Flattery and Barriers

Posted on Tue Sep 3rd, 2024 @ 5:30pm by Lieutenant Dashku Zhevou & Commander Steven Greco

0 words; about a 1 minute read

Mission: Year One: Strange Bedfellows
Location: XO's Office
Timeline: MD: 002 - 16:40 hours

Dashku had made a point to meet with all of the senior officers, but beyond interactions on the bridge and their initial meeting she hadn't spent any time with the XO. She wanted to get to know him and see what kind of man he was. After all the rumors about him and Bishop were flying and while one's personal life wasn't her business, Sophie was a young officer and if he was the type to hit up all the young officers Dashku wanted to know.

She hit the chime to his ready room and waited for him to answer. She considered just how much she wanted to mess with him, maybe start off subtle and increase from there. Was it dangerous? Maybe a little but dangerous was something she liked far more than she'd let on.

Steve looked up at the door when he heard the chime. He had been neck deep in duty rosters and department briefs, confused as to who would seek him out at this hour. Organizing his PaDDs quickly, he ran his hand over his cheek and through his hair to settle it back to it's usual position before calling for his unexpected guest to enter.

Dashku stepped through the door into the XO's ready room. It was slightly bigger than the office she had, but smaller than the Captain's. It was expected, considering the hierarchical structure of Starfleet. She slightly dropped her normal attitude she had on duty, added just a slight extra sway to her hips as she walked in.

"Commander," She said with just a touch of honey to her voice. "I wanted to stop by and spend a little time getting to know you. I've found meeting with the XO and the senior staff gives me a jump on how I can best serve the ship."

Greco was initially confused by the Ops officer's suggestion, but happy for the break from the endless calculations and tables of duty shifts. He tossed his PaDD on the desk and sat back in his chair with a smile. "Not a problem at all. I could use the break. Though we could have done this in the DMZ. Would you care for anything?" He asked, swiveling in his chair to gesture at the replicator in offering to his unexpected guest.

She arched one of her brows, what she wanted to request might be a little on the nose and on duty he seemed like a straight laced officer. "I don't suppose whiskey is an option?" She finally asked, more to see how he'd react. After a moment she pursed her lips. "If that's not acceptable, an Orion tea would be fine. I wouldn't want to get in trouble with the XO."

Steve gave a soft chuckle at Dash's words before glancing back at the chronometer and quietly made a decision before getting up and replicating two neat Kentucky bourbons and placed one in front of the Orion as he took his own seat again. "It's only twenty minutes left in your duty shift. And this is more quiet than the DMZ as it is. Let's just make sure to keep this between us, Lieutenant. Understood?" He asked with a smile and wink as to their little secret.

"Oh I'm good at keeping secrets Commander," Dashku accepted the glass, she was a little disappointed it was replicated but didn't show it. She took a moment to swirl it around her in glass, before taking a sniff of the whiskey. She followed that up with a sip and a happy sigh. "I don't mind the DMZ, but sometimes it's nice to have a little more intimacy. Why don't we start with you telling me what you need from me? I would like to make sure you're fully satisfied."

Greco had gestured for the lieutenant to take a seat opposite his desk while trying to figured out her question. "I'm not entirely sure what you mean, Lieutenant. You've been running the Operations department exemplary. I couldn't ask more of you." He said with confusion lacing his tone.

"Thank you," Dashku moved to one of the chairs in it, she leaned back slightly and let out a soft sigh as she settled in the seat as she eyed him closely.

She'd given him at least two set ups and if he were more along the lines of a first officer she'd have expected him to be less clueless. Maybe it was time to lay it on a little thicker. She gave him a small smile, before taking another small sip, and looking at him through her lashes. "I want to keep my department in top shape. Operations does have a unique roll in that it touches most of the ship. Perhaps I'm interested in touching more of the XO."

Steve stopped his glass as it came to his lips at Dashku’s words. He thought of taking a swig before thinking better of it and instead placed his drink on the desk. “Lieutenant, I’m afraid I don’t follow. You already have my respect and appreciation.” He said to try and deflect the conversation from such a dangerous territory.

