“So, how ya feelin’?” asked Twylla Pelle as she and Terry Sauter sat in Jake’s Place eating breakfast.

“Okay, I guess.”

“You guess?”

“Yeah. I feel okay physically, but stars! I can’t believe what a fool I made of myself.”

“You mean getting drunk? Heck, everyone does that at least once in their lifetime, Ter. Nothing to feel bad about in that respect.”

“Funny you should mention ‘respect’. It’s not the drinking part that bothers me. Not everyone gets drunk enough to end up in Medbay dressed like a Dabo girl! I made a sorry impression on our new CMO too.”

“That’s not what I hear,” Twylla said with a twinkle in her eye.

“What do you mean?”

“I hear that the new doctor stayed with you the whole time you were in medbay.” Twylla wiggled her eyebrows up and down.

“He’s the CMO, Twylla. He supposed to look after his patients.” Terry took another sip of her orange juice.

“Not around the clock, he’s not. I think our new doc has a crush on you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. He doesn’t even know me. He couldn’t possibly be the least bit interested in me.”

“Four words. Love At First Sight. Ever hear of it?”

“Of course. And I believe it too. But to think that Dr. Fergerson has fallen in love with me is a long stretch from his only doing his duty.”

“Yeah. I hear ya,” Twylla said with a smirk.

“Anyway, I gotta go. Taggert will have my hide if I’m late my first day back on duty after being sick for two days.”

“You’re not late. You’re just trying to change the subject,” Twylla frowned.

“No, I am not,” responded Terry. “I have a meeting with her before going on duty today. To get me caught up on things, I imagine. Or either to come down on me for being sick for two days. Either way, I can’t miss it.”

“You’re afraid I’m right about Fergerson,” persisted Twylla.

“You have a great imagination, Twylla. Why don’t you try writing a holonovel?” said Terry, as she got up from the table. “See ya later.”

“You just wait and see, Terry. You’ll see I’m right.”

“Bye Twylla,” waved Terry as she rushed out the door of Jake’s Place.

THREE HOURS LATER

“Look ----. It’s not all that hard to do. You just have to be careful not to touch the two circuits---“ Just then, ---- did what Terry had just warned him about and it exploded into tiny plasmic sparks, hitting Terry on the back of her right hand.

“Ahhh! Geesh! That hurts,” cried Terry, pulling back her hand from the micro cable junction.

“Gosh, Lieutenant…Terry! I’m so sorry! I just thought I could ---“

“Yeah, I know. You thought you could finish it faster by connecting the two lead circuits together instead of bypassing them. I tried that the first time I worked on these junctions. Which is why I was trying to warn you.”

Pedro looked carefully down at Terry’s injured hand. “You should get to Medbay, Terry. That looks bad.”

Instantly Twylla’s breakfast conversation came flooding back into Terry’s mind and suddenly she was hesitant about going to Medbay. Just in case Twylla was right. She wasn’t in any mood to engage in another failed romance. As the pain in her hand was intolerable she had no choice but to go.

“Yeah, I think I’ll have to, Pedro.” She tapped her comm badge. “Commander Taggert from Lt. Sauter.”

“Taggert here. Go ahead Lieutenant.”

“Sir, I’ve injured my hand and am going to Medbay for a few minutes.”

“Acknowledged. Report back to Engineering when you’re finished.”

“Aye sir. Sauter out.”

“Stay away from that junction, Pedro until I get back.”

“Yes sir, Lieutenant. I wasn’t planning on touching it any time soon,” he replied sheepishly.
 

Terry stepped just inside the entrance to Medbay, glancing side to side, hoping to miss seeing Dr. Fergerson. If he weren’t here, she wouldn’t have to look and him all the while thinking about what Twylla said. Not that the doctor wasn’t cute. He was. But Terry just wasn’t ready for a romance right now. Maybe never, she thought as she walked on into Medbay.

A nurse came up to her. “Can I help you Lieutenant? Your hand is it?”

Terry nodded. “Yes, a plasma torch burn,” said Terry, holding her right wrist with her left hand.

