Posted by Lieutenant Commander Zef Rollo (Counselor) in Event Horizon - Dinner and Announcements

Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Event Horizon - Dinner and Announcements

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Zef Rollo (Counselor) in Event Horizon - Dinner and Announcements
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
“Have dinner with me tonight. Here on the station. Yes, I know I asked you before. But you didn’t really say ‘yes’, so now I am being more adamant. Besides, I have a surprise for you. So… dinner? Say… 1900? I promise to not distract you from the meal until at least after the appetizers.” and he leaned in and kissed her as they walked slowly back to the ship.

Alex

They were going to try dinner again? Well, on the station in a restaurant it would have to work, right? They couldn’t suddenly get excited and head to the kitchen for a quickie.

“Okay, dinner, 1700 hours.” She disengaged their hands and slipped her arm around his waist. “Funny that you have a surprise for me. I have something I need to talk to you about too.” Was there a hint of concern behind her eyes? Since she was looking ahead of them, Alex couldn’t see it.

“So what’s the dress code for tonight?”

—Zef

As they approached the ship’s docking port, the Security officer came to attention. Cochrane said “Duren. Relax, Ensign. If I’m not in uniform, don’t stress about ceremony. How’s your boy?” Duren relaxed slightly and said “Doing well, sir. Thank you.”

The hatch unsealed and Alex and Zef stepped inside. “Sorry… tonight will be semi-formal. And at 1900, not 1700.” and he smiled at her. Something was on her mind, it wasn’t like her to miss a detail like that. He stopped her before the turbolift doors and looked at her, a smile of love and adoration on his face. “Zef, I… well… you know.” and he kissed her gently and took a small step back. “I have to go make some arrangements, but I will see you at 1900 at The View, all right?”

Alex

1900 hours! She thought 1700 hours was a little early for dinner, but it told her that her thoughts were having an effect. Telling herself to relax, she squeezed Alex’s hands and entered the ship. Semi formal…well it would give her something else to focus on for a little while.

Heading back to her quarters, she got a glass of wine from the replicator and started looking through the ship’s catalog. If she’d known earlier, they could have shopped for evening wear on the station, but perhaps this was better in the long run. Flipping through the catalog, she was confused. What did one wear for the kind of thing she was going to tell him?

An hour and two glasses of wine later, she’d made her choice and started putting the rest of the outfit together before a shower.

At 1830 hours, Zef was showered and perfumed, her hair had been swept up in a chignon and small diamond earrings shown through a few wispy curls strategically placed around her face. The pink lace dress hugged her figure from the waist up and gave her pale skin a healthy glow. She helped herself to another glass of wine while she awaited Alex’s arrival.

—Zef

The chime sounded and Alex stood at the door. He was dressed in a smart three piece suit, dark blue (because he knew that was her favorite color) with a white shirt and matching blue tie. As the door slid open, he smiled at Zef and said “Oh… my… you look exquisite. Truly.” and he leaned forward and gave her a kiss on the cheek, lightly, and whispered in her ear “Tonight is already amazing. You are a vision.” and then he stood back and took her hand.

“Shall we?”

Alex

“You look so handsome!” She reached for his hand with a smile, and the two set off for the station. “I like having somewhere to go with you off the ship. It’s like we are a real couple and not just officers on the same ship.” Realizing that didn’t sound exactly as she meant it to, Zef elaborated. “You know what I mean, don’t you?” She looked over at him. “I mean, no matter where we go on the ship, you’re still Captain Cochrane and everyone knows that. Going to a place on the station gives us a chance to just just be Alex and Zef.”

Alex smiled at her and said “I know what you mean.” but part of his brain was analyzing the statement. … like a real couple… just officers on the same ship… Part of him began to understand that this evening may not go as planned.

The officers on the ship that they passed as they made their way to the disembarking security gate, looked at them and smiled or nodded. Everyone recognized Alex and most knew she was the counselor because of having been in her office at least once. It was exactly as she’d told him. But when they crossed the security line and were on the station, they were just another couple. She liked the anonymity.