"We're two consenting adults Steven," Dashku added a slight drop in her voice when she said his name. In all her time with him, she didn't think him stupid, that left playing intentionally dumb. She knocked back what was in her glass and set it on his desk, before she stood up and walked around. She sat down on the edge of the desk and ran a finger along his cheek and jaw before he could protest. "Isn't half the reason you all join Starfleet is to meet green women?"

Greco had no idea where this was coming from all of sudden. He could feel the rush of adrenaline coursing through his blood as his heart beat faster and his breathing growing harder. He was reminded again how it had been so long since he was touched in anything but a professional capacity, just like with Sophie.

Taking a deep breath, Steve ignored any signs of his arousal and stood up to be looking Zhevou in the eye. He wasn't immune to the charms of an Orion woman, and Dashku was certainly attractive in her own right. Looking in the woman's deep brown eyes, only reminded him how easy it would be to take advantage of the situation. Instead, the commander set his jaw to keep his composure and professionalism. "Not for all of us," he said flatly, "like I said, Lieutenant, you have my respect and appreciation for your diligence of your post. Thanks for the drink. Will there be anything else, Zhevou?" He asked meaningfully, doing his best to establish the line as first officer in a no-nonsense way.

Dash was a little surprised, usually that at least enticed a man to the point where she could keep going. His sudden shift meant she either needed to leave, as he was implying, or keep going. She had fully intended to get him hooked and then completely screw with him but now that he was playing the good guy card it made her want to keep trying. She didn't like being told no and there was something appealing about a good guy considering her past and he actually hadn't told her to leave.

"Steven," She said in a slightly chiding tone, something shifted in her body language and her more animalistic side started to come out. He was prey now. She looked up at him through her lashes and gave him a warm smile. "Relax. I'm so used to assholes hitting on me... You didn't do that. It peaked my interest. If you don't like girls..."

Steve set his jaw and sighed as he controlled his urges. He gently took Dashku's wrist and brought her hand down to her side. "It's not that. And I think that it's best we keep things professional, Lieutenant. I am your superior after all." He offered in what he hoped was his more convincing authoritative voice.

"You are my CO, that hasn't stopped others and I know how to keep on duty and off duty separate," Dashku replied gently, she didn't bristle at his change in tone. If anything it made things a little worse. "I'll make a deal with you. You can give in now, stop being what you think is perfect. You're not using your position to take advantage of me, or I can play the long game."

Greco cocked an eyebrow at Dashku's choice of words. Standing a bit straighter, he used what little height he had on the woman to make his point. "Are you threatening me, Lieutenant?" He asked rhetorically as he felt the blood rush back from his groin to his face as he grew agitated. "I don't care what other officers have done in the past, I am a professional," He held a firm, no nonsense tone before he moved past the Orion towards the door to his office. "Now, if there is nothing else regarding duty, you are dismissed before we have a different discussion about your stay aboard this vessel."

Dash was still for a moment, trying to decide the best course of action. If the positions of the two of them were different, she might push her luck further but she was still a Lieutenant in Starfleet and that mattered to her. Finally, she moved away from his desk and simply nodded her understanding. She wanted to threaten him, push him even harder than she already had, but he was already angry. Plus it hadn't been her original intent.

"Let me set the record straight," Dash's tone was much more firm as she squared her shoulders and approached him. This time she didn't touch him, but her eyes practically burned a hole in him. "I was making you an offer, I never questioned your professionalism. I was interested in something far more personal, which is your loss. Have a good evening, Commander."

Greco didn't say a word, he didn't dare risk it. The temptation was strong to test her word and take advantage of the situation, but he managed to simply set his jaw in determination as he held the Orion's gaze, watching her go as she left. When the doors finally closed behind her, Steve let out a breath he was holding and ran his hands through his hair in agitation before stretching his arms.

Taking his seat, he tried to get back to work but found it impossible. Dashku's smell still lingered at his desk and he found himself shifting in his chair until he gave up and went to his quarters to retire for evening.

 

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