997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

Kelly and April talk while they take in the sights below. The air raft 
lands outside the nightclub at Kelly's direction. He helps April out, 
and asks the pilot to return to find Shawn. He also makes a mental note 
to thank Shawn later.

The nighclub is a huge establishment on the edge of the commercial 
district. There must be two hundred ground and air cars in the parking 
lot, and lively music blares from outside speakers. "EL TROJA" is 
displayed in giant lighted letters across the front of the building.

Kelly grins widely and leads her to the main entrance. There is a long 
line, but Kelly marches confidently to the front. He speaks briefly 
with the doorman, and you see money change hands. "They found our 
reservation," he says with a boyish grin. You both step inside, and the 
music hits you in the face. After a moment, your eyes and ears adjust.

The place is busy, but not overly crowded. It's much larger than it 
looked from the outside. A smiling waitress in a rather fetching red 
blouse and a denim miniskirt escorts you to a table. She takes your 
drink order and leaves menus.

"How hungry are you?" Kelly says. The music is somewhat quieter in this 
part of the building, so you can have a normal conversation.

JR

997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

Quoting JR :

> Kelly and April talk while they take in the sights below. The air raft 
> lands outside the nightclub at Kelly's direction. He helps April out, 
> and asks the pilot to return to find Shawn. He also makes a mental note 
> to thank Shawn later.
 
April takes his hand as he helps her out.  She looks up to take in the scenery. 
It was a beautiful night.  The glow of the neon lights and the sound of the 
music blaring brings a grin to April's face.  

> Kelly grins widely and leads her to the main entrance. There is a long 
> line, but Kelly marches confidently to the front. He speaks briefly 
> with the doorman, and you see money change hands. "They found our 
> reservation," he says with a boyish grin. You both step inside, and the 
> music hits you in the face. After a moment, your eyes and ears adjust.

She winks at him, "I'm glad they did. I'm getting hungry and something is 
smelling awefully good." She can't help but run a trained eye across the room, 
scouting for potential trouble. 

> The place is busy, but not overly crowded. It's much larger than it 
> looked from the outside. A smiling waitress in a rather fetching red 
> blouse and a denim miniskirt escorts you to a table. She takes your 
> drink order and leaves menus.
 
> "How hungry are you?" Kelly says. The music is somewhat quieter in this 
> part of the building, so you can have a normal conversation.

"I'm growing hungrier by the minute....Ohh that barbeque smells just heavenly.  
Doesn't it?"  April grins at him and raises her eyebrows for emphasis.  "So you 
want place a bet who's going to be the first to throw a punch tonight in this 
room?"


-- 
April

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997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

> She winks at him, "I'm glad they did. I'm getting hungry and 
something
> is
> smelling awefully good." She can't help but run a trained eye across
> the room,
> scouting for potential trouble.

There are only average-looking people out having a good time. The place 
doesn't seem to cater to the rougher crowd.

> > The place is busy, but not overly crowded. It's much larger than it
> >
> > looked from the outside. A smiling waitress in a rather fetching 
red
> >
> > blouse and a denim miniskirt escorts you to a table. She takes your
> >
> > drink order and leaves menus.
>
> > "How hungry are you?" Kelly says. The music is somewhat quieter in
> > this
> > part of the building, so you can have a normal conversation.
>
> "I'm growing hungrier by the minute....Ohh that barbeque smells just
> heavenly.
> Doesn't it?"  April grins at him and raises her eyebrows for 
emphasis.
>  "So you
> want place a bet who's going to be the first to throw a punch tonight
> in this
> room?"

Kelly grins. "It won't be me. And I think I will try some of their 
southern fare. It's spicy, so tread carefully."

JR

997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

Quoting JR :


> > "I'm growing hungrier by the minute....Ohh that barbeque smells just
> > heavenly.
> > Doesn't it?"  April grins at him and raises her eyebrows for 
> emphasis.
> >  "So you
> > want place a bet who's going to be the first to throw a punch tonight
> > in this
> > room?"
> 
> Kelly grins. "It won't be me. And I think I will try some of their 
> southern fare. It's spicy, so tread carefully."

