A number of months ago, Star Trek: Providence author Cleve Johnson wrote this short story involving one of his Providence characters and a lovely lady from Dark Horizon who hasn't been featured as prominently as she deserves up to now, but I hope this corrects that oversight. Both Cleve and I hope you enjoy reading.
"A Chance Encounter"
written by
Cleve Johnson
The man walked into the restaurant and strolled toward the bar. Before he sat down, he just happened to glance toward the outside eating area near the lush garden. He saw her sitting alone at one of the tables, staring at the beautiful scenery. She was not the girl that he remembered. She had grown up, becoming a thing of beauty in her own right. She was a woman. Bold. Confident. Lovely.
He wondered if she would remember him after sixteen years. He stood and gazed on her beauty, wondering why his charms never worked on her when they were at the Academy all those years ago. It was then that he remembered how dedicated to Starfleet that she had been. He remembered that Celeste Purcell came from a long line of officers and enlisted men and women. He remembered how she once told him that since the founding of Starfleet, members of her family tree had been part of the service. Every generation produced at least one Purcell or two who would take up the call to serve both king and country. Before Starfleet, her descendants served in the armed forces of the old United States as far back as the nineteenth century. It was more than tradition. It was a normal way of life for generations of Purcells. Celeste was no different. The service ran through her blood. Like her father and all those who came before, she embodied all that Starfleet stood for.
The man wanted to approach Celeste, but hesitated. During their days at Starfleet Academy, he tried to get close to her on more than one occasion. No matter what he said or did, Celeste Purcell never showed any romantic interest in him, or in anyone to his knowledge. Her career came first. Her family expected that from her. She expected it from herself. She was, and most likely still is, what he considered the epitome of the Starfleet model officer.
The man ran his fingers through his dark hair and straightened his loose fitting shirt. Even in civilian clothes, he suddenly felt uncomfortable. With a sigh, he decided to approach the woman that he once had a crush on. Now he realized that it was just a crush—one of many during his youth.
He walked toward the table and stood by her side, waiting for her to acknowledge his presence. He smiled as she looked up at him. “Is this seat taken?” He placed his hand on the back of the chair next to hers.
Her mouth opened slightly. A brief recognition crossed her face. “Blake?” Blake Adams?”
“I wasn’t sure if you would remember me.” Blake remained standing with his hand still resting on the chair.
“Of course I remember you.” Celeste stood and offered her hand to Blake.
He thought about kissing her outstretched hand, but realized that probably would not be the best way to renew the acquaintance. He grasped her hand firmly and shook it instead.
“Please sit down,” she said. “So how have you been? Are you still in Starfleet?”
Blake gave a half nod and a gentle smile. “I’m doing fine…and yes, I’m still in Starfleet.”
“You were such a practical joker at the Academy, I wasn’t sure you would make it.” Celeste smiled wryly. “I always knew you were capable, but I got the impression that you weren’t…dedicated enough.”
“Oh, I was always dedicated. But I figured that I might as well have fun in the process.” He looked at how her eyes sparkled. He could easily get lost in them if he wasn’t careful. “I’ve never seen you in civilian clothing before.”
“Well, despite what people might think, I don’t sleep in my uniform. Who wants to wear a uniform while on shore leave?”
“Good point,” Blake replied. “I’m on shore leave, too.”
Celeste cocked her head to the side as she regarded Blake Adams. “Have you made lieutenant commander yet? Or maybe commander?”
Blake leaned back in his chair and motioned for the nearest waiter to come over. Turning his attention back to Celeste, he pointed to her near empty glass. “Do you want another?”
“Sure. You buying?” His face lit up.
“Yeah, I’m buying.” Blake turned to the approaching waiter. “The lady’ll have another of whatever it is that she’s drinking, and I’ll have a vanilla Coke.”
The Bolian waiter’s confusion was evident on his face. “I’m sorry, sir, but I’m not familiar with…vanilla Coke?”
Blake hid his frustration. Not many people had heard of his favorite drink. He made a mental note to reintroduce the centuries-old beverage to the modern galaxy. “I’ll have an ale, then. But make sure it’s synthahol.”
