Post by Scribe on Jul 24, 2009 6:45:59 GMT -5
2nd October 2165
Evening
Somewhere between New Earth and Centauri Quarter
After everything that had taken place since the Klingon attack, Ren was more than happy to see the celebration taking shape on the streets of the Colony. People were out in force, drinking, laughing and cheering. The air was thick with their jubilance and Ren who was leaving Earth Quarter after a clandestine visit to her parents home to ensure that they were okay, needed to feel that euphoria herself. The streets were streamed with coloured lights and every hour on the hour since sunset, the Grifters conducted a little light show in the sky, complete with fireworks and aerial manoeuvres. After all the death that they had seen in the past weeks, this was a welcome release.
For her part, she was looking forward to this evening, getting loaded with the rest of Gaia Company at the bash Captain Merrick was having for all MACOs. Old Iron Britches himself might show up but that sure is going to dampen the party if he was there. She doubted that Lorio, Anderson, Jazz and Xanadu would be fucking around if the top MACO was going to be present.
Aside from the party tonight, Ren would be on the receiving end of a medal tomorrow morning. The Star Cross was not a Medal of Honour but it was an indictment of her efforts in the conflict and she was proud. Best yet, she had spend a week’s pay buying a slinky dress for the military ball that would take place tomorrow night. The Admiral had relaxed the regs to allow female personnel to attend in formal wear if not military dress. The idea to primp a little, when it was so rare for her to do so, was not to be missed.
Ren was proud to be one of those who had fought. The few injuries she had sustained during their bloody battle in Earth Quarter were entirely healed. Unlike some of her comrades, she was fortunate to have come out of the fighting with a few lacerations that was treated easily enough by a dermal regenerator. While she was barely in the position to take on another Klingon hand to hand, Ren was still in pretty good shape.
Indeed, anyone taking a look at her, would see a young woman in her late twenties, moving down the street in a floral print dress, hem like sashaying a fraction beneath scandalous, sporting a fiery crown of red hair that nothing could disguise. She looked like any civilian on the street, a far cry from a soldier or for that matter a MACO corporal whose primary occupation was part drill instructor, part sharp shooter capable of shooting a fly off a MULK's nose at 1000 feet.
The crowd was more obnoxious than even his NX MACOs and Gabriel found it a hard time crossing the usual clear park in order to gain access within the Slain Beast. In the distance, he could see its roof and Hayes hadn't figured out just yet how he was going to get in there without being recognized by Fabien, if anyone else. Most down on Gaia should not recognize him not in uniform, unless Merrick, and the NX MACOs were not due down until tomorrow morning. God dammit, this was a bad idea. People were fucking everywhere and sick to death of waiting for them to part, Gabriel began to take advantage of his height by taking a hold of shoulders and parting the way. It was a bit difficult, for one arm was slung to his body and the other was moving and shielding at the same time. Not the easiest of tasks through the swarm of moving bodies that shouted, cheered, drank and danced in the middle of the masses. A teenie bopper was in his way and taking a hold of her shoulder, he growled, "Trying to pass. Pardon me!"
"Hey watch it buddy," Ren bit back as she felt an unfamiliar hand take hold of her person. Already her good mood was eroded somewhat by the multitude of hands that had been trying to cop a feel of her as she tried to make her way to the Slain Beasts Tavern. My kingdom for one phase rifle, Ren had thought when she felt someone else trying to grab her. "You're the one going against traffic."
"You call this mess traffic?" The irritated voice growled and looking down, he realized this was no little girl. It was a young woman who barely looked old enough to drink. Seeing his hand still on her, Gabriel withdrew it quick and shook his head. "Sorry."
Ren noted the broken arm and felt immediately sorry for venting her frustration out on him. "Hey I'm sorry," she apologised immediately, "just one too many people trying to cop a feel. Trust me to bite at the only one who can't." She glanced at his cast.
Raising a brow, Gabriel immediately felt the need to explain himself, "That's not what I was doing." Her words came on the tail end of his own sentence and he shook his head because that sounded odd or very rude. "Not that I... I mean... never mind!" Flustered, getting more and more pissed off due to the amount of people running into him, Hayes looked to his side and found himself gritting his teeth.
This guy was going to get clobbered if he kept standing where he was, not to mention Ren could read the impending signs of 'man about to go nova' on his face as more and more people bumped into him. Looking around, she saw that Yuskovski's place was nearby and if there was one thing the Outpost knew how to do; that was to keep order. Yuskovski may not have been a MACO like Fabien but the man had a way of conveying authority that was just as effective.