"Ohh spicy, sounds very good to me right now.  I'll try to behave myself 
okay?"  April jests laughing softly.


-- 
April

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997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

> > Kelly grins. "It won't be me. And I think I will try some of their
> > southern fare. It's spicy, so tread carefully."
>
> "Ohh spicy, sounds very good to me right now.  I'll try to behave
> myself
> okay?"  April jests laughing softly.

The waitress returns with their drinks and takes their food order. The 
drinks are in huge glasses and decorated with kabobs of fruit. Kelly 
sips his, clearly intending to make it last for a while. The liquor is 
strong, but well diluted and flavorful in the mixed drink.

Kelly watches her as she enjoys the drink. "What do you think of the 
place?"

JR

997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

Quoting JR :

> > > Kelly grins. "It won't be me. And I think I will try some of their
> > > southern fare. It's spicy, so tread carefully."
> > "Ohh spicy, sounds very good to me right now.  I'll try to behave
> > myself okay?"  April jests laughing softly.

> The waitress returns with their drinks and takes their food order. The 
> drinks are in huge glasses and decorated with kabobs of fruit. Kelly 
> sips his, clearly intending to make it last for a while. The liquor is 
> strong, but well diluted and flavorful in the mixed drink.

> Kelly watches her as she enjoys the drink. "What do you think of the 
> place?"

April looks quite relaxed, you notice she scans the room every so often.   "I 
like it so far. This drink is awfully smooth. This is definitely a more relaxed 
atmosphere...it was great idea to come here Kelly." She takes the stick out of 
the drink and pulls off a piece of fruit popping it into her mouth, chewing a 
bit and swallowing.  "Ohh how was your trip?  Did you at least get a little bit 
of hiking in before we interrupted you?"


-- 
April

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997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

> > Kelly watches her as she enjoys the drink. "What do you think of 
the
> >
> > place?"
>
> April looks quite relaxed, you notice she scans the room every so
> often.   "I
> like it so far. This drink is awfully smooth. This is definitely a
> more relaxed
> atmosphere...it was great idea to come here Kelly." She takes the
> stick out of
> the drink and pulls off a piece of fruit popping it into her mouth,
> chewing a
> bit and swallowing.  "Ohh how was your trip?  Did you at least get a
> little bit
> of hiking in before we interrupted you?"

"It was peaceful, I guess is the word." He stirs his drink with the 
kabob. "I had time to think things over, and the fishing was good, 
too." He smiles. "I knew something was up when I commed Woof, so I cut 
my trip short and started back when you called me."

JR

997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

Quoting JR :
> "It was peaceful, I guess is the word." He stirs his drink with the 
> kabob. "I had time to think things over, and the fishing was good, 
> too." He smiles. "I knew something was up when I commed Woof, so I cut 
> my trip short and started back when you called me."

"Peaceful can be very good at times.  As a matter of fact there are some 
days when peaceful is a gift.  Fishing very good, what did you catch?  Well, it 
seemed to me that everyone should be present and you were still away.  I didn't 
even get permission to pick you up.  I expect that was a faux pas on my part. I 
guess I'm used to working on own...I'm going to have to adjust to working in a 
group."  April smiles at him.




-- 
April

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997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

> > "It was peaceful, I guess is the word." He stirs his drink with the
> >
> > kabob. "I had time to think things over, and the fishing was good,
> > too." He smiles. "I knew something was up when I commed Woof, so I
> > cut
> > my trip short and started back when you called me."
>
> "Peaceful can be very good at times.  As a matter of fact 
there
> are some
> days when peaceful is a gift.  Fishing very good, what did you catch?

"Sleep. mostly."

>  Well, it
> seemed to me that everyone should be present and you were still away.
>  I didn't
> even get permission to pick you up.  I expect that was a faux pas on
> my part. I
> guess I'm used to working on own...I'm going to have to adjust to
> working in a
> group."  April smiles at him.

"This is a different situation for me, as well. Our cousins seem to be, 
by and large, a reliable group of people." He sits back comfortably in 
his chair. "What do you think of our merry crew?"

