Arboretum Rendezvous Part 1

Posted on Mon Mar 28th, 2016 @ 8:22pm by Lieutenant Commander Daniel Divaro & Lieutenant JG Élan Val
Edited on on Tue Mar 29th, 2016 @ 1:47am

1,228 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Pathways
Location: Arboretum
Timeline: Current

ON:

For the rest of Alpha shift it was all Divaro could do to keep his mind on his work. He had been almost constantly thinking of the goddess he had met in the lounge earlier in the day. The Science Officer, Lieutenant Val. He could still smell the scent of her perfume that clung to his uniform from where she had sat in his lap. He could almost taste the taste of her lips where she had kissed him then nipped his bottom lip lightly just before having to leave and go back on shift. It had been a wonderful feeling and he knew one thing--he wanted more. He hoped that she would feel the same way but there was only one way to know for sure and that would be to ask her. So that was exactly what he would do.

=/\= Divaro to Lieutenant Val...=/\= he called.

Having had a full day, Élan had slipped away quietly and decided to take the rest of her shift relaxing. Or, rather, try to relax. It had been what could only be described as an interesting day. She was lying on her back in a grassy patch of the arboretum when her comm. badge beeped with the voice of the chief engineer. Not opening her eyes, she tapped her badge.

“Yes?” she asked.

=/\= I was wondering if you might be free to meet me at the arboretum about 1700? =/\=

“I’m in the arboretum now, if you want to join me,” Élan said.

He had not anticipated that she would already be there, but this was so much the better. It just meant more time that he could spend with her. After walking around for a couple of minutes, he finally spotted her lying on a patch of grass in a quiet, out-of-the-way place. Her eyes were closed and he couldn't help but think how peaceful she looked. He stood there quietly for a moment, not wanting to disturb her peace and tranquility, just studying her.

Élan could sense that someone was approaching where she was, even with her eyes closed. She assumed that the person would either continue on their way or have a reason to disturb her. More than likely, it would be the chief engineer. When the person stopped, she guessed that it was Divaro. Still, she kept quiet, not saying anything just yet.

He dropped to his knees beside her and said "Hi--how was your day? Anything exciting happen since I saw you in the lounge?"

“Well, I oversaw an experiment that literally blew up the chemistry lab, knocked the executive officer to the deck and was trampled along with her, met the bitch who seems to be running sickbay, and I haven’t even started on my report of that entire disaster. And that just about sums up my entire afternoon,” Élan said quietly.

He had heard about an accident in the chemistry lab but didn't know how serious it had been until he had gone up with Walker and the repair team--and had not been aware that it had involved her. He had been told by one of the scientists that the XO and another science officer had been involved, and he had wondered if it had been her, but until now he had not known for sure. "Are you okay?" he asked as he gently touched her arm. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

“I’m not sure,” Élan said. Opening her eyes, she looked up towards Daniel and smiled. He was being sweet, but the near disaster had shaken her and she had long taken to being by herself when something had shaken her to her core like the explosion had.

Daniel sat down beside her, not wanting to disturb her and yet not wanting to leave her either. "They say that troubles shared are troubles halved," he said slowly. "So if you need a shoulder to lean on, I have one available..."

“The last time I encountered a near death experience was with one of my previous hosts, and he did die from the experience. The experience today was . . . stressing,” Élan said as she channeled Val’s explanation. Most people found the experience slightly unusual, but most people in Starfleet knew that joined Trills were two beings in one.

He had the urge to take her in his arms and hold her--to reassure her that everything would be okay--but he resisted it. After all, even though she had seemed receptive to him in the lounge, in her state right now, who knew what her reaction might be. "I'm just glad to see that you--or no one else--was seriously injured. And as for the damage to the lab, don't worry about that. My crew is on it now and they'll have it back up and running before you know it. So would my invitation for dinner and dancing help to make you feel better?" he asked. "If so, just tell me when you'd like to go."

“Dinner, perhaps, but I’ve never really learned to dance. And I’m open to suggestions on where to go for dinner,” Élan said.

"I don't know if we could do it this evening, but I'd like to take you to a little trattoria I know in the town of Noceto Italy," Daniel said. "It's owned by my grandparents on my father's side and they serve the best Italian food you will ever find. But that might be a date that would have to be reserved for a weekend getaway or possibly set up on the holodeck, so we may have to settle for the lounge this evening. As for dancing, I could teach you if you'd like. It's a great way to stay in shape. Not that you'd need it--your shape is great already." He said this last with a wink at her.

“Why, thank you, kind sir,” Élan said with a slight smile. It was clearly obvious that he was trying to cheer her up, and she was quietly thankful for it. She had just wanted to be by herself and brood, but honestly she was glad he was making an effort. Élan was nothing if not difficult with everyone she knew.

"For now, though..." he said as he settled in, then lay back onto the grass beside her, "...if you don't mind, I'd like to just spend some time relaxing here and maybe getting to know you better?"

"Ok," Élan said.

"So tell me a bit about yourself," Divaro said. "What's your favorite color? Your favorite food? What do you like to do for fun? Things like that..."

“Well, first I have to ask who you’re asking these questions to, Élan or Val?” Élan asked, giving Daniel a flirting grin.

"Either...both...whichever wants to respond..." he answered with a grin of his own. "Tell me about you and I'll tell you about me." As he spoke, he reached down and gently took her hand in his and squeezed it lightly in an attempt to let her know that everything was going to be alright.

“Well, I’m not sure where to begin, really. I’ve never really talked about myself that much,” Élan said with a frown.

To be continued...
OFF:

LtCommander Daniel Divaro
Chief Engineer
USS Hyperion

Lieutenant J.G. Élan Val
Science Officer
U.S.S. Hyperion

 

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