Interesting Developments

Posted on Wednesday, 29 April 2020 - 6:41pm by Lieutenant Alex Kingsley & Commander Soral

Mission: Operation: Recall
Location: USS Fontana | Gym & Kingsley's Quarters
Timeline: 2393,

{ON:}

From an early age, puzzles had fascinated her. Contributing over the years to develop an almost insatiable curiosity and a need to understand. Even as a child she had understood some puzzles were easier to solve than others. And that sometimes it was a matter of perspective. Looking at it a different way or - sometimes - to have some distance. Running was just one such way.

After hours of analysing data, a headache was building and she knew staring at the same series of numbers was not going to help. And, as her shift was well and truly over, she decided to go home, change and spend some time in the gym. A treadmill was nowhere near as good as the great outdoors but it would do.

Tugging her hair up into a high ponytail, refusing to fight with the stray locks that escaped, she adjusted the ankle support before slipping on her running shoes and fastening those. With Capri length leggings and crop top she tugged on a light hooded jacket on her way out the door, pretty sure the gym would be quiet so late in the evening. Touching the control panel for the lift she smiled when it arrived and she realised it wasn’t empty. “Commander,” she said in greeting as she slipped inside.

Soral had just finished his call with Salin, he'd also earned the ire of Ensign Kai-la for canceling their 'dinner' date. He'd wanted to work out and had decided to run. He'd dressed in sweat pants, a sleeveless shirt and his running shoes. "Lieutenant." He gave a nod as she entered the lift.

“Heading to the gym too?” She asked, although odds were good.

"Indeed. I require something physical. The holodeck was booked so I decided on the gym." He paused. "And you?"

“Same. A workout helps me think. Usually a run. Kickboxing for venting, any regular kind of cardio for thinking.”

"I take it the report is not going as planned?"

“It is going ... fine. I’ve just been studying the data for so long it becomes useless. A break usually helps,” she replied. “But thank you, for your help. It was well, helpful. Informative.”

"You are welcome." He stood awkwardly. The lift arrived on deck and he allowed her to precede him.

With a quiet ‘Thanks’ she stepped out of the turbolift. It was a very short walk to the gym entrance and, as she expected, it was deserted. Not a flyboy in sight. It was perhaps the biggest thing, the hardest thing, to get used to. So few people. In a way she loved it, in others not.

Shedding the light jacket, she hung it up and moved to the warm up area to do some stretches. Having had an alligator already sprain her ankle she was in no mood to do more damage. She would see how it went.

Soral did a few basic stretches before picking out one of the three treadmills. He was fascinated by the new science officer. She had a sharp mind, and she had an easy going way about her. He said nothing until she got on a treadmill of her own. "Lieutenant I must compliment you. I have rarely met a science officer, my self included, that would be willing to share the science lab."

Calling up and initiating her personal programme, she glanced across at him in surprise, “thank you but really I’m not one to throw my toys out the pram too often. And my dad always said, you are never too old to learn something. I hope I’m not arrogant enough to think I know everything and ignore the expertise or the rest of the crew.”

"A most refreshing attitude." He studied her. "May I ask a personal question?"

“I guess so,” she agreed, more than a little curious.

"Do you have any Romulan in your heritage?" He studied her. "I ask because of your hair. I have not seen many with that beautiful shade. It is common amongst Romulans I do not know of other races."

Beautiful? That was unexpected, enough to almost break her stride. Almost. “Not that I know of,” she said, “possible I guess... I was adopted so my family history is something of a mystery to me.”

"Fascinating. Have you ever searched for your family?"

Alex nodded, “my mother died in childbirth but by all accounts she was a ghost, no records, no family was ever traced. They ran my DNA and found no matches. There is some human, some El-Aurian mostly. No Romulan markers though.”

"Fascinating." He said as he increased the speed and incline. He looked at her a moment. "My apologies if I have overstepped in asking."

“No overstep,” she assured him with a dismissive shrug, “it is what it is and I had great and supportive parents. You find a lot of things fascinating.”

