Leaping across the galaxy
Posted on Sun Jan 2nd, 2022 @ 11:31am by Lieutenant JG April Collins & Ensign Hunter Mitchell
Edited on on Sun Jan 2nd, 2022 @ 11:33am
Mission:
S1, E0: We need each other.
Location: Various
Timeline: MD004 0715 hrs
1134 words - 2.3 OF Standard Post Measure
April walked into the mess hall, she glanced around the room looking for Hunter. They agreed to have breakfast together. She was running a few minutes behind.
Hunter smiled from across the room as he rose from his chair and headed over to her. “I grabbed us some seats. It can get busy in here.”
"How thoughtful of you." April said with a big grin on her face. She was grateful that he did not stand her up. She would have been so embarrassed if he would have.
“I was a little early.” Hunter confessed. “I was looking forward to breakfast.”
"Did the new chef finally board?" April asked, hoping they would not have to eat replicated food for the next five years.
“I haven’t heard a word yet.” Hunter said quickly. “Let’s hope it’s soon because that wouldn’t be fun at all.” He shuddered at the thought of replicated food.
"So where did the food come from?" April asked, wondering if he went through the line already.
“I don’t know.” Hunter said with a shrug. “I grabbed seats and waited for you.”
"You haven't eaten yet?" April asked, a little surprised to hear that. That took some self control, to wait for someone.
“I didn’t want to be rude.” Hunter replied with an easy smile. “We agreed to have breakfast together.”
"I appreciate you waiting for me, sorry I was late." April simply said. She did not go into why she late.
“I didn’t mind at all.” Hunter said honestly. “Life happens. I tend to be on the patient side.”
"Let's see if you feel that way after the five year mission." April said with a big grin.
“Life does have a way of changing us.” Hunter admitted. “I will probably change some.”
"Being stuck on this ship for five years, will change us and help us learn more patience. I fear we will all have too." April said with a big grin on her face.
“I’m looking forward to being on that long a mission.” Hunter said with a smile. “We will be together long enough to become a family and not yanked away.”
"Family huh?" April said with a teasing grin on her face. "I hope someone on this ship will be more than a brother to me. I can see the captain being our father and T'Sal being our mother." April pointed out to Hunter.
“I want a relationship to develop with someone as well.” Hunter said with a grin. “Our command staff seems to want a close relationship. Even T’Sal is working hard to understand our human ways.”
"Ambitious of you. There is a lot of men on this ship, what is going to set you apart from the other prospects?" April asked, with a big grin on her face.
“I have a lot of good qualities.” Hunter replied. “I am easy going, always take into consideration what my partner wants or likes to do.” He paused. “I am loyal and honest to a fault.”
"You sound like a brochure advertisement." April said, with a big teasing grin on her face.
Hunter laughed .”It’s weird talking about myself. It comes out as bragging or trying to pump yourself out. All I know is I try to be respectful when I date women. Treat them as I want to be treated.”
"How do you want to be treated?" April asked, curious to learn more.
“Like most people would.” Hunter replied. “With respect and honesty. To feel like I can share my feelings as well as listen.”
"If something sounds to good to be true, it often is. And that sounds to good to be true." April said, a little skeptical of his words.
“Too good to be true?” Hunter raised an eyebrow. “Maybe you have been around the wrong men. I am not much for games a lot of people play. I believe in just being me.”
"What is it to be Hunter Mitchell?" April asked, curious if he was going to continue the superficial responses, or get into the real responses. She felt that she was deserving to know, since she was expressing interest in him.
“To be me.” Hunter said with a pause, wanting to be honest. “I am lazy at things like making my bed. I love my job and I am a people person. I can be impatient when I feel like someone is dismissing my opinion or thoughts.”
"Making the bed is the worse." April said with a big grin. She could understand his frustrations. She too hated making the bed.
“I just don’t see the point.” Hunter said with a smile. “I mean no one is going to come over while your at work and you go home and in a few hours mess it back up.”
"There was complete reports on earth that you are more likely to get bed bugs by making the bed, did you know that?" April asked, making an excuse for her sloppy behavior too.
Hunter shook at her words. “That solves it, I am done making my bed.”
"I hope the chain of command inspection will take that under advisement." April said, knowing next Thursday was room inspection.
“Maybe I will make an exception on that day.” Hunter said. “I don’t want to get in trouble.”
"Non of us do, during that day just replicate new crisp sheets and blankets." April suggested. It's what she does. That way, she does not have to worry about bed bugs.
“Good plan.” Hunter smiled. “As an engineer you’d think I would have thought of that.
"Most of us do not tend to think about the little things like that. I make it a habit to do so." April said, trying to reassure him it was alright. It was not uncommon for guys to not sweat the little things, it would have been surprising to her, if he had thought about that prior to today.
“You are right.” Hunter said with a shake of his head. “We do tend to not pay attention to the smaller things but it is something to think about.”
"The food is going to get cold." April said with a big grin. She really appreciated his response. But they did come here to eat. So far, they had been doing a lot of talking.
“Let’s eat.” Hunter said with a nod. “There is nothing worse than cold food.”
"Great minds think alike." April said in an upbeat tone in her voice. She started to reach for her plate. Everything on her plate looked delicious, as the scene starts to fade away.
Hunter pulled his plate close and tried to decide what he wanted to start with, it all looked so good.
End
