Covert Match
Posted on Mon Nov 13th, 2023 @ 1:30am by Petty Officer 1st Class Tobias Beckett & Lieutenant Junior Grade Trelor-Var of the Elanis Upsol & Ensign Hoa Nhi Nguyen
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 14 - The Poseidon Adventure
Location: The Admiral on Deck Bar & Grill - Poseidon Station
Timeline: MD008 1900 hrs
Tobias nervously checked his look in the mirror for what must have been the hundredth time. It never changed and to him, he just looked like a humdrum pencil pusher. He had no idea what this wonderful breath of life saw in him. Yet here he was getting ready for a date with her. Tobias wore a pair of jeans and a button up shirt. He looked as nice as he could look. “I know that I want a relationship with her, but I have to prove that I am more than the sum of my parts.” He said to the empty room. Then with no further word he made his way to Nhi’s quarters. He stood in front of the door and took one more deep breath then rang the chime.
Nhi was sitting in front of her mirror and finally fixed her hair and her make up. She wasn’t really into the make up, so just had a light application on. And she was wearing a nice pink dress. When the door chimed she got up and grabbed her white heels from the floor. She still had to put them on, but she couldn’t let Toby wait outside. “Enter!” She called as she walked out of her bedroom and plopped on her couch. She had closed her bedroom as her bed was literally full of clothes and dresses. She started to put on her shoes as the doors opened.
Tobias stepped in and even though he could tell that she was not fully ready to go, he could see that she was stunning. He even managed to whisper a small “Wow”. “I am not sure what I did recently to merit all that is happening. But you are gorgeous. I hope that I am not too early.” He stood there sheepishly. It was clear that either this was his first date or he had not been on a date in quite some time.
Nhi got up when she had her shoes on, “What? No you’re fine, I just needed a little more time to do my hair. I am ready,” she said smiling. She walked over to him and took his hand. She tugged it a little. “Shall we go? I have never been to Poseidon station. But according to the catalog it is a beautiful place. Is there any place you would like to go?” She looked around her quarters for a moment and then she let go of his hand and ran into her bedroom and grabbed the padd from her bed and closed the door again. “I will clean that up later,” She quickly said as she looked at the padd and then moved to him “I may have looked up some of the places on the station, would you like to have a look?” She showed the padd to him.
Tobias was impressed, surprised, but impressed. He did not expect her to be so efficient about planning a date. “Yeah that would be great.” He said as he took the PADD and walked at her side to the Pioneer’s airlock. “Hey this place looks fun… There is a pirate themed restaurant and bar on the Promenade. Let’s see it looks like it is called The Admiral on Deck. A Trill by the name of Terrin Faux is the owner and bartender. What do you think?” Tobias stopped walking when he asked her the question and his jaw dropped open. It was perhaps the first time that he got a full look at her. Not only was he stunned by her beauty but he was surprised to be going on a date with someone as beautiful as her.
“Oh a Pirate themed restaurant that sounds so fun,” Nhi replied as she walked closer to him and gently pushed his chin up. “Your mouth is open.” She giggled as she wrapped her arms around his arm. “You’re probably wondering why a pretty girl like me is going out with a guy like you? Well….” She tilted her head. I may have the looks, but I am not a cheerleader type girl. Though the squad did try to recruit me. I was the smart girl with the pretty face the quarterback wanted to date. Unfortunately I broke his nose and kicked his legs from under him when he tried to get on to me. I got suspended for a week and then I was transferred to another school. I also got suspended for a week from the academy for hacking into Star fleet headquarters. Found out someone beat me to it. You know her, she was your previous boss, Staff warrant officer Masters. Either way,. I got myself in a lot of trouble a lot of the time.” She laughed, “But I also managed to get myself out too. And you on the other hand are so the opposite of me. I liked you since that first day I met you in the bar. You partially owe Chloe for that one.”
Tobias was stunned he actually had no idea what he should say. There was a moment of silence as they walked and he gathered his thoughts. “Well you are right when you say we are the opposite. I am the guy with mediocre looks who excelled at schooling and playing by the rules. I joined Starfleet because I thought my penchant for playing by the rules would help me succeed here. However, that does not seem to be the case. Before Warrant Masters joined the Pioneer I was the Chief in Intelligence. Yet it seemed that I was not good enough as Starfleet and Captain Malbrooke saw fit to replace me. Since then I have had a want to simply keep quiet and do my job.” As he finished speaking they arrived at the airlock to the station. A guard on post explained that there would be a short walk through the umbilical to the station proper. “After you m’dear.” Tobias said in his smoothest voice as he motioned her toward the airlock.
