[SSE] LtCmdr Sky Blake, "Something about those eyes."

[Deliera Jay]

((Star Station Esperance - Elis' quarters))

Blake: It's not too much trouble?

Elis: No! Prophets, no. I've always wanted to meet your kids, now I get a chance to look after your son. It's everything I have ever wanted.

::As Elis shrugged, Sky cringed, crossing her arms over herself. He sighed, giving a quiet laugh.::

Elis: Blake, you're trusting me with your kid. It's my honor. Besides, ::the Bajoran glanced at the four year old, now napping on his couch.:: it's not like he's a handful.

Blake: He's a good kid - more and more like his father.

::And then Naqubac's pet bajheli rubbed up against her leg. She took a deep breath.::

Blake: Please don't leave my son alone with your dog.

Elis: Of course.

Blake: Please don't take your eyes off my son with your dog around.

Elis: I won't.

Blake: And please-

Elis: Blake, at this rate, you're going to be late for the wedding.

Blake: Right.

::After brushing away the 'dog', she knelt down to her son, dozing on the Bajoran's couch, her nose nuzzling against his forehead, a hand running over the boy's blonde hair. Ayden stirred a little, but otherwise, didn't wake.

::With another breath, she stood properly, heading to Elis' door.::

Blake: Thank you.

Elis: It's my pleasure.

::She exited the quarters of her Bajoran friend, leaving her son behind, an anxiety rising with each step she took. Finally, she made it to a turbolift-

Blake: Noree scrumbe-

::And walked smack into a young man, the stranger dropping his PADD in shock as she bumped into him. She picked it up off the deck plating and handed it back to the man - who hadn't spoken a word and instead stared at her.::

Blake: I'm sorry - I wasn't paying attention.

Ekal: It's my fault. I assure you.

::He was taller than she was, face round and clean shaven, ears pointed, and a head of curly locks, dark and well trimmed. And he couldn't wipe the star-struck smile off his face.

::But when she saw his eyes . . . she couldn't help but frown. She shook her head, speaking to the computer.::

Blake: Esperance base.

::There was silence for a few seconds as the two stood awkwardly, the man staring ahead, trying his best to ignore her.

::And failing, apparently.::

Ekal: Sorry to bother you, but do you have the stardate?

Blake: Uh . . . ::She closed her eyes for a split second.:: 239504.03.

Ekal: Right. Thank you. I just . . . uh . . . had a long week.

::She glanced back at him. He was in pristine condition, as far as she could tell. Wide eyed, fully alert, clothes crisp . . . also tall, dark and handsome . . . ::

Blake: Could have fooled me. You look like you're on top of your game.

::He chuckled, twirling the ring on his thumb - which only made the entire thing stranger. A thumb ring indicated marriage to a Brekkian to Sky - though Terrans claimed it was more of a fashion statement than anything else. It was a hard thing to judge in space.::

Ekal: I appreciate that. But I know a man who would probably disagree with you.

::No, there was something about him that she just couldn't place. Sky stared at him, recognizing the eyes staring back at her.

Blake: I'm sorry, but . . . do I know you? I feel like I've seen you somewhere.

::He took a moment to respond.::

Ekal: You're Starfleet, right?

::Sky nodded slowly.::

Ekal: I tended the bar, aboard the USS Ronin.

::Her shoulders relaxed, indicating a hint of disappointment. Somehow, her subconscious had recognized him. And given that both 'iterations' of Sky Blake had spent a substantial amount of time near a bar, this was not a far-fetched story.

::But still. There was . . . something.::

Blake: I'm sorry I didn't recognize you earlier.

Ekal: In your defense, it was a pretty forgettable time.

::She couldn't help but huff.::

Blake: Ha. You're telling *me*.

::Her eyes remained locked to him for a few moments, still staring at his eyes, trying to remember something about him. Maybe it was the hair, the ears and the familiar dark eyes, but he just . . . reminded her of Sabor.

::But she couldn't make a comment about it, interrupted by the turbolift stopping at the stranger's stop. He moved past her, giving her a final nod and a soft smile.::

Ekal: Enjoy the wedding.

::This time she did frown, but the doors closed before she could question his words.

::Maybe he knew the grooms. Maybe he'd heard about it over what limited subspace band.

::But there was something about his eyes. And now that she thought about it, the anxiety of leaving Ayden behind had sub-sided in the stranger's presence.::

::She shook her head, glad when the turbolift resumed its destination. It was just anxiety. Ayden was fine, she was fine - everything was fine.

::But those eyes.::

Tbc . . .

LtCmdr Sky Blake

Ranger

USS Veritas

C238803SB0