Exploring

Posted on 06 Mar 2022 @ 9:24pm by Lieutenant JG Oliver Stevens & Lieutenant Cassandra Higgins-Stevens

Mission: R&R - Styx Outpost
Location: Ds21 promenade
Timeline: MD4
2006 words - 4 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

The chime to her door rang and Oliver stood outside.

Cassie had just finished dressing in a light pink dress made of a soft floating material that moved with elegance no matter her movements as the door chimed.

"Come in!" she called as she moved across to the door. "Ollie... What can I do for you?" she asked noting his appearance was much improved from their last meeting.

“It was just an idea but I wondered if you might like to take in some of the station. If you haven’t any other plans,” he added quickly.

"I was about to head over to explore the Promenade actually but I would welcome the company of a handsome man!"

She smiled but could feel her cheeks flush instantly after her comment. She was still his therapist at this stage so her own emotional entanglements would complicate the matter completely and also be highly unethical... Perhaps she needed to speak to her assistant about taking on Ollie's formal treatments!

Oliver felt mixed up for a moment. The excitement of a pretty woman calling him handsome, then guilt at Xu being in a coma. Then rationalization flooded in.

It had been a couple of months now and none of the second, third, fourth …. The multitude of opinions had brought any optimism that her condition would ever improve. There was no framework anyway on birthing a Betaziod goddess. Any goddess actually …..

Xu he knew would want him to move on. Methalina had stated Cassie was like a mum in the short time they had had together. If she did return he didn’t believe she would have any objections.

Jon would say go with your heart.

He leaned in to test the water kissing her on the cheek. “Thank you. I think I promised you a thorough investigation of the Ferryman. I know your dreaming of real chicken.”

He pulled away from the kiss, her skin tingling with the excitement of being seen as a woman and not the Counselor but also from the feel of his five o'clock shadow and she found she liked it. Something of a reminder from the last time she had been kissed in that manner. Gently she allowed her fingertips to brush the area, a coy smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She wanted to pull him in for another kiss, a real one but it was now the Counselor side of herself that reasserted itself. It would be unethical for her to pursue anything now. He needed time to heal and the professional implications also!

Thankfully she was saved from any awkward moment when the turbolift door opened allowing them out just a few steps away from the docking port.

"Shall we!"

"Yes we shall," he smiled. He had not missed her brush her fingers over where he had kissed her. That was a good test that the water was not cold.

"Chicken then? I'd say we need the promenade. And there will be shops. I was thinking ...." he said tapering off for a moment.

Instantly the Counselor asserted herself, his half-finished statement clearly going noticed. "What's wrong Ollie?"

"Nothing. I was thinking I could do it with some new clothes. Signify a new start and wondered if you might help. I mean I'm a bloke, so useless at fashion at the best of times," he confessed.

"I'm sure they will have some boutiques along the Promenade... Bajoran fashion would probably suit you. Simple, grounded, functional but the dressy side of their fashion is elegant simple formality!"

She said without even pausing and then realizing she had just let one of her own passions loose on the world. "Yes, I follow fashion!"

"I bet that could turn into an expensive hobby if you wanted it too!" Oliver joked. "However I'm coming to you with what to wear to my next formal event. Clearly, you have good taste.

Ahhh," he stopped them outside a shop. "I'm not sure it's Bajoran but shirts. Good start. What else are you into?" He asked standing back to allow her in the shop first.

"Well, I love horse riding. I did have my own Arabian Crabbet but being in deep space it wasn't wise to keep him so I found a new home for him before I left. I'm a musician, I play the Flute and I have a career goal as well but you might find it a bit silly for a Counselor!" she said, her cheeks flushing slightly and instantly chastising herself. The pair were obviously flirting to some degree and she should be stepping back from it as his attending physician. Perhaps she did need to pass Ollies care on to her assistant and speak to the Captain!

Ollie found himself thinking how beautiful the lady in front of him was when she lit up talking about her horse. He had picked up a blue shirt and then turned back to her and found his eyes just locked straight to hers. Hers were sparkling and so blue they reminded him of the ocean in Hawaii.

"Try me,"

"This can't get back to the Captain!" she waged a finger in Ollie's direction, "I want to expand into a true Command role. If I can gain experience here then in time I can rise through the ranks and finally apply to transfer into command of a Starfleet Psychiatric facility!"

She felt as if she was being undressed, metaphorically, by the man before her but she couldn't help but feel drawn to him... the memory of his naked torso and her hand pressed against his athletic chest. She had to shake her head to force the memory away.

