Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Aasrel Izei (Chief Medical Officer) in Rest and Relaxation?

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Bethany Kovra Gadi (Chief of Security) in Rest and Relaxation?

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Aasrel Izei (Chief Medical Officer) in Rest and Relaxation?
Posted by… suppressed (34) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
He hadn’t been focused on it. He hadn’t even realized. Aasrel smiled. I’m glad you like it. You look stunning. He smiled, but there was hesitation. If you’re ready, we can go.

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany was hesitant as well. She wanted to be outrageous and ask him if he didn’t just want to keep her all to himself. But he needed this. They both did. The longer they put it off the worse it would get. That would make their trip to Betazed even harder. I’m ready, but I swear if I fall in this crazy things passing as shoes, you better not laugh. She checked the latch on Luna’s cage and then they left. They only had to wait a few minutes for a table when they arrived.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

You won’t fall, Aasrel assured her. And if you do, I’ll be helping you up, not laughing. He went with her. They were seated within a few minutes and brought waters and menus. For Aasrel, it was as bad as always. Illogically, he felt like everybody was staring at him. Every whispered conversation, his mind told him was about him, about his prosthetics or his eye, or the not as bald anymore patch that in reality, was barely noticeable now. No matter how much he tried to reason beyond it, he couldn’t. He tried to focus on Bethany. Looks like Earth cuisine mostly. What will you get?

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany on the other hand knew no one was really paying attention to them. People had glanced up as they passed but other than that no one was giving them a second thought. Not only could she tell by observing, but she could hear their thoughts. She couldn’t block them, not well, not yet. She was getting better though. She looked at the menu, I think I’ll get the marinated grilled chicken. You?
*
She could tell he was uncomfortable, Can I ask you something?

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Maybe one of the pasta dishes? Aasrel shrugged. He looked up at her when she asked, Of course. What?

~ Izei, CMO

The pasta does look good, too. Bethany didn’t want him to think she was being snarky, but she was genuinely curious and concerned for him. You’re uncomfortable, I can tell, but… well… can’t you tell? That they aren’t talking about us, or even noticed us as more than just more people? I can, it’s uncomfortable to hear all their thoughts for me. I guess… I thought having your telepathy back would… I don’t know, help some?

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel sighed a long sigh. There were a lot of emotions there and none of them were positive. It did help, Bethany. It had been worse without his telepathy. My mind won’t listen to reason. I can’t stop thinking this way, believe me I’ve tried. He looked close to tears. I can hear them, I… I know logically they’re not but… He shook his head and shrugged.

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany knew she had stuck her foot in it, even before she asked, but she’d asked anyway. Hey, it’s okay. I’m not judging, I was just curious. She reached over and took his hand and squeezed it. I know what they are thinking, and it’s not helping me. All of it triggers my paranoia. Even though the news about Elias is emotionally reduced, I still suffer from paranoia. It probably won’t make sense to you, but it helps me to know Telepathy isn’t the magic cure for everything. She squeezed his hand again. She really was sorry she’d upset him. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry, I won’t ask about it again. Bethany took a breath, This is why T’Jal wanted us to get out, so she can help us better. If you’d rather just leave, we can.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel shook his head stubbornly. No, I’m not leaving. I want her to be able to help so I have to do this. He squeezed her hand, I’m glad it helps you.

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany nodded, Okay. Tomorrow we’ll do something more low key. We’ll take Luna to the arboretum or something? The server arrived to take their order. Bethany chose the marinated grilled chicken with a rosemary and garlic potatoes, steamed vegetables, and a dinner roll. She stayed with water for her drink.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

That sounds nice, but I’m not sure. I need to keep pushing. He replied, frowning. He wasn’t wearing his gloves either, which still brought him comfort despite not really hiding anything anymore. Aasrel chose a lasagna dish and also kept water to drink.

~ Izei, CMO

Well, we can check and see if there is anything else going on. I didn’t really look too much. I was just focused on getting done and getting back to you in sickbay. Starbases always had a lot of social and cultural activities going on. Mostly because they were a hub for changing traffic and it was good PR for the Federation. Tell me about your parents. Aasrel had talked a lot about his older brother and younger sister, but very little about his parents. She was quite nervous about meeting them.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Well, my dad was in Starfleet, he’s retired now, and my mom, she still works for the city. He thought about it and memories of them flashed through his mind, but he couldn’t find the words to describe them. He was in Engineering. They’re… you know, regular people, I guess. He shrugged and grinned slightly. Describing them is hard.

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany grinned slightly. Yeah. I mean I know your mom is a good cook. You talked about that a lot. I bet if you write her and tell her you’re coming home you could ask her for anything you want and she’ll make it. Bethany’s grin turned into a soft smile. Lachlan is like that for me. He’s the oldest and loves to cook. I think he would have liked a family of his own. Whenever anyone in town is sick or has a birthday or something to celebrate, he cooks. He knows everyone’s favorites and brings it to them. The server brought bread and topped off their water.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel laughed softly. She would absolutely. He smiled, he sounds nice. My mom will ask what you like too. He said suddenly, thinking. She’s going to want to talk to you as soon as she can.

~ Izei, CMO

Why?

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel gave her a look. because she’ll be excited to meet you and she’ll want to know what to do to make you comfortable, he responded, smiling.

