Lt. Lataro had been on the Bridge for 20 hours straight and still had another 7.5 hours left on his regular shift as well. A few days ago, when he had come up from the planet, Lataro realized that there really had been no one else to take the Bridge. Commander Surok had constantly been on the Bridge since their arrival to Denmar. So as a considerate officer and a team player, he volunteered to take the Bridge for a double or even triple shift. Lataro figured not to disturb the captain while he, too, was enjoying himself on the planet's surface. A comment was made in passing that the captain was interested in Lt. Roen, the Jeorri ambassador. So let him go for it, Lataro thought. The long shifts were making Lataro very tired, and the Bridge being quiet and the inactivity didn't seem to help much. However, he had time to wonder what K'Lara was doing down on the planet; well at least that is where he thought she was. He really hadn't heard much from her since their wonderful picnic on the beach. He missed her very much but couldn't bring up the nerve to call her. Lataro figured that she would think that he was checking up on her so he left her alone. Hope she is having a good time, but then again not too good of a time, he thought smiling. His gaze shifted to the twin moons of Denmar IV, the same moons that he and K'Lara looked upon the night of their picnic.
Location: Denmar IV
Jonathan Lataro and K'Lara looked out over the ocean as the sun sat. Now the darkness was left in place of the sunlight as the rolling waves and their heavy breathing provided the only sound upon the beach. The ocean which seemed to engulf the sun with an inaudible hiss also in turn swallowed the beautiful colors now creating the backdrop for the starlit sky. The tear that the spectacle produced in the couple's eyes, now was dry as their eyes were closed and as they embraced in a passionate kiss.
"K'Lara," he said breaking away smiling. "That was unexpected."
"Well Jon," K'Lara said. "You may find that I am full of surprises. Does that frighten you?"
"Never. It is just that a few days ago, you didn't even acknowledge me as a fellow officer, and now we lay here on the beach enjoying each other."
"These things happen. Especially when a flower, wine and the right ambience is combined."
"True. For me it is just the company of a beautiful lady, especially one that pilots a starship and knows how to handle herself."
"Well Lieutenant, I am definitely the right lady." She grabbed him by the lapels and kissed him.
Moments seemed like an eternity as their embrace grew tighter and tighter. Finally, K'Lara pulled away. "Air... I need air," she said smiling.
"Okay." Lataro got up and brushed off some remnants of sand that seemed to collect on his clothing.
"Where you going?" K'Lara said puzzled.
"Come on." He outstretched his hands. She grabbed them, and he pulled her up. K'Lara fixed her dress and brushed off the sand that was on her.
Lataro grabbed K'Lara's hand, and down the beach they walked. They spoke of their past, and of what was to become of the Virgo and her crew once the mission was over. Both revealed that they didn't want it to end, but to all good things an end must come as to this glorious evening which could not have been planned any better. Lataro had no ulterior motives but to spend time with K'Lara. The expanse of solitary time that Jonathan Lataro had experienced until his assignment upon the Virgo was one of eternity, and now, with the help of K'Lara, he found genuine enjoyment being in the company of others. He no longer wanted to be alone. At first in his academy days, he kept to himself and excelled at what he did. Lataro did not desire nor did he want the company of others, even women that wanted to go out with him. He always refused them. So he was new to the concepts of dating and relationships. However, he knew now that this is what he wanted, someone to be with and share time with, time that he knew that he would have plenty of. There were plenty of things on board the Virgo to occupy his time with, but he knew that he wanted to share it with someone and not something. The time he spent on Xylius VII, to be alone was all that he wanted. Now he realized that he wanted to be around people, which is very much different than how he felt at the Academy. There was competition for the desired assignments such as the USS Enterprise, Elixer, or even Starfleet Command, and true friendship and companionship were mock or false facades. But now, for the first time, Lataro really knew what it meant to be a part of something, a team, and to be cared for.
"Oh no!" Jonathan finally said.
"What's the matter?" K'Lara asked concerned.
"I have to go back up to the Virgo and relieve Commander Surok."
"Really. I can't believe we have to end the evening so short."
"I know! But Surok needs rest as well. Besides he needs to come down to the surface and enjoy what this planet has to offer. Speaking of which, enjoy the sites. They have a promenade over at the command complex so go and enjoy yourself."
