The Second First Date
Posted on Sat Apr 2nd, 2022 @ 4:05am by Commander Jek'Lar Son of Koss & Michael Taggart & Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren
Edited on on Mon Apr 4th, 2022 @ 9:50pm
2,365 words; about a 12 minute read
Mission:
Episode 12 - Risin' To Risa
Location: Empok Nor - The White Stag
Timeline: MD009 1930 hrs
Alyssa wasn't able to see Jek'Lar as soon as she wanted. Between his busy schedule and setting up the garden cube, this was the first evening they both had free. She was a little surprised at how nervous she was after two years of believing he was married. To help bolster her confidence, she wore a blue sarong with tiny purple flowers and a matching purple flower behind one ear. Then she headed for The White Stag to meet up with her former bond mate.
Jek'Lar had wanted to see Alyssa every day since he ran into her at the party. Most Klingons believed in mating for life and he was no different. However, he knew and understood how Alyssa felt. So he would have to win her heart again. To begin this journey, he asked her out and to his delight she agreed. However, he did not expect it to be for the night before she would be shipping out for a mission.
Nonetheless, Jek'Lar did not allow that to deter him. He headed to the White Stag Pub to meet her. Upon his arrival he stepped up to the bar and smiled at Mickey. "Mickey I am going to need a little help here."
Taggart took a look at Maren who sat by herself for the moment and smiled. "Well den I will haf ta set da mood won't I..."
Jek'Lar smiled and headed over to where Alyssa sat. "Is this seat taken?"
She smiled up at him, taking a moment to appreciate seeing him again. She remembered their first date and how good he looked in his traditional Klingon clothing. "It is now. Hi."
Jek’Lar sat down and returned the smile. "Hello, how are things on the Pioneer?" His smile was genuine, one of the first genuine smiles that he gave in a while. Jek'Lar found himself interested in all she had going on aboard the Pioneer. He just relished the time with her, in this moment.
Mickey was hot on the Klingon's tail and stepped up to the table with an antique silver tray. On it was a traditional Klingon tankard filled with bloodwine and a pint glass filled with a golden liquid. "Bloodwine of the finest vintage for my Klingon friend. An fer da lass a specialty of the house. A Bee Sting, a pint of the finest hard cider with a generous amount of mead mixed in. Enjoy compliments of da house."
"Thank you," she said, taking the smaller glass and trying a sip. It was an unusual drink, but she liked the combination.
She turned back to Jek'Lar. "I met a number of the department heads. I generally try to get that done first, so I can spend more time in science. Having shore leave made it easier. There's a lot I want to get done before we leave. Most of my time has been spent turning a cargo bay into a garden, with plants on all sides. The back wall will be for herbs and medicinal plants. We're going to do some experiments and see how productive we can make it." She took another sip of her drink. "And I've been thinking about you." She'd spent several days remembering their time together on the Archimedes, and the two years since he left.
"You never cease to amaze me. The ancient Earth culture of Romans believed in a deity known as Flora. A goddess of flowering plants, surely you are this deity reborn." He took a sip of the bloodwine, it truly was one of the finer vintages, spicy on the palate and yet the taste of blood was still quite fresh. "I am glad that you are building a home for yourself there. I too have thought a lot about you over the time I have been away and more so since arriving at Empok Nor. I hope the thoughts that you have had were good ones."
"Mostly," she admitted. "That first year was hard. Coming to the Pioneer I felt like I was finally myself again." She couldn't help smiling. "And then I saw you." Seeing him again made her realize that she still had strong feelings for him.
"I have never stopped thinking about you and what should have been. You are no doubt aware of the legend regarding Klingon hearts. Mine has beat quite faintly since leaving your side. Now, just being in your company it quickens knowing it is not alone." He of course spoke of a legend that was recited at Klingon wedding ceremonies. Despite it being a legend Jek'Lar thought it to be true in regards to Alyssa.
She set her glass on the table and brushed away a tear. "I...don't know what to say after that," she admitted. She'd forgotten that her Klingon had the heart of a poet and his words touched her.
"It is simply my way of saying you were missed..." Jek'Lar was interrupted as a red-headed woman approached. "Is there anything I can get you two?" the server asked.
Alyssa put her hand over Jek'Lar's. "I'll let you decide," she said, her eyes laughing at the timing of the interruption. She still had so many questions and she once again found herself falling under the Klingon's charm. She'd fallen fast and hard the first time. This time, she hoped to go a little slower. Or she had, before tonight. Still, the interruption gave her a chance to breathe and she felt she needed that right now.
"Perhaps some Scotch Eggs, Corned Beef and Cabbage, and some Haggis." Jek'Lar said to the server. The woman in turn took some notes on her PADD and hurried off toward the kitchens of the White Stag.
Mickey watched from afar. He knew love when he saw it and it seemed to him that his Klingon friend was head over heels. The woman he was with seemed to be in love with him as well. But Mickey wondered if they would be able to make it last with the Pioneer being so far away from the station often.
"When you return from your mission, I expect to hear all about it. I will make sure the home fires as they say remain burning for you." Jek'Lar knew that they had been down this road before and as such small talk and getting to know one another would not have to happen. From the body language he thought that Alyssa was ready to get back to the way things were. However, he would wait and see where she took things.
"I hope you'll still be here when I do. I know how Starfleet likes to move people around. I met Claire shortly after I arrived and she and I became friends." Alyssa shook her head. "She's already been transferred." Her expression grew serious. "At least this time I know I can find you." There was one question that burned to be asked, one she needed to know before she could truly move forward. "Has...has there been anyone else since the Archimedes?" She couldn't blame him if there was, but she still needed to know.
