Dinner on Kaitos, pt 2-The Kiss

Posted on Sun Apr 28th, 2024 @ 2:22pm by Commander Lorut Vila & Lieutenant Commander Frasier Greene

3,735 words; about a 19 minute read

Mission: Home Sweet Home
Location: Stratosphere Trattoria
Timeline: MD-02, PM.

Previously:
"Things are good," the Doctor nodded. He too hadn't given much thought to what the two of them would discuss before he accepted her invitation. "Have you explored much on leave? The city of A’ransari has some truly unique architecture with hanging skyscrapers and ultra modern setting, yet still in the heart of that bustle are some ancient hidden gems and idols."

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Vila smiled. "Indeed," she said. "I am the same. I barely eat anything if I can't replicate it. I don't have time or the inclination to cook. Moving up to XO took up more time than I had originally anticipated," she said. "And it is...exhausting having to take care of my physical needs while also keeping track of the needs of the rest of the crew," she said. In truth, Vila did care about the welfare of the crew, just in her own way. She was only mean as a defense mechanism. Getting too close meant she could get hurt again, and she'd had enough pain in her life.

"I have not had much time to explore," she said. "Yesterday, I had meetings before the outing, and today...well. Recovery. If we have spare time before we pull out, I'd like to. I only gave myself the two evenings off. Contrary to popular belief, I DO take my job seriously," she said. "Maybe you could tell me about these relics?" She asked, hopefully. It would give them something to discuss, and she was a scientist, after all.

"Only two evenings off?" Frasier replied with a hint of disapproval. "I hear there's a slower slot of night life in Thao Belanos if you'd like to explore after dinner? There's theatre, galleries and all sorts of types of arts to view or partake in." He paused wondering if he'd overstepped, after all she said it wasn't a date. "I'm not sure I can do the historic idols justice but I'll try."

Vila nodded. "Indeed," she said. "Too much time off makes me idle, and then I drink and then...well. I AM trying," she said. "So keeping busy helps," she said. "But...that does sound nice. I could use some culture, it's been awhile," she said. It was true. She missed the hustle and bustle of the base, where she could go out to a museum and see Romulan art, or take in one of their professional dance shows or something. She wasn't much into opera, but starbases afforded a lot more opportunity than ships did. She didn't have much free time as XO these days, and her culture since onboarding had been mostly a hodgepodge of holo-novels and books on her PADD when she wasn't sleeping or working. "Honestly, a walk of any kind sounds nice; the workouts in the gym or holodeck are sufficient, but I miss fresh air," she said. She missed Bajor air specifically, but any planet would do.

"It's hard to replicate," Frasier nodded in reply. "The great outdoors has a long list of health benefits, and like you said the holo helps but isn't the same thing. After Triton the Intrepid feels... inadequate, at least in short term." The Doctor paused to collect himself. "Long term however, well there's so much to explore and experience wherever our missions take us. We'd be foolish to squander the opportunity to indulge in alien cultures. Sure, we're properly make some faux-pax along the way," he shrugged. "But where's the fun in being perfect?"

Vila nodded, but looked grateful when the drinks arrived. It would be a nice distraction. "Indeed," she said. "I miss Bajor a lot," she said. "But Triton was a good substitute, at least for me-similar climates and such," she said. Bajor didn't use climate control technology. "Where I am from is near the outskirts of the Capital city," she said. "My mom's family used to own a Springwine vineyard. It was destroyed during the Occupation," she said, sipping the faux wine that was brought to them. "This isn't bad," she said. "Not as good as the real deal, of course, but not bad," she said. "And I agree...I've done more ship duty than shore duty, and while they both have some incredibly good things, I do miss interacting with new worlds and new peoples when I am on Starbases and such," she said. "I am a scientist, after all. I've always been fascinated by the opportunities that Starfleet has," she said.

Frasier sipped his own glass of non alcoholic wine as she spoke: "What branch of science interests you the most?" he asked. "I took extra lectures in stellar cartography at the academy - call me an old romantic I find the star-scape appealing."

"Chemistry," she answered immediately. "It's my passion," she said. "As I child, I liked...well. Blowing things up," she said, with a laugh. "I mean, my mom's family had a small Springwine making operation outside our Capital city, and I would play around with some of the chemicals sometimes when my brothers would lose track of me. I never made much of a mess, I just wanted to see what would happen. Later on, in school, before the Cardassians came, I loved learning about the makeup of our bodies. Those skills came in handy later, when the Resistance started and I could make improvised bombs and things to fight back....I like to think my time here in the Fleet has kind of...made up for that a bit," she said. "Not that I wouldn't do it-I feel justified, I just wish I never HAD to." She smiled sadly. "Cartography? Interesting. I've never had much of an affinity for that-I can't stay still long enough," she said. "My ex husband did Astrometrics, though," she said. What a weird coincidence.

