Marine Ball - Part 9
Posted on Sat Mar 14, 2026 @ 1:03am by Lieutenant Commander Alanna Wells & Civilian Gertrude Helsing & Colonel Nicholas Means III & Lieutenant Commander Jason Haines & Lieutenant Carissa Holmes & Lieutenant JG Ace Cannon & Sergeant Trent Busby & Corporal Annemieke Rademaker & Civilian Beatrice Weatherford & Civilian Henrietta Barton
1,879 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission: Chicken Run
[PREVIOUSLY]
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."
[CONTINUED]
Jason chuckled and said, "Hold on for a moment and then I am all yours."
He tapped his combadge three times, which he had setup to contact his team.
"Knight one to knight two."
"Two here", came the reply.
"Hansel and Gretel are leaving the gingerbread house. Follow discretely, it's date night."
"Acknowledged", came the response.
Jason then looked at Alanna and asked next, "So, what's next, a cha-cha?"
"Whatever you want," she replied, smiling. "I don't know what the band will be playing, or how long you want to dance. So, for tonight, it's all up to you." Alanna got her dance, and as long as she didn't have to run off, she had no preference as to how they spent the rest of the evening.
"All up to me?", Jason replied with a smirk as he just moved gently to the song that was playing. "That could get you into all sorts of trouble."
Grinning, she replied, "As long as you're there with me, I'm good."
"Well then", he said with a boyish grin. "Let's go grab a bottle of wine from the bar and go dance on the beach."
A slow smile spread across Alanna's face. "That sounds perfect. Let's go."
Carissa had made her way to the bar, nursing a drink while she watched the Commodore and Lasuma dance. When the dance had ended, she had finished the drink after making a silent toast towards the couple. Turning back to order another drink, "Whiskey please." she asked, once the drink was poured, she lifted it up to her lips, getting ready to have her first sip, when she caught sight of Colonel Means.
The glass lowered, as she watched him approach, "Nice to see you again, Nick." giving a soft smile.
"Evening..." Setting his own glass on the counter, "Pappy 25". "How are you tonight? Enjoying yourself?"
"Well, it’s been nice so far but--I would like to take a spin upon the dance floor. How about it, Nick? Care to dance with me? Would you dance with me?" her glass finishing its journey to where she drank the dark amber colored alcohol savoring its flavor.
His own drink was placed on the temp bar as he looked at her grinning. Picking it up he stepped back turning his side to her and offered her his arm. "I would be honored...if you think you can keep up."
A delighted chuckle accompanied a beaming smile. "A challenge?" Carissa gracefully taking the offered arm. "Challenge accepted." Following his lead, out to the dance floor.
When they stepped onto the floor the band began to play 'in the Air tonight'- She looked quizzically towards the band, gave a slight shrug, turning her attention towards Means.
As the drums began their beat, Carissa released her hold upon Means arm starting swaying in time to the music taking a step or two then gave a turn the skirt of her dress flaring out, she faced Means giving a smile.
Returning her smile he too moved with the music and slid to the side as the drum solo lead into the vocals, popping into a spin of his own.
Carissa watched his spin, and his footwork with a faint smile. Moving towards him almost seeming to just float along the floor to where she was in front of him. Her arms outstretched, offering her hands to him.
Taking her hands, he spread their arms wide and they came together, side to side he dropped one arm around her waist lifting her and spinning them both.
Feeling Nick's strong arm about her waist, being lifted from the floor, with a smooth motion. It was exhilarating, Carissa felt her heart flutter.
Carissa had placed an arm around the back of his neck, smiling, to add to the support to keep Means from taking all of her weight. In the back of her mind, the diplomat was worried. Means was someone she could fall for, and perhaps she was. A faint blush coloring her cheeks.
As the music ended Means slowly lowered her down his side. Even in the darkened light he could see her blushing, he smiled with his eyes. No sooner had they parted, the next song began with a simple piano intro and a grin formed as hand he stepped closer as the timeless piece began. His hands wrapped around her waist as the lyrics of 'Hello' began and Means looked down at her.
The color in her cheeks darkened, Carissa smiling upwards, her heart pounding more. She didn't pull away, her hands went to his waist, Oh yes the man was dangerous, but she wasn't going to run away.
They moved together, around their area of the dance floor, as the song played. He could tell she had gotten nervous but she had asked him to dance in the first place. Whispering, "You ok? Where that confidence you had when you asked me to dance?"
"Well, it’s here somewhere." she chuckled. "And does a woman want to reveal her secrets?" Carissa asked teasingly. "Your dancing took my breath away." did she really want to tell him that he took her breath away?
He smiled. "Well, I love secrets, but ahh...if a dance takes your breath away, I'd better be careful huh?"
