The captain waited as calmly as he could manage for his dinner companion to join him. He had only been waiting for seven minutes and thirty-eight seconds, but it caused him to keep note of how much less time he would have before Teagan had to leave and she had yet to arrive. Originally, Data had taken the seat that had his back to the door, but after three minutes and two seconds, he rose and switched to the seat facing the entrance. He hoped no one took notice of the anxious expression on their captain's face.
When he had waited a total of eleven minutes and seventeen seconds, the doors to the lounge opened and Teagan hurried through them. When she stopped to scan the room for him, Data tried not to jump too eagerly to his feet so she could see him in the rear of the large room. Teagan's eyes looked shadowed with worry as she made her way to his side.
She had mentioned that she would not be in uniform for this meeting, as she would be going to join her friends for an evening of music directly after she left him. As Teagan came closer, Data took note of her attire. Her hair from the crown of her head was gathered together in a braid that was tied by a tiny ribbon at the tip, the rest of her hair curled about her shoulders. She had on emerald earrings and her lips had more colour than usual. Her dress was of a glossy green that hugged her figure to her hips where it flared out in a flowing skirt that fell to just below her knees. Her legs were bare to her feet, which were covered in matching green slippers.
"I'm so sorry I'm late, Captain," she told him, still out of breath in her rush to arrive on time. That was a feat she had known was impossible before she had left her office for the day. "I lost track of time and left the lab late. I hope you weren't waiting long," she said as he pulled out her chair and seated her.
"I have been- No, I had only just arrived myself, Doctor," he told her as he retook the chair across from hers. The look in her eyes told him that she knew full well that he had just lied to her.
"I'm sorry," she repeated quietly, but this time with a bright knowing smile. "I see you managed to get a table. A very good table, too," she commented, looking out the huge viewport to gaze briefly at the stars as they passed.
"I called ahead. The table is now to be...my table whenever I wish it. We will not be left without one again. Captain's privilege," he said with an almost embarrassed shrug.
"Command prerogative," she said almost to herself, suddenly reminded of saying that to Apple earlier. He nodded.
The captain had ordered two glasses of the same wine that they had shared in his quarters last evening. Teagan thanked him for his thoughtfulness, wondering if he realized how the wine pointed to his being here longer that he had wanted her to believe. As she sipped it, she smiled, It really had been thoughtful of him to order her one and have it waiting for her.
The server came to take their orders, but gave a meaningful glance to Teagan before rushing away to fetch their meals. As the man left, Teagan broke into giggles and the captain gave her a quizzical expression. She covered her mouth and tried to regain herself, but had trouble doing so.
"Before we leave, may I suggest you tell the server what you thought of your meal tonight," she explained, between giggles and sips of more wine. Still confused, the captain asked her why. "He asked me the other night what you thought of the meal and I told him you didn't mention anything about it. He was quite put out with me that I couldn't tell him if you liked it. I think he'll have my head if I don't see that he finds out your opinion tonight," she admitted, still snickering. The captain smiled too, but there was a serious look in his yellow eyes.
"I would be most put out with him were he to do you any harm, Doctor. I will remember to inform him of my appraisal of this evening's meal. Do you believe I should include my feelings regarding the two previous meals we consumed here?" the captain asked her curiously.
Teagan grinned, but shook her head. "I think he'll be happy just hearing about tonight. Still, it would serve him right if you told him of every little thing that you didn't like from this day forward," she added, with an evil grin.
"I could do just that, but I believe you are angry with him for some reason and want to repay him for an incursion that you perceive as unwarranted on his part?" At her guilty eye rolling he continued. "What was his offense?"
Thinking about what had offended her, namely that the man had assumed that she and the captain would dine together again, she decided that under the circumstances it would be best not to disclose this to her dinner companion and to forgive the server. Blushing slightly, she told him, "Forgive and forget, I guess would be the most mature thing to do. Forgive me, Captain. It's been a long day and I did not get as much as I hoped accomplished. Another reason why you were kept waiting for a certain bio-chemist."
The captain grinned, his eyes bright, "I believe I know of the one you speak. She is red haired, 5'3.76" in height, weight 48.415 kilo-"
"Captain!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with shock. "I am 5'4"," she said firmly.
He smiled at her, but shook his head. "No quite, Doctor, but you are...close," he told her, looking apologetic.
