A New Home (2/2)

Posted on 05 Feb 2016 @ 12:01pm by Corporal Abbey St James
Edited on on 05 Feb 2016 @ 8:41pm

2,328 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Episode 10 - Symposium
Location: USS Galileo, various locations
Timeline: MD4, 1800 hours

Previously...:

"That depends on your definition of care, I suppose..." Wintrow hesitated, and looked down at his own hands, which rested before him on the table. "You don't really know me Abbey, and I don't know what you're feeling really, but are you sure that it's care and not just gratitude?"

She looked at his hands and resisted the urge to put hers on top but remembered how he didn't like physical contact despite already coming so far. "Maybe you're right but Wintrow... No one has ever done what you have for me and... I'd like to get to know you, really get to know you and if my time is short here I want t make it worth while"

And now the conclusion:



Wintrow paused as their drinks and entrees were served. "Some things take time Abbey. I do like you, and I do care about you as a friend, but only time will tell if there's more. You can ask me anything you want, but I can't promise an answer. Fair enough?"

Abbey smiled "Thats all anyone can ask for Win. I won't ever ask for more than you feel comfortable or if I do and you say no I guess I'll have to learn to accept that, just like a lot of things" She picked up her drink and sipped at it feeling the glow of the ingredients course down her throat.

"I suppose you're not used to getting 'no' for an answer?" Wintrow asked carefully, while toying with his food. He speared a piece of octopus to his fork and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully.

She shook her head picking up the fork and jabbing at her own food "No, if something wasn't going your way or someone was getting in your way then you could just... make it go your way" She said careful not to go into to much detail she suspected he knew what she meant and for her it was normal, her dad was killed for one of those reasons and she was certainly next in line.

"There's some in this universe of that same mindset, but they're rare. At least as far as Federation members go, or even Starfleet officers." Wintrow sipped his drink and twirled the fluid around in the glass before setting it back down on the table. "Most are easy going though, and very accepting of who you are. I had a boyfriend once, and he was actually afraid to tell his dad. My own guardian was a whole lot more accepting, since he's got a husband. Last I heard, they adopted an orphan girl. My guardian is really more of a big brother to me, than a dad, he's much too young to be my dad." He shrugged. "It's something I really prefer not to discuss. I love Alex and he means a lot to me, but it's unlikely I'll see him again anytime soon. My life is here, on the Galileo, and I'm happy here. "

Feeling a tinge of jealousy which her scrunched up forehead gave away she sighed "I see now" She said taking frustrated bites from her meal. "I want to be happy to" She added between mouthfuls her food coming to an end.

Frowning in return as he sensed her jealousy, Wintrow looked up. "Happiness is what you make for yourself," he advised, "and I still have a lot to learn in that area. But I have a job I love, and I have this odd extensive family. This is my home, more than Earth ever has been." He reached out to touch her hand. "You can be happy but you need to give yourself the chance to."

Freezing with the contact of his hand the warmth of which seemed to grow up her arm and spread through he body, he seemed to keep pushing her away to only do something like that again, they'd known each other for a few weeks since the Galileo returned to the 'normal Universe' and he was the only one who waas ever truly there for her and once again her jealousy was washed away by another emotion. "I'm giving myself the chance but when you're existence and way of life is in the hands of people who dont trust you its kinda hard to be happy right now... At least when im with you I'm happy" She turned her hand under his and was now holding his back.

"Well..." Feeling his cheeks flush in embarrassment, he looked down at their linked hands. "I'm glad that I'm able to help..."

Chuckling at his embarrassment in a sincere way, if that was possible she gave a squeeze and reluctantly moved her hand to her drink finishing it of with one last sip "That was delicious" She said patting down her lips with a tissue and looking across the tale to wintrow.

"And those were just the entrees. What would you like for mains? Or did you have enough?"

She let her stomach decide and as she rubbed it she nodded agreeing that she could at least treat herself to one more dish "I can have main's but no desserts!" Abbey smiled pushing her cutlery parallel with one another.

"No dessert?" Wintrow pouted as he flagged the waiter, "aww...well I'll take a small dish then because I want chocolate ice-cream!" He grinned. "You do love chocolate right? What girl doesn't?"

"Oh Wintrow!" She moaned her taste buds watering "You know how to get to a girl you know that!" She joked agreeing with a nod to chocolate "I LOVE chocolate!"

"Uhm...no I don't....but well...I'm Betazoid...and uhm...it's uh...genetic, I guess? All Betazoids seem to love chocolate. How about we skip mains, and get ourselves a large sundae?" Wintrow smiled sheepishly at her. "Like...big enough to share?"

"Now were talking!" She said looking to the waiter nodding finally agreeing which sent him on his way. "And by the way you do and not just because you're a betazoid but because you're kind and all other stuff.. I dont know I'm not good at this either"

"But you've been with guys before right?" His cheeks flushed darker. "I've not been with a girl before..."

It was her turn to be embarrassed now as he cheeks flush a rosy pink "I've... Been with guys if that's what you can call it, they do things differently in the Mirror Universe" She paused "I've never really be in a relationship or done anything for any other purpose than to get something...."

"Oh..." Wintrow fell silent for several seconds, not quite sure how to respond. "Well, you're here now... and while there's men in this universe who think they can just get anything they want, including women, and just take it....the majority really isn't like that. You'll find most men are..courteous, polite..."

