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

Posted by Lieutenant Mike Stone (Chief Engineer) in Presim- Wrenches everywhere continued…

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

SNIP

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

She was glad for the quick editing of his crying comment, cause Kristi’s heart had tightened a moment. She smiled and shook her head. “Yes, you definitely need to find something outside of engineering.” When he hinted about his relationship with her being a new distraction, she blushed. “Honestly, my hobbies tend towards studying as well. But I admit I have a love of holo programs that let me explore places I can’t actually go. Like planets we can’t land on, or sitting on a moon as the nearby star goes supernova. I guess being able to see space in her glory, from the Viking or some uninhabitable rock is something I’ve always enjoyed.” She felt it was a silly thing to confess, but he had asked.

Kristi

“The holodeck.” Mike nodded. “I love those as well, you can do almost anything in there. Can’t remember when’s the last time I went there to enjoy myself and not just to fix something that broke.”
He gave it a thought for a second… last time he used holodeck , was before he took CE position. After that there simply was no opportunity. “I can’t imagine anyone else, I’d rather see a supernova blow up my face with then you. Maybe we should make that our next date… if you’d want one of course.”
Watching a explosion of any kind, while on holodeck with questionable security measures could be quite dangerous. maybe even lethal. It would be a date to die for though.

Before Kristi could reply though he added quickly. “But what am I saying, this one isn’t over yet. We haven’t had desert yet. Be right back.”

He disappeared into the other room. After about a minute he returned with two plates and a small bowl.

“I thought of making some kind of desert from these, but to be honest I didn’t have the time, besides I think they are perfect the way they are…”

He placed a plate with six strawberries in front of her, his plate had five. Between them he placed a bowl with hot chocolate inside.

“It’s not much and I already ate one when I tried them if they were any good. But they are as genuine as they can be. We can replicate some chocolate ice cream to go with them, though I prefer them with hot chocolate.” He smiled.

Mike