Waiting
The next morning, Aalin skipped breakfast and the mess halls going directly to the science lab and continuing her translation of the records left by an ancient civilization on the second planet in the NV-0809 system. Throughout the day she worked alone. By late afternoon, given Spock's curiosity with studying a people who may have been one of the early colonizers in this sector and his lack of a check-in on the project, she assumed a problem must have arisen, one important enough to require the full attention of the Vulcan but not serious enough to alert the rest of the crew.
The evening came and went with no contact from Chris. She spent it in her quarters preparing for her upcoming self-defense test, passing it was one of the requirements for keeping her temporary commission. Her instructor, John, had assured, "It'll be a piece of cake. There's only one component."
Of course that component was throwing and pinning for a minimum of twenty seconds Enterprise's six-foot-six security chief, a man with the physique and strength of a Nordic warrior reincarnated from Valhalla. Odin was the crew's nickname for Commander Isak Bengsston. And his size and strength intimidated the hell out of her.
Isak personally designed a training course after assessing her slight closer to petite than tall frame, and non-existent skill level. He had boomed in his Australian accent, "If I huffed and puffed, I could blow you away. That'll be an advantage for you. No one will expect you to hold your own. Use it." He had then turned to his subordinate and said, "Teach her a combination of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Krav Maga. Formal throws and pins with basic street fighting."
The 'street fighting' reference had elicited a nervous chuckle from Aalin. After all, she had failed kindergarten ballet when she was five and forced into lessons; the teacher informing her disappointed parents Aalin lacked coordination. Rigid assessments at that age tend to stick in your psyche. Feeling like that five-year old in a class of adults, she practiced more in her quarters than the gym.
Catching her breath after the door chimed, she called, "Come."
Matt, the ship's head nurse, strode in. "I hear you are avoiding the mess halls." He plopped a tray on a table then rubbed his chin. "Though I don't much blame you. But there's hope on the horizon, everyone's attention is starting to turn to whether Ensign Roberts will bag the Sengali twins when they go into heat."
Aalin's response was a strangled snort-like giggle as she tried not to laugh. "I assume you made that up."
He cocked his head to the side and favored her with a long, assessing gaze. Medics can't stop being medics. Then he drawled, "I made up the twins part … they're only litter mates. Are you OK?"
"I'm fine," she reassured.
He stared at her. "You're not … upset about what happened last night?"
She started to correct with a nothing happened last night statement. Then reminded herself, Discussing Chris' private life with a member of his crew is unfair to Chris and the crewman, and even more so with Matt since he and Chris are friends. "Why would I be?"
Matt noted her genuinely puzzled expression. After a long talk with his husband last night, doubts about Team Christopher's plans harangued Matt and, after relaying his concerns to the CMO, then Phil throughout the day. Isak had reminded Talos wasn't the only reason Chris might proceed with caution and pushing him before ready might harm rather than aid his budding relationship with Aalin.
In typical blunt fashion Matt prompted, "Your night with the Captain was interrupted."
"I don't understand what you are asking … oh." She smiled. "No. I am not unhappy nor upset. I get the rhythms of the Captain's life. Last night's torpedo problem was no different than you treating a medical emergency in Sickbay rather than spending the evening with Isak."
You passed the test, Matt congratulated in his head, pleased with her response. Which will be welcome news at the next Team Christopher meeting. Well done. Not that you realized you were being tested. "When's your self-defense certification?"
"In a couple of days."
He then offered, "Want a workout partner?"
Aalin's acceptance was immediate, a vigorous nod which encompassed her entire body. Her speech was rapid. "Yes … please … John says I'm ready … but it doesn't feel like it … I don't know if I will ever be good at this …"
Matt placed his hands on her shoulders and held her gaze. "Stop. Breath … That's better. OK. Have you ever known me to hold back? To pretty the truth?"
She shook her head.
"Alright then. Show me what you can do. Isak and I spar regularly." He grinned. "Wait, that sounds wrong doesn't it. I meant in the gym. Well, between the sheets too, but that's immaterial to this conversation." He paused gauging her reaction to his deliberate rambling banter. Her shoulders were erect but relaxing, her stance more at ease. Good.
Matt continued, "I'll give you an honest assessment whether you stand a chance. With no varnish. And keep in mind, Isak will handicap the test, rather than using all his strength and skill. He won't go easy on you, but he will mimic only an above average opponent."