"Indeed." He said using another of his favourite words when he had none to add. He studied her and couldn't shake the conclusion that she was an attractive woman. He increased the incline and speed again. He had no business thinking that. Dalliances with those not of the senior staff could be understood but she was a senior staff member.

She laughed at his one word response, matching the adjustments the treadmill was making in line with her pre-programmed selection. “What else fascinates you?” She asked.

He turned his head slightly to look at her. "I do believe I have never been asked that. There is much I find fascinating. In what respect where you referring?"

“Everything,” she grinned, “beyond duty shifts, obviously. Hobbies, interests.”

"Indeed. I am an expert in Vulcan Martial Arts. I am running a class on that as well as meditating. I find reading quiet pleasurable." He thought a moment. "I enjoy music and what humans call swimming. I am also a fifth level blacksmith."

“Did not expect blacksmith to be on the list,” she admitted with a grin, “but that’s cool. I’ve never tried Vulcan martial arts, or meditating. I like kick boxing but not much skill involved... and now I want a swim. But I also want to know what a fifth level blacksmith means? What kind of things can you make? Do you practice here on the ship? Sorry, that was a lot.”

"No apology necessary. You should take the Vulcan martial arts class. It will provide a good work out but also with a background in kickboxing it will make it easier. I would suggest you try a few beginner level courses to assess your skill level and then we can see if intermediate would be better." He again increased the speed. "I make many items, swords, sculptures, carvings using Damascus steel as well as other forms of metal. I do practice on the ship. I was going to do this now but the holodeck was in use so I came to the gymnasium."

“Sounds like you have a small armoury in your quarters,” she mused. “I will maybe give the class a try. Running is my meditation.”

He gave a nod. "Physical exertion can be quite meditative." He also had other hobbies recently discovered but those were more personal. "What about you Lieutenant. What kind of hobbies and interests hold your attention, other then sport."

“Books, put me in a library and I’m happy,” she confided. “I used to help my dad build things in the study, he was an engineer, always tinkering with things, drove mum mad. But I tended to take things apart to figure them out so it never really worked. But ever need something stripped down, I’m your girl. And that probably came out wrong...” she trailed off, face scarlet.

His coloring turned a tad greener as a blush rose. "No..it is fine. Nothing wrong with resect to stripping down...I mean of equipment. Technological equipment. " He faltered a tad on the treadmill. He tried to take his mind off where it was going by repeating the mantra that she was senior staff and thus off limits.

“I’m sorry,” she blurted out, stopping the treadmill abruptly so she had to jump off to avoid going flat on her face. Why did it feel a hundred degrees warmer. “I made that awkward ... I’ll go over and take it out on the punch bag before I get myself in trouble ...”

"No. No awkwardness." he stopped his own treadmill. Just then the door opened and a few other people walked in. "I should go." He said. "I enjoyed speaking with you."

She felt bad, like she had chased him away. She frowned, “you don’t have to. My ankle is still healing up so if anything I should go so I don’t tempt fate. Please, stay. At least until a holodeck is free.”

"No it's alright. I should get some reports done."

“Are you certain?” She asked, clearly doubting it was as as she moved to step back up onto the treadmill, cursing when her ankle gave way, twisting under her. Only her quick reflex, a hand darting out to break her fall, made it slightly less embarrassing. “Stupid alligator,” she hissed as she twisted to sit, hands moving to grip the already strapped up leg.

Soral was down on his knees by her side. "Lieutenant! Are you alright?" He cursed himself for not reacting quicker. "I'll call medical."

“No, it’s fine, just a sprain...”

"Are you certain?"

She nodded, tentatively moving it. “Yeah, it’ll be fine if I ice it.”

"Very well I will assist you to your quarters." Before she could say anything he lifted her in a threshold carry.

She couldn’t silence her surprised yelp as he lifted her as if she weighed nothing. That definitely got everyone looking at them. As if it wasn’t embarrassing enough ... “really, I can walk!” She protested.

