First Date

[Maria Zier 0]

Zier stood in a hallway, outside of a holodeck. Jitterbugs fluttered around his stomach, which was curious since he never was nervous about anything. He looked up and down the hallway, waiting to see if Maria was coming. He adjusted his shirt collar, and less-than-formal dinner jacket, hoping his memo to her about the attire had gotten through.

 

Maria stopped at the corner that turned to the holodeck. She was nervous. Did she look good? Would she make a good impression on their first date? God, was he standing at the door waiting on her? Taking a deep breath, Maria turned the corner. She was wearing the all too familiar blue dress that Alex had bought her for her birthday. The silk fabric sparkled in the glow of the corridor lights. The nervous doctor smiled as she saw her date standing by the holodeck doors. He looked very handsome. She gave him a sweet but nervous smile as she walked up to him. "Hi..." was all she could say.

 

He turned to her, and felt his jaw drop. She looked absolutely stunning in...Was that the blue dress he'd given her? He smiled. "Hi..."

 

Blushing as Alex began staring at her; Maria looked at the large holodeck doors. "What are the plans for this evening?"

 

"Well, I looked through my Academy files, and came across a holodeck file I had made. I hope you like it....Computer, activate program Zier 1221." He looked at her, and motioned towards the door. "After you."

 

"Thank you," she said as the bulky doors opened. Looking around her, the holodeck walls instantly began to morph.

 

Zier walked in after her, and smiled as he looked around at the small but elegant Italian Ristorante. A waiter came up to them. "Ah! Alex! My good friend! It's has been a long time, has it not?"

 

Maria looked up at Zier, smiling sweetly. "Italian?" She put her arm through his. "Are you trying to impress me?"

 

He nodded. "Yes, it's been a long time Peter. Sorry about not calling in a reservation, but do you have my usual table open? The one by the window."

 

The energetic waiter grinned. "Of course Alex, right this way." He looked at Maria. "I see you've *finally* brought a lady-friend with you."

 

She was a little stunned to hear that. "Finally? You mean you used to come here alone?"

 

Alex winced. "I....yeah." He glared at Peter, who just grinned and showed them to their table. As Alex pulled out Maria's chair, Peter lit a candelabra and set it on their table. "What would you two like to drink?"

 

"Thank you," Maria said as she took her seat. She looked across to Alex for the drink decision, since this was his plan.

 

"Bring us a bottle of that red wine you hide in your second cellar, Peter." Alex winked, and turned to Maria as Peter scurried off.

 

"So..." she looked into his eyes. "Why would you come to a place like this alone?" She couldn't help it. Her inquisitive nature took over.

 

Alex got comfortable. "This is an exact version of a restaurant back on Earth. I used this holoprogram whenever I couldn’t transport there. It's just a nice, relaxing atmosphere. I used it when I needed to get away from things, or classmates." He looked at her. "It was like my own little bubble away from everything."

 

Maria smiled, "That's so sweet. I had a place similar, but it was more remote. Maybe I could show you sometime."

 

"I'd like that." He smiled at her. Peter returned then, and poured them both rather large wineglasses. "Are you ready to order?" Alex looked at Maria.

 

"I'll just have a salad with a light vinaigrette, please."

 

"And I'll have my usual Fettuccine Alfredo; you know how I like the sauce." He smiled at Peter. "Of course Alex." He looked again at Maria, and then to Alex, winking, then rushing off again.

 

Alex grinned. "I think I programmed him a bit too enthusiastic."

 

Maria giggled. "Would you rather have him bitter?”

 

He picked up his glass, and swirled the wine in it. "Well, when you put it that way...I'd shudder to think what he'd be like then." He grinned.

 

She looked at her wine glass a moment, finally picking it up and taking a sip. "This is a beautiful place. Thank you for showing it to me."

 

He smiled. "A beautiful place, for a beautiful lady…" He smirked. "I'd like that line stricken from the record, on account of being too cheesy."

 

Maria blushed in response to the comment. She just kind of laughed, not really able to find any words.

 

He sipped his own wine, not coming up with anything to say, either. After a not-so-short pause of silence, Alex tried to start a topic. "So, how's Sickbay treating you?"

 

She was appreciative at his attempt to change the subject. "It's doing real well. I haven't fully gotten to know the staff yet, but I'm getting there."

 

He smiled. "Well, you must be doing something good; I got a memo today that announced your promotion. Congratulations."

