Ever Dance Under The Stars? Part-II

Posted on 03 Apr 2012 @ 11:04pm by Command Master Chief Markum Quinn & Tarishiana Barel
Edited on on 04 Apr 2012 @ 3:24pm

3,687 words; about a 18 minute read

Mission: Episode 01 - Project Sienna
Location: USS Galileo's Arboretum
Timeline: Day 1: 2000

ON:

Tarishiana pressed her lips together as Markum removed the rest of the chocolate. Her breathing was smooth as the distance between them shrunk. Her lips curved into a grin as approval flashed though her eyes. With a little nod she waited for him to kiss her.

Markum gently pressed his lips to Tarishiana's, savoring the flavor and warmth of her mouth. His one hand cupped her cheek, while he ran his fingers through the back of her hair with the other. His heart raced and his pulse pounded.

Tarishiana's eyes fluttered closed when her lips touched Markum's. Her hand reached up to touch where his was touching her face. Her lips happily pressed against his. A little sigh escaped her but a twinge of guilt rippled though her. Her hand founds its way to his neck just below his chin. She pulled back slightly. She smiled as she looked at him for a moment. "I am still bonded...my parents still expect me to marry Lestian." She had to make the confession and hope that he would understand. "My life is complicated and I don't want you to get hurt." She gave him a soft sweet kiss before waiting for his response.

Markum held on to her hand, and nodded with a smile. "I understand. I do. I'm not the type to push an issue. I don't want you to feel awkward around me." Markum brushed one of her loose curls behind her ear. "Just know two things about me. One, I don't kiss and tell others...maybe my son. And two, and I mean this with the most sincerity. If I never get to kiss you again, I will never need another kiss the rest of my life. damn, that was nice."

Tarishiana could feel the heat from her deep blush rise to her cheeks as she laughed and turned away trying to avoid him seeing it. It was of course a futile attempt. She looked back at him with a grin. "I enjoy kissing you." She said with a little laugh. "Feel free to tell Markus...I won't mind." She looked down at her hand where he held it. "I hope this won't stop us from getting to know each other."

Markum started laughing at her response and squeezed her hand slightly. "Not a chance lady. I'd like us to get to know one another better too. I enjoy being with you. You make me laugh, blush....almost as much as you do, and I enjoy listening to you."

"That's a new one." Tarishiana said with a laugh. "My mother always told me I talked to much...which is impressive for a Betazoid." She leaned in and gave Markum a kiss on her cheek. She leaned over and grabbed another Oskiods and popped it into her mouth. She made a little sound of contentment unashamed of her enjoyment. "I have had a lot of fun so far tonight...except maybe the constant blushing."

Markum chuckled at the blushing comment, while enjoying the kiss on the cheek, and still reminiscing the other kiss. "I have too. Besides, you aren't the only one blushing tonight. Just my beard hides most of mine. I was on Betazed once. Well, more like a couple months. It was after we drove the Jem'Hadar out after their invasion during the Dominion War. I was on the Thor, and we helped with the liberation, but we were stationed their as a deterrent in case they came back..thinking that they may think twice to tango with a Defiant-Class." Markum seemed to look out at the stars in the holographic night, as if he could see it again. "Anyways, Command found out that not only I had my Starfleet Corps of Engineers tab, but that I held a Degree in Structural Engineering and such. SO they put me in charge of helping rebuilding the cities infrastructure. I helped build two hospitals, twenty-two humanitarian centers, and sixty-three homes, and one school."

Markum rubbed his eyes some at the memory he was about to share. "I was helping build the school, and it was a murderous hot day. I was baked from head to toe, and I was bald then too, so my head was often mistaken as a signal beacon it was so red. Anyway this girl came to me with this bottle of water. She couldn't of been more than sixteen, seventeen. So anyway she wanted me to take her water. I told her that she should keep it and save it for someone that really needed it. She told me, "Mister, you need it. You rebuilt the hospital that saved my mother, my house for me to live in, the food center that feeds me, and now the school so I can learn again. Now it's my turn to do something for you."' Markum could feel the lump in his throat, but fought it back as best he could. His eyes were close to getting wet, then he smiled and squeezed Tarishiana's hand one more time. "It was at that moment, I knew that I was doing what I was meant to do, and the beauty and natural givers that the Betazoid people are." Markum laughed some as he wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. "I have no idea why I told you that. I was trying to say I love your home planet, and its people, but I always get caught up in the innocence of that memory and that kid. It was over fourteen years ago, but still feels like yesterday.."

