An unexpected visitor

Posted on Sat Jan 22nd, 2022 @ 3:50pm by Petty Officer 1st Class Amethyst Reece & Ensign Zack Ravencroft

Mission: Respite
Location: Zack’s quarters

{ON}

With time on her hands Amethyst was wondering just what to be doing with herself. She’d developed something of a soft spot for Zack Ravencroft, even though he seemed completely oblivious to the fact that she liked him.

Strolling towards his quarters she wondered if Zack would mind her dropping by, there was only one way to find out, as she reached the door and pressed the chime.

Zack was listening to some old symphonic metal and cooking some food when the door rang. He grumbled under his breath about intrusive people as he stepped up to the door and it slid open. Only to reveal the beautiful redhead nurse. Instantly he became nervous. "Nurse. You on a house call?" He looked up and down the corridor to see if she had any doctor with her.

Amethyst shook her head. “No, I just thought I’d drop by and say hello but if you’re busy I can come back another time.” She offered a polite smile.

He looked at her and a frown came to his lips. He wasn't busy and he hated to be an ass. Without a word he turned and walked inside, expecting her to follow him. He was muttering about women always getting to the beginning of friendship stage, but never going further.

Amethyst wasn’t sure whether to follow or not, she simply stood in the doorway wondering what to do. “We’re not all like that you know!” She gazed at Zack. “You have to give a woman a chance to show she cares, instead of acting like you don’t want her around.”

"Experience tells me otherwise. I am not busy if that is what you are waiting for, come in or not. Your choice."

Amethyst stepped inside not really feeling very welcome. “Perhaps this was a bad idea, I only came because...” she paused. “Forget it, it doesn’t really matter.”

"Clearly it matters, you came all the way here. If you want to spit in my face for being an ass, go ahead. I can take it." he stirred his pot.

“Certainly not!” Amethyst looked shocked at that comment. “I came here because I thought you might appreciate not being alone. That and... I like you.”

The crack in his armor that Dex had provided had made her words snake past his guard and a flicker of hope rooted itself. As much as he tried to snuff it out, it wouldn't go away. So he opted to ignore it instead. "Why? You don't know me."

“No, I don’t, and I know you’re trying awfully hard to push me away” Amethyst paused. “I haven’t met anyone I’ve liked this much in a long time, where that leads I guess I’ll have to wait and see.”

"Why do you like me? Is it strictly physical? Must be, only thing you have any experience with. I highly doubt its my flowery personality."

Amethyst grinned. “Actually it’s a combination of everything, sometimes you have to see past flowery personalities.” She offered a smile. “You have to see past your fears, as well as tough outer shells, to find what’s underneath.”

What she said was impossible so fast. They had talked at most ten minutes as far as he knew. They spoke a little on the station but that wasn't exactly a display of the true him. The gentle and caring man that he guards with all his might. That man was highly fragile from what he had to endure.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have come, perhaps I’m just seeing something that isn’t there?” Amethyst looked at Zack curiously. “I don’t go rushing into anything Zack, right now I’d like to start off on the right foot.”

"What is it you see?" He asked, after a moment looking over his stew. "Want something to drink?"

Amethyst shook her head. “Not at the moment but thank you.” She smiled. “What I see...is you trying very hard to push away anyone who gets too close. I’m not here to pry into your past, I just want to try and prove that past wrong.”

He went back to stering the stew. "After dozens of friends and lovers abandoning me, my past isn't wrong. I simply refuse to be hurt again."

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean it to sound like that” Amethyst offered an apologetic smile. “All you see in women is hurt and pain? That they can’t be trusted.” She paused looking a little hurt. “Maybe I should just let you be..”

He narrowed his eyes at her, it felt almost like she was trying to guilt him into something. But he had become pessimistic over the years so he didn't let that feeling take. "I respect women more than anything. I am left everything I become to much work." He answered truthfully.

“You could never be too much work” Amethyst smiled. “You just need to find the right woman. One whose understanding, and wants to be there for you.”

"I have heard that before, many times." He said as he picked up a clean spoon to taste test. "Don't take it the wrong way, but what would make you different?"

“I guess that’s a good question, I could promise you I’d never hurt you but you’ve probably heard that before.” Amethyst offered a smile. “I guess I’ll just have to prove it.”

He looked at her for a long time, he had heard it many times. But this young redhead looked at him with such conviction that he would almost believe her. The number of people he could name that had the same he could easily count on one hand. "Maybe..."

Amethyst smiled. “Can I help with anything? I’ll get out of your way once your food is ready, I didn’t mean to catch you at an awkward time.”

"No, you can have some if you want."

“Really?” Amethyst gave Zack a surprised look. “I’d like that, thank you. Your food smells delicious.”

He wanted to be alone, but being rude. He said nothing as he added stew to her bowl and offered it to her.

“Thank you” Amethyst took the bowl and went to take a seat to eat. She waited politely for Zack to put out his food before starting hers.

He sat down and didn't start to eat until she had taken the first bite. Once she had, he started to eat as well.

Amethyst tucked in politely, she had to admit Zack was a great cook. “Mmm delicious! You’re an excellent cook.”

"Thank you." He was so out of practice with being social, he didn't know what to say.

“You’ll have to show me how you cook this one day” Amethyst grinned before she politely ate some more. “How’s about I cook for you one evening? I haven’t had any guests over yet you’d be my first one.”

He eyed her. Never had someone so easily offered to cook for him. "Why not?"

“Excellent!” Amethyst smiled warmly. “Just let me know if there’s anything you don’t like, or if you have any allergies.”

"No allergies just keep the hot spiciness to a minimum." He answered.

“Fair enough no spice.” She grinned before eating up the rest of her food.

"Good. What kind of food do you enjoy?"

“Me?” Amethyst smiled. “I quite like Human dishes, Betazoid specialities and Vulcan food too.”

Zack simply sat there, focusing on his food. He didn't know what to talk about, fearing whatever he said or asked would scare her away.

“Thank you for asking me to stay Zack, I appreciate it” Amethyst finished off her food, her plate completely clear. “That was lovely food.”

"It was just stew." he shrugged.

Amethyst nodded. “Maybe so, but it was very kind of you.” She felt pretty awkward with it being such an odd conversation.

Zack also felt a little weird, he had no idea how to talk with women.

“Anyway I err...I should get going.” She moved to stand up. “Thank you for the dinner, I appreciate it.” She would have given him a kiss on the cheek but she didn’t venture to do so. “Maybe I’ll see you around.”

"Your welcome. I am positive we will."

Amethyst smiled feeling a little more positive before nodding and heading out of the door. Maybe there was hope for something with Zack after all.

After she had left, he slumped into his sofa with a sigh. Why did it feel like his life would be filled with turbulance.

{OFF}