<USS Avalon> "A Little Romance?"

A Little Romance?by Ensign Ffej Harak and Petty Officer Vevay Davis 


Ffej walked into his quarters and quickly started to straighten his sparce 
furniture. Walking into his bed room, he quickly changed out of his uniform and 
into something more civilian: black linen pants fairly lose fitting with grey 
piping down the seam and a soft silken double-breasted grey shirt with black 
trim. Slipping his work boots back on, he checked himself in a floor length 
mirror. Satisfied with the outfit, he returned to the main room and began 
setting up some candles and incense. Mulling over what to serve Vevay, 
something romantic but not too over bearing. Flustered with indecision, he 
began to pace back and forth in front of the replicator.

---------------------------------

Alexander had finally told Vevay to go home early when all she'd done was sit 
there and stare into space. She'd had an hour to get ready and yet there she 
was, still deciding what to wear when she knew she was already ten minutes 
late. Nice one Vev, real great! The problem was that she didn't know how formal 
to be. So the choice was between this gorgeous little black dress she'd been 
saving for just such an occasion as this or a simple pants suit: black pants, 
velvet basque and a jacket. What a quandry! The dress showed off her legs but 
the basque was just so damn sexy. Oh well, she thought, I can only get it 
wrong. Pulling on the pnats and basque, she scraped her hair into a pony tail 
and bolted out the door.

---------------------------------

Ffej stopped suddenly as a flash of memory seared across his brain.

~~ Carefully he began building the dish designed to woo any woman's heart. 
Tender chicken breast broiled in a thick red sauce, covered with melted 
mozzarella cheese. Resting upon a bed of fetacheni alfraido, a side of baby 
carrots lightly cooked drizzled with butter and honey, and lightly toasted 
garlic bread. All served on a plate of fine pearl white china. He laid out two 
servings as he waited for his dinner date to arrive. Fretting with his outfit, 
he peered intently at the man staring back at him. Baby blue eyes and short 
cropped brown hair framed a thin but handsome face and John smiled back. ~~

Ffej stood straight after lighting the candles and admired the steaming plates. 
His eyes misted slightly, Thanks John. I owe you one...

Standing outside his door, Vevay looked down at her clothes and decided that 
the dress would have been better. Too late now, she thought as she pressed the 
chime once and waited.

Turning abruptly to face the door, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. 
Slowly he walked to the door and wiped his hands, that were suddenly sweaty, on 
his pants. Snap out of it Ffej, you've been alone with her three times already. 
Why pick now to suddenly get all worried and shy!? He let out a long breath and 
thumbed the panel, opening the doors. She stood there in all her glorious 
splendor, framed with a halo of light from the corridor. Ffej's mouth parted 
slightly as he stood there, staring.

"Hi," she said as she looked up into his wonderful blue eyes. "Erm, can I come 
in?" Oh God, maybe he's going to send me away.

Stammering gibberish, he stepped back and motioned her in. Finally gaining 
control of his tongue, he said, "You... you look beautiful."

She blushed as she stepped past him. "Thank you." The room was filled with the 
most mouth-watering aroma. "Something smells great."

He turned and stepped over to the replicator and pressed a few buttons, seconds 
later he held a small tray with two crystal goblets and a dark bottle. Laying 
across the tray was a single rose, write tipped in red. Ffej gingerly walked 
over to the table and carefully set the arrangement down. Picking up the 
flower, he stood straight, and faced her. "As I said, I prefer these." Holding 
out the flower to her, he smiled meekly.

Taking the flower, she sniffed it. It was more beautiful than the ones Ketchum 
had sent, but that could be because it meant a whole lot more. "Thank you." She 
leaned up and kissed him on the cheek.

He flushed red at her tender touch. He gestured for her to sit, taking the 
bottle into his hands and carefully working the cork free. "Let this breathe a 
few before pouring, it's supposed to enhance the flavor." Slowly easing himself 
down beside her, "I hope you're not allergic to any of this." Ffej waved his 
hand vaguely at the dinner laid out before them.

"Not to my knowledge." Eying the bottle with a little trepedation, she said, 
"Is that alcoholic?"

He smirked softly, "Out of the replicator? Not likely."

Still unsure, she nodded. "It's just that I don't really drink. I mean I had a 
few glasses last night at dinner with the Captain, but they went straight to my 
head and I didn't really like the feeling. You know?"

He tilted his head at her comment, Captain?!? Blinking quickly and twisting 
about on the cushion to face her fully. "So, uh. Tell me about yourself. Where 
do you come from, career goals, things like that. I want to know more about 
you."

What do I tell him? Oh God, he's going to run a mile when he finds out about 
me. Her whole life suddenly looked like a terrible nightmare and she just 
wanted to run away. "I was er born on Altair VI, grew up in lots of places. My 
parents kind of traveled around a lot." My parents, she shuddered inwardly. 
"Joined the 'Fleet at 16 as a yeoman in security and never looked back."

He met her gaze and smiled warmly, he sensed her fear and self-doubt, but 
ignored it. Turning he picked up the bottle and poured a tiny amount into the 
first glass and motioned for her to approve.

