By Commander Dabin Reece
80324.2300
Hours after The Enemy of My Enemy, Early morning
-=Quarters of Grace and Reece=-
80324.2300
Hours after The Enemy of My Enemy, Early morning
-=Quarters of Grace and Reece=-
His assignment was simple. To locate provisions, secure them, and transport them back to his quarters.
Dabin and February had taken what was understood to be a de facto second Honeymoon. They hadn't really asked for the time off, they just... took it. With the ship docked and nothing important going on as far as Dabin and February knew, the rest of the crew simply accepted that they would make their presence known when it was needed.
This morning Dabin had rolled over in bed and looked into the groggy eyes of one February Grace.
"Cinnamon tea and sugar cookies, and more cinnamon tea." She managed to mumble before pulling the blankets up around her face in a little maneuver Dabin referred to as "cocooning".
Dabin bounced up out of bed and threw on some civilian clothing. Black pants and a dark red shirt. He pulled on his boots and checked his hair in the mirror, to make sure he didn't look like a total slob. He admired the way the red looked at him, and pictured himself on the bridge, sitting in the command chair.
"First officer Zanh, I believe its your turn to polish my boots."
"But it was my turn last week!" Dabin said back to himself in a high pitched voice.
"You just don't get it? Do you?" Dabin said, as he smoothed out his red shirt.
"Hmmph?" February grumbled from under the blankets.
"Nothing, go back to sleep."
Dabin then left his quarters... their quarters, headed for the Afterthought Cafe. It was still quite early, and the cafe would not be jumping for another half hour at least, before the day shift began. With most of the crew taking leave time the crowd was likely to be minimal.
The cafe was empty as he entered, and quiet. Too quiet.
"Fleur?" He said tentatively. "Come out come out."
He tiptoed around the room, looking for any signs of life.
"Computer, full illumination."
The computer chirped cheerfully before bringing the lighting up to maximum. From the seating by the window, a deep painful groan emanated, with a notable French accent.
"Computer, turn off lights before I kill you." Dabin recognized the unique voice of Fleur Le Marc. The computer, always happy to oblige even when spoken to in such a rude fashion, chirped once again and plunged the room into darkness.
Dabin rolled his eyes, as he waited for them to adjust to the darkness, and made his way carefully across the room to where Fleur was sleeping.
He judged by the fashionable dress she still wore, the empty bottle at her side, and the smell of her breath, that Fleur had never made it back to her quarters after Rada and Avery's party.
"Fleur. Hey. Wake up." Dabin set about poking her on the bare skin of her forearm. Fleur did not respond for a moment, but the nagging sensation finally got her to crack an eye open.
"Oh, it is the Trill. Wonderful." She said sarcastically.
"Can I get you a glass of water? Or mouthwash?" Dabin asked. Fleur drew herself up into a sitting position, and blinked her eyes to get them to focus.
"You can help by getting whatever it is you need from replicator. Cafe is closed today." Fleur's head rolled back and her eyes closed again.
"But Fleur! I'm on a mission for fresh brewed tea and cookies! You know Bru prefers yours to the replicator."
"Mister Reece, it must be so horrible for you, knowing your true love will be subjected to replicated sugar cookies. I feel for you and assure you that is much worse than anything going on in my life. Now please, Cafe is closed."
Reece shook his head, and walked over to the replicator. He ordered a hypo for the hangover and a glass of ice cold water, which he would either let her drink, or throw in her face, he hadn't decided yet. In the past, people had frowned upon the water in the face thing.
"Fleur!" He shouted to get her attention. He tilted her head to the side to expose her neck and raised the hypo. "This will help with the hangover."
"No! No drugs!" She said groggily, as she swatted at Dabin's hand, knocking the hypo onto the floor.
"But its all natural! No drugs. Come on you look like you've gone ten rounds with a Gorn who didn't like your soup."
"No." She insisted. "The water." Fleur took the glass, drank most of it, and drizzled the last few drops onto her eyelids.
"Aww, I could have done that for you." Dabin said, sounding disappointed.
He regarded her for a moment, his expression one of concern.
"What's the matter? Have you never seen woman hung over in cafe wearing evening gown from night before?"
"Fleur," He asked sincerely, "How long are you going to let this go on? I've seen the way many of the guys on this ship look at you. You can practically have your pick."
"Mister Reece, what if I told you, you could have your pick? Would you leave February?"
"Why would I? As far as I am concerned we are perfect for each other.
"Congratulations, you answered your own question, you get gold star." Fleur replied.
"But, Fleur, he's so happy with the Captain. Maybe he's perfect for you in your own eyes, but, there are lots of symbionts in the pools as they say on my world. Is it worth maybe giving someone else a try?"
Fleur considered his words and found it ironic he suggested giving another man a try, without knowing she had kissed Dane Cristiane mere hours ago in a drunken haze. It was a move she regretted the moment she made it.
"The Prophets themselves..." Fleur considered spilling the beans on the vision she had had from the Prophets, that encouraged her to pursue Jariel Camen, to save him from himself and Zanh Liis. She also considered that Dabin Reece would likely have her committed for claiming she was in contact with the Prophets. "Mister Reece, the Prophets would encourage each of us to pursue our true love I am sure."
"Right." Dabin said, shaking his head.
The door to the Cafe opened, and two crewman from engineering entered. They halted as they realized the lights were out.
"Anybody here?" The first called out, squinting to see.
"Sorry gents, Cafe is closed today. You'll have to settled for replicated. Or a bowl of isolinear potato chips if that's what you engineers are into." Dabin said.
"I don't think so." Fleur said. "I can whip up batch of cookies in ten minutes at the very least. Please be seated!" Fleur called out. The crewman and his companion sheepishly took a table in the dark, and waited for Fleur.
Fleur retrieved the hypospray, and pressed it to her own neck. Immediately her headache began to subside. Duty called. She straightened her gown, and headed into the kitchen. Reece followed her.
Fleur grabbed an apron off the hook.
"Are you sure you are up for this? You aren't exactly dressed for it."
"No am I not." She thrust the apron into Dabin's chest. "That is why if you want bakery and fresh brewed tea for Mrs. Reece, you will take frozen dough out of freezer and put into oven while I get a quick sonic shower and change of clothes."
"What? Me? No, I protest. I'm a scientist, not a baker."
"Fine, then you can explain to February why she must drink replicated tea."
Dabin admired Fleur's negotiating skills. Perhaps she missed her calling as an ambassador or prosecutor. He answered her by throwing the apron on.
"Sugar cookie dough is in refrigeration unit. Cookie cutters, in drawer if you insist on cutting the dough into those little hearts that so inexplicably delight your wife." Fleur pointed to the jars on the counter. "Loose tea. Sugar. Over there, is tea kettle. Also put on pot of coffee. Strong coffee. I will be back in ten minutes. Detailed instructions for timing and temperature for baking cookies are on the paper card clipped to the inside of the cabinet door. Yes, I said paper. Try not to burn my Cafe to the deck."
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Dabin Reece
Temporary Baker
USS Serendipity NCC-2012
Dabin Reece
Temporary Baker
USS Serendipity NCC-2012