Walking the Promenade
Posted on Fri Jan 3rd, 2025 @ 6:06pm by Ensign Connor Turner & 1st Lieutenant Marjani Smith
Edited on on Sat Jan 4th, 2025 @ 1:47am
3,311 words; about a 17 minute read
Mission:
Episode 16 - Silent Cries
Location: Various - Promenade - Empok Nor
Timeline: MD002 1200
For the first time in awhile, Marjani slept past her usual wake up time, 0400. Her eyes opened being aware of the warmth of someone snuggled up against her. Marjani smiled as it was Connor, feeling his arm around her waist. Marjani wondered just what time it was, and to her surprise, it was 10:00! A low throated chuckle from Marjani, the pilot keeping her laugh quiet. Did she want to leave the bed when she may not want to? She'll think about it. Though there was the temptation to give Connor a kiss, which grew rather strong. Following the impulse, Marjani moved to where she faced him and gave him a gentle kiss upon his lips.
Connor did not realize how exhausted he was. However, between having acted as chief engineer and switching his shift towards being the gamma lead, his entire biological clock was out of whack. So when Marjani's lips brushed his, he was not certain whether he was asleep or awake. Either way, he pressed back and softly uttered a sound of enjoyment.
He wrapped himself more tightly around Marjani and brought her in closer to him. He exhaled, "Mmmm. Am I dreaming or am I with the most beautiful woman on the starbase?"
Snuggling closer enjoying being in his embrace, Marjani felt her cheeks warm at his compliment. "You are not dreaming and, I am glad you feel I am beautiful. Want to go out and get some breakfast and just walk around the promenade? No hurry just having a relaxing time before you and the Pioneer need to go on your next assignment."
Connor groaned lightly. "How long did we sleep?" he wondered. "And feel that you are beautiful?" He squeezed Marjani again. "Most definitely feel beautiful to me. However, I think any person in their right mind would agree that you are extremely beautiful and out of my league. I'm just glad you are blind." He chuckled lightly after saying that.
"I will spend as much time with you as possible. I don't want to miss a moment. So, breakfast and a walk sound grand. Besides, you can tell me more about yourself. I have so much more to learn and I want to know it all."
"Have I told you that I am an only child? My parents couldn't have any other children, and they weren't able to adopt. So, it was just me. I know I've told you about my being able to fly hot air balloons. And fly oldstyle airplanes." Marjani took Connor's hand as they walked towards the Promenade.
"I don't think that I knew that you were an only child," Connor answered hesitantly as he wracked his brain, trying to remember. He always wondered why his head was so fuzzy when he was with Marjani. It was as if every logical cell left him. "But the rest, yes, I remember that. I'm also an only child. I can't say that I asked my parents as to why. Maybe I was a bit too much?" he wondered aloud, biting his lip slightly concerned.
Marjani raised an eyebrow at Connor's comment at being too much. "Why would you say that? You being too much. There are reasons why someone may only have one child, as that is all that they wished to have. Let's see if there is something that I can tell you. Ask me some questions, and I will answer them. " She gave him an encouraging smile.
"Well, I do have this eye condition that nobody has been able to cure, hence the old fashioned glasses. Maybe they did not want to risk that with another child? I don't know. We never talked about it." He shrugged while holding Marjani's hand.
"As to you, well, let's see, um, well, you're a fighter pilot, right? Don't fighter pilots usually have nicknames? Do you have one?"
"Actually, yes I do have a nickname given to me by the other pilots. Voodoo, as I tend to have a voodoo doll with me in the cockpit. Something my mother had given to me. She is into the spiritual side of things." Marjani answered, switching to where her arm was about Connor's waist, leaning her head upon his shoulder.
Connor leaned further into Marjani as he felt her head against him. "Voodoo, eh? Well, that explains the spell you cast on me, then." He chuckled lightly. "I don't think I noticed that on your ship when we flew him. So, why do you keep it on your ship? Is there a reason?"
