Chapter 6 - Can I See You Again Sometime ... Possibly Without the Pirates
"And then we'll work on the forward mast, Captain. There's a lot to be done there. If you don't mind my asking, what in Flint's name did you go through on your voyage?"
Amelia gave a grim laugh. "Funny you should bring his name in to it,
Mr. Davies. But suffice to say, we hit a few bumps along the way, a black hole, exploding planet. The usual fare," she finished with a wave of her hand.
Davies looked at her incredulously. "The usual fare! What kind of voyage did you book?"
"An exciting one."
"I'll say. Remind me not to book fare on your next journey," he laughed.
"If the next one is anything like the last one, I'll be joining you in that sentiment, Mr. Davies."
"I'll say." He put his book down and reached into the breast pocket of his linen coat. Glancing at the time, he nodded to his crew. "Lunch time lads. Be off and enjoy the break. But everyone had better be back when the next shift starts. Spot on!"
Amelia watched as the bunch shimmied down the rigging lines and bounded off the Legacy. "I see you're still working with the same batch as last time."
"They're a good crew. They work hard and are honest. You can't ask for more than that. It's hard to find honest men these days."
"They are few and far between," she agreed wistfully.
Davies glanced sideways. "Amelia," he began, dropping the formalities now that the crew was no longer onboard. "I know you're land locked for a the next few weeks on account of your arm. And I was thinking if you had some free time maybe we could get dinner one evening. Catch up on old times." He smiled broadly. "I'd love to hear all about this journey of yours."
"Bradley, that sounds delightful, but I'm not certain if now would be the best time for that. You see, I'm," she stopped in mid-sentence as
Doppler stepped out of the main cabin. His eyes flickered between the
Captain and the tall, very handsome feline that stood next to her.
Davies saw the look in Amelia's eyes, glanced at the Doctor and confirming the same look in his eyes chuckled softly. "I see how it is,
Amelia. And I agree, best to wait on the dinner." He gave her a quick squeeze. "I'll take a rain check. But you can best bet I'll be checking on the status of you and your visitor soon," he laughed, winking at her.
"You're incorrigible, Bradley."
"And you love me for it, Amelia. You know you do," he called over his shoulder as he made his way off ship.
"Hardly!"
Laughter floated up from the dock below.
***
Amelia sighed and rolled her eyes. During the course of their 10-year friendship, each had seen many changes in the other, but one thing had always been a constant - Bradley's insistence upon finding her the "right man." She had told him time and time again that spacers and families weren't a good mix, but Davies was adamant that someday, it'd happen, yes even to the great Captain Amelia. And then he'd added, with a chuckle, that he couldn't wait for the day when he'd get the opportunity to meet to the man who'd finally done it.
He might not have to wait much longer, she mused as she caught sight of Doppler making his way down the stairs to where she stood. His eyes followed Davies down below until his figure rounded the corner. After a moment of silent contemplation, he brought his gaze back to her.
"An old friend?" he questioned hesitantly.
"Bradley?" Amelia smiled. "Oh yes. A very old and dear friend." She brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"Ah. I see."
It was clear to Amelia that he did not, but before she could say anything, he was off and running again.
"I can see that you're quite busy with your ship, and I do have a lot of work to accomplish today, so I'll be off and out of your way. I simply wanted to make certain you were doing well, and it's clear that you are," Delbert glanced pointedly in the direction Davies had taken.
"So, if you'll excuse me."
"Doctor, I was under the impression that you had a few days free before returning to your studies."
"Well, I, uh, do have some free time, but I thought it best if -"
Delbert stumbled over his words.
A pity really," Amelia continued. "I was hoping to take you up on your offer."
"My offer?"
"Yes. Back in the cave. Don't tell me you've forgotten?" A coy smile played at the corners of her mouth.
Delbert blushed. As if he could forget a moment like that. "No! No, I hadn't forgotten. I just assumed that with your friend visiting and all, that you'd be too busy?" He trailed off, a questioning note in his voice.
Amelia suppressed a smile. It wouldn't do to be flippant, at least not while the good doctor was looking that particular way. Best to take control and spare the poor doctor any more trouble, she decided.
"Doctor, I'm quite looking forward to the sight, as well as the opportunity to spend some time with you," she told him bluntly.
"Well yes, I can understand that. The sight is lovely and has many ... with me?" He looked at her over the rim of his glasses as they slide back down his nose. "Really?"
Amelia wrinkled her nose. "Doctor, I assure you I mean what I say when
I say it. I'm not given to making fanciful statements merely for the sake of doing so."
"Oh, of course. Of course. No fanciful statements." Doppler couldn't believe what he was hearing. The woman, the formidable captain was telling him that she wanted to spend her time in his company. Him! Delbert Doppler, astrophysicist. Best to take advantage and strike while the iron was hot, he told himself. So bolstering his courage, he straightened and announced, "Eight o'clock."
