One Box Too Many

Posted on Tue Oct 20th, 2009 @ 4:26am by Commodore Samantha York & Colonel Damon Raine

1,406 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: The Devils Snare
Location: Science Department/Marine CO's Office
Timeline: current

ON

Samantha was at her desk going over the day's reports when there was a knock at her door. "Come in," she called.

A young botanist walked in, pulling a large box on a hoverpad. "Sorry to bother you, ma'am, but we found this box in the back of one of the workrooms. It doesn't belong to science."

Curious, Sam stood up and walked over to it. It didn't say who the box was for, but the markings on it were clearly not science. "Thanks. I'll take care of it," Sam said.

She used her tricorder to scan the label and then ran a search on her computer for the intended recipient. When the computer pulled up the information, Sam smiled. It belonged to the Marines. Sam wasn't sure if Lieutenant Raine would 'stumble across' an excuse, but it seemed that one had stumbled across her.

Sam decided that she had time to deliver the package herself, so she finished reading over the report and left her office, pulling the hoverpad behind her.

When she got to the Marine CO's office she rang the door chime.

"Come in." Damon calmly stated.

He was in a good mood today. Most of the Marines that were trouble had pretty much been rooted out and the progress reports of the platoons were promising. In a few more weeks they would be damn near combat ready.

A genuine smile spread across his features when he saw Samantha enter the office.

"Hi!" she said cheerfully. "One of my botanists found a box that belongs to the Marines. I thought I'd drop it by."

"Oh?" He questioned as he moved passed her to the crate sitting outside his office.

The crate did indeed carry the mark of Marine ordinance, along with the standard keypad lock used by the core for security.

"How long has this been sitting in storage with them?" He asked.

"I don't know. We've been moving and unpacking since we got on board. This was most likely put in a back corner with the botany supplies," Samantha said with a shrug. "When I scanned the label, the computer said it belonged to the Marines. So I brought it to you." She didn't bother telling him she could have had someone drop it off with the Quartermaster instead of bringing it down herself.

Damon quickly thumbed in the standard access code given to him at the beginning of the tour. The panel chirped before a number of clicks sounded signifying the release of the locks. With steady hands he pulled of the lid and peered inside. His eyes went wide at what he was seeing.

"Holy sh..." mid-word he remembered his guest and stifled the word. With a shrug he looked up at Samantha. "Sorry." He added sheepishly.

Sam walked over to him. "What is it?"

His eyes lit up. "These are power cells for the Argo's. They are manufactured in San Fransisco and have to be special ordered. For some reason they can't be replicated. I put in an order for half as many of these before we left but was put on a three month waiting list for them." He seemed almost giddy at the treasure Samantha had found.

Sam grinned at him. "That's wonderful! Then I am very glad I was able to bring them to you."

He smiled ear to ear as he rushed over to her and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead out of his excitement. He pulled back as the thought struck him of how inappropriate that might have been.

"Uh," He said wincing. "I'm...i'm sorry."

"Why?" Sam asked, hoping he wasn't sorry he did it. She turned pink at the brashness of her question.

"Huh." He stated simply. He could feel his ears burning as he took a step back. "Well, uh, thank you for bringing this by. It means a lot to me. The Marines I mean." He mentally kicked himself for his awkwardness. ~What is this, your first time?~

He still hadn't answered her question and Sam really wasn't sure of her footing here. "Umm... you're welcome." She wasn't sure if he wanted her to leave now. She'd hoped to spend a little more time with him...

He stared at her for a second, unsure of what to say or do. He took his gaze off her for a second and shook his head, as if snapping back into place.

"The whole awkward thing isn't a good look for me is it?" He joked.

"That all depends on why you're being awkward." She gave him a sheepish smile. "To be honest, I'm feeling a little awkward myself."

He winced again, "I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable. I wouldn't mind the opportunity to make it up to you somehow."

Samantha shook her head and walked over to Damon. "You aren't making me feel uncomfortable." She ran a hand through her hair. This was really difficult. And potentially very embarrassing. She took a deep breath. She could always transfer to the Delta Quadrant if she made a fool of herself. "I feel awkward around you because I'm not really sure how you..." feel. On second thoughts, not a good idea. She'd never been very good at this. Sam looked up at him, hoping to get some idea of where to go next... "Forget I said that."

He studied her for a moment and tried to piece together what wasn't said. Damon was self admittedly good at many things. He was a good Marine, he was a good friend...He was NOT good at reading women. It was the one thing he always regretted. The shame was that he actually liked her, but it seemed he was only good at sabotaging his image. He really didn't want to screw things up with Samantha, but wasn't sure how to repair whatever damage may have been done.

He shrugged for seemingly no reason. One of the other things he was good with was the ability to bull through a situation and hope it turns out well.

"Heh, well if I’m going to kiss you I could as well have the common courtesy to buy you a drink afterwards.â€

Sam had been watching his face, afraid she was way off base. But he seemed to be almost as nervous as she was, and in a bizarre way that made her feel better. Well, she might as well be herself and hang the consequences. She could always put in for that transfer later. "That doesn't count as a kiss," she said with a twinkle in her eye. "You're going to have to try harder. But I'll still accept that drink."

"Great!" He said, almost with a little bit too much enthusiasm. “When are you off shift?â€

"1600..." Although she often worked later, that was the end of the shift.

"Okay, does 1700 in the lounge sound good to you? That way we might be able to grab a bite to eat as well."

"That sounds great. In uniform or out?" Sam asked, wanting to know if she should change into civilian clothes or stay in her uniform.

"Depends, when are you the most comfortable?"

"I'm most comfortable in a pair of jeans, but I'm asking you what you want," Sam said with a chuckle.

He thought for a moment when the last time he was out of his standard issue fatigues...Did he even have a pair of jeans anymore?

"Jeans are perfect." He said with a smile.

"Great. Then I'll see you at 1700," she replied, returning his smile. She had to admit, she was looking forward to it.

Damon tipped his head in an adieu to Samantha before turning on his heels and walking back into his office. He watched her as she left the bunker and found himself involuntarily smiling at the events of the last few minutes. The thought struck him that this could be classified as a date and he suddenly felt nervous at the prospect.

~Do you even know HOW to date someone anymore?~

With a shake of his head he tried to clear away these thoughts and focus back on the work he had to get done.

~Where the hell did I put those jeans?~

Apparently focusing on work was going to be more difficult than he thought...

OFF

2nd Lieutenant Damon Raine
Marine CO
USS Orion

Lieutenant Samantha York
Chief Science Officer
USS Orion

 

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