After Hours

Posted on Sat Dec 12th, 2020 @ 4:54am by Lieutenant Xenia Windsor & Petty Officer, 1st Class Lee Adama
Edited on on Fri Apr 2nd, 2021 @ 6:48pm

1,114 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Mission 3.5 - Some R & R
Location: Lounge

Xenia finished her shift, exiting the Bridge when her replacement arrived. She was kinda glad it had been uneventful, even if it did mean the day seemed longer. Now, whenever Mr. Adama's replacement showed up, they could enjoy a little down time. She waited just outside the Bridge, assuming it wouldn't take long.

Adama's replacement showed up a little late, he was annoyed, but hey, things happen.
He walked off the bridge and found Xenia standing there. He smiled at her. "You look like you're waiting for someone. I hope it's me."

"I don't usually double-book myself, unless that's what everyone wants," she grinned.

"Then, lucky me." He offered her his arm.

Xenia placed her hand in the crook of his elbow. "Lucky you, indeed," she confirmed with a smirk. Her eyes flickered with mirth as they proceeded to the lift. "How long have you been on board? I don't recall seeing you around."

"Arrived about a week ago. A passing starship gave me a lift to make a rendezvous with the Legacy. I wasn't sure I would like it here, but having met you, changed everything." He looked down at her and smiled.

She gave him a dubious look. "Oh really? How is that possible when we only met at the beginning of last shift? How have I changed everything for you?"

Lee looked at her. "They had me on the late shift for awhile, then I was working in engineering for a few days." He stopped walking and turned to her. "Have you ever met someone, and at that one instance, felt like you met the one person for you? That's how you changed my life."

Xenia stopped with him. "I don't believe in 'love at first sight,' nor that 'one special person,' Mr. Adama." She began walking again and continued as she entered the lift. "I prefer the idea that there are a number of people you are compatible with, and that it takes work to maintain a relationship. Deck 10. I do believe in attraction at first sight, but you can't know someone is good for you until you get to know them."

He followed her into the lift. "You don't think that finding out if people are good for you isn't worth trying to find out? I want to get to know you better." He looked at her. "I'm not asking you to fall in love with me this second, but I would like the chance to get to know you, and I'm asking you to do the same. If you say "no", then I'll leave you alone. All I ask is a chance."

"Oh, absolutely," she answered. "But that's not what you said. You said I was the one, and that I changed everything for you." She smiled as the doors opened, and they stepped out. She looked back at him. "Shall we get to know each other over a cup?"

"A cup is a good place to start to get to know each other. Then we should start having meals....lunch, dinner. Maybe even go to one of the movies or the arboretum." Lee responded.

Xenia sighed to herself as they stepped into the mess. Goodness he was coming on stong. "Let's see how this goes first." She approached a replicator and ordered. "English Breakfast Tea, cream and sugar, hot." In a moment it materialized and she carefully took the cup before standing aside for Lee.

"Green tea, iced." Lee picked up the glass. "Shall we find a seat?" He carried his drink as he followed her to a table. Other people in the mess were looking at them as they walked.
They found a table and sat down. He looked at her, thinking she was a beautiful woman. "I want to ask you something, and it's probably personal."

She took a sip of her tea, nodding at him to continue from behind her cup.

Lee tried to tread carefully, after all, he liked her...she was beautiful, funny smart...he could see himself wanting to get closer to her. "Are you involved with Lieutenant Osswell? I've heard gossip. I don't normally listen to gossip, but because it involves you, I wanted to ask."

She found it interesting that there was gossip. She hadn't thought enough had happened to get to that point yet. But she nodded tentatively to Lee. "We have been spending time together. We haven't discussed anything enough to give it a label, or to keep either of us exclusive to the other."

"I just wanted to make sure I wasn't getting in the middle of things between you and him." He looked at her. "Because I would like to spend more time with you, become friends...if that's alright with you?"

A genuine smile formed on her face and she nodded. "I would not mind that at all." She leaned back in her chair, her hands wrapped around her mug, and sipped her tea. "So, where are you from?"

"San Francisco...near star fleet headquarters. Where were you born?"

"Merry ol' London," she responded. "Have you ever been?"

"Yes, I have. During semesters at the enlisted academy, a group of us decided to spend our break touring Europe...London was our first stop." He replied, smiling at her.

She smiled. "How long were you there? What did you see there?"

"We were there for 3 days, so the question is, what didn't we see?" He smiled at her....and he realized he liked her smile. "The British Museum...Tower of London..Big Ben...the Palace...the Tower Bridge. And of course, Westminister Abbey." He sipped his drink. "Maybe the next time the ship gets back to Earth, you can be my guide."

Xenia nodded. "You hit the main points in the city. Depending on your interests, I'd suggest spreading out into the countryside if you get back there. I'm sure I could show you around some places." She continued to sip her tea.

"Are you offering your services as tour guide?" He looked at her.

"I do believe that's what I just said," she retorted with a playful grin.

"And maybe we can save time and credits by using just one bedroom?" he responded with a wink.

Xenia smiled behind her mug. Lee was bold, and she liked that. "Hmm...perhaps," she responded coyly.

Lee reached over and took her hand. "May I suggest that you come to my quarters tonight for a quiet romantic dinner, and I'll even throw in breakfast in the morning." He smiled at her.

Without a word, Xenia put her tea down, placed her hand in his, and answered his smile with on of her own.

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