Part 7: Fireworks

Posted on 22 May 2017 @ 7:36pm by Lieutenant JG Grayson Jones & Ambassador Soral Varro
Edited on on 24 May 2017 @ 5:22pm

2,193 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Episode 15 - Emanation
Location: Earth - San Francisco
Timeline: MD 04, 1800 hours

ON:

Varro stood looking at himself in the mirror. It had been a long time since he'd been out to dinner. He'd shooed away his well meaning friends and family assuring them that he'd be fine.

Tonight he was determined to enjoy himself. Something Eviess had told him when she spoke to him over coms and he'd confessed about Grayson and how he'd found him intriguing. Eviess, with a pained look on her face, he noted, had told him to have fun and enjoy the date.

This was the first time he'd allowed himself to admit that this was a date. He smiled a bit as he set his tie right. With a final look he headed out. He was to meet Grayson at the Chateau Polaris. It wasn't far.

Grayson too, stood, looking at his reflection in a mirror. He was checking over each detail of his outfit in the full-length mirror that rested against a wall in his temporary accommodation. The light blue linen button down shirt he was wearing was pressed to perfection. The dark wash jeans hung in all the right places to show off his time in the gym. The hair was sitting almost perfectly, the few strands that normally gave him trouble at the crown of his hair were standing up, signifying it was nearly time to get a haircut.

Looking at his watch, he realised he should have left already to be his normal, way ahead of time, super punctual self. Slipping on some light brown loafers Grayson headed off into the night. All the while he was debating with himself if this would be a date or not. He would love it to be, but was he ready? Was this the right guy? Would he end up putting him into the hospital again if they got close? Just some of a thousand things that clouded his thoughts on the trip there.

Varro made it to the restaurant in great time. He was seated, as he was the first one there and now he waited. He wondered if Grayson would change his mind. He hadn't recalled ever being so nervous.

Arriving at the restaurant, Grayson was a little unsure what to do. It was more refined than establishments he was used to. He suddenly felt underdressed and had a need to go home and change. It was just nerves. Or, at least, that is what he kept telling himself. Standing in the foyer, Grayson gazed around, looking like a little, lost boy if the light hit him correctly. It was the flop sweat from the impending panic. Would Varro actually be there? Would Apple turn up? Would she say he was back in the hospital?

A hostess approached him. "Excuse me sir, can I help you? Are you looking for someone?" She sensed that he was and looked slightly out of place.

Varro's eyes scanned the room and rested on Grayson. He was stinging by the hostess. A large smile spread across his face at the sight of Garyson. What was it about this man that got through to Varro when nobody else could. This was madness as they had just met but he felt as if he'd known Grayson a long time.

"I'm looking for my da-," Grayson paused, "I'm meeting someone, Soral Varro. He said about dinner reservations, but I think I might have the wrong place, sorry." He sheepishly admitted as he went to turn and head out, figuring out how to get a message to Soral.

Soral was already on his way to Grayson. "Grayson..." He called out as the man turned.

Grayson turned and smiled, "So this is the right place then."

Varro smiled. "It is indeed." He turned to the hostess and gave a little bow, "Mary thank you for finding my date."

She grinned, "Of course Ambassador. Any friend of yours is a friend of ours."

Varro indicated the table to Grayson "Shall we sit?"

"If you allow me to go change," Grayson said, "I didn't think it would be anywhere as fancy. I didn't think places such as this still existed around here."

Varro smiled, "You are fine just the way you are Grayson." Then he thought a bit, "I'm sorry if you want to go somewhere else...I'm...I'm a bit rusty at this.."

"No, this is fine," he smiled warmly. "I may need a bit of assistance ordering, but I'm looking forward to this."

Varro smiled, it made him feel a bit better knowing that Grayson appeared to be just as nervous as he was. They made their way to the table and sat down. He glanced at Grayson. "I'm so glad you came. I was worried you wouldn't."

"I was worried about the same thing," Grayson glanced back, "Or I'd meet Apple again telling me you were in hospital...again."

Varro sighed, "She means well but...I'm sorry that happened."

"Hey, I'm glad to have been told, otherwise we might not be here right now."

Varro smiled, "I haven't been on a date in over 17 years so I apologize in advance." He sipped his club soda. He'd always liked that Earth drink. The bubbles were fantastic. "So...tell me about yourself." It sounded cheesy but he really wanted to know.

"There isn't a whole lot to tell. Part Trill, part Human. Former Chief Engineer on a starship, taking time out to work with the ASDB on ship warp core trials and computer core installations. Few months single, as you know from what ended up being a horrible relationship and situation. I haven't dated since myself." Of course, there was so much more to Grayson than that, but the short version of the story would be enough for the first date. If it was enough to peak interest and not scare him off, he would open up more as time went by. "You?" Grayson returned the query.

Varro smiled, "I'm rather boring actually. Part El Aurian and part Vulcan, no pointy ears. Single, as you know, for 17 years, I was the diplomat on New Romulus last, then was to be transferred to Galileo an on the way there got kidnapped by Klingons.. then oddly found myself on a Romulan ship and now I am here, recovering from what my Cousin Galatea calls a mild cardiac episode and having dinner with the most enchanting man whom I have already kissed with...dazzling results."

"Galileo?" Grayson perked up. "That was my previous assignment as Chief Engineer. Before I took time out and then went on to the ASDB." He wanted to ask a million questions but knew everything would still be classified for now.

