JP Lt. Cmdr Martin Tucker and Lt. JG Roxanne Queen - Tale as old as time Part 1 of 3
Don K
((Deck 14, Chief Engineers Quarters, USS Ronin))
Marty stood for the hundredth time it seemed like with a different outfit. He wasn’t exactly sure what look he was going for, and this is something he’d taken some time to think over, even drew up plans, though he scrapped that as he felt it was too much.
He huffed at the mirror.
oO black it is…Oo
He reached into his closet and pulled out his favorite suit. It was a good luck charm. He’d gotten it in downtown San Francisco while he was at the Academy. It was tailored perfectly for the engineer. It was all back, except for the white tie, which stood out like a beacon against the all black. He’d gotten it touched up at Garaks while they had been on DS9.
He was still surprised she had said yes to the date; he figured that she didn’t know who he was. It's silly to think, but Marty was very unassuming most of the time, and it was Ico who had made the first move all that time ago. But sufficient time had passed, and he decided to move on with his life. She stayed back on Bajor, looking after family. He didn’t hold it against her; it was the lack of communication.
He’d always liked Rox, mostly from afar and from only the few times he’d been in sickbay. At the end of the last mission, he found himself somewhat loopy due to poisoning by the royal bitch Emzai. He had first thought that Rox was some sort of angel, cause he’d figured that poison cooked him.
Plus, he loved her personality.
He finished putting the finishing touches on his suit and headed out the door. He had no clue what was going to be in store for the night, but he was looking forward to it.
He tugged at the cuffs of his jacket before calling out to the replicator.
Tucker: Computer, one long-stemmed white rose.
Marty had wished he had access to a fresh white rose; the ship had some yellow and red roses, but what he wanted was white, so he replicated it. He sniffed it, inhaling its fragrance. He plucked the rose out of the replicator and headed for the door.
((Compartment 0405, Deck 8, USS Ronin))
Rox had spent more than a little time trying to prepare herself for her date with Martin Tucker. All she knew so far was that he would pick her up. This was unfortunate as her quarters were a mess with several replicated pieces of clothing strewn around. She’d talked to her good friend Katsim Peri about what to do for a date. Her advice had been helpful in some respects, but not so much in others. Peri was very shy, which was not at all what Rox was like. Peri could sit and be quiet for ages, Rox less so. In an effort to control her tongue Rox decided to write out note cards with possible topics of conversation. This would hopefully aid in keeping her from putting her foot in her mouth. Unfortunately it meant she needed a place for the cards, which meant her outfit needed pockets.
She’d settled on a sleeveless black dress with a scoop neck. It had a couple of shallow pockets for her note cards. Now she felt like she was both ready and completely unprepared. It was just in time as the door chime sounded. She took a deep breath.
oO Just Relax. Enjoy the moment. Nothing bad will happen. Oo
She walked over to her door and manually opened it slightly. She squeezed herself through the opening and then closed it again. She turned to face Marty.
Marty was a tad surprised when she crammed herself through the door. It caused him to smile and raise an eyebrow.
Rox: You don’t want to see in there. It’s worse than the bridge after a mission. ::chuckles::
He kept smiling even as he laughed. She was drop dead in her black dress, it seemed they had the same idea, just he opted for sleeves and less of a plunging neckline.
Tucker: Wow, you look terrific! ::letting out a small whistle::
Rox: ::spreading her arms:: Thank you. I appreciate your good taste. ::assessing him:: You look very nice this evening.
The pair began to stroll down the hall. Rox tried to keep her hand at her sides. Marty too didn’t know quite what to do, and he still had the rose in his other hand behind his back.
Tucker: ::giving a slight bow:: Why thank you ma’am…
Rox: So before we go too far here, do you want me to call you Martin or Marty or Tuck? ::serious voice:: Commander?
Tucker: Marty or Tuck is fine. Oh, this is for you!
Pulled the rose out and handed it to her.
Rox had noticed the flower earlier and was delighted that it was indeed for her. Turkana IV boasted very few flowers on its surface and those it did were very droopy or very spikey. Lovely flowers, like Roses, Orchids or Lilly’s were a sort of exotic treasure to Rox.