"Oh I know that to be true because you're one of them... The polite courteous type that is" Abbey said smiling as the waiter brought over there large chocolate Sunday topped with cream, marshmallows, chocolate chips and wafer sticks.

"You can have the marshmallows if you like them," WIntrow offered, "they're not really my favourite. Too....chewy for my taste."

Without putting up an argument she swiped a spoon and carefully extracted the marshmallow's with a bit of cream and the odd choc chip and spooned them into her mouth. "OH MY GOD!" She said after swallowing down the mouthful.

"Good?" Wintrow was glad to see she seemed to be enjoying herself, and seemed to relax. "How long has it been since you'd been treated to anything like this?"

She shrugged "The last time I was on Earth I think two years maybe?" Abbey explained nonchalant "Our ships though similar were warships so all power was expended on shields and weapons. Things like replicators were very rarely used and food was served in the Galley if you can call it food anyway."

"I bet it was nutritional though," he commented with a grin, scooping up a spoonful of the melting chocolate sundae and stuffing it in his mouth. He was visibly enjoying the sweet treat, as though he hadn't had any in a long time. "Do you play any instruments?"

She shook her head taking another spoonful "No? Why would I do that? Its not like I would have had time to do that!" Abbey swallowed another mouthful "What about you?"

"I do. I play guitar and piano. It's very relaxing." He looked at his healing hand and wiggled his fingers a little. "Also good practice when injured," he murmured thoughtfully. "I'm grounded Abbey, I can't fly for a while. It wasn't just my hand that got hurt, apparently I had internal bleeding too...The CMO offered me tuition in field medicine to make better assessments in the future but what else am I to do?"

Abbey thought about what he had said and shrugged "You could go to the Gym? or Practice your shooting I love to fight especially hand to hand! Get all bloody like" She smiled at the thought eating some more Sunday it's levels dropping as the two demolished it.

"The doctor asked me to go with her to her homeworld," Wintrow told her, blurting it out, "in a few weeks so we'll have some time....I think the gym is allowed but I don't think Petty Officer Taliesin will let me anywhere near a weapon...and I probably shouldn't fight...I'm not good at it."

She noticed his clear avoidance at the conversation about this 'doctor' which made Abbey turn a tinge of green. "More the reason to practice! I could teach you and we can spend time together! What can some doctor do that I can't?" She blurted.

"Uhm...patch me up? She's the chief medical officer...and she's taught me to fly...like really fly, with wings..." His eyes took on a somewhat dreamy look as he remembered the freedom of actual flight. "I'm sure you could teach me....and I'd like you to, but she'd be really cross if I disobeyed her orders."

Setting down her spoon she stood up throwing her hair behind her, "Well I think I've spent too long away and my security guard looks like he's about to pass out from all the standing thankyou for the food I dont need to be walked back" She said trying to level her anger as she stepped to walk off muttering curses. If she was to ever meet this flying super doctor she'd kill her.

Stunned, Wintrow watched her get up and storm off. The things he sensed wasn't something he was familiar with, so he got up and hurried after her. "Abbey wait!" He reached and grabbed her arm, only intending to stop her and turn her to face him. "What is it....did I say something wrong?" Instantly, his demeanour changed from happy to extremely insecure and fearful as he looked at her with wide almost black eyes. Worry creased his brow as he watched her. "Why are you angry with me?"

Abbey was about to scream, shout or hit out at him maybe all three but then she done something she really had no control over, as she was pulled around she fell almost into his but before she knew it her lips were locked onto his. A moment and she gasped away "I'm angry at the world Wintrow, not you" She said tearie eyed.

If he was startled at being kissed, it certainly showed in his reaction! Wintrow froze, though he had caught her in reflex and he just stared at her in surprise. He didn't kiss her back though; first he didn't really get a chance to and second, he had never kissed a girl before. "Abbey..." he managed, once he found his voice again. "Why...." He shook his head as he tried to gather his wits. "Well, I'm glad for that..." For a few seconds he just stood there, arms still circled around her. "May I...?"

Abbey watched as his face became an assortment of emotions before smiling wryly "may I?" She repeated the question obviously and feeling his warmth from his body from his encircled arms. She was just as surprised as he was even though she was the one to kiss him and it felt good, even if only for a brief moment.

Still confused as hell, and shaking all over, Wintrow leaned in slightly and returned her prior kiss.

Kissing back softer this time without the full force of her anger she settled into this kiss with a sigh. Letting it linger she smiled and pulled back "But what about your doctor friend?" She asked holding him back now.

Wintrow smiled. "She's just a friend....sort of a protective sister, more like..." His smile softened, taking on a somewhat adoring look. "She calls me little brother...if I understand correctly, we sort of have a blood-bond? It's hard to explain, and to be honest because of it's nature, I don't think I should. It's...personal?"

Abbey smiled before kissing him again enjoying the feeing over actual freedom to be able to do so, though she had noticed her security guard come closer. "I think I can accept that. For now" she winked "I wasn't joking when I said I should get back though"

"For now?" He offered her his hand. "Well then, allow me to lead you back to your new home? It's the least I can do, and it gives us a few more minutes together."

Looking at his hand Abbey faltered at the possibility that she was having to soon call Galileo 'home' "I'd like that" She finally murmured taking his hand and with security guard in tow they began walking back.

OFF:

Cadet SO Wintrow Paragon
Support Craft Pilot
USS Galileo
pnpc Tyrion

Corporal Abbey Wyatt
Marine Specialist
ISS Galileo
pnpc Jake

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