Getting Lost Part VIII
Posted on Sat Oct 14th, 2023 @ 7:42pm by Captain Edmund Merrick & Petty Officer 1st Class Kaylara Loran
Edited on on Sat Oct 14th, 2023 @ 9:03pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 14 - The Poseidon Adventure
Location: Aquil
Timeline: MD009 0730 hrs
"It does." She'd found an ocean-blue tablecloth and white dishes for the table. She almost lit some candles, but then decided against it. This was not a romantic dinner. It was a meal because they were both hungry. What they chose to do after was up to Stefan. That way, Kaylara gave herself space to breathe before she completely lost her heart.
Stefan brought over the plate which contained the crepes he had made, and also brought over the stew which held a ladle for which they could dish up the stew. He also brought over several slices of bread to sop up what remained of the stew. "This looks fantastic Kaylara." he waited for her to scootch in to the u shaped seating behind the table he almost forgot the glasses for the bourbon and brought them over. Plus, a pitcher of water. He opened up the bourbon and poured himself and Kaylara a glass. Then he took his seat.
He sat there for a moment, listening to the quiet sounds of the waves, and the breeze gently moving the cloth of the sails. Since they had stopped there and dropped anchor the sails had been furled. Finally, he said, "Shall we eat?" Picking up his spoon to take a bite of the stew which tasted rather good. It had been a long while since he had eaten and in truth, he didn't think Kaylara had anything to eat either, since the meeting of the intelligence people.
She nodded. She wasn't sure when she ate last. Breakfast? She really didn't eat anything at the reception for the intel officers. She'd seen Stefan and lost her temper--something she hadn't done in a while. She smiled her thanks and took a bite of the food. It was good--even if she hadn't been hungry.
She didn't feel the need to talk while they ate and was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the silence was. "Thank you," she said when she'd finished. "You're a good cook."
"You're welcome." Stefan answered, leaning back in the cushioned seat. " That was good and I will say it was the company that made it the best meal I've eaten in a while." giving a satisfied smile. He felt relaxed at the moment, the bourbon having helped, along with the food. He looked at the now empty plates and moved to clear them off the table, and to the sink where he ran some water to wash up the dishes. He was quiet as he did so, putting them in the dish drainer after being rinsed.
"It’s been a while since I've done this." Stefan remarked to Kaylara, his back turned to her. "It feels so nice to just get to the basics of living."
"It does," she admitted, dropping the tablecloth in a tiny washer. She cleaned off the table and swept the floor. It was true. Being on this little boat was...peaceful.
She occasionally glanced at Stefan, not quite sure what to make of him.
Stefan dried the dishes and put them away, then turned to Kaylara, "Want to look at the stars above before we get some sleep? The night sky looks rather beautiful and there is an area we can sit and gaze at the different constellations of this world.” At this moment, Stefan could feel a peace descending upon him. He didn't feel like he had to keep his guard up, not at this moment. He trusted Kaylara, and the surroundings.
Granted what seems to be serene didn't mean that there weren't hidden dangers but for now, he wanted just to let his guard down, enjoy what little time he had with the incredible Kaylara. Stefan walked over to where he poured a glass of water, then turned to head up the stairs to the upper deck. "If you'd like to join me, I'll be up top." he stated with an inviting smile, then went up the stairs.
Kaylara raised an eyebrow as she watched him ascend the stairs. She wanted to follow him because the night was still and she liked being with Stefan. She also wanted to shower and hide in one of the bedrooms because she was afraid of getting hurt again. She took a deep breath, poured herself a glass of water, and went up on deck to watch the stars.
Stefan had his feet up, his water in hand taking a sip when she arrived back on the deck. There was room for her to sit beside him if she so chose. He glanced over towards Kaylara giving her a smile. "Glad you could join me, it is beautiful tonight, the moon is almost full." A sip of water, then he continued. "Much has happened today, a lot has happened, almost a week's worth of happening in one single day. I don't know where things will go from here. I feel that we're just starting to get to know each other almost like a fresh start. Even though we had the adventure upon the holodeck, that seems another life time ago." He lowered his feet to turn to face Kaylara.
She looked in his eyes for several moments to read his sincerity. "You never meant the holodeck to be more than a one-off. I knew that. But still...I don't know." She wasn't sure what she wanted to say, or what she should say. "I'm not sure what this is anymore."
"It seems that we are both lost, or have lost our way in life. Perhaps this is the wakeup call that the universe has been wanting to give to us both. And I echo your sentiment as not knowing what this is anymore. We've both blasted through each other's protective boundaries. Well, I can't truly speak for you, but only for me. You though, blasted through the barriers I had placed up some time ago. Well, make that you finished blasting through the barriers that had already been cracking. So, here we are, our hearts raw and tender, feeling simply lost." He drank some more of his water then continued.
"What this also could end up being, the beginning of a goodbye as you will be leaving on your ship to head to parts unknown, possibly breathing in relief that you've managed to escape from a rather strange man who is caught between being a teenager and being a mature person." The latter part said in partial jest and partial seriousness. "I think I've said enough or even too much now." he said wryly.
"Is that what you want?" she asked quietly.
In his eyes there was conflicting emotions, and it radiated from Stefan. "I don't want it to be a goodbye, I also don't want to make any promises I might not be able to keep. Truth be told, I do not think my head is clear enough to even make a decision of any level until I get some sleep. Which is why, as much as I would love to sleep in the same bed as you, I am not going to."
Kaylara just nodded, not looking at him. Of course he would need to sleep on it, then decide he would rather find someone on the station, or the planet, who would suit him better. It wasn't the first time. "I'll stay here for a bit and watch the stars." She was pleased her voice was steady. She left her armor back on the station and would need some time to prepare for what she expected to hear in the morning. At least he was honest with her. She appreciated that..
Giving a nod, "I'll leave now to let you commune with the stars" Stefan rising from the seat and headed towards the stairs. He started to descend and paused for a moment to look back towards Kaylara. "Goodnight Kaylara, may you sleep well." then finished descending down the stairs. He went to the bed where he had laid down on before, sliding the door shut and curled upon the bed.
He was exhausted and drained from the various emotions that had happened over the past several hours. He rolled on his back pillowing his head upon a crooked arm, and stared at the ceiling. Kaylara was a wonderful woman, intriguing and had a good head on her shoulders. He could still feel the strong draw towards Kaylara and yet, there was that hesitation on his part. Stefan didn't know what the future held for him. He was a field agent, and at times being out in the field meant he'd probably be seducing someone and wouldn't be faithful to the person he'd be involved with. That wouldn't be fair to anyone, especially to Kaylara.
Kaylara stretched out on the bench to better see the stars as she thought. She liked Stefan--more than she had anyone before. At the same time, he had a roving eye. And she wasn't going to stay on the station. Her job was on the Pioneer. It wasn't that she minded a long-distance relationship. It was that she wasn't sure if Stefan would continue to be interested if she could only get here every few months. His behavior when they first met was also telling. She sighed. She didn't need to decide tonight. She'd see what happened over the next few days.
As she mulled over the past few days, her eyes slowly closed and she drifted off to sleep.
Morning arrived, with Stefan waking up. At first he didn't remember where he was at until the gentle motion of the sloop as it bobbed up and down from the motion of the waves, and the sunlight showing the sleeping area he was in. Ah yes he was on a boat with Kaylara, having had fled the station to possibly work things out with her and at the very least offer her some tranquility. That is if he were the sort that could even make that happen.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant JG Stefan Zamfir
Field Officer Intelligence
Poseidon Station
Petty Officer First Class Kaylara Loran
Data Systems Analyst, USS Pioneer
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