Lovers on call

Posted on 15 Nov 2014 @ 1:44pm by Lieutenant Oren Idris Ph.D.
Edited on on 19 Nov 2014 @ 3:48pm

2,335 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Episode 07 - Sojourn
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 2, quarters 02-0806 SO/ Civilian Transport Shuttle, 15 days away from SB84
Timeline: MD -10: 1300hrs

[ON]

Putting his half finished mask onto the desk in front of him, Oren wiped his hands on his trousers haphazardly before tapping away at the console. As he waited for T'Vanna to answer, Oren replicated himself a piece of fruit before going back to the desk and standing in front of it.

Child on her arm, T'Vanna hurried to her computer and activated the comm call. "Hi!" she greeted cheerfully as Oren's face appeared. "How was Bajor? Did you get to see or do anything you wanted to?"

The El-Aurian smiled at the sight of them, her good mood affecting him, even through the screen. "Hey," he replied, giving them a wave. "Bajor was alright. I did..." he paused. "Well, I did what had to be done. How are you?" The question came quickly after the statement before it as Oren wanted to quickly move on from that line of questioning.

"Not too bad, hopefully going back on duty in a few days. And I told everyone who wanted to hear that I was missing you terribly while you were away. Now, of course I did miss you. You're always so good natured, it's really having an effect on those close to you."

Oren smiled, putting his hand on his chest, looking touched. "That's sweet. I'll make sure to make it up to both of you when I get back. Oh!" He stood up suddenly, going off-screen. He was gone for several seconds before he came back into view, this time carrying a doll, dressed in what looked like a purple, silky robe. "I got it for Emma."

"She'll love that. I'm sure that'll be her favourite toy soon enough. I read that children often have one or two toys they always want when it's bedtime." T'Vanna smiled back at him. "That's really thoughtful of you Oren, it's something a proper father would do for his daughter. I think.."

Oren blushed, looking down at the doll and nervously picking at a loose thread. "Is that your way of telling me I'm overstepping?" he asked, feeling a little nervous at the comparison.

"Oh no, no my dear Oren not at all. I was trying to give you a compliment. I think you'd be a great father. Heck, you've been so nice so far I wish you were Emma's father."

Oren smiled, still blushing. "Well, I'm not, but I can definitely be the cool uncle." His smile widened. "Are you back to work?"

"I'm going to see Lieutenant Markos in the morning about returning to duty. That is after I send her a message to request an audience, not sure she'll appreciate me barging in just like that. And you, when will you be back?"

"In about two weeks. I'm hoping to be there on the day of the masquerade at the latest," Oren promised, watching Emma fidget slightly. "Speaking of which," he continued, his voice taking on a coy tone. "Would you do me the honour of being my date to the said ball?"

"Why I thought you'd never ask," T'Vanna chuckled happily, "but then, if we were to appear with different dates, then our experiment would be moot, wouldn't it? So what's our dress code?"

"I'm not sure. I was thinking some mythological figures. Star-crossed lovers, maybe? The history of almost every culture is filled with stories about them."

"Sounds good to me. And your knowledge of history does extend well beyond mine. I'm sure you'll have an excellent choice when you return and we'll discuss it. I'm game for anything, as long as it goes with some sense of decorum if you know what I mean?"

"So....no leotards? Damn...."

"Just..please find something that allows me to wear a fancy dress of some kind? Please?"

"Any preferences on type of dress? Empire, princess, ballroom? Certain kind of neckline? Material? Colour?" Resting his chin on his hands, he waited for an answer, his mind more than happy to distract itself with such a frivolous discussion.

"Not too low cut of course, I don't want my breasts to spill out, and I have to be able to wear padding, because I don't fancy the bodice getting wet with milk, but other than that....I don't know. What has your preference? I do love the feeling of silk though, do you think I can wear a silk dress?"

