[snip]

“Siblings? Is that what she said? Oh dear, I never knew we looked alike.” The didn’t of course, it was just a poor effort of an insult on the girl’s part. She waved at Renault, “He is a captain for Star Fleet, he was assigned his ship tonight. They disembark tomorrow.”

The girls eyes lit up, but before she could say more she was called away with a very empathy invoking pout in her lips.

Lt Laursen

Marceau smiled again, proud of his new position. Then she was called away and Marceau actually seemed to relax a little. He turned to Helena. “I hope the coffee comes quickly. I’m getting tired already.”

~ Captain Renault

Helena mentally shook her head. Someone was going to have to guard the door to his quarters or there would be no end of disturbances by potential amorous partners, and Marceau would be clueless. “You better get used to it. The next few weeks are going to be crazy. We might want to stop and buy you a supply of your favorite blend for you.”

Marceau nodded. “We should or I’ll sleep too much.”

The waitress returned, again practically ignoring Helena and set their coffee down. “Votre Tarte Tatin aux Pommes Caramélisées sera prête en quelques minutes. Puis-je vous apporter autre chose d’ici là, Capitaine?” The waitress practically purred. If Helena wasn’t sitting there the woman would probably would be trying to skip out on the rest of her shift. “Un vaisseau spatial, c’est très excitant.” But again the woman was called away only to bring their desert.

“Non, merci,” Marceau said again with a little smile. His eyebrows raised at her choice of words and his cheeks coloured a bit. “Exitant.. hm?” He gave a little chuckle and then said, “C’est passionnant.”

“Merci, Miss. I think we are fine for now.” Helena gave her a once over and then dismissed her with a casual flick of the eyes. She had too, the woman was embarrassing herself.

Lt Laursen

Marceau nodded. “We don’t need anything else. Merci.” Then he turned to Helena, smiled, and said, “Let’s try them together? I think it would be most fun that way.”

~ Captain Renault

Helena waited for the waitress to leave and then leaned across the table towards him. Something the girl said had made him blush slightly and Helena wanted to know what. “What did she say?”

“She said a space ship is very exciting.... Except…” Marceau’s blush returned and he glanced down at their food. “She used the word for, hmm… To be excited as in…” the last two words came out louder than he meant them to, “bedroom activities?”

Helena laughed, “Oh dear.” She was sure the waitress probably said it that way on purpose. “I think she is misinformed. Being on a star ship is certainly exciting, and flying one is amazing, but not like that.”

She pulled her plate towards herself and picked up her fork. “Apples and caramel right? I will try anything once, but this thing better not have snails in it, Marceau. I tried it once, never again.” She shivered at the memory and then grinned at him. “Ready?”

Lt Laursen

Marceau laughed, really laughed, and then smiled and shook his head. “No snails, it’s a sweet desert.” He pulled his own plate towards himself, picked up the apple treat, and nodded. “It smells fantastic, I can’t wait.”

~ Captain Renault

Helena was glad to see him laugh like that. Marceau didn’t often, but when he did…

“It does smell wonderful. Alright,” she held up three fingers and lowered them one by one. “3…2…1” and took a bite. It was decadent.

Lt Laursen

Marceau took a bite at the same time and immediately lit up. “C’est très bon,” he said happily. He took another bite of it and then looked up at Helena, “Thank you for bringing me here.” Before long he’d finished his food and was nearly finished with his coffee.

~ Captain Renault

Helena smiled, not her usual knowing or playfulness but simply happy. “Thank you for letting me celebrate with you in a way you enjoy.” They had both heard a lot as they came through the ranks, about their preference for celebrating and ‘partying’ quietly. She reached over and squeezed his hand then sat back. “I hoped you would like it. I’ve been holding on to this for a special occasion. You getting your ship definitely qualifies.... Captain.” And she gave him the most serious salute she could muster, considering she was trying not to laugh

Lt Laursen

Marceau smiled as well, and then started laughing at her salute. “I don’t think I’ll be quite so… formal of a Captain. No saluting necessary.” He said. He stacked his dishes neatly when he was done and set them aside. “It was very good.”

~ Captain Renault

Helena smirked over the last of her coffee, “Oh that’s good. I prefer to keep both hands in the wheel.”. Helena glanced up and over his shoulder as the door opened and Marceau’s would be admirer sauntered out. She walked over and smiled at Marceau. “J’espère que vous avez apprécié votre traitement.” She slipped him the bill, “Je prendrai ça quand tu seras prêt. Plus de café?”

