Nightcap

Posted on Wed Feb 10th, 2021 @ 11:30am by Captain Maia Sterling & Nicholas 'Nick' DeMarco

Mission: The Thorion Conundrum Mission Brief
Location: Ship's Lounge and Maia's Quarters
Timeline: TBD

Nick was storing his microphone in the storage area set aside for the lounge entertainment. He returned to the lounge proper as Maia was speaking with the last couple of officers preparing to retire for the night. He looked at Maia and felt a giddy rush envelope him.

Maia looked over at him and smiled.

Nick crossed the lounge to stand next to Maia, stopping by the table they had shared since performing their amazing duet. He handed Maia her champagne glass that still had a swallow or two left. He raised his rock glass in a salutary manner. "To a resounding success my Dear Captain."

Maia took the proffered champagne flute and said "Here here, to our resounding success." Maia said.

She clinked his glass and drank some champagne.

"Nick you really pulled off a great party here and i appreciate your help singling with me, I know this was a short notice assignment but I really want this crew to pull together. You were very instrumental in that endeavor tonight." Maia said.

Nick tossed back the last swallow of his drink before retrieving Maia champagne flute and placing them on the bar for the bartender. He turned back with a smile. "The credit should really go to your Senior Chief Keitel. He is the one that actually did most of the work setting up the various venues for a shipwide Christmas party." He noticed the lounge staff was finishing up their cleaning assignments and so he gestured to the exit door. "I think the staff is about ready to go. Would the lovely Captain allow me the honor and privilege of escorting her back to quarters?"

"Absolutely, Good Sir"! Maia said.

Maia set the drones to cleaning up the Christmas party. and she let Nick escort her to her quarters. She even invited him in for a nightcap.

"What are you drinking Nick?" Maia asked.

"Surprise me." Nick strolled about the living area of Maia's quarters looking at the various pictures and personal items on display. He paused to look at a photograph of a very young Maia surrounded by a about a half dozen people similar to her in age. "What's this picture?"

Maia poured them both a single malt scotch, then made her way back over to him.

"That is a picture of my family, we were on a vacation in Lake Tahoe on Earth, that was the first time I skied on Earth. I was actually raised on Mars and was still getting used to the gravity." Maia said.

Nick took the glass in one hand. "I must say. You are a woman of many accomplishments."

"One does what one can. When I came up through the ranks I never thought I would command my own ship. I was a scientist after all. I figured I would be relegated to a research lab somewhere in a dark and forgotten corner of the galaxy. All that seems to have changed when I joined the Marines. Captain Somers kept pushing me to achieve, and I earned my Chosen man white cord. then the 2nd officer then first officer position. I mean really earned it. Captain Somers never gave away anything." Maia said sipping her scotch. She only drank the best.

Nick savored the fine scotch as he listened to Maia tell a few things about herself. "Well my dear Captain, you are a woman of both great beauty and keen intellect I see."

"What about you Nick? Where did you grow up and how did you get an assignment like this?"

Nick took another sip of the fine scotch before swirling the contents as he spoke a little of himself. "I was born and raised in Jersey. Always new I liked and was good at singing. Got my first gig at a lounge when I was twenty one. Three years later I found myself in Las Vegas as an opening act. Never quite made it to being a headliner at a major casino, but I was the main entertainer at some of the less prominent lounges."

Maia wondered what the trouble was, Nick DeMarco was a wonderful entertainer and had a gift for organizing parties get together's and all manner of activities. No small feat considering all the dignitaries that crossed paths on the Leto.

"How did you get this gig in Starfleet?" Maia asked sipping her scotch.

Nick's expression went thoughtful as he released a light chuckle. "Earth got boring after a while. I wanted to go out into the galaxy and experience new forms of music and cultures. Taking a contract to sing for my supper ar Starfleet facilities and aboard starships seemed like the best way to do that without having to enlist."

"Since you are an entertainer, I can offer you a job as entertainment director, it comes with a generous pay raise". Maia offerred.

Nick smiled as he offered Maia his right hand. "You have yourself an entertainment director then my dear Captain."

Maia inclined her head.

"Its a deal then." Maia said as she clinked her glass to his. then they shook hands.

Nick looked up at the ceiling as they shook hands and spotted a sprig of mistletoe hanging overhead. He stepped in close and gave her a quick kiss before taking a half step back and pointing up at the hanging plant.

"Please forgive my forwardness, but I am a sucker for Christmas traditions, especially ones that can be shared with a lovely woman such as yourself."

"Nonsense that's why I put it there, hoping you would notice." Maia said.

"Oh, I noticed." 'I noticed the first time you stepped in to the lounge during rehearsals', he thought. He took Maia's glass and set both down on the ledge of the panoramic view. He turned back, pulling her into a warm embrace. He stared into her eyes with adoration.

"I should make you Morale officer too, you are doing wonders for mine." Maia said reaching up to pull him down for a kiss.

Nick kissed Maia back with a fervor that lasted a full minute or more. He was rather short breathed when the kiss finally ended. He brushed his fingers along her cheek. "I have to admit. I've been wanting to do that all night."

"I was rather hoping that that was the case. I really like you Nick. I like you being here in my company, I feel very relaxed and focused when I am with you." Maia said.

Nick let out a long breath as he finally released Maia. He retrieved their glasses from the window ledge and handed hers back. He tapped the rim of his glass to hers. "To many more nights in one another's company then." He said.

Maia clinked her glass to his.

"I would invite you to stay over tonight, but I think that would be moving a little fast. I'm am not given to casual romantic encounters." Maia said.

Nick finished his drink and returned the glass to the replicator before meeting Maia at the door. He brushed a finger down her cheek one more time before giving her a final long and very deep kiss. "I look forward to spending more time with you my lovely Captain."

"I look forward to spending more time with you, Nick." Maia said pleasantly.

Nick raised one of Maia's hands to his lips, gently giving it a kiss. "Good night Maia. I am sure we will see each other soon." He exited her quarters before temptation got the better of him.

Maia got undressed and went to bed, dreaming happy dreams.

[OFF]

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A post by:

Commander Maia Sterling
Commanding Officer

Nick Demarco
Entertainment Director