<USS Avalon> Log-Love's Bitter Aftertaste

Love?s Bitter Aftertaste

Dodge Thomas

The ship mess hall on the Avalon was busy as ever. It hardly ever was quiet, 
save during the night. Dodge fixed his shirt, dusting imaginary lint off the 
off-duty outfit before entering the noisy room.

All right, Dodge, he thought to himself, revving up something of a pep talk. 
you?ve had two weeks on a remote rock with this woman. . This is the one and 
you know it so just go in there and take the plunge. Besides, you?ve had two 
weeks on a remote hunk of ice in the middle of nowhere and that?s a rapport 
that no other man on this ship can lay claim to!

No other man save one.

?Oh, hey Dodge.? Leila said, looking up from an iridescent beverage known as a 
Neon Green. She opened her mouth to speak, but either her conscience or the 
drink caused her mind to waver. She belched loudly, the ungainly action 
degrading into an embarrassed series of semi-stifled hiccups. ?Sorry.?

?You always say the loveliest things, my dear.? Carson Fuller looked into her 
eyes with what he obviously felt to be undying passion. He glanced up, his 
expression changing to a victorious sneer. ?Yeah. Hey Dodge. What brings you 
here??


?Actually, I came for her.? 

?Who? My date?? He put strong emphasis on this statement. ?Sorry bub. She came 
with me and she goes with me.?

Leila giggled and hiccupped again. ?Wanna dance Dodgie??

Dodge gave her a disgusted look. ?No, not particularly. I prefer my dates 
un-blended.?

?Now that?s not a nice thing to say to my girl.? Carson stood up, wobbling a 
bit as he did. ?Now then, I suggest that you disembark before there?s trouble.?


?Like hell I will!? his voice was beginning to raise. ?Just who do you think 
you are??

Leila also stood, but lost her balance and fell back into her seat. ?What?s 
this about being ?you?re girl???

People were beginning to stare.

?See Carson. Everyone knows she?s mine.?

The fog that enshrouded Leila?s brain was beginning to clear. ?What do you 
mean? I?m nobody?s girl. I don?t belong to either of you or to any of you!? She 
made a sweeping gesture with her hand and almost lost her balance again. ?I 
can?t believe the two of you, fighting like two school boys on the playground 
over the best swing! Why don?t the two of you just grow up! Until then, keep in 
mind that I am nobody?s girl! I will do what I want to who I want where I want 
whenever the hell I feel like it! Got it?? With that, she stormed away from the 
table, tripping on one of her feet before exiting the mess.

?That was smooth Dodge. Next time try ripping her away from my arms and see 
what reaction you get. Until then, just remember she?s mine. Don?t even think 
about it. You spent a lot of time unconscious or away from the two of us back 
there on Vargas Two. That?s right,? He smiled and nodded his head. ?There?s 
more between us that there will ever be between the two of you. Now if you 
don?t mind, I have a damsel in distress to comfort.? he winked. ?And I know how 
to comfort a damsel in distress.? Again, the sneering grin this time 
accompanied by a quick nod. Then he too, was gone. 

Dodge stared at the spot where he had stood, knowing the people around him were 
staring at him, feeling his eyes boring into his back. He turned swiftly, fire 
in his eyes, daring any who returned the gaze to?

But no one was looking at him. Everyone had returned to their own little 
worlds, no longer concerned with his lover?s quarrel. His communicator chimed.

?Lieutenant Thomas, please report to engineering at once.?


Angrily, he tapped his badge. ?On my way.?



---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Hotjobs: Enter the "Signing Bonus" Sweepstakes

Other related posts: