JP – Lt. Robin Hopper & Ensign Nathan Richards: In Other Words (Part 3)
Travis St. John
((Later that night – Amity Outpost – Wet Goods Tavern & Karaoke Bar))
Nathan entered Wet Goods, and looked around for Robin. It appeared she hadn't arrived yet. They had gone their separate ways after finishing up for the day with the shuttle, to change and get ready. He made his way to the bar, ordering 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. It sounded like some sort of Country Ballad or folk song, driving some patrons of the bar to the dance floor.
Nathan sipped his drink and watched the groups dancing, idly messing with the collar of his gray and blue button up shirt. Suddenly, he felt another hand on the back of his shoulder.
Hopper: Hiya! ::Looking around with a smile:: This place seems fun…
Robin beamed at her date as he turned to look at her. She wore a dark blue, almost purple, ruched singlet top, and a raspberry red skirt. It took some inspiration from vintage styles – though was certainly not as retro as some of the more daring outfits in her off-duty ‘wardrobe’. She cheekily hoped her selection would balance professionalism with giving her date something to look at… plus the skirt would be easy to dance in. Nathan smiled back at Robin.
Richards: Hey there!
Hopper: Fancy meeting you here, Ensign. ::Wink::
She turned to look at the bar, crossing her arms and pursing her lips as she tried to choose something.
Richards: Can I get you a drink? ::Winking:: Lieutenant.
Hopper: By all means! I was thinking–
Richards: ::Holding up his hand:: Wait, wait. Don't tell me.
He looked into Robin's eyes, trying to get some sort of read on what she might like to drink. Usually he was pretty good at guessing. She smiled, cocking an eyebrow and waiting to hear his selection. Her favourite drink was a Moscow Mule – not that he could know that.
Richards: Not getting a 'fruity' vibe…::smirking:: White Russian, maybe?
oO Right country – wrong beast! Oo she thought playfully, still rather impressed.
Hopper: ::Laughing:: Only if we have some extra leave coming up that I’m not aware of! Those things are deadly. ::Thinking:: Ahh… What the hell. But only one! ::Grinning:: If you let me have a second, I’ll take it up with your department head and have you disciplined.
Richards: ::Chuckling:: Noted. ::turning to the bartender:: Two White Russians.
As he ordered their drinks, Robin hopped up on the stool beside him, coming closer to matching his height, and listened to the song that was currently filling the bar. While the words weren’t familiar – perhaps because it was being performed by a rather intoxicated Tamarian – she knew the feel of the country ballad well.
Hopper: Wow, this song reminds me of home... ::A look at Nathan, feeling that her comment warranted explanation:: There are a lot of farmers and miners on Theta VII.
Nathan turned back to Robin.
Richards: Well, which did you come from? Farmers or Miners?
Hopper: ::Smiling:: Farmers… But my parents aren’t legacy colonists. Actually, my moms met through the FDC when they both worked at the embassy on Velestus. After that they wanted to settle down somewhere a little ‘quieter’. I guess farming on Theta VII was their idea of a relaxing retirement.
Richards: I didn’t take you as a farm girl. ::smiling::
Robin shrugged. It was hardly a quaint little family farm like one pictured in the rural countrysides of Earth. Theta VII was a small world and, as such, her family’s estate was an efficient high-tech hydroponic facility… but the culture of the frontier colony world still factored strongly into her youth.
Hopper: Well… You’ll find I’m full of surprises.
The bartender returned with her drink and a fresh glass for Nathan. Robin accepted the drink with a polite smile and nod as it was placed on the bar beside her.
Hopper: To the Targhee? Let’s get that old girl airborne again.
Richards: ::Raising his glass:: To the Targhee.
As she took a drink of the white russian, she was reminded immediately why they were so deadly. Not only was it delicious and sweet – it was strong. She reached a hand out instinctively and steadied herself on Nathan’s arm.
He hadn’t expected it, feeling her hand on his arm gave him goosebumps.
Hopper: Woah. I haven’t had a drink like that in a long time! On the Wall Street, the junior officers would always just get Risian Daquiris and– well, let’s just say we were all very well behaved. ::Chuckling:: I’m picking our drinks for the next round.
Nathan smiled and shook his head before gulping down his drink in one go.
