snip

She studied every shot anyone attempted, the placement of their hands, the angle of the shot and the speed the balls traveled. When her turn was called out, Aurra moved around the table trying to decide which ball would be sunk most easily. “So, I’m thinking the five ball in the side pocket.” She looked to Jacen. “What do you think?” It was a shot any of the others could make without difficulty, but she was so new to the game she didn’t have a practical knowledge of how hard to hit the cue ball in order to make it do what you wanted. There was also another ball just barely in the way. Surely there was a way to shoot around it?

—Talisse

He surveyed the table and took a look at the shot she was eying. The placement of the NE’s ball was problematic because she couldn’t go straight at the five. “It’s doable, but you’re going to have to bank it off the rail because if you hit their ball first it’ll be a scratch.”

He walked down to the end of the table and pointed to a spot, “You’re going to need to hit the ball here. It’ll play off the rail and clip the five into the hole. You’ll want to strike just above center again and hit it hard. You need lots of speed because the bumper will take some of it.”

He move back around behind her so he could see her line. “Longer shots like this, sometimes it helps to bend more and get your line of sight closer to your cue.”

Flex

Banking—that was a new piece of information. “Can I get up on the table? You know, sit on the edge of it to make the shot? Otherwise, I’m not sure how to best go about it…can you show me?” She looked at their competition. “You guys don’t mind, right? I mean, this is my first time playing and there’s a lot I don’t know.” With her friendly smile and twinkling eyes, neither of them objected.

Jacen’s mind took a moment to wander into the realm of Aurra atop the pool table, and the thoughts brought a smile to his face. Corralling his imagination, he responded “You can sit on the edge of the table, but until you’re more comfortable it’s probably best to keep your feet on the ground while you shoot.”

The NEs at this point were picking up on the energy between the two and content to watch the scene play out as they continued the game. This is the stuff that rumors were made of after all.

Aurra grinned and looked expectantly at Jacen. “I’m ready to soak up what you teach me.”

—Talisse

Flex moved closer to Aurra, placing his left hand on her left hip he guided her into position near the corner of the table. Taking his right hand to the middle of her shoulder blades he pushed forward, leading her to bend over the table. Her feet were too close together forcing her right thigh to be in contact with the corner of the table. Flex corrected this by slipping his right foot inside of hers and using it to press her foot out spreading her legs slightly and allowing her to form herself around the table with one foot on either side of the corner pocket.

The positioning felt familiar but in her memory had nothing to do with playing a game. Outwardly, it was innocent—he didn’t do anything untoward while moving her into place for the best outcome with her shot. However, Aurra would be lying to herself if she said her mind didn’t place her and Jacen in another, more private setting briefly.

As he stood beside her, he braced his right hand on the table beside her right hip and leaned his face down closer to where hers was so he could see what she was seeing. In her ear he whispered, “Good, now keep your left arm firm and allow your right arm to be fluid.” He stood up from her and moved to point to a spot on the cue ball. “Strike it here hard and then let it do the rest.”

Flex

Following his guidance, she took aim and catapulted the pool cue forward, striking the ball exactly where Jacen indicated. She watched in awe as the balls on the table moved exactly as they’d planned and the five dropped into the side pocket smoothly. Out of excitement, she jumped up and down a bit while grinning with pure glee.

“I did it! Yes! That was awesome! Do I go again?” Her head swiveled as she looked from one man to another.

—Talisse

bump

A sincere smile spread across Flex’s face as he watched Aurra’s unbridled joy at making the shot. Then he surveyed the table, they had made up significant ground on the NEs. Three solid balls remained and only two striped balls. “Yes ma’am you do.” He said as his smile spread to his eyes. “You have a pretty good line on the one in the corner.” Jacen said indicating the ball he was talking about.

Flex

Unable to keep the bounce in her step totally under wraps, Aurra surveyed the table and chalked the end of her cue like she’d seen the others do. Studying the ball in the corner, she took a practice aim to see if she could actually make the shot and made a little humming noise when she realized that she could.

“Okay, I’m going to try the one in the corner. Let’s see if that last shot was just dumb luck.” Making minute adjustments to her position, Aurra set her eyes on where she needed to strike the cue ball, and launched her stick forward. After a few satisfying clacks, her ball fell in the corner pocket without touching any of the sides.

Jacen watched as Aurra pocketed another ball and now they were even with the NEs at two balls a piece and the eight ball still on the table.

It was her turn again and she tried to knock one of the last solid balls into the side pocket, but missed.

—Talisse

Flex watched as her shot barely missed as it clipped the railing that protected the pocket. The NE stepped up and quickly knocked down the two remaining stripes before calling for the eight ball in the corner pocket and sinking that shot as well. The two NEs smiled at one another, high fiving, as Flex flagged down the waitress and ordered the round of drinks that had been bet.