"Eight o'clock?"
"Yes," he nodded "I shall be by at 8 p.m. with Delilah."
Amelia was confused. "Delilah?"
"My mare for the carriage."
"Ah, your mare," she smiled. "For a moment there, I wasn't certain."
"About what?'
"Delilah. Decidedly feminine don't you think and let's not forget the connotation of the name?"
The look she gave him was totally lost on Delbert. Years of being dedicated to his work had left little time for dalliances, let alone a serious relationship, so the idea that there might be another woman in his life aside from the current one was a completely abstract idea to him.
"Never mind," Amelia sighed. "A carriage ride sounds lovely. I haven't had one in years."
Delbert brightened. "Wonderful! Eight o'clock then."
"I'll be waiting."
With bells and whistles crossed his mind, but he decided it'd be best to not add that oft-used phrase. Somehow, Amelia didn't strike him as the type for bells and whistles. Or even bated breath for that matter.
"I'll be here."
"Marvelous."
"Yes."
They both stood there.
"Well ..."
"Hmm."
"You have a ship to tend to," Delbert finally offered.
"And you should be off. Work and what-not, you know."
"Yes, yes."
Another moment passed.
"Doctor?"
"Yes?"
"With the highest possible regard, get off my ship," Amelia smiled.
Delbert laughed. "Is that an order, Captain?"
"Undoubtedly."
"Then I have no choice but to leave, I suppose. Eight o'clock," he confirmed one final time.
She nodded. "Eight."
"Well then," Doppler took the plunge, "I shall see you this evening ...
Amelia."
Her eyes widened at the use of her given name. It had been a bold step for the Caninian, but her shy smile told him exactly how pleased, as well as surprised, she was.
Delighted, Doppler bounded down the gangplank and promptly tripped amidst a stack of palettes. Amelia smiled at the sight of the canine sprawled across the deck and gave a quick wave.
"Tonight then." She turned away and then swiveled back. "Oh and Doctor?"
"Yes?"
"Do take more care when you return this evening. Those palettes are hard to replace," she told him with a cheeky grin.
To be continued ...
Drop by next week for Chapter 7. It's going to be a fun time for
Doppler and Amelia. Their very first date! Dinner, dancing, perhaps?
Will Delbert get lucky in the traditional sense of the word?
Considering it's me writing this, I can tell you most likely not! But tune in for more laughs and shenanigans! It'll be a gas!
"And then we'll work on the forward mast, Captain. There's a lot to be done there. If you don't mind my asking, what in Flint's name did you go through on your voyage?"
Amelia gave a grim laugh. "Funny you should bring his name in to it,
Mr. Davies. But suffice to say, we hit a few bumps along the way, a black hole, exploding planet. The usual fare," she finished with a wave of her hand.
Davies looked at her incredulously. "The usual fare! What kind of voyage did you book?"
"An exciting one."
"I'll say. Remind me not to book fare on your next journey," he laughed.
"If the next one is anything like the last one, I'll be joining you in that sentiment, Mr. Davies."
"I'll say." He put his book down and reached into the breast pocket of his linen coat. Glancing at the time, he nodded to his crew. "Lunch time lads. Be off and enjoy the break. But everyone had better be back when the next shift starts. Spot on!"
Amelia watched as the bunch shimmied down the rigging lines and bounded off the Legacy. "I see you're still working with the same batch as last time."
"They're a good crew. They work hard and are honest. You can't ask for more than that. It's hard to find honest men these days."
"They are few and far between," she agreed wistfully.
Davies glanced sideways. "Amelia," he began, dropping the formalities now that the crew was no longer onboard. "I know you're land locked for a the next few weeks on account of your arm. And I was thinking if you had some free time maybe we could get dinner one evening. Catch up on old times." He smiled broadly. "I'd love to hear all about this journey of yours."
"Bradley, that sounds delightful, but I'm not certain if now would be the best time for that. You see, I'm," she stopped in mid-sentence as
Doppler stepped out of the main cabin. His eyes flickered between the
Captain and the tall, very handsome feline that stood next to her.
Davies saw the look in Amelia's eyes, glanced at the Doctor and confirming the same look in his eyes chuckled softly. "I see how it is,
Amelia. And I agree, best to wait on the dinner." He gave her a quick squeeze. "I'll take a rain check. But you can best bet I'll be checking on the status of you and your visitor soon," he laughed, winking at her.
"You're incorrigible, Bradley."
"And you love me for it, Amelia. You know you do," he called over his shoulder as he made his way off ship.
"Hardly!"
Laughter floated up from the dock below.
