Lunch or Dinner?

Posted on 10/15/2022 @ 4:00pm by Lieutenant Hiro Yoshida & Captain Cara Letsul & Lieutenant Kaylee Serra

2,595 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Mini Mission: When The Cat's Away
Location: Somewhere
Timeline: MD 04

It was the next day, and Kaylee had the day off. She had to go see how Hiro was doing. She went to his quarters and pressed the chime, hoping he wasn't too busy for anything, well especially for a meal.

The man of Asian descent had just stepped out of the shower, towel wrapped around his waist. Upon hearing the chime he looked for a pants and shirt to put on, but then realized he had yet to choose from his wardrobe what he would wear for today...and sometimes he could be a bit picky, like this day.

But that obviously would take too long now. Whoever was outside his cabin wouldn't want to wait that long. He looked at himself of the mirror and shrugged. If he'd gone for a swim he would look the same as now, so no problem, right?

"Come in. Door's not locked." He called out while at the same time walking over to the entrance of his quarters.

Kaylee stepped in, noting his attire and her cheeks flushed a slight pink. "Hi Hiro... Um sorry did I arrive at a bad time?" Now Kaylee hadn't been raised like a full blooded Betazed, and sure she wasn't supposed to be shy about seeing someone's body, but still... And she definitely thought he was handsome. He is Liam's friend though.

Cara felt a bit nervous and dry mouthed when she approached Hiro's quarters, it was about 1500 and she didn't know quite how well he'd receive her due to the trouble she'd caused him so far. They weren't able to finish that scenario before he was hauled off to the brig. She pressed the chime and waited.

Kaylee looked behind her at the door hearing the chime. "Hiro are you expecting someone, do you want me to answer the door?"

"No, it's okay. I'll do it." Hiro smiled briefly when he passed her. She did seem a bit tense. "Are you alright? You seem a bit on edge." he said when he was at the door, looking back over his shoulder.

Kaylee's cheeks blushed an even darker pink. He was hot, and definitely a nice body. Mentally she was reminding herself she was married but boy was he hot. "I am okay, you are rather good looking..." then she squeaked. "Did I just say that out loud."

A few long moments passed. It was not exactly the reaction he'd expected. "Eh..thanks." Then he offered Kaylee a smirk. "Melinda says the same." Next he pressed a button and the door opened once again.

Kaylee nodded, and giggled slightly embarrassed but it was the truth. "I'm glad Melinda agrees." She turned to see who was at the door, and her cheeks went aflame when she saw who was there, it was Commander Letsul.

Both eyebrows arched upwards, when Cara saw Kaylee there, and Hiro clad only with a towel. Her eyes panned over the handsome operations officer, then went to his eyes and stayed there. "Well looks like this a day for you to have company isn't it, Lieutenant Yoshida?" giving a pleasant smile. "I was coming to see if you'd like to have lunch with me, but since it seems you've got company, I can come back later." It looking like Cara was getting ready to leave.

"Wait, I was coming to ask him out for lunch as well, maybe... the three of us can go out to lunch together?" Kaylee blurting this out.

Hiro looked at both in turn, rather amused at the situation. Now, had this happened a few years back he would have found it to be awkward. But times, and he, had changed. "Sounds like like a good idea to me." He turned to Cara again. "If it's alright with you, Commander?"

"I am agreeable to this." Cara replied with a smile, "And I think we can dispense with ranks. It would be rather nice. Where would you like to eat? Something fancy or just... comfort food, something simple?"

Kaylee thought for a moment "Pizza, sushi or Italian. What do you suggest Hiro?" deciding to go with what Cara suggested of dropping ranks.

"Sushi is fine with me. I know a good Japanese place here." Hiro said. "But..let me change first. Walking around in my quarters like this is one thing..."

Cara chuckled, " You would most certainly cause quite a stir, if you did walk to the restaurant clad in nothing but a towel. Don't worry we'll wait."

Kaylee nodded vigorously, then found a place to sit while waiting. Cara joined her, "So Kaylee, how are things?"

Kaylee quickly turned to look at Cara. "They are fine Com.. I mean Cara. You know I am feeling a bit awkward here. Sorry just that you know.. what happened..." Kaylee was thinking of when she had to take Hiro into security.

Cara caught that thought, "Kaylee it is okay, you did your duty and from what I can say is, things are moving forward in the investigation. Lets not talk about that right now. This is the time to relax and enjoy a lunch with the three of us. That is all."

