A proper first date

Posted on 23 Jan 2015 @ 12:19am by Petty Officer 2nd Class Eva Kovalev

2,497 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Episode 07 - Sojourn
Location: Starbase 84, starting in Naois' temp quarters
Timeline: MD41, 1530 hours

ON:

Satisfied that his children would be taken care of, Naois offered his wife his arm in Human fashion. "Shall we?" he asked quietly, "unless you would like to get changed first?"

Eva accepted Naois' arm, wrapping her own around his. She'd not been expecting to go out on a date so her clothes, while comfortable, perhaps weren't dressy enough for somewhere fancy. "I'm comfortable in what I'm in, unless you have plans for supper I don't know about?"

The Vulcan shook his head. "Nothing that requires a fancy dress," he promised her as he started their exit from his quarters. "But it is only 1530 hours, perhaps we should go for a walk along the station first, maybe even sit down in a garden if that holds your fancy, or visit a holodeck?" He led her down the corridor from where his temporary quarters were situated.

"A walk sounds like a great idea. And I found a couple of secluded spots we can talk without interruption, if you wish that husband."

"I do." He smiled at her. "Why not show me the way, as apparently you know this station better than I do already."

Eva grinned, "Only because our child has given me much to think about. And quiet seclusion is a good place to ponder things."

"Or to overthink," Naois answered knowingly, "silence can be quite deafening. What have you been thinking about?"

"I guess mainly just coming to terms with how my life has changed. A week ago I was a young NCO, no dependents, just a job and leave was my own to spend how and with whom I wished. Now we have a child on the way and are committed to raise them together."

Eva paused as that last part came out. It was meant as no more then a statement of fact, nothing implied in the words but that could be taken in so many ways. Eva looked up at Naois, trying to gauge his reaction. "I did not mean that last as more then a statement husband. I am comfortable with my choice to bond with you, but it is admittedly a large change to try and absorb."

"And I respect that," Naois said softly, "as well as appreciate that. I do not need to know what you did before we met. Your privacy is your affair and I will always respect your privacy. But please never fear to come to me when something does bother you. I will not judge."

"I appreciate that Naois. I have a lot to learn about being a mother and a wife. They don't exactly teach a course on it at the Academy, and my parent's weren't exactly good role models either."

"No? Why would you say that, surely, your parents did the best they could?"

Eva paused, a tear forming in her eye as her past came sharply into focus. "The man I call father, who's name I bear, was not my actual father. My mother cheated on my father a few years after my sister was born. That is how I came to be. Let's just say that I turned to Starfleet to escape my family, my older sister ended up selling her body as a stripper in clubs throughout the Federation. I still keep in touch with my sister, she's still stripping but has two children by different men, but I have not, nor will I speak with my parents."

"I am grieved to hear that. Your sister should not have to sell herself, we can send her to my parents, they would love to have someone to take care of again." He sighed softly as he turned her around to face him, gently lifting her face up to him with one hand. "I am an only child. My mother had an adopted son before I was born, he was killed in a crash. My mother could never have another child after I was born, that I survived was a miracle alone. You have a home now Eva, and a family." He smiled sadly. "Even if my family is a little odd. A vulcan mother, a Human father, and a Romulan godfather. My mother was married to said Romulan first, before she met my father."

"I appreciate the gesture husband but I've accepted that my sister is the way she is. I doubt she would willingly quit as she makes a lot of money at what she does, even if I fear for her life."

Eva wiped away a stray tear. Without thinking, Eva stepped forward, burying her face in Naois' chest. "Hold me for a moment husband?"

Automatically, Naois wrapped his arms around her, and pressed her against him, absently stroking her hair. "Shhhh," he soothed, "you have but to ask. And it is up to her, but the offer is there. My parents are doctors, my father retired from Starfleet."