Richards: I’ll allow it. ::laughing::
Robin paused a moment, studying his face, before leaning in slightly, resting her chin on the back of her hand, her elbow propped on the edge of the bar.
Hopper: What about your family? What are they like?
She took another sip of her drink as he spoke.
Richards: My family? ::thinking a moment:: Well, I have two younger brothers, and… ::he paused:: one younger sister. My brothers are a lot like me. Outdoorsy, spending a lot of their free time in the park. My sister, however, is currently a Planetary Science Major at the University of Montana. She could have picked just about any school to go to but chose to stay close to home. Family has always been important to us, and she felt she couldn't just up and leave.
Hopper: And here you are in the Delta Quadrant. Obviously there’s some adventurous spirit in there… ::A third absent-minded sip:: Are your brothers as handsome as you?
She shook her head, looking down into her now-half-empty glass with a chuckle – blaming the drink for that uninhibited statement. Nathan raised an eyebrow, laughing.
Richards: I have always been the more adventurous one out of the bunch. ::Sly smile:: To address your question, I take more after my dad. Blake looks more like my mom, and Hunter is a fair combination of the two.
Hopper: ::Laughing at herself:: That is why I don’t normally drink white russians…
She looked up at him, feeling slightly embarrassed, but found his warm smile very reassuring.
Richards: What about you? Your family?
Hopper: ::Shrugging slightly:: I guess you could call me a ‘test tube baby’. You know, two moms – and a hybrid to boot. Melissa’s my human mom, she was an FDC staffer, and Ansyra’s Centauran. She was a terraforming specialist. ::Taking another sip:: I also have a baby sister, Keri – well, I say ‘baby’ but she’s studying politics on Tellar Prime now, so… ::a joking grimace:: Yikes!
Richards: ::Nodding:: Interesting. What's it like growing up with only one younger sibling?
Robin cocked her head at that.
Hopper: Uhh… Hmm. Annoying at first, I guess. But then they get cute and you kind of forgive them… then they get annoying again. She’s a real brat… ::finishing her drink:: … But I love that kid. ::Smirking:: They say absence makes the heart grow fonder – and that is definitely the case for us.
Nathan smiled, standing from his stool, and held out his hand.
Richards: What do you say to a dance?
He had noticed that the folk song had come to an end, the drunken Tamarian being helped off the stage by a small group of friends – and another singer was going up onto the stage. The crowd applauded in a mix of appreciation for the incredibly unique ballad performance and in anticipation of the next song.
Hopper: ::Setting her glass on the bar:: I thought you’d never ask!
Robin reached out, resting her hands on Nathan’s shoulders, and hopping off the barstool. Taking him by the hand, she led him over towards the floor between the Karaoke stage and the booths lining the walls, where a few other daring couples had taken to their feet. She glanced at the Human singer as he adjusted the mic.
Singer: This is an oldie – but a goodie.
Hopper: ::Whispering in Nathan’s ear:: Hopefully something dancey… But it doesn’t matter. We’ll make it work.
Richards: Making things work seems to be our specialty. ::Smiling::
The music kicked in – a jazzy drum beat, and a touch of piano. As the voice of the singer rose, Robin grinned and spun around to face Nathan, placing her free hand on his shoulder. She looked up at him, waiting for him to make the first move.
Fly me to the moon
Let me play among the stars…
Nathan hesitated for only a moment as the music played. He reached out, putting his left hand on her waist, and adjusting the way his right hand held hers, feeling the warmth from her skin in his prosthetic hand. He led them in a tight circle, paced by the music before removing his hand from her waist to spin her along with the music.
Let me see what spring is like
On Jupiter and Mars
In other words, hold my hand
In other words, baby, kiss me…
She followed as he led, stepping to the beat, and letting the rhythm move her hips from side-to-side. They stood close together, and she let herself get pulled in closer through the dance, his hand at her waist. Closing her eyes for a moment, she let the slow music of the start move her feet for her – until it kicked off. She opened her eyes and grinned at her dancing partner. Nothing ever made her feel as ‘alive’ as dancing, whether with an experienced partner or a two-left-footed beginner. But Nathan seemed to know what he was doing – and their physical chemistry was undeniable.