Marceau smiled again and shrugged. “Good, then you won’t scratch my new ship.” He looked up as the waitress came over and smiled. “Vous avez été merveilleux, merci beaucoup. Non, merci.” He reached out for the bill, but Helena snagged it before he’d had a chance to see it.

Helena gasped and held her heart. “Scratch a ship? Me???? Marceau you wound me. I would never scratch your ship.”

Helena reached out and snagged the bill. “My treat remember?” She glanced at the bill and before her brows could come back down, the waitress had hurried off. “Well.” The woman had given him his coffee and desert for free. Helena left the cash on the table paying for the whole meal plus a tip. Poor girl deserved something for her effort. “That is for her and this is for you.” Helena handed over the bill, which contained the girl’s name, Marie, and her number. And some message in French that Helena couldn’t read, except for the word for ‘celebrate.’

Lt Laursen

Marceau smiled again, “Right. Thank you.” He took the bill when Helena handed it to him and looked at the message. Whatever the message in French said, it must have made Marie’s intentions painstakingly clear because Marceau’s face turned bright red and he folded the paper and stuffed it in his pocket, looking up at where the waitress had gone. “She, umm, guess she likes me,” And then he smiled a bit of a goofy smile and shrugged, his face still bright red. “Too bad we’re leaving tonight.”

~ Captain Renault

Helena stood and shook her head. “What’s not to like? However, you don’t want any of that. She thought you were cute with your authentic French and roughish hairdo. But a Captain’s rank and pay and she was giddy.” She stopped to look at him, her look sincere and contemplative. “You deserve someone who wants you and not your image.” Then she stepped back quickly and turned for the edge of the awning. The rain had let up a little. “So if you decide to go meet little Miss Marie, keep your wits.”

Lt Laursen

Marceau smiled a bit, looking at Helena as he stood. You deserve someone who wants you for you, was something he’d been told after his breakup with Lucy. She’s in love with who she thinks you are. He gave a little sigh and nodded. “I don’t plan on it. No time for that, anyway.”

~ Captain Renault

Helena grinned, “You have a more important girl awaiting your attention.” Stepping into the slowing rain Helena pointed up to the sky as she set a hand on his shoulder. “When do you want to leave? I will have to file a flight plan.”

Lt Laursen

Marceau followed her out into the rain, smiling at her when she set a hand on his shoulder. “In… a couple hours? I need to make one more stop first, to find Kelleher.” He said. “Then we’ll fly up to the ship.”

~ Captain Renault

She smiled back and then glanced back at the sky. “Naw make it 3. You gotta pack. I know you. Once we get up there, you won’t want to come back to get your stuff. You can order a couple cadets to lug it to the shuttle, but if we’re stocked for a year, you’re going to want your things. Besides an extra hour now saves 3 later.”

“Alright, make it three then.” Marceau replied. He hadn’t thought about packing. He was going to just fly off, as he was, with nothing. There wasn’t that much he needed but it was probably good she reminded him.

She started walking again, heading back across town towards the barracks and the Command building. “Kelleher? What is he like to work with?” Pilots and engineers both worked closely with a ship’s engine. Unlike some, Helena was of the opinion they needed to get along, rather than meeting at high noon and firing off their egos.”

Lt Laursen

Marceau thought for a moment and chuckled. “I think you won’t have trouble getting along. You’ll meet him tonight or tomorrow. I’ve known him for a long time, worked with him before.”

~ Captain Renault

“He seemed nice enough at the bar. Chief Engineers tend to get protective over their engines. I promise not to make him mad on purpose.” They walked in silence for awhile. “I always miss the weather when I’m star side.” She didn’t know where Kelleher lived but she had to stop at the barracks for her gear. She stopped, set a hand on his shoulder, “Keep your comm on and I’ll send you the flight details.” A quiet breath, “Congratulations Marceau.” She kissed his cheek and then with a wave and a, “3 hours,” she set off at a steady job toward the officers’ barracks.

Lt Laursen

OOC: Just dropping in to give a little query, would you guys want to consider ‘hiring’ the waitress as a server for the chef on the ship? Just be an interesting thought to add to our NPC list! Up to you guys obviously just something that occurred to me while reading and enjoying this.

GM CockRoach