[USS Juno] Encounter again (part 2)

Posted on Fri Aug 3rd, 2018 @ 7:29am by Captain Harrold Anderson

1,417 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: [USS Shanghai] S1E2: Encounter in the Abyss
Location: Charlena's quarters
Timeline: 05/14/2394, 1800 Hours

Charlena was in her quarter preparing for dinner. She had asked Dan to prepare a meal for her and the captain. Which he was more then eager to do. He had already brought the food up to her quarters and she was setting the table. He made a lovely Asian beef soup and for desert he had a nice sweet Asian dessert. Charlena was impressed with his cooking once again, cause he made specially for them as it wasn't on today's menu. She put the plates on the table and replicated a nice rose which she put on the table. She lit some candles to give a nice sphere to the room as she had dimmed the lights a bit.

She looked around the room as she was missing something. She noticed the wine that Dan gave that would go well with the food. She opened the bottle, but that wasn't it. She put the bottle on the table and thought a moment. She then realized it. "Computer play some jazz, background volume." The computer tjirped in compliance. "Perfect!" She just said.

Harry was not sure he wanted to come over so soon, there was a lot going on. His daughter body swapping with her teacher now, the experience of being in Kimoni's body with Jexen and then there was the actions of Charlena earlier. It was a lot to process at the moment. He tapped on the intercom to the room. "Its Harry."

Charlena opened the door. She looked to him. "Hey, Harry. Come in, have a seat. Would you like some wine?" She tried to be as nice as possible. She realized her earlier actions weren't very nice. It wasn't probably what he expected from her. He was looking for friendship from her, and a place to escape to from all his hard work as a commanding officer. He looked for understanding from her, as being the commanding officer of the marines. Someone on the ship that he could trust to do something like she did.

She took his hand quietly. "Harry, I am really sorry for what I did in the armory. I shouldn't have done that. But I told you before, I don't like it if you talk to me like that. But I admit, my reaction was uncalled for and for that I am sorry." She didn't know what else to say. She looked away for a second, then she looked back up to him. And then she put her arms around him. She gently put her head on his chest.

Harry was grateful for the apology but was still not sure how to respond to her. He was confused and just wanted a friend more than anything right now. He was not against the idea of being more physical with her, but at the moment, there was a lot going through his mind.

"Let's put that behind us." He said, embracing her hug gently. A hug was exactly what he needed at this very moment. He stood there holding onto her, and she laid her head into his chest. He took a couple of deep breaths.

Charlena looked up to Harry. "Those breaths came from very deep. What's wrong?" She looked worried to him. She had never seen him like this before. She didn't expect him to be like this.

"This whole body swapping thing has me drained. Plus dealing with the host of Jexen, was a bit to handle. And to make it better have a defector in guest quarters, under guard. So ya, a long day." He said gently letting her go and taking a seat at the table.

"Well, Dan said you need something powerful to eat then." Said Charlene. She pointed to a variety of vegetables on the table. "Dan said you need to put these in the beef soup." She opened a hot steaming pot next to the table. "And you eat it with," She opened another pot. "Rice noodles. Add vegetables, squeeze a lemon in it and this." She took up a small bottle of some kind filled with black sauce. "Hoi sin sauce. Not sure what it is, but you need to put in the soup. And if you want to spice it up a bit, hot chili sauce." She put some soup in the bowl in front of him. "Eat some, you'll need your strength as captain." She smiled as she started to fill up her own bowl.

Harry was still on edge around the small scene earlier. He grabbed the bowl cautiously and started to fill it up. He decided not to put chili sauce in the bowl. He was already on edge. He did not want to eat anything to spicy. "How was your day?" He asked, trying to change the conversation from him and put it on her.

Charlena prepared her bowl. She was squeezing a lemon in to the bowl. She put a finger in her mouth and put the lemon aside. "Well, I don't have a defector on my board my ship, so I would say pretty good at first and then I pushed my commanding officer to a wall, I guess I am lucky he didn't put me on report. When I came off duty I had to find a way set that straight." She took a bite from the food. "Oh, this is great. You know, I talked to Dan, and he said you would be a little drained, that's why he made this. How are you finding it?"

"Don't worry about earlier," Said Harry, as he started to take a small bite from his bowl. He was concerned about the mix messages earlier, but they were starting the moment over. He kept telling himself, this a mulligan, a second chance for a good impression.

"Well, I am happy that you're here." She took a sip from her wine. She didn't really know what to talk about and continued eating quietly. He was silent as well and silence became a little awkward. "So..." She broke the silence. "How is the food?"

"It was good, sorry I am really tired, its been a long long day." Suggested Harry.

Charlena nodded and got up. She wiped her mouth clean and dropped her napkin on the table and walked to Harry. She stood behind him and started to rub his shoulders. She crouched down and whispered softly in his ear, "Don't worry, I won't push you against a wall again. I will take care of you if you let me."

Harry did not stop her from rubbing his shoulders. He closed his eyes and allowed her to give him a deep massage. He was trying to clear his mind of the day he just had.

She gently put his head against her as she kept massaging her shoulders, moving up his neck and head. She looked down on him and then leaned forward she gently put her lips on his. When he opened his eyes. She pulled away.

"Sorry, just not in the mood, which is strange for me. It's been a long day. Maybe we should try this another night. I am not good company tonight. He said, feeling guilty. However he was emotionally drained." He just wanted a little time to himself. Time where no body wanted anything from him.

Charlena let go of his shoulders. "I am sorry I came on to strong. You can leave if you want. I will clean this up." She began by gathering bowls from the table and put them back in the replicator.

"Thank you, I need to rest." He said feeling very guilty, he stood up and walked to the door. He hated feeling defeated and leaving. The old Harry would have pressed his luck, but his heart was not in it and he liked her. It was best he left and tried again another day.

Charlena had no idea what he was feeling. She thought he liked her. She had cleared the table and was cleaning it. She looked up to Harry. "Yea, sure, anytime. I'll be here if you need me."

Harry left the room. He was ready to put this day behind him for good.

Charlena watched him. As soon as he was gone she walked in to the bedroom and sat down on the bed. She looked at the picture on her nightstand. She picked it up. "Oh Ariana...I wish you were here now." She put the picture back. And turned the light off.

 

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