Kaylee nodded, "Of course this is true." the younger woman answered, interlocking her fingers together to keep from twiddling them.

Hiro returned some 5 minutes later, casually dressed in blue jeans and a white short sleaved shirt. "It's been a while since I've gone out dressed like this. Takes some getting used too."

Kaylee gave a nod, "I can understand that but you do look great. "

Cara nodded in agreement, "Okay take us to your favorite restaurant." smiling. "and this time hmmmnnn don't think there will be an interruption." she then paused and said, "I hope there isn't."

"You..hope?" Hiro said slowly. "A little more reassurance would be helpful here. I'm not going back to a holding cell again for something I have not done."

"I have faith that chain of ill luck has been broken, or soon will be broken." Cara giving a smile of encouragement. "Lead on Hiro, and lets enjoy a lovely lunch."

Kaylee had a slight worried expression then it cleared up. " I have faith in Lieutenant Mattix's skills in her investigation."

When he was about to exit his quarters, Hiro couldn't help but make one last remark. "Faith.. I don't know about that. I rather have something more concrete." Having said that he stepped outside into the hallway and waited for the two ladies to follow him. When they joined him he pursed his lips and shrugged. "We can always go to the Bajoran temple and pray, though. Can't hurt, right?"

In unison both Kaylee and Cara replied "That sounds great!" then they looked at each other and laughed.

"Ice cream." Cara stated quickly. "You owe me ice cream." looking towards Kaylee. Then she turned to Hiro. "honestly I would like to do that wouldn't and couldn't hurt at all."

Kaylee nodded rather vigorously, "Indeed I agree, visit a Bajoran Temple then go get something to eat."

Hiro looked surprised at both women, alternating between them. "Eh, I was joking." No more than a second later he regretted saying that. He raised both his hands before his chest, indicating he was sorry. "Okay.." he cleared his throat before going on. "bad joke. Bajoran temple and ice cream it is then."

Cara's lips formed an 'O' when she heard this. "I did take it seriously when you mentioned it. This is due to my feelings of us needing help where we can get it. But yes, Bajoran Temple, Food and ice cream. Sounds like a great plan."

Kaylee laughed quietly, she was feeling a bit better as to this happening. "Okay, so lead on Hiro."

A playful smile appeared on Hiro's face as he started walking. "If you will follow me, ladies."

And the ladies did follow after Hiro for a few then they decided to link their arms with him. one on each side, causing some people to give a glance or two, some men having an expression of envy. Cara giggled, "Sorry I guess we're causing a stir. We can let go, though, if you'd like. You are being such a gentleman though could help ourselves."

Kaylee nodded in agreement. "Thought this would be better than us holding hands."

"I never had two women by my side." Hiro said, feeling both good and a little awkward at the same time. "Just..eh..just don't tell Melinda. She could interpret this the wrong way."

Kaylee chuckled, "Oh don't worry, I won't be saying anything about this."

Cara nodded in agreement, she was picking up his discomfort, "Still, its old fashioned courtesy that gentlemen at times display. However you do not need to worry about her finding out about this. Oh look we're at our first destination." nodding towards the Bajoran Temple. "I truly hope that this will help to boost things in your favor, Hiro."

"Me too. Any help is welcome. Besides, who am I to say no to divine intervention." the Asian man said before entering the temple.

After a little bit of time, Cara and Kaylee stepped outside of the temple to await Hiro. They both had gone into some small areas to do some meditation. Cara was feeling a bit more hopeful and more at peace. Kaylee felt the same way.

"Okay I feel better. I do need to do meditation a bit more." Cara quietly remarked to Kaylee. "And I put in a prayer for Hiro as well, for him to be found innocent of the charges. He is a good man."

After a few minutes more Hiro appeared again. He'd enjoyed the peace and quiet the temple had offere. It had made his meditation ritual easier. "I don't know if the prophets will help me - they didn't talk to me - but the time I spent here was time well spent."

Cara smiled, " I certainly agree with that, it was the same for me. Now time to eat and get a treat."

Kaylee looked at Cara and laughed, "You just made a rhyme Cara." giving the woman a friendly shoulder nudge.

Cara looked at Kaylee, then realized that she had. "Funny, perhaps I am a poet deep inside." she mused.

