It seems that Karma is a B word
Posted on Monday 13 February 2023 @ 07:06 by
Mission:
Revelations
Location: Pearl's Quarters/Holodeck - deck 3
3608 words - 7.2 OF Standard Post Measure
On:
Making his way along the crew deck, Jack was heading for the enlisted section of the deck where he'd been told by the computer Pearl's new quarters were located. He'd not long left his meeting with the Captain and had been offered the posting as Ops Chief. He really needed to talk with someone about it and he figured that Pearl would be the best person to try and talk to. Not only that, he wanted to 'steak his claim' with her, so to speak. After their night together down on Baku, most of his worries about starting a relationship with her had been relieved and now that he was to become an officer, he wanted to make sure he knew where things stood between them and if she still wanted to take things further.
arriving outside the quarters that the computer had indicated, Jack quickly brushed his uniform down before tapping the door chime. He hoped Pearl would be the one to answer and not whomever she had been bunked with. He knew most enlisted personnel were billeted together in either pairs or in groups of four, though due to his predisposition to sleeping in the Jefferies tubes or in the junction between Jefferies tubes, his roommate rarely saw him.
The door opened and it didn't reveal Pearl it was her bunkmate. "Oh hi there." the girl was PO 3rd Class Wendy Schmidt, she was a former Marine who was transferred to security as well. "Pearl's asleep still, I can wake her up if you want, or.." she got an impish smile, "you can go hear her talk in her sleep. I think she's been dreaming of you again. I've got to get going or I will be a bit late."
Jack nodded, “on your way then Petty Officer, just because you’re in yellow now instead of green doesn’t give you a reason to be lazy” he said with a half smile, trying to act like the officer he now was, even though he wasn’t one at heart.
Wendy gave a nod, and light laugh then went on her way.
Quietly making his way into the set of enlisted quarters, Jack smiled upon seeing the sleeping Pearl. Giving a sigh of contentment, he moved over to the wall mounted replicator and, using his new command codes, ordered a king stem deep red rose, a tall thin crystal vase and a small paper note to write on.
On the note, Jack wrote, “for one whom none can compare, simply call my name and I’ll be by your side forever. -Jon”
Tieing the note to the rose, he gently placed it in its vase on the table in the middle of the room and left as quietly as he’d arrived. His talk with her could wait a while longer.
Pearl stretched, her eyes fluttering open, her marine training was kicking in and she was waking up to face the day. Her room mate was already gone, Pearl could tell as it was a bit more quiet. Pearl's shift was a later one, she was on Beta shift and it was something she needed to get used to until she got another shift. Yawning, Pearl wandered into the main area, and noticed something on the table, "What's this?" she said to the empty room.
Pearl walked over feeling a bit curious and picked up the note, her jaw dropping open. "Wait.. what?" feeling her cheeks grow warm. "Computer please locate Johnathan MacGyver. And um, send him this voice message. Jon, I'm calling your name."
After almost 5 minutes, Jack materialised just inside the doorway and gave a bow. He’d used the site-to-site to get back to Pearl’s quarters as fast as he could.
Since the time when he’d left his little present, Jack had returned to his new larger officers quarters and changed into a fresh uniform before placing the two rank pips on his neck. He hoped this wouldn’t be too strange for Pearl to see, but he couldn’t think of a better way of bringing it up more subtly.
“At your service my lady”
Pearl's eyes widened, it was almost like in a fairytale, the way Jack appeared. He was looking rather handsome, and she was feeling quite a bit grubby. Her hair sticking up in different areas, as Pearl hadn't hit the shower yet. Pearl was also in her nightclothes still, an oversized dark grey tee shirt, one part having slid down exposing one of her shoulders, and a pair of grey shorts. Pearl picked up on his new pips.
"Wait, what's happened to you? You are in a higher rank now?" Pearl had a worried furrow in the middle of her brow.
Putting in his boyish smile, Jack gave a nod, “yep, someone was foolish enough to make me an officer. I’m also Ops chief now so, I’ve got more responsibilities but larger quarters. Take the good with the bad I guess” he said before the smile dropped from his face and he reached forward to take Pearls hand, “I probably should’ve done this earlier, but better late then never I guess. Pearl, I care for you and would like to know, do you want to go out with me for a proper date”
Pearl was stunned, he took her hand, Jack said he cared for her! Pearl felt like she was going to melt right then and there, it dawned on her next, he asked her out on a proper date!
