What the Hell I wrong with you

Posted on Wed Nov 13th, 2024 @ 12:46am by Lieutenant Fang Lee & Lieutenant Adrianna Baciami

1,353 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Stars Around the Well
Location: Rec Area Pool | USS Arcadia
Timeline: Day after 17 Beers post.

ON:

Fang walked into the swimming pool area whistling. Some of the Engineers there seemed to startle and hurried out. He'd been in too good a mood. His people were somewhat afraid. He hadn't noticed Adrianna there. He tossed his towel on the chair and headed to the diving board area. He smiled as he climbed to the top taking a few practice jumps on the board before diving off into a perfect dive that would taking him, outstretched arms first into the deep waters.

When he came up for hair and grinned as he swam over to the shallow area sitting on the steps and just enjoying the water grinning like a fool.

Adrianna, as usual when swimming around crewmates, wore a swimsuit that easily covered her tattoos. She had been sat, minding her own business when she watched everything unfold. She watched curiously as engineers scattered. She sat on the edge of the pool next to him, "I believe the expression is the cat that caught the budgie, but what the hell is wrong with you? You seem-- too happy." She paused, "oh gawd, what did you do?"

He looked at her. "Why would I have to do anything to be happy. I'm not I'm just as miserable as always." He grinned as he said it. An ops officer passed by and he waved. "Hello Ensign!"

Her eyes widened and she gave a nervous wave and ran by.

"Fang," she looked back at him having seen the ensign's reaction, "don't give me that merde. What's going on?"

He shrugged. "I had an excellent day. I woke feeling a bit under the weather but when I walked into Engineering I got a report from Frankie that the engine upgrades have increased engine capacity thus far by fifteen percent and the waste output from the engines has lowered by fifty! Now that's progress. Perhaps Starfleet knows what it's doing. Then I went to the coffee shop and gave them the wrong name and ended up with the cup saying my actual name. I think I discovered a key there." He shrugged. "See good things happen. What can I say."

She looked him over skeptically, "I know that engineers, like most people, get very enthusiastic about things, but no-- I believe there's something more. You remind me of the same look my brothers get when they've been freshly fun--" She paused and grinned, "who is he?"

"There's nobody." He wasn't going to admit to anything. Besides it had just been a kiss. He couldn't understand why it had put him in this mood but for the first time since this whole mess with Zai he felt ... like he could finally be free of memories, obligations. It was an interesting feeling. "I am, as they say, happy to be alive."

She smirked, "Sure... I don't believe that. But fine. It suits you-- but don't lie to me. Remember what happened in the ring. Also-- tone it down-- you're scaring the peasants." She nodded to engineers running away. She sat back, leaning on her elbows. She winced for a split second and took a breath.

"You alright?"

She nodded, "getting a tattoo is fine. Having one removed-- that hurts."

he raised an eyebrow. "Yeah...well I've never had that issue I do like my tattoos thought." He grinned. He sighed. "Life is amazing." He waved at several crew members. "Hello! Happy Day!"

"Yes, well, some people have tattoos as tradition, and unfortunately, my tradition means that I needed the one removing as it technically never happened," she groaned before looking over at him, "gawd you're too happy -- seriously, who is he?"

"Why does there have to be a he. I'm just a happy person." He shrugged. "XOs are supposed to be approachable. I'm becoming approachable."

"I'd ask who is 'she', but I have a hunch that it would only ever be 'he'," she snorted, "fine, if it's not a person-- what is it? What is your drug of choice?"

He laughed. "Must happiness be figured out?"

She shook her head with a dark grin, "I'm an ex intel officer, what makes you think that you can hide anything from me?"

"Just enjoy the pool Adrianna. Nothing to see here."

Adrianna paused, turning a little pale. She dropped her voice and asked, "wait-- where's Jason?"

"Hopefully on his way off the ship soon. I've asked Base to send a shuttle with a replacement crew." He shrugged. "I assume he's packing his things."

Adrianna smiled and relaxed a little, "really? Thought you were going to wait until we were back?" She paused, "what about the engineer?"

"He's still not on station. We'll have to pick him up when we're done the mission." He grinned. "Should be good thought. Something about long partings and fondness."

She smiled, "something like that. I thought he was dead. When I found out that he was alive, he didn't remember me. Now he's got his memories back and I want to make up for lost time."

"Oh you will." He grinned mischievously. "Just give it .. Time." He laughed. "See what I did there?"

"I can't believe that I am going to say this, but," she punched his arm, "Madonna, I hate happy Fang."

He laughed. "Why? I thought you wanted me to cheer up."

"I did. I do. It's just--," she chuckled, "creepy. You are over happy-- I cannot explain it." She kissed the top of his head and smiled, "you're scaring the peasants. Be careful."

He laughed. "I'll try." He shrugged. "I guess this whole thing with Zai... it's made me feel lighter. I know Xingtian is okay, I know that even if I had gotten together with Zai I would not have been a match." He shrugged. "When things are finalized they are easier to accept."

"I'm really proud of you for how well you're taking this," she nodded, kissing the top of his head again, "I even told my mother that her best friend has raised one hell of a guy."

He sighed. "Not so well. I mean that day I was in shock but I guess Zai was right. I was holding onto a memory and I avoided giving my full self to him. But then again I knew about the Metamorphosis...and I was always afraid that would play into Zai or Xingtian...and I did hoard his affection then find someone else when things got too close. I was holding onto him and not willing to commit it was..wrong." He shrugged. "I have no excuse."

"Life happens," she nodded, "it's how we deal with it that counts. Plus, I had a few other reasons as to why I referred to you as a great guy." She shrugged.

He laughed. "Naww. I'm just a grumpy Capellan." He grinned as he looked up. "Frankie! Adrianna you remember Frankie one of our engineers."

He gave a small bow to Adrianna and then turned to Fang. Frankie's lip curled. "Um...chief no offence but please stop with the creepy clown smile half of engineering thinks you'll vent us...it's scary as hell."

Adrianna chuckled, "told you. At least pretend to be a little miserable."

Frankie gave a nod. "She is a wise woman sir. Listen to her." He excused himself and scurried away.

Fang sighed. "I guess I should...stub my toe or something."

She chuckled, "not necessarily. Just tone the smile down by like... Five percent."

He laughed. "Alright I will." He looked at the time. "I should run I have a report to get done and then a distance bridge officer update course to complete. Fun times for me." He gave a bit of a fist pump.

"Then you're reporting to me tomorrow morning," she smiled.

"Huh?" He seemed genuinely confused.

"Mhmm, bring your idiot to work day," she grinned, "sorry-- bring your XO to work day."

He snorted. "Ah yes that. Sounds good." He hoisted himself out of the pool. "Enjoy your swim. See you tomorrow."

"Remember-- five... Maybe ten percent less smile," she chuckled before getting back into the pool and finishing her laps.

OFF:

 

RSS Feed