Good night, Guiseppe
"
By: Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]
Giuseppe Silvio, Chief Engineer, [RNPC]
Stardate: 58205.14 1800
Patia finished tidying her quarters. She was still in her uniform, but had slipped her shoes off. Her bare toes wiggled in the soft fibers of the carpet. Gently, she stretched her arms above her head. Her back made a satisfying crack just as the door chime sounded.
"Enter," Patia quietly called.
Silvio walked in, "Hello Patia. Are you free tonight?"
"Hello there. Depends on who is asking and what they have in mind," Patia winked.
Silvio chuckled, "I am asking, and I thought we could get a bite to eat."
"Since it is you, yes, I am free. Where would you like to go for a bite?" Patia smiled slightly.
"Well now, unless we go for another traditional Betazid dinner our only options are Miranda's or the Mess Hall. I guess, I like Miranda's. What do you think?"
"Miranda has the best soup, that would be my choice as well. Replicators are just not quite the same." Patia glanced down. "I should change first, or at least put my shoes back on."
Silvio looked down at her bare feet, "Would you like me to come back when you are ready?" SIlvio knew that Patia was a very private person and might not like having someone sitting in her quarters while she was changing.
"That would be perfect. If you can give me ten minutes, I will be ready," Patia smiled in relief.
"Sure," said Silvio, "See you in 10."
Patia watched him saunter out the door. Quickly and efficiently she went through her closet. After the dinner with Alyssa, when she couldn't find any civilian clothes but one outfit, she had reorganized what she had and made a place for her off duty apparrel. She pulled a silk, hunter green, button down shirt and a pair of soft, faded, denim jeans from the shelf. The cool silk whispered across her skin as she slipped her arms through the material. She tucked the tails into the waist band of her jeans and slid her feet into an old pair of sandals she had found in the bottom of a box. They were a buttery soft leather and had been her favorite shoes back at University.
A glance in the mirror left her satisfied with her hair. She dabbed a bit of gloss on her lips and lightly misted gardenia lily spray. As she turned from the mirror, she tucked her hair snugly behind her ears and brushed the palms of her hands against her thighs. Her chronometer showed six minutes had passed since Silvio left. Restlessly, she paced her quarters, waiting for his return.
Silvio had returned to his quarters and paced for almost exacly ten minutes and returned to Patia's. The thought occurred to him that he had never seen her not in uniform. He rang the chime.
"Enter," Patia called. She turned on her heel to face the door as it slid open.
Silvio started to enter and then stopped in his tracks. His mouth fell open slightly. He was right, he had never seen her out of uniform before. Silvio stuggled for words, "You look good," he leaned in and gave her a peck on the cheek. She smelled good too, he thought.
Silvio offered her his arm, "Shall we?"
Patia slid her arm through the crook of his. "We shall," she smiled.
Together they rode the turbolft to deck 10. Miranda's was busy tonight. Silvio took Patia by the hand as they made ther way to an open table. "Boy, it usre is busy in here tonight."
"People are starting to relax a little. This is a good sign for the health of our crew," Patia nodded, pleased as she looked around. "Ah, I shouldn't be talking shop, though, now should I?" Patia's laughed tinkled lightly.
Silvio smiled, "That is all right, what else woudl you like to discuss?" Silvio realized that he still help her hand across the little table they were seated at. Since she did not seem to object, he did not let go of it.
Patia glanced at their hands. Hers looked almost delicate nestled in his. "What are you plans for shore leave when we get back to Qul Tuq? Or will you be too busy making sure everything is ship shape before we set out again?"
"Well, if the trip back is the same as the trip here we should not have to do much work on the ship. It's engines took a beating and they held up better than I had expected. I have never really had a chance to explore the station. I suppose that you will go visit your brother?"
"I am considering it. I will definitely look for Trina and the kids, but I am toying with letting Lio come to me. My guess is Trina knows I am here and she probably has no idea the dingbat she married didn't tell me. I think I could get her to go along with giving him a hard time. As for my niece and nephews, Auntie Tia hung the moon and I am positive they wouldn't mind playing a practical joke on their favorite father. Yes, I am the evil corrupter aunt, but he will forgive me, eventually, anyway." Patia chuckled.
Silvio smiled, "I bet the like having a devious Auntie." Silvio sighed, "It must be nice having your family so close to you."
"You know, I don't know. I haven't lived near my family in more than 20 years. I went away to boarding school as a child. Other than school breaks, I haven't been near them since I left. We will have to see how it is. Lio is a typical over protective big brother. Sometimes it is frustrating. Maybe by now he will realize I am an adult. Maybe I shouldn't pull pranks that make him think I am still a child, eh?" Patia cocked an eyebrow and giggled.