"I would love to go on a date with you. Um... what sort of date are we talking about? Fancy, moderately fancy or something simple. I've been told to find out just to make certain I dress properly. That's what my roomie Wendy told me." Pearl giving a shy smile.
Jack smiled, "yes well that one looks like a bit of a talker" he said as he glanced over his shoulder to the door before returning his attention to Pearl, "well, how about something fancy? Let's say.....a ball room of some kind, waiters, tiaras, like that old movie cinder-somthing"
Pearl's jaw dropped as to Jack's request. It sounded like he was wanting her to dress like a princess. "Are you referring to Cinderella?" she paused, Pearl hadn't ever dressed like a princess before. She'd never had that desire to do so. Well with her lifestyle, it wouldn't fit anyway. "So we are going to the holosuite for a date?" she stopped once again, moistening her lips. "oh gosh I am nervous, when do you want to do this? I've got to get showered up, and find something to wear. My hair is all over the place!"
Giving a sigh, Jack stepped forward and took hold of Pearls hands, “How about next week? There is no rush. And yes, Cinderella was right, though I think we can skip the glass slippers, they sound rather uncomfortable”
Pearl grasped Jack's hands. "Why wait until next week, give me a few hours and we can go on the date later on this evening? And I expect you to not be wearing, your new uniform. Perhaps something to go with what I will be wearing?" a bright smile appearing, with a pleading expression in her dark brown eyes.
Looking into Pearls eyes, Jack gave a sigh, “those puppy dog eyes of yours are going to cause me a lot of trouble aren’t they?” He asked, as he brought one of Pearl’s hands up to his lips and gave the back of it a kiss, “very well, get yourself ready and meet me at Holodeck 5 tonight. Let’s say 1900hrs?”
Pearl gave a bit of a squeal giving Jack an impulsive embrace. "Don't worry I hope I won't disappoint you, but I am so excited." grinning from ear to ear. "Now shoo, I've got work to do." she caught a glance in the mirror on the wall, and gave a slight sigh. "A lot to do so I'll be calling in some troops to help me. So.... unless you want them to try to give you a make over you may want to make yourself scarce."
Reaching up, Jack ran his hand through Pearls unkempt hair, “oh I don’t know, I think the bed hair look works” he said before leaning down, giving her a passionate kiss and double tapping his combadge. A moment later, Jack dematerialised leaving Pearl standing alone in her room.
Pearl was feeling rather stunned with his kiss and him just disappearing like he did.
later that night
Pearl was nervous, she had gotten a few looks at her outfit but felt grateful that no one had a comment to make. But then again, would they have even recognized her? Pearl could scarcely recognize herself. She had almost scared herself when she saw herself in the mirror. Did she look pretty enough for Jack? Nervously she looked around, trying hard not to fidget. She loved the goldish yellow dress and the way she looked in her makeup, and her hair she'd not seen herself looking so pretty in all her life!
As Pearl made her way into the holodeck, she was met with a lavishly decorated ball room with dozens of people dancing around as the band played period accurate music. The dresses of the women, and the few gay men, would cover every colour of the rainbow and then some while the men were all dressed in blues, blacks and reds.
As the doors closed behind her, A man in a waiters outfit stepped up to Pearl while carrying a large wooden box, “Ah, Lady Bijoux, we’ve been expecting you. As you can see, you’ve arrived just in time for the masquerade ball. That does mean you will require one of these” he said before opening up the box he held to reveal four delicately woven silk masks, two black and two white. “Please take which ever one you desire” the waiter instructed.
Pearl's eyes widened at this choice at the whole scenario which lay in front of her. She was slightly feeling overwhelmed, but looking at the masks, she hesitated then decided, on a white lace one, it was pretty and she felt it looked good on her with the coloration of her skin. The waiter bowed and went his way. Pearl put the mask on, and then looked around skirting along the edge of the ballroom.