Thank heaven for small mercies, Aalin thought as she got into position for the first required movement. Practicing with Matt was a tonic. His straightforward conclusion delivered as, "Not bad, you'll do OK," boosted her confidence.
Freshly showered, she went to the small mess hall on deck three, colloquially known as 'the command deck' which housed the senior officers but was open to all. At this late hour this particular mess hall tended to be empty, and she and Chris had fallen into the habit of meeting there each night. Neither was aware everyone else on board now purposefully avoided the room at the appointed time.
They had a ritual. She usually arrived first and took the same table near the viewport. Chris joined her with two mugs of tea. Aalin asked about his day. They both relaxed into the moment which felt, briefly, as if they were the only two beings in the galaxy.
While waiting, she thought back to her first self-defense training session. She had started to skip meeting Chris that night (neither referred to their standing arrangement as a date, though their shipmates did), but decided avoidance was futile as the Captain received a daily report of all injuries on board. Chris was already there and jumped to his feet when she entered. In three strides he was across the room. Standing in front of her, forehead creased and mouth in a straight grim line, his gazed focused on the black, blue, and purple bruise surrounding her left eye.
"What happened?" he demanded impatiently.
"While attempting to learn how to roll when I fall, my shoulder missed the matt. My cheek didn't," Aalin said dryly. "I assume the incident was already relayed to you."
"Yes. By your instructor and Isak. Phil assured me you didn't break any bones. And that you somehow, miraculously, managed to avoid concussing your skull."
Head throbbing Aalin snapped, "Then my participation in this conversation is superfluous." Immediately she added, tone softened, "I'm sorry. That was uncalled for. I'm still getting used to having a commanding officer. It's like being back in boarding school and dreading when they called my parents."
Chris replied with a sigh, "As was my pouncing the moment you walked into the room. Uncalled for that is. May I?"
She nodded. His fingertips gently explored the injured area; the touch was soothing. Aalin resisted covering his hand with hers to keep him from pulling away.
"Does it hurt much?" he asked hand now back at his side.
"It's still a bit achy."
"I understand if you want to skip tonight," Chris said, sternly dismissing his stray thoughts about tucking her into bed.
"No, I want to stay," she replied quietly.
He settled her in a chair and sat opposite observing her slight frown, slouched posture, and fidgeting hands. Chris quickly surmised the reason for her low spirits, and it tugged at his heart. "No one expects you to become a martial arts expert. This is about being able to protect yourself and others until help arrives."
"OK. Yeah. That is what John and Nhan keeping reminding me. It's just …" her voice trailed off.
"Go on," he encouraged.
"I can manage the academic subjects and their exams. But … This sounds silly. Everyone in my family is athletic but me. For heaven's sake, one of my brothers plays soccer professionally. They all played sports in school … my siblings that is … and my parents … I didn't … They tried to teach me … it never went well …" her voice drifted off.
"I fail to understand how that is relevant." For reasons unfathomable to Chris, his statement sparked a brief smile from her. "What?"
"You sound like Spock."
"Oh. Meaning the logic presented?"
She shook her head, faint smile morphing to a grin. "No. The way you phrased it." Aalin then added, "Though of course your logic is always impeccable."
"Now you're just humoring your Captain," he teased back.
Her grin turned enigmatic. "Perhaps."
"No one on Enterprise has ever failed a self-defense certification," Chris said. He didn't add nor recertification seeing no need to discourage her with future requirements.
"I haven't spent half my adult life training for Starfleet," she pointed out.
"No. But I believe you can do this. Have faith in yourself."
Chris' encouragement had helped. The next lesson went better. Then the next and the next.
She checked the time. An hour had passed with no sign of nor communication from Chris. She assumed whatever kept Spock from the science lab today also needed the Captain's attention and returned to her quarters.
ooooo
Christopher Pike did not procrastinate. However unpleasant the task, regardless of the dread it invoked, he tackled it head on and expeditiously. As with a horse never ridden, he looked the situation straight in the eye, masterfully in the eye, and took charge.
