Tea Time After Dark
Posted on Fri Oct 3, 2025 @ 6:20am by Civilian Gertrude Helsing & Civilian Florence Cooke & Civilian Beatrice Weatherford & Civilian Henrietta Barton
1,172 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Time After Time
Location: Tea Time Studio, after Tea Time: Love Is In the Air
Timeline: MD22 - afternoon
After Colonel Means left, the recording lights and equipment turned off, and the studio tidied up, the four ladies sat back at the table with another round of tea and treats to talk about how the broadcast went.
Gertie took a sip of her cinnamon tea. "I can't believe that nice young man has been on the station this long without finding a lovely girl to spend time with."
"Sorry Florie, you are not in the running where Colonel Means is concerned." Henrietta stated rather firmly. "As much as I know you would love to be." her expression softening.
"Poor boy, wouldn't be able to keep up with me." Florie said with a cheeky smile.
Henrietta who had just raised her cup to her lips, inhaled her tea choking due to laughing. She spluttered and grabbed a napkin. gasping out "Timing"
"Is everything," Gertie added, completing the quote. "I wonder why he hasn't gone out with anyone recently? Has he been too busy, or is he too picky?"
"Well, I'm betting on too busy. What with the attack and the after math, the new troops he's said he's got coming, overseeing the construction of the base; I'm surprised he found the time to do the show. And with the way he schmoozed and all of us...We'll probably have to tie Florie to her chair at the ball."
"Or help him get a date." Gertie smiled at Florie. "No offense meant, dearie. He does seem to think you're sweet, but he needs a woman more his own age--and there are a number of lovely ladies that recently arrived. He may not even know they're here."
"So, we're going to become match makers?" Florie said, the last words coming out like curses. "Way to break harmful stereotypes, Ladies." She added sarcastically.
Henrietta raised an eyebrow at Florie, bristling a little bit. "You know Florie, there are times when there needs to be some help given, and yes there are matchmaking services available. Back in the day there used to be lunchbox socials which not only raised money for the community but also at times it went forward into matchmaking and matrimony. And is it truly harmful stereotype, of grannies wanting to help someone out. We're not setting him up on a date, just giving a list and there maybe others that we don't have access either."
She gave out an unladylike snort before drinking some tea, lowering her cup Henrietta added. "I met my Horatio due to someone pointing him out to me, and I did have a list as well from the matchmaking service online but that didn't work out too well. It was a friend in the end, an older woman who pointed me in his direction. I didn't wait for him to ask me, I went and sought him out. We're not doing match making its more of suggestions for a date for the Marine Ball. Pfftt never you mind. I am done talking now." picking up a tart and taking a bite of it, being just a little bit steamed at Florie's comment.
Beatrice looked from one to the other. "Now now...both of you please get your knicker out of a twist. He may have been gentlemanly and even playful during the show but we all know none of us are going to catch his eye in that way so just get over it. As the 'stereo-types'....match-matching has been a time honored tradition in many cultures and many races for centuries."
She paused, smiling. "We only have just over a month before the ball so there is a lot to do. We all need to get dresses, get our hair done, and make sure we have a broadcast area set up. So, while we that; who do we wanna try to hook him up with?"
"A month? That gives me three and a half weeks before I have to even think of a dress," Gertie countered. "I plan to eat a delightful dinner, listen to some lively conversation, and watch everyone dance. Now, I do want to find out who will be doing the setup so we can have the best spot to talk about who is with whom and what they are wearing..." Gertie grabbed a scone and put clotted cream and jam on top before continuing. "Yes, we should at least make a list for the colonel. We can do the preliminary work for him since he's so busy and all."
Another drink of her tea, Henrietta thought for a moment or two. "Well, it depends on their age, his age as in-43 and under. Civilians: There is the Bajoran Ambassador, Rebec Zolan, I mean that they don't have to be serving as part of the Federation. Would there be an age limit, as to just how young they are? What do you think? At the very least maybe 10 years younger? Maybe?"
"I will supervise things, to make sure no one gets hurt." Florie said.
Beatrice shook her head. "Ohhhh no. You're the one the Colonel makes you too randy."
Henrietta just stared at Florie for a moment or two. "Look, I am not planning on anyone getting hurt. I was just putting some age boundaries that is all. And he can just look at us and say no. That is all. I can understand your worry though Florie."
She went quiet, taking another tart and nibbling at the gooseberry, then looked at the roses that Means had given to her. The young man was rather lovely and kind.
"Why exclude the younger ladies on the station. You heard how focused on the well-being of his Marines and we all saw how he treated us. If some young lady wants a shot why not give her a shot." Beatrice remarked.
Henrietta gave a nod. "You have a point, and sure why not. And maybe he will find someone on his own." she looked around, "You know ladies I think I am going to call it for the night. And put these in water. Would hate for them to wilt too soon." She drew in a slight breath and rose from her chair. "Good night ladies." cradling her roses, Henrietta made her exit. Horatio was coming to her thoughts more tonight, and she needed to think of their life together, and the fun they had.
Beatrice's eyes followed Henrietta, "Poor gal."
"We're not going to match him with anyone," Gertie said. "Just see who might be possible in case he needs help. But that can wait as we have plenty of time. And it looks like Henrietta is done with the conversation."
"Well, if we find someone that is a match...". She trailed off shrugging, an innocent expression on her face.
"Exactly," Gertie said, smiling benignly. "Because sometimes, it takes a matchmaker."
A post by
Henrietta Bancroft
Not so tart and not a Queen.
Gertrude "Gertie" Helsing
Cat Herder
Deep Space 5
Florence Cooke
Cookie target
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Beatrice Weatherford
Matchmaker Extraordinaire
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