Soral wasn't thinking about anything but the injury. He called out to one of the ensigns there "Ensign get an ice pack brace." He carried her over to the bench and when he'd set her down the young officer arrived with an ice ankle wrap. He gingerly removed her shoe. "Thank you Ensign."

She gave a nod and looked at Alex. "Are you alright ma'am? Can I call medical?"

“I’ll be fine and no,” Alex assured her. “I don’t like doctors at the best of times, they don’t need to worry about a twisted ankle.”

Soral wrapped the ice back around her ankle securing it with Velcro. "I shall assist you to your quarters." He turned to the ensign. "Please call medical and have them head towards Lieutenant Kingsley's quarters." He felt better having them look over her ankle.

The ensign nodded. "Aye sir."

“That isn’t necessary,” Alex countered as she moved to stand.

This time he caught her before she hit the ground. The Ensign looked at Soral. "Medical." He said. She gave a nod and headed to make the call.

Lifting her again he carried her towards the exit. "Let's get you home....To your quarters." He added.

There was never a red alert when you wanted one, Alex mused, bring back her protests. This was beyond unnecessary.

They entered the lift and he called for her deck. He held onto her as if she had the weight of a feather. "We are almost there." He said to fill the silence he suddenly found awkward.

“Perfect,” she murmured, all to aware of how close they were. His smell, his heartbeat, all up close and personal. “I’m sure I can walk...”

Just as she finished speaking the door opened. He head out and within a few long strides they were at her quarters. He set her down to key in her code an then helped her to the sofa. He checked her ankle. "No swelling." He was glad they'd made it back to her quarters. He just hoped that medical was prompt. "How does your ankle feel?"

“It feels embarrassed at its owners stupidity,” she sighed. “There really is no need for medical. It’ll be fine.”

"There is no need for embarrassment and it is uncalled for to refer to yourself as stupid when you are obviously intelligent." He gently re-wrapped he ankle. "It might be better to just have someone look at the ankle." He pulled a blanket from the back of he sofa and wrapped it around her. "Can I get you something to drink or eat before I leave?" And leave he had to before he said something stupid.

“A water please,” she said quietly. Again with the compliments.

Soral gave a nod. He walked over to the replicator and ordered a glass of cold water. He carried it back to her and held it out.

As she reached for the glass their fingertips brushed together and in the same instant she met his gaze she uttered a hurried “Thanks. And sorry for ruining your workout time. Thank you. For helping me home.”

There was a moment silence. "Incredible." He said. He quickly shook his head. "You did not ruin my work out. It was pleasing speaking with you." Too pleasing. "No thanks is necessary. I enjoyed speaking with you."

“Incredible?” She repeated, brow furrowed into a delicate frown. “I don’t understand...”

"I....apologize I just find your eyes incredible. I should not have said anything." He straightened. "I need to go."

She was in shock for a heartbeat too long. “Wait -“

Just as she finished speaking the door chimed. "That will be medical."

She opened her mouth to say something but the words wouldn’t come out. Instead with a resigned and perplexed sigh she called out, “come in!”

As they came in he gave a brief nod. "Please feel better." He hurried out.

He was lost from sight as the medic moved in, asking politely what had happened. With her head full of questions about what had just happened she all but threw herself back on the couch and resigned herself to her fate.

Soral headed out to his quarters as quickly as possible. He showered, changed and still found himself restless. He tapped his com badge. "Commander Soral to Ensign Kai-la."

There was a pause and then the Orion's melodic voice answered back. "Ensign Kai-la here."

"I apologize for having to cancel our...conversation earlier. Are you available to .... speak now?"

The Orion smiled. "Absolutely. I'll be over soon."

He hoped this hadn't been a mistake. He sat down on the sofa wondering what had gotten into him as of late.

{OFF}

Lt. Cmdr. Soral
Executive Officer.

&

Lt Alex Kingsley
Chief Science Officer