“Come over here,” said Nurse Serena Prelana, guiding Terry to an empty biobed.

“That doesn’t look too bad,” she commented.

“You should see it from ‘my’ side,” quipped Terry.

Sarena  smiled. “Have a seat and I’ll be right back.”

“Thanks,” said Terry, as she hopped up onto the bed.

“Lieutenant Sauter! What brings you here on this fine morning?”

Terry jumped when she heard his voice. She wasn’t paying attention to anything but her hand and he had sneaked up on her.

“Doctor Fergerson. It’s my hand. Nurse Prelana is taking care of it.” Surely he must be busier with more important things than my minor burn, she thought.

“Let me see,” he said, taking her hand gently in his, turning it over and examining it.  Terry noticed that his touch was very gentle. Good thing for a doctor to have she mused.

“How did you do this Lieutenant?” he asked, genuinely concerned. He took his tricorder from the pocket of his uniform and began scanning her hand.

“Oh, I was teaching and I didn’t’ teach fast enough,” responded Terry.

“I see. Well, I think we can fix this pretty quickly. Sarena,” he called.

Nurse Prelana returned with a dermal regenerator and hypo of analgesic.
“Doctor, I can handle this if you have something else to do,” she offered. Usually nurses and medtechs would handle minor burns such as Terry’s.

“That’s quite all right, Sarena, I think I can handle this one,” he said, taking the hypo from her and quickly injecting Terry in her arm.

“That feel any better?” he asked.

Terry sighed with relief as the pain quickly dissipated. “Yes, much. Thank you.”

“No problem. Now, let’s see what we can do to heal this hand.” He skillfully ran the dermal regenerator over her hand, the skin slowly healing as he did so. He didn’t speak as he was using the regenerator, so intense was his concentration. Terry was quiet too and let him do his job, watching him intently.

After several minutes, her skin was healed and only slightly pinkish in color.

“There you go, Lieutenant. It may be a little sensitive for the next couple of hours, so you might want to stay away from plasma torches until then.” He smiled at her and held her hand just a little longer than was necessary.

“Thank you, Dr. Fergerson. It feels fine now,” she said as she began flexing her hand.

“Dr. Dave is fine,” he said.  “Dr. Fergerson is a bit too formal for me.  Here, let me help you down.”

“That’s ---“

Before she could protest, he had lifted her by her waist and sat her gently on her feet.

“Ah…thanks again, Dr. Fer---- Dr. Dave,” said Terry, trying not to look in his eyes. She knew she must be blushing. And for what, she didn’t exactly know!

Terry quickly made her way to the exit, but before she could exit the door, Dr. Dave called out to her.

“Lieutenant Sauter.”

Terry turned. “Yes, doctor?”

“If you have any pain, or discomfort, don’t hesitate to return. I’ll take care of you.”

“Thank you, but I think I’ll be fine. You did a good job.” Terry smiled at him and left Medbay.

Dr. Dave watched her leave, and shook his head, slightly. I can’t go on like this, he thought to himself. I need to talk with someone. Get some clarity and perspective. But who? The ship’s counselor? No. He didn’t want this one on record. As of yet, he had not made any close friends on board, so that left old friends. And I think I know who that is.

Dave went into his office and sat at his comm unit. “Computer, subspace message to: Planet Vulcan, Science Academy, Professor T’Freya. “Please call me when you have a few minutes. I need to talk. Love to Sur and Lori, David.”

Dave leaned back in his chair. “Now, depending on the time difference and her schedule, I should hear from her around 2100 hours tonight. I’ll be sure to be in my quarters by then so I don’t have to speak in here. This is far too personal for an office setting. In the meantime, back to work, Dave.”
 

2400 HOURS, DR. DAVE’S QUARTERS

“Incoming message,” beeped the comm unit. Dave put down the history book he was reading, went to his desk and touched the receive padd on his comm unit. Instantly a familiar Vulcan face appeared.

“Thank you for getting back to me T’Freya,” said Dave.

“You are most welcomed, David. What subject is it that you wish to speak of?”

“First of all, how are Sur and Lori? Are they well and happy?”

