NAZGUL: #3 Away From the Ship

Posted on Sun Oct 27th, 2024 @ 1:26am by Lieutenant Sean Loewen & Lieutenant Lenore (Len) Holbrook
Edited on on Sun Oct 27th, 2024 @ 5:22pm

Mission: NAZGUL: {CD&MISSION} Return to Basics
Location: M-69
Timeline: Current

ON:

Once changed into khaki casual slacks, some ankle high black slip on Hikers, and a black button up shirt, Sean took up his combadge and stuck it in his back pocket. He checked his hair, brushed his teeth, and applied some hygiene and then out the door he went. Getting to the gate for the gangway he did not see Len. Not unexpected, he thought. Women usually required a bit more time for appearance. Stepping over to a window he looked out at the base, a massive structure the size of Earth Spacedock. He let his mind go through lazy thoughts as he waited.

Len had changed out of her uniform and put on her dark blue dress that come down to her ankles and a pair of high heeled sandles. She put her hair in a French braid and put her commbadge in one of the pockets of her dress. She left her quarters and headed to the gangway.

Not impatiently, Loewen would glance around the area while waiting for Len. His thoughts were on the changes that were coming to the ship, what with Captain Bjorgo returning as CO and what that would mean. It made him curious how things would work, and from what he had gathered by speaking to a few crew mates, they were all for the return of Tore Bjorgo. As he considered these things he caught a familiar blue color out of the corner of his eye, and turning his gaze that direction, Sean was not disappointed. There she was. Len Holbrook, wearing the dress she had had on when they first met. That shade of blue was fast becoming his favorite color. Grinning like a high school kid waiting for his prom date Sean turned her way and approached. "It amazes me, Len, how you can take simple and make it look stunning. Maybe I'm biased in that regard, but I'll accept it." He took both her hands in his and leaned in, giving her a kiss on the cheek to begin with.

Len returned a kiss to one of his cheeks. Leaning back slightly she gave him a smile, "You clean up nicely too."

"Thanks," Sean said with a smile. They started moving to cross the gangway to the base. "My uniform is comfy, but there is just something about not wearing it on occasion I look forward to." They were about halfway across the pressurized bridge to starbase-land when he asked a question. "So, do we have a game plan, or just be random? Spur of the moment can be fun. Walk the promenades for a while, maybe grab a bite to eat at a cafe? Any suggestions?"

"We could walk the Promenades. I have only been to Club Bliss. We should see what else there is." Len said with her arm linked with his.

"Sounds good." Said Sean. "Resch says that entire section of Promenade where Bliss is, is called Shadow Way by the businesses there, and the residents of the station. If you hadn't noticed the lighting is more subdued and Commanders Billi and Kehlani both have businesses along Shadow Way. Klingons, Orions, and a half Romulan prefer a more shadowy ambience, I guess."

Len nodded. "What are the other sections besides Shadow Way?"

Loewen, as they stepped onto the base, guided her over to a railing that looked both up and down through the center of the base. Escalators, lifts and grav pods for residents to move about between the many levels were constantly shuttling people from place to place. "There it is. The Promenade here is multi-level, with each one catering to different things even as many of the same items can be found on each one. No, I haven't been to them all," he said as he glanced at her grinning. "I just read up on all of it. M-69 is built upon the same frame as Earth Spacedock, so its massive size grants leeway for more civilian living."

Len looked around, her eyes opened wider than usual. "I didn't spend much time at Earth Spacedock and it is considerably different from the Earth Spacedock that I had been previously been to."

Sean put an arm around her waist and let her lean into him as he enjoyed the snug stance. The wonder he saw on her face made him appreciate her that much more. That something in this galaxy could still elicit such emotions from an intelligent woman was a sight to see. "Well, like Khan Singh said. Human beings have changed very little over the ages. Sure, we have advanced technology to a whole new level, but not much in the way of evolution has made us better than we are. Personally, I like just the way we are. Out of the many species I have met Humans seem to be the most adaptable to environments and situations. We naturally think outside the box, and if something doesn't fit, we try to find ways to make it work. Can't ask for better than that, in my opinion." Casually, without thinking, he turned his head and placed a kiss on the upper left side of her head, taking in a whiff of her shampoo and natural womanly scent.

Len felt the kiss and gave a slight nod. "We do tend to adapt as needed for the situations we find ourselves in." Just then her stomach rumbled, a blush formed on her cheeks. "I guess we should find somewhere to eat."

"Yeah," he agreed. Sean spotted a grav pod not too far away and let go of her waist, taking her hand. "Prom-level two has what they call au fresco style eateries. Instead of out along a sidewalk, the tables are placed along open sections of railing so diners can enjoy all the sights around them while eating. Or, we can go for Klingon cuisine." He wagged his eyebrows at her teasingly as they reached the pod stop, and when one arrived, they boarded and sat facing each other in the two-seat smaller pod.

Len gave a little laugh before shaking her head, "Please, nothing that is still alive.The au fresco sounds good."

The pod whisked them upward at a casual angle and pace, the two of them sharing small talk as they went. It reached a stop at Prom level two, and he let Len disembark first, then followed and got in beside her. "So," said Sean, his eyes glancing around at the rows of shops with restaurants in-between. "We have a decision to make. Italian, French, and a few others." The wafting aromas of fresh baked goods and variety of dishes from the cooking going on within the places made his stomach begin to growl, as well. "Smells good, though."

"Italian food sounds good." Len said as she started to walk towards the Italian section.