Rox: Thank you. That’s so sweet. ::inhaling the scent:: I need to stop and smell these more often. ::slyly:: So where are we going this evening?
Rox was still a little surprised he’d come. She had convinced herself that Cabrillo, Kesslor or even Kel might hear about the pair’s outing and warn Marty off. She wondered if they had somehow managed to keep this rendezvous under their hats or if Marty had been warned and had chosen to come anyway.
Tucker: First, we’re going to have drinks and dinner, and then I’ve planned a stroll on the coast of Oregon, where I grew up. The sunsets are amazing, and I've accumulated some holodeck time, which I wanted to share with you.
He felt his cheeks warm as he looked at her. He offered his elbow to her as they continued down the corridor towards the turbolift.
Rox: ::Rox felt her ears warm:: Sharing your holodeck time is very kind of you. ::turning to smile at him:: I like that. Thank you.
They continued down the hall. She decided to take a small risk and link her arms into his. He was much taller than she was. She hoped she didn't have anything embarrassing on top of her head.
Tucker: So, do you prefer Rox? I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone call you Roxanne.
They came to the turbolift doors, and they swooshed open—Marty motioned for her to go first, before he followed behind her, the doors closing behind him.
Rox: ::waving her hands:: No Rox is fine. If you call me Roxanne there’s this light that’s involved and a dress. Rox is good.
Tucker: ::he smiled:: A red dress perhaps?
She laughed and leaned up against the wall.
Rox: So Oregon. I don’t think I made it that far north when I went to the academy. What’s it like?
He loved the sound of her laugh as she leaned against the turbolift wall.
Tucker: It’s soo beautiful Rox. I grew up in wine country, so rolling hills of green. Hitch a transporter or shuttle to the coast or up too the mountains. I haven’t been home since my graduation, I may have to make a trip.
Rox: Sounds beautiful.
Rox had already checked the personnel files on Marty. She felt slightly bad doing it, but at the same time she didn’t like going into things completely blind. Based on what she’d read they were from slightly different backgrounds.
The Turbolift doors opened, and they strolled out.
Tucker: So how about you?
Rox: ::wagging her finger:: Mmm mmm. We’re not talking about where I grew up. Soggy kittens and wandering gangs are not date conversation material.
Marty wasn’t entirely sure of her upbringing, but if she didn’t want to discuss it, he had no problem moving along the conversation. He figured when she as ready to open up she would, but he wasn’t going to hold his breath.
He put his hands up in mock surrender.
Tucker: ::tipping his head slightly:: Duley noted.
Rox: When we’re growing old on our porch I’ll take five minutes to tell you everything interesting about Turkana IV.
She knew she was being evasive, but her history was not something she liked to talk about. At least not until she felt comfortable with someone. Katsim Peri knew, by far, the most about her. Kel and Kessler knew some. She kept it very guarded.
Marty could tell she was avoiding the subject of her youth, and he wasn’t going to push her. It was their first date, and he didn’t want to ruin it. The thought of everything going well made him look forward to a hopeful second date.
Tucker: I’m a good listener, you know…
He figured he’d poke one more time, just for good measure. He was pretty sure he knew what her answer would be.
Rox: What if we meet in the middle and I tell you on our third date. We’ll have bologna sandwiches and box wine. ::laughing:: We’ll make it a theme date.
Tucker: Just like home. ::he smiled a genuine smile::
They were now nearing the entrance to the 47 Lounge, and Rox felt her chest tighten. She wondered if Marty would object to missing this part of the date. It wasn’t that Rox wasn’t hungry, she was, but there were people in there. Rox was often “dishing out shade” and normally she was able to take what she dished out, but this was different. She didn’t know what she’d do if V’Len or Jack or Beck or TK were in there and decided to embarrass her. She took a deep breath and braced herself for anything.
—
Lt. JG Roxanne Queen
Nurse
USS Ronin
T239811VK2
&
Lieutenant Commander Marty Tucker
Chief Of Engineering
USS Ronin NCC-34523
Capt. Karrod Niac Commanding
D240008MT1