Tarishiana loved her home. Almost to the point that she hated when people talked about the time during and after the Dominion occupation. She kept her breathing calm and was more then thankful that he wasn't a telepath. She smiled at the story of the girl and as his emotion from it. "I remember how different Betazed was when I got home." She reached over and touched his cheek. "I was in San Fransisco visiting Lestian at the academy when the Dominion invaded I was fourteen." She paused for a moment, "He got special dispensation to let me go with him during his cadet cruise assignments. Both of us being Betazoid's made it pretty easy for us to get permission. It was when I fell in love with Starfleet and the life that came with it."

"Yeah, it was tough. But no one ever gave up hope." He reached up and held her other hand in his. "I'm glad you weren't there. Missing out on someone that blushes as much as you do would make my life dull." Markum said with a smirk. "I always hoped to go back there one day. It is a beautiful place, with wonderful sites. You should be proud to call it home Tarishiana." He gently kissed her hand, and gave her a wink with a slight grin. "You come from strong and compassionate people. I have nothing but complete respect for them....I'm sorry we couldn't hold the line and kept your home safe. But I am also glad that I was able to help with it's rebuilding, and that those events lead to us meeting by chance."

"The Betazoid people are not one to be messed with." Tarishiana said with a laugh. "Nor are our wills easily broken." Using her free hand she began draw a figure eight type symbol on the back of his hand. "I am glad that we had people like you...still have them" she said with a little blush.

Markum watched Tarishiana with sincerity. He could tell the impact of the invasion still affected her. "Thank-you. I had the easy part. I felt guilty leaving. I wanted to put in a transfer to stay, but my CO refused. There was a war on, and we were a cloak capable ship, and that meant behind enemy lines. You though, you had the hard part." He placed his hand on her cheek, then looked into her eyes, "You give me a lot of credit, but you are the one that I should be thanking. Thanking you for staying strong during the rebuilding years, it is your spirit, and that of all your planet, that is the very core of the strength that we fed off of to fuel the win of the war. And I should thank-you for not being there when the assault came, because you might not be here now, and I'd miss out on one of the greatest nights of my life. Truly."

"I am glad." Tarishiana replied simply with a grin. The blush on her cheeks was attempting to become permanent. "It is official I am never going to be able to have a conversation with you outside of a holodeck." She shook her head slightly. "You are great for a girl's ego though." she grinned.

Markum started to blush again as well. "Yeah, well..you make it easy for me. Why never outside a holodeck?" He then gave a funny face and felt around his beard with his still only one free hand. " Did you change the holoprojectors in here to hide my ugly? Man if I had a piece of latinum every time someone....."

Tarishiana instantly swatted him across his chest. "Don't you even start." She grinned with a shake of her head. "Because in here..." she motioned to where they were sitting, "... and in a holodeck people won't see me turning every shade of red and pink."

"C'mon, your beautiful when you wear that shade. It's your color." added Markum with a wink. He then leaned in halfway to her then whispered, "Your secret is safe with me, but it will cost you."

"What's your price?" Tarishiana asked with a grin. "I make no promises that I will pay it....but I will entertain your offer."

"I'd like to do something with you again. Not a date, but hang out. Your choice this time. I enjoy your company, and I'd like to know you better." Markum looked down at the two hands still conjoined. "Tarishiana, I like you. And I'm not one for mincing words, or saying an untruth just to butter someone up and I mean what I say. You are the most incredible person I have ever had the privilege of taking out on a date. I also respect your prior commitment to Lestian. I would never push or try and guilt you about that. I would like to be your friend though. Let's start small, and let our friendship grow. If somethings blossoms, then that will be...well, it'd be great. If it doesn't, well, we will still have a solid friendship, and that my dear, is priceless."

"I like that idea," Tarishiana started. "Both ideas actually." She reached out and touched his face lightly. "I will have to think it over and come up with something...Granted I doubt I can top the ducks." She said with a laugh. This night had not turned out how she had thought but she wouldn't have changed it. She was still glad she had said yes.

