Are we still pretending?

Posted on Tuesday 4 April 2017 @ 13:36 by Captain Melody Jones & Major David Scarlet

Mission: The Perez Nebula
Location: The Round Table
Timeline: After Setting a trap
1982 words - 4 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Melody had made enquires with Mr Kuvos who ran the Round Table and had reserved a nice table in the corner of the room next to a window.

She had made arrangements to meet Scarlet at 1900 Hours but she was slightly early. This time she had chosen to wear the little black dress and a pair of high heels. She strode in the Round Table, seeing that Scarlet had yet to arrive, walked over tot he bar. A number of people were in the bar. When she had entered, the noise level suddenly dropped as people stopped and stared for a moment at the ships executive officer looking absolutely devastating.

A number of head turned as she made her way to the bar.

The real reason of this date, to get the stalker was very far from Melody's mind and she was more looking forward to spending time with David. Since they had told Save'ena about the plan, she felt better but...... there was something else. Was she only pretending in to interested in him?

"Good evening Mr Kuvos, are you well? Could I trouble you for a glass of Aldeberan Whisky?"

He smiled at her "Just the one? That's not like you."

"You can make that two glasses Mr. Kuvos." David Scarlet said with a smile as he walked over to the table. He was wearing a simple black suit with a navy blue shirt. He locked eyes with Melody. She looked stunning, it might have been a good thing she hadn't shown up in the dress during their first meeting.

"My, don't we look handsome this evening" She said as she followed him over to the table.

"You look wonderful." He said as he took the seat across from her. "I guess I should have gotten you that tea sooner."

Despite herself, Melody blushed at the complement. "Thank you David, you look rather dapper yourself."

"How is Save'ena doing with her recovery?" He asked, partially making small talk and partially with genuine interest. "She's been through a lot, and I am afraid I may have been misjudging her based on a very poor first impression."

Melody was perusing the menu PADD that had been left on the table. She replied while still looking as she was rather hungry at this point. "Sav's seems to be doing really well. She remember what happened to her and she can talk about it without collapsing in pain, or any other weird personalities taking over. It was that which led me to be beamed into the brig."

"It worked out in a strange way though, I can't think of any other way I'd gotten you into a cell... " David chuckled. "Otherwise I can't think of why a ships second officer and a crewman would even bother to meet."

Melody pondered for a moment "I suppose, but now I'm the XO I've got to handle all the personnel so I'm sure we would have had to interact at some point." This time she reached out her hand over the table for him to take "Well I'm glad we did." At this point she want Sure if she was saying that for the appearance or more she actually meant it.

A waiter came over and was waiting patiently off to one side. Melody looked hopeful "Do you mind? I'm really hungry"

"Go for it. I'm ready to order as well." He switched off the padd and took a sip of water as Melody ordered.

"I would like the Rib Eye steak, rare with some sautéed potatoes and some veg. David?"

"Krill-beast steak with spice bread and andorian tuber root salad." David rhymed off casually. He glanced at Melody. "I developed a taste for Andorian food during a few biathlons. Surprisingly flavorful and packed with energy."

"That sounds really good. Oh" she suddenly remembered "Can we have a bottle of the pinot noir, 2210. Inu knows which one I mean. Is that ok with you David?"

David couldn't help but smile. "Yes, it's fine." He leaned in a bit closer. "Let no one say you don't know exactly what you want."

As the waiter walked away, Melody's foot had migrated under the table and without her realising it she was now rubbing David leg.

He almost coughed but caught himself. A part of him wondered why she was going through this extra unseen effort in the act, but a much more vocal part kept him from drawing any attention. Instead, he slowly moved his own leg against hers. Why? Sensors were never precise enough to measure this intimacy.

He looked across the table and locked eyes with Melody for a moment, a true smile developing on his face. "You should join me on a biathlon sometime, really gets the blood flowing."

A smiled formed on her lips "I might take you up on that. I've never really tried skiing though." She suddenly became away of what she was doing to his leg. She was also away that he was doing nothing to stop her but was reciprocating. Was he just playing the role? Or was he really enjoying her touch? She studied his face closely, staring at his eyes. What was he really thinking?

David, playing his part, smiled warmly. Or at least he was convincing himself it was just part and parcel or the act.

The waiter returned firstly with the bottle of red wine and two glasses. He poured a small amount for Scarlet to taste.

Scarlet lifted the glass and swished the red liquid for a moment before taking a small sip. Terran alcohol was almost foreign to him now. He'd been drinking just about everything except terran alcohol for the last few years. He nodded to the waiter to continue the pour.

