Syechelles Off The Shore

Posted on Mon Jan 11th, 2021 @ 2:19pm by Captain Dirk Taggart & Captain Abigail Laurens

Several hours had passed, the sun had sunk well beyond the horizon and darkness inked the sky above them, smattered only by the stars sparkling beyond. Instead of sitting on the bench seat, the two of them were now laying on a blanket on the deck, another blanket over them as they stared up at space beyond.

"It looks so different, so magical from this perspective," Abigail said softly. "Like, anything could happen up there." She sighed softly, her thoughts momentarily turning toward Astraea and her crew.

“Yeah I love watching the stars, I’m looking forward to getting closer to them, It’s been awhile since I’ve traveled or been in space. Do you travel much Abby the Fearless Teacher?” Dirk teased as he laid and stared at the night sky.

The use of his name made her blush and laugh again, though at least the colour wasn't obvious as it stained her cheeks in the darkness. "Moments like these make me realise I spend too much time in space," she said softly. "Sometimes I forget how much I miss solid land under my feet, well, even if it's currently in a liquid state," she shifted slightly, resting her head against his shoulder for comfort. "Do you know your constellations?" she asked softly, turning her head slightly so she could look at him.

“My favorite Constellation is the Big Dipper, because it’s easy to find and leads to the North Star, which always points sailors home,” Dirk said as the boat gently rocked, and the soft splash of the waves created a soothing, hypnotic sound. “I always thought, the best sleep I ever had was aboard a boat,” he said sleepily.

"Am I keeping you awake?" Abigail asked softly, turning slightly to look across at him. "Maybe we should go back to shore, I don't want to be in your way."

“No you’re fine, there’s a bunk below the deck, you can use if you want. I usually sleep topside so I can hear the waves. If you don’t want to stay I can take you ashore and get to a taxi,” he said as leaned on his elbow and gently tucked a stray hair behind her ear.

At the feel of his fingertips on her skin she shivered suddenly, her eyes meeting his in the darkness, remaining silent for a long moment. "I don't need to," she said softly. "I don't have anyone waiting for me..."

“Well then that settles it, you truly are Abby the Fearless, “ he said with a wink. “Let’s get you below decks before you get much colder out here, Dirk said as his eyes took in her shapely silhouette in the moonlight.

=/\= The Next Morning =/\=

Dirk awoke the next morning to the soft scent of Abby’s hair and the tang of saltwater in the air. He breathed softly, not wanting to wake the sweet woman. He was kicking himself mentally, he was about to leave for space and wouldn't be back on earth for an extended period of time. ‘If only I had more time’ he thought to himself, but the universe proved once more it had a sense of humor.

She stirred slightly, one hand wrapping in the covers and pulling them up as she shifted slightly. As she moved, her arm came to rest against his bare chest, which was when she paused, eyes closed, a breath of surprise escaping her lips before she slowly opened her eyes, finding herself looking up into his face.

Almost instantly there was a collision of thoughts in her mind. With a nervous laugh, she pulled the covers up more, her hand clutching the covers moving up to hide her face. "I have bed hair, don't look at me!"

“Now you act modest,” he said slyly, as he pulled the covers down off of her face and then pointed to the neglected bikini tossed carelessly on the small counter top. “I will need my AC/DC t-shirt before you go, I like my replicated, retro rock T-shirts.”

“Finders keepers," she taunted with a grin as she looked across at him. "I found it fair and square on the floor, and possession is nine tenths of the law." She paused for a moment, contemplating. "What time is it anyway?"

He chuckled as he sat up and looked out the window, “It’s around 9 local time,” he stood and stretched a moment, before putting on a pot of coffee. “I think I’m going to miss real coffee the most once I leave,” he said a bit forlornly.

"I'll take your word for it, I've never really drunk it," Abigail said, making sure the tshirt covered her as she slid out of bed. "Though, chai latte on the other hand, I'm hopelessly addicted to." She smiled as she walked across to the window, looking out at the water beyond. "It really is beautiful," she said softly. "It seems a shame to go back to reality."

“I don’t have any chai tea latte, but there’s some green tea, breakfast tea and some Vulcan blend,” he said as he handed her the small basket of teas. “I’m not looking forward to returning either, but I have to go catch a shuttle later this afternoon for work. But I’m glad you’re here on this boat with me will be my last memories of earth for a while.”

Setting the basket back down on the counter next to him, she stepped in close, her head tipping back as she brushed hair back behind her ear. "I know I won't be forgetting this any time soon, and as much as I don’t want to, I need to get back. I have to get back to the city, I didn't tell anyone I was leaving, they'll be looking for me."

“I hope they haven’t alerted the authorities, I can get you back now if you need to,” he replied, while resisting the urge to kiss her once more. *Sometimes the dreams of the night are best left there shrouded in the curtains and haze of an evening spent with a beautiful woman* he thought to himself not wanting to overstep his bounds.

"I'm sure we can delay a little longer," she offered softly, her eyes sparkling as she looked up at him. "Unless, of course, you need to rush off too..."

“I have to turn in the boat at 12 so I have a little more time out here,” he said before kissing her tenderly. “I’m sure we can find something to do to kill some time…”