Christmas in the Arboretum (part 2)

Posted on Sat Jan 7th, 2012 @ 10:46am by Commodore Samantha York & Lieutenant JG Ronnie Wolfe & Lieutenant Sophia & Lieutenant Desiana "Dezzy" Torel & Lieutenant Cassandra Levue & Lieutenant Commander Damion Wolfe & Ensign Daniel Daniels

1,575 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: The Race for the Lost Treasure
Location: Arboretum

[CONTINUED]

Desiana couldn't help but notice the crowd around the Captain. She admired the women despite not having much of an opportunity to speak with her. She took a deep breath letting it out slowly as she moved towards the group surrounding the Captain.

"I thought you said Stran would come." Levue said, softly, to Daniels.

"He's... distraught. Not that he'd admit it. Vulcans don't handle that in public." Daniels said, looking away.

"She isn't here, Daniels." Levue added. "She left."

"I KNOW." Daniels exclaimed, and stalked off.

"My interpersonal skills, this week..." Levue muttered to herself. She shook her head, and took a sip of her drink.

Sam took note of the conversation but said nothing. Instead she turned to Dezzy. "Hello, Lieutenant. Welcome."

Desiana smiled at Sam. "Thank you Captain." she started as she looked around the room. "I must admit I have been looking forward to this celebration most of the day."

"Me, too. Mostly." She'd received a written message from Damon that morning, but his absence put a dampener on the proceedings. "Where's Delon? I haven't seen him tonight."

"I have been thinking the same thing" Desiana replied with a smile as she scanned the room for a moment. She could sense the longing from Sam. She wasn't sure if she should mention anything. "I am sure he will be back soon."

"I hope so," Sam replied, half to herself.

====

"Hey Lancaster!" Damion yelled from across the room and then waved slightly when she spotted him. He motioned for her to come over to him and then waited, clearing his throat a bit.

Ronnie raised an eyebrow at being yelled at, but when she saw Damion she grinned. "Hi," she said as she stopped in front of him. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, Lieutenant." He smiled as he took a step closer to her. "I was hoping I would find you here, instead of you spending the holiday on some project." Damion laughed and then cleared his throat. "Got something for you."

"You do?" she was surprised. "You have a project you want me to work on?" she asked impishly. She had her own ideas about what sort of project she'd like to work on, but she wasn't going to mention that.

Damion smiled as he felt a slight brush of emotion from her, but he tried to hide his embarrassment. "Stop by my office, I might have something for you to work on. Might come in handy for future problems." He laughed lightly and then handed her the small wrapped box. "Here you go. Merry Christmas."

Ronnie took the box and carefully opened it. "A holo chip?" She raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "What sort of holoprogram is it?"

"Well." He smiled as he turned her around and then put his hands on her shoulders. "Imagine if you will; Its the 1940's and we set sail on a luxury ocean liner. It's making its maiden voyage, a Christmas voyage from Lisbon to African and then to make port in the South Americas." Damion leaned in slowly and then whispered. "Suddenly, without warning to the crew and passengers, she capsized. Imagine the entire ship just flipping over. Your world, for the last several weeks has been turned upside down. Literally. Massive chaos ensues, explosions everywhere, and all the while the ship is sinking into the dark void of the North Atlantic. You and I, are going to find a way off this ship. Saving lives and surviving along the way." He smiled again as he bought her closer. "Interested?"

"Captivated," she whispered back. "Especially if you'll be there with me." It sounded like a fun adventure. And it reminded her of an old vid she'd seen years ago. Something about a sinking ship... She looked up at Damion and smiled. "Do I sense a theme here?"

Damion smiled as he walked back around to face her again and looked at her. "I figured you would like it. You did seem to have a good understanding of the Titanic when we had our dinner date there. Besides, there is no need to break the pattern, it also gives me a chance to get your heart racing and pounding." He smiled back at her as he crossed his arms over his chest, still holding onto the bag.

