The Devil You Know (part 2)

Posted on Wed Oct 31st, 2012 @ 12:51pm by Admiral Kathryn Burke & Admiral Maximilian 'Max' Hunter
Edited on on Wed Oct 31st, 2012 @ 12:55pm

1,188 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: The Enemy Within: Lying in Wait
Location: Athena Shipyards, Typhon

[CONTINUED]

[OLD]

"Can't an old friend stop by and see another old friend?" He questioned as he put his hands back in his pockets. "Do you think that little of me?"

[NEW]

Kathryn walked over to the replicator and extracted her food. "Would you like something?" she asked, choosing not to answer his question.

She set her own meal on the coffee table and looked at Max questioningly.

"Least let me take you someplace for some real food, Kathryn. It will do you good to eat something that wasn't replicated." Max asked as he crossed his arms over his chest, smiling slightly.

"I have a stack of reports as long as my arm that were due yesterday," she said. "This is the best I can do right now." She rarely did better, but she wasn't going to say that to Max. Her work schedule was privileged information and she didn't feel like sharing it. And she wasn't going to let him side track her. But a real meal did sound nice. For just a moment she let herself consider it, then shook her head. Too many reports. If she let them slide tonight, she wouldn't get home at all tomorrow. "I can't."

Max smirked as he walked over to her and took her plate and drink. "Plan B then. If I can't convince you to leave the office for a nice meal, then I will bring the nice meal to you." He walked over to the replicator and placed the food back on the pad. "It's a good thing I know you like I do or else I wouldn't have prepared a Plan B."

He walked away toward one of her lower cabinets and opened them. He pulled out two paper bags out that he had placed in earlier and walked back over to her. "All I need is to put a smile on your lovely face and it will make the rest of my day perfect." Max placed the bags down next to the coffee table and reached into one of them. He pulled out a small table clothes and opened it, placing it on the table. He took out two candle holders, followed my two candles and a small vase. He pulled out a red rose and put it into the vase. "It seems like, you only enjoy yourself, when I am around. If I am not it's busy busy busy Burke."

Max took out a 2 sets of forks and knives and placed them on either side. "You should smile move often. Not the kind of smile you give other Admirals and Captains. That fake smile that you and I are accustom two. The work smile. I mean an actual smile, with feelings and emotions behind it." He continued by take out two champagne glasses and a bottled of old champagne.

"Allow me to present to you the meal of the night. Filet Mignon with vegetable rice and a... " He paused, reaching into the second bag pulling out the small trays of the food and placing it in front of her and where Max planned to sit. He took out a small bowl and placed it next to Kathryn's tray. "Caesar Salad with the lady's dressing of choice." He pulled out a second bowl and set it by his own tray. "And one with my dressing of choice." When he was done he set aside the empty bags and reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a lighter, lighting the candles on the makeshift dinner table. "I would have brought dessert, but it would have melted by the time you have made a decision." Max smiled his charming smile as he looked at her. "So.. Bon Appetite?"

She sat down on the couch, chuckling. "Okay, you win. We'll dine first, then you'll tell me why you're really here." He knew she would not turn down a decent meal after a long day. Devil.

Max gave her a smile as he put his hands on both of the covers of the food trays and lifted the lids off. The aroma of the food filled the spot where they sat for a time. He placed the lids down and then popped the cork from the champagne, pouring it into each of their glasses. "Of course I win." He said softly as he pur down the bottle and raised his glass. "Because I know the best way to play this little game of ours." Max raised his glass slightly and winked at her. "Cheers"

"You win this round. You don't win the game," she countered, raising her glass to his. He rarely showed up without some ulterior motive. She knew in her bones that he was building up to something big. And she wasn't going to like it.

After a good meal and slight banter, they were ready for the business. Of course Admiral Burke was right, but he would never say that out loud. He needed to run some things by her. It was part of his job. His main reason for being there was to just spend what time they had together, with the added bonus of putting a smile on her face and making her laugh. A goal which he completed very well during dinner. Of course he did. He was Max.

Once the meal was cleared away, Kathryn sat quietly, watching him. She wasn't going to ask him again what he wanted. She was going to wait for him to bring it up. And he would. He always did. Then, she would have to spend the rest of the night on paperwork.

"Why do you always think I come here only to talk shop?" Max said softly as he looked at her, holding his smirk. "Could it be possible that I come here for you? Not for the job?" He questioned as he watched her slightly, never stopping from smiling.

"When I see you it's for one of three reasons. You're there on assignment, there for a meeting, or you want to talk business," she said. "This is your way of softening me up before you tell me what you really want." He was too charming by far, but she would no be swayed by it. Not when she knew he had an ulterior motive.

Max looked at her, keeping the smirk on his face. It never seemed to fade, even though he felt hurt. "You know me, Burke." He let out a sigh as he turned and took out a PADD from his coat, which he left on the armrest of the couch. He turned back around and held out the PADD. "But not as well as you think."

Kathryn took the PADD without comment. Yes, she did know him. She wished...but she wasn't going to dwell on that. He'd once again proven that he wanted to soften her up before giving her news she didn't want to hear.

(To be continued...)

Admiral Kathryn Burke
Commander, Theta Fleet

Admiral Maximilian Hunter
SFI Special Ops

 

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