Fill my heart with song
And let me sing for ever more
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore…
They moved together, letting the music guide Nathan's feet as he led Robin. He had never been much of a dancer, but something about the way she moved along with him was bringing it out. He spun her again, this time wrapping both their arms around her and pulling her in so her back was against him. They swayed to the music for a moment before he spun her away again then brought her back into a dip, his eyes locking on her lips before lifting her back to her feet, he pulled her closer, sliding his left hand to the small of her back, holding her there.
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore
In other words, please be true…
Richards: ::Whispering over the music:: I hope I'm not a terrible dance partner.
Hopper: ::Breathing a little harder:: Oh, no…
Nathan opened the space between them a little bit while they continued to move to the music. He smiled, watching the way she moved. He pulled her close again as the music wound down. She placed a hand on his chest as the brass crescendoed, the piano waved its goodbyes, and the singer delivered the song’s closing lines.
In other words, in other words
I love…. you.
There was a moment’s pause before they separated to applaud the performer along with the rest of the bar patrons – a pause which seemed to stretch time for a moment. Robin could feel Nathan’s breathing, her body pressed against his. The air felt electric. Nathan took a heavy breath as they separated, having some difficulty pulling his eyes away from Robin. His mind was running at warp speed.
Hopper: Not terrible at all.
Richards: Oh, good.
As they clapped, the singer stepped off the stage and Robin pulled Nathan over to the touch screen where they could enter themselves in the roster. The song list seemed quite extensive, including titles from Earth, Andoria, Tellar, Betazed, and many other Federation worlds. There was even a growing section for local fare – songs from the Delta Quadrant.
Hopper: ::Jokingly:: Know any good Vulcan hymns?
Richards: ::smirking:: I hear they have a very soulful rendition of Ave Maria.
Hopper: Mmm… Next time. I’ve got something in mind. ::Looking up at him with a cheeky smile:: No looking.
Richards: Keep me in suspense, huh?
Robin nodded, raising her eyebrows, and holding up a spinning finger to indicating Nathan should turn around. After submitting her song selection and noting her position in the queue, Robin stepped aside.
Hopper: Do you sing?
Nathan glanced up at the stage, noting the arrangement of instruments that lined the back of the stage with a piano down at the end, giving him an idea.
Richards: I sure do. ::Sly smile:: I know what I'm going to do.
He stepped up to the screen, making sure not to look at Robin's selection in the queue. He simply added his name to the roster, selecting 'Other' as his song choice.
Hopper: Mysterious…
Richards: ::Smiling:: You'll just have to wait and see. ::Winking::
Hopper: Well then you better make it worth the wait.
Robin felt giddy. Two years pent up on a small ship, on a deep space assignment, with a tight-knit crew had been great for her career and her academic pursuits – but she’d felt so hemmed in. Already, Amity had proven to be an immense breath of fresh air, and one that she hadn’t realized she needed so badly. As the next song started, she sighed contentedly, happy to be with someone new and exciting, somewhere she’d never been before… carefree.
Richards: Looks like we have a little bit of a wait. ::Gesturing at the queue:: What shall we do with our time?
Hopper: ::Starting to dance with the beat of the next song:: I can think of a few things. ::Gesturing for Nathan to join her:: After this song, let’s get another drink – my choice this time. See where the evening takes us.
Nathan had a wide grin on his face. The night had gone so much better than he had even hoped for.
Richards: I don't think I can say no to that.
They took to the floor again and, as the fast house beat of the song began playing over the speakers, the Andorian singer doing their best to keep up, a number of other groups leapt from their booths and joined the now-crowded dance floor.
Robin wrapped her hands around the back of Nathan’s neck, letting his find her waist. For a moment, she closed her eyes and felt transported. In that moment, she was no longer a Starfleet Lieutenant, or a Science Officer, or even Robin Hopper. She let the music take over, stripping her of all that apparel, allowing herself to just be a woman sharing in the moment with the man across from her. She watched him move and, in her euphoria, it felt like slow motion.
Nathan couldn't take his eyes off of Robin as they danced. The feeling of her hands on the back of his neck, his hands on her waist. It was all almost too much, but at the same time not enough.
TBC…
Lt. Robin Hopper
Chief Science Officer
Amity Outpost
V239806K11
&
Ensign Nathan Richards
Engineering Officer
Amity Outpost
A239905NR1
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