"Take it easy guy," Ren said reaching for his good hand. "Come on let's get you to safety before you break your other arm taking a swing at someone."
He looked at the woman and was about to reply with something curt and short, but she appeared to have a bit of a smile on her face that was inviting. Unsure, and in a way, finding it fate that he was being taken away from Beasts, Gabriel went with the civilian girl. "Alright."
"Good choice," she returned throwing him a cocky smile. "I wouldn't want to get rough with you," Ren joked as she led him through the sea of bodies, trying to find a path that would result in his being jostled as infrequently as possible. "In your condition, you wouldn't put up much of a fight." She joked.
She said funny things, this young woman, for if she knew the truth, she’d find out just how far anyone would get roughing him up. Then again, he was grounded off the NX with Mesu’s generous ‘promotion’ and whatever fire he felt building went out in a puff of smoke. "You don't think so?" Gabriel asked, following her as he looked over his head at the departing Beasts. The little cub he could get to later and right now, this woman was being nice to him. It was needed and comforting. Once inside, looking around, he looked to the girl deciding that he wasn't going to make a complete ass out of himself twice in two nights, "Who are you meeting here?"
"No one," she said giving him an odd look once they crossed the threshold of the Outpost's front entrance. "I just figured you needed to get out of the crowd. Full of piss and vinegar is no way to be on a night like this especially with a broken arm." She said with a playful smirk.
Despite the number of people, Ren had been correct in assuming that Yuskovski knew how to keep order in his establishment. While the bar area was rather busy, area where the private booths were located deeper in the building appeared relatively sedate. Folks were in the mood for a party tonight, not an evening of quiet intimacy. Catching a glimpse of someone vacating a booth, Ren made her way to it before someone else lay claim and slid across the leather like seats as she waited for him.
He regarded her, following her to the empty table with a strange "Why not?" The seat across from her was taken and once on his rump, Gabriel could see she probably was old enough to drink. Not old enough to be his age as she looked like someone's daughter rather than a woman who was willing to spend time with him. Why she was here, he was not sure, but an idea struck him that if the good major Sloane McRae could date some fucking little man one decade her junior, he would one up her. In an attempt to keep the girl here, Gabriel asked, "Can I buy you a drink?"
"Only if you let me buy you one back." She returned cockily, flashing him a smile of dazzling radiance guaranteed to melt even the most sour of moods.
Not expecting her to accept, and certainly not expecting her to want to stay, Gabriel felt his deflated ego rise and he found himself answering before even thinking, "I think we can manage that." Unsure what to think, he flagged down a server and glanced at the girl across the way as he spoke to the man who came forth, "We'd like a...." Not about to order for her, the sentence died so she had a chance to fill in the blank.
"Shots," Ren threw the man another smile of encouragement, picking up on his hesitation. Definitely a Fleeter, she thought to herself. He had manners. "Vodka neat."
"Yes," Gabriel matched her face and almost appeared to relax hearing her choice of alcohol. "Let's have a few vodka shots." The server nodded to leave and curious, Hayes looked to his 'date' and wondered if she thought of this as such or did she think she was being kind to an injured, old man? On any other night, he would have rejected charity due to an injury but the Colonel was wounded in ways that were not physical and he gave in to whatever pity she might toss his way. "You have an engaging smile," he complimented, knowing the phrase a bit foolish and borderline sounding old fashioned. Courting. That is the label his mother used to call it. Mrs. Hayes would never approve of her only son picking up women in breweries or pubs, but the world they lived in now was far different from the world she had died in. "I hope you don't mind me saying so."
The comment took her a little by surprise because most of the time the compliments she received usually had to do with what a sweet thing she was to fuck and the pleasantries usually came to a screeching halt after the guy had gotten her into bed. Despite feeling wholly embarrassed that she did, Ren blushed at his compliment and recovered by responding in kind, "and you have an incredibly sexy manner."
He almost jerked his head back in surprise or blinked to blow his cover, but the Colonel regrouped in his mind and responded, "Well thank you. It's nice to have someone appreciate that." It was a direct slam and dig on Sloane McRae, but Gabriel didn't care. Well. Perhaps he shouldn't have said that in front of the girl, for it might give up too much information. No. This girl had no idea what it meant and what was going on in his head.
Gabriel caught himself doubting, for the thousandth time that day, and recovered, "Day to day, most co-workers could, well. You know. Care less."
