A Friendly Dinner

Posted on Sun Oct 24th, 2010 @ 11:42pm by Master Warrant Officer Aaron Matthews & Lieutenant Commander Leanne Bowen
Edited on on Mon Oct 25th, 2010 @ 12:22am

2,207 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Peace, or Something Like It
Location: USS Calypso - The Lounge
Timeline: Before the Senior Meeting

[USS Calypso - The Lounge]

Aaron had accompanied Doctor Bowen to the lounge from sickbay. The two of them planned on having a friendly dinner together. Both seemed hungry and it seemed like a good idea at the time. Aaron still thought it was a good idea as they entered the lounge. Now he did find the doctor to be attractive but he was planning on being very respectful and treat it like a friends hanging out type of dinner than anything more.

As they entered Aaron scanned the room and motioned towards a table located near a window. The two of them made their way to the table and Aaron even pulled out a chair for the doctor. After she had taken a seat he made his way to the other side and took a seat right across from her with a smile. "So, what are you in the mood for?"

Leanne gave a smile as she sat down, "Thanks." She put her hands on her lap and leaned a little bit towards the table. "I feel like having chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, and a glass of Merlot." She usually doesn't drink wine, but she needed something to help her nerves relax more.

Aaron smiled as he listened to what Leanne was in the mood for. He thought that it sounded pretty good. "I think I might have one of those myself it sounds rather delicious." He leaned back in the chair and looked across the table at her. "You have a pretty good taste."

"For Chicken?" She chuckled as she wondered why the typical American food is good taste. "I was raised in Texas and it has been a tradition in my family to have that kind of food after church on a Sunday, when I was a kid. I've always like to eat that kind of meal and it usually reminds me of home." Leanne shifted a little in her chair as she felt like she is getting a little shy here.

"Not only chicken, but tea as well." Aaron said with a wink and a smile. He leaned in his chair and looked at her. It probably sounds a bit strange to her. "When for most of your childhood and adult life you eat nothing but emergency ratios you tend to develop an appreciation for even the simplest of foods."

She picked up her napkin and laid it across her lap. "Well, I needed some wine to relax." Leanne listened to him for a little bit, "I have been there done that with emergency rations...left on the planet when the shuttle got damaged. It was a nightmare. Did you ended up a time with just rations?"

"Wine, I am not a huge fan of but on special occasions I do take a sip or two." Aaron smiled at her. Their dishes were soon delivered by a waitress. He examined the food that was set in front of them and smiled as it all looked very good then he looked up at the doctor not fully understanding the question. "What do you mean...?"

Leanne glanced at the food as she picked up her fork. "I see. What I mean is that you must be thankful to appreciate the food after being left with rations for awhile." She took a bite of her mashed potatoes, savoring the taste for while before she spoke again. "This is great good..."

"I never take a good meal for granted." Aaron responded and followed in as he grabbed his own fork and grabbed a piece of his food off the plate and took a bite of it. It was indeed good. "I agree. It really is." He took another bite than looked across the table. "So, did you grow up on Earth?"

She wiped her mouth with a napkin before responding to his question. "Yes, I did. I was raised on a ranch outside of San Antonio, Texas. Just because I'm from Texas, that doesn't mean you can call me cowgirl. What about you?" The Doctor looked at him, studying his facial expression and his black hair style. She noted his eyes were brown which she didn't pay attention before. He fits the male category of being nearly handsome, but maybe a true gentleman, she thought before her eyes looked to her plate.

Aaron laughed at the statement. "Don't worry, I wasn't going to call you a cowgirl...The honest truth is that I am not all that familiar with that term..." Aaron admitted. He smiled at her hoping that she wouldn't think that it was too weird that he didn't know what she was talking about.

"I've always been teased back at home about that. No big deal," she said as she continue to eat. His laugh seem to ease the tension in the air, which was a good thing. "Well, tell me about yourself...did you grow up on Earth?" Leanne picked up her wine to take a few sips.

Aaron shook his head. "No, I grew up on Yadosha Prime in the Yadosha System. It's not a planet that not many people know about nor do they visit it. It was once a site for a Federation colony, but things didn't work out like they were meant too." Aaron leaned back in his chair and sipped at his drink. "The planet was often raided by pirates. For whatever reason Federation decided to abandoned the colony and the colonist found themselves in a war with the pirates."

"Oh dear...be alone in the system with the bad guys is not a good thing," the doctor said as she set her drink down. "You must have lived with the war against the pirates? I can't imagine myself in that..."

"It wasn't the childhood you hope for when you are a kid but when you are thrown into a situation like that you take what you can get." Aaron said as he watched the woman sitting across from him. "I'm sorry, it's not the best dinner conversation."

"No, no...not at all. At least we are getting to know each other as friends do," she said with a smile before she picked up her fork. She continued to eat as she watched him. "So, what made you became a boatswain?"