"It brings me good luck, as far as I am concerned. Besides in some aspect it's my mother keeping watch over me." Marjani raised her head to give Connor an affectionate smile. "And it reminds me of home as well." She paused then her smile broadened in delight, as she heard the smooth compliment that Connor gave. Marjani knew he had it in him; his statement was proof.
"Remind me, was there a sport or something like that, that you enjoy watching or participating in?" She pulled him to one side to where they could talk without being a block in the Promenade causeway.
"Yes," Connor replied, his voice rising higher in surprise that Marjani remembered. Had he even mentioned it to her? Regardless, he let himself be pulled aside. "Um, yes, football. Not that rubbish hand-egg ball that the Americans used to play. Real football. I'm not much at it, but I watch."
"Are there any games being played right now?" Marjani having interest to see what he liked. " I could go for watching a game. What do you think?" She looked eagerly in his eyes. "Something that would make my boyfriend relax and enjoy his shoreleave?"
"Do you not think that I am relaxed and enjoying my shoreleave?" he asked with a twinkle in his eyes.
Marjani laughed. "Okay true but, how long has it been since you've watched a game. You've been so busy with your work on the Pioneer. And from what I have gathered you had quite the tangle on the ship so... There is more to do than cuddle and watch a movie and eat," she told Connor grinning.
"I suppose that's true. There is James Bond, as well."
It was Marjani's turn to draw a blank, perhaps it was due to his rather smooth comment about her casting a spell upon him. "James Bond, did we watch one of his movies? My brain has drawn a blank." She felt her cheeks go warm.
"We did not watch one of his movies. We ended up with 'Princess Bride,' the last time we were sorting movies. But I do remember that you said that you liked 'For Your Eyes Only.'"
"That is very true." Her eyes lit up as Connor jogged Marjani's memory. "I think we were getting a little bit distracted in getting to know each other." Marjani giving a wink. "We could watch that, but also anything else you would like to do?"
"Gosh, Marjani, I know this is going to sound rather dull of me, but when I'm on my own, I don't do much of anything. I'm usually doing something with a computer, whether it is programming or playing a game." He blushed lightly. "Computers really are mostly what I know how to relate to and well, I shied away from anyone for most of my life. I mean, well, you've, well, seen it." He turned away slightly, trying to hide the deepening red in his cheeks.
"Yes, I have seen it, but I also have noticed that you went out of your comfort zone in order to keep the ship afloat. You pulled a team together and got things done. " Marjani pulled Connor in for an embrace. "I am hoping that you will realize that there is more to you than what you see in yourself. And you may need to broaden out your horizons. Go out and learn new things. This way you won't get in your own way of blossoming out into something more," she whispered in his ear.
"Um, so, well, what do you suggest?"
"Have you ever designed a holographic adventure program? Or even gone to learn dancing? Or even taken a course in acting? I've met several rather shy persons who took acting classes to help step out of their shyness." Marjani pulling back to link her arm with his once more.
Connor felt better with Marjani's linked within hers but realized as she talked that he did not try a lot of things. "Um, well, actually, well, no," he concluded defeated. "I never thought to do any of those things. I never well, got away from the computers or books, so to speak."
Marjani wasn't going to ask why as that just wasn't a thing to do. She'd noticed things about Connor, his shyness, uneasiness where some matters were concerned. "Connor, I think it was because you weren't ready to experience other things yet. And maybe it is due to others, excepting of course Holly, she saw something in you. Then there is me, I see a lot of depth in you, so much more than what can be seen on the surface."
"Holly said she wanted to be friends still," Connor started to wriggle lightly. "That's OK, right?" he asked as he looked into Marjani's eyes beseechingly. "But, um, well, I'm really just WYSIWYG."
"It is okay if Holly and you are still friends. Nothing wrong with that." his utterance of abbreviation of what you see is what you get, Marjani mentally shook her head. "Are you afraid of failing if you try those different things I suggested?"