Awkwardly Frasier swallowed his wine at her last comment regarding her ex husband. Was she comparing them both? Was that good, or not? Her expression seemed to falter as if lost in painful memories - where was the food he asked hoping for a distraction to lift her spirts.

"It certainly sounds dull compared to your passions," he responded having recovered with a slight cough. "How did your family respond when they discovered you were blowing things up?"

Vila's visage changed quickly, and she laughed. "Oh, they were appalled. Well. My mother was!" She said. "She blamed my oldest brother, and my father. I don't think she expected that I'd be as stubborn and headstrong as I am...even back then I was, though I understand it's gotten worse...." she said. "I wasn't punished, exactly, just explained to that the chemicals were expensive, there was a time and place, and that if I wanted to explore more, I could sign up for science classes," she said. "There used to be children's science holoprograms that would serve as educational programs, but were interactive. I am pretty positive that they were just a Bajoran thing, but I could be wrong," she said. "I haven't seen one since...well. Since the invasion," she said, realizing with horror.

The food arriving was a welcomed distraction. "I am sure Astrometrics is fine. It just didn't excite me, in particular," she said. "I have this thing where I seek out excitement and sometimes not in particularly healthy ways," she said. "I can't be idle."

"I get it," Frasier replied while unravelling his napkin trying to not to salivate at their plates. "Always looking for that new challenge and living off the thrill that they bring. That was most defiantly me moving from civilian life into the Fleet - caught in the headlights for a time, drowning in the knowledge being tossed my way, yet once it all fell into place I wanted more."

Vila nodded and chuckled lightly at Frasier as their food appeared. Gosh, it smelled GOOD. "Indeed," she said. "Plus, they tell me it's a trauma response," Vila said. "My mind prefers a fight response instead of a flight one," she said, with a shrug. "And since I can't kill Cardassians anymore, well...I have to fill that with something," she said frankly, digging into her pasta with gusto. "How long have you been divorced?" She asked him, changing the subject.

Frasier smiled at her word choice regarding the Cardassians - should they encounter any during their posting the Doctor wondered how she'd behave given their history. His thought was interrupted by her probing question: "About five years or so," he answered trying to remain polite as he disliked talking about the subject. "James is..." he paused with thought. "Seven now so, yeah five years. We tried to make things work again before signing the papers... just wasn't working." He stabbed a roasted tomato with more maliciously than intended causing it to squirt juice across the white table cloth like a flare.

Vila moved aside as the tomato juice flew in her direction. She raised a single eyebrow but didn't comment.

He stared at the stain and sighed heavily before returning his attention to Vila: "Sorry," he said softly. "It's still a sore subject even now. Cath deserved better and I was an ass to her."

Frasier's gaze dropped to the juice stain feeling the mood shift again between - though it technically wasn't a date it was quickly turning into wreck. He pulled his gaze up and returned to the meal: "What's done is done," he shook his head. "No point dwelling on the past, or at least that's what I tell myself."

Vila took a sip of her wine, and then nodded. "I see. Five years is a long time-I take it that's what prompted you to join the Fleet?" She asked. Vila could see herself doing something similar-if she hadn't already been Starfleet when she'd met Ben, she'd have joined after their divorce just to prove the point that she COULD. Quickly, she switched topics.

"How did you find a life change like that after being a civilian doctor so long?" She asked him. That seemed like a safer topic.

He was grateful for the change of direction and tried to pull himself together. "It was quite eye opening," Frasier began. "The additional Mediante training came naturally, however living within a strict hierarchy and military lifestyle has been...challenging. I considered myself to be relatively fit and healthy but was quickly proved wrong in the drills." He smiled at the memory: "I was like a fish out of water over the obstacle courses panting like a rhino, my only saving grace was the shooting range."

Vila laughed.

"Things must've changed since I joined up; it wasn't that physical when I left the Academy," she said. "And I am not one for that kind of exercise, either," she said. "I prefer the treadmills or hiking or swimming, that kind of thing," she said. "It may be, though, because I went through the Academy first, though only for two years," she said. "I did my first two years of schooling on Bajor when I was in the Resistance," she said. "We had already missed so much school, though, that I am surprised that the Fleet let that fly, really." She sighed. The Occupation had taken so much, more than people even considered.

