JPL - CO & EO - Cmdr Dhej & Ens Peters - "I Want Nothing From You But To Sweetly Hold Your Hand"

Posted on 241501.09 @ 4:28am by

Mission: Holy Cow

Picnic basket was filled with food, holodeck program was properly scouted out, the holodeck time reserved. He'd owed Karim this for a little while, and he was a little nervous and excited now that the time had come. He could kick himself for how much time he'd spent in front of the mirror before leaving his quarters, trying to archive that perfect look that cut the fine line between scruffy and kempt. He wasn't sure if he'd pulled it off, but in the end it was what Karim thought that mattered.

He arrived outside the CO's quarters, swallowed hard to settle the butterflies in his stomach, then pressed the chime.

Karim had decided that he wasn't really needed on the bridge as they were about a day out from the planet. He'd decided to take some downtime to rest before things got busy. He was a bit startled when he heard the chime, but automatically said "Come in, its open."

Even though he'd been invited in, even though they'd had some great conversation in Shaker's, Jon was still nervous. He was crossing a line, coming into Karim's personal space, and even if it was planned, it was still a big step. A voice nagged in the back of his head, Karim hadn't sounded like he was expecting someone... then Jon realized the one thing he forgot when so carefully planning this — verify when the very busy commanding officer of the ship was actually free. Jon paused just outside the doors as they stood open, waiting for him to enter, and there was nothing left to do but walk inside.

Karim smiled as he saw who had entered, and stood. Walking over to Jon he said "Hi there Jon, to what do I owe this unexpected visit?"

"I, um," Jon spit out, and grinned sheepishly as he held up the picnic basket. "I set up that picnic we'd talked about... and just this moment realized I forgot to confirm with you when it should be."

Smiling, he said "Its ok, don't worry. I've been busy with ...everything going on. I do have a bit of time right now, especially since you went through all the work to get it all set up. Let me just grab some shoes, and I'll be right with you."

"There sure has been a lot going on..." Jon observed, grinning because he'd gotten lucky with his timing. He'd been fully anticipating either having to slink back to his quarters with a full picnic basket and his tail between his legs, or splitting the difference with an impromptu picnic here in the spacious commanding officer's suite. He couldn't help an idle look around at all the space.

Slipping on his shoes, Karim smiled and said "Lead the way Jon. I really appreciate all the work you went through to set this up. I kinda needed the break. My new job has certainly kept me busy."

"I can tell," Jon answered, as they headed out the door and towards the turbolift. "I kept hoping to bump into you at Shakers after my shift.... but alas. This is better though." He grinned, though Karim's mention of being kept busy reminded Jon of the report he and Ensign Jones submitted about the communication systems. "I, uh, hate to ask about work, and I'll shut up if you tell me to... but did you see that report that Jones and I cc'ed you on?"

Thinking for a moment while stepping into the turbolift, he said "I believe so. It was regarding the com system right?"

"Yeah. I overheard what Lieutenant sh'Thrass had said to the Doc about calling ahead, but no one in sickbay had received the call, so I took a little initiative. Deck three," he admitted as the turbolift doors slid shut behind them, and the lift hummed to life. "I had assumed it was just going to be a simple glitch to patch... but well, I hope the report made it clear it was more than that. Rinehart seems nice enough, for what little I know about her, and I'd hate to see someone harm her." The doors opened to deck three.

Nodding, he said "I understand. Thanks for taking the time to address the issue. I hope we don't have any further issues." As the doors opened, he added "But enough about work for now. I'm curious to see what you have planned for us."

"You'd requested the Cliffs of Undalar, on Bajor, when we'd last talked in Shaker's. I managed to find the easy walking trail to the top, so we wouldn't have to scale the rock face," Jon explained as they approached the holodeck. "We can have our picnic at the top, it's a beautiful view from up there."

"That sounds great Jon." he replied "I don't think I'll have a lot of time to relax like this once we arrive at the planet. It'll be nice to relax for a few moments before I get back to work. I really appreciate this."

"I'm glad," Jon insisted with a smile. He half jogged to reach the holodeck doors ahead of Karim, and get the program loading so that the doors were open and waiting when the trill reached them. "After you," he insisted, waving his arm to indicate Karim go first.