“Happiness is a human emotion, David. They are well. They send their greetings.”

“And love?” he asked.

“Of course. You are their father. Now---“

“Yes. Well you see T’Freya, I have recently met someone here on the Alliance whom I believe I am becoming attracted to and I wanted to discuss it with you.”

“Really?” Dave could see her left eyebrow as it rose in puzzlement. “You have never before asked for my opinions on your relationships. Why at this time?”

“There is an uncertain element to this on which I would like your advice . Let me show you.”

“Please do so.”

Dave pulled up Terry’s picture on the terminal where T’Freya could view it.

“Yes, I understand what you mean now. She looks very much like Ashli, your first wife.  Extremely so it appears.”

“Yes. And that is the problem.”

“You are wondering if your attraction to this woman is solely based on the physical resemblance to Ashli. Are you not?”

“Yes. Exactly.  And I don’t want to start a relationship with this woman, only to learn that my attraction is not for her, but for my first wife. I do not want to hurt this person.”

“That may be, David. But as you have said to me before, ‘beauty is only skin deep’ and will not carry a relationship very far. Is that not what you have said?”

“Yes, it is. I’m surprised you remembered my quotes,” Dave smiled.

“Not all of them, David. Just the more enlightened ones.”

Dave laughed at his second wife’s logic. “So, what are you saying? That I should pursue this relationship?”

“David, you have already decided to pursue it. You only wished to discuss it with another being to discover how it sounds out loud, as you would say. You have always done so. But, if you are truly asking my opinion, then yes. Pursue this relationship. If it does not last, then it was only based on appearances. If handled respectfully, no one will be hurt. Or should not be.”

“You know me well T’Freya,” Dave smiled. He knew she was right.

“I lived with you for over five years, David. We have two children together. If I did not know you by now, there would be something wrong with me. And I can assure you, there is not.”

“That is most certainly true, my love.”

As much as a Vulcan could smile, T’Freya did so now. Though she would never admit it to anyone, she always found it pleasing to hear him call her ‘my love’.
“Then let me continue with my work, David. I have much to do before tomorrow.”

“As always, T’Freya. I thank you.”

T’Freya bowed her head slightly. Live long and prosper, David.”

“And you as well, T’Freya.” They both signed off.

Dave leaned back in his chair, smiling. It was always good to talk with T’Freya. She made everything seem so clear. But then again, that’s what most Vulcans do.
 

1400 hours the next afternoon

Dr. David Fergerson stood before Lt. Jg Terry Sauter’s quarters in his uniform. He had checked with the computer just before to make sure that Terry was in. Funny at how nervous he felt---a man who had courted many women and married five of them, still he was.

He pressed the door chime and almost immediately the door opened. Terry Sauter stood in front of him in blue jeans and a short-sleeved blue and white Starfleet Academy tee shirt.

“Dr. Fergerson. Did I mss an appointment? She asked, puzzled by his appearance.

“Good afternoon Lieutenant Sauter. No, you didn’t miss an appointment. Is your hand feeling better?”

Terry automatically flexed her right hand. “Oh, it’s fine doctor. You did a good job of healing it.”

“Actually, the credit goes to the dermal regenerator. But I thank you just the same.” He smiled. She smiled back. He continued. “I wanted to ask a favor of you if I may.”

“Oh, I understand. You have something that needs repairing. I’ll get my tool kit.” Before he could protest, Terry had turned and was heading for her kit that she always kept on the diningroom table. Taggert was calling on her at all hours to fix something, so she always had it handy and within reach. I swear, Terry thought, that woman never sleeps! Taggert must have told the doctor he could call on her anytime for repairs. Why else would he be here. Unless…

Dave stepped inside, following Terry. “No, no. I’m sorry. I should have explained sooner.”

Terry turned around and faced him, one hand on her tool kit. “Oh, I assumed…”

“I can see why you would. You are an excellent engineer and from what I’ve seen, Commander Taggert depends heavily on you.”

“Boy, that’s true!” exclaimed Terry, removing her hand from her kit.

