Date Night - Part I
Posted on Thu Sep 25, 2025 @ 6:29am by Civilian Geral Lasuma & Civilian Dorian Torel & Civilian Sha'rae Astare & Commodore T'mpest Michaels & Civilian Millie Draven
1,927 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
Time After Time
Location: Various
Timeline: MD21 - evening
[T'mpest's Office]
For good or ill, the day seemed to drag. There were no meetings scheduled and no one she needed to talk to. There weren't even reports to file. So, she replicated a map of the lake area for the table in her office and a number of cabins to scale so she could move them around and see what she liked best. It was more for the physical representation and to keep her mind and hands busy.
After that, she did manage to get some work done. Eventually. Uncharacteristic for her, T'mpest's thoughts kept going back to her dress and the evening ahead.
There was a knock at her door just before T'mpest was done for the day. Milly popped her head in, grinning. "Hi. Need help getting ready?"
T'mpest glanced at the dress that was hanging on the wall. "Yes. I may need help with the zipper. And to make sure my hair looks right with the dress. Traxx offered, but..."
"You were going to do it yourself," Milly finished, coming all the way in. "No problem. I am your personal secretary, after all. And I want to see Mr. Geral's face when he sees you in that dress."
T'mpest hoped he'd approve. She quickly changed out of her uniform and stored it in a cupboard to retrieve later, then slipped on the dress. There was no full-length mirror, so she turned to Milly. "How does it look?"
The dress was floor-length with one arm and shoulder bare. The side with the sleeve had a sheer cutout with a flesh-colored underlayer. It fit her perfectly.
Milly straightened the shoulder and stepped back. "Perfect. Now, what were you thinking for your hair?"
"I was thinking of pulling it back on one side and leaving it long on the other." To T'mpest, it would suit the lines of the dress.
Milly looked intently at her hair for several seconds. "Yes. That will work." She had T'mpest sit in her chair, then replicated a comb and sparking hair clip to match the dress.
When she was done, Milly stepped back. "There. Now all you need are your shoes and your Prince Charming."
T'mpest went to the small mirror in the bathroom to look. "That is perfect. Thank you."
She slipped on her shoes and took a deep breath. "Now to wait for Lasuma."
[Lasuma's Quarters]
He had his place on his yacht and in his office but his quarters on the station were much closer to where he was to pick her up, surprisingly from the station's command center. They had talked about the rumor mill and this would certainly kick it into overdrive.
His shoes were shined to a mirror finish and he smoothed his tie down his chest as he buttoned up his vest. Traxx had done a superb job. The vest was cut at an angle with a wide band down that angle that was accentuated by the open cut of the jacket.
Dorian was there and Sha'rae had insisted he bring up the sensitive subject that they all had been avoiding. Getting up as his boss walked into the room. "I actually like that better that that grey one you wore...well...before."
Lasuma looked at him, knowing what he was leading to. "Yeah, I like this one better as well. And you both don't need to dance around things. We've been together too long and through too much to mess with that nonsense."
"True, but the last time you trashed an office... well it didn't end well. Shar just doesn't want you to get hurt."
Slipping into his suit jacket. "I know, but I can't put my finger on it, but this is... different."
Walking up to his boss he moved around behind him and brush off his shoulders. "Well then, you better not keep her waiting."
Picking up the single rose with its ribbon, he left and made his way to the station's command level. Dorian following.
[Ops]
As the lift opened, he stepped out. The officers and other personnel on duty looked his way. Several looked from him to their CO's office, while others turned back to their consoles.
Millie was back at her desk, keeping an eye on the turbolift. When she saw Lasuma exit, she smiled. "She'll be right out, sir."
Then she knocked on T'mpest's door. "He's here."
Inside, T'mpest took a deep breath. This was it. She was rarely nervous, but she couldn't ignore the butterflies attacking each other in her stomach. This was definitely going to make a statement. At least she knew the team in the command center would be friendly.
She walked out the door and paused as she caught sight of Lasuma. He looked incredible. For a long moment, she just stood there.
His lips parted slightly as he looked up at her and everyone else around them faded away. She was...stunning. Walking across to her he mounted the first few steps and offered her his hand for her descent to the main level.
She kept her eyes on his as he crossed the room, almost lost in the moment. Only when he held out his hand did she blink, then put her hand in his and let him lead her down the steps.
Millie felt like a proud parent watching her daughter go to her first prom. The two of them looked perfect together. As far as she was concerned, no one looking at them could doubt the relationship was real. She took images of the two of them to document this, and to show T'mpest later.
Handing her the rose in hand. "Wow."
