Lieutenant Drex - Unexpected

[Alora DeVeau]

Barbara always gives lovely insights into Drex and his life.

 

IC:

 

((Baudin’s villa, Palombaggia, Corsica, Sol III))

 

Drex stretched his hand over the sheets. 

He turned his head and forced his eyes open. The side of the bed was empty. Leaving his arm out, he turned his head to the other side and looked at the door heading to the living room. A soft light illuminated the frame allowing him to see the silhouette of the armchairs in the almost dark room.

He did not close the curtains before going to bed, so it had to be very late (or very early) at night. 

He pushed his leg out of the bed and sat on the edge. He stifled a yawn badly and raised both arms in the air, stretching. 

As he breathed deeper, the scent of some bread cooked in the oven reached his nose, his brain and, finally, his stomach. 

A significant rumble reminded him he had skipped dinner the night before.

Wearing only the light trousers of his pajamas, he left the comfort of the bed and walked out of his bedroom.

The soft light was coming from the kitchen spotlights. Barefoot, he silently approached the woman who was fiddling with bowls and flour.

When he passed his arms around her waist, she pushed her head backwards, resting it against his shoulder.

 

Baudin: Have I woke you up?

 

Drex shook his head slowly, watching her hands kneading a soggy ball.

 

Baudin: But it's not your usual hour…

 

Drex: I felt something was amiss. Why are you awake?

 

Baudin kept silent as she finished giving a shape to the ball and sprinkling it with flour.

 

Drex waited patiently. Dominique did not usually cook and did not usually wake up in the middle of the night. She could have changed some habits since they graduated Ensigns, but Drex was more of the idea something was in her mind. The Denobulan knew there was no point in repeating the question, so he bowed his head slightly, touching her hair with his cheek. She smelled of salt water and vanilla.

 

Baudin: The flour is finished and I didn’t find any yeast...

 

Drex: What have you used then?

 

Baudin: I know some chemistry…

 

Drex: Do I have to guess?

 

She put the dough in a pan and pushed Drex back with her body to free herself and reach the oven.

 

Baudin: Are you good at chemistry?

 

Drex grabbed a purple oval fruit from a bowl on the counter and gave it a bite. He pondered his answer while chewing. 

 

Drex: Took some classes a long time ago. But I know what’s usually in the kitchen. And :: He vaguely pointed at a blue and white can :: you left the container visible.

 

Dominique set the timer on the oven.

 

Baudin: It works, I already cooked this :: She broke a small piece of bread from the already baked loaf.  :: Since we're awake, we may have breakfast and then walk to the pier. You promised me.

 

Drex studied her movements and expressions. Words were her usual, but not the tone. She was faking her enthusiasm for the promised sailing trip. He nodded and smiled slightly.

 

Breakfast was an easy task. He had bought those horrible herbal teas she loved. Drex finished the purple fruit and put some water to boil. While waiting, he prepared two cups of fruit salad. He could hear her setting the table.

 

Baudin: Do you really like your place?

 

Drex: I'm planning to move near the beach. I'm just waiting for the power lines to reach that area. 

 

If she wanted to play cards face down, he would do the same.

 

Baudin: That's a nice plan, but I wasn't talking about your quarters.

 

He put the knife in the sink and turned around with the cups in his hands.

 

Drex: What you were talking about, then?

 

She shook her head, sitting.

 

The Denobulan put a bowl in front of her and one on the other side of the table. He was going to sit himself down when a whistle informed them that the water was ready. He walked back to the kitchen giving her more time to think. Giving him more time to think. She was acting strange and he did not know her well enough to read her silences.

 

Baudin: My unit is going to be dismissed.

 

Drex finally sat and let her know she could go on talking with a single “mh”. But she did not talk. 

 

Drex: You wanted to transfer anyway, didn't you? Now you don't have to worry about the opinion of your commander.

 

Baudin: I've been offered to lead a research project on MH64222.

 

Drex: Leading a project? That's great! :: His enthusiasm faded in a second :: Wait! Where is MH64222?

 

Baudin: Very far away from the Aavaro Wilds. :: She murmured ::

 

They remained silent, pondering the meaning of that transfer. Dominique prepared two filters and filled them with dried herbs. She never looked at the Denobulan sitting on the other side of the table. 

So was that it? Was she leaving him? Drex shook his head, dismissing the thought. To leave someone, you had to be together first, and they had agreed that they would not go beyond sporadic meetings when their schedules allowed. Her moving away only meant that the possibilities would be reduced. Drastically.

 

oO You don't love her, you've only got used to her. Oo

 

That wasn't entirely true. He didn't love her the way he knew he could love, but he had let her through his armor. Her announcement had made his stomach churn and created a heaviness in his chest.

 

Baudin: I’m…

 

Drex: There have been rumours in the last days on Denali. 

 

He interrupted her before she could say anything else, whether it was an apology, or the confirmation that she had already accepted the assignment.

 

Baudin: What kind of rumors?

 

Drex picked up his cup, watching the wisps of smoke rising from the surface, and inhaled the spicy cinnamon scent.

 

Drex: Many kinds, as on every unit. But the most interesting is the Commodore’s upcoming retirement. I don’t know if it is true, but I know what I see on Dark Denali and it would not surprise me if she’d decide to give up her career for that woman.

 

Baudin: And… What would this have to do with us?

 

She had finally looked up at him again. Drex shrugged. It was curious she had used the word us and he did not forget to notice it.  

He put the cup down without drinking. Although he liked the smell, he wasn't as enthusiastic about the taste and temperature of that broth.

 

Drex: Maybe nothing, maybe everything. As I'm sure you're aware, a change at the top can lead to some pretty big changes. I could…

 

It was her time to interrupt him.

 

Baudin: I know you love Denali. I remember how happy you were when you got the assignment to the Ring when we graduated. You need that place as much as I need to accept the offer they did to me. 

 

She pushed back her chair and stood up and walked around the table to get to him. Drex followed her every move and when she stopped behind him, he let her lean over him and hug him from behind.

 

Baudin: We've always agreed, right? Never serve on the same unit.

 

Drex rested his right hand on the fold of her arms.

 

Drex: We agree.

 

That one rule was the reason their unique relationship worked. They were both young and the project will come to an end sooner or later. 

They had found a way to meet regularly over the past year, they would in the future. He just had to figure out where this planet, or satellite, or alien station was.

If the fleet was sending her there, they would send ships and shuttles every now and then, he just had to find out when. The uncomfortable feeling in his chest and stomach didn't go away, but it seemed to have at least eased.

 

Baudin: We have two days before we have to leave. And you promised me too much to sit here and brood over.

 

NT / END

 

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Lieutenant Drex

Science Officer

Denali Station

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