Getting to Know You

Posted on Sun Apr 21st, 2019 @ 8:59pm by Senior Chief Petty Officer Fernando De La Rosa [Taylor]

Mission: Episode 1: Hell is a four letter word
Location: Fernando/Mona's Quarters----DS9
Timeline: Current
1999 words - 4 OF Standard Post Measure

Fernando paced his bedroom floor. At the rate he was going he was going to wear a path in the carpet.

He was nervous. It was an unusual feeling for him. He usually exuded confidence but this time it was different. He was going to ask Mona out on a date.

He wanted to do this right. He wanted it to be a night she would remember. He stopped his pacing and sat on the bed. He began to think on ways to ask her. He couldn't just go up and ask her. Heavens no! This was Mona, it had to be as special as she was. He snapped his fingers, had it! He went and scribbled his idea down on a piece of paper. Then he moved to his work station and pulled up a special program to transfer his idea to. Typing for a few minutes. When he was through he had a professional looking poem especially for Mona. It read.

M--Merry, she shines, she sparkles

O--Open minded, receptive to new ideas

N--Natural, the real deal

A--Adorable, warm and loving.

Mona, you are unique!!!!!!!

He smiled as he picked it up and took it to her room. He had an envelope and put it inside. Then he got the chocolate he bought when he snuck over to DS9 and placed in on the pillow with the poem. On the outside of the envelope he wrote 'see me when finished reading' He had other surprise for her but those would wait. First Mona had to say yes.

Mona was surprised to find an envelope and chocolate on her pillow after stepping out of the shower. She knew immediately who it was from. Her fine Orion senses told her none other than Fernando had been in the room, and handled the objects. Popping the chocolate in her mouth, she opened the envelope, reading and smiling. He was going through a lot of trouble, and Mona enjoyed that. She didn't want to come across as high-maintenance but she appreciated Fernando making the effort. She stood in front of the replicator for a bit, then decided on a dark red dress, bare shoulders and form-fitting, going down past the knees but slit up the sides.

Mona looked at herself in the mirror, making sure she was still modest enough she could be seen in public, before stepping out, letter in hand, looking for Fernando. She rapped her fingernails on the door to his bedroom.

Fernando was busy getting dressed, He had put on dark blue slacks, with black shoes, a V-neck button up the front dress shirt with a dark blue sports jacket. He heard the rap on his door and knew it was Mona. His heart was in his throat. He soooo wanted to impress and more importantly for her to have a good time.

He opened the door and smiled, "Mona, you look incredible." He said dialing back his usual over the top compliments. "Absolutely stunning."

"That was a nice surprise you left me", Mona smiled as she put her arms around him. "I didn't even know you could get in there while I was in the shower. Security officers and their sneaky little ways, hm?"

His arms came up and around her, holding her lightly in their embrace. "I am glad you liked it." He grinned at her, "Yes, we security officers are a sneaky lot." He bantered with her. "I think you like what I have planned for us this evening...at least I hope you do."

"I'm sure I will", Mona agreed. "Provided you'll let me in on it? Is this outfit appropriate?"

He looked at her, "Yes, of course it is. You are stunning." He repeated. "You do not wish to be surprised as to what the evening holds?"

"It's risky business, surprising me", Mona said. "It means you'll be responsible for providing everything that's needed for changing circumstances." She winked.

He nodded. "Understood. I will give you an overview of the evening. We have reservations at El Toro on the station. After that. We will go to the Starlight Room for some drinks if you desire and some dancing. Then finishing the evening with a walk through the station's gardens."

"I didn't know the station had gardens", Mona said. Anything involving green would always be the highlight of her evening. "So, what is an El Toro?" Mona asked, not even realising she'd used two articles in a row.

"The gardens are I believe a recent addition. A place where visitors as well as station personnel can relax. El Toro means The Bull in Spanish. But they have a wide variety of food if you do not wish Spanish." Fernando answered and then added, "If you prefer Italian food, there is an Italian restaurant we can try."

"Italian, that's another region on Earth, yes?" Mona asked. "I'm not going to ask what species that is again." She grinned. "But I'll follow your lead and trust your recommendations."

Fernando smiled, "I will never steer you wrong Mona. I think you will like, no love Italian food. We will go there instead." He answered easily.

"There is no 'wrong' as long as we're having fun and trying new things", Mona said. "Well, unless it's Anya's idea of fun. That's not always safe."

"Agreed. We are doing this together. I owe Anya a bigtime payback. She has shot me twice and I have resisted any retaliation both times but no more."

"You are right, that does call for payback", Mona agreed. "Let me think about it. I might have an idea for you later."

"We will think on Anya later. For now, you my sweet Mona are the center of attention." Fernando replied sincerely.

"Well, I'm ready when you are", Mona smiled. "Dazzle me."

He brought her hand up and kissed it softly. "Prepare to be dazzled." He replied "But first one more surprise. Wait here." With that he left the room only to return a few seconds later with a single long stemmed rose. "For you Mona for you are my Orion rose."