Taking a sip, the warmth of the liquid was wonderful. "It's lovely, fruity and 
spicy."

Ffej poured a half glass measure into each goblet. Gently sitting the bottle to 
the side, he turned and gestured to her plate. "Don't let it get cold."

The first bite was exquisite and it got better, the more she ate. Their 
conversation was idle and easy, companionable. But it was over far too quickly. 
Swallowing her last mouthful, Vevay felt a sense of loss that she would 
probably be asked to go soon. She looked over at Ffej and found him smiling at 
her. "That was wonderful, thank you."

He grinned and glanced down at the plates. Gathering them, he stood and carried 
them to the replicator to recycle. Ffej walked to the back room and soon 
returned with a large deformed sphere. Letting it plop onto the floor he eased 
himself down into and let it conform to his shape. "You can join me if you 
want, I don't bite... hard" His shoulders bounced lightly with his giggle.

"If I sit on the floor, I'll get dirty." Well duh, Vev, of course you will, 
what a dumb thing to say. "That is, I don't mind getting dirty..." Blushing the 
colour of her normal uniform, she shut her mouth before she could make anymore 
stupid remarks.

He motioned for her to go to him and patted his lap. "There's more than enough 
room here for two."

Casually slipping his arm around her waist, he tilted his head to peer at her. 
"Anything you want."

"You, let's talk about you. Tell me everything." Snuggling lower into him, she 
rested her head on his shoulder.

Feeling her firm figure pressed against him, stirred him deeply. He shuddered 
slightly, "What would you like to know?"

Maybe now was her chance, maybe if she got the information like this, she 
wouldn't need to interview him tomorrow. Maybe I sodding don't want to! "Tell 
me about your family, where you grew up, your childhood. I've never been to 
Betazed, is it beautiful?"

He hummed softly as his eyes drifted closed. He recalled the fields and the 
places he cherished, as well as the few places he got into trouble at 
frequently. "Clear your mind." Ffej opened up to her and allowed her to see 
through his eyes and what he remembered.

It was beautiful. Everything was so soft and comfortable. She relaxed into his 
memory and could almost believe this was her home too. Her home... "You stupid 
little bitch!" The punch flew out of no where and she fell from his lap. 
Looking up, she saw the bemused expression on Ffej's face.

Ffej's head lurched to the side from the remembered impact. His eyes snapped 
open as Vevay tumbled from his lap. He looked at her filled with deep concern. 
"That wasn't mine... are you alright?"

"No... yes... Oh God, I'm so sorry. I didn't want you to see that." Tears 
filled her eyes as she pulled herself to her feet and headed to the door.

Ffej jumped quickly to his feet and rushed after her. Grabbing her shoulder, he 
span her around and embraced her. He whispered soothing words into her ear 
while holding her tight. "It's okay, don't run away from it. I'm here."

Silent sobs pulled at her body and she curled around him. "You don't know, no 
one knows. Your childhood was so beautiful, so safe." She tightened her grip on 
him but didn't say any more. Her mind was suddenly a torrent of images of her 
father's abuse that she inadvertently shared with Ffej. Instead of holding it 
back, she showed him all of it. She pushed the pain into him, as if he were 
being punished for simply being there, for simply caring enough to ask and hold 
her while she cried.

Ffej gritted his teeth as he felt each jarring impact ruthlessly dealt from the 
man. The fear, anguish, and burning hatred pulsed through his veins. The 
feeling of freedom that soothed so many endless nights of torment, the very 
night escape was embraced. He opened his eyes and was not shocked at the blurry 
mist that had formed, obscuring his vision. "Vevay," his voice cracked and was 
less than a whisper. "I'm so sorry you had to suffer that..." He lead her back 
to the lump of a chair, eased himself and her down. He squeezed her tight and 
held her still quivering body, gently he kissed her cheek, tasting the bitter 
salty tears she shed.

The sobs subsided and so did the tears, soothed away by Ffej's gentle rocking. 
Vevay looked up at him and frowned. "I'm sorry. I'm usually so good at 
suppressing that, I don't know what..." And suddenly it didn't matter. 
Scrubbing her tears away from her eyes, she reached up and brushed the side of 
his face. "Why did you do that for me?"

He gazed longingly into her eyes, forcing himself to stay in the present and 
not fall into those lovely portals to her soul. "You needed it. Since I first 
met you, you've thrown up walls and suppressed yourself. After seeing that I 
can understand why."

"Kiss me?" No longer caring if it was proper, she said, "Please."

Heart pounding in his chest, he looked into her eyes. "I've been looking for a 
way to broach that subject all evening, how can I deny your request..." His 
eyes drifted closed as he leaned forward, bringing their lips togeather. The 
soft feel, the gently pressure, his skin felt alive along every inch that they 
held contact with one another.

Her fingers dug into his arms and she increased the passion of the kiss. I want 
to feel something, anything, oh God let me feel something other than the pain. 
He purged it from her, burned it out of her from the inside as he held her and 
kissed her. He would make it all better.

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