Nightcap "
By: Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]
Giuseppe Silvio, Chief Engineer, [RNPC]

Stardate: 58205.26 0010

Silvio got off the turbolift on Deck 8. It had been a long day, but now it was over and he was looking forward to stealing Patia away from her office.

Patia brushed her hands against her thighs. Her eyes swept the office. Everything was put away. Her desk was tidy. All but three cushions were put away. Silvio had said he would stop by when he was done for the day.

If she settled on the sofa for just a little bit, he would be there before she knew it. Silently, she sank into the soft depths of the sofa and pulled the bright yellow cushion into her lap. She tilted her head back and her eyes gently shut, the dark lashes fanned across her porcelain fine skin.

Silvio entered the counseling section and rang the door chime to Patia's office.

Vaguely, deep in a dream, a bell rang. It was her mother, ringing the dinner chime. A young Patia sprinted pell-mell down the hallway. Her father's study door opened. His solemn face peered out from under his craggy eyebrows. His large, strong, hand was firmly clasped on Michelio's shoulder as they emerged in response to the summons for their evening meal. She skittered to a halt, sliding across the cold marble floor. Her brother picked her up and spun her around before lifting her to his shoulder. Little Patia reached down for her father's hand and the three of them walked toward the kitchen as her mother's dinner bell grew more insistent.

Silvio was surprised, he was sure she would still be here. "Computer, what is the location of Counselor Zoei,' he asked.

"Counselor Zoei is on Deck 8 section 43A," replied the computer.

Silvio tapped his access code into the door panel and the office doors slid open. Silvio entered and found Patia asleep on her couch, holding the yellow pillow.

Silvio smiled. She was even beautiful when she was sleeping, he thought. Silvio walked over to the couch. Leaning over, he gave her a gentle kiss. "Patia," he said.

"Lio? Daddy?" Patia's eyes fluttered open. The face hovering over hers wasn't her brother, or her father. "Silvio," she said breathlessly. "I am sorry, I dozed off. I was dreaming about life back home, when I was a little girl." She struggled slightly as she sat up straighter in her seat.

"Did you get done what you needed to do," she asked.

"Yes," Silvio nodded. "I am here to take you to bed." Silvio blushed, "That sounded bad, I mean, well, are you ready to call it a night?"

Patia chuckled. "Yes, that did sound bad, but yes, I am ready to call it a night. I think I could have slept there all night, just where I was."

"Did you have a rough day today," he asked, offering her his hand to help her up off the couch.

She slipped her smooth hand into his callused one. As she looked at their joined hands, she was reminded how delicate he made her feel. "I wouldn't say rough, but it was long. How about yours?"

"It was a long one too, but we got a lot of work done today, so it was a good day," he said, as he helped her up.

"And right now, that is the important part," she nodded. Patia slipped her hand through his arm as they turned to walk from her office.

"Yes that is the important part," he agreed. The two of them made their way via the turbolift to deck 2.

They paused outside the door to her quarters. "I am going to have a glass of tea before I turn in. Would you like to join me for a nightcap?"

"I would love to," said Silvio.

She gestured to the sofa as they entered the room. "Have a seat. What would you like to drink?"

Silvio sat down on the sofa, "A cherry cola please," said Silvio.

After a brief stop at the replicator, Patia joined him on the couch. She handed him his soda, then settled next to him. Her feet tucked up under her, she nestled next to him. Teasingly, she settled the icy cold glass on his thigh while she watched him from beneath her lashes.

Silvio jumped slightly as he felt the unexpected shock of the cold drink on his leg. "That's cold," he said.

Patia nodded in agreement, "Wet, too." She giggled softly.

Silvio chuckled. He liked the feeling of having Patia so close to him. He wrapped his arm around her, inviting her closer.

Patia stretched forward and placed her tea on the glass table top in front of them, before leaning in to Silvio. Her hand splayed on his chest, she laid her head on top of it.

Silvio absently stroked Patia's hair. "I stopped back in sickbay to finish the repair work I started," he said.

"mmmmmmmmm, get it all done?" Patia asked, her voice a little fuzzy.

"Yes, and I had interesting conversation with Mason," he said, "Did you know he has a wife and daughter?"

"Uh hmmmmmmmm, did he tell you about them?" she asked.

"Yes," said Silvio. They sat in silence for a while, Silvio continued stroking her hair. "It seems they too were separated by this dreadful war."

"War does that," Patia sat up slightly so she could look Silvio in the eyes. "You know that as well as I, if not better. How long has it been since you have seen your parents?"

Silvio sighed, "A long time," he said sadly. "I wish I could get to earth and get them out of there."

"Would they want to leave?"

"They didn't the last time I saw them, but maybe they have had a change of heart," he said hopefully. Other than Patia, they were the only people that Silvio loved. He hoped they were alright.

"You never know, they might. I hope they do." Patia leaned back against his chest.

"You never know," said Silvio. The two of them sat in silence for a few moments. "How about you, how are things with your family?"

"I haven't talked to them in quite some time. Mother and Daddy were well the last time I heard. Lio was recently relocated to Qul Tuq, but I haven't spoken with him since he transferred. I am not planning on talking to him before I get there. He is trying to pull one over on me, and I am going to turn it around on him." Patia smiled mischievously.

Silvio did not want to know what Patia had in store for her brother. "Poor guy," he said.

"Only in his mind," Patia chuckled.

Silvio felt good, he wished that he could stay here just like this, however, he could tell that Patia was practically asleep. "I suppose I should let you get to sleep," he said.

"That would probably be for the best," she nodded. "I didn't realize I was as tired as I am." She glanced at the chronometer. 0120, she had to be up for work in four and a half hours. She braced her hands on his chest and hefted herself to her feet. An involuntary groan squeezed from between her lips as she stretched.

Silvio reluctantly got up. When Patia had finished stretching he said, "Good night Patia."

"Good night, Silvio."

Silvio stepped forward and brushed the side of her face with his right hand.

She stretched up on tiptoes and kissed the corner of his mouth. "Sleep well," she whispered against his lips.

Silvio smiled at her. "Cara mia, ti voglio bene," he whispered back. Their eyes met for a brief moment before he turned and left her quarters.

Patia pressed her fingers against her tingling lips as she watched him go. That good night was definitely worth an almost sleepless night.