Dinner
Posted on Mon Aug 19th, 2019 @ 9:13pm by
Edited on on Tue Aug 20th, 2019 @ 3:39am
2,864 words; about a 14 minute read
Mission:
Episode 8 - The Silence
Location: Richard Ballston's Quarters - Deck 2 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD001 2000 hrs
There had been a proverbial bounce in the step of the Vulcan Hybrid for the remainder of the day after she had seen Richard. She had spent the last year cataloging her feelings for him away assuming she would never see him again. The moment she saw him it all came rushing back. The excitement, the attraction. Reaching up she touched the neural blocker that sat right behind her ear, almost as if she was checking to make sure it was still there before she tapped the chime and waited.
Inside Richard had been busy preparing the meal he had promised T'Rish. He had thought the woman was gone from his life forever but seeing her today made his heart race all over again.
The table was already set, just for two. There was a bottle of Azzian wine from his half sister's winery just waiting to be uncorked and all but the warm entre had been set in place. He was on his way towards it when the chime rang and the physician waisted no time placing it on the ceramic tile that served to protect the fine wooden surface from its heat.
Within a moment he was facing the door wearing a crisp broad uniform and a broad smile, "come in," he said as his eyes twinkled in anticipation.
T'Rish took one more deep breath before entering his quarters. It smelled amazing, which she was not at all surprised by. "Hi." she said simply as she moved to where he was standing stopping just short of where he was standing. "It smells amazing." Her eyes twinkled at him.
Richard's eyes fell softly on the woman. He looked at the white halter sundress she was wearing and her sandals admiring her beauty even in something that simple, "you look amazing T'Rish, I can't believe you're actually here."
"I believe I missed you too." She smiled blushing ever so slightly as she looked over Richard. The way he looked at her sent her heart racing. Reaching up she tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear brushing against the blocker without much thought. "Thank you for inviting me."
Richard grinned and reached up to touch her cheek, "You don't mind the neural blocker T'Rish, I wish you didn't have to wear it."
"Oh," T'Rish said as she realized she was touching it again. "Honestly, I don't even notice it." She let out a light laugh. "I do seem to touch it often, but it is not uncomfortable nor does it cause me any distress." She wasn't sure she wanted to tell him that she was more than willing to wear it if it meant that she could spend time with him. There were some things better kept to oneself. Placing a hand on his chest she stretched up and gave him a small kiss. "I like that I can do that." She said softly with a knowing smile.
It was all Richard could do to keep from taking her in his arms right then and there but he managed to stop himself and merely place a gentle hand on her arm, "would you like to start the meal?' "I have jumbo Vulcan mollusks in a special dish I've been hoping to serve you for a long time."
"I would love that." She replied with a smile. "I have missed your cooking." She was pretty sure she had already said that to him that day, but it remained true. "Anything I may help with?"
"It's all ready," Richad said as he motioned towards the chair, "would you care for some wine T'Rish?" He smiled broadly, "now that we know the wine wasn't the problem."
T'Rish couldn't help the blush. The way she had acted the last time she had gotten close to Richard was still an area of embarrassment even if it hadn't been expected. She gave a nervous laugh. "Yes, please." She moved towards to aforementioned chair.
Following the human tradition of courteousness, he pulled out the chair out slightly and held it until the woman was seated then moved toward the silvery bucket that held the wine bottle. He removed the cylindrical container from the ice and wiped it with a red towel he had laid beside it. He reached for the corkscrew and looked over at his guest, "my sister had a good year with her winery and she sent me a few bottles, these seem to be a little sweeter than her last batch." Richard really wasn't a wine connoisseur. He had learned more about wine since discovering his family of origin and that one of his half-sisters owned a prestigious vineyard and winery. It helped that she was willing to share bottles of her creation or else he probably wouldn't be indulging as much the fruity elixir, especially from his planet of origin and this far away from it.
"The soup is one of my newest creations," Richard offered, "it's an Azzian vegetable soup but I've added red spice and kava root."
"It looks and smells amazing." The vulcan hybrid smile a little brighter than normal. The food looked great but she wasn't sure which she was more looking forward too, the tasty food or spending time with Richard. She plucked up the glass and took a sip. Her head spun slightly similar to last time, but it wasn't the same. She cocked her head slightly. "Interesting" she said still looking at the glass.
"Everything alright?" Ballston sat his glass near his plate and looked over at T'Rish, "is the neural blocker working properly?"
