She felt something pressed against her face. What the hell was Reed up to? She guessed it was some form of blindfold. She felt his hands press on her arms, squeezing gently.
"Let me guide you" She nodded gently. He pushed her forward gently and guided her to a chair. He helped her sit down. He then lit the candles. He gained special permission the day before from his Captain and T'Pol supplied them for him.
T'Pol and Archer had gotten together long before Reed felt special feelings for Charlie. The Admiral had allowed relationships after a long conversation between Archer and Admiral Forrest. That was linked through to the Command Council as well.
He turned off the lights and stood behind Charlie once more. He stood like that for some time, admiring Charlie from the rear. He then lowered his head near to her ear and breathed slowly. Charlie shivered, he saw that.
"I'm going to remove the blindfold but I wonder, could you keep your eyes closed still?"
"All right" Charlie answered in return. She was wondering what this guy was up to but she'd see how things would go first.
The blindfold was removed and Malcolm went to his seat, being careful not to knock his starter to the floor.
"You can open them now"
Charlie slowly opened her eyes, after blinking from the light, blurry and moving shapes and heard the soft breathing of another homo sapien in the room, the soft Indian music playing in the background. Everything started to slowly come into focus. She saw the flickering candles, the seafood starter and the face of the man in front of her came slowly into view.
Then realization came, this was not just a dinner this was a date. One that Malcolm had carefully planned to the last detail. From the candles, to the soft Indian music to the seafood starter which happened to be Prawn Cocktail. Her favorite. She had always wondered if he had feelings for her as she did he
"You okay?" Malcolm asked, softly
"I…I'm fine. You did all of this?"
"Yes, for you" Malcolm
"For me? Are you serious?"
"Couldn't be more."
Charlie stared at him once more and he gently waved a hand in front of her face. She blinked.
"Shall we start?" Malcolm asked politely, his British accent showing through. Charlie nodded and they began digging into their starters. Malcolm had got it just the way Charlie liked it. She wondered how he had managed that but she just got on with the meal. Once that was finished to last prawn Malcolm swept away the dishes. He soon returned with another pair of plates. Steam was billowing from the food. He placed one of the two in front of her and then sat down with his.
The meal consisted of lamb, peas, roast potatoes and parsnips. Malcolm had definitely done his homework. She saw Malcolm waiting.
"Don't stand on ceremony just for me Malcolm. I'm not that kind of person really," Charlie laughed. Malcolm laughed as well and started eating. Charlie followed soon after and the lamb tasted absolutely wonderful. The way it should taste.
After that they had desert, which was Mango Sorbet with a couple of chunks of Mango to go with. They waited for their meals to go down and listened to the music playing softly in the background.
Charlie was amazed how Malcolm achieved all of what was around her. There were fabrics, silk most likely she thought were draped over his bed, bookshelves and other places that he had thought wise to put them there. The candles burned silently, flickering in the light. The Indian music playing softly in the background. It just had the right beat.
Malcolm suddenly stood and went up to Charlie.
"May I have the honour of this dance?"
Charlie laughed and nodded. He held out his hand and she took. A sudden spark went through her arm and all the way through her body. She rose up, with some help from Malcolm. They put their arms around each other's bodies. Charlie felt the warmth coming off from Malcolm's slightly muscular body.
They danced continuously for three hours. By the end of it the both of them were exhausted and fell heavily on the floor. They looked at each other and started laughing. Charlie more so than Malcolm.
They managed to stop laughing and were now sitting on the floor. Charlie moved herself nearer to Malcolm. She knew he loved her. She could tell in his eyes and what he did. And how she moved over to him he didn't seem to mind.
"I don't know about you Chaz but I love you. More than anything in the universe"
Charlie looked at the man beside and smiled. She knew now her feelings towards him were returned. She put her hand in his and kissed him lightly on the cheek. She then buried her head into his shoulder.
"You did know if you read the signs Malcolm, that I do love you. As you love me, more than anything in the entire universe"
Silence came and she felt Malcolm kiss her head gently. He put his arms around her, hugging her in his embrace.