She smiled softly and took the rose and caressed his cheek with the petals. "You, too."
His smile widened. Stepping next to her, he offered her his arm. "Shall we?"
"Yes." She was ready for this. T'mpest took his arm, her smile growing. "Tonight is going to be memorable."
Millie stepped in front of them. "One more picture of the two of you."
Slipping behind her, he wrapped his arms around her, looking at T'mpest's secretary. He smiled for the image, breathing in the scent of her perfume and her hair.
T'mpest, in turn, wrapped her arms around his and leaned back against Lasuma. She smiled at Millie, but she was more focused on the man behind her. Part of her didn't want to move, but she knew they still had to face the gauntlet and walk through the Promenade.
"That's perfect," Millie said. "Now, stand side by side again." She took more pictures of the two. "Now, one more. Face either other."
T'mpest turned to look up at Lasuma and put her hands on his chest, the rose still in her hand. "I think I will keep one of these in my quarters to remember tonight," she said, soft enough that only he could hear her.
"Then let's make it memorable." A devilish grin spread as his grip firmed and he stepped forwards as he dipped her.
T'mpest grinned back as she wrapped her arms around his neck to hold on and straightened one leg for balance. It would, indeed, be memorable.
"That's great," Millie said, laughing at the pose. She took several images, just to be sure she had a good one. "Thank you."
Grinning, he stood, pulling T'mpest back up with him. "You're welcome." Placing a hand on the small of her back, they made their way to the lift. "Deck 142." Taking her hand as it rested on his arm, lifting and kissing it softly.
After a moment she pulled her hand away and gently caressed his cheek. "You are a very special man, Geral Lasuma." It was true. He was like no one else and made her hope for things she thought out of her reach before.
Lifting his chin slightly, "This is true."
The comment made her laugh. She put her hand back on his arm as the turbolift came to a stop and the door opened. She was not someone who sought the spotlight, but tonight, she knew it was important. She wanted a future with Lasuma and that meant letting people see them together.
Dorian had been waiting for them and bowed his head slightly to the station's commanding officer. "Good evening Ma'am. Sir, I called ahead and everything at Anatole’s is set and Mr. Anatole is waiting to greet you personally."
T'mpest smiled a greeting to Dorian in reply, but remained quiet to allow the other two to talk. While she did, she casually glanced around, noting that they'd garnered some attention.
"Excellent." Offering her his arm, he looked down the wide promenade that they would be strolling through to get to the restaurant. "Shall we?"
She slipped her arm through his and smiled. "Yes. I actually look forward to this." Not just to quash some of the rumors and start others, but to spend time with Lasuma.
As they strolled down the promenade, she could feel more and more eyes on the two of them. Most tried to be casual about it, but some just stood and stared. It reminded her of stories she read about life in a small town.
Lasuma was a known figure on the promenade and he grinned to or through an occasional wink those whose eyes made contact with his. Turning his head to look at her, "Nervous?"
She smiled up at him. "Not nervous... It is more that I feel like we are some sort of science experiment everyone wants to ogle." She was not as concerned for herself, though. She was the new commander and a lot of people were doubtless curious about her. But T'mpest was keenly aware that many of the people here knew of Lasuma's previous relationship and she didn't like the idea that their being together would bring up comparisons and conjectures about his motives.
"Well with you in that dress you are definitely turning heads, not to mention everyone being curious about the woman who help protect them from a Cardassian attack. The attention is only natural. But tonight isn't about them, is it?"
"No. Tonight is about us." And about making a statement that they were together. Once everyone stopped talking about them, she still planned on spending time with Lasuma.
"Exactly," leaning over as they walked he planted a kiss on her bare shoulder.
The kiss sent a shiver of awareness dancing down her spine. She gave his arm a hug in response. She'd gone to Lasuma's for lunch every day she was on the station, so this shouldn't be a surprise to the regulars. She chose to focus on her date and the evening ahead. As she did so, she walked with a lighter step.
As they finally arrived at Anatole’s the owner came out to greet them, arms wide. "Enchanté Madame' Michaels! Bonsoir Monsieur Geral!" Leaning in towards Lasuma, "Elle est magnifique..."
"It is a pleasure to meet you," T'mpest replied with a friendly smile.
Anatole back away, "I have the perfect tablet set for you and my Chef has been preparing all day to ensure your night is le meilleur!" There was a string quartet playing as they crossed dance floor to their table. Most everyone in the restaurant looked towards them. as they were seated at a quaint table for two. Anatole pulled out the chair for T'mpest and as she sat he removed the card that read réservé.
(To be continued...)
Commander T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5
Geral Lasuma
Owner Lasuma Enterprises
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