Ensign Lera Michaels - As Time Goes By
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steve...@yahoo.com
Jun 22, 2025, 6:03:18 PM6/22/25
to USS Khitomer – StarBase 118 Star Trek PBEM RPG
(( Ezra’s quarters, Room 141, Deck 14, USS Khitomer - In Transit ))
Zerva: I didn’t mean to ignore you. I… I can’t do this alone.
Michaels: There are few things you can not do. Still, Foxy has left your quarters in something of a mess. :: She stooped and picked up Foxy and started talking to Foxy. :: You did make a mess, didn't you, girl? And :: sniffing :: it seems you left Papa Ezra a welcome home present or two. Papa Ezra may be unhappy if we do not take care of that. And Papa may lose his medicine if he is not careful. Could you help Ezra find his medicine, Foxy? I bet you could, couldn't you. You are such a good girl.
Zerva: It’s more than that. You were there for me in sickbay in all the ways that mattered. You could have been in engineering helping Connor get us home or anywhere else on the ship. But you choose to remain at my side.
Michaels: Commander Dewitt did not require my assistance. If nothing else, he had the rest of the department to help him if he needed it. You had only the medical staff... and they appeared to have all they could handle at the time.
She "combed" Ezra's hair with the fingers of her free hand.
Michaels: Your hair is a bit of a mess as well. Proper grooming while blind can be a challenge.
Zerva: You held my hand and took care of me when I wasn’t at my best. Something inside of me began to realize you did all that because you care. You care about me in a way you wouldn’t anyone else. ::hesitating:: I… when I was on the bridge, I realized something too.
Michaels: You figured that out on your own, did you?
Zerva: When I heard you were out there trying to disable the probe, and you ran into a complication that caused you to return to the runabout. ::trembling:: I… I was worried that you might of gotten hurt more than what was reported. A small part of me wished… wished I was there with you on the runabout. ::soft sigh:: I… I felt helpless that I couldn’t do a thing to help you. It was all I could do to keep it together on the bridge. I realized I… I care about you too. ::His eyes began to water.:: If anything had happened to you out there…
Lera was silent for a long moment as she processed what he was saying. Maybe this was not a ... how did her father phrase it?... not a sure thing? A lead-pipe cinch... whatever that meant. But it seemed good enough. He did not feel this for some vision of Vulcan perfection. He felt it for her, imperfections and all.
Michaels: Enough. Enough. Agonizing about the past is both illogical and a waste of time. I am here now for as long as you need me to be here.
After just an instant of hesitation, she kissed his forehead.
Zerva: ::blushing and smiling as he held her hand:: What did I do to deserve that?
Michaels: Sometimes, Ezra... ::She shook her head. ::"Deserve" has nothing with that. "Earn" has nothing to do with that. :: long pause :: It was just... It simply...
What was it? Why had she done that? She sighed and shook her head again. There was no point in trying to analyse the reasons for these things anymore than struggling with her feelings.
Michaels: It simply... felt... right.
Zerva: ::beaming:: It was nice.
Michaels: It was indeed,
Indeed? Indeed? Why in heaven's name did she phrase it that way? Yes. She routinely used the word 'indeed.' But in a situation like this?
He held her hand and there were dozens of tiny muscle movements. Was he as nervous as she was? A ladies man like Ezra? With countless women across the galaxy wanting to be with him? And he was nervous about being with a ... nonstandard Vulcan girl from, of all places, southwest Texas? Her? Really?
The silence was palpable.
Zerva: Computer ::bleep:: Play slow jazz number 22.
Michaels: We danced to this at Connor and Jacin's wedding.
Somewhere sometime she had heard that, among many Terran species, dancing was part of a mating ritual. The thought of how she had seen some Jamaican women dancing during carnival caused her cheeks to flush light green. For them, at least, she could easily believe it was part of a mating ritual. What had they called it? Whining? She shook her head. Ezra wanted to dance but it could not be more than that. Could it?