"That's a shame," she replied, unsurprised that Fleeters would be screwed on too tight to make such observations. Her sister, despite their reconciliation recently, was still as uptight as ever even if she had mellowed a bit towards Ren. "Their loss, my gain," she declared leaning forward on her elbows as she studied him, genuinely intrigued. "You know, all I had planned tonight was to be surrounded by a bunch of drunks but I think you might be better company."
The words flowed from his lips just before the server put four shots down on the table, "I think you might be right." What could he say? 'I have no plans tonight other than getting drunk and beating the shit out of a Gunny Sergeant?' No. She wanted to be with him. Told him he had a sexy way. The ego of the Colonel began a battle between defending his manhood and proving it. What better way to get back at Sloane McRae than sweet-talking this young little thing into bed? Not become a drunk, for that was her plans, but there was nothing wrong with taking footsteps there. "My plans were to be knocked around all night during Gaia's celebration but I think you're right." Gabriel looked down at his sling and used it, "I think it might not be very good for my arm." A pity plea.
"Well if you're going to overt exert your injuries," Ren said wrapping her hand around the shot glass, "there are better ways to do it. Cheers," she winked before throwing back the vodka in one neat swallow and slamming down the glass face down on the table. "You're lagging."
In that moment, as the shot was tossed so confidently to her lips and liquid disappeared, Gabriel found himself at a loss for words and turned on at the same time. She could drink like a MACO yet she was so feminine. Not answering, but stepping up to the challenge, he took the glass and put it to his lips, tossing it back before returning it upside down in front of her. "Not anymore." Fuck Sloane McRae. She could shack up with her little Gunny fuck, because they had to hide behind closed doors. He on the other hand, was enjoying himself out in the open, not worrying about hiding and communicating to a gorgeous redhead woman. She even flirted with him.
There was a playful look in his eyes and he found himself asking, "What's your name?"
Now this was more like it because hell if didn't he get just sexier with that gleam of mischief in his eyes. And he drank shots like a pro. Who knew a Fleeter who could have that much stomach?
"Renee,” she answered, “but most people call me Ren." Ren was smiling at the fact that she was getting him to loosen up a little, "You?"
"Call me Gabe." The burn of the vodka was different from the burn of the Stardrifter and it was almost too soon to be drinking again considering a few hours ago he was sound asleep on his bathroom floor. Trying to be smart about this, Gabriel asked, "Would you like something to eat? Ren?"
Gabe. Gabe. Why did that so sound familiar? Ren searched her memories for a moment without success before shrugging it off. It would come to her later. In any case, he was waiting for an answer. Dinner sounded…nice, almost like a date instead of a sordid tryst where they had simply picked each other up off the street.
"That would be nice Gabe," she answered liking this man even more by his quaint attempts to dine her. Even though her signals were clearly provocative because she found him quite attractive not to mention slightly mysterious, Ren noticed he was not hell bent on getting her drunk. It was a pleasant change. "Why don't you order?"
"Sure." Okay. The gauntlet was set and he was committed to the mission of wining and dining this woman before conquering her to his bed. Gabriel was going to use every last ounce to be pleasant to her. Make her laugh and continue to crack stupid jokes about his bad wing. He could do this. By God. He had to do this. If it meant playing like a sappy civilian, then so be it. Whatever it took to get back at McRae. Signalling the server from across the room, he looked to Renee, "So tell me Ren, how long have you been on Gaia?"
"I arrived here when I was eighteen with my parents," Ren answered as she continued to study him. There was something about him she couldn't put her finger on, something familiar and yet distant as well. Had she seen him before? She couldn't be sure. It was possible though. If he was Fleet like she suspected, Ren had probably run into him during missions when MACOs were being transported in Starfleet ships to other worlds. "You?"
"So about two years ago?" He teased straight faced before adding, "I almost asked you if you were old enough to drink but I did not want to tip off our server that they might be giving alcohol to a minor." Gabriel searched out Renee's face to see if his sense of humour was still charming her. Too often he was told by his men that they did not understand his joking or that due to his stoic nature he was not very funny.
"Very charming," she laughed. "Don't worry I'm definitely legal for alcohol and just anything else you might have in mind," Ren added, winking at him. "However, if you must know, I'm twenty-seven. You're what thirty-nine? Forty?" She asked. Tit for tat, Gabe, Ren thought silently. In truth, his age interested her very little. He looked pretty damned good for an older guy and there was a maturity to him she rather liked.