—Zef

They walked through the station for a few moments in silence, Zef’s hand in Alex’s. They got onto the dedicated lift that took them all the way to the lowest level of the station. As the doors opened, their first step was into the nothingness of space…

Zef clutched at his arm, the vertigo a surprise. She hadn’t known what she expected, but it wasn’t to step off the lift into space. Her footing was already compromised in the sleek heels she wore. With a nervous laugh, she recovered and blushed.

Except it wasn’t. A faint grid existed where the slabs of transparent aluminium were joined together The stars shone brightly below and all around them. The Maitre’d looked at them and said “May I help you?” Alex said “Yes. Cochrane. We have a reservation.” The Maitre’d smiled and said “Ah yes. Captain Cochrane and Lieutenant Commander Rollo. Right this way.” and he led them through the restaurant to a secluded alcove with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the vista of the space around the station. A bottle of champagne was chilling and there were fresh flowers in a small vase on the table. “Do enjoy.” he said as he took his leave. Alex pulled Zef’s chair out for her and then pushed her in as she sat. He then took his seat. A server came and opened the champagne and poured their glasses half full and then left.

Alex raised his glass to her and said “To us… and anonymity.”

Cochrane, CO

The champagne was delicious and the bubbles actually tickled her nose. She’d heard about that before but never experienced it. “This is amazing, Alex.” Zef’s eyes were big with wonder as she looked around them. It was as if they were seated at a table in the space outside the station. She could see through the walls, ceiling and floor and although it was a bit disorienting, it was also a marvel.

“Did you already set up the meal or is there a menu coming?”

—Zef

“The meal is planned, and the wine will be here with the appetizers. Until then… it is just you, me…” and he looked out at the Vista, “… and everything.”

A glass or two of champagne later, a server arrived with small plates of meats and cheeses arrived… along with a bottle of red wine which they poured. Alex thanked them and the server left, this time pulling a screen closed and giving them some privacy.

Alex looked at Zef and said “So… surprises. Yours or mine first?” and his eyes twinkled with anticipation.

Alex

She took a deep breath. “I want to tell you something first and then you can tell me about your surprise. Okay?”

Zef took a deep breath and a sip of wine, then reached out and took Alex’s hands in her own. “I’ve done a lot of thinking and come to a conclusion that I hope will please you.” There was a pause. “This is difficult for me, but you need to know. Especially with the things we are going to talk about tonight.” Leaning in, Zef kissed him softly. “I love you, Alex. I did back when you told me about your feelings, I was just afraid to admit it.” One of her hands lifted to his cheek which she caressed softly, a thumb tracing over his lips.

—Zef

Alex grinned and kissed her back, and then he looked in her eyes. “I know, Zef. And I appreciate you trusting me with your feelings… and your heart. And I promise you that you have nothing to fear. Not from me… and not from loving me. I love you, Zef. More than you could possibly know.”

Alex

They shared a deep moment right then, silent things being understood by each of them and promises being made without words. Finally, Zef lifted her glass. “To us…to new beginnings and long commitments.”

“To the future of us… and to the universe that awaits us.”

After a cool swallow, she picked up her fork and speared a cube of meat. “So, what is this surprise you have for me?”

—Zef

Alex took a drink and said “Well…” and he looked out the window and tipped his wine glass towards the blackness just outside. “In a few hours, that wormhole is going to open and…” and he stopped and his brow furrowed. He turned his head slowly and looked at Zef.

“ ‘Especially with the things we are going to talk about tonight.’. That’s what you said. It just registered. What, Zef? What are we ‘going’ to talk about that is going to be difficult?”

Alex

She didn’t want to broach the subject yet because their night might be ruined after she told him her news, so with a smile and a touch, she encouraged him to continue. “There’s time for that, but you first. Tell me what has you so excited.”

