Unexpected surprise

Posted on Fri Jan 31st, 2020 @ 11:30am by Senior Chief Petty Officer Fernando De La Rosa [Taylor] & Lieutenant JG Heather De La Rosa {Kelea-Salik}

Mission: Casperia Prime - A lesson in relaxation
Location: Tallia & Heather’s Quarters
Timeline: Morning after “On the road to recovery”
2073 words - 4.1 OF Standard Post Measure

{ON}

Heather awoke with a smile as she found herself still wrapped in Fernando’s arms, the way she’d fallen asleep the previous evening after some very pleasant and enjoyable lovemaking. They’d taken it slow and steady which had made the experience all the more enjoyable for her and she hoped, for Fernando too. “Good morning” She lifted her head from his chest and gently kissed him.

Fernando stirred slightly, his eyes opened and he drowsily looked at Heather, "Good morning. Did you sleep well?"

Heather nodded. "Yes, thanks to you. I hope I didn't rush you into this last night? I'm not someone who likes to wait when I find what I want." She cuddled up gently resting her head back on his shoulder, her arm draped across his chest.

"Much too kind." Fernando replied with a soft laugh and shook his head, "No, of course not Heather. I am glad to meet someone who knows what they want and goes and gets it. So much time is wasted thinking about doing something." He brought his arm up and let it circle her.

Heather lifted her head again to check the time. "It's still early enough to have time to cuddle before you go to work." She grinned and lay her head down yet again. "We'll have to get up early enough for breakfast, I really hope Tallia doesn't roast you for being here!"

"You'll get no argument from me. I like cuddling." He was silent for a moment, "As for Tallia, I think that may be a false hope. She is rather single minded in terms of medicine and her patients but we can hope." He looked down at her, "Personally I expect fried Fernando to fill the air should she find out."

Tallia walked into her kitchen, yawning and stretching as she did. She took a look around and realized something was... different... She took a knife from her butcher's block and held it out, "Is someone here?"

Heather heard Tallia’s voice call out, she looked at Fernando before sliding out of bed and grabbing her bathrobe. Putting it on she walked over to the door and out to Tallia. “Tallia, it’s okay it’s just me...” She looked back as the bedroom door opened. “And...Fernando.”

Fernando stood there. He had put on his pants but was bare chested. "Um, hi Tallia." He said sheepishly.

Heather walked over to Fernando taking his hand as she stood alongside. "I asked Fernando to stay, I hope you don't mind?"

"I um can assure you Heather did rest. She was in bed as well." Fernando added not realizing his statement wasn't going to make him many if any points with Tallia.

"Oh, for the love of.... Really, Casanova?" Tallia rolled her eyes and put the knife back in the block, "You scared the hell out of me!" She looked Heather over quickly, "Though I don't expect any adverse effects from your little rendezvous, it's not like she had stitches to rip out or anything. Just next time let me know you're here, huh? Had me thinking I was being burglarized or something..." ~Not that there's much to take.~ Tallia surmised, taking a quick glimpse around her still quite Spartan quarters.

"I'm sorry Tallia" Heather offered an apologetic glance. "I should have left you a note or something so you knew Fernando was here. Speaking of which...how did you know? It's not like we left anything lying around last night."

"I apologize as well Tallia. It was inconsiderate not to let you know. Please forgive me." Fernando replied his voice soft and subdued though part of him was irked that Tallia thought he was the driving force behind his and Heather's romantic interlude.

Heather smiled as she looked at Fernando. "I know I haven't been here long but Fernando has come to mean a great deal to me. I wanted him to stay with me last night." She looked back at Tallia. "How's about we get some breakfast and we can sit down and talk?"

"A splendid idea!" Fernando spoke up. "Um that is if you want me to stay. I have no wish to overstay my welcome or make Tallia uncomfortable with my continued presence."

Heather nodded enthusiastically then looked at Tallia. "Is that okay with you Tallia?"

"Please." Tallia motioned to the living room as if to say 'mi casa, su casa' before remembering, "Someone said something about feeding me..."

“I did” Heather smiled. “I’ll get some breakfast sorted and then we can all sit down.”

Heading over to the replicator it didn’t take long before Heather had a selection of breakfast items laid out on the coffee table for them all to choose from. Juice, milk, toast, cereal, fruit, and a cooked option as well. Choosing hers Heather settled onto the sofa with a plate of toast, sausage, bacon, and hash brown. Not the healthiest breakfast but she liked it nonetheless.

Once Tallia had said it was alright for him to stay, Fernando retreated back into the bedroom where he slipped his shirt on along with his boots. Returning to the living room he was surprised to see Heather had selected a wide array of breakfast foods for them to choose from. he decided the next time (and there would a next time) he stayed over he would cook breakfast for Heather.

He made his way over to the coffee table where the selections were laid out. He got some orange juice, sausage, bacon and a hash brown and looked for a seat, smiling at Heather as he took a seat next to her on the sofa.

Heather smiled back as they sat together. “You know, I could get used to this!” She politely ate her breakfast doing her best not to rush it, but being in captivity as a slave for so long had the mental effect of making her feel she needed to eat it as soon as possible. She paused eating as she tried to slow herself down. “I hate this! I want to rush through this, like it’s going to disappear any moment!!”