 

Maria tried to smile. She had hoped he wasn't going to bring that up. It just felt weird to hear. "Thanks..."

 

He noticed her hesitancy, but Peter, with his impeccable timing, arrived with their orders just then. "Enjoy your dinner." He smiled again, and rushed off.

 

"Thank you," she said to Peter before he scurried off. The good doctor then looked over at Alex, reaching over and putting a hand on his. "I'm sorry. I was just a little embarrassed by it. It just feels odd to be promoted at a time like this."

 

He looked at her. "At a time like what?"

 

"I guess with the war going on, and recently transferring to the Excalibur. I'm sure I probably deserved it, but it just seemed like an odd time to me. Maybe it was just because I was finally settling down."

 

"Ah, so you didn't expect it."

 

Maria nodded, as she began tossing the salad with her fork.

 

Alex tried his own plate. He winced inwardly. So much for his dinner skills. Everything he brought up hit a soft spot. In a corner of the room, a violinist began playing.

 

She looked over towards the violinist, who was playing a sweet, lovely piece. Glancing back at Alex, she began to smile again. "You're idea?"

 

He grinned. "It's the one thing the real restaurant never had. I always found it a bit too quiet there."

 

"It's lovely," Maria said as she sipped her wine again. She could tell he had been nervous after what he said earlier, but Maria had dismissed it almost immediately. This was still turning out to be a wonderful evening.

 

Not noticing a spot of sauce on his lip, Alex continued to look at Maria, wondering what topic he could bring up.

 

She quietly started laughing as she casually reached across the table, wiping the sauce from his lip with her finger. As Maria sat back down, she licked the sauce off. "I almost wish I hadn't ordered the salad now." the blonde doctor said with a grin.

 

Alex blushed. "I... thank you." He chuckled a little.

 

"You're welcome."

 

Alex finished his plate, and set it aside. He looked behind him, then at a clock on the wall, then back at Maria.

 

"Oh, it's getting late. You should probably get back to Martin." Maria stood up, smiling sweetly to him. "Walk me home first?"

 

He smiled. "It's not that." He grabbed her hand. "Come with me."

 

She was a little surprised when he took her hand. Why else would he be looking at the clock?

 

He led her around some tables to a door to the side, and opened it. He let her walk outside first, and smiled when he saw that he had gotten the timing right. A beautiful full moon shone brightly above them, as they stood on a balcony overlooking a lake.

 

Maria gasped in delight as she walked up to the railing, resting her hands on it. The moonlight danced along the slow ripples of the lake. "It...It’s beautiful." She couldn't take her eyes off the scenery.

 

He smiled, and stood next to her. "I spent a lot of time here, just thinking."

 

"It's so peaceful and quiet. I can see why you'd come here."

 

He nodded and looked at her. "I’ll make sure you can have access to this program, if you ever want to come out here."

 

She broke her attention from the scenery and focused on Alex. "Thank you, but it wouldn't be right to be here without you."

 

"Well, who said you'd have to be here without me?" He smiled, and put an arm around her shoulders.

 

Maria brought herself closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Thank you, for everything. This was a wonderful evening."

 

He smiled. "Even with my bad dinner topics?"

 

She nodded, "Of course."

 

He looked out over the lake, thinking. After a while, with both of them still close to each other, he asked. "How about I walk you home?"

 

"I'd like that."

 

He smiled. "Computer, end program." He walked towards the door with her, arm still around her.

 

Later, the pair arrived at Maria's doorway. She turned to look at him, holding one of his hands. Her pinky was playfully locked with his. "Thank you so much. I had a great time tonight." Leaning up, she gave Alex a gentle kiss on the cheek, and slowly backed away, still finding her pinky locked.

 

"You're welcome Maria. I'll see you tomorrow..." He kept his pinky locked, and planted a second kiss on her cheek, smiling. "Good night, and don't let the bed bugs bite."

 

The young doctor couldn't resist it. She didn't want the night to end, but it had too, but staring into his blue eyes was intoxicating. Leaning up once more, Maria gave Alex a passionate kiss, something for him to remember when he walked away. Finally content, she backed away, breaking the hold her pinky had with his. The door to her quarters opened up and she went inside. As she turned around, Maria flashed one last smile to him. "Goodnight..." The door then closed, abruptly putting an end to the evening.

 

Alex stood there, stunned for a moment, and then shook his head slightly while grinning. "Oh, what a night..." he thought as he walked to his quarters.