Chapter 14 "An Impromptu Date"

Two Months Later

Tuvok didn't recollect anything else from his dream and immediately began working on returning to Voyager. He exhibited signs of both restlessness and exhaustiveness. I realized he needed to relax to circumvent burning out, but I also knew he would never do that independently. Consequently, I would have to prod Tuvok a little to break from his work.

My declaration of love was forgotten. The twenty-four-hour period afterward was agonizing, and I avoided him as much as possible. Eventually, the tension fizzled away, and our relationship continued as expected. However, I remained lovesick with Tuvok.

There was an exhibition called "Unveiling the Incredible Universe" at a local college's planetarium that I wanted to attend. I thought it would be a good thing to take Tuvok, too. Without consulting him ahead of time, I purchased the tickets for us to go that weekend l. My heart expressed hopefulness that this would provide an ideal atmosphere to spark our romance. Still, I attempted not to be too disappointed if this impromptu "date" didn't work out the way I had planned.

It was a balmy Saturday afternoon after I prepared a vegetarian lunch from a new cooking channel I had found on youtube. Meanwhile, my love interest sat at the kitchen table doing calculations after washing the dishes.

As Tuvok scribbled out formulas on notebook paper, I examined his features. His stern Vulcan peculiarities like the pointy ears and the drastically shaped eyebrows became normal to me over the three months of his presence in my life. Tuvok's brow furrowed slightly into straight lines when he was frustrated, and his lips on the right side of his face would turn down a bit. His wedge-shaped nose fit symmetrically on his face, and his nostrils flared slightly when he was displeased. Tuvok said his curly jet-black hair had grown slightly longer than "standard Starfleet protocol." Still, I thought it gave him a less severe appearance without a short military cut,

"Aurora, it would be more straightforward to inform me what you have on your mind than me attempting to guess it." Tuvok's cheeky comment rang in my ears as I stared at him. I felt like a schoolgirl staring at her crush by a teacher with his slight scolding, and my face reddened. Meanwhile, I noted Tuvok's usually clean-shaven face showed stubble on his chin as he rubbed it with his right hand because he hadn't shaven yet.

"Busted," I thought, and my breath caught my throat as our eyes met.

"Did you forget that I can read you, Aurora" Tuvok pointed out. A slightly entertained expression displayed on his usually blank face.

"I thought that was if we were touching only," I gasped, surprised.

"We have been in each other's company for three months now. It would be illogical that I wouldn't be able to discern your thoughts from time to time," Tuvok stated like he was reading a fact out of a textbook. His brown eyes scanned my face with a pleased look on his own, and it was almost like he was flirting. If Vulcans flirt, that is, but they don't.

"Are all Vulcans as annoying as you can be," I irritatedly pondered out loud?

Tuvok leered at me, and I pointed at his lips with my right hand, playfully exclaiming, " A-Ha, ha! Vulcans don't smile either, right?"

Flushing a green-like grass color, he turned his face away as I giggled. After clearing his throat in a calm neutral tone, he inquired, "What is it that you are reluctant to ask me, Aurora?"

"Will you be my plus one tonight at the planetarium exhibition at UTA?"

"Plus one? I don't understand the phrase," Tuvok's thick black brow creased again.

"With all of the Netflix and Amazon prime we watch, how do you NOT know that," I wailed in disbelief and vexation. My Vulcan gave me a cold stare as he waited for me to explain and remarked, "It is illogical for me to know the 'slang' of the day, Aurora. Not to mention completely unnecessary."

"A date," I clarified as I rose from my chair at the table after taking a couple of deep exhalations to calm down. I stopped myself from rolling my eyes in exasperation.

Tuvok didn't answer immediately, so I tried to persuade him with logic, "You need a break, honey. It's only rational to do so when you have worked so frantically for the past month."

Alas, I knew that the response that was coming, and in unison, we both declared,

"Vulcans don't take breaks."

Giggling, I felt gratified because we knew what the other was thinking. Tuvok bent his head down and persisted in his calculations without answering.

"I'm not taking no for an answer," I sweetly divulged after a pause. No response.

Coming from behind Tuvok, I placed my hands on each side of his muscular neck. I bent over as I leisurely glided them down his chest over the curves of his muscles, stopping at his flat stomach. Though covered by a white tank top, his skin felt titillating, and my pulse rate shot up.

"Mmm," I hungrily growled, indulging in the gratifying sensation again.

