the chief medical officer, some times delegating isn't an option. Sometimes you just have to do it yourself. But you know that right?"

"Unfortunately, I do," Sekat replied as they walked, "however you should not forget that you do have staff to help you. I will gladly assist you when needed." And not just.to spend more time with her, at that. He did find himself enjoying her company. "I am enjoying our breakfast engagements," he admitted to her

"I know that," Sandy said. "I enjoy them too. And don't forget our dinners, want to expand to lunches?" She asked chuckling. "It's going so well."

"Are you asking me out on a date?" Sekat teased, knowing full well he'd asked her this before. "I see no reason why we could not share all meals. I would prefer to have your company over dining alone."

Sandy shrugged. "I like having meals with you. And you're a doctor, so we have a lot in common. A lot to talk about. A mutual understanding if you will." She smiled. "But you do have a certain charm for a Vulcan. I met many Vulcans, not one like you, though."

"That is, perhaps, because I am not full Vulcan," Sekat mused, "and I have decided long ago that when I am dealing with non-Vulcans, it requires a different approach. I do understand most emotions, but sadly not all of them. I do understand friendship, and I understand fear. I also understand the feeling of love, and despair. I have experienced those for myself, when I lost my wife."

As they reached the arboretum, she let go of his hand. "Sorry about your wife." She just realized the Vulcan had a lifetime before her. She should have known, as it was in his personnel file. She walked in the grass and sat down putting the box next to her. She held up her hand to help him sit down.

Accepting the assistance, he sat himself down next to him. "She did not suffer," he told her, "I am grateful she did not suffer when she was killed. And I was able to have closure. My only regret is that we never were able to conceive. A child would have been most welcome." He shook his head, willing the memory away. "What about you, has there ever been a significant other?"

She shook her head. "Ever since that night, I was unable to make friends easy. So I just kept away from people I guess. I maybe had crushes here and there, but never had the nerve to talk. I am also afraid to loose people. Or to be left alone. I was alone when it happened. My mom left me alone. I didn't even know she was gone. And kids...kids are cruel to each other. Well, I am still anxious of being left alone, I am a bit more open since the academy."

"So you made progress," Sekat acknowledged. "And you will have friends here. You had the nerve to talk to me," he reminded her with a smile, "and I have a feeling, that you may want more from me." He reached out to caress her cheek. "Time will tell, but I will not leave you behind unless I have no means to get to you. And I promise, if I cannot, then I will not stop until I find a way to get you."

Sandy blushed when Sekat touched her cheek. She put her hand on his. "Aww, thank you, Sekat." But then she didn't know what else to say. She maybe was attracted to Sekat, but she didn't really thought about it.

"There is no need to thank me," he told her earnestly. "I care about you." Such was the Vulcan way, to be direct about his feelings. He paused, looking her directly in the eyes. "I cherish thee," he amended seriously.

"Wow, ok..." Sandy was a bit overwhelmed by that statement, so for a moment she didn't know how to react. She moved around with her hands nervously. She never had anyone proclaim their feelings to her. She never been in anything serious, so she has no experience either. "I...care about you too." She laughed. "You were married, I don't know what to do...what to say."

"You are not required to do or say anything," Sekat answered slowly. "Follow your feelings, let them guide you. I will not rush you." He could be patient, if he needed to be.

She scooted closer to him and then whispered, "Oh but I do, doctor, you telling me that you cherish me, requires me to respond. I could be wrong, but you just told me to listen to my feelings." She lay her head on the doctor's chest as she put her hand on his cheek now, looking up to him.

In return he wrapped his arm around her shoulders again, keeping her close. "That I did," he acknowledged both statements, not quite sure what to expect now. The touch was odd, but he allowed it. "We should resume our breakfast," he suggested quietly, leaning slightly into her touch as it seemed the right thing to do.

She put her hand down. "Oh, yes, right." She leaned over to get the box and then leaned back. She opened the box and handed him his food. "I almost forgot."

Sekat looked down at the paper plate. "This is not mine," he deadpanned while breaking off a piece to feed it to her. "I do not eat meat."

She accepted the piece in her mouth and then looked in the box. She took out the other plate. "How could I mess that up?" She broke off a piece of the other plate and said to him playfully, "I am sorry, here is a peace offering. " She held it in front of his mouth.

He took the bite and actually smiled at her. "While this is amusing," he confessed, "it is probably more practical to switch plates?" He held out her plate to her, hoping to get his own back in return. Even though there wasn't much left, it would still be more practical and less risk of spillage.

"Of course," She said, and traded plates. Once her breakfast was gone she took the juices and handed one to him. She was still leaning against him. She took a deep breath. "You know, this is is nice. I don't want to think about it, but our shift starts soon."

"Then do not think about it," Sekat answered, clearly amused by her reaction. He accepted the drink and took a few sips. "We should relish the quiet while it lasts, who knows when the next emergency will find us."

"I agree," Sandy noded as she said that. Another sigh came out of her. "So same time at lunch, maybe you could bring the food here." She grinned.

"I suppose I could, barring any unforeseen circumstances..." He stacked the plates back in the box, then gave her a quasi questioning look. "Help me up?" He asked, while making a grab for his cane.

She got up and then helped him on his feet. "Sekat, no need to ask, I will always help you." She put her arms around him locking him in a hug. She then let him go. "You want to head in now?"

"No," the Vulcan admitted, not sure where she was going with this as with her arms wrapped around him he didn't have a whole heck of moving space until she let him go. "No I do not want to head in, I would prefer to spend more time with you." Reaching carefully, he tilted her face up towards his, then paused as if not sure how to proceed.

She looked up to him and blinked, as if waiting a moment to see what he was going to do. Her eyes seemed to scan his face. She pushed herself up and then pressed her lips against his. She put her hands on his shoulders and pulled him close to her.

Shifting his hand to her cheek, he held her close to him, returning the kiss with a clumsiness as though it was his first. He broke off, lightly panting for breath, looking her in the eyes. Seeing her this close to him, he smiled, leaning down to kiss her again. "This is pleasant," he murmured around the kiss.

Sandy laughed inwardly, causing her to smile. "Sorry, I like this too of course."

"I shoud hope so," Sekat teased, "you kissed me..." He drew her close as he started towards the door. "We should get to work..."

Sandy sighed. "You're right. Let's go."

---END

Lieutenant Junior Grade Sandra Adamson
Chief Medical officer

and

Lieutenant j.g. Sekat
Medical Officer
pnpc Lhaes