Varro looked at him, "Really. Fascinating. How long were you on the Galileo?"

"Not long in the grand scheme of things, a few months before things got complicated. I left the ship last June...or was it more July. I was in a bit of a mess, so the dates around there have all kind of blended into one."

"Only a few months? When you spoke of it before it seemed longer." Varro said.

"A few months, enough to get tangled up in some sticky situations in which Starfleet only seem capable of getting themselves in," Grayson joked, suddenly feeling a little uncomfortable where this was going. It was feeling more like an interrogation than some friendly questions. "Trying to figure out if we crossed paths?" he asked trying to lighten the tone.

"If we'd crossed path's I would have known it." He smiled, "I'm sorry I'm asking all the questions...Please feel free to ask me anything you wish."

"Don't worry, I'm an open book," Grayson said, "I'm rather horrible at asking questions myself. Other than what got you into diplomacy? My father was one of the Federation Ambassadors for Trill."

Varro smiled, "An Ambassador's son. That could not have been easy." He took a drink. "Well I always loved observing people, I loved the diplomatic approach. I got to Starfleet and when I was picking courses I just fell in love with the diplomatic life, the travel...and well it just seemed to fit. Thanks to...my fiancée," Varro said avoiding the use of Marcus' name. "Ex-Fiancée to be accurate I got to work in a diplomatic office and I loved it. It was so different from Science, and Medicine which would have been my parents' choice. It drew me out of my shell."

"It had its ups and downs. Eventually, he settled on Earth for a while when I was younger, thus the slight accent," Grayson began, "Sounds like an interesting line of work to be in."

He smiled, "It is. So tell me about you, what's your favourite food, colour, sweet treat, book. I want to know it all."

"Erm," Grayson mused, "I love steak quesadillas, colour would be a very azure blue, cookies. Same ones to you then."

Varro chuckled, "Oh boy. Well let's see, I love emerald green and lavender, I guess you can't go wrong with cheese cake of any kind and milk chocolate. As for food." He looked around as if he was about to reveal a big secret. "I am rather fold of an Earth dish...pepperoni pizza."

"I forgot about pizza..." Grayson remembered the taste fondly, "It is something I try to avoid though, it means extra time in the gym for me. I could normally inhale a whole one."

Varro laughed, "You do not need a gym. You look fabulous."

Just then Mary the hostess arrived with a package. "Ambassador this arrived for you."

He thanked her and put it off to the side as they finished eating. Varro then paid and they headed out. Varro kept smiling, it had been a long time since he could surprise anyone or wanted to. He stopped a while just outside the restaurant. "We need to wait here a few moments."

"Alright," Grayson said, "oh and I do need the gym, at least to maintain this level of fabulousness." The air coming off the bay gave the air an extra chill tonight. Normally, being part Trill, Grayson wouldn't mind. But coming from a warm restaurant to the cold was a little bracing on his body.

Just before Varro could say anything a horse drawn carriage pulled around the corner. Varro took off his jacket and wrapped it around Grayson. We have a blanket on the carriage while we ride."

"Why Mr Ambassador," Grayson blushed, the butterflies that had once subsided in his stomach had suddenly gone to warp speed, "this is too much."

Varro smiled, "Worth it to see you smile. He let Grayson board the carriage first and then wrapped a blanket around them. "Here this is for you." He had ordered a really popular cook book. "I love to cook and I figured maybe you could pick something out and maybe we could cook together one day."

"You really didn't have to you know, we havent long met," Grayson continued to blush. "But thank you, I really appreciate it, I guess my horrible cooking skill reputation preceedes me," he laughed and gave Varro a kiss on the cheek. "No hospitals please for that one."

Varro smiled. It had been a long time since he'd truly enjoyed an evening like this. "I know we haven't known one another for a long time but...well I feel like I've known you for ages, in a good way of course."

"With only more to get to know," the young man smiled, "why do I have a feeling you have another plan though?"

Varro smiled, "I do." They rode for a while in silence and then stopped at place that overlooked the bay. "Look up." Varro whispered. "I have an Ensign that owes me a favour." He grinned as the fireworks started. "Thank you for meeting me tonight, Gray."

"Now that is a smooth move," Grayson confessed as the light of the flashing fireworks was reflected in his eyes.

Varro smiled and watched Grayson. His eyes sparkled in the light of the fireworks. Varro felt more at peace then he had in a long time. He watched contentedly as the display finished and Grayson looked on. Soon the night was growing thicker and Varro, sadly, knew it was time to go home. He bid the carriage to go forward and soon they were at Grayson's temporary accommodations. Varro got out too and walked Grayson to the door.

"Well that was some night," Grayson began, feeling slightly awkward at what to do and say next. He had ideas but was afraid they would end in a hospital visit.

Varro studied Grayson and grinned, "What are you wanting to say but not saying?"

"I've just had such a good time, I don't want it to end. I'd ask you to come up, but I'm afraid I'll have to emergency transport you to a hospital."

Varro grinned, "I got a clean bill of health." He suddenly felt shy... "I think...I think I'd like to come up with you."

OFF

To be continued...

--

Lt (JG). Grayson Jones
ASDB Engineer
Earth

&

Ambassador Soral Varro
Diplomatic Officer
Earth

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