"Of course you can! You can wear whatever you want," Oren told her enthusiastically. "To me, personally, ballgowns are always beautiful and, as for the neckline, maybe a," he paused, trying to think of the right term. He knew what they called it on Bajor, but he doubted T'Vanna would make the connection. After a quick search on the computer, he got his answer. "How about a Queen Ann neckline? Or off shoulder?"

"I like that," T'Vanna answered, after doing a quick search of her own. "I'm sure I can find something that will be to your liking as well. I do like ballgowns and I so very little get to wear one. Actually, I've never ever been to a ball. Have you?"

"Yes, in my first year at University, on Betazed. It was amazing and fun and just...magic. I went with Maureen Akers, my girlfriend at the time. We danced the waltz." Oren sighed, long in the memory.

"Hmmm... I've never danced before either. Do you think you'll have time to teach me, or should I find someone else willing?"

Thinking and trying to calculate just how long it would take him to reach the base, Oren shrugged. "Maybe you could use a holoprogram until I get there and then we can rehearse a bit before the ball? Any particular dance you like?"

"A Vienna waltz," T'Vanna answered promptly, "I like more upbeat music, and this is a little faster than an English waltz right?" She smiled at him, leaning forward to rest her chin on her linked hands. "You know, I really do miss you..."

He smiled back. "I miss you too. I can't wait to be back. And a Vienna Waltz sounds perfect and it'll make your dress look great!" Typing away through the computer's search engine, he paused. "What do you think about a black and purple combination? For the costumes?"

Excitedly, the Vulcan woman clapped her hands. "Oh I love purple!" she exclaimed. "Black masks with purple feathers? Do you want just eyes, or full facial?"

Oren made a sheepish face. "Actually, I kind of cheated and already got started on the mask itself." Reaching over the console, he came back holding a white mask which looked only half-finished. It only covered the eyes and had small rhinestones and a smattering on sequins on it. "I was thinking covering my eyes with the mask itself, but to cover a little more of my face with dark lace to make it just sort of half-obscured. What do you think?"

"Cheat," T'Vanna mock-scolded him. "Is it going to remain white or are you colouring it? I do like it, but it does need to match our clothes doesn't it? If we go with dark purple lace, or black lace, that'll hide our identity. I'm thinking of wearing my hair up, or even wear a wig, what do you think? One of those white powdered things."

"Oooh, that would be exciting! And yes, I was going to colour it or scan it and replicate the scanned version in a different colour. This is just for practice," Oren explained. "I could dye my hair darker," he mused, running his hand through said blonde locks.

"Or wear a similar wig, if we're to match," she suggested. "Oh I can't wait for you to get back!"

"I can't wait to get back either! This is going to be so much fun!" Oren was literally bouncing in his chair a bit as he spoke. "What will you do with Emma? Who's going to watch her?"

"Hmm that's a good point.... I'll figure something out. Still got a few days there. How are you entertaining yourself on your flight though? Aren't you getting bored?"

"You have no idea," Oren admitted, rolling his eyes. "I think I've called everyone I've met in the last ten years. Being alone sucks."

"Yeah I hear you. Why don't you call me again tonight, and then every evening until you get back here? I'm sure some calls are logged, and the frequency will only spark the gossip?"

Leaning back in his chair, Oren stuck out his bottom lip in a pout. "I'm gonna start thinking you only like me because of the science behind our relationship," he joked.

"Actually no," T'Vanna admitted, "you're quite fun to be around. I like being with you Oren, I really do."

He smiled, the pout gone. "I know. I'm just teasing you, T'Vanna. I like being with you too. I couldn't have asked for a better girlfriend," he said.

"Awww.." Now it was T'Vanna's turn to blush. "Thank you." She reached out to touch the faceplate of her computer screen. "Come home quick," she bade him, "I miss you."

"They need to invent teleporters with a longer range," Oren pouted, sitting back in his chair with a petulant huff. Why weren't engineers working on that anyway? They're probably too busy making things that blow up.

