10 Shades of Blue

Posted on 23 Oct 2014 @ 3:46pm by Lieutenant Aria Rice & Lieutenant JG Dorian West

2,589 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Episode 07 - Sojourn
Location: USS Galileo: Deck 7 - Callisto Bar
Timeline: MD -27: 2030

ON:

"Mmm!" Aria smiled as she looked around, her eyes wide. It was the re-opening of the bar...so Aria had pressured Dorian to go with her. She had even dressed up. Black tights, high boots, short skirt and her personal favourite...a corseted top complete with chains. It was a mix of black and purple today. She just felt it. "Oh!" she pointed over at where the drinks were lined up. "Blue stuff!"

Dorian rolled his eyes with a chuckle, moving up onto a stool next to Aria. "You don't even know what it tastes like...."

"It'll taste like blue. Or green," she said and smiled, reaching for one. "Where's your sense of adventure, D-man?"

"I'll just stick with a beer," he chuckled, shaking his head firmly, motioning for the barman to give his order.

She rolled her eyes, knocking it back with practiced ease. "Mmm...oh...bubblegum meets aftershave..." she made a face, sticking her tongue out.

He laughed, shaking his head as he watched her with mild surprise. "Really?" he reached out, having to taste it now, getting a drip from the side of the glass on his finger to suck. "Ew, you're right!"

"I know...that'll stay with me awhile..." she said and looked at the bartender. "No wonder these are lined out here. Can I have a beer as well, please?"

Dorian watched in silence as the drinks were served, waiting until the bartender turned away from them, wrapping his hand around his glass. "Isn't it weird how a waiter or tender can kill your conversation...as if they care what you're talking about."

"I know...I always just find it rude ignoring them," Aria whispered, leaning closer to Dorian. "Besides, they can like spit in your drink..."

Dorian laughed, slapping her knee. "Aria, that is just disgusting...."

She smiled as she watched him, her eyes warm. "Well, I've read stuff, that's all I am saying!" she said and nudged him.

He laughed gently, settling back as he sipped his beer, sighing at the real alcohol. "So how are you?"

She took her own beer and sipped it, considering the question. "I'm all fine," she said and smiled. "Bounce back quickly enough me."

"Is it a real bounce?" he asked bluntly, but with a small smile to soften the question.

Aria shrugged, watching him with a small smile. "It's close enough. It'll do," she said and let out a breath. "Just happened a bit quick. One bad away mission and then back here and guess what, this one has zombies!"

He gave a half smile, shaking his head softly with a sigh. "Must have been a bit of a rollercoaster."

She nodded, smiling as she looked into her beer. "Yeah, I seem to be riding them a lot," she said before sipping her drink carefully. "Oh! Plus side, I always did say we should take projectile rifles on away teams! Maybe they'll support that next time, yeah? Headshots..."

Dorian laughed at the prospect, shaking his head as he rubbed his forehead with a groan. "You're expecting more zombies!"

"There might be! Or something else!" she smiled, watching him as she leant closer, turning to face him properly. "Or ghosts. I mean, salt and burn the bones, you know..."

"Vampires?" he suggested with a soft laugh, before shaking his head quickly and pointing to her. "No! Werewolves...."

"Oooh! I do enjoy wolvies..." she said as she touched his leg to keep her balance as she leant closer. "I just don't trust the universe when it comes to these things. Let's just say projectile pistol with silver bullet and a ton of salt comes with me next time Holliday wants to beam me down."

He leant forward to her, narrowing his eyes to get her attention. "Don't forget to score a cross into the tip of the bullet...."

Aria watched him with awe before letting out a breath. "Oh, we so totally have to go hunt monsters on the holodeck together..."

"Does that make me like....Van Helsing and you like....the totally lame female in distress being hopeless and screaming?" he teased, pointing across to her.

She gasped with mock offense and slapped his shoulder. "How dare you? I am like the totally hot and smart assistant or sidekick or love interest. I am the one who makes peeps scream in fear and whatnot. I am amazeballs. Not a screaming damsel in distress...in a dress."

"With highheels...and corsets...and cool jewellery..." Dorian added casually, watching her across the rim of his glass.

She nodded, sipping her own beer as she watched him. "And so, so much more. I could have hidden weapons too!"

"What, is that what you do now?" he teased in a whisper, shaking his head with an almost sly smile.

