Posted by Ensign Kristiana O’Larria (Engineer) in Presim- Wrenches everywhere continued…

Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻
SNIP
She didn’t care if he lied about his age, his background or even that he was half Klingon on his mother’s side. But it was the looming fear of someone, or someones out there that made her chest tighten with dread and a touch of jealousy. But better to know now, right?

Kristi

“I don’t think you need to worry about anyone else in my life. There were a few… interests, but it never developed into anything worth mentioning. There are only two more secrets I can think of.... and no, i don’t have a working replicator but man I would earn a fortune if i had. First secret is.. that while I did make this in our kitchen, half the ingredients are replicated. A while back I found a few things worth replicating. If our kitchen staff would actually bother to experiment a bit, I’m sure we’d have much more diverse selection. ” He shrugged. “I don’t really bother cooking just for one. There’s rarely enough time as it is. But tonight was an exception.” He smiled. Then leaned forward and whispered. “The last secret is… that desert is 100% pure organic, no replicator what so ever. Just don’t ask how I got it, or I won’t let you have any.”

He grinned. “So you got any secrets as well?”

Lt. Mike Stone, CE

Kristi relaxed. He wasn’t married… it relieved her on a surprising level. As he made comment to two more secrets, she paused in her eating, waiting for the other shoe to drop. But when the confessions were about the food, she couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, maybe we should ask the Captain to promote you to head chef, instead… great cover, yes?” She laughed and nodded to the dessert. “Oh, that sounds too good to give up and risk not eating. So I give you my word.”

His query about her secrets made her think. Didn’t everyone have them? Her’s were from before the fleet and not something she was willing to mention.She felt her face slip slightly then realized it and smiled once more. But this time she couldn’t help but grin mischievously. “I have managed to make my replicator spit out a fairly decent chocolate ice cream. But you can’t tell anyone or I won’t share,” she tossed his own threat back at him with a laugh and finished up her soup.

Kristi
(wrong name)

“That’s a good one. And better not share it with too many. If have a feeling that if you find a dish tasting ok, if you reproduce it too often it somehow.. loses it’s taste. Which of course shouldn’t be possible. The information about the dish is constant, the replicator is the same, and power from the warp core should be the same as well. And even if you go to another replicator, the result is the same. Mostly something tasteless.”

He sighed “Viking truly is an engineers worst nightmare. But I’d probably go crazy if I was a Chef here. Constant lack of quality ingredients, forced to do mediocre dishes that taste funny all the time. No thanks. Better to stay an engineer and try and fix what you can. I get to be around you more often as well.” He said with a smile.

Lt. Mike Stone, CE

Kristi laughed. “If you were the Chef, I’d eat your mediocre food.”

The finished the soup in short order and she smiled. “So… do tell me about our main course.” She was laughing with him about the failings of the ship and the mood was light and comfortable.

Kristi

“Pfft, please, even a burnt toast could pass as a delicacy in our mess hall. Something mediocre would be a god’s send. And my cooking looks so great only because there’s no real competition.” He talked as he took the empty plates and started to prepair the main course. He topped off her glass with some white synthehol. “Wait till we get back to Earth and you get to taste some of my mom’s cooking. Now that’s some high quality stuff.”

“But for today you’ll have to settle for chicken with a cheese sauce and some veggies.” He said and lifted the lid from the covers. Steam rose and filled the whole place with pleasant smell. In a blink of an eye, two plates were neatly stacked and placed on the table.

“Dig in, and if you want, don’t be shy to ask for seconds.”

Lt. Mike Stone, CE

She laughed at his comment about toast. “Wait… we HAVE toast?” When he placed the chicken before her, her smile widened. He hand lightly touched his arm a moment and Kristi looked up at him. “It smells amazing, Mike… thank you for this. It really wasn’t necessary.” She let go of his arm so he could sit down as well.

His comment about home cooked meals dirt side made her sigh, “I can’t recall the last time I had real food that was holo replicated or mass produced from rations. I’d love to meet your family.” She dug in and a moan of pleasure and satisfaction rolled down her throat. “Wow… you did a good job. I feel bad all I have is chocolate ice cream to offer.” She laughed and took another bite.”

Kristi

“That may come in handy much sooner then you think.” Mike commented, but didn’t elaborate any further. Instead he ate as well. He wanted to impress, and by the sound of it, he hit the nail straight on.

“You know, I didn’t invite you here just for the food and wine testing. I like you a lot and I’d like to get to know you better, you know what you like, dislike, what makes you laugh.” He said, took a bite of the chicken and observed her.

Lt. Mike Stone, CE

She tilted her head slightly at the cryptic remark about the chocolate ice cream. But when he admitted to liking her, Kristi smiled and reached across to take his hand. “Mike, I like you a lot as well. I was wondering how long it would take you to ask.” She smiled. “I knew the day you kissed me in your office. Though, I admit I have liked since before then. But, anyway,” she continued with a blush on her cheeks, “I want to know you better as well. But I also want you to know you only tell me what you desire. I know there are things I probably don’t have clearance for, or a need to know. And I accept that.” She watched him hoping he understood. “I have no expectations. All right? I just want to be someone you can come to and be with and be yourself. No stress, no pressure, no persona. All right?” The look on her face was so full of sincerity and desire that it was easy to see she was telling the truth. Even if he never said another word about his assignment, background or anything else, she was accepting as he was. Wholly and completely.

Kristi

“Well you know how relationships between coworkers or even subordinates are viewed apon. I think sometimes we haven’t evolved past the stone age in that regard.” Mike shook his head. “So of course I was hesitant to ask you out until I was sure that you might feel the same. Although for me, past is past, I still didn’t want my past to ever be an issue. And I know to you it won’t be. But like you said, no stress, no pressure. I had to get that off my chest, or I’d just worry about it all the time.”

Mike

“It won’t be an issue, Mike… I promise. And as for asking me to dinner,” she smiled and went back to eating, “I’m glad you did. I know I can’t help with a lot of things you do as a supervisor. But I’m hoping I can help you relax and get your mind off things when you aren’t busy being my Chief.” She looked up and gave him that look she only had for him. “And I’ll make you a deal… something needs working on and you aren’t 100% sure of it, ask me to do it. I’ll find those who know it best, if I don’t. I promise. And in return, I’ll help you learn more about this rickety bucket of bolts. How’s that?”

Kristi

“Sounds like a great deal to me.” Mike replied. He knew Kristi was one of the most capable engineers he had. It was watching her work, that made him fall in love. She showed so much love and care for the ship even when others gave up on the rusty bucket of bolts.

“I need to do this more often.” He commented as he was finished with his stake. “I almost forgot food can taste good.” He joked.

Mike

Kristi laughed. “I guess I don’t think about it. If I get too used to good actual cooking, I may not use the replicator again. Though meals like this are definitely worth the tasting.” She sipped her drink and looked at him a moment. “I know you have to hide a lot of who you are. But what do you do to unwind? I mean, surely there was something you did. Well, before I came around and started bugging you, I meant.” She smiled hoping he would take is as innocent teasing.

Kristi

“I cry myself to sleep.” He waved with his hand. “Nah just kidding. Hm good question. I guess I just kept myself busy so far. As engineer there’s plenty to do, as CE even more so. In the spare time I learned about Viking’s systems or tried to catch any spies on board. I guess I could now find.... excuses to do other things and unwind from time to time. Do you have any hobbies? “

Mike