Station Post#10 It Has Been a While

Posted on Fri Mar 29th, 2024 @ 4:56am by Captain Taavis & Lieutenant JG Gavin Lasso
Edited on on Wed Apr 3rd, 2024 @ 5:28pm

Mission: TALES FROM THE MIDDLE STARS
Location: Club Bliss
Timeline: current

ON:

Taavis, after her meeting with Captain Bjorgo, returned to her office for the final two hours of her duty shift. When the shift was complete she then went home, took a shower and saw to her hygiene. Once her hair was dry and brushed out she then donned her black leather cat suit, actually 'feeling' better as she slid it on and zipped up. It had been a while since she had formed the illogical conclusion in her mind that a Fleet Captain should not wear such things, that it could be seen as improper by other Starfleet officers. Well, as of late, to blazes with how others felt about her and how she chose to conduct herself off the clock. She owned a business, a night club, and it was not a club for the faint hearted or the prudes of the galaxy.

Leaving her quarters Taavis headed for Club Bliss. Upon entry, her manager/partner Manny was behind the bar, and even being early evening the place was already beginning to fill up. After the station move it had taken a couple of weeks to pick up the pieces and get things arranged, but now it was business as usual. Coming around the bar she went around behind Manny, patting his arm a couple times as she did so. "Evening, Manny. Looks to get busy."

"That it does, sister," Manny responded, glancing her way with a wink and a nod. "We'll make some bank tonight."

The bonus with Manny, after having added him as a partner, was that he was now a member of The Cabal. She had watched him closely, from afar, for quite some time before she made the offer, and once he decided it sounded profitable she then took him to her private vessel and laid out what it was all about. And, during that meeting, she told him who she was when it came to the Cabal. Now, he was slipped notes and data on flash drives by random folks from all walks of life, from every corner of the known galaxy. Business offers, trade routes most did not know about, shadow facilities used for conducting business and finding rest where government eyes were not always prying. With Manny's connections added to The Cabal's already extensive network they were all making bank, enhancing trade and commerce, and looking out for Federation interests even as they played at not giving a damn about the UFP. Privateers were a rare thing in this day and age, but with the fleets having been decimated after the past several wars, with Starfleet stretched so thin, they needed all the help they could get to keep a reign on the Orion Syndicate and others. When in uniform she was Captain Taavis. When in free time she was Juntao, sharing said title with her twin sister Taavin. When Taavis could not see to things herself due to prying eyes and ears, she left it to her sister and no one was the wiser.

For the next two hours Taavis helped serve drinks from the bar, talked with a few of her favorite patrons and business associates, and kept an eye on things. She was itching for a fun night, deciding that it was time to let her emotions free. To just let go and enjoy. "I think I need to sing," she said as she leaned in next to Manny. "It has been a while."

"It has," Manny agreed. "Matter of fact some of the traders who frequent Bliss when they are in port were wondering if you still owned the place. I assured them that you did, but that responsibilites have kept you busy with other things."

"Awww, you know just what to say, Manny." Feeling giddy for whatever reason, Taavis grabbed him by the face, a hand on each cheek, pulling him in as she leaned forward and gave him a peck on the lips. "Love ya, brother. You're the best." She had to say all that over the cheers and innuendos thrown their way as she kissed Manny.

"I'm next." A man's voice said even as he shouldered his way to get to the edge of the bar. Gavin gave her a big, beaming smile and wagged his eyebrows. "Howdy. Well, if it isn't the sexiest Captain in all of Starfleet. Right, folks?" He raised his voice as he said that and every male in the immediate vicinity all cheered that. Even some of the gals gave Taavis the eyes, here and there, and cheered. "Does that get me a free drink, or can I ask for a kiss?"

"You can ask," said Taavis, giving a snarky grin and making no move to fulfill the request. She did like him, a lot more than she had previously been admitting to herself. As the Flight Control Chief he worked closely with her every day as they exchanged ideas on how to best implement the starship resources they had available. As the time had passed she found him to be quite interesting and also found herself missing his company occasionally. So, to be a snit, she poured a single shot of high-end whiskey and slid it across to him. "One free drink. One drink for one compliment. A fair trade."

The group around Gavin laughed at that, able to hear the conversation since the music had not been started yet. Lasso smiled with tongue in cheek, gave a nod of 'okay, the game is on', and took up the shot and downed it. He slid the empty back to her. "Tasty." was all he said.