Jek’Lar decided to answer the first part of what she had said. "I am assigned to Empok Nor for the foreseeable future. It seems that the person who held this post before me has betrayed Starfleet. Command wants me to assist in finding them and bringing them to justice. Captain Hood has already said then when that is done, he will make sure that I remain here." Jek'Lar paused as he took a draught of his blood wine. "There has been no one else. I had always hoped that I would make it back to you." For a moment he thought about asking if she had anyone else. Then he thought the better of it and did not want to know.
Alyssa felt the knot inside her stomach loosen and her tension ease. "There's been no one for me, either," she told him quietly. "I wasn't ready to move on. I haven't been anywhere for long since...well, since you left. This is the first time I've felt ready to stay somewhere for more than a few months." She took another sip of her drink as she watched his reaction.
"Well, it is good to hear that you have found a place to call home again. There are those who would say that it was fate or kismet for you to be on the Pioneer and me to be here. Perhaps we were meant to be." Jek'Lar decided to throw some caution into the wind and picked up her hand and kissed it. For the Klingon the sensation was electrifying.
Her hand tingled where he kissed it. For a long moment she met his gaze. "I hope I've come home." The moment was interrupted by their food being served.
The look on the server's face read that she apologized for the interruption. "Here is your food. I brought some extra plates so that you can share. If you need anything else just ask, my name is Hope." The young woman smiled softly and bustled over to another table.
Jek'Lar smiled in anticipation of the delicious food. The Klingon had developed a taste for the cuisine of an area of Earth known as the United Kingdom when he was at the Academy. "You must try one of the eggs. It is an egg that is wrapped in sausage and then breaded and fried. Simply delicious." Once he was sure that Hope was out of earshot he continued. "I hope you have as well."
Alyssa raised an eyebrow. "That does sound interesting." She found one of the eggs and took a bite. "You're right. This is good." She tried a bit of everything. She was familiar with Scottish shortbread, but she hadn't tried any of the food Jek'Lar preferred. Until now. She took another egg after she'd tried the rest. "I can see several similarities between Klingons and Scotsmen."
In all of the time that Jek'Lar had spent on Earth he never drew the connection. "Tell me... Perhaps there is a kindred spirit there."
"Before Scotland became part of Great Britain, there were frequent conflicts with England. The Scots were notoriously fierce warriors. You should read about William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, for one," she said. "Scots are quite fond of whisky and ale. Also, they love their bagpipes. Some say that it's an acquired taste, much like Klingon Opera." Although Alyssa had a fondness for bagpipes. "Finally, like Klingons, their native dress is distinct and to some, impressive."
"Sounds like an honorable culture indeed. Do you remember the song of the creation of the Klingon race? I sang it to you once, what seems so long ago..." Jek’Lar closed his eyes and began to hum the melody. As he hummed the few other Klingons that were in the bar joined in, the sound swelled and the din of conversation in the White Stag dwindled as those present listened.
Mickey Taggart was not sure what was about to happen. However, he knew a moment when he saw one. And so he had fresh bloodwine served to the Klingon customers and raised his glass in brotherhood.
Jek'Lar began to sing with his eyes closed. The Klingons present joined in and even Mickey took up the song. It was a stirring sight and sound, one that moved the soul. "Bagh Da tuHmoh (fire streaks the heavens). ChojaJ Duh rHo (battle has begun). ylja'Qo' ... yija'Qo ... yija'Qo (victory, victory, victory) 'ej HumtaH 'ej DechtaH 'Iw/ 'ej Doq SoDtaH ghoSpa' Sqral bIQtIq/ 'e' pa' jaj law' moch jaj puS/ jaj qeylIS molar mIgh HoHchu'qu' (And the blood was ankle deep./ And the River Skral ran crimson red./ On the day above all days./ When Kahless slew evil Molor dead.)"
When he finished the song as was custom, he raised his glass and took a gulp of blood wine in Kahless' honor. The others who joined in the song did the same, as did Mickey who felt like he had just taken part in something very special. The rest of the bar patrons remained silent and then applauded.
Alyssa waited for the applause to end, appreciating the moment. Ï remember. But this..." she indicated the other Klingons and the bartender, "Was powerful."
Jek'Lar smiled. He knew that she fell in love with his singing once and he hoped that it would help again. However, he did not expect such a response from those gathered. "As you are no doubt aware my people are strong believers in fate. I think the situation in which we find ourselves right now is just that, fate. We were meant to be together for a time and here we are." He hoped that she not only understood, but that she agreed as well.
She wasn't sure she believed it was fate that brought them back together, but she was more than willing to see if they could regain what they once had. Alyssa had come to terms with the lie his family told to keep her away, but she still wondered why he didn't do more to find her. She needed to respond, so she nodded and took another sip of her drink.
He smiled broadly as he tucked into the food. Jek'Lar motioned for her to do the same. "Well then perhaps we should see where fate will take us."
She looked at him for a long moment and smiled. "I'm all for second chances. Especially with you."
The Klingon smiled at his date, his mate. He dug into the food as he wondered where the rest of the night would take them. It did not matter much to him so long as Alyssa was at his side.
A Joint Post By
Commander Jek'Lar Son of Koss
Chief Strategic Operations Officer, Empok Nor
Lieutenant Alyssa Maren
Chief Science Officer, USS Pioneer
Michael Taggart
Owner/Bartender "White Stag Pub", Empok Nor
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