Aria smiled as she shrugged, watching him with playful eyes. "Got places to hide things...secret places..." she said coyly.

"Oh come on," he grinned to her, talking a large mouthful of his drink. "Not all that secret to an experienced man...."

She laughed, her eyes wide as she hit his chest. "Dorian! Cheeky bugger...I was thinking corsets and boots..."

"Who says I wasn't?" he smiled innocently. "I might just have meant my experience as a security officer..."

"Were you?" she asked with a blush, her eyes warm as she took a large mouthful of her drink. She loved this banter. The easy conversations.

"Who can say," he teased with a warm smile, finishing his beer before motioning for another.

She motioned for another one as well, her eyes on him as she bit her lip. "So...life story, Dorian? Come on, I want to know it all!"

"There's really nothing very interesting to tell," he shook his head with a soft laugh at her eagerness.

Aria smiled as she poked him. "I don't care...I just want to know."

Dorian gave a halfsmile at the words, watching her for a long moment before finally nodding. "I was born and brought up in England...London to be exact, in an orphanage. Stayed there until I was 16, but Starfleet wouldn't take me that young so I had a year of crappy jobs," he laughed softly, shaking his head, nodding to the bartender as he brought their drinks, but remaining silent until he was gone again. "I made it into security and did pretty well there until...well, you already know the rest. Captured, experiments, implants and disease, transferred to nice, quiet counselling."

She watched him for a long moment, nodding weakly. "Sounds pretty sucky," she said gently, before nudging him. "But you've done really well with yourself. And hey, still sane!"

"Still sane," he nodded with a laugh, clinking his glass to hers. "Just...one day at a time, right?"

Aria nodded, her eyes gentle. "One day is enough," she said firmly, searching his face before leaning close, kissing his cheek. "Besides, I like you. And you wouldn't be you if it wasn't for all that."

He grinned at that, nodding as he held her eyes. "Absolutely. You know what I always found weird? The Priest named me. After the book, because it was his favourite. Is it just me, or is that a weird book to be a Priest's favourite," he laughed softly.

"Dorian...Dorian Gray?" she asked and smiled, clapping her hands. "Love Oscar Wilde! That is a really gay book for a Priest to like. Sure, it's all morality and all that too, but even so..." she stopped and tilted her head, watching him. "Don't have a painting stashed away, do you?"

"I'm afraid not. I'm very much aging," he assured with a heavy sigh, shaking his head slowly.

"Not as far as I can see," she sipped her beer, with a small smile. "I mean...it suits you. You know?"

"I'm going to take your word for it," he chuckled, winking to her. "And here's you...fresh young, vibrant thing."

Aria shrugged, her eyes warm. "Hey, I am just wearing what I like, doing my thing. I'll never be able to carry someone bigger than me, but I can use a phaser and I can kick..."

"With them boots..." he lifted his brows as he looked down at her impressive boots with a grin.

Aria stretched her leg out, leaning to run her fingers over them. "Mm...making me jealous of my own feet with these hot babies!"

Dorian laughed at the words, shaking his head with a soft sigh. "So just how short would you be without them?" he teased softly. "Because you're still pretty petite even with them on...."

"Short..." she said and met his eyes. "You can find out later, when you help me out of them!"

Dorian couldn't help but laugh at the words, his dark eyes shining as he shook his head. "That sounds like a dodgy pickup line that the guy is meant to come out with...."

Aria met his eyes, laughing with him. "I don't do pick up lines. Not really...I just never know what to say..."

Dorian cleared his throat, making his features serious as he leant forward to her. "Have you been sitting on a pile of sugar? Because you have a pretty sweet arse..." he managed to keep a straight face for all of a whole second before laughing, shaking his head. "I love that one, it doesn't even make sense...."

She watched him, blushing as she watched him with awe. "That one...is genius! And can be used on anyone!"

"As long as they actually have a sweet arse of course," he grinned, his eyes shining. "It's one of the cleaner ones I know at least."

She sipped her beer, watching him closely at the words. "Do you know what would look good on you? Me."

Dorian grinned, seeing her chat up line and raising her one. He leant forward, making his features sincere, his eyes dark and looking into hers, his voice low and soft. "Do you have a starmap? I'm getting lost in your eyes..."

She bit her lip, watching him for a long moment, her hand finding his. "Your body is 65% water and I am thirsty..."

