JP - Robin Hopper & Nathan Richards: A Special Kind of Knowing (Part 4)
tas9303
((Wet Goods, Amity Outpost))
Nathan entered Wet Goods, looking around for Robin. They had gone to their own quarters to change and get ready after the long workday had finally finished. He made his way to the bar and ordered a Rum and Cola for himself while he waited. He bounced his leg to the beat of the music that played over the speaker system, slightly swaying to the classic rock tune that drove some patrons at the bar to the dance floor. He sipped his drink and watched the groups dancing, idly messing with the collar of his red and black plaid shirt.
There was something eerily familiar about being back in Wet Goods, waiting for Robin to arrive. The sensation of a hand lightly resting on his shoulder brought his attention away from the dance floor as he turned to look at who the hand belonged to, finding her in an asymmetrical silver dress that crossed over her left shoulder. Robin gently rubbed the back of his neck, ruffling his hair slightly as he turned to look at her with that big puppy dog grin again.
Richards: ::Smiling:: There she is!
She mirrored his joy.
Hopper: ::Smiling back:: Here I am.
The urge to pull his adorable face down to her level and kiss him was only overcome by her desire not to make a scene in the middle of a crowded bar. But only barely.
Hopper: I missed you.
Richards: ::Placing a hand on his chest, looking around:: Who, me? Why? ::Laughing, smiling:: I missed you too.
She rolled her eyes, then looked around the bar, taking in the scene. It looked nearly the same as it had during their first visit to Wet Goods under similar circumstances – and though little about it felt the same, there was a similar electricity in the air.
Hopper: It’s been a while… The tune’s changed.
Nathan waved to the bartender, who indicated he needed a moment to finish the order he was already working on. He nodded and turned back to Robin, feeling an overwhelming sense of deja vu.
Richards: ::Leaning close to be heard over the music:: Second times the charm, right?
With how close he had leaned in, he took the opportunity to sneak a small peck on her cheek before he leaned away. She flashed her eyes at him with a mix of disbelief and excitement.
Hopper: Bold.
Another voice entered the conversation, from behind the bar.
Bartender: What can I getcha?
Nathan looked at Robin for a second before he turned to the bartender.
Richards: Another Rum and Cola, ::Gesturing towards Robin:: and a Moscow Mule for the lovely lady.
Robin finally took her eyes off Nate, shifting to the bartender a moment, and placing her hand on the bar top.
Hopper: Make it a double. ::Back to Nate, smirking:: I’ve gotta catch up.
As the bartender moved off to prepare their drinks, Robin slid onto the barstool next to Nate and leaned her elbow on the bartop, spinning to look at him with warm eyes.
Hopper: After what you brought to lunch, I half-expected you to order me a ‘Centauran Sunset’ to keep it on-theme.
Richards: ::Furrowing his brow:: You don’t like Moscow Mules?
Hopper: ::Chuckling:: No. No, this is good. My favourite actually. ::Mischievous eyes:: You’ve been studying. I’d think you’d been talking to my sister if it weren’t for the fact that she’d tell you my favourite drink is something horrible then change the subject back to herself.
She smiled warmly, confident that he had just been paying attention. After all, while they were still trying to remain discreet, this was no longer their first date. Same spot, but nearly everything had changed between them.
Richards: After so long, It would be kinda embarrassing not to actually know your favorite drink, ::Winking:: don’t you think?
Hopper: Yeah. You’re probably right. That’d be the last straw…
The bartender placed their drinks in front of them. Robin took her copper mug in hand and lifted it towards Nate.
Hopper: To second chances?
Nathan picked up his fresh drink and held it up to Robin’s, looking into her eyes.
Richards: ::Smiling:: To the second chances that we didn’t think we would get..
With a light clink, they both brought their drinks to their lips, never breaking eye contact.
Hopper: So, am I going to hear those Vulcan hymns this time?
Nathan laughed, almost dropping his drink. He had forgotten about that.
Richards: ::Smirking:: Get me drunk enough, and maybe.
He set his glass down, and crossed his arms. Robin licked her lips, enjoying the spiciness of the ginger beer and lime.
Hopper: Oh I intend to get us both drunk. So I guess we’ll need to find a hymn in duet. ::Shrugging:: Or we can duck out early and fool around… But what would the logical choice be?