“Anyway, what I wanted to ask you…what I came here for is…I wanted to ask you to dinner…at Jake’s Place. Tonight if you’re not already engaged.” He stood with his hands behind his back, smiling slightly, his hazel-blue eyes shinning.

Terry was stunned for a moment. He was asking her out!

Dave took her silence to mean rejection. “Oh, I am sorry, Lieutenant. You already have plans. I know this was short notice, but I thought I’d risk it anyway.”

“Oh, no. I don’t have any plans for dinner. That’s not it.”

“Ah. Then it is I to whom you object. Please forgive my intrusion Lieutenant Sauter. Have a good evening.” He turned to leave, slightly embarrassed. To tell the truth, Dashing Dave—as she was called at the Academy—was rarely turned down for a date.

Terry rushed to him before he could get to the door and touched his arm. “No, it isn’t that, doctor. It’s just that I can’t imagine why you would want to have dinner with me. You took me by surprise. I’m sorry if I made it seem otherwise.”

“Please don’t apologize. The question is not why would I want to have dinner with you, but how could I possibly NOT want to do so.” He took her hand in his and bowing slightly, kissed it. “Gracious Lieutenant, shall I call for you here at twenty hundred hours, or shall we meet at Jake’s Place?”

Terry flushed. No one had EVER kissed her hand before! That only happened in holoplays or novels. “Umm, I think I should meet you there, if that’s okay?”

“It is entirely your choice, m’lady. Till then.” Dave backed out of the room, smiling, leaving Terry standing, stunned.

“Twylla’s gonna torch when she hears about this!”

“I don’t see why I can’t just wear jeans and a tee-shirt,” said Terry. “It’s just Jake’s Place, after all, Twylla.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Ter. This is a DATE! And besides, Jake’s is the only place on this ship to have dinner, besides the officer’s lounge and private quarters. How about this one?” Twylla held up a low cut pink dress.

“No way. I am NOT wearing anything low cut!”

“In other words, nothing sexy, right?”

“Right. Now, if you’re not gonna be any help---“

“All right, be that way.” After five different outfits, the choices were becoming scarce. She pushed through other clothes and pulled out a white peasant blouse and black flared shirt. “Here, try these.”

Terry took the clothes from Twylla and held them in front of herself in front of the full-length mirror. “This is okay, I guess.”

“Great. At last!” sighed Twylla, falling down on Terry’s bed.

Terry replaced the outfit in her closet and sat beside Twylla on the bed. “Now, tell me what to talk about tonight.”
 

1945 hours, Jake’s Place

Dr. David Fergerson entered Jake’s Place and went straight to the bar. “Hello, Jake,” he said.

“Dr. Dave. How’s it going?” asked Jake, jovial as ever.

“Fine, just fine. In fact, tonight I hope will be VERY special,” he smiled.

“You have a date,” stated Jake.

“I do at that,” replied Dave, smiling. “with a very lovely Lieutenant.”

“She IS lovely,” responded Jake.

“Pardon?” asked a puzzled Dave. How in the universe would Jake know if his date were lovely or not?

“Lieutenant Terry Sauter.”

“How did you know---“

“I have my ways,” winked Jake.

Dave heard the rumors about how Jake somehow mysteriously knew more than he could possibly know about the people and activities on this ship. He thought they were only rumors---until now.

“Anyway,” began Dave, “I was wondering if it might be possible to provide a red rose and red lighted candle on---“ he looked around the room---“on that table over there.” He pointed to a table by the window, off to the side, somewhat secluded from the other patrons in the lounge.

“Already taken care of Dr. Dave,” replied Jake, reaching under the bar and coming up with a red rose in a crystal vase and a small red votive candle, also in a crystal container. “Here ya go.  I’ll let you light the candle at the table. Just hit this switch under the holder.”

Dave shook his head, smiling as he took the two items. “Jake, I will never doubt you again,” he said.

“After your date arrives, I’ll be right over to take your orders.”

“Thanks,” said Dave as he turned and headed for the table Jake had saved for him and Terry.