Tuvok shallowly exhaled as I stroked his strapping body again while joyfully inhaling his natural scent. Since he was an alien, he had a distinct one that was a combination of musky and sweet-smelling.

"Come on, Tuvok. Pleeeaaassee, " I pleaded in a seductive whisper in his ear, then gave it a quick kiss, and his ears turned a dark green. My lips touching his mocha skin felt sizzling like I had sat on a beach all afternoon, and I observed a trace of a smirk on his face at my actions. Tuvok seemed to savor my flirtatious behavior, and I watched a corner of his mouth upturn for two seconds.

"Aurora, I am sure you are capable of securing a more suitable companion," he tersely replied, attempting to concentrate. However, his face exhibited a more conflicted expression.

"Fine," I snapped as I precipitously jerked my hands off Tuvok's chest and turned around to take a shower.

While I showered, I decided that he would accompany me on this date if he liked it or not.

Consequently, I took detailed measures to appear my best tonight. I confidently emerged from the bathroom in a crimson knee-length sundress with spaghetti straps. Tuvok, immersed in his calculations, sat at the round kitchen table. Hence, I sat down on the sofa to stroke Oreo's soft gray fur for a short while to bolster my confidence.

"This is it, Aurora. Go get what you want," I thought, narrowing my eyes as I rose from my seat to sit at the table with my beau.

Next, I opened the raspberry-smelling lotion bottle from Bath and Body Works without speaking. Tuvok once admitted that he enjoyed that scent as much as I did, so I luxuriously poured some into my hand. Stretching out my right leg, I brought my right foot to my knee and rubbed it on the bottom. I switched legs and did the same to the other foot.

"Ah-ha! That got his attention," I victoriously thought as I detected two Vulcan eyes zero in on me. Tuvok's attention pleased me enormously, and my cheeks warmed while my pulse accelerated.

Steadily without a word to my Vulcan roommate, I applied the creamy liquid to my legs in the same slow, timid manner. I massaged my calves a little extra because I spent forty agonizing minutes on the Stairmaster today and bellowed a slight groan of relief. Next, I put the thick lotion on my arms before closing the bottle and moving it away from me.

Subsequently, I picked up my phone from the table. I switched the camera lens to a mirror before retrieving my lip liner from my glittery silver makeup bag.

I gave Tuvok a knowing glare, peering up at him because his eyes held an intensely salacious gaze. Moreover, it was the same one he displayed before we fooled around the first night of his arrival. My arm hair stood at attention as I bit my lower lip, trying to contain my exhilaration. With great effort, I took the cap off the crimson lip liner and traced my lips gradually with it.

Tuvok's stare roused feelings in me that only he could satisfy as my body seemed to roar to life with his provocative look. Quickly, he swallowed loudly and diverted his eyes back to his project for a moment.

Smiling, I put the cap back on the lip liner and dropped it casually on the table. My lipstick container was on the other side of Tuvok's papers, so I inquired if he would hand it. He nodded, slowly picking the tube up and brushing his fingers against mine after dropping it in my outstretched hand. As we touched, a spark of electricity erupted like a lava flow from an active volcano, and I simpered.

"You still have to go to the planetarium with me tonight," I reminded him, beaming bright rays of sunshine at him after an awkward beat.

"Affirmative. I assume that my current clothing is not appropriate for the exhibition. Is that correct," Tuvok questioned, raising an eyebrow.

Nodding, I remained silent as he rose from his seat and strolled into the bathroom. I applied my rouge-colored lipstick to my lips and fed Oreo in the meantime.

After a shower and a wardrobe change, Tuvok appeared in black jeans and a crisp white button-down shirt. The top four buttons were undone, revealing his smooth chest, and giving him a more relaxed look. Tuvok wore a stylish matching-black fedora hat, too. Unconsciously, I felt myself drool a little when I saw him. Tuvok stimulated my body again as I felt shivers running up and down my spine.

"Am I appropriately dressed for the evening, Aurora?" Tuvok inquired. Lust and heat rose in my body as I scrutinized him, but he seemed apprehensive.

"Yes, You look quite handsome," I admitted wistfully. Tuvok lowered his eyes downward in shyness when I complimented him.

"We need to go in about forty minutes," I informed him, stretching first and then sitting on the sofa to pet Oreo.

"Ready to watch our next episode of Bridgerton?"