“Yes sir,” the blue-skinned waiter said as he turned to get the drinks.
Celeste smiled at Blake. “You never answered my question.”
“Believe it or not, I was recently promoted to captain. In a couple of days, I take command of the Swift.”
“Congratulations, Captain Adams. I’m impressed.”
Blake tried not to let her comments over-inflate his ego. “And what about you, Celeste? What are you doing these days?”
“I’m the Chief Staff Officer on the U.S.S. Chamberlain.”
“Jack McCall’s ship.”
Celeste should not have been surprised that Blake recognized her CO’s name since the Chamberlain was one of only four starships of its kind. And her captain had certainly made a mark…for ill or for good. “You know Captain McCall?”
Blake shook his head slightly. “I met him briefly when my ship took him and his wife to Delta Ophiucus just before the Chamberlain launched. I must say, that’s one big ship.”
“It still overwhelms me sometimes.”
Blake leaned back in his chair. “You, overwhelmed? I find that hard to believe.”
Celeste shrugged, accepting Blake’s comment as a compliment. “Thanks, Blake. I try not to dwell on the size of the ship, but working with a crew of three thousand keeps me busy.”
“I’m sure it does. I’m surprised McCall let you take a vacation. He’s probably pulling his hair out about now.”
Celeste just smiled at Blake. “I’m not that indispensable.”
“But I bet you’re the most efficient officer he’s got,” Blake said. “At least that’s the way I remember you from the Academy.”
“I always believed that I should give my best effort.”
“It shows. Even when you’re not in uniform, Starfleet’s mark can be seen on you. I bet a blind Andorian could tell that you’re in Starfleet just by the sound of your footsteps.”
“Thanks…I think. You haven’t changed that much since the Academy, Blake. You still have that…certain charm about you.”
“I don’t remember you thinking that I was too charming back then.” Blake winked.
Celeste’s face turned slightly red, but not enough to match her hair color. “I noticed it. I was even attracted to you.”
Blake’s mouth started to open, but nothing came out. For the first time in his life, he did not know what to say. He regarded the woman before him and smiled. “I was attracted to you, too.” He got a little sparkle in his eye. “Too bad we each didn’t know how the other felt back then.”
Celeste’s face changed. The lighthearted, warm expression disappeared. “It’s probably best that we didn’t know.”
Blake could not quite decipher the meaning of her tone, but he felt like he was treading on dangerous ground. “Why do you say that?”
Celeste looked deeply into his eyes. Seconds seemed like hours as Blake waited for her reply. “It could have hindered our careers.”
“Even Starfleet officers need to have a life outside of the uniform,” Blake countered.
“Maybe you’re right, Blake, but since I was five I’ve known that my whole life was joined to Starfleet. I never thought that I could separate my career from my personal life. To me, it’s always been one and the same.”
“You realize that you wouldn’t be here if your parents, or their parents, or one of your other ancestors thought that way.” Blake grinned.
Celeste could not help smiling back at him. “You’re incorrigible.”
“I’ve been told that before.”
The Bolian brought Celeste and Blake their drinks and set them on the table in front of them. “Is there anything else I can get you?”
“No, thank you,” Blake said. “Please charge my account. Room three one seven.”
“Yes sir.” The waiter quickly walked away to serve another patron.
Blake looked at Celeste. She met his gaze and they stayed that way for several seconds. Seconds turned to minutes and they eventually lost all track of time. Something happened between them in the silence, but it was not love. It was not lustful desire. It was simply…life outside of the uniform.
Celeste broke the silence. “Would you like to take a walk with me?”
Blake stood up and pulled her chair away from the table. He took her by the hand, gently helping her to her feet. “I’d be glad to. You don’t think it will hinder our careers, do you?” Another wry grin was plastered on his face.
Celeste teasingly smacked his arm. “I’m on shore leave. And so are you.”
Celeste took Blake’s hand in hers and the two of them walked out of the restaurant together.
* * *
Dark Horizon Story and Characters Copyright ©2007 Michael Gray
GO TO STAR TREK: DARK HORIZON - ENTER PAGE
