Shakes and Steak

[Marcus Garret]

1920
Akrotiri
Garden

Marcus set the second cooler down between the chairs that he’d set out in the garden about an hour earlier. He stands, flexing his hands as he looks out at the starscape. The coolers had been a little heavy, but it was worth the exercise. He was looking forward to sharing the contents of the containers with Kat. The venison steaks had come an awful long way, after all.

Since both of them were still on convalescent leave, he’d been wearing t-shirts and jeans most days, and still going by the medical center every day for checkups. This evening, though, he was wearing a light grey, button-down shirt and a pair of black khakis. He was half-hoping that no one had noticed his attire, or he’d likely never hear the end of it. After all, since when did nerdy, McGyver-type communications Lieutenants wear nice clothes? Only when they were getting together with someone of the opposite gender, of course. Thus, he was hoping that no one had noticed him.

Being here in the garden, he couldn’t really keep his mind on that particular worry, though. He was hoping that the evening would include pleasant conversation; conversation that he hoped would move their relationship forward. The tension that was currently present between them, it wasn’t good. It was a distraction, as the last mission had demonstrated all too well. It had only taken the sickness lessening his inhibitions a little for him to totally lose it and…

Act on his feelings. Like when he’d gone AWOL.

He lets out a sigh before smiling slightly. He couldn’t keep everything bottled up any more, which was all the more reason for this talk.

<Tag Kat>

[Katrina Logan]

1920
Aktori
Garden

The conversation and meeting with her dear friend stayed fresh in the Major’s mind during her walk through the garden. The night seemed to be perfect and the breeze was enough to waver off any heated emotions or blushing embarrassments. The scent of flowers was predominant on her stroll and Katrina specifically went through the roses to breathe in their exotic and tantalizing aromas. The last mission left unanswered questions, and the time spent with her friend left Logan with decisions. Tonight, those decisions would be made. Tonight would be life changing.

Being this was a date (in Katrina’s mind), the need to look a little more lavishing and proper was extremely important. Although Marcus had seen the major in her underwear during the mission and had seen her at her worst during recovery, there wasn’t much opportunity to see her when she shined, when another part of the officer could come out. Shoulder bound brown locks hung loosely with a wave of seduction on bare shoulders. A black silken dress with a variety of draped creases accentuating curves was the fashion choice of the doctor. Material draped around her ivory neck creating the strapless appearance. The bottom came to just below the knees followed by low black pumps. If she was spotted, it would be most apparent that Logan wasn’t just going out by herself.

After having a conversation with the roses, Katrina made her way to very same spot that she and Marcus shared before being abducted and cloned. A tingle raced down the officer’s spine making her stop in her tracks. Her heart began to beat harder as she took in a deep breath. Nothing is going to happen today, nothing is going to ruin this, nothing, so calm down.

Her steps resumed once again until she was standing behind him. Not wanting to startle him, she politely gave a coughing gesture to obtain his attention. When he turned, her smile greeted him. ”Good evening Marcus”.

<Tag: Marcus>

[Marcus Garret]

1921
Akrotiri
Garden

Marcus couldn’t help but smile as he turned. In retrospect, turning a little slower might have been a wiser thing to do, since the vision of loveliness that was standing there took his breath away. It took him a moment, but he managed to recover enough to think straight again. He blinked a couple times, and then smiled again.

“Good evening, Kat.”

He paused for a moment, and then continued.

“You’re beautiful, Kat.”

He blinks again, and smiles as he motions toward the chairs and table. “I’ve got dinner ready. I hope you like venison and fresh vegetables.”

He moves over to the first of the coolers, pulling open the top and setting out the plates of food on the table, along with the silverware that he’d borrowed from the chow hall.

Closing up the cooler that had held the food, he looked over at Kat with a smirk as he reached for the second cooler. “I know how much you liked the milkshakes I made last time. When I made that trip to check on Pooja and Jerry I made a little shopping trip, and picked up some gourmet chocolate. I hope you enjoy.”

Pulling the lid off the cooler, he can’t help but smile as he reveals that there are more than just two glasses of milkshakes nestled in the ice. He lifts the first pair out of the chest and closed the lid once more before setting the glasses next to each plate.

Smiling over at Kat, he moves behind one chair, pulling it out slightly away from table.

