It's Just Coffee

Posted on Sun Aug 21st, 2022 @ 3:09pm by Lieutenant Adora (Addie) Hart & Lieutenant Commander Henry Castle

Mission: Season Two - Incidentals
Timeline: Prior to arrival at Odraclite

ON

The walk back to her quarters had passed far too quickly for her liking. Addie had found herself thoroughly enjoying the conversation with Henry, talking about the ship in general. It was only once they got to her quarters that she let go of his arm, hesitating before she looked up at him. "Would you like to come in for a coffee?" she asked. "The replicator makes a passable coffee, or if you'd prefer I actually have real coffee beans?"

Henry looked down into her blue eyes. "Only if you genuinely want me to." He answered with a smile. "I don't want you to feel you have to offer, out of some social expectation. If you are genuinely wanting me to come in for coffee, I would love to." He didn't want to start a new assignment by mistaking politeness for interest.

Addie smiled as the doors opened behind her. "I would genuinely like for you to join me for a cup of coffee," she replied, stepping through her doors and then stepping to the side to allow him to enter.

Her quarters were neatly decorated. A dresser stood inside the door covered in photos of various individuals, Addie herself featuring in some. The couch had been turned so it faced the large windows on the bulkhead, a coffee table between the couch and the wall with a small pot of succulent flowers sitting in the center. Even the framed prints hanging on the wall seemed themed to each other. Nothing seemed out of place or untidy, everything just seemed to echo another small part of Addie's personality.

She slid her sandals off, dropping them in a basket next to the dresser and then shrugged out of her jacket, folding it neatly and putting it in a dresser drawer. "Do you prefer fresh coffee?" she asked as she padded barefoot toward the kitchen. "Make yourself at home," she added, motioning toward the couch.

"If it's not too much hassle, fresh would be lovely." Henry answered, as he slid his own shoes off, following her lead, leaving them next to the door. He made his way through her quarters, admiring the decor. "I love the art. Did you bring them with you?"

Addie poured fresh coffee beans into the grinder and set it to work before turning back to face him. "Actually, they're mine," she admitted shyly. "One of the things I studied in medical school was alternative therapies and how to use other mediums as a way to deal with stresses. I found I really enjoyed art."

As the beans finished, she poured them into the coffee pot with boiling water and let it steep. "Those are just some that have more meaning than others I've done."

"I have never been able to pull it off myself, but I know when I like something, and I do like a lot of these." He turned from the framed pieces to look at her, a warmth filling his expression. "You are very talented, Addie."

Taking the two mugs of coffee, Addie walked across the room and gave one to him. "That's from the top of the mountain near where I grew up, looking down over the bay. It was one of my favourite places to hide when I was a kid."

He took one of the mugs from her, their fingers brushing for but a second. "Thank you." He said, inhaling the aroma, and closing his eyes for a moment. "A replicator is fine... but nothing beats 'real' coffee."

Addie laughed softly. "I know what you mean, my morning can't start until I've had coffee and a shower, preferably in that order. I need the coffee to wake me up enough to operate the shower." She sank down onto the couch and motioned for him to join her, shifting so her back was against the arm rest of the couch and she could face him. "I managed to get a decent supply before I came across from the Alpha Quadrant with Captain Taggart, I use it very sparingly."

Henry sat on the couch, resting an arm on the back rest, and leaning back to regard her. At her words, he looked at his mug, and a small blush crept into his cheeks. "Sparingly you say?" He asked, wondering why he was that special. After all, they had only just met.

"Well, I certainly wouldn't tell everyone on the ship I have real coffee," she said with a laugh. "I'd come home from duty shift tomorrow and my quarters would be trashed and all my coffee would be gone!"

Henry had to chuckle at that. "You are right. Sometimes I wonder if Starfleet should make the production of coffee a requirement on planets." His smiled slipped for just a moment, as he tried to figure out how to ask the next question. "I really do appreciate you sharing it with me. Thank you." He gave up trying to find the words for 'why share it with me?'.

"So, Engineering?" She asked curiously. "That must be interesting. I love the warp core, it's so pretty the way it shimmers and shines." She smiled warmly before taking a sip of her coffee. "It must be fun to work with it every day."

A grin lit up his face. "Engineering is always fun, with or without a Warp Core. Though I must admit, since coming onboard, I have re-found my love for the Core. Would you like a tour around Main Engineering some time?"

"Oh, I'd love it!" Addie exclaimed. "Though, I mean, I don't know if there's really much in Engineering that could be as captivating as the warp core." She laughed softly. "You know how at the Academy, in basic training in the first year everyone has to do that silly crash course in Engineering? I failed... I kept getting distracted by the warp core and stopping to watch it."