Markum, laughed about the duck comment too. Markum was so surprised how much each touch of her hand gave him butterflies. He thought he was too damn old to get those ever again. "The ducks are cute but I think they ate all of our...quackers."

The pure ridiculousness of statement had Tarishiana laughing in disbelief that he had actually said it. "I can't believe you actually said that." She giggled. She leaned forward and placed a soft kiss against Markum's lips. She just couldn't resist.

Markum smiled at her and her laughing at his joke, while gladly accepted the soft kiss. "I'll have to remember more jokes." he replied with a chuckle. "It's so hard to find a good audience these days." Markum, still with her hand in his sincerely looked upon her. "You know, I don't mind if you use your other sense when you're around me. It's part of who you are, and I want to know, who you are. I won't take offense, just put some boots on before you make that trip into my head. Who knows whats up there."

Tarishiana closed her eyes for a moment and let her guards down a little. She had practiced for many years to keep out of other people's mind. It was nice not having to stay out. It was normal on Betazed to delve into someones mind. It was a normal way of communication, but with other races it was considered rude. "I will keep that in mind." she said with a grin. "If you want to know anything about me...all you have to do is ask."

The first thing that ran through his mind was..."Testing, testing, this thing on?" but realized that was ridiculous. He smiled at his self humoring, then brought his focus back into those beautiful dark eyes. "For some crazy reason, I feel like I could ask, or tell you anything. It's....not normal for me. I'm usually one that finds things hard to say....but...not with you. It's nice."

Tarishiana laughed as she shook her head slightly. "I am not a sound system." She bit her lower lip slightly her cheeks turning a bit red. "I am glad you feel comfortable with me...I feel the same about you." It had been a long time since she had been around someone she could tell someone anything. "I can't even tell Lestian most things."

Markum's eyes got wide when he realized she heard his poor self-attempted humor, but that caused him to chuckle more. He didn't care if she heard every thought in his head. Odd. Then he saw those beautiful rose-blushed cheeks again and smiled broader, while continuing to hold onto that hand that seem to fit perfectly into his own. "That, I do understand. All too well." Markum shook his head slightly, and clinched his jaw tight, while pondering a...feeling..."Tarishiana, are you sure we never met somewhere before...I...can't help but...I don't know...maybe...maybe it's nothing...it was foolish..." Markum couldn't help but feel almost as if he already knew her. It was an odd sensation, but he felt completely comfortable around her, even with the butterflies she gave him.

"Yes...I can actually read your mind." Tarishiana said with a laugh. She thought over what he said for a moment trying to remember anything that might explain what he was feeling. What they were both feeling. "I don't think so...What is it they used to say on earth...perhaps in a past life?" She questioned before a small laugh escaped her lips.

"Yeah," replied Markum, "that's what I must of been thinking." He brought himself closer to Tarish's face, then said in an almost whisper. "I'm not sure I'll ever be the same after spending this evening with you. I can't explain all the feelings I'm having, and the beauty of it is...I don't have to, because you already know....and I'm okay with that. I'm not sure what awoke in me, in us, this...understanding, connection, but....I feel it." Maybe its just my imagination you dummy went through his mind, cursing himself.

"It isn't just you." Tarishiana whispered just as softly as he had spoken to her. She was beginning to think that the warmth in her cheeks was normal then she had spent every moment before meeting Markum. Some part of her worried that it wouldn't make itself known at inconvenient times. "I have a feeling I will be unable to not spend more time with you...it is the most fun and comfort I have had in quite some time."

Markum could feel her closeness, it was comforting, yet exhilarating at the same time. Don't try and kiss her, don't..do..it..but... Markum bit the inside of his cheek, while smiling at Tarish's comment. "I'd like that. I'd like that very much. You don't even have to call as far as I'm concerned. Just show up when ever you get the urge. Day, night, I don't sleep much anyway...unless I'm fishing, of course." Markum hoped she would. He genuinely liked her. Yeah, she was beautiful, had a brilliant mind, and was very, very hot. Though none of that really compared to what he was seeing from inside her. The little glimpses she had shown him. That, he told himself, was real beauty, and real beauty should be cherished and respected.

