"What now?"

Posted on 16 Dec 2020 @ 5:05pm by Lieutenant Xu Chang Lau & Lieutenant JG Oliver Stevens

Mission: R&R - after facing the Planet Killer
Location: Starbase 308
Timeline: After wedding
2205 words - 4.4 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

It wasn't exactly a reception. In fact Oliver had felt that the bride and groom had run away as quickly as possible. Probably Syvar didn't exactly look comfortable. Jon had already made an exit. He barely knew the rest and they weren't really talking to anyone else now.

He looked at Xu. She seemed awfully happy to have caught those flowers. He wasn't exactly sure how to feel about the whole whoever caught the bouquet became the next bride thing.

"So this seems to be winding down," he said. "Shall we go find some food or check out more of the star base?" he suggested. "Maybe I need to go buy you a ring now?" he found himself saying that before even thinking.

She was somewhat taken aback by his statement about buying her a ring, it was said so matter of fact with no hint of humor. Was he being serious?

"It doesn't need to be an elaborate one" she dropped in as tongue in cheek as she could muster as she took his hand and interlaced her fingers with his as they started walking. "Lets go to the starbase, have an explore of their Promenade or Zocalo... or whatever they call it. Maybe find a nice little cafe with a view!"

"What about a nice restaurant in a place that does games?" Oliver suggested. He indicated an advert for a casino and restaurant.

She nodded, putting the bouquet to her nose and inhaling the sweet scent as she placed her head on his shoulder, feeling so very comfortable and content.

"Oh look you might end up with something. You can win jewellery," Oliver spotted.

"All I ask is no Elvis Pressley impersonator leading the wedding ceremony!" she again offered as tongue in cheek as she could. She didn't want to scare him off but she had to admit, the prospect of marrying this man was one that appealed.

"Oh I would go for a Sinatra impersonator. A bit more classic," Oliver joked. He opened the door, surprisingly a manual one and held it for her. "After you my lady,"

She could have melted at the chivalry from this handsome man that seemed to have taken a liking to her. She couldn't help but wonder where he and her would be in a years time, five years time... She chose not to allow herself to speculate, but that curiosity was still present.

"Table for two please," he said the approaching waitress.

"We actually have an event on this evening but I can squeeze you in," she smiled. "There's a group raising Latium for one of the frontier planets," she told them walking them to a table on the edge.

"So there's some entertainers and the chance to win some lovely things. They call it a raffle. Its an old timey thing," she explained.

Oliver held one of the chairs out for Xu then sat down opposite.

"So can I get you drinks to start?" the waitress asked.

"And a couple of those raffle things," Oliver said. "I love a game of chance. What do you think?" he asked his date.

All she could do was smile and nod, it took years from her appearance and she didn't care. She was just glad they had the chance to do this, to be a normal couple and not Starfleet Officers. It felt real, genuine, honest but most of all it felt right.

"I just want to say that I'm sorry... For catching the bouquet" seeing the confusion on his face. "I'm not expecting... well, what catching it implies, I'm not expecting that... Just in case you were worried!"

He grinned. "Well I won't lie it was a little terrifying at first especially when Jon said he would work on his best mans speech. But that said I'm glad you got it out of all the others. I saw you, determined and strong out there. You knew you wanted it and went for it. Good qualities in a ... girlfriend," he said the words tentatively. It might not be a marriage proposal but it was a start.

"I think we've already established we are in a relationship so no need to be so tentative" she placed the bouquet down on the table and put both of her hand onto the table palm up, silently encouraging him to take her hands in his.

"Well that went a lot easier than I imagined," He chuckled laying his hands on hers.

There was a sound of someone clearing their throat. "Sorry ... to interrupt but what drinks would you like?" the waitress asked amused.

"Oh right ..." Oliver said sheepishly. "A beer. Earth beer for me please and ..." he indicated Xu.

"House red... unless you have a nice Merlot" Xu asked with a smile.

"I'll right back. The menus are on the table display," she smiled before leaving.

"I wonder if they have any Japanese food," he said. "I really enjoyed that eel."

"I'm in the mood for a bacon cheese burger... Something my..." she paused realising she had never broached with Oliver what she was about to say and decided against it. Not the right moment. "Something my old friend introduced me too"

Oliver raise his eyebrows briefly. He wondered if she had meant to say ex boyfriend/partner or something there but the idea of a bacon cheeseburger and the fact she was so forward in that made him happy.

She had multiple sides to her then. One where the beauty and protocol of her culture was very important and one where when she wanted to she could be a solid down to earth gal who you could just dive into a cheeseburger with. Yes he had picked a good one here.

"Oh that sounds divine. With thick chips. Really wash down the grease," he winked at her. "I will have to thank your old friend for introducing you."

'Thank indeed!' she thought to herself. 'If I ever see him again we are likely going to need to get the Starleet Legal service involved because I will be arrested for first degree murder!'

Rather than voice her thoughts she just smiled warmly at Oliver suddenly feeling the need to get him back to his or her own quarters.

"Well here you both go," the waitress reappeared. "Have you had any thoughts on food?"

"Oh yes," Oliver said. "Two bacon cheeseburgers and fat chips."