T'Rish smiled at Richard. "Yes, I am fine." She replied as a standard Vulcan way. "The wine." She continued as she reached over and touched his hand reassuringly. "I don't drink often." She added with a smile. "I forgot how good it is."
Richard smiled and his eyes twinkled. He enjoyed the feel of her hand on his as they sat there talking, "would you rather have the non-alcoholic variety?" "I do have some."
He raised her hand up and leaned over to kiss it, "I have missed this so much T'Rish."
"Maybe after this glass." She replied with a smile. "I like how it makes me feel" She admitted. While the neural blocking was working, it was simply being around Richard that made her want to feel more than normal.
The Azzian nodded and smiled, pleased that T'Rish was enjoying herself, "I'll pour the soup, I wanted it to stay hot."
He stood again and took the lid from the large white ceramic terrine that occupied a prominent location on the table. Steam billowed out appropriately wafting the fine aroma into the room. Richard smiled as he gently stirred the mixture and viewed the wide variety and colors of vegetables he had selected and then took a white towel in his hand as he carefully ladled some into a nearby bowl, "there is a special cream sauce by your plate T'Rish by your plate that I thought you might enjoy to top your soup." As he spoke he placed a small green sprig on the edge to garnish it. He then used the towel to help lift the bowl to her awaiting plate, "enjoy beautiful."
The food smelled amazing. T'Rish closed her eyes as her mouth began to water from the aroma surrounding her. "It smells so good." She said with a brilliant smile. She looked at the indicated bowl for the cream sauce. She thanked him and couldn't help watching him slightly before lifting up the spoon and drizzling the sauce over the soup. "Thank you for thinking of this."
"You are most welcome," Richard replied as he finished ladiling his own bowl of soup. He used the same method to bring it to his plate and then began to sit, "I've been wanting to try the idea I had for this soup for some time and I have that say it turned out better than I expected." Offering a brilliant smile to his guest he watched as she decorated her soup with the white creamy liquid, "now the salad has a hint of betazed, Earth and Azzia all wrapped into one."
"Vulcan meals are designed for nutrition." T'Rish replied with a detectable amount of amusement. She used the spoon to raise a delicate bit to her lips. She flushed slightly as the slurping sound rang out. She let out a light moan of pleasure. "It tastes as good as it smell." Taking another bite. "Maybe better." She grinned at her host giving him a wink.
The Azzian chuckled as he listened to her response to his cooking and saw the uncharacteristic expression, "if I told you how nutritious watching you enjoy it is for me I am not sure you'd believe it."
T'Rish looked at the Doctor. Unconsciously she bit her lower lip as she contemplated what to say next. "Are you sure about that, Doctor? I can be quite logical."
"You keep that up and we won't make it to the salad course," He gave her a wry smile as he lowered his chin slightly. Taking his spoon up he dipped it in his soup and began to lift it up towards his mouth still keeping an eye on T'Rish.
T'Rish felt the need to look away, but couldn't make herself. Her spoon dipped down into the tasty soup as she continued to bit her lip, without thought. The effect he had on her should be unsettling, but she was still in control, unlike last time. "Keep what up?" She finally asked when the words permeated her brain.
Richard chuckled, "being so alluring." He sat down his spoon to the side of his bowl that still had soup that had not been yet been eaten, "you, T'Rish, have no idea what you are doing to me do you?"
"I have an idea." She flushed at the desire and emotions that came from him. She couldn't help but look away less the emotions overwhelm her. She looked back up at him through her long lashes. "I like what I do to you." She admitted softly.
"What's your idea," Richard said slightly teasing. He sat his napkin on the table tilting his head. Still gazing at the blonde woman across from him, "I have a few of my own."
T'Rish looked at him with a grin. It was obvious that he missed her meaning. "I am far more interested in what you are thinking." She started as she took another bite keeping her eyes on him.
Richard chuckled and blushed a little, "Guess I'm not getting any better with women." He took another spoonful of his soup and smiled, "I better work on that."
"I think you are doing well." T'Rish smiled. She reached over and took his hand pulling him to her as she closed the gap. She gave his a quick kiss. "Thank you for dinner." She said softly before kissing him again and going back to her meal.
Finishing his soup Richard smiled over at the half Vulcan and stood watching her as he did. He took his bowl and spoon and began walking to the kitchen, "are you about ready for the salad course T'Rish?" The Azzian put down his bowl and reached for the two plates of salad that he had already prepared, "there are dried utterberries, blue leaf lettuce, Boc'navol, and a kava vinaigrette."