She smirked and took another sip of her drink while she let Nate consider his answer to that one. He took a long drink from his glass, eyes darting around as if he was looking for the answer in the air.
Richards: ::Chuckling:: Do you want that answer now?
Hopper: Well, obviously we’ll do a few regular songs first. But consider your answer carefully. A panel of scholars will be assessing the results.
Richards: So, no pressure.
Robin stirred the straw around her drink. Playing with Nathan had quickly become one of her favourite activities on Amity. The rules of the game had changed a little as they grew closer, but the banter and good-natured ribbing had remained an integral part of their friendship. Now that they were sleeping together, it was practically foreplay.
Hopper: ::Grinning:: Oh, this whole thing has been one long performance review. So far… ::tilting her head back and forth:: …you’re passing.
Richards: ::Taking another drink:: Oh, good. ::Smirking:: I’m glad to hear it.
Nathan looked towards the jukebox that was mounted next to the stage, grinning. He looked at Robin with his eyebrow raised. He remembered the first time they had danced, the undoubtable chemistry they had felt as they moved together to the sound of the music.
Richards: So, ::Running his hand through his hair:: What will it be first? Singing? Dancing?
Hopper: Careful. Your grades are slipping.
She winked at him, then quickly finished off her drink. Nathan chuckled, finishing off his drink as well.
Richards: Dancing it is!
Robin grinned, spinning around and placing a hand on his shoulder before hopping off the barstool enthusiastically. She wasn’t grading him, of course – though if she were, he’d be getting high marks for the extra effort he’d been putting in. It wasn’t lost on her just how attentive and sweet he’d been lately, even though he’d always been both. It was very special to feel so adored – a feeling she had nearly managed to convince herself she didn’t need, or didn’t deserve.
As Nathan let her pull him from his stool, he had a wide grin on his face. There was something familiar and comforting about being back where it had all essentially started, and for the longest time, ended. Taking his hand in hers, Robin felt the same electricity that she’d felt a year ago. Her pulse quickened as they made their way through the bar, preparing to tear it up to some stranger’s drunken rendition of “Beast of Burden”, or whatever it was. The song didn’t matter. All that mattered was the connection between the two of them as she, walking backwards, pulled him out onto the dance floor with an eager smile.
He felt his heart beating faster and faster as they moved into the middle of the crowd. Nathan found himself looking into her deep blue eyes, almost getting lost in them. The music played around them, but he didn’t want to move. He didn’t want to take his eyes away from hers. But he managed to, wrapping his arms around her waist, and pulling her to him while she put her arms over his shoulders, crossing her wrists behind his neck.
Any other place, and they wouldn’t be standing so close. The dance floor almost felt like a safe space for them. Where the music led, they let their bodies follow. To an outside observer, they simply looked like the others on the floor, dancing and being carefree. Nothing too suspicious about that. Nobody would pay them any mind. Here, they were free.
Hopper: ::Looking up at him:: This is nice. Beats dancing in my dining room, anyways.
Richards: :: Chuckling, looking around:: Does it though?
Hopper: I was hoping you’d bring me here… I like this place – I’m happy to be making some new memories here together. ::Cheeky smirk:: And they have the best fries on the station. Can’t say the same for my replicator.
Richards: ::Tilting his head to the side:: You have a point there. But it's crowded, loud, and we're still wearing–
Robin lifted a finger and placed it on his lips before he could muddle the memories together.
Hopper: Well… I guess the ‘private venue’ has its benefits too.
She let her hands slide down his chest and spun around so her back was to him, enwrapping herself in his arms. They swayed together to the slow melody of the song and Robin closed her eyes, focusing on feeling the music flowing through her, and between the two of them.
Richards: No, you're right, ::Holding her tightly:: this is good.
The feelings from that first night so long ago began to flood back, feelings of uncertainty and guilt. He focused on Robin, pressed up against him, he focused on the music that guided their movements, and he focused on the moment. He couldn’t dwell on those returning feelings. Those feelings that had led him to make the ultimate choice not to explore what could have been between them. They had finally given in and were living for the moment, and he couldn’t let the doubt and fear take over. He didn’t want to admit it, but he never wanted to go back to how things were before.
TBC in Part 5…
Lt. Commander Robin Hopper
Chief Science Officer,
Amity Outpost
V239806K11
&
Lieutenant Nathan Richards
Chief of Operations,
Amity Outpost
A239905NR1