***
Amelia sighed and rolled her eyes. During the course of their 10-year friendship, each had seen many changes in the other, but one thing had always been a constant - Bradley's insistence upon finding her the "right man." She had told him time and time again that spacers and families weren't a good mix, but Davies was adamant that someday, it'd happen, yes even to the great Captain Amelia. And then he'd added, with a chuckle, that he couldn't wait for the day when he'd get the opportunity to meet to the man who'd finally done it.
He might not have to wait much longer, she mused as she caught sight of Doppler making his way down the stairs to where she stood. His eyes followed Davies down below until his figure rounded the corner. After a moment of silent contemplation, he brought his gaze back to her.
"An old friend?" he questioned hesitantly.
"Bradley?" Amelia smiled. "Oh yes. A very old and dear friend." She brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"Ah. I see."
It was clear to Amelia that he did not, but before she could say anything, he was off and running again.
"I can see that you're quite busy with your ship, and I do have a lot of work to accomplish today, so I'll be off and out of your way. I simply wanted to make certain you were doing well, and it's clear that you are," Delbert glanced pointedly in the direction Davies had taken.
"So, if you'll excuse me."
"Doctor, I was under the impression that you had a few days free before returning to your studies."
"Well, I, uh, do have some free time, but I thought it best if -"
Delbert stumbled over his words.
A pity really," Amelia continued. "I was hoping to take you up on your offer."
"My offer?"
"Yes. Back in the cave. Don't tell me you've forgotten?" A coy smile played at the corners of her mouth.
Delbert blushed. As if he could forget a moment like that. "No! No, I hadn't forgotten. I just assumed that with your friend visiting and all, that you'd be too busy?" He trailed off, a questioning note in his voice.
Amelia suppressed a smile. It wouldn't do to be flippant, at least not while the good doctor was looking that particular way. Best to take control and spare the poor doctor any more trouble, she decided.
"Doctor, I'm quite looking forward to the sight, as well as the opportunity to spend some time with you," she told him bluntly.
"Well yes, I can understand that. The sight is lovely and has many ... with me?" He looked at her over the rim of his glasses as they slide back down his nose. "Really?"
Amelia wrinkled her nose. "Doctor, I assure you I mean what I say when
I say it. I'm not given to making fanciful statements merely for the sake of doing so."
"Oh, of course. Of course. No fanciful statements." Doppler couldn't believe what he was hearing. The woman, the formidable captain was telling him that she wanted to spend her time in his company. Him! Delbert Doppler, astrophysicist. Best to take advantage and strike while the iron was hot, he told himself. So bolstering his courage, he straightened and announced, "Eight o'clock."
"Eight o'clock?"
"Yes," he nodded "I shall be by at 8 p.m. with Delilah."
Amelia was confused. "Delilah?"
"My mare for the carriage."
"Ah, your mare," she smiled. "For a moment there, I wasn't certain."
"About what?'
"Delilah. Decidedly feminine don't you think and let's not forget the connotation of the name?"
The look she gave him was totally lost on Delbert. Years of being dedicated to his work had left little time for dalliances, let alone a serious relationship, so the idea that there might be another woman in his life aside from the current one was a completely abstract idea to him.
"Never mind," Amelia sighed. "A carriage ride sounds lovely. I haven't had one in years."
Delbert brightened. "Wonderful! Eight o'clock then."
"I'll be waiting."
With bells and whistles crossed his mind, but he decided it'd be best to not add that oft-used phrase. Somehow, Amelia didn't strike him as the type for bells and whistles. Or even bated breath for that matter.
"I'll be here."
"Marvelous."
"Yes."
They both stood there.
"Well ..."
"Hmm."
"You have a ship to tend to," Delbert finally offered.
"And you should be off. Work and what-not, you know."
"Yes, yes."
Another moment passed.
"Doctor?"
"Yes?"
"With the highest possible regard, get off my ship," Amelia smiled.
Delbert laughed. "Is that an order, Captain?"
"Undoubtedly."
"Then I have no choice but to leave, I suppose. Eight o'clock," he confirmed one final time.
She nodded. "Eight."
"Well then," Doppler took the plunge, "I shall see you this evening ...
Amelia."
Her eyes widened at the use of her given name. It had been a bold step for the Caninian, but her shy smile told him exactly how pleased, as well as surprised, she was.
Delighted, Doppler bounded down the gangplank and promptly tripped amidst a stack of palettes. Amelia smiled at the sight of the canine sprawled across the deck and gave a quick wave.
"Tonight then." She turned away and then swiveled back. "Oh and Doctor?"
"Yes?"
"Do take more care when you return this evening. Those palettes are hard to replace," she told him with a cheeky grin.
To be continued ...
Drop by next week for Chapter 7. It's going to be a fun time for
Doppler and Amelia. Their very first date! Dinner, dancing, perhaps?
Will Delbert get lucky in the traditional sense of the word?
Considering it's me writing this, I can tell you most likely not! But tune in for more laughs and shenanigans! It'll be a gas!