Of Sunsets and a Fish Dinner
Tessa and Souske begin walking back to base after fishing, arm in arm. As they walk, Tessa thinks about what just happened and blushes as she remembers kissing him for the very first time after reeling in their fish. Souske for his part was thinking the same thing when he looked over to her and thought how beautiful she looked.
"Tessa!" at the sound of her name Tessa turns to face Souske.
"Yes, Souske?"
"I was wondering if you have found the answers to your questions." Souske asks of Tessa as she looks into his eyes. As she looks a new well of tears begins to let loose.
"Not all of my questions have been answered, but I do believe that you will help me as time goes on won't you?
"Of course.
They continue to walk and talk about many different things. Occasionally they both talk about the incident and what Tessa can do to be a more effective leader. They both notice that the sun is beginning to set as they come to a clearing that over looks the Island. At the sight they both stop to take it in.
"Its beautiful up here!" Tessa exclaims as she runs ahead of Souske.
Souske looks on and just nods his head. As he sees Tessa taking in the sight he wonders if a better world for them is just around the corner. Tessa looks at Souske with a smile on her face and he smiles back at her.
They both continue on their way to the base so they can have a quiet fish dinner with friends. This time they walk in silence pondering what may be in the future. The sunset reminded them that tomorrow is always unknown.
Tessa then realizes that she and Souske will be able to face the unknown one day at a time and that she also has to be able to solve problems without being helpless. As she thinks about this she looks down with a smile on her face and tears in her eyes. She also knows that both she and Souske have to take things slow between them. Not for the sake of what could happen but to keep their friendship intact.
As they both reach the entrance to the base they look at each other and smile as they enter. While descending into the underground base, Souske figures out how to get the chef in the galley to prepare the fish. He then goes over a mental list in his head as to how to get the rest of the team into the mess hall for a private dinner of fish. After he figures it out he looks at Tessa. "I will take the fish to the galley and have the chef prepare the dinner while you get changed and look for our friends to share this with.
"Of course, Souske." Tessa says with a smile on her face.
They both go their separate ways, Souske to the Galley and Tessa to her Quarters.
"I hope that everyone will appreciate this." Tessa says but does not see who is in front of her and bumps into them and falls to the floor. "Ouch...."
"Tessa, are you all right?" Melissa Mao says to her friend offering her hand to help Tessa up.
"Yes I am fine Melissa.
"That's good. I was just on my way.... sniff Is that a fish smell?" Melissa says to Tessa with her face a little wrinkled at the smell of fish.
Tessa looks at her friend wide eyed then blushes.
"I knew it you found Souske fishing!" Melissa says with a smile.
"Yes I did Melissa and we caught some fish for all of us to eat." Tessa says looking at her friend with a smile and a look that Melissa would say was determination.
"What do you mean by all of us?
"That is what I said, so now you have to find SGT. Weber and CMDR's Mardukas and Kalinin, to tell them to meet in the mess hall in an hr to meet myself and Souske for a nice fish dinner. ok.
"Of course Tessa, but what will you be doing in the mean time?" Melissa asks
"I will be taking a shower and getting changed." With that Tessa continues on to her quarters.
As Tessa rounds the corner, Melissa has a confused look on her face and wonders what just happened. True to her word she goes in search of Kurz and both CMDR's.
As she searches for them she remembers that Tessa went out for a walk. A smile comes to her face as she realizes that Tessa actually went in search of Souske. "I wonder what they talked about up there while they were fishing?" she says out loud to no one in particular.
It didn't take long for Melissa to find both CMDR's since they were on their way back to their quarters. As she approaches they both see her and stop when she waves her arm at them.
"Sir's! Capt. Testarossa sent me to find you and to tell you to meet her in the mess hall for a nice fish dinner courtesy of her and SGT. Sagara, in an hr." She says to them with astonished looks in their eyes.
"What do you mean courtesy of her and SGT. Sagara? SGT. Major Mao?" Mardukas says when he recovers from the shock.
"That is what I said sir." Melissa says then adds "I also have to inform SGT. Weber to tell him too.
"I see I wonder what she has in mind?
"That I do not know, but its for all of us. That is all I know." Melissa says with a shrug.
"Very well then we will both be there.
With that said Melissa goes on her way to find SGT. Weber.
"Now I wonder what those two were doing fishing?" Mardukas asks Kalinin.