—Zef

Alex’s eyes narrowed and he looked at her, trying to read her eyes… her posture… and he nodded slowly. “All right… well… as I was saying… in a few hours the wormhole will open and a private vessel will come through. The ship is of no consequence, but the passengers are of great importance; to me at least… my mother and my twin sister are on board. They’re coming to the station.”

Alex

She was very surprised. He hadn’t talked about his family much with her, so to find out they were due to arrive very soon was unexpected. “Really…? Has this been planned for a while? I mean, I get it—visit any chance you get because our jobs keep us away from home most of the time, but I’m kind of surprised you didn’t tell me before now.” So, now it wouldn’t just be Alex that would know, he would tell his family to gain their support.

“You must be very excited to see them. How long has it been?”

—Zef

Alex smiled, but there was a hesitation to his smile that wasn’t normally there. “No, kind of last minute. I found out the day we left Graven.” He reached out and took her hand.

“Zef, you’re kind of worrying me. I mean… we should be ecstatic right now, right? But love… I can see you. You are wound so tight you are almost vibrating. And you have been… distracted… all day.” He squeezed her hand and looked at her. “Zef… love… talk to me. I’m sure whatever it is, we can handle it. Okay?”

Alex

“Alright.” Zef picked up the glass of wine and polished it off. “Remember when I said we didn’t know about each others people and ways?”

She reached out and took his hand, making a connection with him and hoping he would listen to what she had to say. “I need to tell you about one of those differences. I had…have a friend named Anasara. We’ve known each other since we were little and I’d do anything for her. Recently, she got married but she and her husband want children and Anasara isn’t capable of carrying a child. It’s a defect with her reproductive system.” She stopped for a moment to see if he was really listening.

—Zef

Alex squeezed her hand and said “Ok…” and he picked up the bottle and refilled her glass. “So why are you so tense, Zef? What does this have to do with you?”

Alex

“On Baj, we have something called Degansa. It’s a legal contract that two sides agree upon to provide a man or woman who doesn’t have the physical ability to have a child themselves, to hire someone else to carry the baby for them. Its an honor on Baj to be chosen as the surrogate.” It was a very simplified explanation, but she didn’t need to bog Alex down with all the details. Right now all she wanted was to get the main idea across to him.

“I’ve entered into that contract with Anasara and her husband Brom Ghelfi.”

—Zef

Alex’s eyes widened and his mouth opened… but no words came out. He just stared at her for a ment before falling back in his seat.

“Um… so…” and he tried to get his mind to engage again. “Ok… wait.” he shook his head and then said “Start from the beginning… you’ve agreed to what?”

Alex

He was still listening to her so there was still hope that he would understand. “Alright. I’ll try to explain it better. Anasara and I have been best friends off and on for most of my life. We grew up together, discovered boys, went to school and went through rites and celebrations of our tribe together. We lost track of each other a few years ago and recently she contacted me again. We’ve been catching up over the last few months and she told me of her engagement and marriage (mating) to a very wealthy member of a prominent family.”

Here, Zef took the time to refill their glasses and handed Alex his. “Anisara means everything to me. She’s like the sister I never had and I love her deeply. During our visits these last weeks, she told me about her husband and their courtship. It all sounded wonderful and its so obvious that they love each other when you see them together. She introduced us on one of the calls and I’ve had a chance to get to know him a little. He really seems perfect for her. He’s rich and handsome and likes the same things she does, so their chances to stay together are very good.”

She reached out and smoothed a palm against his cheek. He looked shocked and bewildered—just like she was afraid he would be when she told him. But Degansa was a normal and honorable contract for her people. “Can I get you a glass of water, Alex? I know this is a lot to process.”

—Zef

Alex looked at her, confusion apparent in every blink. At her question he just shook his head and said “No. No water. Jus… just keep going. This… I… just keep going Zef. Everything. Tell me everything this entails and what it means and what… just tell me.” and he took a big drink of wine.

Alex