[USS Falcon] Long day of Work
Posted on Mon Apr 26th, 2021 @ 12:12pm by Lieutenant JG Dustin Reynolds
1,247 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Episode 109 - The Dust Settles
Location: Local Diner on SB400
Timeline: MD3 1800 hrs
Dustin was relieved to be getting off of work. Not because he was tired of the work. He was just eager to see Aubrey. She always brought a smile to his face. He walked into a local diner on the station. Dustin and Aubrey both had agreed to stop by after work, so they could have dinner together. As he saw her approaching, he said in a calm voice. "Well that was a long day."
“You aren’t kidding,” Aubrey said with a tired smile. “I felt like it was never going to end.” She was looking forward to dinner with Dustin. “This is the best part of her day, spending time with him.
"Well its our fault, we did volunteer to assist the Buccaneer crew." Dustin said, with a warm smile on his face. At least he got to know the good doctor, a little better now.
“I liked helping them out,” Aubrey confessed. “It was a good days work and it feels good that we could contribute on other ships stationed with us.” She smiled. “How was it working with Woodhouse?”
"The Doctor is a good person, and approachable. Her and her fiancé the Captain, want to invite us to dinner, I said I need to speak to you first about it." Dustin said, with a warm smile on her face. Dustin sounded dumb explaining the captain. Everyone knew that the doctor and the captain were dating, so why did he say it?
Aubrey smiled as she listened to him. “I think it would be nice to have dinner with them. What do you think?” She asked him.
"A little nerve wrecking, but in a good way. You are right, it would be good to have dinner with them. Not wise to turn down an offer from your CO." Dustin said, with a big smile on his face. Deep down though, he was a little concerned.
“Do you think he has an agenda?” Aubrey asked him with a frown. “Or is it just a dinner between crew? Maybe he wants to get to know us better?”
"The ladder, and that is great. But if I am being honest, the idea of dinner with the captain is a bit nerve wrecking." Dustin suggested to Aubrey. He was trying to be honest with her.
“Scary even,” Aubrey said with a nod. “What will we talk about? I assume it won’t be all about work.” She looked at him. “You don’t think it has something to do with us do you?”
"I'm not sure, but if Anna is any indication. Maybe normal conversations. But honestly, I am not sure. Anxiety is not our friend today." Dustin suggested, with a nervous smile on his face.
“We are having dinner with the captain ,” Aubrey grinned nervously. “We are allowed to be a little angsty. Anna doesn’t make me nervous, she doesn’t hold our positions in her hands.”
"The captain does however, I see your point." Dustin said, with a smile on his face. "He can't be that bad, Anna is awesome. And he is with her, so he should be approachable at least." Dustin said, with a nervous grin.
“I am crossing the bridge before we get there,” Aubrey said with a smile. “If there were a problem he wouldn’t invite us to dinner but would make it in his office and all official.”
"I did not mean to make it sound like where in trouble. Just trying to say I am a little nervous. I want to make a good impression." Dustin pointed out to her.
Aubrey smiled at him. “We need to relax and just get ready and go with smiles, looking forward to a fun evening with the Captain and doctor.”
"I am looking forward to it, as well." Dustin. The look on his face, was still of concern. However though, talking to Aubrey was helping him getting over it.
“Where did you say we were meeting them at?” She hoped it was a restaurant they liked, that would make things easier.
"I have no idea." Dustin said, with a nervous look on his face. Then he went on. "I hope they put it on the calendar for us." Dustin said, as they walked over to his desk.
“So do I,” Aubrey said with a smile. “If not one of us will have to contact Captain Bagwell or Anna.”’
"Are you nervous? You seem so calm." Dustin said, trying to read her emotional state. He was all over the place. He wanted to do this dinner, but he would be lying if he said, he was not nervous.
“I was really nervous,” Aubrey admitted. “I had all kinds of scenarios running through my head but then when I realized our dinner isn’t related to work, I don’t know it just made my nerves go away.”
"How did you get over being nervous?" Dustin asked, hoping she would share her secrets.
“Once I realized it was a dinner as friends and not Captain to crew,” Aubrey said with a smile. “It took the pressure away for me.”
"So your big idea is to pretend that he's not the captain?" That question was a little confusing. Dustin was shocked by that response. He was not sure what she exactly meant by that.
“No,” Aubrey shook her head. “He will always be the captain even in a non professional setting. It was knowing it wasn’t an official meeting. It is dinner.”
"I'm honestly not sure if there's a difference, he will still be the captain even if it's dinner or in a meeting." Dustin was not sure if he could disassociate the two, a meeting or dinner in regards to the captain.
“I will still be nervous,” Aubrey replied. “And on guard somewhat. All I am saying is that it eased some knowing this wasn’t a work dinner.”
"Oh I get it now, sorry. I am nervous as well, as you can see." Dustin said, trying to play it off. But internally thinking he was a dumbass for miss reading her own cues.
“We’re both nervous,” Aubrey said with a smile. “I bet tomorrow we will laugh at ourselves.”
"I hope you are right! I hope we are building this up, and tomorrow we will see we worried for nothing." Dustin said, hoping that she was right, but being a little skeptical.
“As do I,” Aubrey nodded. “Our next concern is what to wear and whether we should show up on time or early?”
"I believe we have a little time, can not believe I am suggesting this." Dustin said, with a relunctant look on his face. "Do you want to pick out an outfit from one of the promenade stores?" He asked.
“Yes!” Aubrey said with a smile. “I am proud of you. Offering to go shopping with me.”
"Proud of me, oh no. Don't think this is a victory." Dustin said, with a semi serious look on his face. Behind it, he was hiding a smile.
“Need I remind you of my shopping history,” Aubrey grinned. “It’s lucky for you we have dinner plans.”
"You can't say, I did not ask." Dustin said with a big grin. Feeling releaved that she was not going to take him up on that offer. The scene starts to fade away.
Aubrey smiled at him. “And I won’t, I promise. It is enough for me that you offered.”
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