<Tag Kat>

[Katrina Logan]

Garden

The aroma escaped the table and slowly formulated against Kat’s taste palettes. Small amounts of saliva formed inside of the doctor’s mouth as the rich scent of freshly cut meat and spices filled her nostrils. Butter and vegetables also came scrounging through her mind as Marcus spoke. A small blush came over the medical officer as though she were back in high school meeting the star quarterback. It was then, she got a good look at the man who had saved her life countless times in the past.

There was no comparison to Robert. Marcus and he were extremely handsome in their own special way. Katrina was not going to get caught up in what one had and not the other. She simply took in how well this man cleaned up and darn sexy he looked in the shirt with pants. Robert was literally becoming a faded memory that was becoming more faded as time progressed.”You clean up extremely well yourself” she answered walking up towards him giving him a kiss on the cheek. Hesitating to move away, she gave him a grin then consorted to scared feelings. Her head moved back looking down to her shoes in embarrassment. Her eyes diverted to the table and the gourmet meal set out. ”Marcus, venison? I’m going to have to make sure my personal files are on higher security. But then again, when you want to find out what a woman loves to eat, you’ll find out in any way possible, isn’t that right?” she snickered getting a glimpse of the delicious mouth watering shakes.

”Imported chocolates? You thought of everything. I’m deeply impressed” she finished pulling out a small box from behind her back. It was a velvet box with a red ribbon tied around it. It was more of a thank you gift for so many times of being there for her. She had hoped the engraved survival knife wouldn’t be too much for him. ”I have a little something for you Marcus” she started handing him the gift after he pulled out the chair. ”Let’s say, it’s for all those moments where I couldn’t have survived without you there” she ending taking her hands and placing them behind her dress before sitting into the seat.

<Tag: Marcus>

OOC: It’s engraved with the words “My knight and shining armor. I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me.” And we don’t need time stamps, it’s just the two of us.

[Marcus Garret]

Garden

Marcus couldn’t help but chuckle at her comment about the file security. He may have read between the lines when it came to some of the emails that they had exchanged, and paid attention to some of the comments made in conversation, but he had never gone snooping in anyone’s personal files. It was a breach of professional ethics, an invasion of the privacy of others, and he found the thought of someone going that far disgusting.

“Kat, I respect you much more than that. I just paid attention whenever we were talking about favorite meals.”

He pushed her chair in and walked over to the other chair, sitting down before untying the ribbon on the box, and slowly opening the box. The knife inside was very nice, and engraved.

He quietly read the message out loud, a smile on his face. “My knight and shining armor. I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me.”

He looks up, still smiling. “Thank you, Kat.”

He closes the case and slips it into his pants pocket. He’d be very careful with the knife, it was going to be something that would be kept somewhere very safe from here on out.

“Kat, I… nevermind. We can talk about it after we’ve eaten.”

Marcus starts in on his meal, cutting into the steak and savoring each bite. There was no way of knowing when he’d have a chance at fresh venison steak again. Plus it would be better to have a full stomach before he let the butterflies loose. Taking a bite of one of the carrots, he couldn’t help but smile at how well they came out.

<Tag Kat>

[Katrina Logan]

Garden

Melted butter was filling Katrina’s nostrils while he opened the gift. She could feel the bottom of her stomach rumble in hunger, but it was very silent. The vibration tickled slightly but the non emotion given off from Marcus was a bit of heartening news to the medical officer. Perhaps he had too many knives already and this was just another piece of junk that he really wasn’t in need of. Katrina would have to think of something more practical next time…if there was a next time.

The meals and rations given during missions can make someone severely hungry for real food. Marcus dug into his venison and seemed to be enjoying the remarking cooking feat he had obtained. Katrina used her manners and delicately cut piece by piece savoring each bite. The words from Garret were a bit nerve wracking and now she wasn’t sure if finishing the meal was such a good thing. During bites, Katrina was periodically look up to Marcus and comment on the amazing meal she was consuming. But for the most part, they both ate quietly. It was both peaceful yet a bit awkward. Katrina felt extremely comfortable around Marcus but at this moment, she wasn’t so comfortable. Perhaps her outfit was too much or this was too much. Perhaps she was too much.

<Tag: Marcus>

[Marcus Garret]

Garden

Before he knew it, the food was gone, and Marcus was left wondering what had happened to the yumminess. The wondering only lasted a few moments, as the person he was sharing the meal with soon had his full attention.

