The Good Roommate

Posted on Wed Dec 26th, 2018 @ 8:01am by Senior Chief Petty Officer Fernando De La Rosa [Taylor]

Mission: Season 2: Episode 3: Determination is not always a good thing
Location: Fernando/Mona's Quarters
Timeline: before arrival at the planet
1546 words - 3.1 OF Standard Post Measure

The great experiment that was Mona and Fernando being roommates had so far suffered no major disasters. Fernando had in fact turned into a model roommate. He no longer danced, well danced either naked or in his boxers and his singing? Had also been toned significantly down. He talked and listened to Mona and her views and opinions. A bond was definitely forming between the two. He had even managed to get an engineer to come construct and install the huge water tank in their quarters to house the assortment of fish they planned to purchase. He stood admiring the empty tank as the water circulated and bubbled as visions of multi colored fish swam in his head. He had even gotten the engineer to construct a tank for Mona's turtles. The tank consisted of a small pond and a section of sand and dirt for the turtles to lie on when they weren't in the pond. Complete with miniature palm trees for shade. He was quite pleased with himself, all that remained was to get Mona's reaction. He looked at the chrono on the wall. She should be getting off duty and coming through the door any minute.

Mona was fashionably late, having run a detour by the lounge to see whether there was any special food on offer, but nobody had cooked anything exotic on that day, so she came straight back home. Walking in through the door, she didn't notice the fish tank right away, as it was above and to her sides. "Good afternoon, Fernando", she greeted. "I hope you didn't get shot today?"

Fernando smiled in return, "Hiya Mona." He raised his arms and slowly turned completely around, "No, no holes." He quipped and went back to smiling at her like the Cheshire Cat.

"That's good", Mona grinned. She turned to face the replicator when she saw the fish tank on the wall, then faced it in its entirety. "Oooh! Now that's what I call a tank. Excellent work there!" She envisioned the miniature ecosystem they could have running inside in a matter of weeks, depending on when they'd get their shore leave. "You know, half the ship will want to come have tea with us once this is fully set up."

Fernando smiled and let out a relieved breath, glad Mona liked the tank. "Whew, I'm glad you like it Mona." He looked at the tank. "You think we can charge admissions?" He asked half seriously. "Um notice anything else?" He inquired.

"Hmm, you're dressed, and you're not dancing?" Mona teased. "Not as enthusiastic a welcome as before."

Fernando shook his head, "Can't get anything past you Mona. Though I would be more than happy to welcome you as enthusiastically as before. If you wish." He bantered playfully, "Look more closely around the quarters."

"Hmm, I can't miss the tank, I see the beach section for the turtles, for when they're ready to lay eggs", Mona started, now closely examining the rest of the room. "The chocolates are no longer right in the centre of the table... likely because the engineers had their toolbox there." She narrowed her eyes. "I don't see it."

"I gave the engineers some of the chocolates in exchange for installing the tank." He explained. "They will do anything for us now." He chuckled and grinned, "Okay, it really wasn't a fair question." He walked over to the end table and picked up a small remote. Returning to Mona, he handed it to her. "Face the tank and press it." He told her.

She turned on the remote and a set of bright lights came on, startling her briefly. "Oh, that's bright", she said, but she knew it would look just right with water and the corals in there. And those needed bright lights. It would be enough to read by, should she get tired of watching. She played around with the night as it went through the day and night cycle. "Very nice. Your design?"

He nodded his head at her comment, his smile growing more brilliant if that was possible. "Guilty as charged. I wanted something that would give us and others who are over here the feeling of being at the ocean. You know. The ocean without sand in your shorts." He looked at her. "You sure you like it? I want it to be perfect for you Mona."

"I love it", she said, giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Now I see what Anje meant when she said I should look out around you." She switched the lights off, not liking them in the empty tank, but perfectly convinced they'd look spectacular when it was finished.

"Who me?" He asked innocently. "I'm totally non fattening. Don't have to worry about me ending up on your hips. Then exercising it off." He grinned at her.

"Some of those exercises can be very entertaining", Mona cooed. "In case you need a sparring partner, let me know. Close combat isn't my strong suit, I'm better at a distance, so I can always use the practice." This reminded her, she should seek out their Klingon crewmember and ask him for some blade combat. It should be fun.

"I'm sure they are." Fernando agreed readily as he imagined some of the exercises Mona would use. Hips grinding, rotating...oh my! He shook his head and got back on topic. "As for a sparring partner, that is an excellent idea. Just say the word and I'll reserve a time for us in the holodeck or gym.... your choice."

"The gym", Mona said. "If we do it right, we might be able to sell tickets. Got to pick out our outfits, make sure everyone knows who's fighting, get some bets going."

Fernando got an uncomfortable look on his face. "Outfit? Why do I need an outfit? I usually wear a sweat suit and if people can't tell the difference between us they are badly in need of glasses. I thought this was to be a sparring session not a knock down fight."

"No, got to be a sexy outfit, to make it a spectator event", Mona said. "We'd train first, of course, for the choreography. You don't want to show off?"

Fernando got a knowing look on his face and a gleam in his eye. "Ah, so this is to be a scam? Are you sure you aren't Ferengi?" He teased then nodded, "Fine a sexy outfit and yes we train, I don't want to hurt you accidently."

"No no, not a scam", Mona said. "Something fun for everyone to enjoy. The betting is part of the fun, no? I never said I want a piece of the takings. Too bad we haven't got a Ferengi crewmember, I'm sure that would work even better. Besides, those lobes are fun."

Fernando shook his head, "I am sorry. I am confused. If not a scam than certainly something more than a sparring session no? How serious is this to be Mona?"

"Not serious at all, just a good performance. Like a concert, except I don't play an instrument. I can dance, and I can fight. You know, something to take everyone's minds off the duller aspects of our job, to be performed when we're travelling somewhere and have nothing but routine aboard."

"Oh, I understand now. You wish to showcase our talents, our skills. To let others see just how skillful we truly are. Is that what you are suggesting Mona?" He stopped, "I can dance as well." As he launched into 'dancing' only it looked like he was having a seizure. Arms going one way, legs another it truly was a sight.

Mona laughed. "That would land you in sickbay, at the mercy of our Gorn. Though, he's green, so how bad can he possibly be?"

Fernando stopped his 'dancing' and looked at Mona. "Are you saying my dancing is not what it should be? As for our CMO. Yes, he's green and looks nothing like you and the answer is very bad."

Mona took Fernando's hand, leading him to where there was less furniture in the way. "It works like this", she said, then showed him a few simple dance steps. "It's great fun once you're good at it."

"I was having fun before." He answered yet he mimicked Mona's dance steps fairly well. "I suppose this could be fun. If only I had someone to teach me. Do you know of anyone Mona?" He asked innocently.

"What do you think I'm doing right now?" Mona asked him. "Silly Fernando! Of course, you'll eventually have to lead."

He chuckled at her, "I am not as good as you are Mona but I will be. When that day comes we will trip the light fantastic. What do you say?"

"I don't know. I'm not familiar with that phrase", Mona said. "But I'm up for anything enjoyable, so yes. Let me change into something more comfortable and we can start, how's that?"

"It is not anything bad. It means stays out all night and have a good time. It would be enjoyable I assure you of that." He nodded, "Alright, I will be right here, not going anywhere.''

"Excellent." With that, Mona disappeared into her room.