Marine Ball - Part 8

Posted on Sat Mar 14, 2026 @ 12:24am by Commodore T'mpest Michaels & Lieutenant Commander Alanna Wells & Civilian Gertrude Helsing & Colonel Nicholas Means III & Lieutenant Commander Jason Haines & Sergeant Trent Busby & Sergeant Reva McIntyre & Civilian Geral Lasuma & Civilian Dorian Torel & Civilian Beatrice Weatherford & Civilian Henrietta Barton

1,812 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Chicken Run
Location: Cargo Bays

[PREVIOUSLY]

The pause in the music had caused a bit of confusion and people began to leave the floor. Crossing to the other side Lasuma began to removed his jacket, hanging it over his shoulder as he looked at T'mpest, waiting.

[CONTINUED]


As soon as the music paused, Gertie looked up from her table. Then she grabbed one of the cameras and pointed it at the dance floor. Something was happening and she wasn't about to miss it.

Beatrice, too, looked questioning but while everyone left the dance floor the stations key couple was taking the floor. She only hoped that they were about to see some the dancing that they had heard only about.

Henrietta looked at Trent. "I'd like to stay for this performance. This is quite interesting."

Trent sat down he was interested in the dance as well.

Henrietta commented to Gertie, "Isn't she beautiful and he is so handsome." Giving a dreamy sigh. Something caught her attention. "Oh look, Gertie, the camera crew has added drones to capture the moments and highlights of this event. How clever, and fortuitous."

Jason watched the Commodore with one eye as he scanned for Alanna with the other eye. Lasuma and T'mpest were acting in a way that made a bodyguard's life hell. He felt so bad for being late as his scan for Alanna was coming up short. He had been diverted due some odd intelligence report and a brief visit from George letting him know that something up was in Fae land. He didn't know what, nor who was causing, but he had made the effort to come, so Jason would believe him.

Alanna had gone to have a look at the desserts, but quickly returned to Jason's side when she heard the change in music. "Oh! They're going to dance a Tango." Then, picking up on Jason's emotions, she slipped her arm through his and added, sotto voce, "At least it's better than an argument on the Promenade."

"True. They better not screw it up, lots can go wrong with the tango", Jason said, smirking. "When I first tried it in Academy I slipped and dropped my partner. She sprained her ankle really bad."

Alanna chuckled. "Good thing no one else is dancing. I'll settle for a waltz with you. That's daring enough."

"I'm sorry for being so late", he said. "You know, I remember the first time we went dancing with Brianthe and her date. I hope I don't get thrown out of the bathroom by a Nausicaan like I did then."

"I think you're safe for tonight. And Bri is staying in the arboretum in case any of the Marines get drunk and decide to move the celebration there."

"Well, we'll let the youngsters play", he said with a smile.


** music of the Santa Maria Tango **

T'mpest made a circle with one foot, then began to walk fluidly across the floor, toe first, her hips swaying with the music. Just before she reached Lasuma, she spun around and took the jacket off his shoulder, tossing it over a nearby chair.

Beatrice's eyes widened in anticipation and her heart began to beat faster. Looking to Gertie, "That's no waltz..."

Gertie practically bounced in her seat, glad the camera didn't giggle. "No, it isn't. It's a Tango."

His arm was at her side as they circled each other. Spinning her to him they came together and he stared into her eyes and they both felt the last clasp come free, only his hand held it in place.

When she spun away her outer gown peeled away revealing her black dress underneath. As he caught her outstretched hand his arm shot out tossing the dress over the chair behind him with his jacket.

Gertrude gasped, then covered her mouth so she wouldn't giggle out loud.

Traxx was giddy with excitement as he watched the reason for his creation.

Without missing a beat, Lasuma caught her by her waist as they spun back together and each seemed to drop as they shot a leg back behind them.

It was a dance of wills and a dance of seduction. Neither of them paid much attention to their audience as they focused on the performance. T'mpest rose and circled Lasuma, tossing her hair back as she ran her fingers down his cheek, then turned away.

As they popped back together the pair spun across the floor as one and he dipped her backwards, pulling her up slowly.

Means watched, one arm over the other as he pulled his cigar from his mouth. Thinking to himself, ~I'm gonna have to up my game...~

For a moment they froze, gazing intently at each other. The music changed tempo and she danced around him in a staccato figure eight.

When she was again in front of him, she coiled one leg around his.

He had thought she was going to get too provocative, being the stations CO and all. As they separated he pulled her back towards him in a series of tight spins. Dipping her sharply backwards towards him

Means' eyebrow shot up at the move.

Beatrice was fanning herself. "Oh my."