"Um, well, no. It is not that," Connor responded hesitantly. "Um, well, I just never, um, thought to do those things. I mean, I could create a holo program and have done many but I never thought to do something that was anything for everyone else. As to the others, well, I never thought to do any of them or had the interest in doing them. I've just always been more at home with computers."
Marjani gave a nod. "Granted, that is a comfort zone for you. I was suggesting acting as it is something good to learn to capture social cues that a person is not used to seeing." She drew in a breath and Marjani decided to change the subject. "Would you like to have a look at Talon and maybe even take him out to fly around?"
"Oh, yes!" Connor answered excitedly. "I should do a check up on him to make certain that he is taking care of you well."
With a nod and a huge smile, Marjani led the way to where Talon was being housed. "I am sure Talon has been missing you as well." giving out a light laugh.
Once they were in the bay where Talon was, Marjani sang out, "We're here!" Walking up and lovingly running her hand along the hull. Turning to Connor, she commented. "This may bring back some memories, but I don't think we'll run into any migrating space butterflies this time around."
Connor did not answer Marjani. Instead, he ran up to control panels, said, "Hello Talon. Do you mind if I pull up some diagnostics?" and after waiting for a brief moment starting doing just that. He asked Marjani, "Did you say something Marjani?"
Marjani didn't repeat what she had said before. "Oh, nothing much." She softly chuckled from her as she moved a little bit closer to watch what Connor do his work. "Talon has been taking very good care of me."
"He had better be. I would be most cross if he did not." He then paused from looking at the diagnostic records and asked, "What do you mean nothing much? I want to know. I would hate to miss anything you said."
A gentle warm smile from Marjani, as she moved over and wrapped an arm around Connor. "I was just musing about when we first met, and how this reminded me of that. And I was curious if you were reminded of our first meeting."
"Um, a little, but, well, um, you scared the beejesus out of me on our first meeting." He blushed lightly. "I mean, um, well, I kept telling you that I had a girlfriend, and well, um, you kept, well, um, kissing me." He stopped his work and laughed lightly. "I guess I did. I just did not know it yet."
"An echo from the previous time." Marjani giggled a little, her own cheeks going warm. "You blasted through my defenses though, Connor. You were rather convincing, as to us being together as boyfriend and girlfriend." She took a seat near Connor. "How is Talon doing? Or does he need a little bit more of a tweak?"
"Tut tut, Marj. You wanted it to happen. You were just, well, afraid. It was only fair that I help you with your fear as you helped with mine, no?" He looked back at the diagnostic and sucked his lip. "Exactly what have you been doing to Talon?" he asked slightly pained.
"You do remember that I am a marine, so I have had to fly through some combat situations in order to get the diplomats and negotiators to their destination," Marjani replied. "Thanks to you, the updates that you had done truly helped me out, a lot, to keep the people I was watching over, and me safe."
"Yes, I remember you're a marine," he answered nervously. "And I'm glad that the updates helped Talon keep you in one piece, but could you please make certain that you stay in one piece? Where in the world were you and what were you doing?" he asked, concern flowing through his voice.
"I was at a place called Aludnelac, there are several colonies that were allowed on this class M planet. There arose some trouble and so we had to go investigate and also see about brokering peace. I do try to make certain that I stay in one piece, as best as I can. Anyway, I am here now, and I am relatively safe, though sometimes I wonder if I am truly safe when I am in easy reach of you." Marjani teasing Connor.
Connor's face screwed up, confused. "You're not safe with me?"
"What I mean is that if I am this close to you, am I safe from you pulling me into your arms and kissing me?" Marjani giving a sultry smile.
"Definitely not," Connor replied with a devilish grin, finally understanding what was happening. He wrapped his arms around Marjani and pulled her down to himself. A lengthy, passionate kiss followed. When he broke it, he whispered, "That always makes me feel better."
Whispering back. "I am glad of that," Marjani replied grinning from ear to ear, settling in for a momentary snuggle. There was a beep from Talon which caused Marjani's head to rise from Connor's chest. "Figures something decided to interrupt a cuddle."