"Humor me," she told him, looking so close to serious, that he nodded. "And a man is not supposed to speak of a woman's weight and especially not in public. But since you did bring it up, I thought that my record listed me at 49.5 kilos?"
"I did lift you when you fell yesterday evening," he reminded her, speaking in a hush.
"Oh," she said equally as quiet. "You have many talents, Captain. Remind me that if I start gaining weight, not to let you lift me," she teased, laughing and blushing slightly.
When the server brought their dinners, Data stared at the man with a speculative expression etched across his face for a moment before clearing his features and giving the server a dismissive nod. Wide eyed, the man scurried away as thought the captain had burned him with his gaze, Teagan laughed out loud as soon as he was gone.
"I can't believe you did that. I thought we were going to forgive and forget?"
"You did not even tell me what we are to forgive him for, and I cannot forget it even if you do tell me. But I will not have him upsetting you further," he said firmly, but then looked uncertain. "Do you think I went too far?"
Teagan grinned. "I'm not sure, but I think he'll definitely think twice before giving either of us trouble, Captain."
Unfortunately, she was forced to eat her dinner quickly to make it to her weekly meet with her boys, as she called them. The captain did not look happy when she rose to go. "I will escort you to the door," he told her coming to her side.
"You haven't told the server what you thought of the meal," she reminded him gazing into his amber eyes.
He grimaced at this. "I-" he began, but she touched his arm.
"You are dropping by tomorrow, aren't you?" she asked him, cutting him off gently. The captain nodded. "So I'll see you then," she grinned, trying to smooth his ruffled feathers. "And I should warn you, sir, this a casual event. No one will be in uniform and as you didn't wish to make anyone feel uncomfortable with having their captain there, I would suggest you dress the part." He looked her up and down, wondering if this was similar to what she would wear tomorrow.
"I do not think I would look proper in a dress, Doctor," he teased, not able to resist. He enjoyed her resulting smile.
"I'll keep that in mind, sir." She gave him a sideways grin. "See you sometime after eighteen hundred tomorrow. Good night, Captain."
"Good night, Doctor."
Her "boys" were waiting for her when Teagan arrived. She apologized for her tardiness, but offered no explanation as she normally would if delayed. While most of the music from the past that was remembered today was classical, big band or jazz, the "Repulsive five" as they called themselves, tongue in cheek, played music that was best known as rock and roll.
The girlfriend of Charlie Chappmen from engineering, came every time they got together to hear him play the drums. Flicman Tony, who was one of the teacher of the ship's younger children, was joined by his wife about half the time. He was able to play anything with strings better than anyone else Teagan had ever heard.
Bita Rache always came alone; saying that no one from sickbay but Dr. Jewel would enjoy the music they played. Ashton was "between girlfriends" at the moment, but did not let this bother him, he just flirted with Teagan, or made eye contact with single ladies in the audience. Dr. Jewel and Lauralee showed up tonight and cheered as soon as she finally entered the reserved holodeck. Rolling her eyes, Teagan stuck her tongue out at them and turned to smile at the four men that looked ready to roll. The crowd that awaited them tonight was a good size this time. About twenty-five people including the others noted.
The next few hours were filled with music, laughter and even some drinking. Whenever Ash was not dating someone, he tended to touch Teagan more that he did when he was in a relationship and this normally did not even cause her to raise an eyebrow. Today, she wondered if she should encourage him to power his charm down.
Nonsense, I've had dinner with the captain, but it is not like we're dating! She admonished herself. Dismissing the foolish hesitation, she let herself enjoy Ashton's outrageous maleness.
Before the group broke up for the evening, Teagan decided she should caution them of the additional invitation she had extended to tomorrow's gathering.
"You invited the captain?" Ash exclaimed. Teagan blushed and nodded.
"He wanted to know what you were talking about when you came up and asked about Thursday and Friday the other night. So, it's really your fault. He never would have asked about it if you hadn't come over," she retorted, teasingly. Everyone else just stood by taking it all in.
"Hey! How was I to know you were having dinner with him? And that reminds me, what the hell is up with that anyway? What are you doing having dinner with the Captain? I heard its had been more than once too."
Teagan blanched, "Since when do I report my activities to you?" she shouted fiercely. Ashton's face turned to stone. He was a good foot taller than her. As he inhaled, his chest puffed up in anger, and his glare was intimidating. The small red head before him gave no sign of being affected by his show. Narrowing her eyes, she just stared back harder.