"Uh huh. Get my heart racing?" She could think of better ways to do that, but the program did sound like fun. "So, when do you want to get wet?" It was quite likely, if the ship capsized, that they'd get wet -- they could even end up dumped in the ocean.

Damion smiled as he looked at her. "Whenever you want, Ronnie," he said softly as he took a step closed to her. "I would love to get wet with you, anytime." He let out a slight laugh and then sighed. He knew, full well, they would have to run the program in their off hours, but he was planning on scheduling his time away from work around hers. He was a department head and they came with some benefits.

Ronnie felt her cheeks grow warm. "Whenever you're up to it."

"Let's say, you and I go to my quarters to have ourselves our own private party?" Damion said with a smile and a soft voice. "We can talk and get to know each other a little more." Then he smirked as he laughed softly and then stopped. "Or we could not talk and just enjoy each other's company." He looked at her with an evil smirk as he spoke even softer, trying not to speak too loudly so anyone else would overhear.

"Why, I do believe you're living up to your name, Lieutenant WOLFE," she whispered, the expression in her eyes devilish. "I believe I would like to see if you're more than just talk."

Damion raised a brow and then laughed. He was enjoying this cat and mouse game. He took one more step forward to her as they were practically nose to nose. He slowly put on his own devilish smiled as he looked deep into her eyes. "Lieutenant. You'll find I enjoy backing up my talk. I hardly bluff or reveal my hand." He reached down slowly and took her hands in his as he leaned his lips forward and whispered into her ear. "Are you sure you want to play with this wolf?"

"I think I can handle it. Remember, I'm a scientist. I enjoy a good challenge. And who knows? Maybe I have just the technique to make you play your hand."

"We'll see, Lancaster." Damion smiled and then took a step back, letting his hands slip out of hers. "So the offer is on the table. Let's see if you're gonna play or fold." He said softly as he turned and walked away, headed to the main door.

Ronnie watched him go for a moment. He was asking for it, he really was. She grabbed a bottle of champagne and followed him out of the arboretum. She wasn't sure yet if she was going to drink it with him, or clock him with it.

====

Sophia wandered without a destination, taking in all the decorations and party goers. Everyone seemed happy enough, but she knew that appearances could be deceiving.

Once most of the senior staff arrived, Sam began to wander through the arboretum. She tried not to think of the emptiness she felt without Damon. At least her crew seemed happy.

Sophia approached Sam and said quietly, "You hide it well, but you seemed troubled."

Sam shouldn't have been surprised that Sophia noticed. As a counselor, she was trained to notice minute signs. "Damon and I have been together for just over two years. I miss him -- and it's Christmas."

"Missing a loved one is understandable. I just wanted to make sure that it wasn't something major. I hate to sound clinical, but it is my job to make sure that you're on top of your game." Sophia said, placing an understanding hand on Sam's shoulder.

"I appreciate you doing your job," Sam smiled.
After a while people started to filter off to their quarters or to the other parties on the holodecks.

Daniels and Levue, were now both slightly tipsy, by this point.

"Why'd she have to go?" Daniels asked, in a slurred tone of voice.

"Why do you think Kermit made a bad Bob cratchet?" Levue demanded.

They'd been arguing this circle for a while now.

The party had been winding down for a while now. Most of the crew had wandered off to other holodecks or back to their quarters. Sam walked up to the two. "I declare this a draw. Now, get some sleep."

Although there wasn't much of a mess a cleaning crew would arrive shortly to put the arboretum back to rights. It reminded Sam of the night she and Damon spent in here -- the night before the arboretum opened. With a fond smile she went back to her quarters to send him a Christmas message.

OFF

Captain Samantha York
Commanding Officer

Lieutenant JG Ronnie Lancaster
Assistant Chief Science Officer

Lieutenant Sophia
Chief Counselor

Lieutenant Desiana "Dezzy" Torel
Chief Science Officer

Lieutenant JG Cassandra Levue
Chief Security/Tactical Officer

Lieutenant JG Damion Wolfe
Chief Intelligence Officer

Ensign Daniel Daniels
Assistant Chief Security/Tactical Officer

 

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