He began the day intending to walk his relationship with Aalin back from the brink of becoming lovers. Having spent a long sleepless night weighing numerous ramifications, Chris determined any other path was unfair to her. For a multitude of reasons. Good reasons he had reassured himself. Very good reasons. "Most importantly, she deserves to be loved by one with no doubts his feelings are true. My desire for her may be planted by others in order to manipulate us both. I can't risk hurting her with that cruelty," he had said aloud wielding the physical weight of words as a scalpel against his sense of profound loss. The choice left him hollow. His body craved her touch. His psyche craved her affection. He wanted to cherish her unreservedly and demonstratively.
But the day had other plans.
A myriad of unrelated problems, none serious but all important, consumed his time pushing aside less urgent duties and all personal activities. The first item superseded was checking on Aalin after hearing via the grapevine about the silence that ensued when she entered the mess hall last night. Another was their nightly chat. Finally able to retreat to his quarters at 2:00am, Chris put off until tomorrow the conversation about their relationship.
ooooo
The next day mirrored the previous. Aalin again skipped the crowded mess halls. She again worked alone in the lab. A brief message from Spock directed her to focus on translating the historical writings. Again the day passed without seeing Chris. A rarity, she admitted. The grapevine noted all the senior officers were unusually busy.
That evening in her quarters, after braving the mess hall long enough to grab a portable dinner, Aalin reread the latest letters from home. At this distance even via subspace, messages were relayed through multiple long-distance communication buoys and arrived three months after initial transmission. As a mid-level officer her personal message allowance was limited. She missed her confidants. And her nieces and nephews.
After that first trying martial arts lesson, Chris did more than encourage her with words. He offered to work with her for extra practice. A couple of days later she had met him in the gym on the command deck for their first tutoring session on how to fall properly.
"Ready?"
"Sure."
He started to put his hands on her waist then hesitated. "If you permit me, I think demonstrating how the move should feel will help.
"OK."
Stepping closer he rested a hand at the top of each hip then nudged her right hip back. He moved one hand to the small of her back, assessing. It slipped around to her waist coaxing her left side forward slightly. "Your core is now in alignment, concentrating your center of gravity, rendering it tighter, stronger. Feel the difference?"
She nodded.
His fingertips trailed up her spine, straightening her posture. One hand clasped her left elbow while the other moved to her right shoulder and leveled it. "Your shoulders and hips should form a rectangle. Get used to how that feels. Remember it."
Aalin realized she was holding her breath and slowly exhaled.
Still cradling her elbow, his hand gently pulled her right shoulder forward. "Once you know the fall is coming, align and then use the momentum to orient your descent. Being right-handed, try to fall on your left shoulder. Moving the other shoulder will help set this up."
His hand slid from the elbow to her palm. Unknowingly he caressed it. "If you can't roll onto your shoulder, slap the ground with your left hand, this will dissipate some of the energy of the fall. But don't use the hand as a brace, that will break it, your wrist, or your arm."
Bracing his legs apart to keep them both steady, Chris placed his arms around her waist for support, clasping his hands behind her back. He started dipping her towards the ground. Her head followed the trajectory. "It's all one smooth motion, roll onto the mat with your left shoulder, and like a somersault, follow through to your hip and then …" He paused.
She turned back to him putting their lips only centimeters apart. "And then?" she asked in a whisper.
"Computer, lock. Authorization Omega-Delta-C23S1," Chris quietly ordered. With one arm supporting her back, he reached up and cupped her cheek, searched her eyes. Her lips parted slightly; she draped her arms around his neck and nodded permission.
Their lips brushed. Straightening, Aalin's hands slid down his shoulders and came to rest on his upper back. She laid her head over his heart, listening to its rapid thumping. He kissed the side of her neck while his thumb stroked her cheek.
He tilted her chin up and their lips met again; the kiss began soft; comfortable and cozy like a fire on a cold day. It stepped up to affectionate. As it lingered, they pressed their bodies closer and closer seeking any and all contact with the other. The warmth in their bodies intensified like an yellow-orange flame gone blue. Their movements spoke familiarity, as if they'd been kissing for decades.
Hands began roaming, caressing, fondling the other and the kiss deepened. Chris pulled back just before it morphed into a physical expression of a more intimate act. Aalin leaned against him as she caught her breath. He rested his cheek on the top of her head and sighed.
That was their second kiss. And their last one-on-one self-defense tutoring session.
Their third kiss was two nights ago, four months later.