Dinner For Two - Part 2

Posted on Fri Apr 22nd, 2016 @ 10:49pm by Lieutenant Commander Daniel Divaro & Lieutenant JG Élan Val
Edited on on Fri Apr 22nd, 2016 @ 11:59pm

1,244 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Pathways
Location: Elan's Quarters/Noceto, Italy
Timeline: Current - Immidiately after Dinner For Two (Part 1)

ON:

OLD:
"Actually I just put in a requisition for one," Daniel said as they started toward the shuttle bay. "Oh, and in case I forgot to tell you, you look beautiful..."

NEW:
“Why, thank you,” Élan said with a smile as they left her quarters. Silently, she was glad that modern Starfleet ships didn’t use grating for any deck usage, because her heels would have been a major problem. She also remembered that the shuttle bay had an even leveled smooth deck, which she loved even more, since that meant she wouldn’t have to take her shoes off.

====== Later ======

Daniel carefully landed the shuttle in a landing zone just on the edge of Noceto, then turned to Elan. "I hope you don't mind walking a couple of blocks but this is the closest I could get." It WAS the closest he could get, but truth be told he was actually looking forward to the walk with her. He opened the shuttle door and stepped out onto the ground, then extended his hand to assist her.

Élan smiled as she stepped out of the shuttle and breathed in the warm late afternoon air. She felt the emotional surge from Val as the symbiont shared the experience with her, and Élan could understand that Val had not only enjoyed her previous host’s time in Italy, she cherished it. It did make sense, since Italy was known to be a beautiful and romantic country. Knowing that they had a distance to walk, Élan wrapped her arm around Daniel’s and nodded her head for him to lead on.

As they walked up the narrow little street, memories of childhood visits to his ancestors hometown came flooding back to the forefront. He remembered summers when he was little spent with his grandparents and the aromatic smells coming from La Spezia when he would go there. The restaurant was currently owned by his grandparents, but managed and operated by various cousins and other relatives. "If you've never had authentic Italian food before, you are in for an experience. And I hope you brought a healthy appetite because you will get super-sized helpings."

“Well, I’ve only had Val’s memories to go by before, because I’ve never had authentic Italian food. Mexican was my favorite during my time at the Academy, but then my room-mate was from Tijuana,” Élan said.

"Mexican food is good as well," Daniel agreed. "I like spicy things," he said as he slid his hand down and intertwined his fingers with hers before bringing her hand up and lightly kissing the back of it. "Perhaps that's one of the things I find attractive about you. You seem VERY spicy to me..." he added with a wink.

“Oh, so you like how I taste, do you?” Élan asked with a mischievous grin and a twinkle in her eye. She smiled as she pressed her body against his as they continued to walk down the street.

"I do for a fact," Daniel agreed with a smile of his own. "I like sweet and spicy very much. Sweet lips and a spicy attitude go very well together."

“Well, I can’t argue with you much, since I think you’re trying to compliment me,” Élan said with a smile.

"Here we are," he said as they arrived at the entrance to La Spezia. It was a quaint little trattoria, set back slightly off the street, with a small courtyard and a few tables outside for al fresco dining. "Which would you prefer--inside or outside?"

“Outside and near the ocean,” Élan said without hesitation. In her own, usual way, she walked over to a table that suited her and raised an eyebrow towards Daniel as she placed her hands on her hips as she waited.

"I see that you're a woman who knows what she wants and gets it..." Divaro said as he pulled her chair out for her. "I like that."

“I get that from Val. She and I both believe that life is too short to waste time on thinking about simple choices,” Élan said.

He then took the chair across the small table from her. As he looked around, memories of coming here came back to him in flashes. The small candlelit tables at dusk, the salty smell of the ocean, and most of all, the aroma of the place itself. It had been many years since he had been here, but the place really hadn't changed very much.

"While we decide what we'd like for a main course, why don't I order some wine and an appetizer?" Daniel asked. "Perhaps some Cavolo Nero and Prosciutto Bruschetta?"

“I’m not very good at deciding appetizers, so I’ll leave that to you,” Élan said as she scanned a menu. With Val’s help, she was able to locate something that looked like it would be absolutely delicious.

When their server came around, Daniel said "We would like to start with Cavolo Nero and Prosciutto Bruschetta, along with a bottle of your best wine." Then, turning to Elan, he asked "What would you like for your main course?"

“I'd like a full serving of Tagliatelle with Bolognese sauce, and an order of Tortellini di Viareggio,” Élan said, trying not to lick her lips with envy. It was hard to resist Val’s urges sometimes. Like other symbionts, Val sometimes was pushy and hard headed. In this case, however, Élan had to agree that Val had more experience and knowledge in Italian cuisine.

"For myself, I would like the Halibut Puttanesca, please."

"Very good sir...ma'am..." the server answered. "I will return shortly with your appetizer and wine," she said, then turned and walked away.

“So, tell me the truth. You really didn’t have permission to use the shuttle, did you?” Élan asked as their waiter walked away. She fixed Daniel with a predatory like smile as she waited for the answer.

Daniel looked away for a moment as he tried to figure out the best way to admit what he had done. Then he turned back to Elan. "Didn't take you long to figure me out, did it?" he asked with a grin. "I was in somewhat of a hurry and I figured it would be easier to get forgiveness than permission so I just...borrowed...a shuttle...uh...without exactly asking."

“How could you do that?” Élan exclaimed, a bit too loud as several people who were sitting nearby turned to look in their direction. She disarmed their curiosity with a pleasant smile before she turned a spear-like glare towards Daniel.

"What can I say?" he asked with a shrug. "I had a date with a beautiful lady and I didn't want to keep her waiting..."

“There are these magnificent and wondrous marvels of the technically advanced known as transporters, and they work just as well as a shuttle,” Élan said, shaking her head.

"You're absolutely right--and when you're in a hurry they are a wonderful invention," Daniel agreed. "But I happened to not be in a hurry for the evening to be over with. You see, I wanted to spend every minute I possibly could with my date..." he added with a grin.

“You know, good things do come to those who wait,” Élan said with a smile.

To be continued...

OFF:

Lieutenant Commander Daniel Divaro
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Hyperion

Lieutenant JG Elan Val
Science Officer
USS Hyperion

 

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