JR

997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

Quoting JR :
> "Sleep. mostly."

Another quick laugh escapes her. "Hmmmm, I'm going to have to work with you a 
bit.  Have you ever gone hang gliding?"

> >  Well, it
> > seemed to me that everyone should be present and you were still away.
> >  I didn't
> > even get permission to pick you up.  I expect that was a faux pas on
> > my part. I
> > guess I'm used to working on own...I'm going to have to adjust to
> > working in a
> > group."  April smiles at him.

She pops another piece of fruit into her mouth.


> "This is a different situation for me, as well. Our cousins seem to be, 
> by and large, a reliable group of people." He sits back comfortably in 
> his chair. "What do you think of our merry crew?"

"I don't know Kelly, today was my first experience with everyone as a crew.  I 
haven't had time to get a feel for everyone yet.  It's certainly an odd bunch." 
She chuckles, "But Akus hand picked us, even his partners I suspect."




-- 
April

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997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

On Tuesday, June 01, 2004 9:08 PM, April Rose 
[SMTP:hkondrk@travellercentral.com] wrote:
> Quoting JR :
> > "Sleep. mostly."
>
> Another quick laugh escapes her. "Hmmmm, I'm going to have to work
> with you a
> bit.  Have you ever gone hang gliding?"

He looks at her in mock horror. "Not on your life."
>
> > >  Well, it
> > > seemed to me that everyone should be present and you were still
> > > away.
> > >  I didn't
> > > even get permission to pick you up.  I expect that was a faux pas
> > > on
> > > my part. I
> > > guess I'm used to working on own...I'm going to have to adjust to
> > > working in a
> > > group."  April smiles at him.
>
> She pops another piece of fruit into her mouth.
>
>
> > "This is a different situation for me, as well. Our cousins seem to
> > be,
> > by and large, a reliable group of people." He sits back comfortably
> > in
> > his chair. "What do you think of our merry crew?"
>
> "I don't know Kelly, today was my first experience with everyone as a
> crew.  I
> haven't had time to get a feel for everyone yet.  It's certainly an
> odd bunch."
> She chuckles, "But Akus hand picked us, even his partners I suspect."

He raises his glass to her. "He did very well in at least one case, 
then."

JR

997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

Quoting JR :
> > Another quick laugh escapes her. "Hmmmm, I'm going to have to work
> > with you a
> > bit.  Have you ever gone hang gliding?"
> 
> He looks at her in mock horror. "Not on your life."

Her blue eyes twinkle and lets out a hearty laugh. "Ohh can you make that face 
again...that was really good." 

> She pops another piece of fruit into her mouth.


> > > "This is a different situation for me, as well. Our cousins seem to
> > > be,
> > > by and large, a reliable group of people." He sits back comfortably
> > > in
> > > his chair. "What do you think of our merry crew?"
> >
> > "I don't know Kelly, today was my first experience with everyone as a
> > crew.  I
> > haven't had time to get a feel for everyone yet.  It's certainly an
> > odd bunch."
> > She chuckles, "But Akus hand picked us, even his partners I suspect."
> 
> He raises his glass to her. "He did very well in at least one case, 
> then."

She smiles and raises her glass to him and using a southern accent replies "Why 
thank you Mr. Hoenja. I do believe that is the nicest thing that anyone has 
said to me in a long while."  She drops the accent and continues, "I think he 
did well in more than one case." She gives him a wink and sips her drink.


-- 
April

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997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

> > > Another quick laugh escapes her. "Hmmmm, I'm going to have to
> > > work
> > > with you a
> > > bit.  Have you ever gone hang gliding?"
> >
> > He looks at her in mock horror. "Not on your life."
>
> Her blue eyes twinkle and lets out a hearty laugh. "Ohh can you make
> that face
> again...that was really good."

"Strap me to one of those kites and it will be for real." He grins at 
her.

> She smiles and raises her glass to him and using a southern accent
> replies "Why
> thank you Mr. Hoenja. I do believe that is the nicest thing that
> anyone has
> said to me in a long while."  She drops the accent and continues, "I
> think he
> did well in more than one case." She gives him a wink and sips her
> drink.