Zerva: ::nods:: The very same song. ::looking up from his chair smiling:: Would you do me the honor? ::pausing in thought:: Just one thing though, about this mess I can’t see? Could you maybe take the lead so I don’t step on anything I shouldn’t?
Lera laughed again. If I did that I would be looking down the entire time and that will not do. ::she turned quickly around:: There is nothing here to step in. So.
Ezra stood and she positioned herself like they had been at the wedding; his hand on her waist, her hand on his shoulder, holding each other's hands. And they twirled and they swayed through the song. When it was done, they did not let go. Lera made another impulse decision even though she was positive that it was a mistake.
Michaels: That was too fast. Let's try something a bit slower. One of my mother's favorites. Computer ::beep:: play As Time Goes By sung by Dooley Wilson
The slow sweet music played on a Terran piano started. Lera pulled Ezra very close and laid her head against his chest. She could hear his heartbeat and for only a moment wondered how fast a Trill heartbeat.
Recording: You must remember this. A kiss is still a kiss. A sigh is just a sigh. The fundamental things apply. As time goes by.
Michaels: This is from a very old entertainment about two people whose ... Computer:: beep:: stop.
Lera stopped talking, This was definitely a mistake. It was all too fast. Too soon. And why had she picked this particular song. She clutched her fingers on his shirt and then gently pushed him away. She could sense his confusion.
Michaels: I have to go. It's late and you need to get some sleep. Maybe a lot of sleep. And if I do not go now, neither of us will get much sleep tonight.
Zerva: Response
oO Get some control of yourself, girl. Oo
Michaels: I ... I will see you in the morning. Sleep tight.
She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and rushed out the door. As soon as she was in her own room, she stopped and put her forehead against the door. Leaving was among the hardest things she had ever done. She yearned to stay with him but ... There were countless buts. This had been one mistake after the other but it all felt so right. She opened the door again and started to step back into the corridor. Started to head back to Ezra's room. Too much. Too fast. What did she actually know about him other than he was a really nice guy that she wanted to be with? What was she supposed to do?
In the end, she closed the door again.
Tag/TBC
Ensign Lera Michaels
Engineering Officer
USS Khitomer
K240106LM2
Zerva: I didn’t mean to ignore you. I… I can’t do this alone.
Michaels: There are few things you can not do. Still, Foxy has left your quarters in something of a mess. :: She stooped and picked up Foxy and started talking to Foxy. :: You did make a mess, didn't you, girl? And :: sniffing :: it seems you left Papa Ezra a welcome home present or two. Papa Ezra may be unhappy if we do not take care of that. And Papa may lose his medicine if he is not careful. Could you help Ezra find his medicine, Foxy? I bet you could, couldn't you. You are such a good girl.
Zerva: It’s more than that. You were there for me in sickbay in all the ways that mattered. You could have been in engineering helping Connor get us home or anywhere else on the ship. But you choose to remain at my side.
Michaels: Commander Dewitt did not require my assistance. If nothing else, he had the rest of the department to help him if he needed it. You had only the medical staff... and they appeared to have all they could handle at the time.
She "combed" Ezra's hair with the fingers of her free hand.
Michaels: Your hair is a bit of a mess as well. Proper grooming while blind can be a challenge.
Zerva: You held my hand and took care of me when I wasn’t at my best. Something inside of me began to realize you did all that because you care. You care about me in a way you wouldn’t anyone else. ::hesitating:: I… when I was on the bridge, I realized something too.
Michaels: You figured that out on your own, did you?
Zerva: When I heard you were out there trying to disable the probe, and you ran into a complication that caused you to return to the runabout. ::trembling:: I… I was worried that you might of gotten hurt more than what was reported. A small part of me wished… wished I was there with you on the runabout. ::soft sigh:: I… I felt helpless that I couldn’t do a thing to help you. It was all I could do to keep it together on the bridge. I realized I… I care about you too. ::His eyes began to water.:: If anything had happened to you out there…
Lera was silent for a long moment as she processed what he was saying. Maybe this was not a ... how did her father phrase it?... not a sure thing? A lead-pipe cinch... whatever that meant. But it seemed good enough. He did not feel this for some vision of Vulcan perfection. He felt it for her, imperfections and all.