Henry had to laugh, not at her, but the idea of the situation. "I failed my basic med course." He elaborated. "Medicine is not something I'm destined for a career in." He shifted on the sofa, crossing his legs as he leaned back into the corner. "But seriously, just let me know whenever you'd love to come have a tour. I'm sure there will be at least one thing as captivating as the Warp Core."

Addie smiled, holding the coffee cup to her lips as she watched him for a moment before taking a sip. "Did you always want to be an engineer?" she asked curiously.

"From about my early teens." Henry confirmed with a nod. "I always wanted to figure things out. When I was a kid, I was always trying to take apart those supposedly indestructible toys, to see how they worked." He smiled at the memory. "Drove my Dad mad when I did that. It was in my teens I fully settled into my love of things mechanical."

Holding her mug to her lips, Addie watched him as he spoke. There was a certain way his face lit up when he talked about Engineering, his excitement and passion for his position was clear. "One of my brothers was the same as a child, he kept pulling things apart to see how they worked, usually my stuff."

Henry wrinkled his nose at that idea. "Must be a brother thing. I only ever took my stuff apart." He lifted his mug, and stopped, realising it was already empty. A small smile plated across his face. It wasn't often - rare, in fact - that something outside of work could distract him that much. He held the mug in both hands as he regarded her for a moment. "Has anyone ever told you how easy it is to get lost in a conversation with you?" It was meant as a compliment.

There was a soft laugh. "People rarely enjoy talking to a counselor," Addie's nose wrinkled slightly. "So I can honestly say, no, no one has ever told me that."

His laugh was a soft chuckle. "I didn't even know you were the Counsellor. Truly, you are a delight to converse with."

"Let's see if you say that when you're due for a mandatory psych evaluation," Addie teased. "That's usually when most people clam up and tell me how awkward it is being stuck in the same room as me."

"I could very easily enjoy being stuck in a room with you. At least the conversation would be enjoyable." Henry gave her a charming smile. "And hey, it would sure beat being given a psych eval by one of the Intelligence types."

Addie laughed. "In that case, feel sorry for me when mine comes up, guess who I get stuck with." She lapsed into silence, sipping on her coffee, watching him. There was something about him, something about the sparkle in his eyes that drew her in. He exuded warmth and his presence was definitely comforting. "So, when you aren't talking to strange girls in the mess hall, what do you do for fun?"

"Well." Henry began. "We have already covered my love of jigsaw puzzles, and brewing coffee." He held up the mug, as a sign of appreciation. "For more outdoor things, I enjoy horse riding. Getting lost on old horse trails, finding unusual points of interest, and little elements of nature."

"I haven't been riding in years," she murmured wistfully over top of her mug before adding a sigh. "I just never seem to make the time. Maybe you'd like to join me on the holodeck one day? It's always more enjoyable if you've got someone to ride with... I mean..." She sighed and shook her head, not bothering to try and correct her wording. "That is, if you want to of course. Feel free to say no!"

"Addie, it would be an absolute pleasure to go horse riding with you some time." Henry replied with a genuine, broad grin. "Do you have any particular places, or may I select something from my own collection?"

"I have a favourite trail I used to ride, it was a simulation made from when I was younger and used to ride all the time... but I'd absolutely love to see one of your favourite places," she replied with a smile. "It just gives me the chance to reciprocate with a second holodeck trip."

"All right." Henry nodded in agreement. "I'll set something up, and let you know ahead, so you can plan your appointments." He was genuinely excited to find someone who enjoyed it as much as he. The proposal to set some decent horse trails on Tabula had been met with apathy, and the idea had died, less from being cast down, and more from just no one caring.

She rested her head against the back of the couch, watching him with a smile on her face. "I can't wait," she responded genuinely. "Maybe if there's somewhere suitable we could pack a picnic and stop for lunch?"

Henry nodded, thoughtfully. "I can pull something off." His grin came into full effect. "I'm excited."

"So am I," Addie replied genuinely. "So am I."

Henry rose to his feet. Crossing to her side of the sofa, he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on the woman's cheek. "Until next time, Addie."

The kiss caught her by surprise. Instinctively she touched her hand to her cheek and smiled to herself. "Be safe," she said softly, watching him as he moved away from her.

With that, the Engineer set his mug in the kitchen area, and headed for the door. "I intend to. Got a picnic date."


OFF

Lieutenant Henry Castle
Chief Engineer

Lieutenant Addie Hart
Counselor