"That's even the right shade of green", Mona grinned as she took the rose and took in the scent of the blossom. He was trying very hard, Mona noted, which was good. It was a promising start for the evening.

"I am very glad you like it Mona." He extended his hand. "Come, our evening is just getting started."

Mona took his hand and, as they were moving towards the door, left the rose on the table next to her omnipresent candy. She'd come back for it later. "A good test whether I might want to take you onto one of my luxury holidays", Mona teased.

"Ah." He replied, "Something to hopefully look forward to." As they left their quarters and headed for the restaurant on DS9.

"Yes, I was hoping that this, or maybe next shore leave, I might be able to get a weekend on Bajor in?" Mona said. "There's this beautiful mountain range, very poor in natural resources, and thus still very rich in nature."

"A camping trip?" Fernando prodded, "That would be wonderful and exciting. I'd like to see this mountain range."

Mona smirked. "You saw right through that, didn't you? Yes, my idea of luxury is wilderness."

"I admire your taste." Fernando answered. "Nothing wrong with the wilderness. Nothing at all. Especially if you have the right person to spend it with."

"And I do prefer the right company over going alone", Mona agreed. "You know, strictly for safety reasons, so one can call for help if the other has an accident. You understand, I'm sure." She grinned.

"Oh for sure. I do. Always best to be prepared." Fernando quipped as they arrived at the Italian restaurant.

"Mhm, this place smells good", Mona said. "Are you very hungry? I might have to study the menu for a while."

"It sure does!" Fernando replied happily, "I hope the food tastes as good as it smells." He smiled at her, "I am hungry but not starving." He admitted. "However, you take your time Mona to decide what you want."

As Mona sat down and picked up a menu, she soon realised she wouldn't take as long after all. While everything up top was in Italian, there was a standard translation which Mona could understand. "This is easier than I thought. If I ask for 'bruschetta', will I create a medical emergency because the waiter's ears will start bleeding?" Her pronunciation was horrible.

Fernando chuckled at her question. "Of course not Mona. If all else fails point at what you want." He teased "As for me, I think I will get the chicken parmesan."

Mona nodded. "Good idea." She keyed in bruschetta and pasta 'frutti di mare', which she had no idea what it was exactly, but it looked appetising. "What's your stance on some wine? Synthehol, or the real thing?"

"Seriously?" He questioned, "For this special occasion nothing but the real thing will do."

"Ah, good. Wine is my favourite Earth beverage", Mona teased. "I just wasn't sure whether you could handle it."

Fernando didn't reply immediately. He didn't know if Mona was teasing him again and he didn't want to say or do anything to ruin the evening. After a moment he answered, "Never fear Mona, I can handle it."

"Good", Mona grinned. "Having to drag my date home is no fun at all. And it's sort of embarrassing for an Orion, you know?"

"Just think how I would feel." Fernando quipped, "Totally embarrassing."

"This is why I avoid Klingon beverages. But Earther wine is fine", Mona smirked. "Though, don't you think something could be done to turn it a shade of green, perhaps?"

Fernando shook his head, "You and your more green. Though I'm sure something could be done. I'll have to look into it." He promised.

Mona giggled. "The more green there is, the better I can blend into the background." She closed the menu now that she had decided.

He shook his head, "No never settle into the background Mona. You need to be at the forefront." He said simply.

"That's where I get shot", Mona smirked. "Though, it did work well enough during our last mission. Surprisingly well, in fact. I expected to get shot at before even getting out of the vehicle."

"You were very brave." Fernando noted. "I think you deserve a promotion."

"I'm not stopping you from recommending me", Mona grinned. "The only reason it was fairly easy was the disease. Many were down, the others were desperate."

"I will. I'm serious. You deserve a promotion, Mona. You were front and center in the enemy's stronghold." Fernando answered.

"Hopefully, I'll be able to impress the new Gunnery Sergeant who'll be coming aboard any moment now, or maybe already has", Mona said. "Scuttlebutt has it, he's a real hard-arse."

"Pfffttt." Fernando replied, "I'm sure you can handle him Mona. No doubt in my mind."

"Let's handle the meal first?" Mona suggested, changing the topic. She didn't want to talk about 'handling' someone, no matter the reputation.

"Agreed." Fernando replied happily. "This evening is all about having a good time."

"Well, have you picked something?" Mona grinned. It seemed like he had forgot all about it.

Fernando flashed a brilliant smile at her, "I have. I'm going to have the chicken parmesan.'' He announced just as the waiter walked over to their table. "Some red wine for myself and the lady." He then looked over to Mona, "What are you going to have Mona?"

Mona grinned and simply handed over the menu, where she'd already made her selection. "I've indicated what I'd like, to spare you the torture on your ears", she told the waiter.

"Yes ma'am." He answered as he turned to Fernando, "And you sir?'

"I'll have the chicken parmesan. Please." Fernando answered as he handed the menu back to the waiter.

"Very good. I'll be back shortly with your meals."

 

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