"Something like that," his stoic face broke into a smile upon hearing her age. It wasn't as bad as he thought, but the fact that he was two decades older wasn't something he wanted to point out. Not yet. Not when this 'date' was going along so well. "And yesterday." Gabriel was relaxed and happy as the single shot was taken into his blood stream. Hair of the dog. "I've been officially on Gaia since yesterday."
So she was right about him being a Fleeter. Probably grounded because of his arm she concluded. "Well you're not seeing it at its best," Ren sighed with a bittersweet expression crossing her face when she remembered how it looked no so long ago. "Maybe I can show you around after we clear away the debris fields."
"Sure." The server stood before them and at first Gabriel hadn't realized the man had been waiting while Hayes was getting his flirt on. "Oh. Hi. Sorry." Renee had thrown him and he now looked around to see what type of food this place had. "Do you have something," he looked at the girl and decided with that figure she must be a vegetarian. "Organic and un-hoofed? A tomato and cheese chip concoction?" Beasts had burgers and pizzas. He doubted she was the sour cream type as well.
"You a vegetarian Gabe?" She asked with a bemused expression, guessing the order was made with her in mind. He certainly wasn't, at least not judging by the size of him.
Shit. "No...." He raised a brow at her, wondering if he was screwing up. "I thought it better to be safe..." A glance at the serving man back to Renee had Gabriel in a bit of a pinch.
"Thank you for the thought," she said impressed, "that is sweet of you but I do like my meat." Ren teased before adding in a more serious tone, "So you can order accordingly if you like."
Had she meant that comment another way, he was going to make his goal with ease tonight. Realizing it was a slip, or his mind going there, Gabriel did not become hung up on it and said to the waiting man, "And pile a lot of ground beef on it. Piles of it." The man appeared to be amused, made some off the cuff comment and left. A glance back to Renee, Hayes reached over for the second shot. "Pardon me if I feel the need for this." He felt down right foolish and waited to see if she would join him or peg him alcoholic.
"Pardon me if I feel the need to join you," she responded and then downed it as neatly as she had done the first. Smacking her lips, she could still taste the vodka and was pleased by the relaxing buzz settling over her. Ren knew she was being forward but what had she to look forward to tonight other than getting drunk with men who would be passed down drunk on the floor by evening's end? Spending it with a handsome stranger who had manners and an air of mystery about him was far more interesting. Their chance meeting had become an engagingly intimate interlude and Ren could see no better way to spend a night celebrating humanity's endurance.
He wasted no time and joined her, feeling a little silly for waiting. Gabriel leaned across the table, resting his wing on the edge, and smirked, "Why do I get the feeling I'm not dealing with the inexperienced shooter?" The return gleam to his eye occurred and he couldn't help himself, "What's your pleasure twenty-seven year old?" He was testing the waters, "How good are you?"
"My pleasure?" Ren leaned forward and served his comment right back at him. "Depends on how good you are." She met his gleam with one of her own. They were inches apart.
"Very good," Jesus. He'd been out of this game too long and was not sure but this felt like an offer. Dammit if it didn't feel like a come on. "Trust me." Were they talking about shots now or something else? His mind was going on something else. Not moving back, he found himself leaning a little forward, just to see what she'd do. If this was not right, he could pull away and still save face.
He was playing it safe she decided, still amused by his subtle comments that belied the desire and need in his body language, held back by conditioned restraint. Leaning forward because she was curious to see where this would go, Ren narrowed the distance between them and brushed her mouth against his. She let him taste the vodka on her lips before pulling back.
"I trust you implicitly," she said meeting his hazel eyes with challenge.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't hear you. Could you repeat that again?" Now he had his solid answer.
"Implicitly," she repeated herself, releasing the words past her lips slowly, like a held breath before breaking into a wider smile. However, it lingered only for a second before she moved in for a second kiss, this time relinquishing the lead to him. "Let go, Gabe. I won't bite." Ren whispered softly before touching his lips again. "At least not until you ask me to."
Jesus Christ.
What floored him more was that she was leading. She. Leading him. Some young civilian leading the Colonel. Not answering, Gabriel pushed forward and held himself up on the table with his good arm, meeting her lips and tasting the vodka once more but not pulling back. It had been months since he had a date with anyone other than his hand and there certainly was not kissing happening in the interim. The last intimacy he had was Harriet, and she was no longer in the picture given her angry departure. The advances he made did not involve his tongue, but it was only a few steps away, offering Renee the best he could. Slow, soft kisses that needed to feel someone else because life had become unbearable to be alone in recent days.