Kelly nods in acknowledgement. "I find it very hard to believe that 
people say anything but nice things to you."

JR

997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

Quoting JR :
> > > He looks at her in mock horror. "Not on your life."
> >
> > Her blue eyes twinkle and lets out a hearty laugh. "Ohh can you make
> > that face
> > again...that was really good."
> 
> "Strap me to one of those kites and it will be for real." He grins at 
> her.

She chuckles still smiling and her nose wrinkles a bit, "You never know...you 
might like it."
 
> > She smiles and raises her glass to him and using a southern accent
> > replies "Why
> > thank you Mr. Hoenja. I do believe that is the nicest thing that
> > anyone has
> > said to me in a long while."  She drops the accent and continues, "I
> > think he
> > did well in more than one case." She gives him a wink and sips her
> > drink.
> 
> Kelly nods in acknowledgement. "I find it very hard to believe that 
> people say anything but nice things to you."

April laughs, "Oh you most certainly wouldn't find it hard.  Just wait...you 
haven't seen me get angry."  She teases him. "Not a pretty sight. Speaking of 
sight, you have the nicest eyes."

-- 
April

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997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

> > "Strap me to one of those kites and it will be for real." He grins
> > at
> > her.
>
> She chuckles still smiling and her nose wrinkles a bit, "You never
> know...you
> might like it."

He shrugs. "Stranger things have happened."


> > Kelly nods in acknowledgement. "I find it very hard to believe that
> >
> > people say anything but nice things to you."
>
> April laughs, "Oh you most certainly wouldn't find it hard.  Just
> wait...you
> haven't seen me get angry."  She teases him. "Not a pretty sight.
> Speaking of
> sight, you have the nicest eyes."

"That's my line." He leans forward. "I'm an old spacedog - we tend to 
be a forward bunch and we have a reputation for cutting a wide swath 
through the ladies at every port of call."

JR

997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

Quoting JR :

> > > "Strap me to one of those kites and it will be for real." He grins
> > > at
> > > her.
> >
> > She chuckles still smiling and her nose wrinkles a bit, "You never
> > know...you
> > might like it."
> 
> He shrugs. "Stranger things have happened."

A wicked grin crosses her face and her nose wrinkles again, "Well, we could 
always rent a tandem.  Then I could strap you in behind me and you'd have 
someone to hold on to while we glide."


> Kelly nods in acknowledgement. "I find it very hard to believe that
> people say anything but nice things to you."
> > April laughs, "Oh you most certainly wouldn't find it hard.  Just
> > wait...you
> > haven't seen me get angry."  She teases him. "Not a pretty sight.
> > Speaking of
> > sight, you have the nicest eyes."
> 
> "That's my line." He leans forward. "I'm an old spacedog - we tend to 
> be a forward bunch and we have a reputation for cutting a wide swath 
> through the ladies at every port of call."

She laughs softly, "Yes well, I've been accused of being a line stealer."
April stirs her drink and then leans towards him a bit.
"Spacedog eh?  A woman in every port.  I doubt you've cut a swath through a 
woman *quite* like the one who is sitting right in front of you."  She smiles.

-- 
April

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997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

> > He shrugs. "Stranger things have happened."
>
> A wicked grin crosses her face and her nose wrinkles again, "Well, we
> could
> always rent a tandem.  Then I could strap you in behind me and you'd
> have
> someone to hold on to while we glide."

He thinks of a response but holds it behind his teeth. He laughs and 
raises his hands. "I surrender. But warn me so I can get my nerve up 
first."


> > "That's my line." He leans forward. "I'm an old spacedog - we tend
> > to
> > be a forward bunch and we have a reputation for cutting a wide 
swath
> >
> > through the ladies at every port of call."
>
> She laughs softly, "Yes well, I've been accused of being a line
> stealer."
> April stirs her drink and then leans towards him a bit.
> "Spacedog eh?  A woman in every port.  I doubt you've cut a swath
> through a
> woman *quite* like the one who is sitting right in front of you." 
 She
> smiles.

