Warning Bell

[Cmdr Ridire 0]

By: Dr. Matthews & Cmdr Ridire

 

Deb Matthews lazily strolled down the corridor toward her quarters. The ladies day out went even better than she'd hoped. A leisurely brunch and then four hours at one of the numerous spas on the massive station. It usually took a full week of vacation for her to feel this relaxed. But those able and agile hands at the spa had worked a miracle in just a few hours.

 

She'd felt slightly guilty about leaving Aidan alone for the day. But she would make up for it this evening. Deb had scouted several restaurants on the starbase. There were two or three she was dying to try out. She planned on doing just that a bit later...... with her husband. After that, there were a few shops she wanted to visit and tomorrow....well....she had big plans for the two of them tomorrow.

 

Of course, everything hinged on Aidan agreeing to the itinerary. She didn't think there would be a problem. With a few exceptions, he usually left it up to her to plan their activities during short layovers at starbases. So she was fairly certain he would go along with her plans.....until she stepped inside their quarters.

 

It was funny how one small thing could set of an alarm. In this case, it was the closed bedroom door.... with Nephtys on the outside. The Siamese meowed loudly as though to let Deb know she'd been ignored for far too long. Picking up the cat, she walked toward the bedroom and quietly opened the door. Aidan was already in bed!

 

She glanced at the clock on the night stand as she dropped Nephtys on the foot of the bed. It was only 1800 hours. What had he been up to that led him to go to bed at this hour? Another alarm went off as she moved a bit closer. He was sleeping on his right side....no big deal.....but he never slept on his right side facing away from her. And there was an empty glass on the bedside table. She quietly picked it up and took a quick sniff confirming her suspicion. He'd had at least on shot of his grandfather's whiskey. He opened that bottle only on very special occasions or when he was feeling......

 

Deb rested her hand on his shoulder and gently shook him while softly calling his name. She didn't wait for a response before she maneuvered herself onto the bed, sitting beside him as he awakened.

 

It takes him a minute for him to wake enough to realize her presence. Though he keeps his eyes closed for a couple more minutes, trying to decide whether or not to respond. He had heard that tone of concern in her voice before. Finally he decides to open his eyes, knowing that there was no way she would buy that he was so deeply asleep that he didn’t wake up to her shaking him or calling him.

 

He blinks his eyes open and looks up at her. He tries a smile as he says "Ah, you’re back. I wasn’t sure when to expect you home." He reaches for her near hand and squeezes it gently.

 

"Are you okay," she asked resting her hand on his forehead. He wasn't feverish but that didn't mean anything. There were plenty of ailments that didn't include fever as a symptom. "It's only 6 o'clock." She watched him closely for any other signs of illness all the while suspecting the problem might not be physical at all. "So tell me," she added glancing toward the empty glass, "what's going on?"

 

He closes his eyes briefly then returns his attention to her face. "I’m fine, Deb. Nothing is going on." If Las Vegas was interested in taking bets on this, even Aidan would bet that Deb would not believe everything was fine. "Did you have fun while you were out?"

 

"Yes," she answered slowly, her tone skeptical. "But it appears you didn't have much fun while I was gone. So I'll ask you again, what's wrong?" She leaned in, kissed him lightly on the cheek and whispered in his ear. "And this time, tell me the truth."

 

He shrugs slightly "No, it was a boring day. But there’s nothing for you to be concerned about, Deb. It’s my..." He frowns slightly as he catches himself from continuing that sentence. He sighs, closes his eyes and rolls over on his back. "I’m glad you had fun though."

 

She waited a moment, hoping he would come clean about what was bothering him. His quip about her having fun assured he wouldn't. "Aidan," she said, her tone reflecting a multitude of emotions. "Don't shut me out like this. We promised each other we wouldn't do that. Please, tell me what's on your mind."

 

He considers for a moment, strongly tempted to keep it to himself. But she is right...they had promised not to shut each other out....not to push each other away. And there had been a couple times where he had caught her doing that and chided her for it. He sighs and reaches up to brush a hand through her hair. "I don’t want you feeling guilty or responsible, Deb, which is why I tried to keep it from you. Just....just it became quite apparent to me today that..." He closes his eyes for a few seconds and exhales a slow breath. "...that I don’t exactly have anyone I’m close to or would consider a friend here. And I’m not inclined to go on shore leave by myself which means, as I said, I had a rather boring day. And I got rather....morose over it."

