"Hey Megan, wait up!"
I turned round and saw Una and Nhan coming towards me, smirks on their faces. I stopped and waited for them.
"What are you ladies up to?" I asked, smirking.
They stopped beside me and Nhan said "We've organised a party, and youre coming."
"What?" I asked.
"Una, help her get ready, and make sure you're both in the cargo bay at 2000 hours. Got it?" Nhan ordered.
Una nodded, took me by the arm and dragged me to my quarters. I kept trying to protest, but she wouldn't have any of it. Once we got back to my quarters, I was ordered to freshen up while Una did her thing, so I did. I took a long, hot shower and once I was done, I pulled on a dressing gown and went back into my bedroom. I noticed 2 dress bags lying on the bed, along with a tonne of makeup on my desk.
"What on earth is this?" I asked.
"I'm going to make you look beautiful for this party." She said, dragging me to a seat.
For the next half an hour, Una did my hair and makeup. When I opened my eyes, I barely recognised myself. My hair was curled and styled in a classy up do and my makeup perfectly matched my features.
"Wow." I said, speechless.
"Right, dresses next."
Una went over and grabbed a dress bag. She handed it to me, so I opened it. I gasped- it was so beautiful. It was a midnight blue, long sleeved sparkly dress that had a split in the left side. There was also a pair of matching heels in the bottom of the bag. I went into the bathroom and got changed. The dress fitted me perfectly and really accentuated my figure. I stepped out of the bathroom and saw Una in a form fitting red dress with the same split mine had.
"Shall we?" she asked, extending her hand to me.
I stepped forward, took her hand and we made our way to the cargo bay. As we rounded the corner, I heard music playing and people talking and laughing. We walked in and made a beeline for the bar. I ordered a Saurian brandy and slowly sipped it as I took in the environment.
"Counsellor, I didn't think I'd see you here."
I looked to my right and saw the Captain sitting beside me. I smiled and chuckled lightly.
"Nhan and Una dragged me here." I explained.
He chuckled and I smiled. Goddammit that laugh was infectious. No stop it Megan- you can't have these feelings. Why do I have to keep reminding myself?
"To be honest, it isn't my scene either. I just came to see the crew- it's nice to see them relax."
I nodded and said "I have to agree. We all need this."
Suddenly, the music changed to a slower song, and people began to couple up and dance.
"Care to dance Counsellor?" he asked.
I faced him, smiled and nodded. His face lit up and offered me his hand. I took it and he led me to the dancefloor. He placed one hand on my waist and brought our enclosed hands to his chest. We began to slowly move to the music, becoming lost in our own world. It was in this moment that I couldnt deny the truth anymore- I had feelings for Captain Pike. I felt him pull me closer to him and slip his arm fully round my waist to rest his hand on the small of my back. This was pure bliss and I didn't want it to end, but sadly it did. The music stopped and we left the dancefloor. He disappeared into the crowd after that and I was left alone. I quickly scanned the area and found Una, so I went over to her.
"Was that you dancing with Captain Pike?" she asked.
I meekly nodded.
Her jaw dropped and she asked "You didn't see did you?"
"See what?"
"The way he was looking at you!"
I sighed and asked "What do you mean?"
"He looks at you the way someone would look at a lover."
I scoffed and retorted "No way. He would never feel the same way."
I covered my mouth with my hands faster than a starship at warp. Una's face lit up at the confession and she pulled be into a bone-crushing hug.
"I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!" she exclaimed.
"Knew what?" I asked as we pulled apart.
"Ever since he didn't leave your side in sickbay for hours after the phaser incident, I had a suspicion, but now I know for sure. You like each other but don't want to admit it."
I sighed. She was probably right. Now that I'd faced my feelings, I couldn't deny them any longer. However, I was petrified of saying something to him because it could go completely the wrong way.
"Are you going to tell him?" she asked.
"No. Not yet." I said quickly.
"Come on, you have to!" she exclaimed as she handed me a drink.
I took the drink and said "I'll do it when I'm ready."
We spent the next few hours talking, laughing, drinking and dancing. At the end of the party, I decided to go to the observation deck to think about what I was going to do. As soon as the doors opened, it became apparent that I wasn't alone- Captain Pike was sitting in a chair facing the window. At the sound of the doors, he turned round and locked eyes with me.
"Captain, I didn't expect to see you here." I said.
He nodded and said "I like to surprise people."
I smiled and nodded. Before I knew it, the Captain had got up and was in front of me.
"Care to dance again?" he asked, smiling.
"Captain, I..."
"Please, I've told you before- call me Christopher, or Chris if you prefer."
I looked into his eyes and I saw what Una saw- his eyes were conveying pure love and admiration.
"I'd be honoured...Chris."
He smiled and said "Computer, play audio file Pike Alpha-1."
A beautiful slow song began playing as Chris offered me his hand. I smiled, took it and he pulled it to his chest. I put my other hand on his shoulder as he wrapped his arm round my waist and held me close to him. As we moved to the music, my confidence grew and I laid my head on his chest. He tightened his grip on me and when the music sadly ended, we didn't move for a while until I lifted my head and looked at him.
"What are you doing to me Chris?" I asked.
"I was about to ask you the same thing."
Before I could react, Chris cupped my cheek with his hand and placed his lips on mine. I immediately reacted by putting my hand on the back of his neck, pulling him closer and deepening the kiss. I could feel him smile against my lips as he pulled me impossibly closer, holding me tightly in his arms, as if he thought I would disappear. Suddenly, Chris pulled away, a look of guilt evident on his face.
"What's wrong?" I asked, holding onto his forearms.
"We can't." he whispered.
"We can't what?" I asked, confused.
"We can't be together."
I stepped back slightly, shocked.
"You're kidding right? You just kissed me like that and then you say this?"
He sighed and said "I don't want to have to do this, its just..."
I had a feeling I knew what he would say.
"Your duty to Starfleet comes first, and relationships can't get in the way in case it compromises your judgement." I said.
He nodded and I sighed.
"Do me a favour Chris. Kiss me one last time and walk out without looking back- then I'll know for sure you mean what you say." I said.
He looked into my eyes, slowly pulled me flush against him, cupped my face with his hand and placed his lips back on mine. I placed my hands on his shoulders and kissed him back. He eventually wrapped his other arm around my waist and I could feel him putting all of his love and admiration into the kiss. This may be the last time this happens, so I was savouring every feeling, every touch. He eventually pulled away, rested his forehead on mine for a moment before walking away. I turned round and saw him leave- he didn't look back.