Standing across the ball room, Jack was dressed in a red outfit with a white cotton undershirt and a mask of both black and white split vertically down the middle. Watching Pearl as she entered the room and made her choice of masks, he skilfully and stealth-fully made his way through the ocean of dancing couples over to his lovely date.
Normally, the program would have a few other men ask for a dance with Pearl, but Jack had chosen to skip that part of the program as this was something new to both of them and he didn’t want to scare her off.
Pearl looked around wondering where Jack was, at times watching the people dance, and realizing she didn't know how to dance either. She noticed a door which led out to a balcony, and decided to head out there for a breath of air as she was feeling anxious. The moon was full, the air wasn't cold, it was comfortable, she looked out towards where a lake shimmered from the reflection of the moon, and then she looked up towards the stars.
Watching Pearl make a quick exit onto the balcony, Jack had to keep himself from laughing as he followed after her. Stopping just inside the doorway, Jack stood there for a moment and admired the sight of beauty before him. Her Mocha skin standing in contrast with the golden yellow ball gown flowing down from her shoulders like the waves of a champagne fountain. Taking a deep breath, Jack figured he should say something to let her know he was there.
“But soft, What light through yonder window brakes? It is the east, and Juliet is the Sun” Jack said is a half whisper just loud enough to be heard. He’d chosen to quote one of his favourite Shakespeare plays which fortunately also fit the current situation, “Arise fair Sun, and killed the envious moon who’s already sick and pale with grief, for Thou, her maid, are far more fair then she”
A slight gasp, hearing Jack's voice, and then Pearl turned around slowly, listening to his pretty words and her eyes widened at seeing him, wearing that half black, half white mask. And the outfit he was wearing her mouth turned into an 'O' he was looking fine. She pressed her hand against her chest as she took a couple of steps towards him, no words did she utter.
Taking a step out onto the balcony, Jack gave a beaming smile toward the woman before him, “Ah it is my Lady” he said, giving a sweeping bow bore straightening back up, “tis my love, that she knew she were. For it is not to me she looks, but to the Stars in the heavens, they seeming to have some business to entreat her eyes to twinkle in their spheres and in hers as they return” he knew he was miss-quoting the lines now, but he wanted his words to match the current events.
Reaching forward, Jack gently grabbed hold of one of Pearls hands and guided it up to his lips before giving the back of it a kiss, “oh speak but once to me bright angel, and I shall forever be content”
Pearl's eyes went even larger, half hidden beneath her mask. She could feel her heart racing, and him kissing the back of her hand she almost wanted to faint. She didn't have any fancy words to say, though his words sounded slightly familiar, she had done some reading of the classics, as her uncle wasn't going to allow her to be uneducated.
The only words that seemed to come to her mind were, "Romeo, Romeo where for art thou oh Romeo" her speaking softly, hesitantly, then she added " I do not know what else to say, as this is new to me. You make my days more bright, and you're a heavenly light." she blushed, not knowing anymore words she could say. Not realizing she had rhymed her words.
Pretending to look disappointed, Jack’s expression quickly cracked into a smile, “oh don’t worry, I was running out of lines myself. I guess my next choice was to start singing, but I don’t think I’ll expose you to that calamity just yet”
"I can't say that you singing would be a calamity, I don't know if I can hold a tune either." Pearl giggled. "About what I've done is a cadence or two with the other marines. Actual singing? Nope haven't done that nor even tried." giving a shrug.
"oh come on, surely you've done some singing? perhaps in the shower with the water running?" Jack said, giving Pearl an impish smile. "maybe we could see how bad we both sing later on, for now would you care to dance my lady?"
"I would love to dance, I think I can manage without stepping on your toes." Pearl replied with a grin. She felt that if she managed to keep from tripping over things when out in the battlefield, she would be certain not to step on Jack's toes. It was a thrill to take his hand, goosebumps running up and down her body. It was fabulous! "Lead me on, um Sir Jack?"
Reaching down, Jack grabbed Pearls waist and lifted her up before gently placing her back down with Pearl standing on top of his toes, “there, now you won’t have to worry about treading on my toes. You’re already there” he said with a smile before wrapping an arm around her waist and taking her hand in his, “now hold on tight” he said as he gradually began to move around, directing Pearl’s movements a little like a puppet.