It was nice to hear her laugh - a rare sound under the strain of their duties. "You couldn't have help that," Frasier replied. "The Occupation changed everything for Bajor. It's only prudent for Starfleet to make some changes within the structure of the Academy to aid wherever it could for all its candidates. Maybe that's why I went through such a physical trail to ensure I could keep with with the younger blood."

Vila nodded. "I am sure they made some sort of concessions; I wouldn't have joined if they hadn't," she said. "Even back then, I was...headstrong, is what my mother called it." She paused a moment to tear some bread apart. "Perhaps. Or perhaps because we see more combat these days than they thought, now that the Delta Quadrant is opened, they wanted to ensure you were fit to fight," she said.

"I hope it doesn't come to that," Frasier said mirroring her by taking a piece of bread. "We've all seen enough of that."

Vila nodded. "Indeed," she said. "Luckily, by all accounts, Kaitos is fairly peaceful. The El Aurians have few enemies," she said. "They're a respected member of the FOP, I am sure it'll be fine," she said, confidently. She watched him take a piece of bread. "It's pretty good, isn't it?" She said. "Did you at least have a good time last night?" She asked.

Dabbing the bread into the sauce on the pasta Frasier nodded at her question. "Last night was fun," he chuckled after swallowing. "I don't have a great recollection of the latter events as I became Gocx's wingman in a club I've forgotten the name of."

"The Euphoria," she said. "I was there, too, briefly," she said. "How did that go?" She asked. Seeing as the Klingon had been incommunicado all day, she assumed-well. She ate a bit as he replied. She was starting to realize she was having an ok time. She must be getting soft or something.

"You were there too?" Frasier asked surprised and slightly fearful she'd seen his terrible dancing. "That hulk was like a magnet - I quickly felt like a spare part and left him to it. The old dog and them around his little finger," he chuckled.

Vila laughed again. "I was," she said. "I didn't stay long...found other things to take my attention," she said. "I must've missed you both," she said. "I didn't see you, but I may have already left by then." With luck, Frasier wouldn't push the issue. "So, you didn't find an alluring young thing to bring back to the ship to show your paintings to?" She asked, jokingly.

He shook his head with laughter upon his lips at her dig: "No, not on this occasion. The club isn't really my scene," he added recalling the close proximity between himself and Lieutenant Jones before the others muscled in. "The noise was overpowering, but I still had fun and drank a bit too much."

Vila nodded. "Indeed, it WAS," she said. "I don't much care for the modern music the younger ones listen to. I do like older Earth Jazz, though," she said. "And Bajoran war drums, but that's probably more or less because it's comforting," she said. The evening was going better than she'd hoped, and she hoped it was helping the doctor's image of her to improve a little. She was much better one on one, and even better now when she was sober and fed.

"I agree," Frasier nodded pushing his plate aside having had his fill. "Something you can tap along to but still hear yourself think and talk to whomever you're there with - the familiar the better. Though," he paused. "I'm am guilty of singing along without really noticing on occasion."

She smiled. "I think I am, too," she said. She, too, had finished her meal, though her plate was empty. When she had said she liked to eat, it wasn't a lie. "Dessert?" She asked, hopefully. "Then maybe we can find something more interesting than just chatting..." She said.

"Sure," Frasier returned her smile with a touch of relief that dinner hadn't been a write off off his slightly childish behaviour when probed over his past relationship and flying tomato juice. "What did you fancy?" he asked innocently.

"The tiramisu," she said. "And maybe a coffee!" She said, with a smile, flagging down the waiter again. "One Tiramisu for me, and an espresso," she said, and then indicated that Frasier should go.

"The same please," he responded a touch relieved she actually meant edible dessert and willed his sudden pounding chest to subside.

She chuckled lightly. "Do you often agree with women you're...friends with, or just me?" She asked. A bit later, the dessert was placed in front of them, and she smiled. She took a small bite-tiramisu could go either way-done well, it was excellent, but poorly done, it could taste like burnt coffee. She was pleased to know that this one was good.

Her question prompted his cheeks to redden. "Not always," he replied with a smirk. "Depends on the context, luckily the two of us enjoy plenty of coffee." He watched her expression as she took her first spoonful before starting his own dessert. "Mmm," he nodded licking his lips slightly. "We chose wisely, its delicious."

Vila laughed. "Nice answer," she said. "Indeed. Sometimes, tiramisu can be bad," she said. "Either too much custard or they use espresso that tastes burnt and it permeates the entire thing," she said. She sipped the coffee. "Oh, that's good, too," she said. They ate in silence for a moment.