"Some onion rings in there too?" she suggested.

Oliver looked at XU, "I'm game if you are?"

"Do you even need to ask!" Xu exclaimed almost sounding shocked that either of them needed to ask. She knew she would pay for it later, all that fatty food would go straight to her hips!

"Oh I almost forgot your tickets," she slide them across to them. "I've got a few too. There's some exquisite Klingon and Betaziod pieces. Good luck,"

"Your going to win a ring now," Oliver said with a grin. "I bet more Latium. Want to give Jon and True a heart attack if you do?" he chuckled.

"Lieutenant Stevens... Do I take that as a proposal!" she tried to stay as straight faced as she could but her own amusement shattered her attempt as a laugh erupted from her lips only moments after her statement. She was kicking herself as she would have loved to have seen his face, the shock, the worry and the confusion.

Oliver shifted his chair a little closer to her and squeezed her hand. He knew she was teasing him but he could be just as teasing ....

"If I make a proposal you will know it babe, as I will put a lot of work into it so its worthy of you and be down on one knee holding something incredibly beautiful to adorn," he rang a finger over her forth digit on her left hand, "This beautiful finger."

He raised her hand up to his lips and kissed it not breaking eye contact wanting to see what she made of that!

The feel of his finger on hers, the way it made her skin tingle as if charged with electricity, she knew he was the one and no matter how long it took she intended to be married to this man no matter how long it took. She shifted her hand so she could interlace her fingers with his as she leaned across the table to kiss him, imbuing the kiss with the feelings she had towards him.

"Ahem...." the Waitress said trying not to laugh at the lovebirds infront of her. "Two bacon cheeseburgers, thick chips and onion rings. And your drinks," she said moving everything off her tray onto the table in front of them. "Oh and the raffle is about to start, good luck," she smiled at them both.

"Thank you," Oliver said politely. Letting go of her hand again, he picked up the colossal burger. "Cheers babe."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I hope you all have your raffle tickets. We have some beautiful prizes this evening," Olivers neck looked round to see a couple of humaniods had taken to the stage. "I hope you have all had chance to come up and have a look."

"We have a Betaziod tiara, this is an antique which we have traced back to one of the oldest houses. A moonstone ring, the gems are from a specific place on the jewel of the outer crown and they don't make too many of these presently. And finally a necklace marked with images of the goddesses,"

"I wonder where they acquired these?" Oliver said around a mouthful of cheeseburger.

"The Tiara is stunning". Xu commented.

"And on the Klingon side, Earings commemorating the Battle of Naxhalis, an old headress which we are informed dated back to Kahless times and a very discreet knife. Not jewelry we know but still spectacular."

"Theres also some donated experiences from businesses on the starbase and the lovely staff here have thrown in some free meals and gaming credit,"

"Lets begin shall we,"

Oliver snagged and onion ring and nudged Xu's ticket over to her.

"I must admit the Klingon headress is beautiful as well" she left the tickets by her plate as she hungrily chomped down on the burger, coming across as unlady like as possible and the sauce dripped from the burger bun. "I never win anything though" she chuckled, wiping the specks of sauce from her chin with the napkin.

Oliver had a very nice flash of an image of Xu in just a Tiara. "Well lets see." He leaned over and gently wiped a drizzle of sauce making its way down her chin.

"Everyone ready with their tickets?"

The people on stage switched on a screen behind them and it started to randomly pick the winning numbers.

"Well thats me out," he muttered looking at his own. He just knew in his gut though that Xu had won. Looking over he smiled as he saw her face realising the same.

"Would the winners please come up and join us,"

"Woah wait babe," Oliver said pulling her back. He licked his finger again and got the rest of that sauce. "Flawless," he winked at her.

"Smooth talker" she whispered in his ear and the stood and moved through the crowds to the lectern, waiting to see which of the stunning items she had won. From her new position she could see each item up close and they were all equally as intricate, delicate and beautiful as the next, and this included the Klingon headdress, something she had not expected to see from Klingon Jewellery. She had always assumed they were more brazen and aggressive, but this one was so delicate that it looked as if the golden threads holding it together could be broken if handled to roughly.

She approached the speaker and handed over her string of tickets, pointing at the one with a matching number, her breath caught, waiting for her prize to be handed over to her.

"Congratulations. Oh you will suit this," she was met with a beaming smile. "The Tiara." She handed it to her.

"Try it," she urged. "I have a mirror right here."

Xu took the tiara, felt it's weight and how truly delicate it was but something about it, a flash of a feeling was all she could characterize it as and that feeling was power. The barest instance and it was gone.

Gently she turned it round in her hands before placing it atop her head and turned to look at Oliver.

"Well?"

"Stunning. I mean you were already a queen in my eyes but now you have some proper headwear," he grinned pulling her back towards him and into his arms. He leaned in and whispered.

"Shall we get out of here? I think I need to peel off all your clothes so your only wearing that," he chuckled.

"Why Lieutenant Stevens, I do believe you are trying to seduce me!" she teased, a playful smile on her lips as she leaned in to kiss him.

Oliver returned the kiss and linked hands with hers. He grabbed the flower bouquet and simply said, "Oh I am."

End