"It is nice." Fernando agreed as he chewed a piece of bacon then stopped as he watched Heather gobble her food. "Heather, it is alright. You have to retrain your brain to eat slower. No one is going to take your food. You must slow down, you'll give yourself indigestion." He said soothingly as he reached a hand out to her to comfort her.

Heather paused eating again. Her plate was almost empty already, she couldn't help but feel embarrassed at how she had behaved. " I... need to talk to Lunara again. I need her help with all of this, and both of you as well."

"Of course Heather. You know both Tallia and I are here for you and in what any capacity you need us." Fernando replied quickly. He hadn't meant for Heather to be self conscious over her eating. If she felt the counselor could help her, he wouldn't stand in her way.

Tallia had been eating rather rapidly as well, "Sorry," She grinned sheepishly, "Occupational hazard."

Heather offered a more relaxed smile. "That's true, when you work in Sickbay you never know when you'll get called to go and help someone. Either that or someone walks in." She grinned.

Fernando shook his head at both Tallia and Heather and their comments. "If Tallia is also eating fast maybe it has more to do with your chosen profession than your um recent history." He offered helpfully.

"Right!" Tallia agreed instantly, she'd never been like this before becoming a doctor.

Heather smiled warmly. "Tallia would you approve a request for me to stay onboard as a nurse?" She looked to Fernando then back at Tallia. "I'd like to stay on as part of the ship's crew."

Fernando was very much in favor of Heather's suggestion and his face showed his support even as he spoke. "I think that is an excellent idea! Don't you Tallia? You know you can use another nurse of Heather's skill and experience."

"Would be nice to be able to palm Walton off from time to time." Tallia said, grabbing more bacon as she did, "Still a little salty about the snitching..."

"Um." Fernando spoke up from his place on the couch. "Can't you just schedule her so she isn't on the same shift as you Tallia?"

"Scheduling is Dr. Sthilg's authority, Fernando." Tallia sighed, "Otherwise she'd be reassigned as the school nurse. Though she's probably already asked not to work with me anymore anyway, so the problem might have solved itself."

"You can still state your preference can't you Tallia?" Fernando questioned. "I mean tell Sthilg that your personalities clash in that she has none and doesn't conduct herself in a professional manner." Fernando pressed.

"Then she claims retaliation, then we have JAG in here, not worth it." Tallia shook her head, "Like I said, hopefully the problem will take care of itself."

"For being honest? What a crock!" Fernando replied angrily.

Tallia looked to Heather and laughed, "Sometimes it's almost like he's new, isn't it?"

"What?" Fernando looked from Tallia to Heather "What?" He repeated.

"This is a part of what I like best about you, though." Tallia smiled, "Underneath the Casanova exterior beats the altruistic heart of an idealist. Pretty great combination."

Heather smiled. "Whatever his reputation used to be..." She grinned as she looked at Fernando. "I like him just as he is. He's one of my reasons for staying onboard."

Fernando blushed at Heather's unexpected compliment. His cheeks reddening. He leaned over and took her hand, kissing it softly. "Thank you Heather." He looked over at Tallia, "Thank you as well Tallia. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful friends."

"Just friends?" Heather looked at Fernando curiously. She hoped their night together had meant more to Fernando than it simply being a night with a friend.

Fernando realized what he has said and saw the look on Heather's face, "No! No! No!" He said quickly as he tried to make up for his mistake. "Oh Heather my rose, you are much more than a friend! I think last night proved that. Please forgive me for my insensitive statement. It will not happen again, I promise you."

Heather smiled warmly. "No it's okay! It's just me being over sensitive." She picked up her glass and finished off her drink. "Will you stop by and have lunch with me later? I'll just be here trying to figure out what to do with myself!"

Fernando shook his head, "No, I hurt you and I never wanted that." He looked at her, "I will if you are sure you want an insensitive lout for a lunch companion. As for what to do, you can have access to the ship's library and the information it contains whether you want to read recreationally or you wish to catch up on the latest in medical advances."

"I'll do some catching up then" Heather grinned. "And you are not an insensitive lout." She looked at Tallia. "Sorry Tallia this isn't exactly the most brilliant conversation for you. I'll stop worrying about the romantic side of things for now."

"Oh, whatever." Tallia laughed, then turned serious while pretending not to be, "Don't let the fact that nobody loves me keep you from loving each other."

Fernando blinked at he, "What?! That isn't true Tallia, Anje loves you as do Gabby and Kara and Sami and me …." He looked over to Heather "And Heather. Many people love you Tallia, maybe even some you don't know."

"Not what I meant, but thanks." Tallia said gratefully.

"Oh?" Fernando poised then his eyes went wide and he blushed scarlet. "Oh! Yes, I um see what you mean Tallia."

Tallia giggled and stroked his arm gently,"Too cute." She remarked, though she remained a little salty that he had gotten to be with Anje and she hadn't, ~Can't win 'em all... Or any of them it seems.~

"You'll find someone" Heather smiled as she looked at Tallia. "Just give it time. There was a time when I thought much the same as you but not anymore. "She offered Fernando a warm smile.

"At this point it's far too hard to imagine it ever happening." Tallia said sadly, "But thank you."

Heather nodded. "That's what friends are for."