TECH CONFERENCE:: Not Normal Norm More Holiday Norm

Posted on Mon Jun 15th, 2020 @ 8:22pm by Commodore Ledeya ‘Ed’ Ehestri (*) & Chief Helmsman Eden Bowers
Edited on on Thu Jul 2nd, 2020 @ 8:28pm

Mission: Cosmos
Location: Starbase 621, VIP quarters
Timeline: 2396
2181 words - 4.4 OF Standard Post Measure

Ledeya rolled onto her side from where she lay awkwardly on a biobed trying to get comfortable enough to rest as was requested but her mind just kept going through the report she had to give base security and the conversation she was going to have to have with Harrington once she could see straight. It was so unfair that everyone else had been released from sickbay apart from her after the robot attack, she had barely been knocked apart from the last few seconds. Surely they were more hurt?

"Hey," Lake said coming barreling into the room. "I leave you alone for ten minutes. What happened? Someone said you were injured?" He resisted reaching for her because of the whole, keeping their relationship quiet thing. He didn't want to make her uncomfortable if not a lot of people were supposed to know.

"Jumped on a robot that was like a bucking bronco," Ledeya admitted relieved to see him and not at the same time. If he was there it meant that the whole ship now knew at the very least she had been injured. She was not meant to do that type of thing as a Commodore.

"You jumped on a robot?" Lake said looking confused as he glanced at the medical staff for confirmation. "Why? Did it insult you or something?"

"It was rampaging on the promenade Lieutenant. The Commodore and three other Captains stopped it." A nurse snorted just a little. She had not believed it until four captains of vessels came wondering in with different degrees of injuries.

"Oh. See I'm always the last to know stuff, holed up in my little office. But . . . you're going to be okay right? The uh robot is no longer active at all? Why was it attacking you?"

"I think so just hit my head and shoulders." Ledeya slowly sat up and looked at him with a sleepy smile. "Can I get out of here?" She wondered really wanting her own bed or at least the big bed that she had as a VIP. It was so much better than the biobed that she really just could not get comfortable on.

"Sure. But no more rodeos okay Ma'am." Ledeya smiled at that comment and grabbed up her jacket.

"The robot is no longer active and was in pieces last time I saw it." The Commodore admitted with a small smile.

"That's good I guess." Lake responded still a bit confused, but it didn't matter. "I'll escort you back to your quarters here on the station," he said simply, not taking any chances of leaving her alone. "You can rest." And if she'd let him, he'd curl around her.

"Sounds perfect." Ledeya agreed without a moment's hesitation. She needed a few moments with no one really in her space. The walk to her quarters was surprisingly quiet as the woman let her way to the quarters that were big enough that you could play Parrises Squares in,

As soon as they were inside Lake turned to her and brushed her hair back with his fingers. "Get comfy on the couch, I'll get you something to drink."

"Tea please." She requested enjoying his touch for a moment before she moved away to the huge couch and sat down curling up a little. Ledeya would rest for a few hours then get ready for the event she was meant to be attending.

"Sure, do you want anything in it?" He asked as his fingers hovered over the controls to the replicator. Lake then ordered himself a blended juice drink.

"Just sugar please." A little sugar in her tea would not hurt anything other than give her a little boost. She smiled as he moved over and gave her the warm tea. She took a small sip enjoying the steam.

Grabbing a blanket he draped it over her and sat down by her feet, taking her legs into his lap. He shook his head, "Everything seems to happen to you."

"No, it doesn't." She grinned with a shake of her head that only caused her to wince just a little. It would be okay after a little rest. "You are acting as if I get into trouble on purpose."

"You didn't?" Lake teased. "I swear you go looking for trouble. First, you made me lock you in quarantine, stole my heart and now you're taking down robots. I'm not sure there's a limit to your madness."

"Oh I cannot be held accountable for any of those things and you know it." The woman ignored the teasing as she sipped on the tea and enjoyed a moments respite from the chaos that was all around them at the moment. Too much had happened in such a short amount of time.

Lake sighed and leaned back. He'd taken off Ledeya's socks and was running his hands over her feet, not to massage them but as if he were trying to memorize how they were put together. "I have a question for you and it's rather serious and it might be too early to ask it but I'm going to anyway."

Ledeya turned a little wiggling her feet away from the man to look at him properly. "And what would that be?" She wondered thinking she might need to put her cup of tea down as he sounded suddenly serious.

"I was thinking that maybe you and I could have a conversation about moving in together?" Lake responded seriously, letting her move around, his hands raised up slightly.

Ledeya frowned a little and sat up even more bringing her legs back towards her. "Lake." She whispered softly looking at him worried. "I do not think that is the best idea. We cannot you know Starfleet regulations." She reminded softly.

"Really? Cause I know of other Captain's who have had relationships with crew members. I figured you might freak out . . . . but it was worth a try, a little push. I'm not going anywhere." Lake said honestly.