He then finished pouring Scarlet's glass, before pouring a glass for Melody. "Your food will be ready shortly." He said before turning.

"Thank you." Melody took a sip of her wine. "So.........."

"Not to sound like a love struck teenager, but you look stunning. I could have shown up in a sac and no one would have noticed." David said with a grin as his eyes took in all of Melody.

"You're such a smooth talker" she replied, batting her eyelids "I bet you say that to all the girls."

"Only the pretty ones." David replied with a disarming chuckle.

The waiter returned and placed a plate in front of Melody first, then one in front of David. "I hope you enjoy it, if there is anything you need, please don't hesitate to call me."

"This looks wonderful, thank you." Melody looked over at David's plate "Interesting, what got you interested in Andorian food? I know you said it was for the biathlons but why?"

"Started on a dare. One of the Andorian teams didn't think the 'pink skins' could handle real food. So I called their bluff. We sat down together in front of an absolute feast." He tore off a chunk of spiced bread and placed a chunk of meat on it before popping it in his mouth. A moment later he smiled. "Most disgusting things I'd ever tasted. But I didn't want to lose. So I suffered through it until I ended up developing a taste for the stuff."

As she listened to him talk, she got a dreamy look in her face. What are you thinking? A voice in her head popped up. This was suppose to draw out a stalker, not to fall for a colleague! And you just told Sav how you feel about her. I know she's looking for a husband, but you? This is happening too fast? But if i wait....... I might loose him to someone else. but if i act too quickly i might push him away....."

A thousand and one thoughts were running though her head as she ate her meal.

"Do you do that a lot or does it come with the pips?" David asked with a smile. "Penny for your thoughts?"

Melody chuckled "I'm sorry David. I was listening honest. I've..... got a lot on my mind at the moment what with Save'ena's surgery and catching this creepy stalker". She didn't want to tel him the real reason she zoned out. She wasn't sure she wanted to admit it to herself.

The rest of the meal flew by and soon they were sipping coffee. As it was late evening in the Round table a small dance floor had been set up and a 3 piece band were playing some quite catchy dance numbers. Melody stood "Would you care to dance?"

David's eyes widened and he sat stiff back in his chair. "I... well... I don't usually... " He frowned and looked down before sighing. He could feel pressure, somewhat, which was how he knew Melody had been rubbing his leg, but she might as well have been raking spirs across his calf for all he'd feel it. He frowned for a moment and took a deep breath. "Ok, but I'm not good. I'll warn you now."

Just as she persuaded him onto the floor, the lively dance piece was replaced by a slow waltz and she let him place one hand on her Waiste and then followed his lead, bringing her body very close to his and resting her head on his shoulder.

He couldn't help but breath a sigh of relief as the music changed. Slow, he could do slow. The rhythm of the music helped him keep pace and keep track of when to move where. He held Melody close, strangely comforted by her warmth. For a moment, he almost forgot that he was bait. His eyes half open, but focused, he scanned the room around them, looking for anyone who was staring a little too hard.

Melody practically moulded herself into Scarlet's body, following his lead with ease. Everything else faded into the background. There was only her and him on the dance floor.

Some people glanced at them while others full on stared. Some at the idea of seeing two senior officers in so obvious of a romantic embrace, while others just seemed intrigued with this newly infatuated couple. It was making it hard for David to tell who was interested for the wrong reasons. He would have to scan through the sensor logs later and look for anomolies. He was brought back to the present by a slight shift from Melody as she pressed against him. A growing part of him was telling him to just relax for once and enjoy it. He fought hard to stay alert and professional, but it was a losing battle.

As the music finished, She took a step back and brushed a strand of hair from her face "David, I've had a wonderful evening but its getting rather late, we'll have to do this again sometime. Se you later?" She moved closer again to kiss him. Instead of going for his cheek, she took his face in her hands and kissed him quite passionately on his lips.

David was caught off guard for a split second, barely hesitated, before he returned the kiss, pulling Melody close against him as he pressed his lips against hers. He wasn't sure if he was doing this for show anymore, or even if he cared if the stalker was watching, right now he could only think about Melody.

The kiss seamed to last for an eternity, as if both of them were reluctant for it to end. When it did, Melody took a small step backwards and tried to catch her breath. She gazed into his eyes for a moment before whispering "Goodnight" and heading for the door.

As she walked she muttered under her breath "Oh boy............."

David could only watch as Melody sauntered away. "Oh boy..."

OFF

Lieutenant Commander Melody Jones
Executive Officer
USS Merlin

&

Lieutenant DavidScarlet
CSTO
USS Merlin