Tea Time - Love Is In the Air - Part I

Posted on Sat Sep 27, 2025 @ 3:28am by Civilian Gertrude Helsing & Colonel Nicholas Means III & Civilian Florence Cooke & Civilian Beatrice Weatherford & Civilian Henrietta Barton

1,327 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Location: Promenade
Timeline: MD22 - afternoon

One week later, the four ladies were again gathered around the table, mics on and ready to gossip about another week on Deep Space 5.

"So," Gertie said, putting her bag on the side table so she could start putting out the desserts. "What do you want to talk about today?"

"How about that hunk of a Marine, Colonel Means, If I were 20 years younger, you wouldn't be able to keep me off him." Florie said with a cheeky smile.

Beatrice shook her head and her tea stopped as she lifted her tea cup, rolling her eyes. "Calm yourself, you're jumpier than a virgin at a prison rodeo."

"Can't blame Florie as she does know quality" Henrietta giving a bit of a teasing smile towards the woman mentioned. "Now we get to see him up close and in the flesh. With clothing on, sorry Florie." pulling out her tarts and placing them upon a tray. "I did bring a selection of tarts, this time to give others more of a choice. I did bring some gooseberry tarts."

"Florie, you'd need to be at least thirty years younger to interest someone like the colonel. He is coming here to talk about the new Marine base, not to pick up a granny." Gertie frowned at her friend. "Now, what else do we have to talk about today? Any new couples on the station? Besides the commander and the commodore, that is."

Even though they weren't transmitting, Means could see and hear what was going on and dropped his face into his hand shaking his head.

"Well speaking of the Commander. I have evidence that she was seen walking hand in hand with someone who wasn't Colonel Means. I don't know the man who was with her, so she has a mystery man in her life. Hmmnn could her theme song be oh sweet mystery of life at last I found you.? " Henrietta giving a smile. "She was smiling at him." she pulled out a small folder to show the others the images. "I have no clue as to his name but he is handsome."

Gertie pretended to fan herself. "That girl does get around. First, flirting with Colonel Means, now this mystery man. At least we have pictures." She paused and pushed a button on her PADD. "And speaking of couples, I've received no less than 100 images of Commodore Michaels with Geral Lasuma. I must say, they do make a lovely couple."

'Okay. Love in the air and a special guest. Ready?" She looked at the other three, checked the clock, and began a five-finger countdown. "Five, four three, two, one. Welcome to Tea Time where we spill all the latest gossip about what's hot. Today's episode is brought to you by the Evil Librarian Bookshop for all the books your heart desires. And speaking of hot, we have updates to share and sightings of a mystery man for Commander Letsul. But first, before we get into the good part, have you all seen the images of Geral Lasuma and Commodore Michaels? They walked down the promenade in their finest clothes, had appetizers at Antoine's, then went to a holosuite at the Box of Delights. I hear it was quite romantic. They have definitely become the couple to watch..."

"Oh my heavens, their outfits were divine, tailored by, Traxx, Lasuma's personal tailor." Henrietta gave a chef's kiss. "It does my heart good to see the blossoming of a relationship between them." the woman just beaming.

Beatrice added a sugar cube in her tea, "Yes and the word is he sent her seven outfits to choose from too. Custom clothing, gourmet dining, personal ship...But did everyone see the video of them dancing?"

"Oh yes the grace, and they danced so well." Henrietta clasping her hands together with stars in her eyes. "They were looking deeply into each other’s eyes. It was as if nothing else mattered."

"She's been spotting lunching at Lasuma's every day, too," Gertie said. "It does my heart good to see them both look so happy. But there's more gossip on the heart front." She paused to let one of the other ladies take it from there.

"Well, there is someone who Commander Letsul is seeing, however.... I would rather concentrate on the budding romance of Lasuma and the Commodore. " Henrietta putting the images back into her folder. From the very few photos that had been gotten, it seemed that Letsul knew how to avoid her pictures being taken when she didn't want it to happen.

"Agreed. I really hope things work out for Lasuma, considering what happened..."

Gertie nodded. "Oh, yes. It's lovely to see." She looked around at the other three. "I hear the new chief science officer has been seeing a young lady. It makes my heart happy to see young folk having fun now that the business with Ambassador Turvan is over."

"Oh my yes, I do hope that we do not speak of that horrid man anymore." Henrietta taking a bite of her tart. "Has anyone here met the Chief Counselor for this station? I haven't yet, but I have seen her walking about the promenade."

"I haven't met her, but I've hear she loves to people watch," Gertie replied. "In fact, she's been known to wander around the promenade just to watch people. I think she's studying some sort of behavior, but I'm not sure what."

Henrietta hmmnned, "I may have to go meet her sometime. She sounds intriguing. Perhaps she'd be willing to discuss her perceptions on people watching." eating the last bite of her tart, then picking up her teacup.

tag: Comments, then T'lul and anyone else?

"Now it's time to introduce our special guest. He's a favorite around here and he's come to talk about all the changes going on with the Marines. We're very happy to welcome, Colonel Nicholas Means."

Having watched the preshow banter, he replicated a surprise for each as he grinned. Walking onto the set, "Good afternoon Ladies". Moving from one to the next, he handed them each two roses, intentionally leaving Florie for last. The empty chair in the middle was obviously for him but that put Beatrice between him and Florie and he wanted to tease. Instead of taking his seat he moved off camera, grabbing a crate and setting it right next to Florie, draping his arm along the back of her chair. Looking to her, as he handed her her set of roses, "You good?"

"I'm better than good, Love." She replied and gave him a wink.

Leaning in closer. "Alright she said she's good. Let's do this."

Gertie rolled her eyes, but she was secretly pleased. the flowers were lovely and Florie would be talking about this for weeks. "Welcome colonel. As you see, your reputation precedes you." She did appreciate the flowers. And, although she wouldn't admit it, she appreciated the way the colonel handled Florie and her infatuation. "We've been following your progress with the Marine base on Pangaea. Would you care to tell us how that came about?"

"Well actually we all have Turvan to thank for that," Beatrice said.

Henrietta was greatly surprised when she received the roses from Colonel Means. She turned to one side, pulling out a handkerchief of blue, dabbing at her eyes, she was rather touched by the gesture. Reminded her of her Horatio, and his simple gestures of showing his love for her. She mouthed to Means. 'Thank you'

He nodded to her.

At Beatrice's comment Henrietta gave her a questioning look. "What do you mean by, we have Turvan to thank for what is happening?" then looked towards Colonel Means.

"Colonel, why would or should we thank Turvan?" Henrietta carefully cradling the roses in her hands.

(To be continued...)

Henrietta Barton
Self-Proclaimed Queen of Tarts
Deep Space Five

Gertrude Helsing
Nerf Herder
Deep Space 5

Beatrice "Bullseye" Weatherford
Deep Space 5

Colonel Nicholas "Smooth Operator" Means III
21st MEU CO

 

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