Tender. That's what his kisses were. Tender. She closed her eyes and allowed her senses to soak in the taste of his mouth while her hand drifted unconsciously to his cheek. His kisses had power. They were like gossamer threads wrapping around you with their silk, cajoling you into oblivion with its sweet intimacy. Ren parted her lips wider, an invitation for him to take what she was offering. It was a gesture she was willing to allow him because Gabe was fast becoming a surprise she had never expected.
His chest was beating with excitement as he took the lead, positioning himself so his fingers could touch her face in return as he balanced on the edge of the table with his cast. A soft, wet muscle slinked past her lips and entered into a warm world where he formed a union with this woman. One union that could yield to two. Gabriel did not stop and found that he had tilted his head to the side so he might explore deeper. With luck, Sloane McRae might venture in here to see him. It was a wild thought, but an injured man could hope for sick revenge.
Ren let him kiss her, allowing him to explore her mouth. She could sense his hesitation giving way to desire. He wanted her. He wanted to be touched. She could tell by his action and it amused her to no end that he had been so reluctant. There was an old world tradition about him, charming to the core and so unlike the men she was accustomed to. This one didn't take his trysts lightly and though Ren didn't expect this to engender true love, it was in its way special and that she quite liked.
He moved in, trying desperately to reach her across the table. It was too late to try and be subtle with his wants or his needs so Gabriel allowed his fingers to slide down her face and in an almost breezy way, touch her neck. Skin against skin, he almost did not make contact and this was his way of courting a woman he wanted to sleep with. This was the way he had learned long ago to leave the flesh aching for more.
She couldn't breathe. Her heart was pounding so fast that Ren marvelled at the way he had drawn her in so completely. What the fuck was this? She was making out with a stranger in the corner of a dark room who was making her feel like a teenager! She pulled away after a moment, needing to catch her breath but she was aroused and eager for more.
"Wow Gabe," she said softly, still close enough so he could feel her breath on his skin. "I’m impressed."
"Second course," Gabriel was not ready to be done and desired more of this Ren girl, leaning in further, straining himself to get at her.
"I'm always for seconds," Ren grinned, liking him better now that he was on his game. Leaning forward, she met him part way and this time her hand slinked under the table to stroke intimately at his thigh. Once again, her movements were slow to heighten the sensuality of her touch even further.
Jesus. He couldn't believe this was happening. In fact, at her touch, Gabriel had not been expecting that and he ended up jerking back a bit. The want to keep his lips attached had the chin moving forward and this awkward event caused the cast that held most of his weight to slip off the table. Slamming back, his body gave her touch more to offer and the hand that was on his thigh was now in full knowledge of what the stranger had to offer under his clothes. From across the table, he locked on her eyes and did all he could to read her.
"That food better get here soon Gabe," Ren teased, her hand sliding further along his thigh because she could tell just how much her touch was affecting him. "I'm getting hungry." Ren's eyes locked on to his. "Are you?"
"Very." He couldn't look away and instead of trying to find their server, he muttered, "How about another drink?"
"Sure," she smiled and eased back a bit, giving them some room to breathe. "You wouldn't be trying to get me drunk would you?" She teased.
His chest was heaving and he tried to calm it down so she couldn't tell. "Would it matter right now?" His hazel eyes hadn't left hers yet and all he could think on was how she touched him. It was as good as a done deal.
"Not really," she answered truthfully. "I like you Gabe," Ren admitted honestly. Her finger traced a line along the prominent rise of his pants and met his gaze, "I think you like me too. Does anything else matter?" Her fingers grazed the hard ridge of flesh through fabric, light like a dancer's touch.
"That's a very fair comment." Not seeing the approach, the server came and put before them the ordered nacho treat piled high with meat as requested. Quick on the draw, Gabriel ordered two beers and looked at Renee. "Up for more shots?"
"One more set," Ren replied. "Let's not get too wasted shall we?" She gave him a playful wink.
When he first grabbed Renee tonight, the last thing he thought was that he would find himself in a position of being happy. Laid. He was going to bang this little civilian, who was significantly more attractive and younger than Sloane's stupid ass Gunny. "Not too wasted." He repeated the words and offered her the meal. "Tell me more about you," Sloane was going to have this rubbed into her face at some point when it was right. Gabriel was going to be able to tell her that he had a very young lover who worked with needy kids or something like that. The way Ren handled him with kid gloves, she had to be in some soft of social service, which was a highly regarded position on Gaia. Some young, beautiful, redhead who was an important part in preserving the human race.