Taavis took that and responded, feeling her cheeky side fully rising to the occasion. "You have no idea." A lascivious grin crossed her face.

Not to be outdone, Lasso fired back. "Are we still talking about the whiskey?"

Everyone around them were still laughing and carrying on, but with what these two were saying and doing, quite a few were now watching. "I don't know. Are we?" He went to say something more and her hand came up to stop him. "Let me tell you how I really feel. Give me a minute." Making sure Manny was doing fine now that he had two other bartenders backing him, and knowing they would get super busy the minute she was performing, Taavis went to the mics and took two of them from their charging unit. The people who saw that or spotted it from afar began to whistle and cheer, even Gavin.

Using the steps to get atop the bar for performing, Taavis walked the length of the bar from back of house to where Gavin was, nearer to the door. After all it had been built as a stage in itself, meant for performing while people drank and ordered drinks. Her thumb powered the mic and she brought it up to her mouth. "Good evening, everyone! I hope you are having a Blissful experience within these walls." Of course, having been drinking and looking to have a good time, the room erupted with cheering for those who appreciated such events. "I have been missing for a while, seeing to duty and all that other mundane stuff. But, if you want I can belt out a few tunes?" The cheers went up again, and to play to her patrons and customers Taavis held the mic out toward them so that their cheering was enhanced by the speaker system through the mic. She laughed into the mic. "Alright. I'll take that as a yes. Oh, and pardon me, but I parked the stoic Vulcan and have decided to let my Romulan side shine. Let's get this party started!"

Having already picked the songs she wanted to sing over the open mic, Manny had that PADD in front of him, beneath the bar top. So, when she said it was time to party he wiped his hands and tapped the start key, the music immediately starting even as he saw the change in his partner. If there was one thing Taavis lived to do it was to perform and make people happy through music and song. And, after her long absence from it she seemed ready to blow the roof off the place. So, as per usual, Taavis danced, sang, stutter stepped and played to the crowd.

***

"All Fired Up"

{OA} Pat Benatar

Livin' with my eyes closed, goin' day to day
I never knew the difference, I never cared either way
Lookin' for a reason, searchin' for a sign
Reachin' out with both hands, I gotta feel the kick inside

All fired up
(Now I believe there comes a time)
All fired up
(When everything just falls in line)
All fired up
(We live an' learn from our mistakes)
All fired up, fired up, fired up, hey

Ain't nobody livin' in a perfect world
And everybody's out there, cryin' to be heard
And now I got a new fire, burnin' in my eyes
Lightin' up the darkness, movin' like a meteorite

All fired up
(Now I believe there comes a time)
All fired up
(When everything just falls in line)
All fired up
(We live an' learn from our mistakes)
All fired up, fired up, fired up
(The deepest cuts are healed by faith)

Now I believe there comes a time
When everything just falls in line
We live an' learn from our mistakes
The deepest cuts are healed by faith

Now I believe there comes a time
When everything just falls in line
We live an' learn from our mistakes
The deepest cuts are healed by faith

Now I believe there comes a time
When everything just falls in line
We live an' learn from our mistakes
The deepest cuts are healed by faith

Now I believe there comes a time
When everything just falls in line
We live an' learn from our mistakes
The deepest cuts are healed by faith
Now I believe

All fired up
(Now I believe there comes a time)
All fired up
(When everything just falls in line)
All fired up
(We live an' learn from our mistakes)
All fired up, fired up, fired up, hey
(The deepest cuts are healed by faith)

Now I believe there comes a time
When everything just falls in line
We live an' learn from our mistakes
The deepest cuts are healed by faith

***

As she had walked back and forth, wiggling and juking to the music, the crowd continuously cheered and whistled. Lasso stood there at the bar's edge, looking up at her, admiring her poise and confidence. She was unlike any other Vulcan he had ever met. When the song ended she gave a bow to say thanks for the applause. "Thanks, appreciate it, folks. Okay, this is going to be a wild night. Ladies, it's time for the FREAK SHOW! Wooo!" With perfect Vulcan timing as to how long she had to talk between songs, Taavis began to sing and dance the moment the song began.