"Good heavens Jack, I will squish your feet. You and I are the same height." Pearl half protested and half laughing. She then quieted down to feel his movments stepping as he stepped not wanting to cause anymore issues to the dance lesson. "Okay I think I got it. Lets try it out without my being on your feet." giving a smile. Stepping down on to the floor. The next part she was now face to face with Jack, and put herself in to the dancing positions ready for the next piece of music.
Stepping up to Pearl, Jack gently took hold of her right hand, gave the back of it a kiss before placing it on his shoulder. Next, he took her left hand in his right and held it out straight to their side. Gently reaching down with his left hand, he placed it on her hip and slowly pulled her body in towards his, “Hears your orders Marine, relax and feel the flow. Am I understood?” He said in a half whisper. His tone of voice was authoritative and yet had a sub-text of seduction to it. Looking into her sparkling black eyes, Jack enjoyed watching the flickering of the nearby candles reflecting in her eyes. He couldn’t stood there in her arms all night, but just then the band began to play a slow waltz bringing Jacks mind back from his hyper-fixation.
Pearl's eyes flared open slightly more, her pulse quickened as she heard what Jack said. She was mesmerized by his eyes, the feeling of his arms around her. Feeling like she was falling under his spell. Goosebumps went up and down her body feeling his kiss upon the back of her hand. If he were to kiss her again one way or other, Pearl felt she would just melt right there at his feet. She caught the music somewhere in the background, her senses becoming in tune with the music and Jack's movements. And they danced, Pearl wasn't conscious of her movements her steps, just following where Jack guided her.
Over the next hour, the pair danced the night away without any cares but for each other. Jack had to admit, this was the most relaxed he'd been in ages short of their stargazing on Baku. As the final song of the evening came to an end, Jack led Pearl off of the 'dancefloor' and over to one of the tables, "wow, you learn quickly when you're not overthinking things" he said, keeping hold of her hand. He felt like he'd never want to let her go again. Unfortunately, he hadn't planned out where the evening could end up. He'd managed to think up the ballroom and the quoted Shakespeare on the spot but right now he was running out of ideas. It was still a little early in their relationship to ask her back to his place, or hers, whichever was preferred.
Pearl had gotten a refreshment from one of the waiters in the program, and then looked at Jack smiling as she recovered her breath, then she said, "I was enchanted by you and so I was a graceful swan, instead of an ugly duckling." her cheeks darkening with a light blush. "Where do we go from here Jack? I'm head over heels for you. Or am I being too over zealous? I don't have pretty ways, and I am a barbarian if you want to know the truth."
"why don't you tell me? Where do you want this night to go?" Jack replied, leaning forward towards her, "I'm happy to figure this relationship out as fast or as slow as you want. If you want we can count our little camping trip on Baku as our first date and go from there. To be honest, I'm open to suggestions."
"I thought that was our first date even a second. I don't know the ways of courting, Jack. I am open to suggestions from you, though, I don't want this night to end. You've turned a caterpillar into a butterfly, I am beautiful, something I thought, well never expected. Having been a marine and knowing life can be too short and something happens that even a moment is taken away, I don't want to miss out on anything where you are concerned." Pearl feeling a bit bold right now.
Taking in Pearl's words, Jack thought their current situation over again. Maybe he was being a little cautious, he didn't want to frighten Pearl off by being too aggressive, but with Pearl describing herself as a Barbarian, maybe moving a little faster wouldn't be such a bad thing. "well, since you don't want to miss anything, have you ever seen what a set of officer's quarters looks like?"
Pearl shook her head, "No I've not seen what officer quarter look like. I'm willing though, to have a look see." There were stars in her eyes, and her heart was just racing. "I don't know if you know what you've done to me but, I feel, so alive!" then planted a kiss upon his lips. Pulling herself close to him.
Giving Pearl a smile, Jack called for the arch for an exit and then lead her out of the holodeck.
End:
PO2nd Pearl Bijoux
Security
USS Merlin
Lieutenant JG Johnathan 'Jack' MacGyver
Chief Operations Officer
USS Merlin