"Yes," Tuvok admitted, lowering himself to the couch on the other side of Oreo. To his dismay, he had become a fan of the popular Netflix show, which had become his 'guilty pleasure.'

I started the show using the remote and felt him ogling me. Gazed up at him, we communicated nonverbally that we both tremendously craved the other, physically and emotionally.

"Mmmeeeooowww," Oreo noisily whined because I had halted my stroking of her soft fur, turning my attention to Tuvok.

"Silly cat," I muttered, resuming my petting of her as Tuvok fondly glanced at us. We watched one episode then it was time to leave. After Tuvok put his boots on, he stood in front of me with an extended hand, questioning.

"Shall we go, Aurora?"

Putting my phone in my purse, I gave him a radiant grin at him as I accepted it. Grabbing my keys, I hooked my other arm around Tuvok's, and we walked side by side. I rapidly locked the apartment and entered the bright sun and warm April day.

"What a magnificent day," I exclaimed, exhaling loudly.

"You are stunning. That dress is quite becoming on you," Tuvok revealed in his deep voice. His eyes perused my body leisurely as we hiked to my vehicle.

"Thank you," I honestly responded, blushing on my cheeks, " we make a handsome couple."

"Indeed," he surmised, raising an eyebrow because he knew I thought that was sexy. After I unlocked my car using the remote, Tuvok opened the driver's side door for me, and I thanked him again.

"You are quite the compliment giver today," I flirted and sat down in my seat.

"With you, Aurora, it is quite simple," he replied, then questioned, "I believe it is customary to bring you a gift for our 'date'. Do we have time to stop somewhere?"

As my mouth dropped open, I felt shocked by his knowledge of human dating procedures. Patiently, he awaited an answer as he entered the car on the passenger side. Was he serious?

"Y-Y-Yes, " I stammered, checking my watch for the time. We still had an hour until the exhibit commenced, and we were only fifteen minutes away. The university's website recommended that guests arrive ten to fifteen minutes before the show's beginning.

"Will you please then?" Tuvok insisted.

Bobbing my head downward, I wondered what adventures the night held, and I switched on the car's ignition. I put a music station on Pandora that Tuvok had become accustomed to before leaving. Even though he protested otherwise, he liked listening to nineties and early two-thousands music with me. Tuvok would often nod his head up and down while listening to the music.

The early evening air was pleasant, so I pushed a button-down to roll the windows down as Pandora pumped rock music out of the car. One of my favorite U2 songs, Beautiful Day, was on rotation as I maneuvered the vehicle to take a right onto a state highway.

Since it was Saturday, traffic was at a stop and go, and it was tedious. Finally, we made it to a grocery store, and Tuvok instructed me to remain in the car.

"Do you have money?"

"Just wait here, please," Tuvok informed, closing the door with a twinkle in my eye. During his stay, he had done some repair work for the apartment complex's management, and they wouldn't allow him to do it for free despite his protests. I found out that Tuvok also had a green thumb and assisted in planting some flowers when day workers were needed.

After about six songs, he returned with a sly expression and something behind his back that he held. I felt myself shiver when I saw Tuvok's wiley look, and I felt even more thrilled about his surprise.

"Shut your eyes, please," he requested as he entered the car. Tuvok placed something with a spicy smelling aroma underneath my nose.

"Hmmm...smells like cloves… but zesty too," I happily announced.

"What is your guess, Miss Simmons," Tuvok asked.

"A carnation! My favorite," I enthusiastically exclaimed.

"Open your eyes," he directed, and my breath ceased for a second.

Tuvok bent over to deposit the candy apple red blossom with a short green stem in my hand. His rugged face was inches from mine as I eagerly collected the flower and lifted it to my nose. The Vulcan's java-colored eyes mischievously watched me as I inhaled the scent deeply, and I felt my pulse racing.

"How thoughtful, Tuvok! It is lovely, and it smells fantastic! Thank you," I whispered, touched by the gesture. His brown eyes shone in the light, and he seemed pleased by my reaction.

"Smell," I asserted, putting the beautiful flower underneath his nose.

"Your aroma is similar to this carnation in many ways, " Tuvok admired after inhaling deeply. He removed the flower from my hand and brushed it lightly against my cheek. I simpered as the petals tickled me, and my date gave me a slight Vulcan grin. Finally, Tuvok cautiously put the carnation behind my right ear and huskily muttered, " Utter perfection, Aurora."