"I am not sure I am ever ready when you are around." She smiled, rather brightly for a Vulcan. "It looks beautiful."
Ballston grinned and brought the colorful salad over to the table, "I keep you on edge do I?" He chuckled as he sat one near her plate, "I'm a little intrigued but it also concerns me." He moved towards his seat and placed his plate down, "you're an intelligent, beautiful woman T'Rish and I love your company but I don't want to take advantage of you."
"Advantage?" T'Rish asked as she looked up at him questioningly. "I do not know what you mean by this." She asked as she took a bite of the salad. Human, or in this case Azzian, concepts of innocence perplexed her.
The physician tilted his head a bit puzzled at the woman's response, "if I put you on edge I might be causing you to make decisions you wouldn't otherwise." He smiled at her, "but this is what you want and you like that feeling I'm all for it."
"I meant it more as you are always a surprise," T'Rish responded with a light laugh. "I never know what to expect with you." She looked up at him. "I like it."
Richard's face lit up, "thank you T'Rish, that is a very nice compliment." He chuckled, "see, I completely miss read your meaning."
Picking up his salad fork he tilted his head and then looked back up a the half-Vulcan. the Azzian's pale blue eyes twinkled as he gazed on the blonde with a broad smile, "you always amaze me, there's something exciting about that."
"I do?" T'Rish started with a smile. "I am glad I amaze someone." She laughed lightly as she took another sip of her wine. She liked how the elixir made her feel at east. It was a nice sensation. It was one of the things she liked best about being around Richard. She felt freer around him than anyone.
Ballston grinned as he heard her response, "then you should spend more time with me." He chuckled as he took a fork full of the salad, "after all my quarters needs some beautification."
"I would be happy to help you with decorations." T'Rish replied obviously missing his meaning as she continued to eat her meal. "You could put up a few pictures of your daughter." She smiled a dopey smile.
Chuckling at the half-Vulcan's comment he nodded, "I could, thank you for the suggestion." He took another bite of his salad and looked at T'Rish, "I was referring to you, your presence making the place look nicer."
"Oh," T'Rish replied pushing her blond hair behind her slightly rounded vulcan ear. Her fingers brushed the inhibitor. "I would like to be present more." She grinned.
Richard raised an eyebrow as he watched her intently, "we could make that happen." "Why not stay over tonight and we'll see how it goes."
T'Rish watched him for a moment. Her throat bobbing as she swallowed her bite of food followed by a sip of the wine. She liked the idea, more than liked actually. She paused another moment before nodding. "I would like that." She grinned.
The physician grinned broadly as he heard the words. His face lit up and he raised an eyebrow, "well, I think we found something to agree on." He chuckled and tilted his head, "I was really hoping you would say that."
T'Rish took a sip of her wine and laughed. "You should have asked sooner." She teased. "I would have said yes." She grinned as she placed her fork on the edge of her empty plate. "What exactly do you have planned?"
"Spending more, quality, time with you, "Richard said with a chuckle, and then tilted his head, "and I should have asked you earlier."
"I like the sound of that." She grinned. She looked over the food. "I can't imagine there is more to dinner." She laughed. "It has already been amazing."
Richard grinned, "only half as amazing as my guest." He gave the woman a wink and stood to his feet, "we do have the entree and desert, that is if you're interested?"
"Of course," T'Rish replied with a smile. "You might have to roll me away but I want to taste everything."
The man chuckled and he reached for a white ceramic covered dish in the center of the table, "this is I think the best seafood dish I have ever created." He lifted the lid and revealed the Vulcan mollusks arrayed in an oval over a bed of Betazoid rice. The center had a vibrant yellow sauce courtesy of some Azzian Curry.
"It's actually based off of a Romulan recipe but I've taken several liberties with it," Richard admitted as he placed the dish near T'Rishes Plate, "I'll let you serve yourself, I'm hoping you really enjoy it."
T'Rish's senses were sent on overdrive as the scents enticed her. The stimuli from Richard forced her to close her eyes and focus for a moment. Her inner flame flickering as her control struggled. "Sorry," She replied as she reached out and took his hand. "I am ok, I promise. This looks amazing." Her inner flame once again stable and calm.
Richard studied her for a moment and then smiled, "you're the only thing here that's amazing T'Rish."
T'Rish laughed. This was exactly what she needed and was exactly where she wanted to be.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Commander Richard Ballston M.D. PsyD
Chief Medical Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Junior Grade T'Rish
Quartermaster, USS Pioneer
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