This is Nice

Posted on Fri Feb 14th, 2020 @ 3:22am by Lieutenant JG Heather De La Rosa {Kelea-Salik} & Senior Chief Petty Officer Fernando De La Rosa [Taylor]

Mission: Challenge Missions
Location: Lounge, Arboretum
2395 words - 4.8 OF Standard Post Measure

Fernando stood outside Heather and Tallia's quarters. He wasn't in uniform but civilian clothes as he wanted Heather to be relaxed as possible and he thought without the uniforms it would ease any possible pressure. He had a bouquet of red roses, like he did when she was first in Sickbay. He was nervous as he prepared to ring the chime. "Relax Fernando, you know Heather and you know she likes you." He said in a type of prep talk. He and Heather were close and had been intimate but this time it was different. This was a.... date and he wanted nothing to go wrong.

Heather’s senses were starting to return, as she moved towards the door she sensed nervousness coming from the opposite side. She’d chosen to wear a red knee length dress that hugged her figure and complimented it in all the right areas. She just hoped he’d like it. “Hello Fernando” Heather smiled warmly as she opened the door.

Fernando smiled brilliantly at her, "Hello Heather." He replied as his eyes took in her dress and he nodded with approval. It complimented her figure quite well. It was good to see Heather looking so healthy and her senses were beginning to return which he knew she was excited and happy about. He continued to stand there looking at her when he realized he still had the roses in his hand. "These are for you. I hope they meet with your approval." He said as he handed her the flowers.

“They’re beautiful Fernando! Thank you!!” She motioned for him to enter. “Let me just put them in some water and I’ll be right with you.”

"You are welcome Heather, they pale in comparison to your beauty." Fernando replied.

Walking over to the replicator she replicated a vase filled with water and arranged the flowers inside before bringing it across to the coffee table. Placing it down she smiled as she walked over to Fernando and gave him a kiss. “That is for the gorgeous flowers, so what would you like to do for our first date?”

Fernando blushed at the kiss, not that he and Heather hadn't shared plenty and enjoyed each and every one. "I have a table reserved for us in the lounge, then I thought a nice walk through the arboretum and if your up to it a surprise." He finished cryptically.

"A surprise!" Heather looked at Fernando curiously. "I can't wait to find out what that is!" She smiled the biggest smile yet. "I'm all yours."

Fernando nodded, "Yes, a surprise. You're just going to have to be patient." As he smiled back at her and thought. *I hope so.*

"Oh I'll be patient" Heather grinned. "It's not like I've got a choice. Besides I'm looking forward to spending time with you."

Fernando took her hand, "Let us go, so we can get this evening started and I hope it is one you never forget Heather." He said honestly.

"Now you have me totally intrigued." Heather smiled warmly as she held onto Fernando's hand and walked with him. "My senses are slowly coming back which is helping me to feel more me again. Which in turn means that you get to see more of the real me, instead of the frightened and nervous me."

"Good." Fernando replied as they walked along. *This is nice.* he thought. When Heather finished talking he stopped and faced her, "I am happy and glad for you Heather as your senses are important to you as well they should be. However I like you any way you are." He said honestly without trying to be overly mushy.

Heather looked at Fernando, "That is one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me. It means more than you realise, especially after everything that's happened to me." She gripped his hand tighter, the only outward sign of how she felt. "Fernando, when I was a slave I was used as a...instrument of pleasure for my master and whoever else he leant me out to. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to feel about it, for all intents and purposes I was..." She shook her head not wanting to say what she really thought.

Fernando's eyes were on her, "Heather, all that is behind you. You were forced into it. It isn't part of your personality." He placed his hands on her shoulders. "You know you can talk to me anytime your ready. As to how you should feel, I would think angry at those that forced you into it. However tonight, I want you to be happy and have a good time."

She smiled and nodded. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to dwell on the bad, I want to dwell on the good and enjoy my time with you." She took a relaxing breath. "Let's go and eat, I'm looking forward to this surprise you've got to show me."

"You did nothing wrong Heather, I just do not wish to see you unhappy." He smiled at her, "Your wish is my command."

It wasn't long before they were seated at a romantically laid out table for two in a quiet area of the lounge. Heather couldn't help but feel truly special the way Fernando treated her. "This is lovely Fernando, you certainly know how to make a woman feel special."

Fernando held Heather's hand in his own, "I am glad you like it Heather, it is nothing more than you deserve. " He said with a smile as he poured them both a glass of wine. You should also know that you are a very special woman."

Heather blushed a deep shade of red. “Now you’re just flattering me!” She grinned as she picked up her glass of wine. “A toast, to getting to know each other better.” She held her glass up for him to chink his against hers.

"No, no I'm not." Fernando protested, "You are special to me and that is all that matters." he raised his glass to clink against hers. "To a long and loving relationship." He answered in return.

Heather smiled and nodded before taking a polite sip of her drink. “I like the sound of that very much.” She put her glass down offering a smile as a waiter came to take their food order. “I’ll have whatever he’s having” She looked at Fernando offering a cheeky grin as she waited for him to order for both of them.

*Oh boy! Pressure's on now!* Fernando thought to himself, as he looked over the menu and made the choice for their meal. "We'll start with an appetizer of fried mozzarella cheese sticks please. Then we'll both have a Caesar salad with ranch dressing and for our meal two 10 ounce ribeye steaks, cooked medium well with a baked potato and a side of garlic toast." He finished. The waiter smiled and moved away to place the order leaving Fernando to return his attention to Heather. "I hope that meets with your approval Heather."