Looking at their competition he said, “Rack them up again gentlemen. Double the stakes”

Once the balls were racked it was Flex’s turn to break. He lined up the cue and hammered the ball into the triangle scattering balls around the table and sinking one stiped and one solid ball, meaning that he could choose to shoot at whichever he preferred and if he made the shot that would set which they would be shooting for this game. He aligned himself and sank the blue two ball setting them on solids again. He quickly ran off four more balls leaving one solid ball and the eight on the table.

Aurra stared at Jacen right along with the NE’s. He was really good.

The two NEs exchanged a concerned look as they realized they’d been hustled. Smith stepped up and was only able to sink one striped ball before missing what should’ve been a routine shot… the stakes clearly getting to him.

“Take us home here doc.” Flex said before giving her a playful wink.

Flex

“Really? Me? Wouldn’t you rather do it and win?” No reprieve came her way so she looked over the table. The six ball was closer to one corner of the table, but the eight ball was blocking most of that pocket. It took a full turn around the pool table to finally see the best shot. She would have to bank the cue ball off the side at an angle, which she did with a squeal.

A grin spread across Jacen’s face as the doctor squealed with joy. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and it was a disease he didn’t mind catching at the moment.

All that was left was the eight ball. With a prayer to Asad, Aurra got into position. “Eight ball, corner pocket.” It felt like the entire room was holding its breath as she made contact with the ball. The four players didn’t blink until they saw the black ball fall over the edge of the hole. Then the NE’s were talking loudly about how they’d been swindled while Aurra ran at Jacen, squeaking and laughing—and jumped.

—Talisse

Flex watched intently as Aurra secured their victory and reveled in the grumblings of the NEs. They had indeed been swindled which only made him enjoy it more… nothing like humbling some overconfident NEs. A flash of colored hair drew his attention back to the doctor as she rushed towards him in a flurry of delight and launched herself through the air at him. He caught her easily and swung her around one time in a circle, so that she didn’t feel like she’d jumped into a wall, before returning her to her feet lightly. Despite placing her back on the ground he squeezed her tightly for an extra moment that lingered as he inhaled her scent. The pheromones she was emitting having a profound effect and driving blood to certain regions of his body… “You did well doc. I’m proud of you.” He whispered into her ear before loosening his grip, but not quite letting her go yet.

Flex

It had been a good day in medical and now the evening matched. Aurra laughed as he twirled her mid leap and set her gracefully on the ground next to him. She was fully aware how nice it had felt to be lifted with ease and of his praise as her feet came to rest on the floor. “I’m surprised we won, but it feels great!” She probably wouldn’t feel so self aware if she’d been in civilian garb, but the uniform was keeping her grounded in the identity of her job.

As Flex let her go at last, he smiled at he comment and gave her a wink. “Oh doc, I never doubted the outcome.” He said playfully.

Walking away from the losers and waiving her hand at their excuses, Talisse made her way to the bar and ordered another drink for Jacen and herself. Lifting her glass in a toast, “To the victor go the spoils… That’s right, isn’t it?”

—Talisse

bump just keeping it on the board

Jacen watched her walk away to the bar, admiring her as she did. Then he made his way back to their table to wait for her. He took the glass as she returned and raised his glass to her toast thinking about the spoils he really wanted right now. “Indeed it is!” he responded cheerfully.

After handing him his drink, Aurra retook her original seat.

Taking a long pull from the glass, Jacen looked at Aurra doing his best to tame the hunger in his eyes. The physical attraction was a given, she was a beautiful woman and her colored hair gave her an exotic appeal as well… but she was different than some nameless girl in a bar to conquer and it wasn’t because of her position on the ship. Her presence was alluring to him and he was trying to figure out why. “So how did you end up in Star-Fleet medical and ultimately trapped on this soup can in the void?”

Flex

“I actually asked for a medical ship this time. Working on a science vessel or combat ship isn’t the same. There are different injuries and diseases on them. Besides, I hoped that if most of the crew had a medical background, that it would be easier to make friends.” The corner of her mouth lifted in a teasing smile.

Jacen’s eyes were drawn to Aurra’s lips as she cracked a smile.

She crossed one leg over the other and leaned forward. “With all that in mind, I haven’t taken much time to pursue those friendships. I tend to get caught up in my work and am usually surprised when I realize I’ve put in a 12 to 15 hour day.”

—Talisse

Flex made a clicking sound with his tongue as he playfully chided Talisse. “Now, now doctor… you know what they say about all work and no play. Sounds like you need a prescription for more leisure… can’t have you working yourself into a stupor.” He smiled as he said the words.

Flex

She downed half the liquid in her glass. “All work and no play…it doesn’t happen very often, but I have been guilty of it a few times.” It was just something that happened in the medical field—probably in every field, but medicine definitely. “So, if you thought I was overworking myself, what might you suggest to snap me out of it?”

It was an opening for Jacen. Would he tease her with something intimate and naughty or would he keep it all above board.

—Talisse