The Torment That Is Coffee - Part 2

Posted on Wed Dec 20th, 2017 @ 6:11pm by Lieutenant Temperance Zachary
Edited on on Wed Dec 20th, 2017 @ 6:12pm

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/4
Location: Temperance's Quarters
Timeline: Current - Immediately after The Torment That Is Coffee (Part 1)

ON:

OLD:
"I would certainly not want that sort of treatment," Roberto chuckled. "I can't sing, anyway." Then, thinking back to what she had said earlier about stargazing, he said "If you want a really awesome view of the stars, maybe one day you should go with me in my fighter - just a short trip when I'm flying escort for the Wellington. It's an entirely different perspective than just looking out of a port."

NEW:
"Are you sure you can do that?" Temp asked, "You won't get into trouble from your superiors or anything?" As tempting as it was, the last thing she wanted was for him to get into any trouble on her behalf. "And didn't you say it would be awfully squishy?" she asked, tilting her head to one side and smiling slightly, her eyes sparkling. "Are you sure this isn't just a ploy to get closer to me?" she teased.

"I'm sure I could clear it with Ice Queen, my squadron commander. And as for the second part of that question, am I allowed to not answer on the grounds that it may tend to incriminate me?" he grinned.

"Oh no you don't, you don't get out of it that easy!" Temp laughed, rising up onto her knees on the couch. "I demand that you tell me the truth, immediately!" She put her hands on her hips, trying very hard to keep a straight face and appear serious.

"Okay, okay, I confess..." he said, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "I can't lie to a beautiful woman. I admit that might have somewhat to do with it."

Temp threw her head back and laughed before returning to her previous seating position and looked back at him. "So, how squishy are we talking here?" she asked.

"Would it make any difference if I said we might be fairly well acquainted?" he asked with a short laugh.

"Aren't we already?" Temp countered, the tone of her voice made it clear that she knew what Roberto meant, but now she was just goading him into a response. Her eyes were sparkling with mischief as she kept her gaze levelled firmly on him.

"Let me put it this way - a fighter cockpit is VERY cozy. If we weren't well acquainted at the beginning, we would be by the end of the flight."

"It could make for a VERY interesting flight then," Temp replied with a smile. Finally, with a short laugh, she said "It's okay, I'll stop teasing you now."

He grinned at her again. "Believe me, I don't mind at all. So besides your swordplay, what do you like to do when you're not working?"

"I love food, I love real food... replicated food just isn't right, it always tastes wrong, no matter how sophisticated the replicator is. I love cooking with real food, I just rarely get the time. I love dancing... but, again... I never seem to find the time... I guess I don't really have much time for anything, well, I haven't anyway. On my last assignment I was working basically around the clock. When I wasn't working I was thinking about work and planning for work. I do love reading, but real books... not replicated books, actual real books made with paper and ink... when you open a real book it has a certain scent, the scent of adventure and mystery and romance... you don't get that from a replicator..." she laughed suddenly. "And I'm rambling, aren't I?"

"It's okay sweetie, I'm not objecting." The term of endearment had slipped out before he had realized it and he couldn't take it back even if he had wanted to - which he admittedly did not. "I like listening to you because you provide intelligent conversation. That's something I don't hear much of in the fighter squadron. I think we have some things in common, such as food and books. I also attempt to dance sometimes if I have enough alcohol in me." He grinned self-consciously. "I'm not very good at it, but I try sometimes."

Temperance smiled easily, fuelled both by his calling her sweetie and the laid back way he was speaking with her now. "I did 9 years of classical ballet training when I was a child, I hated it, oh I hated it so very, very much! But it helped with strength, flexibility and agility... so, I guess in hindsight it was probably a good thing... but, to be honest, I don't think I've ever just danced for fun." She stopped, a look of surprise crossing her face. "Oh God, that sounds so pathetic!"

"If we ever go dancing, don't expect me to do any fancy steps." He couldn't believe how easily he was able to open up to her, but she was so easy to talk to. "It will probably be all I can do to keep from stepping on your feet. I know my way around a fighter with my eyes closed, practically. But a dance floor? If it's anything other than a basic two-step or waltz - forget it. I'm lost."

