Dinner for Two - Part 2

Posted on Sat May 9th, 2020 @ 11:34am by Captain Abigail Laurens & Lieutenant Colonel Johnathon Hayter

... Continuation ...

Abigail laughed and shook her head, taking a sip of her drink. "You seem to be keeping tabs on me David," she retorted, her tone becoming mildly accusatory, though not with any real conviction.

"Have my own spies on that boat of yours," he countered simply as he shrugged. "Always good to keep tabs and watch over you in some way. Your brother asked me to do so."

"Yes, well, from memory my brother asked you to do lots of ridiculous things," Abigail quipped. "Tell me, have you bedded that trio of Orion Slave Girls yet?" she asked, raising an eyebrow as she watched him for just a moment before finishing her drink and flagging a passing waiter. "I'll take another, do me a favor, just bring the bottle."

"Which time would you like to talk about?" David countered as they finished the glass from their own, but as soon as the bottle arrived, they smirked as he filled their glasses. "Do you really see me as a man slut?"

"Oh please!" Abigail shot back. "I heard the way you and Declan used to talk! And I've heard the gossip since from others. New girl in every port. David, you are practically the ultimate 'love 'em and leave 'em' stereotype." She shook her head quickly.

He chuckled as he sipped his drink and leaned back on his chair a little. "That was a long time ago. And a beauty like you, I heard that you may have teased a man or two the way you wanted. It may not have been as many ports, but you broke a lot more hearts."

She shook her head slightly, her dark hair moving around her shoulders. "Since Mark I've been on maybe a handful of dates but that's it. And they all ended with a nice chaste kiss on the cheek and a thank you for a lovely evening and a promise we must do it again soon." She sighed, drawing a deep breath. "Now I have my ship and crew to think about. Who am I going to hook up? Your Marine?" She laughed softly.

"Well he didn't invite you to dinner, did he?" David countered before shaking his head. "But it sounds like you want to settle down and have the boy toy be in arms length to keep an eye on him?"

"Why? Are you offering?" Abigail teased before taking another sip of her drink.

"Are you kidding me, you expect me to give up my command just to date my friend's sister?" He glared at the gorgeous woman before him. "Sounds a little selfish, if you ask me."

Abigail rolled her eyes and shook her head, unable to help but laugh softly as she turned her attention toward the ocean front view. "He'd come back from the dead just to kick your ass and you know it," she murmured softly.

"So you saying this isn't a date?" David countered as he leaned back in his chair and followed suit by taking a drink and enjoying the stars now glistening over the surface of the ocean waves rushing to the beach. "Damn, if I knew I was just in the friend zone, I would have chosen a less romantic restaurant to eat at."

"If you'd told me it was a date I would have dressed the part," she murmured demurely as she turned her attention to him again. "So, is that what this is David? A date?"

There was a long pause before he took a drink again. "Honestly, I thought it was. But I guess... I am seriously that rusty," He had been out of the dating scene so long, that he didn't even remember how to impress a woman. It was sad, even for him. "I guess you are more interested in your new marine."

Abigail paused for a moment, watching him before she reached out and covered his hand with hers. "We haven't placed our orders yet, do you want to get out of here?" she asked softly. "Maybe we could walk on the beach and talk?"

"Our ships aren't leaving anytime soon, so why don't we," David countered as he looked over her hand and smirked before looking up at her. "As long as you aren't just settling."

"You've known me for long enough David," she said softly. "You should know I don't settle for anything. Now shut up and help me get these heels off. They aren't meant for the sand."

It didn't take much to remove her heels from her feet and himself to remove his boots and socks, as well, before they soon found themselves walking down to the shore. The sand was smooth and still held residual heat from the sun beating down on it. The soothing feeling of the mist from the rushing ocean in the air was nice and relaxing. The crashing waves up the shore was one of the most relaxing things that most humans enjoyed. This was truly a relaxing moment in time for them both.

They walked in silence for the longest of moments, the sound of the water rushing the shore next to them and then ebbing away. Her heels held in one hand, her other hand inside his as they walked in silence. "I don't remember the last time I did this," she finally said softly. "Just walked on the shore like this."

"I can, but I digress," he countered as he joking stated as they continue down the shore. It may not have been the first time for them to have walked the beach, but it would have been the first time for them to have been able to do it together as captains, and even the first time after her brother's passing.

"Are you staying planetside or going back to the Gladiator?" Abigail finally asked as they walked. "I contemplated going back to the ship but I thought I'd take a few extra days down here first and just do my own thing for a bit."

"We still have a couple days before we have to head out. I wanted to give people a chance before we head back into the Delta Quadrant. The task force will be prepared by then to head out," David explained as he tried to keep his thoughts positive. But he knew that this wasn't going to stop there.

"How long will you be in the Delta Quadrant for? I can't imagine you'll be back quickly, it's such a long way to travel." Abigail stopped walking and turned to face him.

"Not sure. We have a credible threat out there and for our allies. So..." he looked over and sighed. "... I'm not sure. But it doesn't mean we couldn't use an Akira class out there with us at some point."

"I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about it," Abigail said with a smile. "Commander Gail is from the Delta Quadrant and I'm sure she'd like to be home, even if for a little while."

"The Ts'Usugi... We have a Dalacari, Commander Mel Torma. Good officer and friend," David admitted as he looked at her and signed. "I don't see a reason why we wouldn't see you out there at some point or another. Plus the subspace communication transmitters are operational, so there is that as well. Its not like we can't enjoy a good hearty conversation. Wanna be my pen-pal?"

Looking up at him, Abigail laughed softly. "With an offer like that, how can I say no?"

Moving her around to stand in front of him, he held her by the sides and looked into her eyes. "So you telling me, I can expect a letter every once in a while in my mailbox from you?"

"You know I do have a lot of responsibilities, an entire ship to tend to..." she said, meeting his eyes, her voice taking on a teasing tone. "But I'm sure I can find time for you, once in a while."

~ fin ~