Setting a trap (We're hunting wabbits)

Posted on Monday 3 April 2017 @ 13:47 by Captain Melody Jones & Major David Scarlet

Mission: The Perez Nebula
Location: Crew Lounge
Timeline: Stardate 239404.03
1500 words - 3 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Despite teasing Scarlett about wearing her little black dress, she decided that it was a bit overkill for a first date. She decided to not change out of her uniform.

Walking into the lounge she stopped, looking around to see if Scarlett was already there.

"When you said little black dress..." Scarlet said with a smile as he walked toward Melody. "I was expecting something a little more... dressy?"

Scarlet had taken off his uniform jacket and traded in the standard red undershirt for a dark burgundy polo shirt. He smiled warmly, which considering his usual demeanor, could be rather offputting. A few of the junior security staff had even taken notice and were trying hard not to point at the obviously abnormal behavior of the CSTO. Some of them eyed Melody as well and whispered to each other.

The corners of Melody's mouth turned up. He actually sounded disappointed that she hadn't worn the little black dress. Better make this look good, she thought and pulled him into her arms and embraced him while saying "I was rushed, next time perhaps...."

"No bother," He said, retuning the embrace and holding it for a second. "As long as you're comfortable what you're in."

She released him and raised an eyebrow "Shall we?"

"There's a free table over by the windows I think." He said as he motioned for her to lead the way.

She followed his lead over to the table where she wondered if he would be a gentleman and pull a chair out for her.

Stepping around, Scarlet casually pulled the chair out and waited for Melody to be seated before walking to his side of the table and taking his own seat.

Melody was most impressed with his actions. She was starting to see a new side to their usually gruff security officer.

Once that were both seated, Melody jumped right in "So what's the plan for catching our wascally wabbit? Or are we just going to throw ourselves at each other at every opportunity and hope he goes insane with jealousy and makes a move? Speaking of which, I think we better inform Lieutenant Tillatix of our plans. Save'ena and I are very......... close " She stopped short of saying she professed her love to her "And I don't her to get hurt. Or her to hurt you for that matter" She added with a laugh.

"That's ok." Scarlet replied with a grin. "Aside from the bad first impression, Save'ena seems the good sort." He leaned forward in his chair and chuckled. "Speaking of which... I owe you a Jasmine tea if I remember correctly."

Melody raised an eyebrow "Indeed, that sounds lovely."

He motioned toward the bar, making a V signal with his fingers. The bartender smiled and gave a wave in return. David looked back at Melody. "I wouldn't have presumed to order for you before you got here, so I ask Henry to keep an order of two jasmine teas on hold just in case."

"My father used to take me fishing when I was very young. I was horrible at it, but the one thing he taught me that stuck with me was that the bait had to be good enough to fool the fish, otherwise it wouldn't bite." Scarlet smiled warmly and held his hand out on the table for Melody to hold. She was new at being bait, but he hoped the story would get the point across. Bait didn't talk about being bait.

Melody took the hint and slid her hand across the table. She took his hand, interlocking her fingers with his. "You're father sounds like a good man. I wish I'd known my father better. I think you would have liked him, his special area were security and tactical. He was one of the Officers involved with the development of the USS Prometheus."

Melody suddenly had visions of David meeting her father before their first date, would he be nervous? Would they get along? Would he approve of him going out with his only daughter? Would he ask his approval if he asked for her hand in marriage........... WHOA! WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?

Melody shook her head briefly. She then stopped and really looked at David, as if only just seeing him for the first time. He was cute, she thought. A bit overly serious most of the time. He had a strong jaw, with the faintest hint of stubble showing though which gave him a rugged look. Not bad she, thought....... OH BOY! What was she thinking? She had just professed her love to Save'ena only a few days before and now she was staring dreamily into David's blue eyes.

"The Prometheus, marvel of tactical engineering. I've had a few graduates go on to serve on some of that class. The triple redundancy is a bit of a learning curve at first, but all of them who kept in touch have grown fond of it." Scarlet smiled faintly as he thought about the few cadets who he had 'let in', often the trouble makers. Taking notice of Melody he raised an eyebrow and almost frowned if not for his own dedication to being 'bait'. She had spaced out completely.

Scarlet squeezed her hand gently. "So besides promising and failing to deliver on little black dresses, what else do you do for fun?" He let go of her hand as Henry came over with two steaming cups of tea. He gave the man a grin and quick nod in thanks before turning his attention back to Melody. "Merlin is a big ship, and I've unfortunately been too busy for much off-duty exploration of the facilities."

The squeeze of her hand snapped Melody back to reality and she focused once again on what he was saying.
"Fun? Well I've got Nibbels to entertain and she can be a handful at times. I enjoy playing the piano but that can be relaxing as well as enjoyable. I understand there is a phaser range on board but I haven't had chance to try it yet. I like to keep my aim sharp." With her reflexes, she had always scored very high.

"You should join me for some biathlon training. Mix of sharp shooting and cross country skiing. You need to be quick, but pace yourself or you'll lose accuracy."

She took a sip of her tea "Sounds interesting. So how are you finding you're new position?" She asked, genuinely interested

"Different." He replied after taking a sip himself. "More paperwork and less field work. There's also the whole code of conduct thing, I'm used to do things in the dark so to speak."


"How are you finding your new position?" He asked with a grin. "From my view, I already like the new first officer more than the old one." He almost growled as he remembered how Sav had been accosted. His regret was not punching the putz before he resigned.

"Oh I know all about paperwork." she joked "I feel like I've got a mountain on my desk in my office. That's another things that's new. Never had an office before.

"They only recently managed to force me out of my crewman quarters. And that was only to make way for my new Master-at-Arms. The new quarters are... spacious." He had almost said empty. He'd gotten so used to living out of a standard size kit box that he really didn't have enough things to fill out a normal sized officer quarters. It was still like a cavern with only his kit box being used as a nightstand to hold his padd. "I'm not familiar with being an officer yet... I keep forgetting that I have others to do my work for me now." He grinned at the last part, hopefully showing that it was just a harmless jab.

She smiled at Him. "You get used to it eventually." Just then her comm badge beep and a voice come though "Commander Jones, could you please report to the bridge."

She sighed "Look's like we'll have to cut this short I'm afraid. Do...... You want to meet for dinner? I'm free the night after tomorrow. I here the Round table has a nice menu"

"Dinner sounds fine." David replied with a wistful smile. "I'll adjust my schedule to be free as well."

She pressed her badge "I'm, on my way." She stood and came round the table. She bent down and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "See you later." With that she turned and made her way out of the lounge.

David watched her leave, his eyes lingering for longer than he intended. He took another sip of his tea and looked out the window. Hopefully the act would convince the stalker to come after him. And hopefully he'd still be able to convince himself that it was all just an act.

OFF:

Lieutenant Commander Melody Jones
Executive Officer
USS Merlin

Lieutenant David Scarlet
CSTO
USS Merlin