~ Izei, CMO

Oh. That made sense. It was really weird how things had happened. It had been a one-off. Bantering with the taciturn doctor that no one could get to know. A chance encounter in the corridor in the middle of the night. They had agreed to go, just making random plans, to keep each other going. They hadn’t known each other at all. Now…well now there was so much more to their relationship. She really didn’t know what anyone could do to make her feel comfortable. Maybe, with any luck at all, Betazed would be so different she wouldn’t remember it.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel looked at her with concern. The memory came to his mind, brought to his thoughts because of her thoughts of it. He hadn’t expected anything to come of it. Honestly, he hadn’t cared. But it gave him a little hope, so he’d made those plans with her. You… You’re okay with this, right? he took her hand and squeezed it, I don’t want you to do something you don’t want to.

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany squeezed his hand. Yeah, I’m okay with it. I want to go with you. I want to meet your family. She wanted him to see them again. I have…trepidations about being on Betazed again, but not because of you or your family.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel smiled then. It will be nice, I promise. He said. He squeezed her hand gently. Don’t forget you promised to take me to Earth, too.

~ Izei, CMO

There was an ever so brief moment of duality within her. She had promised to take him, and she wanted to, bit there was a part of her she couldn’t access that said she could not go home. However there was no panic with that thought. Simply knowledge of why she had thought that at one point, but no longer did. Bethany even remembered why she no longer did. It was proof that what T’Jal had done was working. I did, and I always keep my word. Aasimov will be at Earth by the time we get back anyway. So we’ll have time to see a few things. Anything you want to see that you never got to?

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel was impressed how well it worked. Hmmm.... too many things. You’ll have to take me to what’s most worth seeing first. he said, after thinking about it. He glanced around the restaurant again, then tried to calm himself and smiled at her. It’ll be fun - both trips will be.

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany grinned and shook her head. You have to give me some idea. I’m really a homebody. We’ll just hang out near my uncles’ place the whole time. So don’t be afraid to say you want to do something, okay? Bethany could think of places she would like to show him, but they weren’t exactly tourist attractions.

The food arrived with a flourish of the next course which was simply a very fancy looking salad.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel began politely eating. I will. We’ll find plenty to do and I look forward to meeting your Uncles. he said telepathically.

~ Izei, CMO

I want you to meet them. They’re wonderful. Though I admit I am biased. Bethany began eating. It was good, but it was just salad. The main meal came quickly after. Heat rose from the freshly prepared meals and the aroma was delicious.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel smiled. I’m sure they are. He started working on the main meal when it got there. The salad had been really good.

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany enjoyed the food, it was very good, and the atmosphere was really very nice, semi private, dare she let her mind wander to romantic. At least sitting she wasn’t thinking about wearing such a fancy dress.

She laughed suddenly. My uncles would never believe I am wearing something like this.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel grinned. No, it’s not your usual style. But you look amazing. The food was good and Aasrel liked the atmosphere too. It was a nice date place.

~ Izei, CMO

That’s only because I go so well with my partner. Bethany winked at him. I like dressing up for you. I will have to do it more often. She liked the warm look in his eyes when he looked at her. It gave her butterflies and made her feel flushed. She was quiet just staring at him for long moments. Have you ever been camping?

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Agreed. Aasrel smiled. He could feel her affection, the flutteriness she felt. Camping? Hmm… no, it was never much of a thing in my family. Never went with friends, either.

~ Izei, CMO

Well, we’ll just stick to hikes then. There was about a year before mom got really sick again where she would take me camping and hiking. We cooked over a fire in our backyard a lot. My uncles took me all the time after… after I went to live with them. Bethany was quiet for a moment while she ate. The mountains are really beautiful. Gorgeous, really, but in a primal wild way. It’s a different kind of peace.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

I think a hike is a great idea… just make it a not super long one. I’m… in better shape since we started self defense lessons. But I’m still no athlete. he smiled, I look forward to seeing them.

~ Izei, CMO

I promise nothing too strenuous. Anywhere we might want to go that is a hard hike, we can always transport to. She shook her head, I’m no athlete either. We’ll do fine together. The server returned, and offered a selection of deserts. “You pick. We’ll share. I have an over fondness for fruit in baked goods that not everyone likes.”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

“I don’t think I’ve heard of anything on this list,” said Aasrel. There were no basic earth treats like cookies or brownies. There was something that looked like chocolate cake but fancy. He pointed to it. “What about this?”

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany looked at what he was pointing too. “That’s delicious. We’ll take that.” The server nodded, “I will return with a fresh one.” He took his cart of deserts and disappeared. Several minutes later he returned and set a plate down in the center of the table. “It is quite warm, be careful and do enjoy.” He set two spoons down on the table and retreated. Bethany grinned and picked up a spoon. “Alright so this is called Chocolate Lava Cake. The cake is made like a volcano, so the center is empty, and then filled with warm melted chocolate sauce and topped with vanilla ice cream.” She took her spoon and sliced down the side in front of him so when she scooped the bite out, all the warm gooey chocolate sauce spilled onto the plate. She scooped a bit of the ice cream onto the spoon with the cake and sauce and then offered it to him. Try, it’s decadent.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel took the spoon and tried it. The coldness of the ice cream and the heat of the chocolate sauce blended nicely, and the cake was delicious. It was obvious to her he liked it. He took another spoonful. This is really good.

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany picked up the other spoon and scooped a bite for herself with a grin at his enjoyment. I’m glad you like it. If it becomes a favorite maybe we can learn how to make it ourselves.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

That would be good. Sounds fun. And it is really good. He said as he took another spoonful himself.

~ Izei, CMO

Well, I am sure it will be messy and fun. Edible? Well we’ll try our luck. She laughed softly and then took a couple more bites then let him have the rest of it. It was very rich and very good.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS