Dinner

Posted on 06 Aug 2019 @ 2:00am by Captain Jonathan Reynolds & Lieutenant Commander True Keading

Mission: Mission 1 - In the pale moonlight ...
Location: Reynolds quarters
Timeline: MD5 evening
3799 words - 7.6 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Jon was still floating from what had happened earlier in his ready room. Eddie was gone and he attempted a quick tidy up. How his teenage soon managed to accumulate so much mess he had no idea. When he had finally managed to straighten up he quickly changed into a blue shirt and waited. He was a mix of excited and nervous.

True had managed to get dressed, though she didn't really remember how. She'd just gone through the motions of putting on the dress and shoes and brushing her hair but her mind was completely elsewhere. She was extremely nervous but also there was a trickle of excitement. Jon was totally different from Gavin. He was . . . confident and perhaps a bit adventurous compared to her last boyfriend. She'd definitely led the last relationship she was in, but with Jon she wasn't sure what was going to happen. She took a deep breath and pressed the chime.

He opened the door and found himself grinning like an idiot school boy. "Hey. Come in. Wow thats a nice dress," he said.

"Thanks, I have a few of them. They're really comfortable and well . . . feminine, which I don't often get to be in work." She would have talked more but he had suddenly pulled her in for a kiss and her brain went all fuzzy.

He placed a soft kiss on her lips. "Sorry," He said sheepishly. "I've been thinking about doing that again since you left. Let me get you a drink. Name your poison. Or is it tea?" he grinned.

"Oh, about that . . ." he'd already changed subjects to a drink. "You know, I rarely drink but I guess this is a special occasion. Maybe some Bajoran spring wine. You jest but I'd actually inject tea into my body if I could. That's how much I love it. People used to bring me different cups from different worlds to drink tea in but it got to be too much to carry them around with me. So my aunt looks after them for me now."

"My nan is going to adore you. Have you tried proper yorkshire builders tea?" he asked as he ordered some spring wine and a glass of Betaziod Uttaberry for himself. "And tea loaf?"

"Probably at some point but I do have my favorites and I tend to stick to them. Tried some Klingon tea once, still trying to wash the taste out of my mouth." She shuddered at the thought and then realized that both of them had stopped talking. "So . . ." True said. "This is new, and I just got out of a relationship, a really serious one. Can we just . . . talk?"

"Of course," Jon said sitting down next to her. "And I got divorced about 6 months ago. So baby steps ehh," he suggested trying to put her at ease.

He shouldn't have kissed her again. He chided himself. He was too caught up in things. Of course they had to be sensible here. In the pit of his stomach he realised this could be over as quickly as it started. He was going to have to own up to some stuff. She was bound to ask about his marriage breaking down.

"Sorry," True said, shaking her head. She hadn't meant to deflate him so much. "It's just that's it's been less than 24 hours and I got woken up before the crack of dawn by someone this morning, two someone's actually so I couldn't even go back to sleep. Everyone seems to be having these dreams and losing control of their emotions." True took his hand and squeezed it. "It's exciting and nerve-racking and I just ended a relationship where I let someone get really really close to me."

"Got ya," said Jon. "Yeah it has been a strange day. I'm not that guy though," he squeezed her hand back. "You got to focus on that. And going slow, I don't want to put any pressure on or make you uncomfortable in any way. I guess I got caught up in the excitement …

"I understand, and I know that. That's why I'm gently tying a string to your ankle and pulling you down here so we can talk." True grinned at him. His excitement was really adorable and it made her feel really good that he seemed to really like her. "The first thing you should know about me is that I have two older brothers and one of them is also a starship captain."

"Which ship?" he asked curious. "Two older brothers. Protective ones yes?" It stood to reason. He and Liam had a younger sister. They were protective of her. It was only natural.

"The Europa and yes. Well Vern is very protective anyway, he's the eldest. Will is an artist. I just thought you should know. I mean it hasn't been an issue. He never met Gavin because he's always off saving the galaxy."

"Okay ...." Jon said trying to decide if he should be amused or worried there. "Well brothers are meant to be protective. I've done that role myself. I have a little sister. Well not so little any more but you know we still think .... shes my baby sister gotta look out for her. Part of the territory."

"True, I think it's natural. It just drives me crazy that Vern's always acting like my father instead of a brother. I mean I grew up without a dad, but still." She shook her head. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you off. I don't know what I'm doing here obviously."