Feeling chagrined, I bowed my head to view my hands. I was trembling with anticipation as I awaited his following action.

Tuvok slowly pressed my chin upwards with his sizeable right hand, so our eyes met. After withdrawing it, he described,

"As you know, I have tried to resist my affection for you to avoid any future problems, but I find that I cannot any longer. It's been four months of proverbial Hell."

He grimaced at the end of his comment and seemed to struggle as hard as I did.

"What does that mean," I innocently wondered, clenching his right hand tightly and squeezing it. I loved touching his soft skin, whether on his hand or in other places.

"I cannot endure the torture any longer, Aurora. My heart aches with every waking moment that I am away from you," Tuvok revealed in a murmur, slipping his hand out of mine.

"How romantic! Now kiss me, " I thought.

My Vulcan cupped my face with his hands and hunched over to kiss me as I fastened my eyes shut. Once Tuvok's lips brushed mine softly, I pulled him closer with my arms. He abruptly withdrew, so I opened my eyes in confusion and then observed the vulnerability on his face.

"Oh, Tuvok, don't be afraid," I soothed, caressing his face with my fingertips.

"When I was young, I revolted against suppressing my emotions. I fell in love with a woman who wasn't truthful with me, and it almost broke me afterward," he voiced in an unusually unsure tone.

"I do not want to break you, Tuvok. I adore you so much," I honestly disclosed, feeling very empathetic to his situation.

"My feelings for you are a thousand times stronger than with her," Tuvok revealed, wide-eyed, then whispered, "nash-veh tishau du."

"What does that mean?"

"I cherish thee," Tuvok whispered, and then he bent over to give me an unforgettable slow, single-lip kiss. My heart felt like bursting with joy when he made that declaration.

"Finally!" I thought.

I felt tingles all over while we spent several minutes in each other's arms, and the temperature in the car rose several degrees. We persisted until my iPhone's timer sounded fifteen minutes later, and I cursed an expletive.

"There is always after the program, ashaya, my beloved," he reminded me as he gently stopped me by placing his hand in front of me so I wouldn't kiss him again.

"I have waited too long, Tuvok. We have waited too long, " I emphasized the word "we" and then gave him a sneaky grin.

"That is true," he remarked, pulling me to him with his arms to kiss.

I felt mesmerized by his kiss and the affection coming from Tuvok. Eventually, we halted our make-out session, and I drove to the university. I affectionately placed my hand on his leg as Tuvok watched me from the passenger seat.

"Will you show me the Vulcan planet," I wondered as I parked in the half-empty parking lot at the university.

"If I can, I do not know how detailed this program will be. Technology here isn't quite as advanced as I had imagined," the Vulcan explained, opening his car door and then coming to my side to do the same.

When we entered the planetarium, we found a couple of reclining seats together in the middle of the room to view the show. I laid down on my side next to Tuvok, who was on his back, and he bent over to kiss me gently. We remained lip-locked, oblivious to the world around us for a long while until he finally withdrew when we needed to catch our breath.

"Mmm, mmm," I dreamily murmured afterward, and Tuvok gave me a Vulcan smile.

"Do you mind if I put my head on your shoulder?"

"Negative," he whispered, moving the recliner's arm so I could scoot closer to him.

The program was informative, for me anyway. We observed the stars as my Tuvok pointed out planets, constellations, and other various points of interest. I hung on to his every word.

"These projections only scratch the surface. It's amazing how much is out there, but it will be a while until humanity reaches it," Tuvok elucidated.

Butterflies fluttered their wings in my stomach; he informed me of all possibilities. Amid his explanation, Tuvok transfixed on my face and became quiet. I felt my whole body roar with life after he did so, and my heart rate quickened.

Our lips tightly locked until a blinding light flashed into our faces. Abruptly, Tuvok moved away.

"Hey kids, this isn't a place to make out. Go home," a security guard gruffly warned. The man was shocked to see that we were not teenagers.

"Jesus, get a room," he grumbled after eyeing the two of us with our hair mussed and my lipstick all over Tuvok's mouth.

As I opened my mouth to make a snarky comment, my date covered it with his hand.

"Perhaps we should return to your apartment," Tuvok suggested, removing his hand from my mouth, but I gave it a little kiss before he did.

He grunted a little at my action, pleased.

"Agreed," I remarked, using my thumb and a little spit to remove the lipstick from his mouth.

Tuvok held his hand out to assist me after he was on his own two feet, and we left.