"Most people don't like such stories. They find them depressing and often try to feel sorry for me." Aaron said looking at the doctor. "But my life has been what it has been. I can't change it nor would I want too. It's made me who I am today." He picked up a glass from the table and sipped the drink before placing it back down. "It was a job honestly; I was in the Marine services. After I left that I looked for something that I could spend my time doing and here I am."

She set her fork down and picked up a napkin to wipe her mouth. "Oh, I understand. I've had patients tell me a lot of their stories whether depressing or not...I can give a good ear to understanding of what is happening, but I'm not a counselor. I tend to give some advice, thou. If the problem is out of hand for me, I will order them to see a counselor." She picked up her glass and took a sip before setting it back down. "Marines must be a tough career to pursue." Leanne decided to change the subject as she tends to feel that there was an uncomfortable look in the man's face. "So, do you ever use the holodeck for exercises or entertainment? I usually find that it helps people stay away from depression. I like to do hiking in the mountains of Alaska, which is located on Earth. It has wonderful scenery, or even do rockclimbing in the state of Colorado, which is also located on Earth."

"Before I answer your question, I'm curious. Do you think I need to see a counselor...?" Aaron said with a grin on his face as he leaned forward looking at her from across the table. He was very curious to find out what she would say on this matter.

She put her right elbow on the table and her right hand under her chin to show that she is given him her attention. "Well, it depends on how depressed you are. Is it mild, moderate, or severe? Have you tried exercises or do any holodeck activies? If so, does it help?"

Aaron titled his head to the side gently as he watched Leanne from across the table with an amused look on his face. This conversation had taken a turn that he didn't expect but he wanted to follow it, he wanted to see where it would lead. "You assume that I am depressed."

Leanne felt the concerned eyes looking directly at her and she swallowed. "No, I didn't mean it that way. I still don't know your personal life, but I was just saying that if you are, I was just given you a few options to take. I am not trying to cross the line here or treat you like a patient. As friend-to-friend advice is what I can give you." She put her hand down and pushed the plate forward, after setting the silverware on it. He appears to be a good gentleman here, but is he lonesome? If he is, maybe that's the cause of a mild depression. Maybe my friendship might help..., she thought as she drank the rest of the liquid from the glass and set it down.

Aaron chuckled lightly as he leaned back in the chair. "Don't worry, I am not depressed. I am actually quite happy where I am right now. I faced the demons from my past a long time ago. It wasn't an easy life but I made most of it, I fought to get out of that situation and get to where I am today. So, no need to worry Doctor. I'm quite happy with my life at the moment." He looked at her with a smile on his face as he brought a glass of wine to his lips taking a sip of it and winking at her.

Did he just winked at me? Oh dear...my heart just fluttered. Leanne gave a smile as she felt a little relieved that he isn't feeling depressed. "Just call me Leanne as I'm off duty. I'm glad to hear that you are quite happy with your life at the moment..."

"As am I..." Aaron smiled at her once again. "So tell me, Leanne, are you happy with your life at the moment?"

"Yes...so far," Doctor Bowen said with a smile. Except for that one charming man that drives me nuts in sickbay, she thought as her smile faded away. "I get away from that stress in sickbay by visiting the holodecks. You know, exercise is the best anti-stress medicine you can have for your brain. And it helps you sleep at nights." Thinking about being tired, she reminded herself that she feels like she is winding down to it. But, sitting here has made her more relaxed and she is starting to feel like it is time to hit the bed.

Aaron nodded. "I understand what you mean. The jobs we do can be very high-stress jobs. It's always nice to find a moment or two to get away from all that and do something else. A change of gear helps the body and the brain." Aaron titled his head to the side smiling. "Speaking of which, you look like you hear your bed calling you."

"You guessed that right," she said with a smile. Leanne covered her mouth when she felt a yawn feeling as her mouth opened. "Sorry, I guess I am getting tired...seems like we are having good company here." She looked around her to find that the lounge is empty and she assumed that everyone is in bed.

"Well, don't let me keep you up. If you are tired you should go get some rest, it's what the doctor would order." Aaron winked at her once more with a smile. He looked around the lounge as she did and nodded. "Either that or everyone is busy working."

Leanne chuckled at his remark. "Yeah, you are right. I better get some rest...", she smiled as she stood up. "Well, nice chatting with you, Aaron. We should do this again another time."

Aaron stood up as Leanne did. "I had a wonderful time, hopefully you will give me the privilege of spending some more time with you in the future, maybe when things calm down a little bit around here."

"I agree with you," she nodded her head. "Take care and have a good night."

"Good night." Aaron said and than watched her as she left the lounge. He sat back in the seat and sighed lightly. It was nice having someone to share a dinner with. He soon got up and left the lounge as well.

=/= End of Transmission =/=

Master Warrant Officer Aaron Matthews
Boatswain
USS Calypso

Lieutenant Leanne Bowen, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer
USS Calypso

 

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