When he lifted her up and she stepped away he took her by her hips, pulling her body sharply against his, his hand moving down her side slowly and over her abdomen as he lowered his face along her neck.

T'mpest heard a few gasps at the move. It was just a dance. Mostly. She tossed her hair back haughtily and pushed him away so she could turn and walk off, her hips swaying saucily to the music.

Lunging out he caught her arm and pulled her back. She spun towards him. Wrapping his arm around her, they took long strides back, their bodies never separating even as he bent her back in sweeping dip before lifting her back to him.

They stood like that for several beats, then T'mpest made another circle on the floor with her right foot and flicked it forward and let go of his hand and spun back to Lasuma, pressing herself against his chest as one hand touched his cheek and her face lifted to his.

They were face to face, glistening while they stared at each other. Running his hand along her arm, across her cheek and neck and down the edge of her body, she spun away and they caught each other's hands at arm’s length.

His right side was turned towards T'mpest. As she returned, he lifted her as she folded her legs beneath her as she landed on his hip. With a flourish he twisted, squatting, his right leg extended back as he dipped her to the floor, staring down at her.

(Note...the dance was inspired by the Tango scene in Take the Lead)

They held the pose until the music ended and the lights went out. Then T'mpest let him help her up. After that demonstration, she just wanted to go to Lasuma's yacht and stay out of sight for the rest of the evening--barring any problems. "Let's go," she whispered.

When the lights came back on, the two walked off the dance floor, arm in arm. They paused long enough to pick up Lasuma's jacket and T'mpest's dress before continuing through the cargo bay and out the door.

Beatrice fanned herself as their crew signaled to them that they were back on camera. Looking to Gertie then back at the camera. "Well...that's something you don't see from Starfleet every day."

"That...was..." Gertie shook her head. "Hot. I heard those two could dance, but the chemistry..." She grinned at the camera. "It's our own real life love story and I can't wait to see what happens next."

"So very true. It is so unusual for a Starfleet officer to put on such a... public display. Don't you think"

"I see nothing wrong with that happening." Henrietta answering Gertie. "She is being brave, acknowledging that they are together. I think it is pish posh that there seems to be strictures being placed upon the command team."

Glancing back at the tables as the station gossip channel swung into full speed at they reacted to the show and speculated as to the pair’s destination, Colonel Means finished his drink and moved off to get another.

On the way out, the commodore paused by Jason and Alanna. "Stay here and enjoy. We're going to the yacht for the rest of the evening, so consider yourself off-duty."

Leaning in towards the Marine he had spent most of the evening with while remaining observant Dorian leaned in and gave her green cheek a peck. "Duty calls."

She grabbed him before he could get away, whispering, "Can you move like your boss?"

He grinned, running a single finger under her chin. "Better. Who do you think taught him. Come by the hanger bay in about an hour and I'll show." After giving her a one-eyed wink Dorian fell in behind Lasuma and the station's commanding officer.

Jason led Alanna out onto the floor for her waltz. Even if the music didn't fit for a waltz, he would make it work. He had been dancing since he was eleven, which had been a requirement for his dad to teach him martial arts as the balance, tempo, and music flow easily translated into martial arts.

She didn't mind that it wasn't technically waltz music. the beat was close enough, and Jason made it work. Plus, it had been a long time since they'd danced together and Alanna was going to make the most of this opportunity. Her eyes were focused on her partner's and she barely noticed the other couples joining them on the dance floor.

Alanna could feel the frustration rolling of Jason as they danced.

"That woman is going to be the death of me", Jason said. "and Starfleet will blame me for it."

Alanna chuckled. "At least it's not a shouting match in the middle of the promenade. I bet most of the people they pass will have seen the dance, so I doubt they'll get into trouble on the way to Geral's yacht. Besides, I saw his bodyguard leave right after." She rubbed his shoulder with her hand. "The commodore told you to dance. So, for tonight at least, you're mine. Tomorrow you can deal with the headache."

(To be continued...)

Geral Lasuma
Owner Lasuma Enterprises
President DS5 Merchant's Association

Beatrice Weatherford
Tea Time Co-Host
Deep Space 5

Civilian Henrietta Bancroft
Teatime Lady
Deep Space 5

Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5

Sergeant Trent Busby
Marine

Lieutenant Commander Jason Haines
Bodyguard
 
Lieutenant Commander Alanna Wells
Director of Science, Exploration, and Archaeology
Pangaea
 
Traxx
Tailor
Lasuma Enterprises

Colonel Nicholas Means
MCO - 21st MEU

Dorian Torel
Bodyguards/Henchman to Geral Lasuma
  
Sergeant Reva McIntyre
Marine Corpsman

Deep Space 5

 

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