"You are free to see anyone you wish, my lady. But don't lift your self so high that you forget who your friends are." He took another deep breath, let it out and stomped out of the holodeck.
Teagan felt deflated in more ways than one at his disturbing departure. Turning, she saw the rest of the guys and their significant others slipping away as well. The rest of the crowd had left as soon as the music stopped. Looking up at the ceiling, Teagan could not believe that she had let her temper loose like that. In a moment only Lauralee and Jewely remained.
The willowy blonde was the first to approach her. "You ok, Doc?" she asked hesitantly. Teagan nodded sadly.
"As well as I can be for someone who just made an ass of herself. I'm sorry, I don't know what made me blow up like that. I think I've been working too much or something." Teagan covered her eyes with her hand, as though hiding from her own childish behavior.
"Get some sleep, Doc. But I would patch it up with Ash as soon as you can. He holds a grudge sometimes," Lauralee advised, cautiously.
"I will. Thanks," Teagan answered, reaching out to give the other woman's hand a squeeze.
Dr. Jewel waited, crossing his arms over his chest, until they were alone before he said his peace.
"I believe I can guess why you were touchy with Ashton," Jewel told her, his expression deadly serious. Teagan walked over and sat on one of the chairs looking dejected. "What is going on with you and Captain Data?" He came to sit next to her.
Looking at his sweet older face, she tipped her head to the side and gave a short snort. "That would be one of the problems. I have no idea. We've now had dinner together every night since his arrival. I started it, and he seems happy to keep up the streak. But I can't say that there's really anything going on. He's nice and I do enjoy his company. He seems to enjoy mine, but I really get no sense that this is anything but...a convenience."
The older doctor looked confused by this. "What do you mean by convenience, love? Have you let him take advantage of you?" Jewel was already narrowing his eyes.
"No! He's not even tried!" Teagan had her hands up assured the older man quickly. She took hold of his much larger hand. "The captain is always polite, thoughtful and...well, he's funny and jokes with me, but it is never anything like that. He came to my office just after noon today to ask if I would join him for dinner tonight." She paused, lost in thought.
"One would think that if a man asks a woman to dinner for a fourth night in a row, that he means something by it, Teagan." Jewel's words were phrased as a statement, but delivered in a tone that asked a question.
"I don't get the feeling he wants anything more than someone to talk to. I get the impression he's still working on getting his 'Captain's feet' and needs someone with whom he can just relax. I think I got elected or maybe I unknowingly volunteered." She shrugged at this. Dr. Jewel smiled and patted her hand with his free one.
"Well, I would still advise care when dealing with him. You look like talking is not all you're going to be happy with." She blushed, but opened her mouth to protest. Jewel raised a finger to her lips. "Hush, child. You might as well not waste my time in false denials when I have known you too long to fall for them. He's the captain of this vessel now and I think it would be wise for you to remember that before you allow yourself to get lost in this." As he came to a stand, he kissed her cheek and gave her shoulder a parting squeeze.
Standing in the doorway, he turned back briefly. "And do as Lauralee suggested, love. Make up with Ashton quickly before it festers."
"I will," she called as the doors closed, leaving her alone.
Teagan had a full day of apologizing on Friday. First off, she asked Lauralee to forgive her as soon as she arrived in the morning. She went to sickbay and spoke with Rache, but called engineering and Tony's office after class time to make her apologies to the other two. She would wait until tonight, praying Ashton would still come and ask him to forgive her in person.
The personnel reviews were almost done, but Teagan just could not concentrate on them any more. Her tirade with Ashton kept coming to mind and her stomach hurt when she thought it was possible that she had ended her friendship with him last night. No, Ashton was a hot blooded and passionate man, but surely he would respond to her plea for forgiveness.
Teagan had known Ash for three years and had been friends with him for most of that time. She cared a great deal for the big hunk, and would not let him stay mad at her. She was certain that she could charm him into forgiving her even if she had to lay it on thick.