Nhi laughed and then stepped in the airlock. “You know, Toby, work is all fine and stuff, but you also got to live. So Warrant Masters got your job.” She stepped out of the airlock on the station and turned around to him. “You left the ship and now you are back. Which I am guessing Commander McGowen had something to do with. I am glad she did. But it also means she wants you as part of her team. I don’t know the reason she wants you on her team, but I am glad she did.” She pegged him on the cheek. And then looked at the station. “Look at all the people, “Well, arr matey, let’s go find some pirates.”
Now that was something he had not thought about. The reason he had been brought back to the Pioneer. When he left Tobias presumed that he would never be back to the ship and that his career would most likely take off now that he was off the Pioneer, and yet here he was back where he started. “You know something you are too right. Lets weigh anchor and head out.” He said in an attempt to mimic her pirate speech.
Within minutes they arrived at the Admiral on Deck. The establishment seemed busy enough and there was a Trill behind the bar. Tobias smiled to Nhi. “Well this is the place lets see what they have.”
Nhi walked up to the bar. She gave a bow. “Ahoy there! Got a table for two, good sir. Me and Toby seek some food and a good time.” She smiled friendly to the Trill.
Terrin glanced up from behind the counter, a puzzled expression on his face. "Ahoy there," he remarked, his tone betraying a hint of skepticism. "It's quite evident that you're not from around here," he scoffed, gesturing towards the restaurant. "We have plenty of tables for two, so feel free to choose one," he dismissed the figure.
Andre let out a sigh and flashed a reassuring smile. "Not to worry, ma'am," he chimed in, picking up a menu padd. "Just pay no mind to the boss. He's a bit of a grump, and he's definitely in the wrong profession." With a friendly gesture, he added, "Please follow me this way, and I'll find you a nice spot at one of our empty tables."
“Our special tonight is on the menu,” he smiled, “my apologies I am not a waiter here, and our soup today is homemade gumbo.” Andre turned to walk away, “Oh, can I get you something to drink?”
“I will take a stout.” Tobias said with a smile as he sat down. He had been taking in the surroundings and everything seemed quite nice. The theme of the place was interesting something refreshing from the standard bar and restaurant scene on a station he thought. He smiled at Nhi, there was something about being out with this beautiful woman that changed everything for Tobias.
“Oh what nice people,” Nhi said smiling, completely ignoring the reaction of the owner. She looked at the busboy. “I would like red wine. I am in a very happy mood. This place is so cool.Oh everything is so authentic. What do you think, Toby?”
“Yeah it looks great. Definitely different than the usual starship fare.” Tobias said while looking around. He turned to the busboy. “I would like lavender gin with tonic soda on ice.” When the server took the order smiled and scurried away. Tobias relaxed a bit and reached across the table to take Nhi’s hand. “You know I have to say thank you for dragging me out of that dark office.”
A smile came across Nhi’s lips. “I know, this is what you needed. And I am not someone to give up. And it was also something I wanted. We both needed this.”
It was now Tobias’ turn to look sheepish and blush a small amount. “I am guessing that I am someone you were interested in and that is why you did not want to give up. You are the most beautiful woman that I have ever been on a date with.” He squeezed her hand a little and rubbed his thumb along the top of her hand. The more contact he made the more he did not want to let go.
“Yeah, I still am of course, otherwise I wouldn’t be here.” She leaned on her other hand. “You’re not bad company either. I am not disappointed by you, sir.” She giggled a little, her childish streak coming back out. “Maybe we need to look at the food too, we came here for the food.”
Tobias took a look at the menu and at first he could not decide upon what he wanted. However, within minutes he saw that they served a chicken pot pie. Som
Tobias took a look at the menu, and at first could not decide what to order. However, as soon as he saw that they had chicken pot pie he made his decision. “They have my favorite chicken pot pie and it is rare to get it home cooked. So that is something that I will be ordering. How about you?”
Nhi looked thoughtful at the menu. “Hmm that chicken pot pie sounds delicious. Maybe I’ll try that.” She looked over the menu. “Although…” She didn’t put the menu down. “No, I will go for the chicken pot pie. That sounds really good. I would also like a dessert menu, I may need extra time to pick a dessert.” She let out a soft giggle.
Tobias smiled and thought that she looked rather cute when speaking of dessert. There was something childlike about it and it simply made him smile and think of a simpler time in his life. It reiterated his interest in her that she could make him relax and not have a care in the world. “I think we should eat dinner first then worry about dessert… Although… I have a bit of a sweet tooth.” He signaled the server to come take their orders.