"What is it, Talon?" It had better be important, Connor thought to himself. He reluctantly wriggled out of Mrajani's embrace to look at the console. Connor's eyes narrowed and his nose wrinkled lightly. "Proximity alert? Who else would be here, Marj?"
Marjani rose up to step outside of Talon, her eyes widening. There coming up to where Talon was, a woman about the same height as Marjani, her skin a shade darker than hers. Dark hair tied back, in a loose ponytail, which had shades of white in it. Her smile, which was a brilliant white, appeared when she heard Marjani exclaim, "A-Aunt Janeen? What in the world are you doing here?" Marjani rushed over to give her Aunt a heartfelt embrace, feeling the sting of tears. She'd not seen her Aunt in a long while.
"Girl, you are rather difficult to track down, but I managed. I got hold of Pappy and tracked you down. You know you could have left a message so we could meet up someplace."
"Uh well, that is uh I had been a bit busy, until now. Well, that is uh, busy when it came to flying and well-" she glanced back towards Talon to look toward Connor.
Connor gave a shy wave from behind Marjani and said, "Um, I, uh, well, could let you both have some time together. I, um, well, have some updates to run on Talon. I could, um, well, uh, catch up with you, um later, Marj...Marjani."
It didn't take long for Aunt Janeen to realize there was something going on between Marjani and Connor. Both of them were acting a little bit shy and seeing the glances they were exchanging. "Well now, you two are together?" She gave them a huge grin." No wonder you've not contacted me. How long has this been going on?" giving a wink towards Connor. "I think I see the first blossoming of love here."
Marjani blushed and protested. "Aunt Janeen!" not knowing what to say after that.
"You don't have to leave on my account, uh...? looking at both Marjani and Connor. "Sir, what is your name?"
"Um, I'm, uh, Connor.... Connor Turner. I'm, uh, well, yes, um, Marjani's boyfriend." Connor suddenly found the diagnostic much more interesting than anything else. "Pardon."
Marjani followed after Connor, "Uh you don't have to leave you can come with us."
Janeen watched Marjani and Connor, not following after them. Seeing what was going to happen.
"Are you certain?" Connor asked, just as concerned regarding a potential social faux paux as well as taking care of Talon. Reasoning that he did likely have some more time with Marjani, he asked her tentatively, "Um, are you certain? I mean, you have not seen her in a while. I don't want to intrude. We do have more time on shoreleave, but if you want me and, well, you think it is appropriate.... I can come along."
Marjani looked over at Aunt Janeen, then back to Connor. Her Aunt could be over the top. And Marjani worried about how Connor would take things with her Aunt possibly quizzing him. She worried her lower lip as she thought things over. She was torn, wanting Connor to come with them, then there is the fact that there might be some family things that they needed to talk about. And like what Connor had said, he was running diagnostics for Talon and that did need Connor's attention.
"Connor, it would be okay if you were to come with. There is also Talon that you are running diagnostics on. And who knows what else you will find that may need fixing. If you don't come with, it will be okay. We will have some more time together. And Aunt Janeen can at times be a little bit overwhelming for those not used to her." Marjani reaching out and holding Connor's hand.
Connor looked down at Marjani's hand and looked back into Marjani's eyes. He chuckled lightly and said, "Almost anyone can be overwhelming to me," had admitted.
He bit his lip, mentally calculating the time it would take to improve Talon. With replication of parts, he calculated that it might be two hours. Time with Marjani was precious. They were not on the same ship. So, what to do?
Ultimately, time with Marjani won out. "I suppose I could tag along. I guess that would make us official, official, right?"
"I do believe so." Marjani giving a laugh. "C'mon, let's go have lunch with Aunt Janeen."
A Joint Post By
Ensign Connor Turner
Computer Systems Specialist, USS Pioneer
First Lieutenant Marjani Smith
Pilot
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