Terry walked into Jake’s at 2003 hours. Twylla insisted she shouldn’t be early or it would look like she was either too eager or too hungry. Not good on a first date!

She stood just inside the doorway scanning the room. She was dressed in the outfit Twylla had chosen for her—a white, long-sleeved peasant blouse, trimmed in lace and a black flared skirt with matching black slippers. Her only jewelry was the silver sun pendant her late husband, Ryan had given her shortly before he died.

The room was pretty crowded and she didn’t see the doctor anywhere. Jake came up to her.

“Terry, may I escort you to your table?”

“I’m meeting someone,” said Terry, continuing to look around the room.

“I know. Dr. Dave is waiting for you.”

“You know? Of course you know. You know everything, don’t you Jake?”

“Not everything, no. Just the things WORTH knowing,” he quipped. “This way please.”

Jake led Terry over to the secluded table where Dave stood up to greet her. On the table sat a red rose and candle. It helped to soften the atmosphere of the busy lounge. Nice touch thought Terry.

“Dr. Dave, your date,” presented Jake as Dave came around the table and pulled out Terry’s chair for her to sit down. After seating Terry, he sat back down.

“What can I get you two to drink,” asked Jake.

“Theresa? May I call you Theresa?” asked Dave.

“Sure, okay,” replied Terry. “Ah, I think I’ll have a Venetian Blue Star.”

“White earth wine for me,” said Dave.

“Coming right up”, said Jake hurrying off to fill their orders.

“Jake doesn’t usually escort people to their seats,” remarked Terry, puzzled by Jake’s over attentiveness.

“Jake is a very unusual character,” replied Dave. “You look lovely tonight,” he remarked.

“Oh, thank you. Your outfit is nice too.” Terry felt like she had to respond and say SOMETHING to his compliment, however dumb it sounded!

Dave smiled. “I’ve heard that some call my choice of clothing, pajamas.”

Terry smiled. “I don’t think so. I think it looks kinda …Vulcan.”

“That’s very perceptive of you. In fact, it was T’Freya, who convinced me to get out of the standard close fitting clothes that most humans usually wear.” Dave was wearing a wrap around deep purple tunic, edged in gold along with matching pants, both loose fitting.

“T’Freya?”

“My second wife. She is a full Vulcan.”

“Oh.” What else could she say?

“That’s a beautiful pendant.”

“Thank you. It was a gift.” Terry thought back to the time when Ryan gave her the pendant and became temporarily lost in her thoughts.

“From your husband?”

“What? Oh, yes. How did you know?”

“Medical records. I need to read them whenever I get a patient in for treatment,” he explained.

“Oh, of course.”

Jake returned with their drinks. “Just signal when you’re ready to order,” he said.

“Thank you, Jake,” said Dave.

Both sipped at their drinks, an awkward silence following.

“First dates are so awkward, aren’t they?” offered Dave.

Terry smiled. “Yeah, sometimes. Although I haven’t been on too many myself.

“That’s hard to believe.”

Terry looked at Dave, puzzled. She thought maybe since she had been carried into medbay in a short skirt, drunk,  he thought she dated TOO much.

“No, no. I meant that as a compliment. A woman as lovely and smart as yourself must have men knocking down her door in order to get a date.”

Terry laughed. “Now THAT’S funny!”

“You underestimate yourself, I think.”

Another awkward silence.

“Shall we order?” asked Dave.

“Okay.” Terry was wondering how fast she could eat and then be gone. Dave was nice, but she REALLY hated first dates!

Dave signaled for Jake. After giving him their orders, small talk followed. Then their food arrived and they ate, not talking much at all.

Afterwards dessert followed along with more chitchat.

“This was nice,” said Terry. “Thank you for asking me out.”

“Oh, this is just the beginning of the evening,” said Dave.

“Really? I thought…”

“Your hand, lovely lady”, he said, reaching over  taking her hand in his.

Terry hesitated, then reached across the table, allowing him to hold her hand. He then stood up and said, “Follow me.”

On the way out, Jake flashed Dave a smile and Dave returned it, mouthing ‘thank you’.