“Oh yay, I knew we could get along.” She giggled. She let Tobias make the order she played with her drink glass. When the server was gone again she said playfully, “Well then mister sweet tooth, what is your favorite dessert?” She really wanted to keep the conversation going, as she had no idea what he was still hiding underneath that serious nerd looking intelligence officer.
“I am a sucker for a good bread pudding. There is just something about the warmth and gooeyness of it. How about you?” Tobias still could not believe that this woman had asked him out. In all of his years he had to do the asking when it came to the ladies.
“Oooh, I personally like ice cream, but I do also fancy the Vietnamese favored dessert, che.” She almost squealed a little. “All the different flavors, warm and cold. Maybe I could make you some so you can try it if you are the sweet tooth that you say you are. She smiled and squeezed her eyes closed.
“That sounds like a wonderful idea…” Tobias said with a smile. A sudden urge took hold of him and he decided to go with it. He took her hand and raised it to his lips. Very softly and gingerly he kissed her palm. The rather sudden and romantic overture just took hold of him and when he finished he smiled setting her hand back on the table. “Something I learned while researching. On Cardassia a kiss on the palm is the most romantic gesture anyone can do. I always rather liked that idea.”
Nhi waved her hands, almost squealing. “That is so sweet. I did not know that.” She then leaned forward on her hands. “Well, well, we just found out all sorts of things about you today.” she giggled. “So tell me, any more secret or hidden talents?” She said as she noticed she could use some food. She covered her stomach as it growled almost angrily. She looked to Tobias smiling nervously.
Tobias had debated if he should make some sort of flirtatious remark as to his hidden talents and just as he was about to the food came. The server placed the plates and smiled. “This looks so good.” He said as he dug into his food. The first bite was unbelievable. “This is really great it seems that we came upon a great place here.”
Nhi dug in too, she had been eating very little for this moment. “Oh mmmm,” She swayed a little side to side, “That is good. So are you saying we should go here again? Cause yea I agree. Oh boy, I have been holding off food till now.” She grinned nervously. “I love good food. Need to savor that.”
“Well yeah if there is time before we leave the station or when we come back around these parts again. I was also referring to the company…” Tobias smiled sheepishly as he looked at this beautiful woman who sat across from him. He was amazed by her youthful exuberance and the child like way she looked at a lot of things. It seemed to be bringing him out of his shell. As the look became a little too long he quickly darted his eyes to his food and took a few more bites.
Nhi noticed him looking and then averting his eyes. “This is nice,” she stated in a more calmer and less child-like voice. She put her fork down and reached her hand out to his. For a moment she was quiet. Something she wasn’t that often. She then looked up to him again and simply repeated herself and added, “This is nice, thank you.” Before she resumed her dinner. .
Tobias smiled and the couple continued to chat and get to know each other as the meal progressed. In fact they spent so much time that it had become closing time and the restaurant was to close up. “Well can I walk you back to your quarters?”
Nhi hooked her arm in his. “Yes, please.” She leaned her head on his head as they left the restaurant back to the ship. The promenade had quieted down, which made the moment even more magical for her. It was as if it was just the two of them.
When they returned to her quarters she stood outside the door and sighed. She took his hand and held them. “I am almost sad it’s over,” she softly whispered. “Let’s do this again soon.”
Tobias was known to be the person who never threw caution into the wind. Right now he was not sure if it was his emotions, or perhaps Nhi rubbed off on him. However, when she leaned in and whispered he wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her. Tobias kissed her as if she were the last woman in the galaxy. He did not care if she slapped him, it was something that he had wanted to do since he saw her.
Nhi kissed him back. Somewhere she really didn’t want this to end. She worked so hard to pull him out of his shell. And she really enjoyed her time tonight. When they let go she looked at him lovingly in his eyes. She didn’t know what to say or do at that moment.
Tobias smiled softly, he wanted more, agonized for more. However, he knew that this was not the time. He took her hands. “I want to thank you for being you and choosing me.” He leaned in and gave her a soft kiss on her forehead before turning down the corridor and headed for his quarters and a sonic shower.
She watched him disappear in the corridor and smiled too. She took of her shoes and then disappeared into her quarters.
A Joint Post By
Petty Officer First Class Tobias Beckett
Data Systems Analyst, USS Pioneer
Ensign Hoa Nhi Nguyen
Security Officer, USS Pioneer
Terrin Faux
Owner - The Admiral On Deck Bar & Grill
Poseidon Station
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