Posted by Commander Dr. Royal Sinclair (Executive Officer) in Ships In The Night No More (Tag Dalton)

Posted by Lieutenant Corinne Dalton (Scientist) in Ships In The Night No More (Tag Dalton)

(snip)

He smiled. “Standard repairs. I asked Engineering to send me some when they could. And the Lounge was redecorated. The wood bar was replaced with a synthetic stone one. It looks really good.” He reached into the box and lifted the foam that cradled the model. From underneath he took out a clear stand. It was almost totally transparent. “You can set it on this. From most angles, you won’t even see it.”

Royal

Cori stepped away and set the box down on her workstation and then returned for the stand. She placed her hand on his to take the stand, but stepped that half step closer, lifted up on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. “This is one of the most beautiful gifts I’ve ever been given, so thank you.”

As her lips touched his skin, his cheek became hot as he flushed bright red and took a sharp breath in. “Y-… you’re welcome.” he said as the sound of blood rushing through his ears muted his words to himself.

She didn’t really have a place to put it right now, but she placed it on the bedside table where she could see it each morning when she woke up and each evening when she fell asleep.

The pause gave Royal a moment to collect himself, and with a soft exhale he calmed the redness and racing heartbeat.

Moving back to Royal, she gave him a tender smile. “Any other surprises or should we head to the lounge?”

~Cori

He smiled and said “No. Not yet, anyway. No pressure, remember?” and he stepped to the door so it slid open. “After you.” he said, and gestured out the door.

Royal

No pressure indeed, and yet there was this tangible energy she couldn’t remember feeling before, or rather in so very long as to be lost to memory. It wasn’t about expectations, it was about the anticipation, about the hope that things would go well and progress… somewhere.

A short while later they approached the Lounge and she slowed, eying the doors. Well, here goes nothing. She turned to gaze at him as their presence triggered the door. The plan in her head was just to casually walk in together and find a table, but suddenly she was feeling self conscious. Was it being in a social setting? Letting more of the crew see her and thus solidifying her existence here? She wasn’t sure, but she looked to him for reassurance. “Preference for table?”

~Cori