"Scare me. Nah I like to look a man in the eye, shake his hand. Really get the measure of them before I contemplate getting worried," Jon shrugged. "My brothers a big softy so your pretty safe," he smiled.

"I get along well with most people, I have to. But there have been a few that I wanted to put in straight jackets, not because they were crazy either." True let out a small sigh. This was nice, just sitting next to each other. "What else do you want to know about me?"

"How do you feel about Kids?" Jon asked suddenly. Then panicked as he realised how serious that sounded. "Ermmmm not as in …. I mean …" he took a moment to phrase it right. He was a single father now and any developments, any significant relationships in his life, this had to be a consideration as he had responsibilities. And dam it he was going to be a better dad.

"I mean I have two. And if this turns out to be something. Something truely amazing then they kind of come with the package you know," he said nervously. He had a pit in his stomach forming.

She couldn't help but crack a smile over that. "I like kids. Eddie seems like a total sweetheart. He's keeping you on your toes though, I can tell." She hadn't known about the other child, but it wasn't as if that mattered to her much. She was just a tad nervous about meeting the ex-wife though. Family situations were awkward.

"Yeah," Jon relaxed. "He's on the cust of experiencing Betazoid puberty. When your abilities start to manifest. Hes only a quarter so I not sure what to expect there. And Cassies a little more complicated. I haven't even met her yet." He figured it best to be upfront from the beginning. "But I'm working on that. She's the product of a stupid, reckless, selfish time of my life and I only recently found out she existed. And I'm not that guy any more," he added for good measure.

"Well I appreciate your honesty but you really don't have to explain yourself to me Jon. We just started this relationship. What happened in your past has no bearing on our present." Was that what she had meant to say? She adjusted her position a little bit and rolled one shoulder that had been aching from overuse on a holodeck program. "That was basically what you told me about Gavin a minute ago, in a roundabout way." True smiled at him.

He wanted to kiss her again for being so understanding but didn't. They were talking and thats what she wanted, no needed. They both needed he conceeded. He nodded and smiled. "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of the Goddesses, which is why we call it the present."

"I've heard that before, a different version anyway."

His stomach decided to take that poetic moment and grumble. "Sorry .... I did invite you for dinner right? What do you like to eat?" he asked. "I don't cook by the way, well unless you like scrambled eggs," his eyes flickered to the replicator.

"What?! You don't have everything prepared, laid out, all the napkins and utensils perfectly aligned and the feast prepared to perfection? You know, honestly, I'm not a picky eater. Pretty much my only stipulation is the food has to be dead before I eat it."

Jon stood up reluctantly. He liked holding her hand and being sat next to her. "So Klingon food then?" he joked.

He crossed his lounge to the replicator. "Do you like shellfish? Dead ones I promise. Betaziod Oscoids go nice with Kimden rolls and earth greek salad."

"Sounds wonderful." True stood up as well. This gave her time to be snoopy and look around his quarters, without touching anything of course. She smoothed her dress down and clasped her hands behind her back. One of her hands was still tingling where Jon's fingers had been moments before.

Jon started ordering dishes and wasn't fooled for a moment as she scoped out his quarters. He chuckled inwardly letting her. If things went well he hoped she would be spending some more time here and wanted her to be comfortable. And that was a good sign her looking round. She was definitely interested in pursuing this and not scared off at the single dad with checkered past aspect of his life.

Something occured to him, "We are going to have to be discreet," he sighed. He wanted to shout this to the wind but they were both senior staff. Although there was no rules against them dating, at least in the beginning they needed to ensure eyes from the outside saw professionalism.

And there was Eddie ... and Charlotte for that matter to consider. "At least at the beginning," he said softly. "It won't be forever."

"Yeah, I thought you might say that and I understand why." True was looking at some photos of Jon and what she assumed were brothers of course since they looked so much alike. She loved photos and hardly anyone bothered with them anymore. "I have an idea for our second date . . . if you're interested."

He walked back after placing napkins. ""Oh I'm interested," he replied happily. "Lets talk about it at the table. Dinner is served," he announced.

"You know if we ever go back to Betazed or you have to meet my mother we have to eat with a gong going off. Its really annoying," he found himself prattling as he pulled out a chair for her. "So our second date?" he breathed taking the seat opposite.