This made her think of what Lauralee had said again. Speaking of "out of your league", Ashton was that in spades. Oh, he loved to flirt with her, or Lauralee at times, but Teagan doubted she could ever really interest him. When he wanted to, everything about Ashton Uker spoke of steamy, raw sexuality. There was probably not a humanoid female aboard this ship that had not imagined what it would be like to share his bed, and Teagan had to include herself in that statement. But while a hot and steamy night once in awhile was long overdue, Teagan wanted more than just a pretty face to kiss and more than just a body to hold and...
She covered her face with her hands, thinking that she must need more cool showers or maybe...no, definitely more cool showers!
Friday evening, Teagan had only just begun the prep work for the cooking when her door chime sounded. At her call to come, the door opened. Her jaw dropped for a split second when she saw that it was the captain.
He was dressed in a deep blue fitted shirt tucked into chocolate pants, but he had kept his uniform black boots on. He greeted her and came to stand near her. Even out of uniform, he managed to look formal.
Looking at his boots, she grinned. "You don't go casual much, do you, Captain?" she asked. He followed her gaze downward.
"Not very often at all. Why?" he asked, wondering what she was looking at.
"The boots don't really go with the rest of your attire," she told him looking back up at his face. He grimaced, staring at his boots.
"Fashion has never been something I could quite grasp. The rules are in a constant state of flux. Should I go change?" The uncomfortable look in his face was so endearing that she found herself wanting to touch him...somewhere. Instead she just smiled sweetly at him and shook her head.
"No, but you are early," she told him. He looked around her quarters, noting that no one else was present. He had not even thought to look when he had first entered. In his quick scan of the rooms, he noted ten potted plants, of which no two were alike. Paintings of three landscapes on the walls, some still pictures of people he did not know and some sort of sculpture that used coloured string and twisted pieces of gold and silver toned metals. Teagan's cinnamon scent was also strongly in evidence here. Her dress was a soft red this evening and just as fetching as the one he had seen her in the previous evening.
"You know what this means, don't you?" she asked, drawing his attention back to her eyes. Data raised a questioning eyebrow. "You are hereby relegated to cook's assistant." Her grin was teasing, but she handed him a knife and pointed at a bowl full of vegetables.
"I believe I have told you that I cannot cook, Teagan," he reminded her.
"So, you're saying that commanding a ship full of people is well within your capabilities, but cutting up a carrot is beyond you?" She knew this was pushing it, but it had already been one hell of a day, and she didn't have much restraint left. He gave her a playful grimace and she found herself laughing until tears filled her eyes. He watched her wipe her eyes, still laughing. She showed him what she needed of him and he did his best to follow her orders.
"I have noticed that reaction in others and even experienced that phenomenon myself, but still do not understand it," he commented, off offhandedly.
"What phenomenon are you referring to, Captain?" she asked with a sniff and a final chuckle.
"Tears when you are not sad. You are not sad, correct?" he asked, making certain.
"Oh, no. I think I can safely say this is the happiest I've been all day, sir."
Data grinned and gave her one of his pleased sniffs. "I will take that as a compliment, Doctor. Thank you," she nodded, smiling. "But that does not explain the tears," he finished.
"Honestly Captain, I have no idea why that happens. I used to have it happen when I became very angry in my youth. I hated that and was relieved when I learned to combat it. It's not very convincing to shout at someone and have tears running down your face at the same time. People tend to take you less seriously under those circumstances, and that served to only make me angrier which caused more tears and...well, it was not pretty." She shook her head at the memory, grabbing a jar of spice and added some to the pot she was stirring.
Data tried to envision the scene she described, but found he could not help placing himself as the person Teagan was angry with and he did not want that. Both of them were pulled from their own thoughts at the sound of the door chime.
The evening proceeded with people arriving every few minutes after that. As Lauralee was the second to arrive, she got the job of letting everyone in. Since Teagan was feeling protective of him, the captain was not released from his cook's assistant duties. He stayed safely at her side.
Data found the idea of leaving this gathering quickly evaporated. Although everyone from Lieutenant Apple to Dr. Jewel seemed surprised to see him here already, they all seemed to relax quickly enough once it became apparent that this was still Teagan's show and even the captain was doing as she directed.
In short order, Teagan's quarters was overflowing with people, food and drink. Music played and conversation was everywhere. Teagan had said this would not be a party, but if that was not what this was, then the captain was at a loss to name it.
Being the perfectly practiced hostess, Teagan moved through the crowd, greeting all and hugging most once the food was prepared. She introduced the captain to many, but as he knew every face from either meeting them or from the review of their records, she found this redundant quickly and told him to mingle on his own after a while.