"Maybe you should give it a try and starting writing poems." the former Chief of Station Operations Officer said. He looked from Cara to the masses of people on the Promonade. "Alright, Sushi. I know a nice Japanese restaurant that serves it. And it's run by good people. I'm certain you both will like it."

"I do really like sushi." Cara replied with a smile.

Kaylee answered as well, "Yup sushi sounds great to me. I don't quite know how to make it, I've tried but ended up making a mess of things. Best to let those who have the artistry in creating the dish do so. I'll be just as happy to eat it." giving a laugh.

"Lead on, then Hiro." Cara adding in her two bits.

"It's on the next level and then about a hundred meters to the right when you exit the turbo lift. Say, you two ever tasted Saké?" Hiro smirked as he suspected he already knew the answer.

Cara chuckled "I have indulged a time or two." she responded, "Its not bad at all."

Kaylee nodded as well, "I've had Saké as well, I remember my mother making certain I knew what different drinks tasted like and how to serve them. All a part of my training to be a diplomat."

"And yet you are in security." Cara replied.

"Well yes, I didn't want to be stuck indoors and not be able to go outside and play in the mud." Kaylee smiling. "So I am doing something I enjoy."

"I would've done the same I think. Doing something you enjoy puts perfection in the job." Hiro made the last few steps towards the Turbo Lift and stepped in. He waited until Cara and Kaylee joined him. "Upper Promenade." he said. The lift started moving directly after he finished giving the command.

Kaylee was feeling extraordinarily excited at the thought of some really good food. In essence Kaylee was somewhat of a foodie. She loved well prepared food, and also good drinks, be they alcoholic in nature or not. "I am so looking forward to indulging in a tasty meal." giving a bit of a laugh.

Cara looked at the bubbly, energetic Kaylee; giving a slight smile. This girl seemed to just exude so much positivity. She did know of the horrific ordeal that the younger woman had faced and her struggle with some matters, but the woman seemed to be unsinkable. Cara was somewhat making a sort of comparison between herself and Kaylee. Cara gave a mental sigh, she sort of wished she had more of that joy in living and experiencing life. Has she become that jaded?

She wrested her mind from that dangerous slide and chuckled. "I am feeling that we're going to have such an interesting lunch with the three of us."

Kaylee just grinned. "Maybe?" then laughed.

The lift stopped on the level that Hiro chose, the two ladies stepping out and waiting for him.

"Interesting for sure. Us three in a Japanese restaurant eating sushi and drinking saké." Hiro chuckled. "This way ladies. It's over there." He pointed at the establishment that has the distinctive symbols a Japanese restaurant would have.

"This looks wonderful!" Kaylee responded with gladness in her voice.

Cara smiled as well. When they were seated, and the menu was given, Cara already had some choices. "The scent is absolutely delicious."

Hiro looked at the menu. It didn't take him long to decide what to order. "I think I'll have the assorted "sashimi" on a bed of seasoned rice, along with a warm Saké."

"That sounds rather good." Kaylee exclaimed. "I'll be having the same."

Cara gave a nod of approval. Her attention to the menu and the delicious food that was being ordered made her stomach growl loudly.

There was a ping on her PaDD which Cara took a look at, her mouth gaping open, at what she read. She breathed in a quiet sigh of relief, and there was a brilliant beaming smile that radiated outward. Tears also were trickling down her cheeks.

Kaylee looked in askance towards the dark haired commander. " Uh Cara... what is going on? Why are you crying- " she stopped, catching the emotions from Cara. "Oh my gosh, tell us, tell us!" she almost squealed out.

Cara locked eyes with Hiro a teary smile. "Hiro, I have some wonderful news. You are a free man. The case against you had been dropped. You have been found innocent."

Hiro stared at her in disbelief. "Seriously? I mean, I'm happy of course, but..I don't understand."

"Apparently the security team we have, were able to crack the case, and found evidence of you being framed. Can't reveal any other details except for that small piece. Needless to say, Hiro, you are a free man."

It felt like a load fell off Hiro's shoulders and he started to smile. "Those are the best words I heard today. I'd say this is reason for a small party." He signaled a waiter and orderd a bottle of the the finest Saké. "Drinks are on me."

The two ladies gave a cheer and beaming smiles.

---

Lieutenant Kaylee Serra-Reynolds
Security Officer
Poseidon Station

Commander Cara Letsul
Poseidon Operations Commander
Chief Counselor

Lieutenant Hiro Yoshida
Operations Officer
Poseidon Station

 

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