***

"Freak Show"

{OA} Dead Posey

Wild child got the fever tonight
Yeah I'm turnin' the screw
Wild child got an appetite
Yeah I'm cuttin' the noose

Ooh yeah I want it
Cause I need it
Chasin' hell on the highway
Ooh I can see it
I'll make you feel it
Believe when I say

One for the money
Two for the freak show
Three gettin ready
Four cuz you never know
Throw in them chips tonight
Under the neon lights
One for the money
Two for the freak show

Wild child got the fever tonight
Yeah I'm turnin' the screw
Wild child got an appetite
Yeah I'm cuttin' the noose

Ooh yeah I want it
Cause I need it
Chasin' hell on the highway
Ooh I can see it
I'll make you feel it
Believe when I say

One for the money
Two for the freak show
Three gettin ready
Four cuz you never know
Throw in them chips tonight
Under the neon lights
One for the money
Two for the freak show

Ooh yeah I want it
Cause I need it
Chasin' hell on the highway
Ooh I can see it
I'll make you feel it
Believe when I say

One for the money
Two for the freak show
Three gettin ready
Throw in them chips tonight
Under the neon lights
One for the money
Two for the freak show

***

Another round of applause and cheers for a great song with a great beat, the crowd starting to grow as people began to pour in. Taavis showed she was going to speak so the crowd settled enough to hear her. Her eyes went to Gavin, still in his pace at the bar's edge. "These next two are for my friend, Gavin. He's right here, down front." She pointed out where he was, making a pseudo-effort to embarrass him. It was all for show because she had come to learn that not much embarrassed him. He even raised his hands and wagged them in the air to show EXACTLY where he was. The crowd cheered and laughed. "Alright, Gavin. To you. Manny, if you would." He saw the key labeled Gavin, tapped it, and found the songs she had listed for him. Curious, he thought, but then tapped it to start on the first one.

***

"Promises In The Dark"

{OA} Pat Benatar

Never again, isn't that what you said
You've been through this before
You swore, this time, you'd think with your head
No one would ever have you again
And if takin' was gonna get done, you'd decide where and when

Just when you think you got it down
Your heart securely tied and bound
They whisper promises in the dark

Armed and ready, you fought love battles in the night
But too many opponents made you weary of the fight
Blinded by passion, you foolishly let someone in
All the warnings went off in your head, still you had to give in

Just when you think you got it down
Resistance nowhere to be found
They whisper promises in the dark

But promises you know what they're for
It sounds so convincing, but you heard it before
'Cause talk is cheap and you gotta be sure
And so you put up your guard
And you try to be hard but your heart says try again

You desperately search for a way to conquer the fear
No line of attack has been planned to fight back the tears
Where brave and restless dreams are both won and lost
On the edge is where it seems it's well worth the cost

Just when you think you got it down
Your heart in pieces on the ground
They whisper promises in the dark

***

As the song came to its sudden end, she blew a kiss at him and bowed as she waited for the next Gavin bullet to begin. If he was interested then perhaps this would push him to say so. Taavis made gestures to tell Lasso to come around the back of the bar and to the steps to mount the bar top as the music began playing. She played to him while playing to the crowd. Her own interest was now apparent.

***

"Fire And Ice"

{OA} Pat Benatar

You're givin' me the fever tonight
I don't wanna give in, I'll be playin' with fire
You forget, I've seen you work before
Take 'em straight to the top, leave 'em cryin' for more
I've seen you burn 'em before

Fire and ice, you come on like a flame
Then you turn cold shoulder
Fire and ice, I wanna give you my love
You'll just take a little piece of my heart
You'll just tear it apart

Movin' in for the kill tonight
You got every advantage when they put out the lights
It's not so pretty when it fades away
'Cause it's just an illusion in this passion play
I've seen you burn 'em before

Fire and ice, you come on like a flame
Then you turn a cold shoulder
Fire and ice, I wanna give you my love
You'll just take a little piece of my heart

So you think you got it all figured out
You're an expert in the field without a doubt
But I know your methods inside and out
I won't be taken in by fire and ice

Fire and ice, you come on like a flame
Then you turn a cold shoulder
Fire and ice, I wanna give you my love
You'll just take a little piece of my heart

You come on like a flame
Then you turn a cold shoulder
Fire and ice, you come on like a flame
And you turn cold shoulder
Fire and ice

***

More cheers and applause, the crowd enjoying this little game to awesome music. Waving him up to the bar top, Lasso ascended and walked the length of the bar to stand before her. Taavis gave him a hug, rubbing his back and squeezing him like a damn good friend, and perhaps a little more. In his ear before she broke the embrace she said, "I expect something in return." She then kissed his cheek and backed off.

"More! More! More!" The crowd pumping fists and encouraging her to continue. It had been a while and they were still hungry for entertainment.