A small smile played on his lips, his eyes sparkling as he laced their fingers together, stroking his between hers. "You shouldn't wear make-up, you're just covering up perfection."

She let out a shaky breath, searching his eyes as she swallowed. "I never believed in God, but you must be an angel come to save me."

His smile widened as he leant closer to speak quietly to her ear. "No wonder the skies are so dark out here, all the blue is in your eyes...."

She let out a shaky breath, closing her eyes at the words. "The fashion police is coming. Quick, undress and hide in my bed."

"I hope you know how to resuscitate a man, because you're taking my breath away," he whispered to her ear with a grin.

She hit his arm, laughing as she leant closer to him. "Do you have coffee and cream, because you make me want to give you some sugar..."

Dorian laughed with her, shaking his head as he sat back away from her again. "That was good too, but you lose, because you laughed first...." he teased.

Aria met his eyes, nodding as she watched him. "Phew...you've certainly pressed my buttons there. Cheeky git."

"Always," he grinned, taking his beer. "That's something you should know, as my roommate, I am a cheeky bastard."

"I don't mind it," she said and smiled, shaking her head. "You must break hearts."

"Actually...." he thought about it before shrugging. "Slowed down since the experiment, prisoner thing."

"Well, you will get there again. I mean, look at you...great body, handsome face...and you're funny. Kind," she said and sipped her beer. He was amazing. He would find someone eventually. She knew it.

"With a body that decides not to work properly without any real warning," he shook his head with a soft chuckle. "No...I think my time as a catch has passed."

She looked at him, frowning at that. "No, you've got far more positive happening..." she said and looked down. "Hell, any girl or boy would be lucky to have you."

Dorian smiled at the words, watching her before nudging her knee. "You're amazing."

"Hey, I am a good friend!" she smiled and looked at him. "I am also legendary for hooking people up. Not to pat my own back, but Commodore Saalm and Hex? So totally on me."

Dorian laughed warmly at the claim, nodding before sipping his beer. "You like playing matchmaker?"

"It sort of happens by default," she said and smiled. "Because I sort of just...am there. The friend who introduces friends and that sort. So...I should be able to find someone for you. I'd totally get you and Gabriel to meet, but he has his eyes on Mormont. Besides, Gabriel's a bit temperamental, I don't think you need that."

"I'm a counsellor, it might get a bit...." he chose his words carefully. "Hurt and care."

"Yeah, you don't need to be working off duty. You need someone who makes you feel...in control," she said and finished her beer, her hand going to one of the shot glasses, a finger tracing the rim. "Someone who can lift your spirits when you feel blue."

"What makes you so sure I need anyone?" he asked, but with a good natured, curious smile.

"Everyone needs somebody," Aria said and smiled, her palm hitting the bar counter. "Them is the rules."

"Them is the rules, huh?" he laughed at the way she said it. "Okay....so who have you got?"

Aria shook her head, motioning for another drink, even as she took the shot and knocked it back. "Eww...this taste like...pink...varnish..." she shuddered at it. "I have me."

"Well that doesn't sound like the rules...." he laughed warmly, shaking his head firmly.

"Sidekick doesn't get a bf," she said and smiled gently. "That is another one of the rules..."

"Sidekick, huh?" Dorian said with surprise, smiling warmly as he watched her. "Who are you a sidekick to?"

"My friends," she said and stopped as the bartender put the beer down. She giggled once he turned away and took it. "There was Lirha, and Kohl, and Scarlet...there were a few times I thought I might be lucky with someone, but...well. I'm okay entertainment until longer legs come by, you know?"

"That's not true," he said softly, watching her with a frown, shaking his head gently.

She smiled as she looked at him, before nudging him. "It's okay. I don't mind it. Hey, sometimes...you take it all, you know. And it's good, because you have friends you love."

"I just don't think people can be put in categories all that easily," he said softly with a small smile, setting his glass down.

She turned to face him properly, with a smile. "You know what, every story needs a sidekick..." she said and poked his chest. "Yours too, so you're stuck with me, Dorian."

"Maybe in this story, you're the heroine and I'm the sidekick," Dorian pointed out with a soft, gentle breath.

"Me?" Aria asked, before shaking her head. "Nah, I can't hold up to that. But...but, I can drink with you. And it will be great!"

OFF:

ENS Aria Rice
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

LT JG Dorian West
Counsellor
USS Galileo
[PNPC Blake]

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