Two Step Forward, One Step Back

Posted on 12 Aug 2019 @ 8:40am by Petty Officer 1st Class Heinu Reteif & Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kala Gorvel

1,370 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 17 - Crystal of Life
Location: Gymnasium
Timeline: MD -40; 1600

ON

Galileo's gymnasium was rarely, if ever empty. It was a busy place, full of people working muscles that were too often sedentary during a normal duty shift. Although Heinu didn't exercise with any real level of intensity, he did occasionally enjoy running. It was one things his lanky frame was perfect for.

The tall botanist rounded a corner with a long, easy stride. The length of his legs ate the distance quickly. He made a few quick circles, completing several kilometers at an easy pace. After his final lap, Heinu stopped at the "cooler" to get a drink and wipe the sweat from his face.

Gorvel was sitting next to the cooler, after having spent the last hour doing an upper body circuit before ending it with a run she could barely move. Having watched Heinu approached she waited for him to get closer before speaking "Hey, how are you doing? Good run?" She said simply in her musical voice.

Heinu couldn't help but admire Gorvel's lean form. And she had a voice that sang, which was always attractive. "Yes, a relaxing jog to keep my muscles moving. You nearly passed me a couple of times on your run, you must have been running hard." Although Gorvel wasn't really short, she was enough shorter than Heinu that leg-length really made a difference in running speed.

She shrugged "I get lost in my own little world when I run sometimes, that's why no one runs with me because I'm a little anti-social and a little bit of a hardass when it comes to keeping fit." In truth she had noticed Heniu, it was hard not to with his height.

Heinu shrugged. "I don't imagine that's unusual. After all, Starfleet is filled with driven people, and physical fitness is important for much of our work. Not so much for mine, but that's why I take relaxing jogs instead of intense ones."

"I bet running comes naturally to you, with your long legs and sturdy frame" She said in a half compliment half tease. "One of your strides must be double mine easily" Kala added sketching Heinu in her mind as a pro athlete, it made her a little giddy.

"Not quite double," he said with a toothy grin. "My brother, Kumo, maybe, but he's the one who decided that he liked sports and actually trained." Anyone halfway familiar with Earth sports would probably heard of Kumo. "I, on the other hand, like plants. And food. Lucky for me, the amount I eat hasn't caught up with me yet."

She chuckled in a rather embarrassingly girlish way before she cleared her throat. "Well, I too like food, cooking it mostly actually." Kala smiled impishly.

Heinu's returned the smile. His was not impish, it was as wide as his narrow face would allow. "I also love to cook. Are you done with your run? We could clean up and share a meal, if you'd like."

Looking up to to the digital clock in the corner of the room and then back to Heinu "Yeah I've finished" She lied. In reality, she had planned on staying for a bit longer. "I'll meet you in thirty? Get cleaned up and food" She said out loud reaffirming their plan.

"Sounds like an excellent plan," Heinu replied, "see you in the mess in thirty minutes." He finished off the cup of water he'd retrieved, tossed the cup in the recycler and waved a brief farewell. His trip to the locker room was quick, as was his shower. He dressed in casual clothing, after all, he wasn't on duty. When he had finished he headed to the mess. He still had more than twenty minutes of the half hour. Plenty of time to start cooking something.

Kala had watched him leave curious about the man before picking her things up and leaving. She took her time to get ready and stretched her muscles out in the shower enough so that she felt that they wouldn't burn too much after a good night's sleep. When she finished getting dressed into her standard issue uniform opting for the skirted version and high boots she clipped on her comms badge and headed out of her quarters with 10 minutes to spare.

The mess hall wasn't far and she soon arrived. Taking a quick glance around the semi-empty mess hall she took a seat and waited for Heinu ordering a hot chocolate while she did so.

Galileo's lanky botanist arrived only moments later, carrying two bowls. Given the brief time he'd had, he'd decided to make something simple. A soup from Lonidas IV. "Ah, what a picture you are," he said with a grin as he set the bowls on the table, "may I present Qolm Leaf Soup."

Kala wondered how he had managed to make it in such a short time but gathered he had some premade or just saved in the replicater. "Wow, this smells amazing." She said not having to put on a fake surprised smile like you would if someone brought you a pair of socks for your birthday it genuinly smelt good. "So what's in it?" She asked eyeing the soup he stomach deciding for her that she was ready to eat with a grumble.

"Well," he said with a laugh, "Qolm Leaf, to start. It's also got some broth and a few herbs. The vegetables," he lifted a spoon which bore some small cubes of a green and purple vegetable, "are basically like Earth's own carrots and potatoes. They're just a bit less starchy."

He ate the spoonful of vegetables he'd gathered and smiled. "The leaves," he gestured to the chiffonade-cut leaves suspended in the soup, are thicker than many other leaves and act as a sort of noodle."

Kala appreciated the effort he was going through to not only allow her to try something new but explain each ingredient. "It's all very delicious, I feel spoilt, I haven't even got anything for you." Kala usually the strong independent, no-nonsense type of girl found herself completely at Heinu's mercy. Perhaps that's what lust could do to someone.

Heinu shook his head in a self-depricating way. "It's nothing. I love cooking. Although," he said, looking into her eyes, "I wouldn't mind sharing some of your off-duty hours with you. Perhaps visit the holodeck, or do something else you enjoy?"

She smiled at his flirtatious comment "You don't have to try so hard with me you know" Kala took another mouthful sighing slightly as the flavors caressed her taste buds. "You had me at being able to cook" The trill teased. "Im free next week if you're willing to wait?" She added.

Heinu smiled. "Next week for the holodeck sounds excellent. Though, since I'm not being careful anymore, are you free tonight? I'm sure we could find a way to pass the time." The implication was obvious.

Kala tried to hide a smile as she swallowed another mouthful and moving her hand over her mouth. As she finished she looked up at the man opposite her "Oh Heinu, You were doing so well. I think its time we part ways. For now at least until next week." She liked him so she didn't want to imply she was uninterested but also wanted to establish some ground rules.

"I look forward to it," Heinu said. He smiled and finished his soup.

Finishing her soup too she decided that for the time being, they should part companies, she enjoyed his company and found that she was looking forward to seeing him again. "Me too, thank you for the soup but I think if I don't go back now my roommate will come looking and before you know it the rumor is were secretly making love in the shuttle bay and I'm pregnant so best to put out the flame before it started" Kala chuckled and smiled at him. As she passed where he was sitting she leaned over and kissed his cheek. "See you soon."

Heinu grinned. "I certainly look forward to it."

[OFF]

Chief Petty Officer Kala Gorvel
Engineering Officer
USS Galileo-A

PO1 Heinu Reteif
Botanist
USS Galileo-A

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