“It sounds wonderful!” Heather nodded and smiled as she looked at Fernando studying his facial features carefully. “Sorry I don’t mean to stare! I’m just...taking you in, so-to-speak. It’s one thing to feel what you feel, adding facial expression and body language makes the experience of being with you all the more special. Now I have my senses back I can put you together as a whole without feeling like I’m missing an important part of you.”

"I don't mind Heather." Fernando answered honestly. "I am glad you can see me a complete person. If you ever feel you are missing something just ask and I'll answer if I can."

"Fernando I'm sorry I didn't mean to make it sound like that! Ive always seen you for who you are but as my senses are an integral part of me I was feeling incomplete!" She gently took his hand holding onto it across the table. "I feel more complete now, so you get to see the whole me."

Fernando shook his head, "No, I am sorry Heather, I did not mean to upset you." He smiled at her, "In my eyes you have always been complete."

"Thank you" Heather smiled warmly. She sat simply looking into his eyes for a few moments before the waiter returned with their starter of Fried Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, letting go if his hand she sat back to give the waiter room to put their food down.

Fernando looked into Heather's eyes, he could get lost for a week in her eyes. "You are welcome." He answered simply as the waiter brought their Fried Mozzarella Cheese Sticks. "Please Heather, dig in."

Picking up a cheese straw she politely tucked into it. "You know, I have to admit I've never tried these before but they're very good." She picked one up and playfully held it out for Fernando to take a bite. "Would you like some?"

"I am glad you like them Heather." And Fernando was he wanted this whole evening to be perfect for Heather so she would remember it forever. He chuckled at her invitation but leaned forward to take a bite of the cheese stick.

Heather grinned as she watched Fernando eat. Pictures of a certain scene in a children’s movie of two dogs eating spaghetti until their lips meet, crossed her mind but they were in public and it didn’t seem appropriate to play with her food there.

Fernando grinned back at her as he finished the cheese stick. He as about to say something when the waiter arrived with their salads and main course. "Ohhhhhh! This smells and looks good. What do you think Heather?"

“Mmmmm, it smells and looks divine!” She smiled as she looked at the food on her plate. “I can’t wait to tuck in.”

Fernando nodded happily, "Please Heather dig in. The meal is to be enjoyed not looked at."

Heather grinned before politely eating her food. She savoured the first mouthful. "Mmmm delicious!" She politely carried on eating hoping he was finding the food as nice as she was.

Fernando smiled as he dug into the food, "Hmmmmm!" He exclaimed, "This is good!" The night was proceeding wonderfully. He hoped it would continue through the meal and onto Heather's surprise.

"Heather slowly and politely ate her food, remembering how fast she gobbled down breakfast like she was expecting someone to take it from her at any moment. She paused long enough to sip some of her drink before finishing off the last few polite mouthfuls. "That..." She leant back in her seat. "Was delicious!"

Fernando nodded, pleased with Heather's reaction. "Would you like some dessert Heather?"

"Mmmm I think I'll save that for later." She grinned a wry grin. "Actually I'm dying to find out what your surprise is!"

"Are you now?" Fernando bantered back. "I guess that can be arranged." He paid for the meal, rose and moved to where she sat. He held his hand out for her to take, "Let us go as your surprise awaits you."

Taking Fernando's hand she gracefully rose from the table with a warm smile. "I'm looking forward to this, although I have no idea what to expect!"

Fernando smiled cryptically at her, "Good. I want you to be totally surprised." He answered as he took her hand and they left the lounge. "Now you are sure you don't want to walk through the arboretum? " He teased, knowing Heather was anxious to see her surprise.

"Absolutely sure!" She grinned as she looked into his eyes. "You're a tease you know that?!"

"Moi?" Fernando feigned surprise at her statement. "Say that after you see your surprise." He replied as they walked down the corridor toward the holodecks.

"You're taking me to the holodeck?" She looked at Fernando curiously, she couldn't even guess what program he might have set up for them. "Now you've peaked my curiosity!"

"Just be patient for a few more minutes than all your questions will be answered." Fernando assured her.

Heather nodded, besides she didn't have long to wait as they were soon standing outside the holodeck. She looked at Fernando with an almost childlike expression, the kind you'd get on Christmas morning when waiting to open the presents.

"Okay, close your eyes." Fernando instructed as he spoke to the computer next. "Computer run Fernando Romantic Getaway."

"Program is running you may enter when ready." Came the bland, flat reply.

Fernando turned back to Heather, "Keep your eyes closed." He said again as he took her hand. and led her inside the holodeck where the pair suddenly found themselves on Danube River, on a moonlight cruise of the river. A waiter came up to them with glasses of wine. Fernando took both the glasses and turned back to Heather. "Okay, open your eyes."

Heather opened her eyes and looked around open mouthed. "Oh my...we're on Earth!" She looked completely shell shocked but in a good way. She looked at Fernando with tears in her eyes. "I haven't been back to Earth in...so long!" She smiled the biggest smile yet. "Thank you so much!!"

Fernando leaned forward and softly kissed her as he handed her a glass of wine. Let us find a seat, here under the moonlight and enjoy the splendor of the cruise."

Heather smiled and nodded as they found themselves a romantic spot where they could sit. Putting down her glass after sipping it she cuddled up with Fernando enjoying his company and surprise very much indeed.

Fernando put his arm around Heather, holding her close. Feeling the warmth and softness of her skin and he knew without a doubt that he was falling in love with this beautiful strong woman.

Heather was enthralled with the romance and beauty of the cruise, so much so if she’d have been given a chance she’d choose to stay and keep this perfect time going. “Thank you so much for this Fernando.” She looked up into his eyes and smiled.

Fernando smiled, hugged Heather tighter as the ship continued it's slow meanderings down the river.. Allowing them to fully appreciate the beauty around them. It was a special moment and he wanted it to last for as long as possible.

{OFF}