landing party ( for thecanarylives )

[dark_ages]

[ He comes to with his head pounding, his vision blurred, and a persistent ringing in his ears. It takes him a while-- a good while, maybe seconds or maybe minutes, to even regain his vision properly, and to take in his surroundings. He's in a shuttle, which is completely wrecked, panels broken and burnt, wires hanging from everywhere, sparks going off and small fires here or there. They're also tilted forward slightly, so he can feel his weight pushing against the belts keeping him strapped to his chair. He looks beyond the window and he sees a lush forest just outside, trees and blue skies as far as the eye can see. It'd be pretty if not for the fact that they've clearly crashed on the planet they were supposed to land on.

Shit. Holy shit, they crashed. How the fuck did they crash? Leonard just wanted to gather some samples from the surface, it didn't even warrant a landing party bigger than two people, how the fuck did they end up like this?

That thought gets his brain into gear. Because he's not alone. He looks over to find Sara passed out, though at least thankfully still strapped to her seat. He lets out a shuddered breath, trying not to panic as he struggles to undo his own safety belt. ]

Sara!! Come on, you piece of shi-- [ His panicked grousing is cut off as his belt comes undone, and he just barely manages to brace himself against the controls rather than slam right into them. Head still spinning, he nevertheless forces himself to stumble towards her, looking her over briefly for possible injuries before he cups her face, trying to wake her up. ] Sara. Hey, can you hear me? Come on, open your eyes...

Comments

[thecanarylives]

Careful what you wish for, Doc.

[ She chuckles, finishing off the food on her plate. ]

So is there cobbler, or what?

[dark_ages]

[ He laughs at her question, shaking his head. ]

You're really eager for dessert, aren't you?

[ But he finishes his own food with one last forkful, washing it down with some wine before he gets to his feet and takes the plates back to the replicator. He comes back with two servings of peach cobbler, just as she'd guessed. ]

Here you go.

[thecanarylives]

[ She shoots him a mischievous wink, finishing off her own glass before pouring them both another.

Eyes lighting up when he brings back dessert, she grins and takes the plate from him. ]

Your mom's recipe?

[dark_ages]

I believe that's what I promised, yes.

[ He smiles and takes another sip from his now full glass, then sets it aside so he can dig into his dessert. It looks and smells great, and although he's already very familiar with the taste, it still gets a soft, pleased groan from him. ]

[thecanarylives]

[ She takes in the smell of it a moment, and even from the replicator, it smells incredible. Taking a bite doesn't disappoint, and she adds a groan in concert with his, slumping back in her chair in satisfaction. ]

Oh my God. Your mom is amazing.

[dark_ages]

[ He laughs at her remark, taking another forkful from his dessert. ]

You haven't seen anything. She's got whole handwritten recipe books, old family recipes her ma and grandma taught her. Mouth waterin' stuff.

[thecanarylives]

Well, I think it's only right you try and replicate them one by one. For posterity's sake.

[ She takes another bite. ]

Mm. And also, for my sake.

[dark_ages]

[ He eyes her quietly, slowly eating his cobbler. ]

That's going to be a lot of dates, you know.

[thecanarylives]

[ She glances up at him, smiling a little, her foot nudging lightly against his. ]

You asked for it, Doc.

[dark_ages]

That I did. And I'm not takin' it back.

[ Just thought he'd let her know, is all. It's a lot of recipes... Anyway, he picks up his glass again once he clears his plate. ]

Guess I'll have to ask my ma to scan me some of those recipes.

[thecanarylives]

[ The corner of her lip twitches at that. She might not be entirely convinced of that, because there's still a lot about her he doesn't know. But tonight's going well, and she's not about to ruin it with something like that.

She takes a few more bites, washing it down with more wine. ]

I'd offer some of my parents' recipes, but neither of them are all that great in the kitchen.

[dark_ages]

[ Guess only time will tell. For now, he's enjoying himself, and he likes the idea of focusing in the moment. ]

That's alright, I should be able to get plenty of recipes. You can think up more exciting and adventurous date activities, I'm sure.

[thecanarylives]

I promise I won't make you work out with me again, at least.

[ She chuckles, finishing off her plate and picking up her glass again. ]

Besides, I kind of like having a quiet night in. Especially after the last mission.

[dark_ages]

Well, actually it wasn't that bad. All the better if we end it on a nicer note.

[ You know, making out all sweaty on the floor rather than him putting a break on things and getting the hell out of there. ]

I'd say we've had more than enough excitement on that planet, yes. [ He huffs when thinking back to it, finishing his glass with slow, steady sips. ]

Do you want to dance?

[thecanarylives]

That's 'cause I went easy on you.

[ But yes. She'd definitely have preferred a different outcome. Maybe now, their time in the gym can be a little more fun.

She quirks a small smile at his question, brow raising as she gets to her feet. ]

Didn't take you for a dancer.

[dark_ages]

What, you though I was kidding when I said it back at the planet?

[ Dinner and a movie, dinner and a dance... this is a date, after all. He gets to his feet too, switching the music to something more appropriate for a slow dance, then he walks back to where she is, offering her his hand. ]

[thecanarylives]

Kinda just thought you were being cliche.

[ Still, she can't help but smile as she takes his hand, stepping in to close the gap between them.

She could be okay with cliche. ]

[dark_ages]

No, I meant it. I like all kinds of terrible clichés when it comes to dating, you may as well prepare yourself for that.

[ She takes her hand for now anyway, so he figures she's not all that opposed to it. Well, to this, at least. He pulls her closer, until he can wrap his other arm around her waist while still holding her hand, coaxing her gently into a slow sway. ]

[thecanarylives]

Oh yeah? Like what? Just so I'm prepared.

[ She can't help but grin as she draws closer, resting one hand on his shoulder. Up against each other, she's a hell of a lot shorter than him, but it's nice to be close to him anyway. ]

[dark_ages]

[ He seems to take well to the difference in height, managing to tuck her in close to him while they move together. His hand lifts up briefly just to brush lightly through loose strands of her hair, a smile on his face as he tilts his head, meeting her gaze. ]

Well, the candlelit dinner and dancing you've already seen. I also enjoy picnics, long walks on the beach by the moonlight, cooking together, hiking.

[thecanarylives]

[ Her gaze softens up at him as they fit in close together, unable to stop the smile from spreading on her lips. Swaying lightly against him, she tilts her head into the touch of his hand, chuckling softly .]

You do not want me in the kitchen, for the record. Unless it's to butcher something, maybe.

[dark_ages]

Oh, you'd be alright. With a little guidance, I'm sure we could figure out something you'd be good at.

[ Even if it's like cutting meat or peeling potatoes or whatever. ]

Managed to teach Jim a couple things, and trust me, you can't possibly be worse than he is.

[thecanarylives]

You taught him how to cook? Oh, now it's a competition.

[ She chuckles, fingertips reaching up to brush through the hair behind his ear. ]

Thanks. For not changing your mind.

[dark_ages]

[ Leonard laughs at that. Unbelievable. ]

I'm amazed this ship's still in one piece with the two of you in it.

[ He tilts his head a little at her touch, eyes closing for a moment. His hand soon moves to rest over hers, keeping it close as he turns his face to the side and kisses her palm. ]

Thank you for changin' yours.

[thecanarylives]

Just be glad you've never had to sit in on our security briefings.

[ She smiles, thumb brushing softly along his cheek as his lips meet her palm. Fingers shifting to tip his chin down towards her, she pushes herself up on her tiptoes to press a kiss to his lips, soft and sweet and lingering. ]