"That would probably make me jump." True said sitting down at the table. "Thanks. Umm . . . well I grew up in Alaska and there's this particular beach I love. I was thinking we could go horseback riding there, or just talk on the beach and you can see the town where I was raised."

A slow smile spread over his face. "Sounds lovely. Laguna bay where I grew up on Betazed had some lovely beaches. Maybe some time I can show you my favourites too." He offered her the shellfish. "But no laughing at me on a horse, its been years!"

"I will only laugh if you fall off. First I'll make sure you're okay and then I'll laugh." True said very seriously. "Come on, me make fun of people? My job is to nip that sort of thing before it starts. Just don't do anything stupid to try and impress me. I already like you."

"Well not on a horse, holographic or real. Those things are big and its becoming clear I'm not as young as I used to be. You know though it might be stupid but us males are hardwired to try impress the woman they like. Liam said once he thinks there's some element of evolution in it, amongst other things," Jon suggested. He grabbed a kimdem roll and bit into it. Memories of his dad on a sunday morning flood his mind. "Breatfast of kings," he found himself muttering.

True wasn't sure what the significance of the words were but she let it pass. "Good, at least you won't have to get beamed to sickbay for a broken leg or some such thing while we're on the holodeck." The food was rather good. When was the last time she'd eaten? It had been a strange day. "Why did you join starfleet?" she asked curiously.

"Thats twofold," Jon said weighing up whether to come clean straight away. He and Liam had gone to great lengths to not have this information in their Starfleet files deliberately making sure they were known by their fathers surname and determined that they excel in their career on their own merits. Plus they didn't want people treating them different due to their position in Betazoid society. And the money.

"Reynolds is my human name but my Betazoid one is … well I guess its Otrei now Mothers remarried. I'm a son of the 11th house. I don't know how much you remember of the upper houses from when you lived on Betazoid but that comes with certain responsibilities. I could have stayed home and spent a life, like my mother wanted keeping face, going to parties, being a model betazoid man and part of the upper class or I could actually have a life and do something a little more meaningful. I chose the later. It doesn't excuse all my responsibilities there but I get to be more than ….. just a betazoid man. If you get what I mean."

"And for the adventure. See the stars, meet incredible people and hopefully like your brother, save the universe or something," he added with a smile.

"I was five when my parents died and we moved to Earth so . . . . nothing. That's very noble of you actually, helping more than the people of your mother's planet. Oh Vern doesn't get to be the only starfleet superhero." She laughed. "He just has a strong work ethic and believes in the cause. He had no objection to me joining. He and Will butt heads though over Will's choice of career."

"Wil's the artist right?" Jon said. "What's Vern got against that? And why did you decide to join Starfleet?"

"Yes. Vern thinks he's wasting his life, obviously doesn't appreciate the therapeutic abilities of art. I actually feel sorry for Vern, I mean he was the oldest when my parents died. He was a teenager, he really thought he had to step up and take care of me despite my aunt being there for us. The idea has never left him. And I joined Starfleet because I enjoy talking to people, helping them with their problems and it was also a way to see the universe and learn about many different cultures which has always fascinated me. Despite my behavior lately, I'm really rather relaxed in my duties of Starfleet, I will usually do whatever it takes to help someone even if it means stepping outside what's perhaps acceptable in the fleet."

Jon locked eyes with her. The conviction in her last statement made him in no doubt she was perfect for the position on chief counselor on his boat. He needed people who would go above and beyond if necessary and he was impressed she had that courage.

"Thats also noble and if the circumstances require it …. I mean sometimes you just gotta do what you need to do, to help or make things work," he reflected. "So how come you have only just started to relax?" he enquired.

"Am I relaxed? I don't feel like it." She smiled. "I guess talking about things really does help. It's nice to feel like you know someone a little bit more. There's that support behind you making sure you know you're not completely alone on a new assignment."

"Well your not as relaxed as I'd like you to be but as we are taking it slow I won't suggest running you a bubble bath and offer a massage," Jon said cheekily. "But your definitely more comfortable than earlier," he winked at her.

True blushed, but maybe it was because she kind of liked the idea. After all it had been a long time since she felt pampered by anyone. But no . . . she did want to get to know him first before anything too serious happened.

He finished his plate and wondered if she was a dessert girl. "Do you like pie?" he asked.