 

Deb drew a deep breath as Aidan finished his explanation. She hadn't given it too much thought prior to leaving for her spa date with Anna and Caroline. He never blinked an eye when she told him about it. But now, she wondered why she hadn't seen this coming. She was painfully aware that he was pretty much alone on this ship. Except for her, Aidan didn't have anyone he could call a friend. That bothered her more than she was willing to admit. It had always bothered her.

 

He either reads her emotions in her eyes or guesses at them. He reaches for her hand and brings it to his lips where he kisses the palm. "Like I said, Deb, it’s not your fault. Nor is it your responsibility. And I am glad you had fun today." He sits up and moves to hold her gently. He closes his eyes briefly and sighs. “I don’t want you thinking you shouldn’t have gone, you don’t owe me that. Nor do I want you forgoing such things in the future because of me.. This is my fault, not yours. And I am sorry for how I acted.”

 

"I have the perfect cure for morose," she said, offering him a bright smile. "But it will require the patient putting his trust in the physician. Think you can do that?"

 

He smiles faintly, "That depends on what the physician has in mind. Though to be honest the patient is a bit more interested in what his wife has in mind." He squeezes her hand again and murmurs "I really would like to go dancing while we have shore leave. And some other things, especially time alone. If I can make suggestions?" His smile fades as he adds in an undertone, "I really would just like to forget how today went so far."

 

"Then it's time to get up," announced Deb, tossing the covers off of him. She bounced to her feet and quickly crossed the room to Aidan's closet. Opening the door, she pulled out one of his best pair of trousers and an equally nice shirt. "I scouted the station this afternoon. We're going out to dinner and dancing. And it's a ritzy place so we have to dress up. I'm going to wear that little red dress of mine....the one you like so much."

 

For a few seconds the image of her in that particular dress flashes through his mind. He smiles “So you’re not planning to drag me shopping?” He slips out of bed and steps towards her. He slips an arm around her waist and purrs “And considering that you draw a lot of attention when you wear that particular dress I’m willing to bet that quite a few other men are going to want to cut into any dancing. I may have to be a bit wary. Also I’m a bit curious what you have planned after dinner and dancing? And what is in store for tomorrow?”

 

He reaches for the clothes she pulled out of the closet and starts changing. As he pulls on the shirt and starts buttoning it he says “And if I can suggest, you should wear that perfume I bought you a few months ago. I do rather like it.” He smiles mischievously as he says that.

 

"You mean that expensive stuff I should keep locked in a vault," she replied with a mischievous grin. She walked up to him and gave him a quick hug. "I wouldn't think of wearing anything else. And I'm certain you won't allow anyone to cut into our dancing."

 

She stepped away to continue dressing. "I'll let you know what's in store for you later as the evening progresses," she added coyly. "But rest assured." She glanced at him over her shoulder with a suggestive wink. "It will wipe away whatever morose mood may still be lingering around."

 

He finishes getting dressed before stepping up behind her. He kisses her bare shoulder before murmuring “I’m afraid I have an exclusive claim to your dance card. As you do mine.” He reaches past her to retrieve the diamond solitaire necklace he bought her a while back. He settles it gently around her neck then takes a second to clasp it. He stares at her reflection in the mirror for a few seconds. “I think you can be assured that your company, you wearing that dress, that perfume, dancing and whatever else you may have planned will do a good job of dealing with any morose mood lingering around. I am very aware of how lucky I am to have you.” He smiles coyly and purrs “Though some kisses later would also help. If I can be so bold...”

 

“And do you think I should wear a suit jacket with this?”

 

Deb smiled warmly and turned to face him. "A jacket would look nice," she whispered, lacing her arms around his neck. She kissed him lightly on the cheek she pulled away just far enough to gaze into his eyes. "You're not the only lucky one around here," she murmured softly. "It's important you know that." She brushed her lips against his. "And I don't see why we shouldn't start those kisses right now."

 

They held each other for several minutes adding a few lingering kisses to begin their evening. They stepped back simultaneously as though they both knew it was time to leave or else they might never make it out the door. Deb picked up her wrap as they walked out of the bedroom. This was going to be a wonderful night...for both of them....a night to add to their list of memorable evenings...