"SGT. Sagara was fishing and I told the Capt. where to find him so she can talk to him. I guess that she fished with him?
"I guess so.
"I suggest we both get changed so we can meet them in the mess hall Rich." Kalinin says as he turns to go to his quarters.
"An excellent Idea and since it's not formal I suggest we go plain cloths.
"Agreed." With that said both CMDR's go to their room Ôs to change into something a little better than their uniforms.
Melissa reaches Weber's quarters and finds that its empty so she goes in search of him in the only place that letch would be. The ladies bath house. As she nears the bath house near the bases indoor pool she hears the other women that are assigned to the base and the sub talking.
"Now where is he lurking?" Melissa says in hushed voice.
As she begins looking around Kurz is looking through a slat, in the bath house, in what is the sauna where there are several women sitting and talking. He wishes of course that they were not wearing towels but beggars can not be choosers. He moves a little bit to get a better view when he hears.
"So there you are you letch!!!!"
Kurz turns around and sees Melissa pounding her fist in her hand and a look that could kill on her face. "Ahhhh..... Melissa its not what you think......." before he could say anything else he was hit so hard that he hit the wall of the sauna and slid down unconscious. The women that were inside the sauna came out and saw Melissa standing over Kurz. They all start clapping as she takes him away to get him ready for dinner.
Souske for his part was able to convince the chef to prepare the fish in a special way. He then went to his quarters to change and take a quick shower. As he is taking his shower he runs through the days events.
Tessa also while taking a shower runs through the events of the day and wonders if she and Souske will be able to grow closer after today. After her shower is over she gets dressed in a nice skirt and blouse combo with shoes that are comfortable versus with heels. She looks herself over in the mirror and smoothes out any wrinkles. Feeling refreshed Tessa makes her way to the mess hall to have dinner with her friends.
Everyone else were at the mess hall waiting for Tessa and Souske. When they all entered they saw one table set with a table cloth and what looked like good silverware. They could smell the fish being cooked as well as the other food that will be accompanying it.
Kurz still nursing a sore jaw asks "Now what are we here for?
"For dinner at the Capt.'s request!" Melissa says with hint of disdain for her companion.
Tessa approaches the mess hall as she sees Souske round the corner. Upon seeing Tessa, Souske looks at her carefully and understands why everyone likes her so much. As they approach each other at the mess hall entrance they smile.
"You look great Tessa!" Souske says as he bows before her.
"Thank you Souske." Tessa says blushing with a broad smile.
They both enter the mess hall and see their friends standing at the table waiting for them.
Both of them walk towards them smiling. Each one of them wonder's what to make of this but do not say it openly for fear of spoiling the mood.
"Well you are probably wondering why we wanted to have a fish dinner with all of you." Tessa addresses the group.
"Yes Capt. We were wondering about why you and SGT. Sagara wanted us all to eat dinner with both of you?" Mardukas asks even though he wonders why both Sagara and Tessa are standing close to each other but dismisses since they are both the same age.
"Well, since both SGT. Sagara and I were fishing together. We caught enough fish for all of our friends." She says using her hands for emphasis.
As if on Que. The Chef brings out the fish dinner. As they see the fish being placed down at each place they all notice that one fish is set in front of two plates.
"Why is that one in front of those two plates?" Melissa asks.
"That's the fish the Capt. and I caught together." Souske explains.
All of them take there seats with both Souske and Tessa sitting next to each other. Mardukas frowns but understands. They all look at the meal with mouthwatering anticipation. Tessa lifts her glass of wine and stands up. Upon her standing everyone else stands too.
"I propose a toast." Tessa says then she lifts her glass high "To Friends.
"To Friends." They all say in unison.
After the toast the friends sit back down and begin eating the great meal. Tessa and Souske look at each other and smile as they eat the fish that they caught together. As they all eat the conversation begins around the table about current events and what the future may hold for them all.
After thoughts: This chapter was fun to write in the fact that it involves so many fun elements. For those that are wondering no I am not going to move the relationship of Tessa and Souske to fast. Each chapter is unto itself a new phase. They will begin to grow closer later on but not right now.
It may take longer to update (about two months) since I will be packing up my computer next week for the trip home from Korea. YEAH..... I will be able to see the states again after one yr here. Ok now. I will try to get one more chapter written (I hope) before then and posted. All comments welcome.