He shakes his head, and his laughing expression smooths as he regards 
her with a mixture of admiration and respect. "I haven't met anyone 
like you. Not even Keeri..." He flushes with embarrassment. "I'm 
sorry..."

JR

997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

Quoting JR :

> He thinks of a response but holds it behind his teeth. He laughs and 
> raises his hands. "I surrender. But warn me so I can get my nerve up 
> first."

She grins, "I'm going to hold you to this you know. But I will warn you. Cross 
my heart."

> > > "That's my line." He leans forward. "I'm an old spacedog - we tend
> > > to
> > > be a forward bunch and we have a reputation for cutting a wide 
> swath
> > >
> > > through the ladies at every port of call."
> >
> > She laughs softly, "Yes well, I've been accused of being a line
> > stealer."
> > April stirs her drink and then leans towards him a bit.
> > "Spacedog eh?  A woman in every port.  I doubt you've cut a swath
> > through a
> > woman *quite* like the one who is sitting right in front of you." 
>  She
> > smiles.
> 
> He shakes his head, and his laughing expression smooths as he regards 
> her with a mixture of admiration and respect. "I haven't met anyone 
> like you. Not even Keeri..." He flushes with embarrassment. "I'm 
> sorry..."

"There is no need to be sorry.  This Keeri she must have been special. Tell me 
about her."  She doesn't move...she smiles and waits for him to continue.

-- 
April

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997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

> She grins, "I'm going to hold you to this you know. But I will warn
> you. Cross
> my heart."

He laughs. "Okay, you win."


> > He shakes his head, and his laughing expression smooths as he
> > regards
> > her with a mixture of admiration and respect. "I haven't met anyone
> >
> > like you. Not even Keeri..." He flushes with embarrassment. "I'm
> > sorry..."
>
> "There is no need to be sorry.  This Keeri she must have been 
special.
> Tell me
> about her."  She doesn't move...she smiles and waits for him to
> continue.

"She was special." He sighs. "She was a gravtics tech on my ship. We 
had talked about getting married after we mustered out. I made it, she 
didn't."

JR

997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

Quoting JR :

> > She grins, "I'm going to hold you to this you know. But I will warn
> > you. Cross
> > my heart."
> 
> He laughs. "Okay, you win."
> 
> 
> > > He shakes his head, and his laughing expression smooths as he
> > > regards
> > > her with a mixture of admiration and respect. "I haven't met anyone
> > >
> > > like you. Not even Keeri..." He flushes with embarrassment. "I'm
> > > sorry..."
> >
> > "There is no need to be sorry.  This Keeri she must have been 
> special.
> > Tell me
> > about her."  She doesn't move...she smiles and waits for him to
> > continue.
> 
> "She was special." He sighs. "She was a gravtics tech on my ship. We 
> had talked about getting married after we mustered out. I made it, she 
> didn't."

She takes his hands again and looks into his eyes. "I'm very sorry...it must 
have been devastating. You never looked for anyone after that?"

-- 
April

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997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

> > "She was special." He sighs. "She was a gravtics tech on my ship. 
We
> >
> > had talked about getting married after we mustered out. I made it,
> > she
> > didn't."
>
> She takes his hands again and looks into his eyes. "I'm very
> sorry...it must
> have been devastating. You never looked for anyone after that?"

"No." His voice is leached of emotion. "That was about two years ago. 
The war heated up and we spend most of our time in space. Since (the 
battle of) Cathay, I haven't exactly been in the frame of mind to look 
for anyone."

JR

997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

Quoting JR :

> > > "She was special." He sighs. "She was a gravtics tech on my ship. 
> We
> > >
> > > had talked about getting married after we mustered out. I made it,
> > > she
> > > didn't."
> >
> > She takes his hands again and looks into his eyes. "I'm very
> > sorry...it must
> > have been devastating. You never looked for anyone after that?"
> 
> "No." His voice is leached of emotion. "That was about two years ago. 
> The war heated up and we spend most of our time in space. Since (the 
> battle of) Cathay, I haven't exactly been in the frame of mind to look 
> for anyone."

