The Shape of Things to Come
Posted on Tue Jun 27, 2023 @ 7:58am by Lieutenant Commander Zachary Addams & Lieutenant Penelope Naroot
624 words; about a 3 minute read
Mission:
We Will Take Care of You
Location: Penny's Quarters
He sat back and ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t even know where to start with all this.”
“Well…I do, if you want to hear,” Penny said.
Zach leaned against the back of the couch and got comfortable. “All right,” he said. “Go.”
"So," Penny said after a brief pause. "Does that answer most of your questions?"
Zach gave a snort. "Not even close," he said. "But it answers a lot." He looked down at his hands for a second then back up at Penny. "I appreciate you explaining it."
Penny nodded. "So, where do we go from here?"
Zach shrugged. "I'm not sure. Shipmates, obviously, preferably on good terms so Commander Walker doesn't snap me like a twig."
Penny shook her head. "I'm so sor--"
"You aren't the one who owes me the apology," Zach interrupted. "And he already apologized. It's just...a sensitive topic for me."
"Maybe we could try again?" Penny said. "I don't have the best track record with guys named Zach. It'd be nice to have one friendship go well."
Zach was about to ask how many there had been but decided against it. "Maybe," he said. "But for now, let's take things one tiny step at a time. I'm...not exactly looking to stay here long term now. I don't want you to be hurt if I get transferred."
Penny nodded. "All right. I understand that."
Zach mentally slapped himself. "How about we start with lunch tomorrow?" he said. "You...do you need to eat?"
"Need, no," Penny said. "Enjoy? Yes. Lunch sounds great." She brightened immediately and smiled at him. Zach felt his insides turn to soup again and had to steel himself against the onslaught of sunshine coming off of her.
"Great," Zach said, smiling back. "So, I should get--" he stopped as a blonde curtain suddenly fell over his face.He couldn't see much other than the alabaster skin in front of him, but he felt two lips on his and instinct took over. His arms went around her and he held her fast as he returned the gesture.
A moment later, they parted and brown eyes stared into blue. "I um..." Zach said, clearing the lump in his throat and trying to get his breath back. "Just out of curiosity...what did I do to deserve that? I may need to write it down."
Penny grinned and shrugged. "I...chose to," she said.
He nodded. "Fair enough...." He blushed hard and gave a sheepish grin. He leaned in and gave her a more gentle kiss, then said, "I hate to say it, but I really should get back to Sickbay...my lunch break was over some time ago..."
"I should probably get back to putting my quarters together," Penny said, nodding.
Zach nodded. "Good idea." They stared at each other for a full minute before Zach took the initiative, leaned in, and kissed her again. He realized only one of them was going to need to breathe and he eventually let the kiss end, looking her in the eye. "Lunch tomorrow," he reiterated.
"Deal," she said, grinning. "But your quarters."
"Why mine?" Zach said.
Penny shrugged and blushed as well. "To be honest, my quarters are always like this. I kinda want to see yours."
Zach chuckled. "Fair enough. See you then." He gave her one more peck, then stood up and walked to the door. He tried to be cool, not glance back like some lovesick teenager. As the doors opened, however, he stole a glance and saw Penny sitting cross-legged on her couch, looking at him smiling, but with an expression of curiosity, and he immediately wondered if his tiny steps had just been leaped over.
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