Mindo and Aeryn Part II

Posted on Wed Jun 24th, 2020 @ 2:47am by Lieutenant Commander Mindo & Lieutenant JG Aeryn Jameson
Edited on on Fri Jul 10th, 2020 @ 5:38pm

Mission: Death in Paradise

A Mission Post by Lieutenant Mindo & Lieutenant JG Aeryn Jameson PhD
Mission: Death in Paradise
Location: Turbolift
Timeline: current

ON

The turbolift arrived at the door with a small squeaking noise. That's unusual, thought Mindo as the doors swished open and he stepped inside. He hesitated before giving the lift his destination, but eventually said, "Deck three." It had been a long shift and he was ready for some relaxation in his quarters. The current investigation had caused a lot of anxiety for him as he knew Terrekal, the Fesarian with whom he currently shared a bed, was a prime suspect. Mindo had heard a few murmurs questioning himself as well, which put him on edge. He just wanted some time to himself.

The lift provided only a few seconds of solitude before squeaking to a stop yet again at a different deck, where the doors parted like game show curtains to reveal Lieutenant Aeryn Jameson.

Aeryn nodded politely as she stepped into the turbolift, she hadn't really seen much of Mindo since the night the two of them ended up in bed together. Whether she was purposely avoiding him or just hadn't been in the same place as him was another matter entirely. As the lift doors closed she stated her destination and stood in an uncomfortable silence.

Their travel upward came to a rather abrupt stop, and the lights flickered. Mindo cursed under his breath and tapped the keypad next to the door. It didn't respond. Cursing again, he tapped his communicator. "Mindo to Engineering, I'm stuck in a turbolift."

The unmistakable voice of Officer Greep squawked over the comm. "Sorry, Chief," came the tinny, high-pitched, scruffy voice. "Had to shut down some systems on the ship while we work on that sector."

"Well at least start up the lift!" Mindo said, voice raised at first, but then calmer as he remembered he wasn't alone in the lift.

Greep squawked, "No can do, Chief," said Greep. "It's a fire hazard, and you were very particular when you talked about fire hazards on the ship."

"Great," Mindo conceded, and leaned against the wall. He looked up at Aeryn, who had stayed politely quiet during the exchange. "I'm sure this will just take a few minutes... and Greep's right," he added. "I was very clear about my fire policy."

"That's...okay" Aeryn smiled politely but she hoped they wouldn't be stuck in the turbolift for too long. She didn't really need to feel awkward around Mindo but she did and the two of them being stuck in the lift didn't help that very much. "So....what about the business on Paradise? I find it hard to believe anyone on this ship could murder someone."

"Oh I can think of a few jealous lovers who wouldn't mind taking a shot at me," Mindo blurted. Suddenly he realized what he'd said and to whom he said it and blushed. "Er, well... um..." he stammered, trying to find the right words to remedy what he just said and failing. "You know," was the best he could get out.

Aeryn wasn't sure what to say, even her counselling skills were finding it hard to come up with a reply that wouldn't sound bad. "I'm sure no one was out to get you Mindo" was all she could think of saying. She sat down on the floor of the turbolift with a sigh. "I'm sorry...I don't mean to make you feel awkward."

"You?" said Mindo, a little shocked. "I thought I was making it awkward!" He knelt down to his knees. "It just occurred to me I never said anything to you after the... well, you know. And then that thing with Huyo afterwards..."

"Wait a minute...you left me then went off to Huyo?" Aeryn looked at Mindo with surprise. "After the time and effort you put into...you know. Then you went off to someone else!" She shook her head. "Don't Fessarians ever get tired? If more was all you wanted..." She stopped the conversation there not wanting to sound like she was angling for more.

Mindo raised his hands. "Wait a minute," he said, defensively. "After I left your quarters, Huyo was waiting outside mine! What would you have done?"

“I...I don’t know!” She sighed. “I don’t have a right to say what you do with your time Mindo. I’m just not used to spending the night with someone on a one off basis.”

Mindo clenched his fist and looked up to the heavens. "Dammit, why is that always an issue with you people!"

“There are those who enjoy one night stands, I’m not normally one of them is all I’m trying to say.” She sat down on the floor to wait out however long it was going to be. “I’m sorry if I sound like I didn’t enjoy it. I didn’t sleep with you with a plan in mind, it just....happened.”

Mindo put a hand on her shoulder. "I wasn't planning on it either," he said. "And I did enjoy it too. I like you a lot, Aeryn. I didn't mean to offend you."

“You haven’t offended me Mindo” Aeryn smiled warmly. “I think it’s part of our nature to be embarrassed by things we do that we didn’t expect to do. I don’t know why I felt so awkward about it, people spend nights with others for enjoyment as well as love. I guess I just....never expected it.”

"And I need to learn more about monogamy," said Mindo. He sat down next to Aeryn. "After spending time with others in Starfleet at the Academy and later as an officer I knew about marriage and weddings, but I've never been to one. Now I'm invited to one wedding and in another I'm in the wedding. Did you know K'Laus asked me to be his... I can't remember the word, it's something ridiculous Klingon word like 'Trebek' or something. Basically I just stand there for a while and then later I have to give a speech about K'Laus."

"Ahh you're the equivalent of a best man" She smiled. "You have the job of making sure K'Laus turns up in good time for his wedding, that he's prepared and organised for his big day. Part of the best man's duties is to give a speech about the groom and his chosen life partner, generally a humourous speech about him that keeps the guests entertained. Just not anything embarrassing that's likely to upset anyone of course."

"I'm not sure if I could be funny..." said Mindo. "...at least, funny about K'Laus."

"In that case just be nice" Aeryn smiled. "I'm sure you'll have no problem with that."

Just then, the turbolift lurched up. "It must be fixed," said Mindo, standing up.

"Thank goodness for that!" Aeryn smiled as she stood up as well. "For what it's worth Mindo I consider you a friend and I'm sorry for being awkward around you lately.

"I think that might be my fault," Mindo replied. "I have a knack for making situations awkward."

"Not at all" Aeryn smiled. "Let's consider the awkward part forgotten and keep the other part as an enjoyable memory!"

"We should make more enjoyable memories," said Mindo. "Er, I mean, as friends, like get stuck in a turbolift again or something."

Aeryn laughed at that one. "I think I'd like that Mindo! I'll have to try out some of those games at your establishment again sometime."

"I think there are a few you might like," Mindo said with a smile as the doors parted. "See you later."

"Likewise Mindo" Aeryn smiled as she headed out of the lift and made for Sickbay.

OFF