The truth

Posted on Mon Dec 9th, 2024 @ 2:15pm by Ensign Charlotte Dawes & Lieutenant JG Kasper Andersen M.D

1,212 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Side Plots
Location: The Holodeck
Timeline: Backpost: Halloween

From: Haunted Mansion Tour Oh It's You - CryptKeeper Version (Part 2)

Kasper was just glad that everyone who'd disappeared had come back in one piece, especially Charlotte. He sidled up next to her and asked, "Where did you guys go when you were taken out of the program?" It was more out of curiosity than anything.

"Like some sort of creepy ancient jail cell. People were moaning and screaming from places, and some monster looking guard would walk by. But mostly we just sat there," Charlotte shrugged.

"So, you wouldn't recommend it then? Because I'll definitely pass on that." Kasper asked, eyeing the exit. "On a different note, do you think you'd have a few moments to have a bit of a chat?"

"Uh, yeah sure," Charlotte replied. "What's up?" She asked as the haunted room faded away and they were back at party.

* * * *

Pulling Charlotte aside and away to somewhere there was a little more privacy, Kasper said to her, "I, uh, just wanted to talk about what happened the other night between us. Kind of like clarify a few things, I mean."

Charlotte shifted uncomfortably on her feet. "Yeah, okay."

He noted her uneasiness, "Don't be like that, I'm not going to say that it was a mistake or anything like that. If anything, it was definitely one of the most frustratingly amazing nights I've had in a long, long time." A smile crept up one side of his lips as he spoke. "And I'm sure it felt the same for you too, right?"

Charlotte smiled. "Yeah, it was a lot of fun," she admitted.

"I knew it!" The smile on his face went wide for a moment before he added, "And it's nights with you like that I'd love to be able to do again, if you'd want to?" The events of the morning were still weighing on his mind, giving him a sense of foreboding.

"Well yeah, sure." Charlotte held back the full smile, but her eyes gave it away.

How could his his heart not flutter at that look in her eyes? He started to walk to a couple of seats towards the back where it was a lot quieter and no one could eavesdrop on their conversation. "Before we spend another night like that together, there is something really important that I needed to tell you."

"You aren't dying are you?" She asked cheekily as he led her to the back of the holodeck party room.

Taking a seat, Kasper a hand through his hair and took a deep breath in and out to order his thoughts before putting his elbows on his knees and looking at her. Like truly looking at her, noticing the little freckles on her cheeks, the pink blush across her face... "I'll start by saying that I'm not married and I don't have a secret wife or kids, first and foremost. But in saying that, up until today and for the last few months, I... I did have a girlfriend."

He hung his head at the thought of it all, "She called me earlier today to end things with me so she could continue carrying on seeing someone else with a clear conscience, right at the same time I was going to do the same to her because I wanted to see no one else but you. I'm so sorry, Char. I really am."

"Sooo, let me get this straight. You were technically cheating on someone the night we hung out?" Charlotte asked. She didn't sound upset, but she did sound serious.

"When it was just hanging out and nothing more, it wasn't cheating." Kasper admitted as he still looked at the ground and tightened his grip around the staff he'd been carrying, "What can I say? Everything changed when we kissed, sparks flew, and I... You deserve better than that."

"Yeah, well I feel like an idiot," Charlotte responded rolling her eyes. "Anyway."

"And I'm really truly sorry about that. You've got to believe me on it." He looked up at her, "I would never intentionally mean to do this to you. I should have been open and honest right from the start so we wouldn't wind up here."

Charlotte shrugged. "It's fine. It's not like you owe me an explanation for anything. It's whatever."

Kasper closed his eyes and clenched his jaw before he opened his eyes again, "We both know full well it's not fine. You're not fine, you're pissed. And rightfully so. Come on, say what you're thinking."

Charlotte laughed. "Trust me, I'm not going to get pissed over one night of drunken flirting. I don't even know you. I mean like if we had been dating or friends for a while sure. But there wasn't like an emotional investment here yet. I have other things I can waste my energy on."

He was taken aback for a moment by her bluntness, "Right. The one time I'm actually open and honest about messing something up and I get that reaction. What can I do to make it right?"

"What do you mean make it right? I said I wasn't mad," Charlotte replied.

"Do you want to just forget this whole conversation ever took place, forget all of last night and go back to just nurse and doctor and a simple hello in the hallway?" Kasper queried. He was about ready to give up at apologizing.

"If that's what you want, then fine," Charlotte replied. She had now stopped looking at him and was now looking at the door. Except then she realized the arches were actually a little too left of the door. This was turning out to be an awful evening. "I think I should probably just go back to my quarters. This evening can't get much worse. Might as well call it a night," she said as she started to stand up.

"Charlie, that's not what I want. Not in the slightest." He felt so bad for ruining her night, so he took a hold of her hand, noting how she didn't immediately tug it away from his grip, "Stay here. Go talk to my sister, she's on your side and against me right now, and keep enjoying your night. If anything, I'm the one that's going to leave. I hate not having shoes on and my feet are freezing so I want to get warm." He threw a look over to where Eirly was about to disappear with Malcolm, "Please, stay."

"I'm really not in a party mood right now, Kasper. I'm just tired. The haunted thing was a lot. I'll talk to you later or something," she replied. She looked around the room. She did feel too tired to make small talk with people. She'd expended a lot of energy hanging with the kids earlier in the night and was starting to feel cranky.

"Okay, fine. I'll leave you to it then." Kasper replied, knowing he wouldn't get anywhere else with her tonight. He walked away from her and gave a nod up and a salute to a couple of people he was friendly with before he exited the holodeck to return to his own quarters.

Charlotte left too. Slipping out without much to say to anyone.

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