"Italian food and drink always hits the mark in my opinion," Frasier sat back in seat feeling full now his dessert consumed. "Was your meal nice?" he asked moving on to enjoy the espresso before it went cold.

She nodded. "Yes, it was," she said. "Thanks for joining me," she said. "Do you want to take a walk? I should report back shortly, check in with the Captain, but..I have some more time," she said. She was enjoying his company more than she'd like to admit, truthfully.

"You did ask me out, remember?" Frasier teased with a smirk. "Yes, a walk would be lovely," he added happily relieved she wasn't ready to brush him off just yet.

Vila nodded. "Indeed," she said. "I did," she said. She stood up. "Are you ready?" She asked. She slipped some latinum on the table as she turned to go. "It was a nice meal. One of the nicest I've had in a while," she said. She was glad it was going well-she was hoping that, soon. she could mesh better with everyone, and since she did better one on one, hopefully, that could happen over shore leave.

"I enjoyed it too," Frasier nodded as they headed out but not before he added an extra piece of latinum onto the table.
"Where to?" he asked as they stood outside on the pavement in the early evening air.

Vila thought for a moment. She was feeling a little bold but wasn't sure about Frasier. "There's an arboretum type of thing a bit ahead," she said, pointing up the street. "We could go there..." she said. Was that too much pressure? She wasn't sure. It'd been awhile since she'd tried a date, and it was weird and new. She smiled.

"Sure," he returned the smile feeling slightly awkward at the situation. Since his divorce Frasier hadn't been on many dates finding his heart wasn't in it or found he'd wasted words brooding on what he'd lost - something he nearly did tonight but thankfully had avoiding spiralling downward. Throwing himself into a new career had occupied his wondering thoughts during the aftermath of his soured relationship, up until now they'd been little time for himself as the postings had kept him engaged.

Villa however, was unlike the women he'd met before. Her hot then cold front armed with many sharp thorns would take some getting used to, but underneath that façade was a gentle, yet hurt women. Her bruised soul called to him like a siren calling out to be healed and comforted. If he was the person to do so on an intermate level Frasier couldn't tell and didn't want to push his advances especially after just one evening. Maybe she just wanted someone to confined in and befriend - he grimaced slightly at the idea. Her attractive body and close proximity would be a hard battle to contain his animalistic thoughts and urges.

She led them along, chatting lightly about the sights. "It's pretty here," she said. Soon, they'd arrived at the park and she led them to a bench. "I, uh...I had a nice time. Thanks for agreeing to it," she said.

Throughout the walk Frasier raged an internal battle within himself: to pluck up the courage to hold her hand or not. His hand twitched as he remained indecisive, unfortunately they'd arrived in the park lit softly with hanging lights before he'd committed himself. Turning to face her on the metal bench he smiled: "I had a lovely time too, thank you again for inviting me."

"I know I am not always an easy person to like but...HOPEFULLY I can work on that," she said. She bit her lip, and then, as a shooting star flew past, she leaned forward as if to kiss him.

Frasier's heart fluttered as she leant forward her intentions becoming increasingly clear. In that nano second before he moved there was relief that she felt something toward him - or at least that's what he prayed as he mirrored her actions.

They'll lips came together softly, almost cautiously before being reassured with a second, more confident kiss as Frasier had slide closer on the bench towards Vila and had softly caressed her cheek.

"Certainly not the day I was expecting this morning," he said lowly as they parted.

Vila's mind was blank. She savoured the kiss, but didn't linger-that'd be too weird. What was she DOING?! She was the executive officer! She was...still a woman, though, and she needed some romance sometimes, dammit. As they parted, Fraiser spoke. She nodded. "Me, too..." she said. "I hope that was...ok," she said. "Maybe we should..." what?! The normally unflappable Bajoran was suddenly unable to think clearly. She needed to get a grip. "Do it again?"

Sensing her turmoil Frasier resisted urge to kiss her again with the passion that was beginning to ignite inside him. No, he reminded himself they weren't carefree teenagers anymore driven by hormones and lack of control. They were officers, senior officers at that - and were they both ready for this?

Oh, screw it!

"You mean this?" he asked pressing himself forward into another kiss risking crossing that untold line.

Vila nodded lightly, and leaned in again. Fuck it, she decided. Might as well enjoy it. Her eyes shut and their lips touched. She couldn't help but let out a small noise, and move a little closer.

(drop curtain)

 

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