Temperance bit down on her bottom lip, watching him in silence for a long moment, before speaking softly. "You could dance with me here," she finally said quietly. "No one is looking, it's just us..." her voice wavered slightly with nerves as she asked. "We could even turn down the lights if you wanted..."

At first he could hardly believe what he was hearing. "Are...are you sure?" he asked. "I mean...yes, I would love to dance with you, but..." he hesitated for the briefest of moments. "I just...I don't want to force you into anything you don't feel comfortable with. I know you made the offer but...I mean...oh hell - I don't know WHAT I mean." 'Get a grip on yourself del Palo...' he thought. 'You're as nervous as a cadet at an Admiral's review!' He took a deep breath, then said "I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable about anything."

"Computer, dim lights to 50%," she said quietly, "And play some music, something soft and slow..." The lights went down and the music started to play quietly, just loud enough for them to hear. "Roberto," her voice was barely above a whisper, "Will you dance with me, here, now?"

Nodding wordlessly, he set his cup down onto the table and stood up, then reached for her hand. Putting his arm around her, he drew her close as they began to move to the music. He didn't know what was playing and to be honest he didn't care. All that mattered to him was the beautiful woman in his arms and the moment they were sharing. "You're a wonderful woman, Temp..."

She rested her head on his chest, listening to his heart beating, savouring the feel of his arms around her. Almost completely oblivious to the fact that they were even moving, Temperance sighed softly, contentedly, not wanting the moment to end. Finally, as the first song ended and another started to play, she pulled back just slightly to look up at him.

When the first song ended, he felt her pull away a bit. Meeting her gaze with his, he looked into her gorgeous blue eyes for a moment, then asked "What are you thinking, beautiful?"

Moving one hand from his shoulder to his cheek, she ran her fingertips along his jaw line. "That you are going to be very bad for my heart," she replied quietly. "I don't know if I should be afraid of you or fall in love with you." As soon as the words were out of her mouth she instantly regretted saying them, and at that moment she closed her eyes, fully expecting him to let go of her and disappear into the night.

"That's funny," he said after a moment. "Because I've been thinking the same thing about you." He closed his eyes, content to hold her as they continued to dance. "I know we've known each other for less than a day and while I don't know what our futures may hold, I DO know that, no matter what happens, I'll never be able to get you out of my mind."

Temperance sighed softly, surprised that he didn't run for the hills, but also finding herself glad that he didn't, that he was still here, holding her. Closing her eyes again, she rested her head back on his chest, content to just stay as they were, savouring every moment.

As they continued to slowly dance, Roberto felt as if his heart was beating so hard it would pound out of his chest. He had never felt this way before and he knew it was a feeling he never wanted to lose. There was something about this woman he held, something so different from anyone else he had ever known. He lightly moved his hand up her back, then gently ruffled her hair. "I had originally planned to ask you if I could see you again after tonight," he whispered. "But I think we've already answered THAT question..."

Temperance stepped back suddenly, her eyes wide. She drew in a sharp breath as she looked up at him. "I... I think you should go now..." she said quietly, her voice wavering as she spoke.

"Did I do something wrong?" he asked.

She drew in another shaky breath. "Roberto, if you don't go now, I'm going to ask you to stay, and we both know that isn't the right thing to do tonight..."

"You're right," he said after a moment. It wasn't that he didn't want to make love to her because he did. But not now. Not tonight. He knew if things continued much further, they would pass the point of no return and he wanted their first time - if there WAS a first time - to be something special, not just a spur-of-the-moment thing. So he stood there, gazing down at her and wondering what he should do. To just turn and walk out would be exceedingly rude and he would never do that. To try and kiss her would be presumptuous on his part. So he did what he thought was the next best thing - he raised her hand to his lips and kissed it lightly...

"Goodnight Roberto," she said quietly. "Thank you, for a truly wonderful evening..." She rose up on her toes, brushing a light kiss against his cheek before stepping back, watching as he walked silently out of her quarters.

As soon as the doors were closed behind him, she dropped herself down onto the couch and exhaled softly. "Oh God, what on earth have I gotten myself into..." she breathed quietly.

OFF:

Lieutenant Roberto "Stallion" del Palo
Flight Leader/Fighter Pilot
USS Wellington

Lieutenant Temperance Zachary
Chief Strategic Operations Officer
USS Wellington