Strangers in the Night (Part 2 of 2)

Posted on 25 Aug 2016 @ 4:43am by Lieutenant JG Jonas Flynn PsyD & Petty Officer 2nd Class Nemo Bardasi
Edited on on 25 Aug 2016 @ 4:52am

895 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Episode 12 - Recluse
Location: USS Oceana - Deck 17, Nemo's Quarters; Deck 6, Transporter Room 3
Timeline: MD -06 0148 hrs/ 1410 hrs

Previously, on Strangers in the Night (Part 1)...

"What is that, a scotch and soda?" Jonas asked, sniffing the drink.

"Yep, and there's another one coming right behind it."

"I can see what you're doing you know. I'm a counselor."

"I'll drink with you anyway," Nemo deadpanned before lifting his glass. "Bottoms up!"

And Now, the Continuation...

[ON]

Jonas lay awake, Nemo's left arm holding him close as the Bajoran slept. His own left hand rested gently on the others chest, and he watched it rise and fall with the deep breathing of contented slumber. He'd had no idea this was how the night would end, but it was just what the doctor ordered. All of the nervous energy built up in anticipation of his new assignment had been spent, and now he simply savored the present moment.

The pair had talked through two more scotch and sodas each before adjuring to Nemo's quarters. It had been mostly superficial and flirtatious, save for a moment when the increasingly inebriated counselor had reached over to playfully tickle his companion's bare ear.

"Where's your earring? Forget it somewhere?" Jonas had innocently asked. He was taken a bit back when Nemo's seductive manner turned somber. "I serve science, not superstition," he'd answered coldly, and it was several moments before the relaxed conversation had resumed. The psychologist in Jonas had wanted to dig deeper into that statement, but he was off the clock and more interested in the immediate future than some trauma of the past.

Thus they'd ended up here, where both of them knew it was headed the moment they'd met. Accordingly, Jonas knew this was also where it would end. He would linger as long as he could, but the second he felt himself begin to doze he would be up and out the door, searching out his own quarters and what would probably be the most relaxed night's sleep in months.

It was both a shame and a comfort that there would be so many unanswered questions; however, this was the type of arrangement that had always worked out the best. After the literal disaster that had been his first love, Jonas had never been able to make any romantic relationship last. He was well aware that this was something he should discuss with another counselor, but the old adage 'doctors make the worst patients' had proven true in regards to psychology as well as medicine. But that was okay, he told himself - for the hundredth time. He was focused and totally committed to his career, and tomorrow he would be serving officially as Chief Counselor for the first time. The occasional tryst was all well and good, but he was committed to his duty, and that commitment was fiercely jealous of his time.

Jonas stifled a yawn and realized he had best be on his way. He softly kissed Nemo on the cheek, carefully unwrapped himself and then spent what had to be ten minutes finding all of his clothes in the dark room. Finally he was dressed, and as quietly as he could he slipped out into the corridor and back into his regular life.

It would soon be time to depart, and Jonas made his way to Transporter Room 3 to add his overnight duffel to the crates containing his belongings. The only item he kept out was the PaDD containing his orders, which he'd be expected to present to his new commanding officer - an Admiral, no less. No pressure there.

He laughed at the thought as soon as it entered his mind. He was more at peace than he'd been in ages, for several reasons, one in particular that suddenly began replay in slow motion in his imagination. He sighed and dismissed the daydream, focused on presenting himself as the professional he knew he had become. He was ready for this, and it felt good to be taking the next step.

Coincidentally, that next step led him directly to Nemo. Jonas was surprised to see him in the transporter room, and even more surprised to see the Bajoran adding a similar bag to its own stack of crates.

Nemo looked up and flashed Jonas that oh-so-familiar smile. "Hey, Jonas. You missed breakfast. I thought I wouldn't get to see you again until we were aboard Galileo."

Jonas was speechless. He finally managed a "Yeah. Who. Huh?"

"I've got a few more goodbyes to say here, so I'll probably be the last one over." Nemo stepped in close. "You look fantastic. Must have had a pretty nice night."

"I did," Jonas answered before he could help himself. The he took a step back. "Why... why didn't you tell me you were transferring too?"

Nemo raised an eyebrow. "Would you have come back to my quarters if I had?"

"No," Jonas answered truthfully. "No, I wouldn't have."

"Then you're welcome," Nemo said with a wink before swaggering over to the exit. As the doors parted, he looked back over his shoulder and called out, "See you around, counselor!"

Jonas watched him leave, and was silent for several moments before simply saying, "Frinx."

[OFF]

Lieutenant JG Jonas Flynn PsyD
Chief Counselor
USS Galilieo

Petty Officer 2nd Class Nemo Bardasi
Astrophysicist/Cosmologist
USS Galileo
(PNCP played by Jonas Flynn)

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