Michaels: Enough. Enough. Agonizing about the past is both illogical and a waste of time. I am here now for as long as you need me to be here.
After just an instant of hesitation, she kissed his forehead.
Zerva: ::blushing and smiling as he held her hand:: What did I do to deserve that?
Michaels: Sometimes, Ezra... ::She shook her head. ::"Deserve" has nothing with that. "Earn" has nothing to do with that. :: long pause :: It was just... It simply...
What was it? Why had she done that? She sighed and shook her head again. There was no point in trying to analyse the reasons for these things anymore than struggling with her feelings.
Michaels: It simply... felt... right.
Zerva: ::beaming:: It was nice.
Michaels: It was indeed,
Indeed? Indeed? Why in heaven's name did she phrase it that way? Yes. She routinely used the word 'indeed.' But in a situation like this?
He held her hand and there were dozens of tiny muscle movements. Was he as nervous as she was? A ladies man like Ezra? With countless women across the galaxy wanting to be with him? And he was nervous about being with a ... nonstandard Vulcan girl from, of all places, southwest Texas? Her? Really?
The silence was palpable.
Zerva: Computer ::bleep:: Play slow jazz number 22.
Michaels: We danced to this at Connor and Jacin's wedding.
Somewhere sometime she had heard that, among many Terran species, dancing was part of a mating ritual. The thought of how she had seen some Jamaican women dancing during carnival caused her cheeks to flush light green. For them, at least, she could easily believe it was part of a mating ritual. What had they called it? Whining? She shook her head. Ezra wanted to dance but it could not be more than that. Could it?
Zerva: ::nods:: The very same song. ::looking up from his chair smiling:: Would you do me the honor? ::pausing in thought:: Just one thing though, about this mess I can’t see? Could you maybe take the lead so I don’t step on anything I shouldn’t?
Lera laughed again. If I did that I would be looking down the entire time and that will not do. ::she turned quickly around:: There is nothing here to step in. So.
Ezra stood and she positioned herself like they had been at the wedding; his hand on her waist, her hand on his shoulder, holding each other's hands. And they twirled and they swayed through the song. When it was done, they did not let go. Lera made another impulse decision even though she was positive that it was a mistake.
Michaels: That was too fast. Let's try something a bit slower. One of my mother's favorites. Computer ::beep:: play As Time Goes By sung by Dooley Wilson
The slow sweet music played on a Terran piano started. Lera pulled Ezra very close and laid her head against his chest. She could hear his heartbeat and for only a moment wondered how fast a Trill heartbeat.
Recording: You must remember this. A kiss is still a kiss. A sigh is just a sigh. The fundamental things apply. As time goes by.
Michaels: This is from a very old entertainment about two people whose ... Computer:: beep:: stop.
Lera stopped talking, This was definitely a mistake. It was all too fast. Too soon. And why had she picked this particular song. She clutched her fingers on his shirt and then gently pushed him away. She could sense his confusion.
Michaels: I have to go. It's late and you need to get some sleep. Maybe a lot of sleep. And if I do not go now, neither of us will get much sleep tonight.
Zerva: Response
oO Get some control of yourself, girl. Oo
Michaels: I ... I will see you in the morning. Sleep tight.
She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and rushed out the door. As soon as she was in her own room, she stopped and put her forehead against the door. Leaving was among the hardest things she had ever done. She yearned to stay with him but ... There were countless buts. This had been one mistake after the other but it all felt so right. She opened the door again and started to step back into the corridor. Started to head back to Ezra's room. Too much. Too fast. What did she actually know about him other than he was a really nice guy that she wanted to be with? What was she supposed to do?
In the end, she closed the door again.
Tag/TBC
((OOC - Just in case anyone doesn't know this song, here is a clip from the original movie: Casablanca: https://youtu.be/a_paHK6JdHA?si=lkFMZK5m_xhpQByN )
Engineering Officer
USS Khitomer
K240106LM2
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