Getting in beside her, Sean hooked his arm through hers as they approached the entrance to an Italian restaurant. It was a smaller place, but definitely Italian as it was adorned with flags and Italian art. The hostess greeted them with a smile when they approached, as Sean spotted the au fresco section directly across from the main entrance. "Is that au fresco section for here, Miss?"

"It is indeed," the Hostess answered.

Loewen looked to Len. "Inside, or out here on the veranda?"

"Out here is fine." She said. With that the hostess guided them to an empty table.

"The waiter will be with you shortly." The hostess said before heading back to the entrance of the restaurant.

Len sat down at the table, her legs crossed at the ankle.

"To blazes with propriety," Sean said with a giggle, scooting one of the other three chairs closer to Len on her left. He was left handed when he ate, she was right handed if he remembered correctly, so no bumping elbows while schmoozing and dining. He sat down and got comfortable just when the waiter came out. The man wore the traditional black slacks with black shoes, his torso covered in a white shirt with a bow tie and a white short coat. Schnazzy, thought Sean.

"Good evening," the waiter said, sporting an Italian accent to match his outfit and work place. "Here are your menus." He handed them over to Sean who then placed his on the table and handed Len hers. "Would you care for an appetizer, or perhaps something to drink?"

Sean looked over at Len. "Coffee, tea, or wine?"

"I would like a coffee, please." She said with a smile, before looking down at the menu.

The waiter jotted that on his PADD.

"I, too, would like a standard black coffee, and we'll take an order of baked breadsticks with a ramakin of the house red sauce. Also, a bottle of your best Burgundy and two glasses, for when our dinner arrives."

"Perfect, Sir. I will see to everything and should be back in a few minutes. Enjoy."

The waiter scurried off and Loewen decided to lean over and read from Len's menu, not bothering with his own. She smelled good and he wanted more of that. "Hope you don't mind me reading over your shoulder?" He teased.

She shook her head slightly, "I don't mind." She had decided what she wanted to eat and put the menu down. She placed her left hand on Sean's right thigh and leaned into him more.

Sean had seen what he wanted for dinner and logged that in his frontal lobe. The ease with which they were now getting closer to each other both physically and mentally made him feel good. Nothing rushed, just two people getting to know each other to make sure this was a good thing. The coffee being brought out on saucers, with a small cup of sugar cubes and Italian cream placed before them.

"If you desire more coffee, folks, I can bring out a small pot."

"No, we're fine," said Sean. "Thank you very much."

"Of course." The waiter went back inside.

Sean sipped his coffee, black, not being a cream and sugar guy. He liked the taste of the coffee, not the extras. "That's good. Something tells me they get beans imported and grind them in house."

Len put a cube of sugar in her coffee before taking it in her right hand and taking a sip. "It is good."

After Len sipped from her coffee and set it down, Sean reached out and gently got a finger under her chin and turned her face towards his. Leaning in he gave her a lingering kiss, soft and sensuous, before he pulled back slowly and pulled his hand back. "Thank you." He said quietly, looking to go back to lifting his own coffee again.

"For what?" She asked quietly.

Sean gave a simple, honest response. "Being you." He made to open his mouth after another sip of coffee, to say more, but their waiter came back and asked if they were ready to order. Loewen then looked to Len once more. "Ladies first."

"I'll take a chicken parmesan, thank you." She said as she picked up the menus and handed them back to the waiter while Sean gave his order.

"I'll have the seafood alfredo with a side of ground parmesan." Sean requested. "And, if you would, my good man, open the wine bottle now so we can let it breath."

The man took the orders, then opened the wine bottle, and gathered the menus from Sean as he had taken them from Len to hand over. With a nod the waiter vacated the area.

"Is it just me, or does the waiter seem a bit fastidious?" Sean gave a smile at that. "Kudos on him, though. He is good at his job." Leaning forward a moment, careful to not cause Len to remove her hand from his leg, Loewen poured two glasses of wine half full. He set one near enough that she could grab it if she wished, and leaned back with the other in hand as he simply enjoyed being in her company.

Len took another sip of her coffee, before setting it down and leaning back into Sean, enjoying being in his company.

Sean adjusted enough to put his right arm around her shoulders, and with the dress she wore his hand was touching the skin of her right arm. He let his fingers lazily stroke her skin as he sipped his wine. "I have an admission to make." He said this softly, making it light but not trying to be funny.

"What would that be?" She asked quietly.

"I'm happy right where I'm at, Len." Sean said. "Sitting here, now, with you, only confirms what I have been feeling for days now. I'm stuck on you, lady. I have no desire to see anyone else." He did not want to make her anxious, or have her feel as if she needed to answer right now, but he felt she needed to know these things.

"I'm happy being with you as well." Len said softly, and blush appearing on her cheeks.

Sean grinned at how that simple statement by her made him feel like a million bars of gold-pressed latinum. "Then, for me, it's settled. I am yours until you say otherwise."

Len gave a little nod, "And I am yours."

Setting his wine glass aside, Sean gave Len a deep kiss of passion and love, not making a spectacle of it by making it last for too long. They both straightened up and adjusted themselves just in time for dinner to be served. After the admissions to one another it just seemed as if any tension between them was now gone, and the dinner, and late night walk on the various promenades after was that much better.

Off:

Lieutenant Lenore Holbrook
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS Nazgul

Lieutenant Sean Loewen
Chief FC/Helm Officer
USS Nazgul