"But I was having a wonderful time with you. I can't think what kind of time I can have now after you leave."
"I am sure that you will find something to entertain yourself."
"What do you mean by that?" K'Lara said defensively.
"I just mean that there are plenty of things to do. Go enjoy yourself."
"Is that an order, sir?" she said with a smile.
"Yes. Go have as much fun as you can do without me," He smiled. "Then when I get off duty, we will pick up where we left off."
"Promise?"
"You have my word as an officer and a gentleman."
K'Lara smiled. Lataro grabbed her and kissed her passionately. He held her tightly to ensure that there was no mistaking it; he wanted to stay with her but duty always calls at the most inopportune times.
When Lataro let her go, she was speechless, her legs wobblely. Whoa! she thought blinking a few times. Lataro stepped back and waved his fingers sadly.
"Virgo. One to beam up."
[Standby, Lieutenant.]
As Lt. Lataro began to dematerialize, he thought he heard K'Lara say something, but he saw the look in K'Lara's eyes as his atoms scattered. It almost broke his heart. What a bad time for duty to call! he thought as he rematerialized on board the Virgo.
Location: USS Virgo
<The time is now 1415,> the computer said.
Lt. Lataro had instructed the computer to randomly state the time to possibly help him stay awake. It wasn't easy, but it seemed to work. Every so often, he would begin to doze off, but the computer would bring him back to reality. Jonathan turned his back on the viewscreen and made his rounds to the various stations. Unfortunately, there was no other crewmember on the Bridge except for Ensign Crell. He had authorized them to wander about the ship and take care of other business but must be ready to return to the Bridge in a moment's notice. Ensign Crell was a new ensign fresh out of the Academy, where he just barely graduated. That is all that can be said. He was constantly on report and his performance was substandard. It was even a wonder that he graduated. As a matter of fact, Lataro often wondered how he managed to be assigned to the Virgo. Lataro concluded that his daddy, a Starfleet admiral, pulled some strings that got him on the ship in a command uniform no less. At any rate, Lataro finished his rounds and returned to the post that he enjoyed: the captain's chair. The best seat in the house and the most comfortable. Boy, rank sure has its privileges. I think that I can get used to this. Maybe I will ask the captain to switch me to command. Speaking of which... Jonathan thought. "Ensign Valdago?" he said into his com badge. It has been 20 hours, and he had been brewing about a little ensign new aboard the Virgo. Lataro saw a little schemer in their midst. You have to admit he is good! A good con man, but duty is still duty. There was no answer.
"Computer, locate Ensign Valdago."
<Ensign Valdago is not on board the Virgo,> the computer answered
"Computer, display duty shifts of Ensign Johnathan Valdago."
On his display, the duty shifts of Ensign Valdago popped up.
"Why that little...! Computer, the next duty shift of Ensign Valdago begins at what time?"
<Eighteen hundred hours.>
So my namesake wants to play games, huh? Well I can do that as well! "Computer, change duty rotation of Ensign Valdago. Report time 1500. Also create audible warning... let's see... how about one minute prior to report time."
<Acknowledged. Duty shift changed.>
"Good. Computer what time is it?"
<It is 1420 hours.>
So we will see if he makes it to work on time today. He took two hours of my time not to mention any other time he may have taken off so I am going to have three hours of his time. Lataro smiled.
Ensign Valdago was laid back on a large futon mattress with Jeorri women waiting on him hand and foot. He had his favorite drink in hand, sipping it. He was enjoying the moderate temperature when she kissed him playing with the hairs on his bare chest. "Ah. This is ze life. It it too bad I can't take all you wiz me!"
<Duty shift begins in one minute,> his comm badge said disturbingly.
"What?! Computer, what time does my next shift begin?"
<Fifteen hundred hours.>
"Oh no! Ladies I am very sorry but I have to go!"
They all let out a small "ohhhh", disappointedly.
<Duty shift beginning.>
"Oh no! Am I going to get it! Computer, who has command watch?"
<Lt. Lataro.>
"Oh damn! I am going to get it!"
"Computer what time is it?" Lataro asked.
<Fifteen hundred hours, three minutes.>
A smile formed from ear to ear on Lataro's face. I wonder what work needs to be done? How about a sonic scrub of each shuttle? No! The entire ship! No, that is too cruel even for him. Hmm....