Pulling the box back out of his pocket, he turns it over in his hands for a moment before opening it and pulling the knife back out. The thoughts in his head were swirling around, popping in and out of his stream of conscious thought. Thoughts of Kat, his past, and his career were popping in and then dropping out just as quickly. His eyes are unfocused as he slowly turns the knife over and over in his fingers, the feel of the tool the only sensation keeping him rooted in the present as he tries to sort through the numerous thoughts and emotions that he had long put off.

A few minutes of being lost in his own mind, and he returns to the present, smiling as he looked at the knife again. Some things would never sort themselves out, but at least he could come to terms with his own thoughts.

“Kat, I know I already said it once, but I’m gonna say it again anyway,” he takes her hand with one of his own as he smiles again. “Thank you for the knife, Kat. It means a lot to me.”

Pushing the plate and silverware to the side, he sets the knife down and reaches across with his other hand, covering the hand that he’s holding.

“You mean even more to me, Kat.”

He can’t help but smirk about it.

“I suppose it’s taken me a while to finally get around to saying that, huh?”

<Tag: Kat>

[Katrina Logan]

Garden

Katrina really couldn’t read the full extent of Marcus when it came to the knife. She was sure he was only being nice about the gift and probably knew it was the same kind of gift she had given Walker. But men are so hard to buy for, especially those that specialize in combat. Oh why did I do the same gift? I’m so stupid she thought watching him read the inscription. Her hand was then placed into his and she heard his words, but they really didn’t register in the heart. He must have been being polite enough not to hurt her feelings. Sure, the knife may have meant something and the inscription, but how could she really tell him that he meant more to her than he would be able to comprehend. Her feet were moving around screaming at her head to get up. She squeezed his hand softly in return.

”Marcus, it may take me a while, but you mean more to me than I can say in words. I’ve recently had an extremely long talk with an old friend.” Her eyes were looking away in embarrassment and not wanting to start tears up again. She didn’t want to ruin this moment. ”She gave me some sound advice, ‘Follow your heart’, and it’s taken me a while to realize what she meant”, she finished finally having the courage to arise from her seat. Her steps took her to him. With her head full of fuzziness and happiness and anxiety, she really wasn’t sure if this was the right thing to do. But sometimes you need to be spontaneous in life, take chances. Her soft ivory hand wrapped around his neck as she bent down. Before she could change her mind, supple lips were against his hoping he would not push away.

<Taggies>

[Marcus Garret]

Garden

Marcus had watched Kat walk around the table with no small mixture of wonder and trepidation. Once their lips met, though, it all melted away. One hand reached up to rest lightly against her back as he pushed himself up with the other. Once upright, he wraps both arms around her. If his emotions had been a storm before, they were a veritable hurricane now. He hadn’t held any hopes for any such reaction, and was thoroughly surprised by it all. That said, he wasn’t about to push her away. He knew that they’d been getting closer ever since the rescue, and he was happy for it.

Now, he was blown away. He had a hard time pulling his lips from hers, but he finally manages when his lungs start to seriously demand some fresh air. Letting his forehead rest against hers, he watches her eyes as he tries to slow his breathing, not to mention his racing heart.

“Kat, actions speak volumes more than words.”

Smiling widely, he can’t help but joke a bit.

“So, the milkshakes were a good idea, huh?”

His arms still around her, he can’t help but lean in for another kiss before she has a chance to answer.

<Tag>

[Katrina Logan]

Garden

Time simply stopped. Katrina felt as though the world came to an end and she was blessed with eternal bliss. Her heart wasn’t fluttering nor body shaking. She felt…safe and secure. This is how Marcus had always made her feel even from the beginning of the relationship. To have it come to this was how it was meant to be. Things happen for a reason and it was this that made the Major realize that all the heartache and suffering had to occur or she wouldn’t be standing there in his arms.

Her lips returned the kiss with no hesitation. They could have stood there all day. When they broke away for a small break, a bigger grin covered the ivory skin of Logan. ”The shakes are what took my heart away” she answered in a sarcastic tone before pulling the Second Lieutenant’s neck in for another kiss.

Tag

OOC: uhhhhh not sure what else to post before I have to fade to black. My dirty dirty mind. Bad mind…bad mind. Been busy too. Sorry.

[Marcus Garret]

OOC: Thread finished.