Lasso leaned in close to Taavis's ear, speaking low to ask her if she knew a particular song. Her eyes lit up and she smiled. She nodded in the affirmative and smiled, bringing the mic up. "It seems that Gavin here would like to perform a duet. Be kind if we muck this up." Squatting and reaching below the bar Taavis took up her PADD and tapped a few times, finding the song he wanted and setting it up. "Okay. Ready or not, here we go." The music began to play and they both performed like it was their profession, choosing an oldie.

***

"California Dreamin'"

{OA} The Mamas and the Papas

All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray
I've been for a walk on a winter's day
I'd be safe and warm if I was in L.A.
California dreamin' on such a winter's day

Stopped in to a church I passed along the way
Well I got down on my knees and I pretend to pray
You know the preacher lights the coals
He knows I'm gonna stay
California dreamin' on such a winter's day

All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray
I've been for a walk on a winter's day
If I didn't tell her I could leave today
California dreamin' on such a winter's day
California dreamin' on such a winter's day
California dreamin' on such a winter's day

***

The crowd cheered for the song, even though it was different and Taavis had been just chorus. As she went to say something Lasso came in beside her and put his right arm around her shoulders. Instead of moving or just playing neutral, Taavis then put her right arm around his waist as they faced the crowd. "For transparency, folks, Taavis said to me while we hugged that she expected something in return for her little serenade. So, I will return the favor." He released her and made the go away servant motion with his hand while chuckling. "Go over there and be pretty while I get this out." So, she did. He squatted and grabbed her PADD, knowing a certain song was in there. Finding it he set it up and stood to perform. As the song played, a favorite tune for Taavis, she began to dance and wiggle towards him and then back. Back and forth they went, with his pleading style to her chase me. The crowd enjoyed the show.

***

"Come And Get Your Love"

{OA} Redbone

Come and get your love
Come and get your love
Come and get your love
Come and get your love

Hail (Hail), what's the matter with your head, yeah
Hail (Hail), what's the matter with your mind
And your sign an-a, oh-oh-oh
Hail (Hail), nothin' the matter with your head
Baby find it, come on and find it
Hail, with it, baby, 'cause you're fine
And you're mine, and you look so divine

Come and get your love
Come and get your love
Come and get your love
Come and get your love

Hail (Hail), what's the matter with you feel right
Don't you feel right, baby
Hail, oh yeah, get it from the main vine, all right
I said-a find it, find it, go on and love it if you like it, yeah
Hail (Hail), it's your business if you want some, take some
Get it together, baby

Come and get your love
Come and get your love
Come and get your love
Come and get your love

Come and get your love, come and get your love
Come and get your love, now
Come and get your love, come and get your love
Come and get your love, now
Come and get your love, come and get your love
Come and get your love, now
Come and get your love, come and get your love
Come and get your love, now

Come and get your love
Come and get your love
Come and get your love
Come and get your love

Hail (Hail), what's the matter with you feel right
Don't you feel right, baby
Hail, oh yeah, get it from the main vine, alright

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Come and get your love
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, woohoo
Come and get your love
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Come and get your love
La, na, na, na, na, na, da, boom
Come and get your love
La, da boom, boom, boom, ta, daba, boom, boom
Come and get your love
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, woohoo
Come and get your love
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Come and get your love
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Come and get your love
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Come and get your love
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, woohoo
Come and get your love
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Come and get your love
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Come and get your love
La, da boom, boom, boom, ta, daba, boom, boom
Come and get your love
La, da boom, boom, boom, ta, daba, boom, boom
Come and get your love
La, da boom, boom, boom, ta, daba, boom, boom
Come and get your love
La, da boom, boom, boom, ta, daba, boom, boom
Come and get your love
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Come and get your love
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, woohoo
Come and get your love

***

When the song ended they came together on the final notes, hugging again, before turning to the crowd. Taavis motioned to him and the crowd gave forth another round of cheers.

"We're in this together now, buddy."

Lasso laughed. "My name's pal, not buddy. I got another if you're interested, folks. A song that fits every generation and every era." The crowd cheered to that, wanting to hear what he had in mind. Taavis stepped away, letting him have his light. Plus, she had some fluid on board she needed to dispose of so she headed for her private bathroom.

Lasso set up the song and went forth.

***

"For What It's Worth"

{OA} Buffalo Springfield

There's something happening here
But what it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
Telling me I got to beware

I think it's time we stop
Children, what's that sound?
Everybody look - what's going down?