Vincent came walking down the Promenade, on his way to work. Giving a wave to those who he knew. He was whistling a happy tune, and when he passed by a couple he gave them a cursory glance, noting that the blonde who was wearing a beautiful pink dress, and she reminded him of his cousin. Two more steps then he turned and approached the couple. "Pardon the interruption, you remind me of my cousin."

Oliver glanced at the door of the shop. He felt like they had been connecting very nicely but now they were interrupted. And the man in question was a better dresser than him. He went back to examining the shirt to let them talk. If it was her cousin he expected he would be introduced.

"Vinny!" Cassie squealed. The brother she never had was standing in the shop's entrance looking even more lean and trim than when she had last seen him. She ran forward, throwing her arms around his neck and pulling him into the biggest hug she could. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Vincent wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up with a slight spin, then put her down, placing a kiss upon the top of her head. "As I live and breathe, it is you Cassie!" taking a really good look at her. "And you are looking outstanding. I have the same questions for you as well, I live here with my husband." Noting the look of the trim fit man, Vincent added, "Who is that strapping fine fellow you've got with you?" giving a nod.

"A patient... kinda... It's complicated!" she finally went with the latter as she linked her arm through Vinnies and started to lead him into the store. "Ollie, this is my cousin Vincent. I've not seen him in what feels like an age and he's just told me he lives here with his husband... I'm sure the wedding invite just got lost in subspace" she jabbed the lean and fit member of her family with her elbow in his stomach.

Vincent gave out a slight oof when her elbow met his stomach. "Cassie you still have sharp elbows much like I remember." giving out a laugh, "As for an invitation, Iy'dan and I, we eloped. We found each other on another station it was like the universe decided that he and I would meet again. And well, the result was it worked out that we got married, didn't dare tempt fate." he stopped his tale and held out his hand towards Ollie, "Pleasure." then he looked at Cassie, "It does sound complicated, but from how I see you looking at your date, er patient... Oh, heck Cassie you are off the ship and it's personal time wouldn't that be okay for you to be with him just as a man and woman? Otherwise, the complicated matter is going to have to get resolved soon."

Cassie flushed, her eyes darting to Ollies and then back down to the floor. Nothing had been said directed between them about what was happening so Vincent had just made the first love for both of them.

Oliver held his hand out to shake the other man’s. “I don’t have to be your patient,” he told her simply. “It would be nice to be something else and, well, there are other counselors on the ship.”

Vincent smiled. "So... there you have it." finishing the handshake and then letting go. He loved the grip that Ollie had. Firm confident, and it looked like the man was indeed interested in his cousin. "Therefore, shore leave no patient counselor details. Cassie, you are off the clock and you are hereby a civilian. Being a civilian medic when needed, Doctor Vincent is signing a prescription for you. One handsome man taking you out to dinner and both of you enjoying yourselves. Hopefully, you will be willing to follow my prescription, cousin." now acting all professional, and also signing an imaginary prescription order, then handing it to Cassie.

"Lunatic!" she said dryly but with a twinkle of humor in her eye.

Vincent laughed, "As always." then he looked at Cassie then back to Oliver. "You give me a shout when you want to get together while you are on the station. I'll cook up dinner, and we can catch up, bring your date you can meet my husband. I'll leave you both to go shopping, and I need to go open up my business. " he swept Cassie into a bear hug placing another kiss on the top of her head. "I am so glad to see you again, you are a sight for sore eyes." his face went slightly somber. "I was hoping I'd see you again. Was afraid I'd not do so." his thoughts going to a worrisome time before the Andromeda arrived. He shook his head, gave another handshake to Oliver. "A pleasure."

"Likewise," Oliver said.

"He's a point you know," he told her handing the shirt to the vendor deciding to buy it. "I can't kiss you if you keep putting me in a box marked patient. And I so very much want to kiss you.

Also if you truly want to test your mettle in a command role you want Jon helping you in that direction. That's one thing he is good at, seeing someone's value and potential. Don't hide from him. Tell me you're a counselor right? Why would you hinder yourself happiness and success in both your personal and professional life?"

"You want to kiss me?" she asked, the rest of his statement completely lost on her.

"Well I plan on kissing you if you let me," Oliver smiled as the vendor tried to blend into the background nudging a bag with his shirt in his direction.

"You brought me back to life Cassie. You were there for me and a helpless goddess baby .... And your beautiful and smart, and interesting and funny. And just well lovely in general ..." he told her simply. "Maybe a bit high strung on what's professional and not. Your cousins right you need to throw caution to the wind sometimes."

He stepped forward and planted his lips on hers.

OFF:

Vincent Sinclair
Cassie's Cousin
SB21

Oliver Stevens
NPC Jonathan Reynolds

Lieutenant Cassandra Higgins
Ships Counselor - USS Andromeda