Unexpected Reunion [Part II]
Posted on Sun Sep 7, 2025 @ 11:20pm by Commander Cara Letsul & Civilian David Scarlet
1,805 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
Time After Time
Location: Promenade/Cara's Quarters
Timeline: MD 17 2300
Continuation
There was a small desk to the right, and a hallway leading deeper into the establishment. Cara opened doors, looked inside the rooms, noticing that there were areas that used to have bathing areas, no water was inside, all were empty. There was the last room she opened and stepped inside. It was a larger pool area, empty of water but a wooden bench was nearby and she sat down upon it just taking it all in.
Scarlet paused outside, unsure of the wisdom in following her into an area where he didn't know the layout or could reasonably find an alternative exit. He looked at the doors and winced as if he'd been slapped by an invisible force. What was he doing? Why was he afraid? He'd gone face to face with people who wanted him dead. What was it about Cara?
He gritted his teeth and held his breath as he took one halting step after the other into the empty storefront. He took in the interior, not in awe as Cara had, but as if he was expecting an ambush at any second. His own fight or flight instincts were in overdrive as he fought for every step he took.
Cara had changed her position upon the bench, laying full length upon it. Her eyes were closed, her hands folded across her stomach. Her silken dark tresses drifted downward over the edge of the bench. She was doing meditative breathing, imagining this area to be already filled with water and being able to relax.
Meditation tended to sharpen one's senses, and she picked up something dancing on the edges of her empathic senses. She didn't move from where she rested, though in the back of her mind, Cara planned on what to do if she sensed she was in danger. So far she didn't sense that.
He walked into the room slowly and stood there silently looking at her for a long moment. She looked as beautiful as ever.
"Hello Cara." The words were halting, as cautious as every other action he'd taken. Scarlet let out his breath slowly and fought to calm his nerves. "Radiant as ever."
The unexpected sound of David's voice caused Cara to sit bolt straight up; and with how quickly she turned not only her head but her body, to see David, she tumbled backwards off the bench,with a bit of a squeal.
Cara's legs draped on the bench, she being on her back on the floor, her hair covering her face. "D-David?" her voice slightly muffled by her hair.
Cara's fall broke whatever tension he was holding inside of him and Scarlet let out a small chuckle. "Radiant, and still head over heels."
He walked over to the woman and reached down to help her up. "Yes, I'm here Cara."
Helping her to her feet, Scarlet paused. He wasn't sure if he should step back or embrace her and never let go.
Without another word, Cara wrapped her arms around David, and pulled him close. Sniffling could be heard, as she buried her face into his chest. "It's you, it's really you!" she uttered, lifting her tearstained face to gaze up into his eyes, reaching upwards with her hand to caress David's cheek. "Wha-how-when?" that is when she felt her knees become a bit shaky.
"Um... I think I had better sit down." Cara's whole body trembling from her emotions. Delighted shock, feeling like she was caught in a dream, not wanting to let go of Scarlet, her knees suddenly gave way.
He felt her whole body tremble and the hesitation faded to nothing. He held her, embraced her.
"Found a ship and piloted it back." He said simply. She didn't need to know what he'd gone through to stay alive. Scarlet moved and helped her to the bench and sat next to her, his hands still holding hers. "I didn't know if I would stay. I thought I was going to leave."
He gently put his rough hand on her chin and looked into her eyes. "I'll stay if you'll have me. I want to stay."
At first there was a bewildered look in her eyes, as she searched his, and saw the truth in David's eyes. Cara almost asked him if he was certain he wished to do this, she knew though, that the man seated next to her would not have asked idly.
Softly she whispered, feeling goosebumps rise . "Yes, I want you to stay. Yes,I'll have you. I welcome you gladly."
Cara felt humbled that, David, would stay here for her. It also scared her, was the universe smiling upon her, to bring Scarlet back into her life? Will it rip him away from her? Well, for however long she gets to have him in her life, she was going to make the most of it.
"Where would you like to go from here?" Cara blushing, when she asked, feeling more steady as well.
Scarlet frowned a little as a distant look came over his face. "The million latinum question."
He refocused and brought himself back to the present and shrugged. "Honestly, I've been living moment to moment for so long I haven't considered it."
Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, Scarlet managed a slight smile. "I guess I'm going to need quarters..." He looked down at his worn outfit. "And some fresh clothes."
Cara gave a slow nod.
Still holding onto his hands, Cara feeling a little bit shy, another bit of color to her cheeks. Looking earnestly into David's eyes. "W-would you like to come to my quarters, where we can talk a bit more comfortably? We can find you some quarters and get you some clothing."
He looked around the room they were in and took stock of it before looking back at Cara. "Considering the state of the ship that brought me here, this is the lap of luxury right now."
A slight smile curled the edge of his mouth for a moment. "But yeah, let's see where they put you up here."
Scarlet stood up and held Cara's hand as she stood as well. "Lead the way, I don't think the computer here likes me."
"That definitely needs to be taken care of, I will also make certain that you have clearance to--come to my place " Cara walking out of the place of business, hand in hand with Scarlet.
Once outside Cara paused for a moment closing the outside doors and securing the lock. She ran her hand against the closed door smiling slightly.
"I think that Rudia will like this place."
Turning back towards David, a fond smile being there, Cara took his hand once more, leading him away from the place.
"Lap of luxury" Cara mused, as she glanced up into his beloved features. "Then my place will look like a room in a palace." giving a light laugh. "Honestly, I've not done much with my quarters."
==========
Cara's Quarters
==========
The door opened and Cara stepped inside there wasn't much there, just her small garden box with miniature roses, and the image of her brother Elias, upon the wall above the flowers. That was the only personal thing that was evident in the living room. The rest of it was just the pure plain, standard furnishings of Star Fleet.
She released David's hand, spreading her hands out as she stepped into the center of the quarters, turning slowly around.
"Welcome to my humble abode."
Even as she turned around to face him once more, his arms wrapped around her and pulled her in close. He stared silently into her eyes for a long moment. She was more beautiful than his memory had shown. The sparkle in her eyes were just as bright as they were on their first night together.
Scarlet leaned down, his heart racing as his lips brushed hers for the first time in forever.
Goosebumps formed when David pulled her into his arms, looking deep in his blue eyes, remembering their time together. Cara's arms went around his waist, marveling at being held close in his arms once more.
Even though they only had that one night together, she never forgot what it was like. This though was even better than her memory, this was the present. The here and now.
When his lips touched hers, Cara ran her fingers through his hair deepening the kiss, her heart pounding with excitement. She didn't want to let go, she just wanted to live in the moment, right now just him, and her alone.
He broke their kiss for a moment and managed to coarsely whisper. "I've missed you so much."
His hungry kiss found her once again as his arms held her tightly, as if she were the only thing keeping him anchored. Scarlet could feel her warmth against him and he felt calm. His indecision, his hesitation seemed strange and absurd to him now. He'd been searching for a safe harbour and he had that and so much more with the woman he held in his arms.
His kisses were a healing balm to her heart, her soul. They were so sublime, she felt like she was going to melt. The feeling of being out of balance, lost in limbo was fading away because of him.
She gently broke this kiss, only for a moment.
"I too have missed you." a catch in her voice, fighting back the tears once more. Her lips sought his, her hand sliding beneath his shirt, towards the back, wanting more contact.
When she felt the warmth of his flesh beneath her hand, Cara hesitated. Was she moving too fast?
Cara broke the kiss to look into David's eyes, with a questioning gaze, not removing her hand. Do they stop here or continue?
His arm moved lower and then pulled Cara up into his arms, her blue dress draping over his arm and revealing one of her shapely legs. Scarlet took a step forward with her in his arms when he realized his mistake.
"I... I don't actually know where anything is in your quarters." The man said with a sigh and then a chuckle. "Mind pointing the way?"
A soft chuckle from Cara, her skin prickling up from David sweeping her off her feet, one arm was loosely draped around his neck, the other pointed the way. Good heavens how fast her heart was beating, the strength of him.
"Down the hallway, and to the left, that is where my bedroom is."
Cara gave out a gasp then a warm chuckle as David carried her in that direction. What happens tomorrow one can only guess. It didn't matter, only tonight mattered, a wonderful unexpected reunion, with David.
Commander Cara Letsul
Executive Officer
Deep Space 5
David Scarlet
Civilian
DS5
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