She nods, still holding his hands, "I've never been that close.  There was always something else...married 
to music and the band, married to the job... One of those life expreriences I 
was talking about...falling in love....getting married."


-- 
April

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997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

> > > She takes his hands again and looks into his eyes. "I'm very
> > > sorry...it must
> > > have been devastating. You never looked for anyone after that?"
> >
> > "No." His voice is leached of emotion. "That was about two years
> > ago.
> > The war heated up and we spend most of our time in space. Since 
(the
> >
> > battle of) Cathay, I haven't exactly been in the frame of mind to
> > look
> > for anyone."
>
> She nods, still holding his hands, "I've never been that close.
>  and her eyes move to the table top> There was always something
> else...married
> to music and the band, married to the job... One of those life
> expreriences I
> was talking about...falling in love....getting married."

He examines her hands as they lay in his. "Do you want to fall in love, 
April Rose?" His voice is ragged, and he clears his throat quietly. 
"There's nothing quite as painful as being in love. Wounds to the body 
heal easily compared to the wounds of the heart."

JR

997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

Quoting JR :

> > She nods, still holding his hands, "I've never been that close.
> >  > and her eyes move to the table top> There was always something
> > else...married
> > to music and the band, married to the job... One of those life
> > expreriences I
> > was talking about...falling in love....getting married."
> 
> He examines her hands as they lay in his. "Do you want to fall in love, 
> April Rose?" His voice is ragged, and he clears his throat quietly. 
> "There's nothing quite as painful as being in love. Wounds to the body 
> heal easily compared to the wounds of the heart."

Her eyes rise to meet his and she sighs. "Yes,  of course I'd like to fall in 
love and I realize that there has to be pain along with the joy of being in 
love. My only fear is that loving me might cost me or the one I love their 
life."

-- 
April

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997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

> > He examines her hands as they lay in his. "Do you want to fall in
> > love,
> > April Rose?" His voice is ragged, and he clears his throat quietly.
> >
> > "There's nothing quite as painful as being in love. Wounds to the
> > body
> > heal easily compared to the wounds of the heart."
>
> Her eyes rise to meet his and she sighs. "Yes,  of course I'd like to
> fall in
> love and I realize that there has to be pain along with the joy of
> being in
> love. My only fear is that loving me might cost me or the one I love
> their
> life."

His gaze is keen now, focussed on her, his own emotions pushed aside 
for the moment. "Why do you say that?"

JR

997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

Quoting JR :
> > Her eyes rise to meet his and she sighs. "Yes,  of course I'd like to
> > fall in
> > love and I realize that there has to be pain along with the joy of
> > being in
> > love. My only fear is that loving me might cost me or the one I love
> > their
> > life."
> 
> His gaze is keen now, focussed on her, his own emotions pushed aside 
> for the moment. "Why do you say that?"

"What I do for a living, Kelly. Staying focused...staying sharp...keeps you 
alive.  Falling love...can be a distraction..then two lives are at stake not 
just mine. Not that I'm always in danger mind you...but the possibility is 
there and is real."  She sighs again.

-- 
April

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997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

> > His gaze is keen now, focussed on her, his own emotions pushed 
aside
> >
> > for the moment. "Why do you say that?"
>
> "What I do for a living, Kelly. Staying focused...staying
> sharp...keeps you
> alive.  Falling love...can be a distraction..then two lives are at
> stake not
> just mine. Not that I'm always in danger mind you...but the
> possibility is
> there and is real."  She sighs again.

His gaze unfocuses for a second, then he looks at her again. "Consider 
me duly warned." Releasing her hands, he sits back and smiles at her. 
"May I extract a promise from you, April?"

JR

997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

Quoting JR :

> His gaze unfocuses for a second, then he looks at her again. "Consider 
> me duly warned." Releasing her hands, he sits back and smiles at her. 
> "May I extract a promise from you, April?"

She follows him with her eyes, placing her palms face down on the table in 
front of her. "A promise? What sort of promise?"

-- 
April

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997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

> > His gaze unfocuses for a second, then he looks at her again.
> > "Consider
> > me duly warned." Releasing her hands, he sits back and smiles at
> > her.
> > "May I extract a promise from you, April?"
>
> She follows him with her eyes, placing her palms face down on the
> table in
> front of her. "A promise? What sort of promise?"