"it is more of the thrill, the excitement, I've not danced with someone of your skill in quite some time." Her cheeks cooling down, as Carissa let herself enjoy this dance and music.
"Just the dancing?" Clapping himself on the chest, "You wound me."
Carissa's eyes widened, her cheeks heating up once more. "No-No I didn't mean it that way." a slight playful huff, "Just... oh..." so flustered she went quiet and concentrated on the dancing.
The crew was finishing packing up, but Beatrice looked across the room as she took another bite of the cake. Swallowing before she had fished chewing she elbowed Gertie. "Look."
Gertie grinned as she took another piece of cake. "Love is definitely in the air."
They continued to sway and as the song and as the song drew to a close he gave her a gentle dip. Pulling her up slowly with the last notes of the music.
Her eyes were sparking, her face all aglow. "I would love to do more dancing with you, Nick. You are an exquisite dancer." Carissa reaching up to caress his cheek, then lifted up on her tiptoes to place a kiss upon the corner of his mouth.
Henrietta caught a glimpse of what Carissa had done, placing her hand over her mouth. "Oh my-what is this I am seeing?"
Means retuned the kiss but let her go. He had been tempted to catch her hand and pull her back, but this wasn't some cheesy romance holo. Instead, he simply replied, "It's a date."
A date? Carissa was feeling slightly tipsy, having been dancing with Means was a rather heady sensation, like she had been drinking quite a bit. She had a bemused expression on her face. "Yes a date." as she wove her way towards the exit of the Cargo hold.
Returning to the main table he grabbed his sword and his cover walking passed the remaining Tea Time hostesses. Given the fact that he wore an eyepatch a single wink didn't carry the same effect as it did with others so he arched his brows as he walked by.
Despite his size, Kror was quite nimble on his feet. He was dancing with Corporal Rademaker. "I wasn't aware dancing was part of Marine training?" Kror asked.
"It wasn't but, it was at Girls High Schools in Amsterdam." Anameike replied.
Henrietta couldn't help but smile when Means has approached the table, but didn't say a word until he left the table.
"That was a lovely dance they had. I did my heart good to see Carissa and Nick dance. i wondered if either of them was going to have a chance to dance with someone. " Her eyes slid over to where Ace was standing with the rose in his hand.
"Tell me, Ace. Are you going to pursue the secret admirer from who you received the rose from? I did notice that there was a note attached," the older woman asked.
"Nah," Ace answered. "I don't like to think too hard and these sorts of games do nothing for me." He huffed heavily. "Besides, I don't know that I'm in the mood for any sort of games tonight."
"I am sorry to hear that, I hope that you will have a better evening down the road." an expression of compassion was in her eyes.
"Unlikely," Ace said. "However, I guess it was too much to hope for tonight. I probably should go to my quarters and get some shut eye. Maybe I'll have a fresher perspective in the morning."
Henrietta gave a nod. "I do hope you rest well." She watched as Ace made his way out.
After the colonel left, there was nothing much of interest to record, so Gertie decided it was time for the final broadcast. "We've had quite a night tonight at the Marine Ball. We thank Colonel Means for inviting us, and for the lovely evening. If you missed any of it, we'll have the highlights on our channel later tonight. We had a first-row seat to an exciting Tango by our own Commodore Michaels and Geral Lasuma, then what may be the first hint of a budding romance as Ambassador Holmes danced with Colonel Means. I admit, it had all our hearts aflutter. And the food...it was delightful. I must say, the cake was some of the best I've eaten in a long while. Henrietta, what did you think?"
"I thought it delicious." she turned to look over at her escort, Sergeant Busby who had been quietly observing what went on. "What do you thin dearie?"
Trent gave a chuckle. "It was very delicious." giving a smile.
Henrietta looked back at Gertie, "I think this was a great ending to the ball, and I am grateful to have attended."
"Me, too," Gertie said. "This has been a memorable night. Special thanks go to Colonel Nicholas Means III, 21st MEU here on Deep Space 5 for inviting us to be his special guests. And thanks to all of you for joining us. Goodnight."
Lieutenant Commander Alanna Wells
Director of Science, Exploration, and Archaeology
Pangaea
Lieutenant Commander Jason Haines
Bodyguard
Deep Space 5
Lieutenant Carissa Holmes
Diplomat
Deep Space 5
Colonel Nicholas Means III
MCO - 21st MEU
Beatrice Weatherford
Co-Host Tea Time Show
Deep Space 5
Gertrude Helsing
Tea Time Co-Host
Deep Space 5
Civilian Henrietta Barton
Teatime Lady
Deep Space 5
Kror
First Officer
USS Canterbury
Corporal Anameike Rademaker.
Marine
Lieutenant JG Ace Cannon
Assistant Chief Communications Officer
Deep Space 5
Sergeant Trent Busby
Marine
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