Around The Maze Part 7

Posted on Fri Mar 6th, 2020 @ 12:52am by Commodore Ledeya ‘Ed’ Ehestri (*) & Chief Helmsman Eden Bowers

Mission: Mission 11 - Prospecting
Location: Starbase 621
Timeline: 2396
824 words - 1.6 OF Standard Post Measure

Lake wasn't the first person awake the next morning. He was surprised to find Ledeya on her feet when he opened his eyes. "Here I thought I wasn't tired anymore. Good morning."

Ledeya turned and looked at the man. "Morning. It isn't really morning it is 19:00." The woman admitted as she rushed around trying to get stuff for a meeting she was meant to attend.

He watched her rush around and gave a small smile. "Are you running because of me or because you overslept?"

"I have slept ten hours nearly and I must have needed it. I apologise that I used you as a pillow." She blushed a little at that. She never slept like that with someone at all. "I am not running because of you. I have a meeting to attend at 19:30."

"Now you're just being silly. I grabbed you, practically forced you to use me as a pillow, what are you apologizing for? You really needed the sleep, you were totally exhausted and still trying to do things for other people." Lake got up, stretched and said, "I'll take a shower, get dressed and see what I can do to help around the station again. I guess maybe I should go back to my own room though," he laughed, realizing he was still in Ledeya's quarters.

“There is spare bedrooms and bathrooms. We had plenty of beds to pick from.” Ledeya said calming down taking a second to relax. “Why did you bother to do this?” She said stopping in front of him.

Lake turned his head as if trying to figure her out. "Because I care about you and I figured if I did something of that sort you might relax and stop trying to take care of the rest of the universe so you could sleep." The way she asked bothered him though. "You say that as if you think you're not worthy my attention." He answered more softly.

Ranav desperately tried to be like Lakeland, tried to get under her shields like he had once upon a time. “I am not.” Ledeya said as if that was obvious.

He reached for her, making sure she was looking at him by moving her chin gently with his hand. "And why not? I already know your secret Ledeya. So you killed people . . . guess what? I don't care. You were young and scared and it wasn't as if they were invited, houseguests. You defended yourself. Stop feeling ashamed of something that happened so long ago, you can't change it. That doesn't make you a monster. Underneath all of those barriers is a very sweet woman, I can see that without any trouble."

"How are you sneaking past every defence I have?" Ledeya wondered wishing she could pull back and run and hide again. She hadn't been like this in years and then it had all gone wrong.

"Because I'm good at reading people," Lake said grinning as he leaned closer to her. "Or it's just magic," He kissed her lightly on the lips, giving her every opportunity to run if he was pushing things too far.

Ledeya forgot for a moment that she was either meant to kiss him back or pull away and it took her a second for her hands to sneak around him. He towered over her which made her tug him down to her a little.

The action surprised him a little bit. Although he really hadn't expected her to run, he had thought she might pull away from him, or just remain where she was. He deepened the kiss, finally pulling away as he knew she had to be in a meeting. "I think the real question is, how did you get under my skin?"

The woman pulled back and took a few steps back touching her lips. “I’m going to shower.” She whispered unsure how to answer.

"Of course, I should go, you have that meeting. Please . . . can I see you again?" He dropped the arms that had been around her without him even realizing it. The expression on his face practically begged her to say yes. Lake didn't care what they did, just sitting next to her would be enough.

"You know where I live until this emergency is over." She whispered still touching her lip feeling like they were longing to go back to where they previously been.

"I'll make you dinner . . . er breakfast I guess by the time we see each other again." He grinned stupidly and pecked her once again quickly before hurrying out of her quarters and toward his own.

Ledeya gulped and watched his retreating back. This was going to end in someone getting hurt she could just see it now and she was sure it was not going to be her.

OFF::

Lieutenant Lakeland Brown
Stellar Cartographer
SB 621
(PNPC Bowers)

Commodore Ledeya ‘Ed’ Ehestri
Commanding Officer
USS Cosmos / TG 72-B
(PNPC Gregnol)