Karim walked into the holodeck and was shocked by how beautiful the cliffs looked. As the doors closed behind them and blended into the background he looked around at the scene they would be enjoying their picnic in. Looking back to Jon he said quietly "This is beautiful Jon, it really is. I'm speechless."

Jon grinned at Karim, taking a moment to look around himself. He'd had this program for a while now, and though he always considered it beautiful, it'd been a while since he'd stopped to truly appreciate it. Sharing it like this had a way of reminding him of what it was like to see it the first time himself.

"Wait until we get to the top, it's even better up there," Jon insisted starting towards the trail to the top of the cliffs.

Smiling, Karim followed Jon up the path. Even though he knew the holodeck would prevent him from being injured if he fell, he still was a little nervous of walking on the thin path.

Jon slowed, and watched Karim carefully, frowning softly at the slow and nervous time of it he was taking. "Are you okay?"

Taking a deep breath, he said "Not really Jon, I'm not a huge fan of heights, even simulated ones. I'm sorry if I'm ruining our time together."

"I wish you'd said something," Jon said gently, stepped close to lay a reassuring hand on Karim. "Computer, change program to Yosemite Sierra Alpha Four Two." The program faded out, then was replaced by the geysers in Yosemite National Park.

Shaking his head, he said with a smile "No, please change it back to the cliffs. I may just need to hold your hand to help me feel a bit calmer. I know you won't let me fall."

"As you wish," Jon said with a smile. He took hold of Karim's hand. "Computer, return to previous program, same location as before." The Yosemite faded out, and the Bajoran cliffs took their place again.

Gripping the hand firmly, Karim allowed himself to be lead along the ledge. He had to keep himself from smiling like an idiot at how good it felt for someone to hold his hand. Looking over to Jon he said "Is it much further to our dining spot?"

"Just a little bit, but we're nearly clear of this part of the trail," Jon assured him. He'd heard how Trill hands are cold, but he liked how Karim's felt in the warmth of his own. He only hoped that he wouldn't pull away when the left the narrow part of the trail. "See, that wasn't so bad, was it?" he asked as the reached the top of the cliff. Back a little was a clearing, which was where he intended for them to spread out and eat.

Squeezing Jon's hand slightly, Karim smiled "It's beautiful, and worth the death defying trail. Also I haven't had a chance to eat much lately, so I'm curious what you've packed for lunch."

"I'm glad you think so." Jon guided then to the picnic spot, regretfully having to release Karim's hand to spread the blanket out. "We've got pulled chicken sandwiches, potato salad, corn bread, and sweet tea to wash it down." He set the basket in the middle of the blanket and offered his hand to help Karim sit.

Taking the offered hand, Karim took a seat beside Jon and said "It looks delicious. I'll have to share with you my famous veggie chili recipe sometime by the way. My children were always begging me to make it. What's a mom to do but make her children happy." Realizing he had dropped into the wrong tense, and old memories, he blushed, and tried to cover it by grabbing a plate to begin serving himself.

"I would love to see the recipe, and I'd consider it a real treat if you'd make it for me some time," Jon insisted. He couldn't help smiling at the man who sat so nervous next to him.

Smiling, Karim replied "I'll do that, once things slow down." Pausing as he took a bite of the sandwich, he swallowed and said "Thanks for this Jon, it is so sweet of you to do this for me."

"I'm happy to do it, it means I get to see you smile." Jon finally filled his own plate, satisfied that Karim had served himself and was happy with the food. "It sounds like I may need to bring you lunch on the bridge, with how busy they keep you up there."

Laughing as he took a sip of tea, he replied "I don't think it would be proper to be picking crumbs out of the command chair. I'll settle for lunches somewhere a bit less public if you don't mind."

"But as CO, you can take certain liberties... I'm sure you can find a minion down in engineering who can clean that right up for you," Jon chuckled with a wide grin. "But seriously, you ever find yourself stuck, and haven't eaten, don't hesitate to call."

Smiling as he took a few bites of salad, he said "I'll see what I can do." Leaning back for a moment, he closed his eyes, and just let himself enjoy the moment of being Karim, and not the acting commanding officer.

=/\= End Log =/\=

Commander Karim Dhej
Acting Commanding Officer
USS Enterprise NCC 1701-F

Ensign Jon Peters
Engineering Officer
USS Enterprise NCC 1701-F