Eva melted into Naois as he held her. Not since they first were intimate had Eva felt this close to Naois as she did in this moment. The effect of his arms was calming and Eva soon felt comfortable enough to continue. Still staying close, his arm wrapped around her shoulder, Eva led Naois to the arboretum. As they stepped in, Eva felt the artificial breeze blow across her face, a change from the staleness of the passageways.

Naois shivered against the cooler and more humid air in the arboretum and he held her close against him. "What is it?" he asked softly, wondering why she was so silent.

"Last few times I've been here I've come to think. This is the first time I've actually come here to enjoy someone's company and not contemplate my life and our baby." She pulled away a little from from Naois. "There's a nice little area near the center. A bit off the main path."

"And a little warmer?" He smiled gently, trying to draw her back near him. "You are not changing your mind, are you? Though I would understand, this is a very drastic change for you and I do not want to rush you." They sat down on one of the more secluded benches. "How are you feeling? I mean, do you feel sick?" He reached, resting his hand on her stomach. "I have no experience with this Eva...I do not know how to respond. I am happy, thrilled in fact, but so scared."

"I'm not changing my mind husband. As much as I may not have fully thought the consequences through at the beginning. I gave you my word and I won't back out now." She paused, resting her hand on Naois'. "The nausea is getting better with the medication." She gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "I don't either Naois. And yeah it scares me. But having you here, knowing you want to care for us, that's reassuring."

"I almost lost my first wife to a pregnancy," Naois confessed, his blue eyes filled with concern. "I have reason to be scared Eva, I do not want to lose you too."

Eva outstretched her arms, pulling Naois in close. "You won't lose me husband. The Galileo has the best medical team I know, and each woman is different."

"Valeia was a doctor," he replied weakly, "I am a doctor.... but you are Human, Valeia was not. I want to know about it if you feel unwell, please keep no secrets. Promise me you will keep no secrets."

Eva nodded. "You have my word husband. I will not keep any secrets from you."

"I mean while you are pregnant. You're entitled to your own secrets, and I will not pry. But you being pregnant, it scares me. What if something happens to you? What if you get so sick you will almost die and the only way to save you is to sacrifice the child?" His fear was palpable, and it flowed across their bond.

She could feel the fear radiating from him, effecting her thoughts and feelings as well. She could also see flashes of Naois' memories. "Naois I don't know what to say except I'm not Valeia. Humans and Vulcans are compatible, as are Trills."

"I know. I had a counselor in my department once, he was half Trill, half Romulan. And he was joined and had a baby son. I know it was Valeia's constitution, and she was Betazoid. Betazoids and Vulcans are compatible too Eva. I know this fear is irrational, but it is there."

Eva nodded, leaning in to Naois, wrapping one arm around his waist. "You will be the first to know if something feels wrong husband. I promise."

Naois nodded. "I know," he said, resting his head atop hers. "Right now, I would sit here for a while, and just enjoy your company."

Eva could feel Naois' emotions returning to normal, the strange feeling settling as they sat there quietly. After a few minutes, Eva sighed a little, deep in thought.

In return, the Vulcan's strong arms tightened around her, drawing her closer to him. "What is it?" he asked again, his voice soft, devoid of the previous fear.

Whether is was her own fear, or just the effect of feeling Naois fear across their bond, she didn't know. She looked at Naois. "I'm scared husband. Not that I'm afraid of the pregnancy, I'm okay with that, I just don't know if I'm cut out to be a mother, yet here I am. Parenthood scares me Naois."

"IT scares any parent my love," Naois soothed, "it is a constant fear of whether you will do right by your child. You can only do the best you can do, and hope your child will turn out alright. you will do fine, and I will be here to help you."

Eva nodded. "I may to be reminded of that sometimes husband."

They sat there for a while, enjoying a quiet conversation until Naois rose and pulled her up. "We should go," he said softly, all too aware of the rumbling in her stomach now. "You are hungry, what do you fancy for dinner?"