"Officially we cannot live together unless married." Ledeya reminded him wishing she was feeling a 100% to have this conversation. It had blindsided her and possibly left him feeling a little bruised over her reaction. It was the truth, she knew Officers who did it but as Task Group Commander she couldn't.

"Well that's a really stupid rule. I'm sure there are species that never officially marry in Starfleet's eyes." He didn't quite know if she was being serious or just making it up but he wasn't pleased. Still . . . he had sprung it on her and he knew she would react defensively just as she'd done with just about every other move he'd made. "Anyway," he sighed. "Change of subject." Except he couldn't think of anything else to say.

"I am going to have a quick shower," Ledeya mumbled and quickly got up escaping the room to have a moment to herself. She knew he was frustrated but what could she do? It was not like he had no spent the last few conference days living in her quarters. Why did it need to be official?

"Oh, okay." Lake said watching her get up. When she was free of him he went toward the replicator without even offering to take the shower with her.

Ledeya was gone a long time hiding away trying to order her thoughts but it was not working. Had they come on far too hot and heavy too quick? She came out wrapped in a towel the bruises more evident from her encounter with the robot as she sat on the bed.

Lake got himself a juice and sat back down on the couch again. He picked up the throw and draped it over himself leaving some for Ledeya when she came back. He didn't really want to think about how the conversation had gone so he forced himself to look elsewhere for amusement until he saw that she was done with her shower. He patted the couch next to him again, "I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to frighten you."

She looked up from where she was sat on the bed and shook her head. "No... I am sorry. I just... I can't take that step. Isn't what we have enough for now?" She wondered trying to gather her thoughts together. They had no been out on manoeuvres or away missions yet, it could go terribly wrong.

"Yeah," he said getting up and approaching her. "I guess." He sat down on the bed but he seemed at a loss for words. "Dinner? Sleep? What do you need right now?"

"I do not know." The woman admitted with a small smile at him. Most men would would be telling her what she needed but he was asking her. it was refreshing.

"You don't know." Lake repeated shaking his head and grinning. "Maybe I'll go make us some dinner and when the smell drifts in here you can decide if you're hungry or not. And after that I'll throw a blanket over you and curl up and see if you're sleepy. It's all very scientific, call it an experiment."

"I do not have time for dinner today. I think I have an event to go to." She realised not sure if she did or not. "Computer list my schedule for the next seven hours."

"Commodore Ehestri you have three events to attend in the next seven hours. A tour of the artefacts of the extinct Arcanea civilization in exhibition hall D at 17:00, A task group 72 B dinner hosted by Captain David at 19:00 and one event that is locked." The computer listed off.

"Oh," Lake said disappointed. "Well when you get the chance you really should eat something. I guess I'll go back to my quarters and get some dinner and sleep then."

"I did not say you had to leave," Ledeya reminded him as she tried to order her thoughts. The robot had messed with her order and it was really starting to annoy her that she was working at half strength.

"I know. But if you're not going to be here . . ." He trailed off leaving it unsaid. But why should he remain? "Do you want me to be here when you finally get to sleep?" Lake asked, thinking that was something that could happen. They could share a bed and let her get some rest.

Ledeya frowned. This was one of those moments she wished she had not lost her telepathy. It would be so easy just to know what he was thinking and feeling. It left her feeling blind and confused some days as she just did not know what to say or do. It was one of the reasons she got the type of relationships that her parents would frown on. "If you want to yes. I would like that." She finally said.

"Alright, I'll stay. If I can use your replicator . . . take over the couch with a good book or something?" Lake nudged her gently with his elbow in a tiny bit of a teasing manner then planted a kiss on her forehead.

"You can take it over. Have a bath or something if you like." The woman teased back. Maybe she could share this guest space with someone? It was not her home or ship, maybe they could treat it like a holiday together. A holiday where she was super busy trying to get everything done and together to support Lamar and 621.

"Hey, men can like baths too," he teased back. "Bubble baths are pretty relaxing. I would only worry if you come back and I'm wearing your clothes. But nah. I just plan on grabbing something to eat and maybe reading a good book."

"I did not say that men could not." She commented on with a small smiled and nod at him. She had to get ready and disappeared off to get dressed. Returning a few minutes later wearing her uniform with her hair piled up. It would do for now, she would have to change again for the evening meal but for now she looked respectable.

"Very pretty," Lake nodded to her cleaned up and redressed self. "Don't go flirting with any scientists. Trust me, we're usually a desperate bunch and your beauty could push them over the edge." He rose, went into the living room to plan his evening meal.

"Well, men in blue do seem to be weak to me." She replied with a grin watching him for a moment before smiling to herself leaving the room. There was so much to do with this conference, she just hoped he understood and would stay that way until it was over.

"Glad you finally understand the situation." Lake grinned back and brought her to him for a kiss. "Have fun tonight."

"Relax tonight," The woman whispered back before stepping back to allow him to enjoy his downtime while she played ambassador and was on her best behaviour.

OFF::

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

Lieutenant Lakeland Smith
Stellar Cartographer
USS Cosmos