“Where are we going?” asked Terry. She was hoping it wasn’t his quarters. That would be moving much too fast for her!

“You’ll see. You DO like surprises, don’t you?”

“Well, sometimes…”

“Trust me. You’ll like this one.”

Dave held Terry’s hand all the way down corridors and the turbolift. She didn’t try and pull away either, which she thought about doing, but then decided it wasn’t so bad. It had been a long time since she had held hands with a man.

“We’re here,” announced Dave stopping in front of a doorway.

“A holodeck?”

“Yes. Computer, run program Fergerson One.”

“Program complete. Enter when ready,” answered the computer.

Terry was afraid of what she might find when the holodeck doors opened. A romantic beach at sunset maybe? A candlelit balcony overlooking some beautiful scenery? Or stars forbid! A candlelit bedroom!!!

Terry was totally unprepared for the cacophony of sights, sounds and aromas that assaulted her senses when the holodeck doors opened.

The sight was one of energy and activity. Hundreds of men and women walking and running here and there, many with children in tow. All were talking or laughing and some carried large pink things on a stick.

The sounds of laughter and talk, along with squealing cries of delight were mixed with some kind of musical instruments playing continuously in the background. And the smell was wonderful! Several aromas of foods assaulted her nose along with the smell of a warm summer’s night. As Terry looked up, she could see stars overhead and knew this was an earth scene.

“What IS this?” asked Terry, in awe of everything.

Dave was smiling gleefully. “It’s an old fashioned earth carnival. You’ve never been to a carnival?”

“No. I never even heard of a carnival. This is wonderful,” she laughed.

“You haven’t seen anything yet. ”Dave pulled her along, pushing through the enormous moving crowd of people.

“What are those pink things some people are holding?” asked Terry.

“That is one of the best confections ever invented,” he explained. “Cotton candy.”

“It’s made of cotton? And people EAT it?” Terry scrunched up her face, contemplating eating cotton.

Dave laughed. “No, not cotton, but colored sugar. It’s called ‘cotton’ because it resembles cotton when it grows. And probably because it’s spun. I’ll get you one.” Dave found a cotton candy vendor and ordered two. Both watched as the vendor spun the paper cone around and around the large tub as the candy began to grow on the cone.

“That’s plasmic!” said Terry. “I want a pink one.”

“Pink for the little lady and a blue one for me,” ordered Dave.

“You eat it like this,” he said, tearing off a piece and putting it into his mouth. “Or like this.” He demonstrated simply biting off part of it straight from the cone.

Terry picked a piece off and put it into her mouth. “Ummm. This is delicious!”  She pulled off another, larger piece. “I love it!”

“Ah, lovely Theresa, the night is young and we have so much yet to experience.”

“If everything is as good as this, then I’m game. Lead on,” she laughed, truly enjoying herself for the first time in ages.

Terry and Dave spent the next two hours exploring the carnival and all it had to offer. They rode the rollercoaster, haunted house, teacups and various other ancient rides, along with trying the shooting gallery (which Terry won) and basketball and bottle throws (which Dave won). Finally the night had come to an end as both were happily exhausted.

Dave walked Terry back to her quarters. “Thank you for a wonderful evening Doctor… I mean Dave,” said Terry. For such as awkward beginning, the evening had turned out pretty well.

“Believe me, it was MY pleasure. Maybe we can do this again…soon?”

“Yes. I would like that.”

“Then, I bid you goodnight, lovely Theresa.” He raised her hand to his lips and gently laid a kiss on the back of it.

Terry was smiling. “Goodnight.”

A few minutes after Terry got inside her quarters, her door chimed. If she didn’t know Twylla was on night duty, she would swear it was her coming to find out just how the evening went.

Terry went to the door and it opened. Jake was standing there with the red rose from her and Dave’s table.

“Dr. Dave wanted you to have this,” he said. “Good evening,” he smiled and left.

Terry touched the rose to her nose and inhaled the fragrance of the rose. It still smelled wonderful.

Terry smiled as she thought about the evenings festivities. She had good time, she realized, a REALLY good time.