"Something light, Fish perhaps." She wasn't sure what Naois liked though she knew some Vulcan's avoided meat. Hopefully Naois was okay with her choice?

"I do not dictate what you eat," Naois reminded her, "while I am a vegetarian, there is no requirement for you to be. My children are not and I am not going to deprive them of a suitable foodsource simply because I was raised as a vegetarian."

"I'm not a big meat eater." Eva noted. "But I do eat some, usually fish and bird. I find red meat doesn't always agree with me, especially since I got pregnant."

"Then you should avoid it," The Vulcan advised wisely. "I will have a
vegetarian pizza, with lots of cheese."

"Sounds good. Maybe I will join you." Taking Naois' arm, Eva gave it a gentle pat. "How about you lead the way husband?"

Naois nodded and led them to a Human restaurant, where a waiter showed them to their seats. In a calm manner, Naois placed their order for the pizza. "And I will have a glass of Altair Spring water," he added, then looked to Eva for her order of drinks.

"Terran Green Tea for me. Thank you." She glanced across the table at Naois. "I find Green Tea from Earth to be quite calming. Soothes the stomach and the body."

"I will have to try that some time," Naois replied, reaching out to take her hand. "I am not very adventurous when it comes to food items or drinks," he admitted with a smile, "I have to be very careful because of my allergies."

Eva was a bit surprised to hear that. "What sort of allergies?"

"Any sort of citrus fruit, and anything containing citrus or citrus derrivatives," Naois answered. "And this includes the beverage Romulan ale."

"I'll note that. How severe? I don't eat a lot of it but I occasionally enjoy an orange or two at breakfast."

"Very severe," Naois explained. "I once had to consume some Romulan ale, because we were going on an undercover mission and we had to appear to be drunk. I had but a small sip but the effect was drastic. Dangerously so, I nearly exposed us all. If for example I consume but a slice of orange, I will be very ill within seconds. The quantity of an entire orange can be fatal."

"Then that is something, for your sake, I will forego Husband. It is a small sacrifice in the scheme of things."

The Vulcan shook his head. "No. I will not have you give up anything you like to eat for my sake. I am used to being careful and alert, I have suffered this allergy my entire life."

"You sure? It's not a big deal."

"I am certain," Naois acknowledged quietly. "You have already done so much for me, I can deal with you eating what you wish to eat so long as you are careful nothing ends up on my plate."

"I will be careful then." Eva glanced up at the waiter who was bringing over the pizza. As he set it down, Eva grinned at her husband. "I've never had a vegetarian pizza before. Something new."

"It just has a lot of cheese," Naois grinned back, offering the first slice to her. "If anything, I actually do love cheese."

[After the meal]

Eva leaned forward a little in her seat as the waiter took away the last dishes on their table. "I enjoyed that. Thank you."

"We could do this on a more frequent basis," Naois suggested, his eyes never leaving her face. "Do you wish to go to the holodeck, and find somewhere to spend some time alone? We still have time before we absolutely have to return home, and well...I would like to be alone with you."

Eva smiled. "I would love to do this more often." Beginning to stand, Eva took Naois' hand. "I think finding somewhere secluded on the holodeck would be a wonderful idea. Just the two of us."

"What type of scenery would you prefer? There are endless opportunities to choose from." He smiled, fingers folding over her hand. "Your choice as long as it is not too humid."

"Hawaii in summer is nice but not super humid. Bikini weather they call it." She grinned. "I know of a couple of secluded spots we could walk to."

Naois smiled at her as he led her to the holodeck. "I would not mind seeing you in a bikini," he confessed, giving her an odd look of appreciation.

"Then I will have to wear one." Taking Naois' hand, she gave it a gentle squeeze. "For your eyes only my love."

OFF:

JP between:

Lieutenant j.g. Naois Mercy, MD
Medical Officer
USS Galileo
[PNPC T'Vanna]

&&

PO2 Eva Kovalev
Engineer
USS Galileo
[PNPC Min Zhao]

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