Lt Ross - Pasta Talks

[Hannah S]

((Evan Ross’s Quarters; Upper Habitat Section, StarBase 118))

Chaos assessed and bourbon served, there wasn't much more left to do than to take a step back and wait for orders. Ross didn't even know who he wanted to distract from the chaos by small-talking - Lyra or himself. 

Ross: Hope I didn't cross your plans for the night?

She laughed as if he had said something incredibly funny. Ross made a point not to let it get to his ego - maybe she just had an inside joke with herself? 

Voss: No, no. You saved me actually. My only plan was unpacking more suitcases, and I’m thrilled to leave that for another day. ::turning to face the kitchen island, with her hands on her hips:: Okay! So let’s see where we are here…

Ross: Just tell me what to do. You can't make it worse, believe me. ::he grinned wryly:: So... how did the mission go for you? First one, right?

Her finger was moving down the PADD displaying the recipe as she read through it, when he asked about the mission and she froze. Ross eyed Lyra patiently while she struggled for words - oh, they had all been there, hadn't they? He had heard worrying tales about telepathic nebulas and encaged creatures being freed: Quite the ride for a first trip. 

Voss: ::slight stammering:: I… it… it was intense. I mean, I guess they always are. I hallucinated my childhood dance teacher yelling at me. That probably doesn’t always happen. And trying to stay in contact with the nebula creature without passing out or losing my mind was a challenge…

He gave a sympathetic nod.

Ross: Wow, yeah, that sounds... - 

He only managed to get out a few words of response before she cut him off in her nervousness.

Voss: ::flustered:: And I’m – I’m sorry to… I just wanted… I am a Betazoid. Maybe you already… but you were wondering when we met if you’d run into a telepath, and I am a telepath, but it just felt really awkward to jump in and say it then, but I probably should have, and I’m so sorry. I swear I’m not actively trying to read anyone’s thoughts, but sometimes things pop up and I… just… yeah. But you can… feel free to ask me anything. My ex, my fraught relationship with my mother, anything. I’m an open book. A profoundly awkward open book.

He had opened his mouth halfway through just to close it again - that honourable mention of T'Reyna and his family issues had been an unnecessary blow, but after another second of watching Lyra squirm in social agony, he realised it probably hadn't even been sarcasm - she meant what she said. You didn't need telepathic abilities to sense that she was way more embarrassed about reading his mind than he had ever been about his mind being read. 

Ross: Oh... - no, it's fine, really. I didn't mind. Sometimes it's... ::he shrugged:: easier if you don't have to say everything out loud, you know? I mean... ::he hastily added:: not that it's bad to talk a lot. I just mean... 

Oh my. There he was, all tangled up. This was going great already, wasn't it? 

Her face turned red all the way to the tips of her ears and she held her head in her hands for a moment with self-conscious laughter before she took a long sip of her drink.

Voss: ::self-deprecating:: Four above… see, your kitchen may be a mess, but my brain is a mess, so you’ve got one up on me.

Ross: Let's just say we're even, huh? 

He flashed her a wry smile. Two socially awkward Starfleet Officers walk into a bar... 

Voss: ::trying to recover:: Anyway, pasta. That’s a thing. And pomodoro sauce. Looks like the tomatoes are already crushed and simmering, so garlic/basil olive oil infusion is next? Then we can tackle the pasta dough. I’ll start chopping garlic, if you want to chop basil? 

Ross: Sure thing.

He was relieved to have something to do, so he took position next to her and grabbed a knife and the basil. It was probably better she was taking care of the garlic: he didn't trust the small white knobs, but Lyra seemed to know exactly what she was doing. Ross threw her a side glance while she grabbed the bulb of garlic, broke off some cloves, and started smashing them with the broad side of a knife. 

He couldn't help but notice her cheeks were still a lingering shade of pink, but he hoped she would be able to relax a little soon. This was supposed to be fun, right? A fun night of socialising - not of facing the harsh realisation that he was unable to make anybody feel at ease these days. 

Voss: How was the mission for you? I heard you and S’zurak were almost blown up - that’s a hell of a way to end things.

He scoffed and shook his head.

Ross: What if I told you there's always one team that tries to get blown up? I guess it was just my turn this time. These shady characters really have thing for explosions when there's nothing else left to do. 

He had experienced worse - the Klingon mission had left a far heavier mark on him than the Romulan confrontation. Speaking of... 

Voss: ? 

Ross: Oh yeah, we actually ran into the guy. Romulan spy. Incredible neck-grip. Didn't even ask me out for a coffee first. 

He shook his head and managed a cynical smile - and then he stopped. He suddenly realised that he was speaking to an Ensign who had just gone through her first proper mission. She had halfway opened up to him only to get tangled up in her own anxiety - and here he was, pulling bad jokes about Romulan dating etiquette. 

Ross took a deep breath and set his knife aside, making a point to turn around to Lyra and catch her gaze. 

Voss: ? 

Ross: Sorry. I mean - seriously. It's incredibly scary, each and every time. I'm sure there's officers who'd tell you it gets better - but it really doesn't. I think you just get better at coping. 

Maybe he had spent too much time with a sarcastic Vulcan lately - it was all too easy to forget that there were people you could be honest with. Vulnerable people. Open people. People like him. People who needed to talk in order to truly process. 

Voss: ? 

Ross: So... all jokes aside. Tell me about that telepathic experience. It sounds horrible. You saw your dance teacher? How do you feel about it? 

Voss: ? 

***

Lieutenant Evan Ross

Intelligence Officer

StarBase 118 Ops

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