Silvio laughed, "Nah, pranks will keep him guessing." He smiled.
"That is a good point, and it is always good to keep big brothers guessing. Keeping him off balance is definitely to my advantage. The terrible tortures you do not have to bear as a solo child, does that relieve you? Or do you wish you had your own, private tormentor?" Patia asked.
"I don't know, I think I might have liked having a little sister to tourment," said Silvio with a smirk. Their conversation was inturrupted as a waitress stepped up to the table. "Can I get you anything?"
Patia sat up straight, pulling her hands to her lap. "Could I have a cup of broccoli soup and a glass of raspberry iced tea, please?"
"Sure think M'am," said the waitress. "And you," she looked at Silvio.
Silvio looked at his now empty hand which now felt cold without Patia's hand there. "I'll have a Cherry Coke and a burger."
"Coming right up," she said as she walked away.
"Oh you think so? You will have to ask Lio about the tormenting of younger sisters. They become very cunning, they know all your secrets, and, this is most important, they do not hesitate to tell your wife all of your embarassing secrets. Or, so I have heard," Patia ducked her head, trying to suppress the grin tugging at the corners of her lips.
"Well then, I suppose it is good that I am a lonlely only then. I had no idea that little sisters were so treachous." Silvio also tried to surpress a grin.
"They are, take my word for it. Lio informed me my picture is by the definition for treacherous, evil, devious, and charming. I had to have one good quality to counteract all of my faults." There was no longer any attempt at hiding the smile.
The waitress came back and gave them their drinks. "So, tell me about your brother. What is he like?"
"In all honesty, sisterly joshing aside, he is an amazing man. He has been a career military man. His dedication is uncommon. I know I have never met another person quite like him. He has a black belt in karate. The image he projects to people is very gruff, quite stern, even. He does not believe in nicknames or getting close to people outside of his immediate family. On the other hand, you haven't met a gentler father. He treats Trina like the lady she is. Overall, he really has been a good brother." Her eyes twinkled as she spoke.
Silvio smiled, "It must be nice having someone to love like that."
"Yes, it is. It is also nice knowing he loves me the same way. There are a lot of people that come and go from our lives, but no matter what, he will always be there. Did you have other family you were close to? Or were there just your parents?" Patia asked.
"Nope, just Mama, Papa, and me." said Silvio feeling a bit envious. "I have not seen them in quite some time. If this blasted war would end I could go home and see if they are still angry with me." Silvio paused, "So, have you ever been to Rome, Italy?"
"Why would they still be angry with you? You are their son. I am sure they were just worried. We traveled through Rome, but visited longer at Vatican City."
"Rome is full of history as is the Vatican, said Silvio as their food arrived. "Did you like the Vatican?" Silvio picked the onion and tomoato off his burger.
"The history of it was very interesting. The study of religion itself is intriguing. I can't say I need to return in order to lead a fulfilled life, but it was fine. Have you been there?" Patia slowly stirred her soup.
Silvio Chuckled, "Of course I have. My parents are academics. There is a lot of histroy in Rome and the Vatican." Silvio did a quick impersonation of his father, "Giuseppe, it is important that you learn from our past." Silvio smiled.
"Oy, your father must know my father. That sounds very, very familiar." Patia faked a grimace.
Silvio laughed, "what would we do without our parents? How is your soup?"
"My soup is wonderful. It is my favorite food to eat here," Patia winked. "How is your dinner?"
"Good as usual," said Silvio, dropping a napkin on his plate.
"Thank you for the invitation to dinner. It has been very enjoyable, but, unfortunately, I have to wrap up some paperwork before bed." Patia rose gracefully from her seat and paused by the table as she waited for Silvio to rise.
Silvio smiled and stood up, "It was my pleasure." Silvio and Patia left Miranda's and headed for the Turbolift. The two of them made small talk all the way back to deck 2 and stopped outside Patia's quarters. Silvio's eyes locked with hers. "Well, have a good night," said Silvio.
"You, too," Patia smiled.
Silvio did not move; his eyes still locked with hers. He had a odd nervous feeling inside. Silvio reached out with his right hand and touched her face; gently he stroked the back of her ear. Leaning forward he pressed his lips against hers.
Patia startled slightly at the contact before she gently kissed him back. After a moment, she broke the kiss and stepped back. "Good night, Guiseppe," she whispered as the doors slid open behind her back. She stepped backward through the doorway. The doors whispered closed between them.