"Who doesn't like pie?" True almost snorted, thankful for the interruption in the topic. "Besides, I don't think I've eaten anything all day, except for the tea you offered me in your office."

"Okay big slice of pie for you then," Jon suggested. "What do you fancy?"

"Hmm, Pecan is my favorite but there really isn't any kind I dislike. Someday when I get home to Earth I'm going to pick rhubarb and make a pie from scratch. You'll have to come with me so I can really show you the beach properly and the ancient sealife center."

"I have never had pecan pie," Jon confessed, "So this should be interesting. Its one I have wanted to try." He ordered two slices and some whipped cream. He wasn't sure if it was the correct thing to go with it but its what he ate with apple pie.

"Ancient sea life centre?" he queried as he placed one of the slices down in front of her and handed her a spoon. "As in a museum or is it still looking after the sea life in the area?" he asked returning back to the replicator and ordering a teapot, milk jug and two cups.

"They do both. It keeps track of the aquatic history of Seward and also they rescue injured wildlife when necessary and nurse them back to health to be released back into the ocean. It's a wonderful program. Despite having done a million times I always stop by when I'm in town." True eyed the pie that had been set in front of her. "Oh, thank you."

"Must be a good place. If theres seals or penguins I'll love it. I mean who doesn't love seals and penguins?" Jon said. Even Eddie had inherited that appreciation.

He placed the tea and wasn't sure he had done right by the pie. Maybe the cream was wrong. Maybe he had given her too big a piece. Charlotte had always got funny about eating desserts and keeping her "figure". Jon had just wanted Tru to enjoy her dinner. He hoped she didn't have those hang ups as he thought she was gorgeous.

True started eating it but noticed that Jon was staring at her. "Are you okay? You seem nervous again all of the sudden?"

"Nope," Jon said. "I'm just thinking about seals and penguins. So the pie okay?" he asked.

"Uhuh," True said, not buying it for one second. "The pie is delicious. And yes there are seals anyway. Penguins are actually native to the south pole on earth so there aren't any in Alaska. But there are other birds, puffins, gulls and cormorants that get treatment. You can see them through thick lexan windows. They kept them rather than use forcefields in case there's ever a power issue."

"That sounds a good idea," Jon nodded. "You really like animals yeah? Do you have any pets?"

"No, I . . . well Gavin rescued a kitten. I was thinking of getting one though. Do you have objections to pets on board? Maybe a cat?"

"Well I have a Sherlock ….. whatever he is roaming around. I can't hardly say no to a cat," Jon mused. Plus if it made her happy ….

True smiled. "Sherlock is a sweetheart but he does like to get into mischief. Thanks, I'll maybe look into it. Do you like cats?"

"I don't dislike cats," Jon said. "But its your pet. If you get one True, get what makes you happy. I think Eddie wants one you know. Since he met Sherlock."

That made her smile. "Kids should have animals around, they're usually drawn to them. But if I get a pet he's more than welcome to come visit mine."

Jon smiled. "Oh I know he will take that offer up. Just watch out though cause he also thinks hes a ladies man now and I don't want any younger competition."

"Yeah, you might have to worry about that. He was a pretty good dancer." True shook her head and reached out for him, her hands clasping either side of his face. "Why do you like me so much anyway?"

"I don't know," Jon said honestly. "I mean Im a guy. The first time I met you it didn't escape me you were beautiful and I know from your staff file your smart and good at your job but there's something. Some kind of chemistry, well there certainly was in my ready room earlier. Some sort of connection and mutual attraction although you're much more guarded there I know you feel something or you wouldn't be here. Theres a spark of something that could be wonderful and Im not scared to try have that in my life. Its that simple."

"Fair enough." True replied. Her heart was betraying her level head though. It had taken off and she had to suck in a breath in try and control it. "You're right. I do feel something. But to be honest with you I am a little scared. Not of you but . . . it's just new to me. Men aren't usually so bold in their pursuit. Not to me anyway. But there's a major spark, like nothing I've experienced before. It almost overwhelms me."

"Well like I said earlier you clearly haven't been around the right kind of men. I am going to kiss you now," he said simply and leaned in. His lips brushed hers when someone started braying on the door.

OFF:

●●● Commander Jonathan Reynolds
Commanding Officer
USS Andromeda


●● Lieutenant True Keading
Chief Counselor
USS Andromeda