"Maybe I haven't known you long enough to ask." He clasps his hands in 
front of him on the table. "Give me, or us - if I may say so - a 
chance. If we become friends, that is good. If we find that we wish to 
be more than friends," he leans forward and lays his hands palm up on 
the table in front of hers, "then we will both allow it to happen."

JR

997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

Quoting JR :

> > > His gaze unfocuses for a second, then he looks at her again.
> > > "Consider
> > > me duly warned." Releasing her hands, he sits back and smiles at
> > > her.
> > > "May I extract a promise from you, April?"
> >
> > She follows him with her eyes, placing her palms face down on the
> > table in
> > front of her. "A promise? What sort of promise?"
> 
> "Maybe I haven't known you long enough to ask." He clasps his hands in 
> front of him on the table.

April nods and listens closely to him, her eyes holding his.

> "Give me, or us - if I may say so - a  chance. If we become friends, that is 
>good. If we find that we wish to be more than friends," he leans forward and 
>lays his hands palm up on the table in front of hers, "then we will both allow 
it to happen."

She studies his face for a few heartbeats and then tilts her head down 
seemingly staring at their adjacent hands.  Considering his words, she thinks 
how the April of only 3 or 4 years ago would have reacted...but this April was 
different. I've already broken the rules today.  What harm could there be in  
breaking one more rule? Especially one which was self-imposed.  

It was considerate of the CSA to take advantage of her inheritance in order to 
gain information on the Quental Main.  She had already been warned of the 
possibility of a Zeristu agent travelling along on the MaeLee with them.  She 
was prepared for that, she wasn't prepared for this.

Returning her focus to the table and the handsome man seated in front of her, 
she absently lifts her hands and her fingers gently caress his palms, finally 
letting them rest, palms down, gently on top of his hands.  She lifts her head 
and finally meets his gaze. "That's not a promise.  It's a request.   One which 
I find myself eagerly wishing to grant you.  I thought we were already working 
on the friendship part?  Besides, I've already broken one 
rule today, what's one more?"

-- 
April

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997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

> Returning her focus to the table and the handsome man seated in front
> of her,
> she absently lifts her hands and her fingers gently caress his palms,
> finally
> letting them rest, palms down, gently on top of his hands.  She lifts
> her head
> and finally meets his gaze. "That's not a promise.  It's a request.
>   One which
> I find myself eagerly wishing to grant you.  I thought we were 
already
> working
> on the friendship part?  Besides, I've already
> broken one
> rule today, what's one more?"

He holds her eyes with his, and she sees the questions in them. 
"Indeed." His tone is one of decision. "You have a job to do, and I 
will respect that." His hands close to grasp hers gently. "Tell me what 
you may, and I will try my best to not press for more." He smiles and 
nods at something behind her. "For now, I think our dinner just popped 
up on the scanners." The waitress is a few feet away, bearing dinner.

JR

997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

Quoting JR :
 
> He holds her eyes with his, and she sees the questions in them.

She smiles, yes the questions.
 
> "Indeed." His tone is one of decision. "You have a job to do, and I 
> will respect that." His hands close to grasp hers gently. "Tell me what 
> you may, and I will try my best to not press for more." He smiles and 
> nods at something behind her. "For now, I think our dinner just popped 
> up on the scanners." The waitress is a few feet away, bearing dinner.

April smiles allowing his hands to close around hers.  "Deal." She glances 
behind her. "Ohhh great..I'm still really hungry."  

-- 
April

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997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

> April smiles allowing his hands to close around hers.  "Deal." She
> glances
> behind her. "Ohhh great..I'm still really hungry."

The waitress sets the plates in front of them with a flourish and a 
smile. "Is there anything else I can bring you?" Kelly shakes his head. 
"Not for me, thanks." The food looks wonderful and all the appropriate 
condiments and other items seem to be present.

