Part 5: Lunch time probe

Posted on 21 May 2017 @ 5:43pm by Lieutenant JG Grayson Jones & Ambassador Soral Varro
Edited on on 24 May 2017 @ 5:25pm

1,445 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 15 - Emanation
Location: Earth - San Francisco, Louis Starfleet Dinner
Timeline: MD 03, 1145 hours

ON:

Apple MacIntosh sat at the corner table watching the people walk by. She'd had her assistant confirm lunch with Grayson and now sat waiting for him. She smiled, she'd always been called a gossip and she was, but now she was doing something to help her friend. Grayson had been a miracle, one she'd hoped for and wished for, for a long time.

The Engineer had finally recovered from the night before, at least the alcohol was out his system, not Varro. They had yet to speak since he left. Then again, Grayson did spend most of the previous day in bed recovering. If it wasn't for his best friend Gordon coming to the rescue, he feared he would still be there now. He had never been to this particular dinner before and scanned the area looking for Captain MacIntosh.

Apple saw her mark and waved enthusiastically. "Lieutenant Jones! Over here."

Walking over, Grayson stood to attention, he had never socialised with a Captain before, outside of a ship setting and wasn't entirely sure how to act. Protocol took over. "Afternoon, Captain MacIntosh."

"Oh just call me Apple," she said smiling. "I'm not one on formality. Have a seat young man and satisfy an old woman's curiosity. Shall we order first?"

"Yes Captain, sorry, Apple," he relaxed and sat down, beginning to look at the menu.

"It all looks so good!" She read the menu and when the waiter showed up she'd order a Greek burger with fries and a nice iced tea. "What are you having Grayson." She said taking his first name for the first time.

"Something as light as possible, I've only just recovered from the other night," he lightly chuckled. "I'm thinking peppermint tea, and... a bacon sandwich. You?"

She smiled, "I'll have a Greek burger with feta fries and an iced tea." She shooed the waiter away and turned to Grayson...."The other night? Oh yes your trip to The Lounge...how was the celebration?"

Being careful with his words, as he knew Apple and Varro were friends, he responded, "It was the release I needed. Shake off the past. I kept and eye out for you, in case you came along."

"Ohhh honey I'm like a bad fog I'm present everywhere." She grinned. "I did suggest the venue to Varro, you know, tall good looking diplomat, I understand that he did end up going." She left it open for Grayson to fill in.

"Well, your presence was missed there," Grayson swerved the other part of the question. He was hoping to be a gentleman, never kiss and tell about anything that went on.

The food arrived and Apple let out a frustrated grunt, "Okay honey, I'm an old Betazoid woman who loves gossip. Now I know you two left together, my Bolian friend filled me in, he was there to ...um help things along. Varro has a protective streak so I figured he'd come to your rescue, question why on Earth didn't Varro stay the night, what happened?"

"He is a friend of yours? He has been bothering me there for weeks!" Grayson admitted, a little shocked, emotionally hurt to match the bruise.

"Hmmm okay well I'll take care of him in that department." She munched on her fries. "Now the sparks flying between you and Varro at that class and conference were enough to power the entire space station floating above us. What on Earth happened?"

"After your friend bruised my arm you mean?" Grayson took a bite of his meal.

"Honey are you trying to give an old woman a heart attack....yes after the two of you left." She inwardly cringed at her own choice of words. She motioned with her hands as if saying come on, out with it.

"Well," he paused as if to go on, "no matter the outcome of what transpired, I firmly believe a gentleman does not 'kiss and tell' for lack of a better phrase."

"You and Varro are both tight lipped and that tells me my touch is lost. Okay so can I offer some advice young Mr. Jones?" Apple sat back and sipped her iced tea.

"Of course Captain, any advice is welcome, no matter the topic of discussion," Grayson gave a faux innocent grin for the use of Captain again, knowing he wasn't giving over the information she wanted. It was between himself and Varro. The one good thing about being with Tyrion, his ex, is that he had learned to shield his thoughts and emotions from others, mostly. People would have a hard time getting through with his training.

She sighed. "Alright Varro is...well he's not had it easy. Grayson Varro has been through hell and back many times. If you wish I can let him tell you if he wishes but I think you should understand that he might try to block any and all relationships or unknowingly he might try to sabotage a good thing. Shall I proceed?"

"That would be for him really, I wouldn't feel comfortable knowing things about someone they haven't told me themselves," Grayson went to add, "And with all respect to what he may have been through. He isn't the only one who could have gone through hell and back. It could be something we discussed should he decide he wants to meet up again. I'm never one to push things if things are meant to be, they are meant to be. If they aren't, they aren't." He paused, "I've come to the realisation in life, if things are forced, they aren't met. I'll never be pushing for anything."

"But you should know." She said, “Varro’s own father was not an easy man to get along with. Varro wanted to distance himself from him, wanted to flee and so he did. He cut all ties with the man. He grew up with a tyrant for a father and a mother who was distant and sometimes critical and turns out that she really wasn’t his mother. He was half El Aurian and half Vulcan and felt out of place, and was teased and bullied and thrown out into the cold by a family that was supposed to love him. He then came here, studied, followed his passion, supported himself and then met that horrible man I called a friend, Marcus.” She looked out the window suddenly sad. "Shall I continue..."

"With all due respect, no," Grayson stated, "Our stories are similar in many ways it would seem. My father was much the same, before and after he was joined. A diplomat, and ambassador to Trill. He had an affair with a human woman which resulted in my birth. I sit here at the grand 'old' age of 25 an orphan. My biological mother is dead, as is my father. The Trill side of my heritage now wants nothing to do with me. I fell for a Betazoid who was untrained, we bonded, badly. It resulted in much pain on my end. We went to his family to fix it. They agreed, but only if we got married. My head was so clouded, I foolishly agreed. Little did I know it wouldn't work. I ended up in a medically induced coma to prevent any permanent damage, transferred away from a ship that I loved serving on and now sit here. Directionless. No family. Nothing. Waiting on an assignment. Waiting for a place to call home. We all have a past, I'm learning from mine and not using it as an excuse. I know you mean well, but I would rather find out things like this on my own and that anyone I am interested in, do the same with me."

Apple studied him. "I see." She stayed silent for a moment and then pulled out a PADD and slid it across to Grayson. On it was an address.

"What is this?" Grayson looked confused.

She sighed. "Have you wondered why he hasn't called yet?"

"He is either busy, or not interested any longer," he replied, feeling a little annoyed.

"No." She sad softly, her eyes filling with tears. "This is the IDIC Hospital, a private Vulcan one, not far from here. Last night I went to see him, or rather I waited for him when he got back from you we argued about something he was not willing to admit. I left, forgot my purse and then went back, thank God. He...was on the floor, struggling to breath. Cardiac episode they say. That's the address in case you want to visit."

OFF:

--

Lt. (JG) Grayson Jones
Engineer
Earth

&

Apple MacIntosh
PNPC--Friend of Soral Varro
[NPC Varro]

RSS Feed