"Transwarp transporter....why don't you suggest it to our chief engineer?" She smirked cheekily at him. "Tell your pilot to hurry because your girlfriend and your stepdaughter need you."

"Too late for that approach. I've already gone the 'batting my eyelashes and flirting with her' approach to make the time pass faster," Oren admitted with a small shrug. "But I think she's treating me like a little brother. I thought the haircut would help."

"Awww... cheating on me already?" T'Vanna teased him.

"What can I say, I'm insatiable. Haven't you heard the rumors?"

"Other than our own? No not really, what rumours?"

"Mott seems to think I'm the ship's resident slut." Oren rolled his eyes nonchalantly. He'd overheard a few comments from random crewmembers but refused to react. The whole thing was incredibly childish for someone of his experience to get himself involved.

"But there's only one opinion that matters love, and that's yours. What do you think? It honestly doesn't matter to me, with how many you've been. What matters is, does it make you feel happy?"

"T'Vanna, I don't care what people think of me. I'm perfectly satisfied being who and what I am." It was a complete and utter lie, but, as they said, there was no lie easier to tell than one you wished was true.

"Mott's comments or thoughts do not concern me." This was a half-truth, at best. Oren barely knew Mott and what little he did know, supported the idea that the Bolian was completely insane on some level, so his opinions were faulty to begin with.

"Well if it doesn't concern you then it certainly doesn't concern me." She smiled. "You are who you are, and you're with whoever you want to be with. I do care for you but you share your bed with whoever you want, and mine's big enough for two too, and you should definitely spend the night on occasion you know."

"That won't be strange for you?" Oren asked curiously. While he didn't generally mind sleeping next to someone he wasn't intimate with (he preferred it, actually), he knew most people found the idea awkward.

"No, why? There's nothing wrong with just sharing a bed, is there?"

"I suppose not. I've just found that people seem to be awkward about sharing their bed with someone they aren't involved with. But if you're fine with it, that's great." Oren shrugged, then leaned forward to rest his arms on the desk. "But I warn you, I'm awfully clingy when I'm asleep."

"Ahhh." She smiled cheekily and wagged a finger at him. "But we are involved, remember? And I don't mind clingy, as long as you don't have cold feet."

Oren shook his head. "Nope. I have very good circulation, so I've been told I'm like a small furnace."

"Ahh....I'll have my own personal space heater then." She gave him an outright smirk. "Don't worry, it'll be alright. It's not like we have to get naked, not unless we both feel like it. So really love, don't worry."

"Oh, I'm not worried," Oren told her with an airy tone to his voice. "I just don't know if you'll be able to resist me, is all," he explained teasingly.

"Hmm...who says I want to?"

Smiling flirtatiously, Oren rested his chin on his open palm. "Oh? Are you planning to seduce me, Ms. Murray?"

"Planning to? Hmm no, I think I've already succeeded Mr. Idris. After all, I've already convinced you to sleep in my bed." She smiled openly, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

"And what's the next step of grandmaster plan?"

"We have fun at the masquerade ball, and we get all close and cuddly." She shrugged. "And you're a gentleman, and I'll have no trouble being all close with you." She smiled again. "I could fall in love for real, you know."

"Well, I wouldn't blame you, I am a pretty spectacular date," he told with a sympathetic nod before erupting in giggles, feeling giddy at his own ridiculousness.

"Seems your mood has increased a good deal," T'Vanna observed, "anything else I can do while we're on the line?"

Oren shook his head. "No, you've done more than enough, T'Vanna. I'm grateful, really," he said softly.

"For what? I've done nothing really special. Just get back soon Oren, I miss you."

"I will. Take care of yourself," Oren replied, relaxing in his chair once again. "And give Emmaline a hug for me."

"I will." T'Vanna sat back too, smiling. "Talk to you tomorrow dear."

[OFF]

Ensign T'Vanna Murray
Asst. Intelligence Chief
USS Galileo

Oren Idris, Ph.D.
Archaeologist/Anthropologist
USS Galileo

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