JR

997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

Quoting JR :

> > April smiles allowing his hands to close around hers.  "Deal." She
> > glances
> > behind her. "Ohhh great..I'm still really hungry."
> 
> The waitress sets the plates in front of them with a flourish and a 
> smile. "Is there anything else I can bring you?" Kelly shakes his head. 
> "Not for me, thanks." The food looks wonderful and all the appropriate 
> condiments and other items seem to be present.

April smiles up at her. "No thank you, I"m fine."  She looks at Kelly, "Ohhh my 
this just smells and looks incredible.  Shall we dig in?"  

-- 
April

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997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

> > The waitress sets the plates in front of them with a flourish and a
> >
> > smile. "Is there anything else I can bring you?" Kelly shakes his
> > head.
> > "Not for me, thanks." The food looks wonderful and all the
> > appropriate
> > condiments and other items seem to be present.
>
> April smiles up at her. "No thank you, I"m fine."  She looks at 
Kelly,
> "Ohhh my
> this just smells and looks incredible.  Shall we dig in?"

Kelly smiles. "Would you care to join me in a little ritual that I 
picked up a while back?" He raises his glass, and his face is suddenly 
serious and his eyes are full of ghosts. "To fallen comrades, may their 
sacrifice not be forgotten."

JR

997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

Quoting JR :

997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

> April raises her own glass and repeats his toast.  His dedication and
> loyalty
> to those he served with was touching and most admirable she thought 
to
> herself.

"Thank you." He smiles. "Now, let's eat!" He takes a bite of the 
entree. "Wow, that's hot!"

JR

997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

Quoting JR :

> > April raises her own glass and repeats his toast.  His dedication and
> > loyalty
> > to those he served with was touching and most admirable she thought 
> to
> > herself.
> 
> "Thank you." He smiles. "Now, let's eat!" He takes a bite of the 
> entree. "Wow, that's hot!"


April digs in too and chuckles as the heat from the dish hits her.  She licks 
her lips a bit. "Ohh this is tooo good! It's plenty hot."

-- 
April

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997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

> > "Thank you." He smiles. "Now, let's eat!" He takes a bite of the
> > entree. "Wow, that's hot!"
>
>
> April digs in too and chuckles as the heat from the dish hits her.
>  She licks
> her lips a bit. "Ohh this is tooo good! It's plenty hot."

The food is hot and spicy, and the service is excellent. Kelly chats 
with April about the /Mae Lee/ and their cousins while they eat. After 
the meal is done, Kelly pays for it, then he turns to April. "They have 
a veranda with a view of the bay. Shall we take a walk while dinner 
settles?"

JR

997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

Quoting JR :

> > > "Thank you." He smiles. "Now, let's eat!" He takes a bite of the
> > > entree. "Wow, that's hot!"
> >
> >
> > April digs in too and chuckles as the heat from the dish hits her.
> >  She licks
> > her lips a bit. "Ohh this is tooo good! It's plenty hot."
> 
> The food is hot and spicy, and the service is excellent. Kelly chats 
> with April about the /Mae Lee/ and their cousins while they eat. After 
> the meal is done, Kelly pays for it, then he turns to April. "They have 
> a veranda with a view of the bay. Shall we take a walk while dinner 
> settles?"

"Ohh yes that would be really lovely." She smiles. and takes his hand as he 
helps her rise from her seat and takes his arm as he guides her towards the 
veranda.

-- 
April

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997.273. Kelly and April - At the Nightclub

> "Ohh yes that would be really lovely." She smiles. and takes his hand
> as he
> helps her rise from her seat and takes his arm as he guides her
> towards the
> veranda.

Kelly offers April his arm and they walk toward the veranda exit. The 
music is louder here; a lively band plays brass instruments, guitars, 
and an accordian. The music is rustic, but beautiful. The dance floor 
is full of couples and groups, and everyone seems to be having a good 
time.

The music fades as they pass through the glass doors leading outside. 
One of Mark's two moons looms on the horizon, seeming to tower over 
them in the clear night air. A path of reflected light extends toward 
them from off the bay, and a warm, fragrant breeze rustles in the trees 
around the veranda. They walk to the railing and look outward. The land 
behind the nightclub drops off sharply dow