One of the last people to arrive was Ashton Uker. As soon as he entered the room, Teagan seemed to sense his presence and turned from the person she was talking to, her colour pale. She excused herself from Terrance Hix, with whom she had been speaking, and moved with deliberation towards Mr. Uker. Her expression became softer, as the captain watched, and after a few words that he could not make out through the other distractions, Mr. Uker reached over and took her hand. From lip reading the words Mr. Uker spoke, the captain gleaned enough of the conversation to believed that they were apologizing to each other for something, but Data knew not what. He was about to turn away when Mr. Uker pulled Teagan into his arms and hugged her warmly.
Teagan had hugged many people this evening. The captain had not been among them, but he had only known her for five days now. He was not sure, considering these facts, why Mr. Uker's embracing Teagan gave him pause, but it did. Something about the expression in the man's eyes as he put his arms around the woman that the captain had dined with for the last five evenings, made that same captain...nervous.
Were they involved? Data had never talked to Teagan about this aspect of her personal life. He had not had the time to really discuss much of her personal life at all. He knew she was not, nor had ever been married by her records, but records did not cover this.
Mr. Uker loosened his hold on her, but his next move was to lean down and kiss Teagan. The kiss was on the lips. Teagan participated in the kiss as well. When their lips parted, Mr. Uker wrapped an arm around her slim waist and guided her along as they moved together to join the other members of their music making group. The others seemed pleased by the display they had all just witnessed, in fact the captain now realized that he had not been alone in staring intensely at the pair as they had come together. Every pair of eyes in the place had been drawn to them when Uker hugged her and the kiss had even been received by a few people clapping.
Had they been dating, but had been involved in a disagreement at the time that the captain had come aboard? Had Teagan been available to join her captain for dinner all this time only because her relationship with this man had been on a hiatus? Thinking back to when Uker had interrupted their conversation on the captain's second evening spent in Teagan's company, he did recall that she had blushed at the man. However, Uker had seemed friendly, but not possessive towards her. Neither had seemed upset with the other.
No matter what the situation, the captain of the Repulse suddenly felt that the room was overcrowded by one. Still lost in thought, he silently made his way to the door. Data paused just in front of the exit thinking how in a social situation such as this, etiquette called for him to say goodnight to the hostess. He did not want to disturb her, but it would be rude to leave like this. Struck with indecision, Data stood by the door looking very uncomfortable.
Teagan was so glad that she and Ash had made up that she had momentarily forgotten about the captain. She pulled herself free of Ash's grasp, noting that he was so involved in the story he was telling he was oblivious to her movements. She turned around, scanning the room. She was stunned to find the captain standing by the door looking like he was about to leave.
Jumping to her feet, she made her way to him before he could move another inch towards her door. She noticed that the closer she came to him the more uncomfortable the captain looked.
"Planning your escape, Captain?" she asked when she reached him. He opened his mouth to say something, but the words were never given voice as he just closed it again and nodded. "Is something wrong, sir? You look upset."
Concern was written all over her lovely face. She waited for Data's reply and he looked at her lips, thinking how he had wanted to kiss them himself just two days before, but had hesitated a moment too long. Perhaps it had been for the best in light of what he had just witnessed.
"I am fine, Doctor. But I believe it is time for me to say goodnight. Thank you for inviting me. I did enjoy meeting your friends and socializing with some of the members of my crew. You are indeed a wonderfully gifted cook."
She glowed at his compliment.
"I had a great cook's assistant tonight. Thanks for helping, Captain," she said softly. She reached across and touched his forearm. Moving a step closer to him she took hold of the same arm with her other hand and leaning in, brushed his cheek with her own. "Good night, Captain Data," she said gently as she leaned back. She had yet to release his arm. Confused now, the captain looked into her golden eyes and nodded.
"Good night, Doctor," he replied slowly. She let go of his arm and stood back as he turned to go.
That had been remarkably close to a hug, Data thought to himself as he made his way towards the bridge to check in before returning to his quarters for the evening. Teagan's cheek had felt warm and soft against his and he wished he could fathom what precisely she had intended to convey by that action. Whatever message she was attempting to get across, one thing was clear; tomorrow evening Data would be dining without her.