Posted by Lieutenant Cara Esmé O’Farrell (Counselor / Education Specialist) in Sometimes a Lunch Break Works Wonders

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Gravel Mardusk (Chief of Security) in Sometimes a Lunch Break Works Wonders

Posted by Lieutenant Cara Esmé O’Farrell (Counselor / Education Specialist) in Sometimes a Lunch Break Works Wonders
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
The hours had dragged by and flown at the same time. As the door opened he would hear, “That cheeky green sidhe! Lovey-dovey my arse,” and laughter. The office hadn’t changed much. There were more shades of green present and blues, added to the greens, browns, and oranges. The collection of furniture was the same - different types of chairs and a large reinforced couch. But most noticeable was desk set caddy-corner to the wall to the left of the door. Cara looked up as the door opened, her eyes lit up when she saw him and then confusion. “Is it lunch already?”

O’Farrell

Mardusk smiled and said “I can only assume that pet name was directed my way. So what did I do this time? And yeah… it’s lunch time. You want to lead me to the Lounge. or can we save the effort and make it there before dinner?” and he chuckled.

Mardusk

Cara turned her computer screen and on it was Community-Based Enforcement Lieutenant Gravel Mardusk, Star Fleet Security Division “Ya did that. And ya knew it. Cheeky, very cheeky Grah-VEL.”

Her overt pronunciation of his name sent small shocks through him, but he simply grinned and said “Oh that Community-Based Enforcement paper… sorry, I thought you were talking about another one.” and he shrugged. “Glad you liked it, though. So… lead or follow?”

Then she closed out the files on her computer and stood up, rolled her eyes with a laugh, and made a face at him. “No thanks, I prefer ta follow my partner and let him lead.”

O’Farrell

“Partner, eh? I like the sound of that.” and he winked. He stepped to the door and triggered it open. He paused in the doorway and looked back at her and smiled a wicked smile then, as she walked past him and out the door, Gravel looked at the reception desk and said “Looks like date number two is lunch one!” and he winked at NE Shan whose eyes went wide in surprise. She looked back at Cara, then to Gravel, then to Cara… and she grinned broadly and said “Make sure she’s back by 2300, Sir. That’s an order.” Mardusk snapped an actually impressive salute and said “Aye aye, Ensign.” and walked away. He looked at Cara and smiled and said “Your mouth is hanging open, beautiful.” and he stepped into the passage.

Mardusk

Cara closed her mouth. “Sorry the wind speed from that impassioned salute knocked my jaw loose. And yer math is wrong. Date number 3 is lunch one.” She winked at Shan, and then turned holding back laughter at the stunned look on the woman’s face. They made it around the corner before she spoke. “You realize that she’s going to make sure no one can reach me till 2300 right?”

“That was the general idea… keep up. You’re supposed to be the brains in this couple.” he said without looking at her.

Shan stared after the retreating pair and then turned to look around....there was no one around to tell.

O’Farrell

At that moment, NE Royo walked in and looked at the open door and the stunned receptionist. He quickly moved to the office door and looked in. Cursing, he tapped his comm badge. =/\=Royo to Security Chief, Sir, I’m sorry. I lost her. The Counselor is not in her office. =/\= Shan stood up and slapped his arm hard and said =/\=ComputerBelayThatMessage!!!=/\= and there was chirp indicating the message didnt go through. “You idiot! She and the Security Chief are on a lunch date!“

NE’s Gonna Talk Talk Talk

About that time NE Viraleya Kifit, a very bubbly female Bolian walked out of her office. “Who’s on a lunch date?” She walked her last patient to the main passage way and then returning, “Come on spill. I want the gossip too.” Shan wasted NO time filling Kifit in on the details.

Down the corridor, nearing the lift, Cara laughed, “No I’m the attitude of the partnership.” She tucked her hand into his arm. Normally days like this one made her frustrated and cranky and put her in a bad mood and very much wanting to stay away from people unless necessary. But Gravel made her laugh and pushed the tension of the day away the way he joked with her. She just simply enjoyed spending time with him. She smiled up at him, “Glad ta know that ya have all my time already snatched up.” And she winked.

O’Farrell

“Oh… just you wait. After lunch the magic happens.” Gravel said with a mischievous grin.

Back in the Counseling Suite, Royo listened to the two women talk. Finally, he said “Enough, ok? Yeah, I know the Chief said what was going on. But you might wanna think about a couple of things before you whisper this too loud. You both are supporting the ship’s Counselor, right? Confidentiality and all that? You don’t know Commander Mardusk like I do… and I know he is a big fan of testing people to see their character. You may want to think on that before you go blabbing about it.” and he fixed them with (at least a solid attempt at a) steely gaze.

Kifit and Shan both looked at him, then at each other, then back again. Kifit grinned and said “You’re cute when you try to be in charge. Save that look. And you can pick up me and Shan at 1900. You are taking us to dinner. Least you can do since you squashed our gossip.”

Royo looked at both women and swallowed hard. “Um… yeah. Ok. 1900. I’ll… I’ll come get you both for dinner. Sure…” and he walked a little stunned out of the office.

Security

Royo left and Lift looked at Shan. “You know what this means? What we’re going to do?” Shan grinned, “Oh yeah. I know the Sec JO that runs the main security desk. We work most of the same shifts, so we’re usually in the lounge getting meals at the same time. I’ll get it all worked out.” Kifit nodded, “You know I really like the chief. Was good friends with both Lt and Miss Edman. I’m happy for him. And Lt O’Farrell too. They better both be good to each other…” Shan started giggling. “Kifit no worries there. You didn’t see how they looked at each other.”

---

Cara glanced up at him a blush racing across her features. “And ya said I was the queen of leadin’ statements. Tha’ would make ya the king, then.” When the lift arrived Cara stepped in moving all the way in giving him plenty of room. While he gave their destination she leaned back against the side of the lift and gazed at him. “I’m in trouble aren’t I?” She didn’t seem to care, in fact she was grinning at the idea.

O’Farrell

For a moment Gravel didn’t move. It was like his brain was reeling, processing something over and over and over again. Finally he looked at her with a look that was part deep affection and part determination. “Yeah… you are. We both are. And that’s a pretty good thing, I think.” and the doors slid open and he extended and arm to allow her to leave the lift first.

Mardusk

Cara watched his face as he thought and was grinning at him. “Oh yeah, it’s an amazin’ thing.” And just like the other night when they left his quarters, she grabbed his hand, tucking hers into his, stepped off the lift and waited for him. She had absolutely no doubt that after that little show in the counseling suite that the entire ship knew. She tugged his hand just a bit as they walked, “Come on, then. We need ta eat. I wanna know what ya consider magical.”

O’Farrell

He squeezed her hand and then said “Oh… you have no clue yet… but you will.” and he smiled as they walked into the Lounge. “You grab a table. What would you like? I’ll play waitress and you can try to pick me up.” and he chuckled and winked at her.

Mardusk