Post 450: Across the Universe

Stardate: 70923.1500
Title: Across the Universe
Author: Lt. February Grace
Scene: Holodeck Three
Time: Concurrent with "Citizens of Troy, Beware"
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>Warning. Plasma is being vented from the port nacelle. > The computer wailed.

"Damn!" February grumbled, pounding her fist against the helm. "It was not supposed to do that! Computer, reset simulation from timestamp 2245.10 and begin again."

The hour was late, and she'd hit the wall. She banged her head against the panel before her twice, then looked up as she heard an arch open nearby and a welcome voice addressing her.

"Aww, what'sa matter, Bubbles?" Dabin Reece approached, carrying a tray of food from the replimat. He reveled in her reaction at hearing him refer to her by the nickname Zanh had stuck her with earlier in the day.

"Are you sure you programmed the parameters of this simulation accurately, Reece?" Bru grumbled, "That's the third time I've just about lost that freaking nacelle entirely. I'm a better pilot than this."

"You're tired. You're hungry. You've been in here for hours, after working on the bridge, and you were only supposed to be working a half shift today. It's just your first day back, Bru. Don't beat yourself up over it." He said sympathetically.

He took her hand, and pulled her up from the holographic helm at which she sat. "Computer, save program and discontinue."

The computer beeped cheerfully and the yellow and black grid of the holodeck became visible around them.

"Replace previous program with Reece program 27 Charlie." he requested. Photons swirled around them and suddenly, February found herself standing on a star lit balcony, overlooking the ocean. Not a Trill ocean, though; this one was blue.

"Someone I know is also on a strict nutritional intake schedule, per doctor's orders," Dabin added, setting the tray down on the tiny table set for two before them. "Dinner time."

February regarded the meal with trepidation. "Only if you help me. That is far too much food."

"You're the driver." He grinned as he employed with glee the term Deveral had used during the zhian'tara to refer to her position aboard ship.

February took a bite of the pasta dish on the platter and picked up the glass of club soda beside it. "Thank you, this was very thoughtful."

"As yet, you still have no idea, February Grace, just how thoughtful I can be," Dabin replied, unable to remove the smile from his lips. "It'll take decades, I figure, to demonstrate that properly. Maybe a lifetime. But I'll show you."

February shifted in her chair, and focused on her food shyly. She was unaccustomed to having anyone dote on her this way, it was going to take some getting used to. But she was more than willing to try.

"Did you manage to get that fungi catalogued?" she asked, taking her fork, filling it with food and offering it to Reece. He accepted it and nodded. He took a sip of her drink and continued.

"Finally. And all after programming this sim and jumping through flaming hoops for Pointy and Mrs. all day, too. But I'm beginning to think, honestly, that T'Ana is trying to kill me." he replied, only half joking. "She is like a mama bear when it comes to you. Of course, I should have known. She and Grace do go way back. And then I show up seemingly out of nowhere and. . ."

"Sweep me off my feet?"

"Yeah," he laughed a little, seeming rather pleased with himself. "I did, didn't I?"

February put a hand to her heart. "Boy howdy." She took another bite of food. "You should have seen the hell I gave Angus when he and Lily first became involved," Bru added sheepishly. "I think I'm getting back what I gave in spades."

"Karma is a bitch, isn't it?" Reece laughed.

"It can't be that bad. It brought us together, somehow, across the great wide universe. I couldn't ask for better cosmic justice than that."

Now Reece was the one looking down. He wasn't used to being on the receiving end of such praise from a female companion. He changed the subject.

"You're not seriously worried about flying the Alchemy, though, are you? You're a skilled pilot, February. It'll be fine."

"Not worried, just. . ." her eyes rolled upward in thought, "apprehensive."

"Cast that all aside and trust your instincts. You've run the simulation a dozen times, it'll come back to you in the morning. After you've slept. Which I know you are also under orders to do as soon as you eat your dinner. So let's go, chop chop." Reece encouraged, gesturing toward the plate. "Finish up."

Soon the food had all been consumed, despite February's best attempts to stall the end of their dinner off. They reluctantly exited the holodeck.

"I'll see you in the morning, bright and early aboard Alchemy," Dabin shuffled his feet. Suddenly the walk back to guest quarters seemed long, and lonely.

"Okay," February hesitated, also hating to see him go.

The corridors were abuzz with activity tonight, and every time it seemed they were alone and Reece leaned in to give her a quick kiss goodnight, another group of officers would round the corner and approach. Finally, Dabin gave up and grabbed her hand, shaking it enthusiastically.

"Goodnight, Lt. Grace."

"Goodnight, Lt. Reece."

They turned and walked in opposite directions for about twenty paces, and then stopped.

*Who are we kidding?* February thought to him. *If you go that way and I go this way, there's no chance I'll get any sleep.*

*But if we go in the same direction,* Dabin thought back honestly, *What are the chances you'll get any then?*

He was struck by the sound of her laughter, ringing in his head with perfect clarity as she replied telepathically once more. *At least I'd get some. Eventually.*

*Who can argue with such flawless reasoning?*

He returned to her, took her hand, and she pulled him along beside her, in the direction of her quarters.

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Lt. February Grace
Helm/Flight Controller
USS Independence NCC-90791