468: Scars

by Commander TC Blane
80814.1237
Following The Wedding Gift

-=Betazed=-


TC was prepping himself for his appearance at what was sure to be the wedding of the year. Or at least the most talked about among the crew of the Sera for years to come.

He had made arraignments to use a room at the Inn to change, or undress as it was, for the wedding. He checked his hair in the mirror and let loose a long sigh.

He hated this.

Not so much the part about being naked but the part of being on Betazed. He was far more nervous of his thoughts being exposed then his body.

He picked up a pair of black silk boxers and put them on as well as a pair of black flip flops and that was all. He figured the less he wore the less there was to remove when he got to the ceremony.

He checked the mirror once again and adjusted the boxers. He turned side to side making sure that he was clean. His body was heavily built with his arms and chest well formed. His muscles rippled with each movement and fat did not exist on his frame. It was amazing how well his uniform hid that fact of just how well he was put together.

The only noticeable blemishes were from the numerous scars that crisscrossed his body at various locations, trophies from his adventures with Spec Ops. He had chosen not to have them removed. He felt that they were visual reminders of what he had done right as well as wrong in his life.

As he turned towards the door a tattoo could be seen on his upper back, below his neck and between the shoulder blades. It was the Spec Ops symbol and below that were several dates and numbers listed also tattooed.

No one among the current crew knew about the tattoo excluding the ships holographic doctor. TC had always taken care to hide it under various shirts and other items even while working out. It was not that he was embarrassed about it was just that he did not care to discuss it or its significance.

But today he would not be about to avoid it.

He stuffed his uniform into the small duffel that he had brought with him and made his way out the door. He dropped the duffel at the front desk. They had agreed to hold it for him until after the ceremony. He attached his badge to his boxers, because he had no other place to put it, and made his was to the wedding ceremony.

As he made his way he drew several stairs from members of the populace, most of them female. He nodded in a friendly fashion to those he passed but quickened his pace. TC was a humble man, and uncomfortable in the limelight- even when the attention came from the opposite sex.

He arrived at the ceremony and found that he was early. There were still several guests there and they were already ‘dressed’ for the days event.

“Commander Blane.” A voice called to him from behind.

TC turned to see Zander Blakeslee walking up the path towards him wearing a while silk robe and carrying a decoratively wrapped package.

“Chief.” TC replied as he folded his arms across his broad chest.

Zander walked up to stand next to TC. “Well looks like everyone is gathering.”

TC nodded. “Yes it does.”

“Do you know how this works?” Zander asked. “Is there a groom’s side that we should be on?”

TC shook his head. “I do not know.” He glanced at Zander robe. “Nice robe.”

Zander nodded. “Thanks.” Then he pointed to TC shorts. “Nice boxers.”

An uncomfortable silence fell over the two men as they watched others arrive and mingle, in the buff, around chatting with each other.

Finally TC spoke up. “You planning on following tradition?” He asked Zander.

Zander nodded in the affirmative. “Yup, don’t want to offend anyone. You?”

“Yes.”

Another pause descended on the two.

“One the count of three?” Zander asked suddenly.

TC nodded. “One.”

Zander untied his robe.

“Two.”

TC slid his thumbs under the waistband of his shorts.

“Three.”

A pair of black silk boxers and a silk white robe silently hit the ground in unison.

Silence descended on the two officers and they both stared straight ahead.

“OK then.” Zander said suddenly. “Let’s mingle.” He walked toward the gathering throng of people.

TC sighed. “Yes, lets.”

Commander TC Blane
Second Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012