A Long-Overdue Conversation (part 2)

Posted on Tue Jul 23rd, 2019 @ 12:07am by Lieutenant Commander Mira Jayde & Lieutenant Commander Jason Smoak
Edited on on Tue Jul 23rd, 2019 @ 12:17am

1,591 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Ghost of a Chance: Epilogue
Location: Holodeck

[CONTINUED]

[OLD]

Jason tapped on a drawer, which unlocked it, and opened it. Inside was a bunch of things, however, tucked in the back was a small box of chocolate he would eat from time to time. He took the small box and placed it on the table, sliding if forward to her. "Have some. It will help your stomach."

[NEW]

Jayde nodded and took out a piece. "Thank you."

"Thank you." Jason replied softly with a smile. "I would hate something to happen to you before, you and I, got a chance to see if this will go anywhere."

She gave him a half smile. "Which takes us back to your question. Where do we go from here?"

"Dinner?" Jason said softly, looking at her with a bit of a smile and raised brow. "I know of a place where we can go, on the holodeck, that would be nice. Or..." He hesitated slightly before continuing. "Or, we can forget the holodeck, and go to the lounge on the ship. New territory for both of us."

"I'd rather not go to the lounge just yet. Can this be just the two of us until we figure out where we are going?" she asked.

Jason nodded his head, a bit reluctantly, finding it odd. It was like she was afraid to be seen with him, or worse, embarrassed. "Then... what would you prefer?"

"The holodeck would be fine, or one of our quarters." She noted his reluctance. "Jason, I want time for us to get to know each other and see where this goes without people watching us and speculating."

"People are gonna find out, Elf..." He paused for a moment before clearing his throat. "Sorry... I meant Jayde. Ether its from walking into the others quarters, walking in and out of the holodeck, or sitting together at a table on the lounge. People are perception. They will know eventually and some will draw their own conclusions. So, lets not be afraid of that or what they think, because we know the truth. They shouldnt dictate what we do. We should, and more importantly, it will be their decision if this goes anywhere or not. We are the judges of that." Jason nodded his head before concluding. "But I am willing to go in whatever direction you are comfortable with. Even if it entails us transporting secretly in each others quarters."

"They will, but I would rather spend the first few days alone with you," she said.

Jason raised a brow and smiled. "Now you've just confused me. I don't know whether thats a good or bad thing." He laughed softly.

"Neither do I." She smiled. "But we'll find out. So, holodeck or quarters?"

Jason pointed to her face and said. "So you can still smile. That's a good sign."

"Even if I am not smiling, I am generally content." Or she had been. Jason had her on an emotional roller coaster.

"I'll make a note of that." Jason nodded his head and smiled back. "Are there any ground rules that I need to be made aware of?"

She looked puzzled for a moment. "No. Only what I brought up here. I do not want to forget the past, but I want this to be a new beginning."

"I know and I am all for that." Jason replied with a nod of the head and smile. "I just don't want to bring up something from our past and have you feel I am trying to relive it or convince you to be the old you. Or to get upset with me for bringing up the past in the first place." He looked down slightly before looking back up to her. "I don't want to mess up or feel like I have to watch everything I do or say."

That was a fair point. "Understood. As long as it does not tie in to any current relationship, I will be fine."

"Huh?" He replied confused. "How do you mean?"

"I do not mind reminiscing about the past. It is who we were. I just..." she hesitated, unsure how to say this. "I do not want to be compared to her because I cannot live up to your memories of who I was."

Jason nodded his head and smiled. "Jayde?" He said softly. "I would never go against what you want and try to force you to be someone who you aren't anymore. I said as much earlier and, for future reference, I bring up that stuff because those are good memories to me. The best ones if I am being honest. I never want you to feel otherwise, and if you do, let me know so that I can try not to repeat it and make things worse."

She nodded. "Just remember that for twenty years I thought you betrayed me. Even though I now know differently, I am still adjusting and there is still some lingering hurt."

"And for twenty years I didn't blame you, Jayde." Jason replied softly with a bit of a sigh. "A lot of things were going on, back then, that factored into how things played out. One thing was never a lie. I did fall in love with you and, doing what I did, hurt me to do it." He leaned back in the chair and let out a deep sigh. "Things were happening, in the background, that forced the situation. You need to believe me, if I didn't do it, things might have been much worse. Giving you all a head start was the only thing I could think of, and only a small circle, knows that I did. I can't apologize enough for that, but one day, I hope you can understand and forgive me for it."

"You apologized, and I forgave you, but some things will take time to heal. It is not by choice, but it is there nonetheless. It will take a little time and patience."

"And you'll get both from me." Jason replied with a smile.

"Thank you." She looked up at him again. "And what about dinner?"

"Well..." Jason said, with a smile, as he folded his hands and placed his elbows on his desk. "I know this holodeck program that, I think, you will enjoy. Its a restaurant that's jungle themed. What do you think?"

She raised an eyebrow. "I think it sounds intriguing."

"Great." Jason said as he stood up. "How about, after our shift, tomorrow?"

She nodded. "That would be fine."

"I think you will enjoy it, but only you can be the judge of that." He walked around the desk to her and leaned against it before adding. "I'll look forward to tomorrow then."

She looked at him for a long moment. "As will I." She stood, still a little shaky on her feet.

"Are you sure you don't want any help?"

No, she wasn't sure at all. She took a step forward and stumbled.

"Whoa." Jason shouted slightly, quickly throwing his arms out and catching her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. "You are not fine."

She leaned against him. "A little dizzy." She liked the way it felt to be held by him. She gave herself a moment to take mental inventory. "Perhaps I have pushed myself a little too hard of late."

"Are you headed back to your quarters?" Jason asked, concerned, before adding. "Because, if you are, I could walk you there to make sure you get there in one piece." He helped her to her feet before leaning forward and saying softly. "Because, the other option, is Sickbay."

"My quarters then."

"Sounds like a plan." Jason said as he walked her to the door and tapped the console to open it.

Suddenly, Bodrin fell forward onto the ground. "Son of a-!" He shouted before hitting the floor with a thud. Immediately, he stood up and wiped his uniform, before standing up straight and clearing his throat. "Hey... I... uhh..." He looked between Jason and Jayde before continuing. "I was about to knock... with... umm..." He quickly grabbed a PADD from a passer by and handed it to Jason. "This report."


Jason raised his brow before grabbing the PADD and looking at it. He looked over to Bodrin oddly before saying. "A report on Fashion and Make-Up tips?"

"Yes." Bodrin replied quickly, tapping on the PADD softly, as he added. "There is some good stuff in there about... umm... dressing for success and highlighting your features... with... umm... blush and-"

"Stop." Jason said firmly, shaking his head. "Please stop. You're embarrassing yourself."

Bodrin let out a deep sigh and nodded. "Thank you. I seriously had no idea how long I could have kept it going. I only know so little about make-up and fashion." He grabbed the PADD and turned around, holding it up slightly, before shouting. "Seriously people? This is a security office. Not a hair salon." He shook his head and handed it back to the officer who originally had it. "Unacceptable, Ensign. On your way." He looked back to Jason and Jayde, nodding firmly, before smirking. "Sorry about that. Gotta put your foot down with these people."

"Are you done?" Jason asked firmly.

"Yeah." Bodrin nodded. "Now, I'm done."

Jayde shook her head. "Did you learn anything?" she asked Bodrin.

"You had to ask?" Jason said knowing where this would lead.

(To be continued...)

Lieutenant Commander Jason Smoak
Chief Security/Tactical Officer

Lieutenant Commander Mira Jayde
Executive Officer

 

RSS Feed