There's battle lines being drawn
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
Young people speaking' their minds
Getting so much resistance from behind

It's time we stop
Hey, what's that sound?
Everybody look - what's going down?

What a field day for the heat
A thousand people in the street
Singing songs and carrying signs
Mostly saying, "hooray for our side"

It's time we stop
Hey, what's that sound?
Everybody look - what's going down?

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
Step out of line, the man come and take you away

We better stop
Hey, what's that sound?
Everybody look - what's going down?

We better stop
Hey, what's that sound?
Everybody look - what's going down?

We better stop
Now, what's that sound?
Everybody look - what's going down?

We better stop
Children, what's that sound?
Everybody look - what's going down?

***

As he finished, with Taavis playing with the PADD, she then put it back in its holder and spoke into her mic. After conferring with Gavin, and finding another he knew, she then set up the last two songs for this set. "Alright. I'll belt out another I like, then myself and Gavin will duet another. After that it's party time!" Cheers.

***

"White Rabbit"

{OA} Jefferson Airplane

One pill makes you larger
And one pill makes you small
And the ones that mother gives you
Don't do anything at all
Go ask Alice
When she's ten feet tall

And if you go chasing rabbits
And you know you're going to fall
Tell 'em a hookah-smoking caterpillar
Has given you the call
Call Alice
When she was just small

When the men on the chessboard
Get up and tell you where to go
And you've just had some kind of mushroom
And your mind is moving low
Go ask Alice
I think she'll know

When logic and proportion
Have fallen sloppy dead
And the White Knight is talking backwards
And the Red Queen's off with her head
Remember what the dormouse said
Feed your head
Feed your head

***

"The Chain"

{OA} Fleetwood Mac

Listen to the wind blow
Watch the sun rise
Run in the shadows
Damn your love
Damn your lies

[2x]
And if you don't love me now
You will never love me again
I can still hear you saying
You would never break the chain

Listen to the wind blow
Down comes the night
Run in the shadows
Damn your love
Damn your lies

Break the silence
Damn the dark
Damn the light

[3x]
And if you don't love me now
You will never love me again
I can still hear you saying
You would never break the chain

[5x]
Chain, keep us together
Running in the shadows

***

The song ended and the room went up in cheers and applause. It was good to see their favorite host up on stage and performing again, filling the room with positive energy. They handed their mics to a bartender who put them back on their chargers. Lasso hopped down on the crowd side of the bar, the people making an opening large enough for him to do so comfortably. He immediately spun and lifted his arms up, coaxing Taavis to hop down as he assisted her. It had been decades since she had had any man, of any species, treat her like a woman should be treated. Plus, with her own lifestyle and dedication to duty she seldom, if ever, allowed herself to be seen as just another weak female. Vulcan discipline also did not allow for such a lifestyle, where touching one another in public, without propriety, was frowned upon and shunned. Another part of her lineage she had to recognize and accept. But, she was far old enough to make her own decisions and be her own person and Vulcan well knew the lengths she would go to both physically and mentally to secure the future of her people. On both sides of the border. So, she hopped down into his arms, his hands taking her by the waist and easing her to the floor. When she landed he then held her like that, his hands remaining where they were, his gaze locking with hers. She placed her palms flat against his chest, patting it a couple of times, not sure what to do next.

Lasso had her in his arms. She seemed completely okay with it. So, being a man who took chances from time to time, he leaned in and gave her a kiss. Taavis did not pull back and as the kiss lingered and became more involved, both of them began to move their hands and arms as they embraced, the kiss deepening from affection to passion. The house music was playing but there was a dead silence from the crowd as they all watched this public display of affection. All they could do was watch as these two seemed to be sharing air since they had not come up for any for almost a minute. Manny had angled the a camera towards them, sharing it on the monitors around the club, all three levels.

Finally, after they had both poured into that kiss all they had felt for months, they pulled their faces apart but remained holding each other. As soon as they had separated their mouths and smiled at each other the entire night club burst into cheers, howls, and whistles showing their happiness and respect for the newest love birds on good ol' 69. Being who they were, Taavis and Gavin stopped hugging and stood side by side holding hands as they bowed once in every direction, showing the crowd that they were glad they had enjoyed the show not involving music. However, they had promised to party with the crowd for a while so they released each other and began to order drinks.

Taavis knew she would not be too long in the club tonight, and neither would Lasso if she had anything to do with it.

OFF: