Stolen Moments

Posted on Sun Jan 20th, 2019 @ 5:59am by Senior Chief Petty Officer Fernando De La Rosa [Taylor]

Mission: Season 2: Episode 3: Determination is not always a good thing
Location: Field Hospital
Timeline: waiting for the go-ahead
1303 words - 2.6 OF Standard Post Measure

Cortic IV, Planet's Surface

Fernando looked around as he entered the tent. Good, no one other than the one he wanted to see was there and her back was turned away from him. He hoped she wouldn't get mad but he had to see her. They had gotten closer and he found himself unusually worried about her safety. He approached quietly and as he reached her, he spoke softly, "Mona?"

Mona was startled by his sudden presence, turning around. "You shouldn't try to get the drop on a marine", she teased. "Might end up with broken parts." She pointed at herself, now wearing a medical teal uniform with Lieutenant Junior Grade pips. "How do you like my field promotion to nurse?"

"But I did get the drop on you." He countered playfully as he looked at her new uniform. "Most impressive, it suits you." He observed then leaned and peered at her forehead, "Are those decorations new?"

"Yes, Estelle and Gallia made them for me. They're Orion good luck charms", Mona explained. "Not that I believe in that sort of thing, but they're pretty, so I'm not complaining."

"Oh." He answered, "That was very considerate of them." Yet mentally he was kicking himself for not knowing she liked Orion good luck charms. *She's Orion, you idiot!* His inner self railed at him. He wouldn't be caught off guard again he vowed. Then he remembered why he was here and his confidence deserted him. "Um Mona..." He stammered.

"That is my name, yes?" Mona grinned. "Come on, out with it. If all goes to plan, I won't have much time."

"Yes, of course it is." He agreed as his head dropped and he stared at his boots then he raised his head and looked at her, a look of utter intensity and caring, "I um. I just wanted to say um be careful. Be extra careful. Come back in one piece." He didn't say 'come back to me' he hoped she knew how he felt.

"That's the plan", Mona said. "I don't think they'll hurt me. If they want to sell Liorga as a sex slave because she's Deltan, they'll want to do the same to me. That's why I volunteered. They might swallow the ruse with Anya, but they'd not let her come back, and they might just shoot her dead. With me, they'll get even greedier than they already are. That's why I'm going."

He reached a hand out and softly caressed her cheek. "If they harm one hair on you. They will have me to deal with and I won't be in a forgiving mood. I promise you that."

"We should tell them before I go, they'd be scared enough to surrender if they knew", Mona said. She would certainly not want to be at the receiving end of Fernando's marksmanship skills. She took his hand into hers. "But it's very much appreciated, we Orion women are very protective about our hair. You might say custodial, even."

As Mona took his hand, his fingers wrapped around hers and he squeezed softly. "Tell them if you think it will work but I doubt it. These kind of people only react to action. *Appreciated?* He thought didn't Mona realize how he felt? He gave her a wan smile, "Just keep your pretty head low, if shooting breaks out."

"Don't forget, I'm only posing as a nurse", Mona pursed her lips. "I can fight. Admittedly, I prefer doing it with a phaser, at a distance, but I can bash a head or two in with the best of them. Once the fighting breaks out, if I'm not close to Liorga so I can cover her, I'll do my part."

"Yes, yes I know you can fight... still be careful." He repeated then suddenly leaned forward and kissed her, not like some randy high school boy but a honest to goodness, soft kiss on her lips. "When you return I have something to ask you." He whispered.

Mona gave him a hug and whispered back. "The answer is 42." She laughed and put her arm around him. "But I do have one question I'd like you to answer, if you can. Ever since I've put on this uniform, people are calling 'hello' or 'hello nurse' in my direction, in a really weird way. What's up with that?"

"42?" He repeated then nodded, he'd have to look it up. He thought on the question then answered. "It's because you look so commanding in it Mona. Very dignified, very much like a medical professional. You look like someone who knows what is going on and what to do. Of course the pips help." He finished with a grin.

Mona furrowed her brow, then poked him in the side. "No, that's not the way they say it. Out with it, I can see by the look on your face that you're not being honest right now."

Fernando grew uncomfortable, he didn't want to make Mona mad or have her lose focus and get hurt. "Um." He shifted from foot to foot. "I'll tell you when you come back." He promised. Hoping to put her off for the time being.

"Fernando, come on", she said. "You mustn't evade my questions and tease me with the answers. That's too much of a role reversal, you know?"

"Mona, my Orion rose. It's just that people aren't use to seeing you um all dressed up, you know? As an officer. *Oh please, let her believe this* He silently prayed.

Mona grumbled. "You'll pay for this. Just you wait." She did not believe him.

He sighed, he didn't want Mona mad with him. "Wait, I'll tell you." He looked to make sure her hands were empty of anything she could hit him with. "The reason people are being extra nice to you, it's um because they think your a lady of the night. A woman for hire. You understand?" Then cringed at having to tell her that.

"You're taking the piss", Mona grumbled. "I mean, that's stupid. This outfit isn't nearly as..." She paused and laughed. "Oh! The charms! Of course. They can't read Orion symbols, they think it's advertisement." She laughed. "Goodness, I'll have to educate them."

"Well, the charms of course, and you are Orion." He sighed, "Let it go. People are going to think what they want. Just know your friends don't think that way. I don't think that way. I never could."

"Good. Haven't done any of that since I worked on that passenger liner", Mona said. "Before joining the marines. Things changed a lot for me in those four years, you know?"

He nodded, "That was a lifetime ago and I'm sure they did." he observed as he brushed the hair from her face. "Don't look back, if you do, you can't see where your headed."

"Hey, it wasn't all bad", Mona said. "I chose it, too. But, getting stabbed that one time, not as much fun as it looks." She winked. "I had to learn to fight, and once I could, there was this. And now I like it."

"No, I don't think it would be," He observed. "However, you are also a Marine to be sure." He admitted "However you are much more than that. You are and always will be a lady in every sense of the word."

Mona smiled and kissed his cheek. "And you're a charmer, are you sure you weren't an Orion woman in your past life?"

Fernando blushed scarlet at her comment. "Who knows?" He admitted as he gave her a hug. "Remember I have something to ask you when you come back."

"Heh, you're the one who'll have to remember, since it's your question", Mona teased. "All right, I better get moving. See you soon."

Fernando nodded, "See you soon." He promised.