Relieved by his words she couldn't help but smile as she began to speak, "I'm having a hard time with that too." Tarishiana replied simply as she looked into Markum's hazel eyes. She couldn't help but smile as she watched his reaction to her words.

Markum's eyes suddenly went big, his ears even felt like they were bright red, and his mouth dropped some. He gave a nervous chuckle and smiled. "Umm...Having a hard time with...umm... with what?" asked Markum and he looked over Tarish again, and thought, WOW. This night can't possibly get any better.

Tarish was more then amused by Markum's nervousness and its adorable presentation. She didn't answer his questions she simple leaned forward pressed her lips against his as her eyes fluttered closed. This kiss wasn't like the first one, it was not followed by guilt.

Markum's eyes closed and continued holding onto her one hand, and his other rested softly against the side of her smooth face. He wasn't sure how long the kiss was lasting, or the embrace. He was feeling joy,...and for the first time in a very, very long time...peace. Holding her just felt....natural, and right.

Tarishiana enjoyed the closeness as well as the warmth of Markum's kiss. Part of her was waiting for the guilt to wash over her as it always did, but it never came. With her free hand she placed it gently against Markum's cheek. Her forehead rested against his as the kiss ended. She pressed her lips together savoring the feeling. "I should go..." Despite the words she made not move to leave nor did her voice hold any urgency.

Markum opened his eyes as the kiss ended. His breath was stolen, and had trouble concentrating on what to say from being so caught up in the moment. He nodded slightly. "Yeah. I have to...ummm..." He blinked his eyes to remove the fog from his mind. "Wow...Just when I think the night can't get any better. I hope...we get to spend more time together." He continued to hold onto her hand as he brushed a couple locks out of her face.

Tarishiana's cheeks once again turned read. She watched Markum's face again before pointing at him with a smile. "Don't even think it..." She said in regards to her blushed cheeks. She made a little groan as she sat back up finally dropping his hand for the first time in who knows how long. She moved to her feet and looked around the arboretum before looking down at Markum she extended her hand, "Walk me home?" Her lips turned into a knowing smile. She had no doubt he would agree.

Markum smiled broadly and chuckled as she pointed her finger at him, then took the offered hand and stood to his feet. While not letting her hand go, he replied. "Of course. I was hoping you'd ask, besides, it's on my way." He followed his comment with a wink and turned towards the door, hand in hand. He thought to himself, this is the first thing you've done right in a long time old man. Don't screw it up. And please, if it's a dream...no one better wake me up.

Tarishiana wrapped herself slightly around Markum's arm as she gave his hand a slightly squeeze. They began to make the relatively short walk to her quarters. It was after all a Nova and not a Galaxy class starship, which she had no qualms about. She broke out in a laugh as his thoughts rattled though his mind and had her own pop up. "I can't wait to hear what you tell Markus about tonight."

He held her close as they made the short walk to her quarters. "Well, keep that beautiful mind on, and I'm sure you'll hear everything, and then some." he added with a chuckle. She smells really nice too. He stopped in front of her door and gently pulled her close., holding both her hands now. "I had a great time Tarishiana. I'd like to see more of you, and....get to know you better. I enjoy listening, and talking with you." He then gave her a small kiss on the cheek.

"I will keep that in mind." Tarishiana grinned as she turned her cheek towards Markum's affection. "I don't think you will be able to get rid of me now." She grinned as she turned to open the door to her quarters. As the pneumatic hiss sounded behind her she gave her quarters a quick look over before turning back towards Markum, "Do you want to have lunch with me tomorrow?"

Markum smiled and nodded, "I'd love to. I was hoping you'd ask." This better not be a dream.

Tarishiana gave a laugh and rolled her eyes as she took a step into her quarters. "1300 hours in the mess hall." she said more then she asked even though the time was negotiable.

"I'll be there." replied Markum as he hesitated letting go of her hands. That is going to take forever to get here.

"Good night, Markum." Tarishiana said easily with a twinkle in her eye.

"Good night, Tarishiana. Sleep well." He blew her a kiss and stepped back, waiting for the door to close. Best night ever.

OFF:


MWO Tarishiana Barel
Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

and

CWO Markum Quinn
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Galileo

RSS Feed