"Nothing to tell Gabe," Ren shrugged. Telling him she was a MACO was on the tip of her tongue but somehow the words wouldn't come. He was Fleet and the last thing some Fleeter would want to know that his sexual partner to be was a goddamn MACO grunt. "There's just me, I'm pretty much on my own here in Gaia," which was true. She didn’t have much to do with her parents or her sister so her life was pretty much her. "I have a career and I know how to take care of myself."
"That's always a good thing. What do you do?" Social services. He was sure of it.
"I paint." It was an outright lie but it would serve better than the truth.
"You're an artist?" That was almost better than a social worker. A young, carefree artist.
"Yes," she said feeling a little guilty but not that much. "What do you do?" As if she didn't know. He was Fleet.
Fuck. He should have seen that coming a kilometre away prior to asking, but her touch and promise had him forgetting himself. "Promise me you won't judge me?" He was buying time to think.
"Nope," Ren said smiling. "Shock me." She challenged.
He stretched the truth a little and really, what was worse? Revealing that he was some old, has been Colonel or a career that had potential? Well. Sort of. "I'm a politician." If he said 'Colonel Hayes' she would equate him with the very old MACO leader who was on the Planet Killer. Gabriel didn't want that. She thought him thirty-five or forty. Best to not lift the veil. "But I'm not one of those slimy, used hovercraft sales types."
There was a very good reason he tried to qualify his new 'title' and that was because Hayes didn't trust politicians any further than he could kick them. Never would he believe he'd use this crap ass assignment to his advantage. She was young and an artist. That made him want to hide even more every ounce of his MACO being. Gabriel had cursed out being military every minute since The Great McRae Rejection.
"I'll take your word for it," she smiled, noticing how he quickly made that clear. A Fleeter just turned politician she guessed but once again didn't delve too deeply into it. "In any case, you'll have to work hard to get my vote. I believe in taking advantage of my public officials." She said returning the conversation back to flirtatious tone. Her hand resumed its languid stroking as she picked up a bit of food and fed him.
"I think I can prove myself to do that," he leaned forward and took a bite finding himself spreading his knees apart a bit. "You're way over there, on the other side of the table." The server moved past and Gabriel ordered two more shots.
Accepting the invitation, she slid next to him and shifted her hand slightly so she could have better hold of him. She didn't know where this would end up tonight but appetisers so far had been pleasing. Taking a bite of cheese and corn chip, she chewed slowly and she stroked him beneath the table, wondering if the server was as oblivious as her partner appeared to be displaying to everyone else.
A large breath was taken and Gabriel was ready to screw the drink order so he could get on with screwing this girl. His chin churned towards her as he slid in for a kiss, trying to release somewhere so there was not a mess beneath his pants. Pulling back, he whispered, "You might want to hold off on that for a little while. It would be in your best interest."
"Whatever you say," she winked and put both hands on the table in chaste obedience before leaning forward for another kiss. "I look forward to that."
Shots were placed and the server's face broke a little into a smile before he left when Gabriel asked for the bill. Returning to kissing her, he placed his good hand on her fingers and stroked her. "You're funny," he indicated her gesture of purity. "What do you say we finish up here and go someplace?" On purpose, he left it open so she might offer her place.
"I'm all for that," Ren agreed, "but I'm afraid my place isn't very discreet." She didn't want to explain that her place would be MACO barracks. "There are rooms here…" she suggested.
"Yeah?" A glance up, that was the key ticket. "I'd offer my place, but it's boxes." Moving in again, he kissed her due to all this talk and solidification of their status from strangers to lovers. It had been too long and he desired her. Fingers wrapped around a shot glass and Gabriel offered it to Renee. "Let's call this the kick off."
Taking the glass in her hand after her lips left him, Ren threw back the last shot of vodka and breathed in deeply, letting the liquid warm her insides as it moved down her throat. "Your turn Gabe." She smiled. Christ she wanted him. She couldn't remember a time when a promised encounter held such anticipation for her. There was something enigmatic about him she couldn't place, a persona of layers which Ren was intrigued.
Taking the other glass, he smirked, "Say no more." Upside down, vodka was consumed and it was like mother's milk for a man who escaped through his men by the drink. Merrick was the alcoholic and it was not until last night that Gabriel could see how easy he might fall to be like his Captain. "Finish your beer and I'll get us a room." Grabbing one last bite to eat, he left his date, but looked over his shoulder as he walked. Like earlier, he bumped into someone as he walked the wrong way. Unlike before, his face did not look ready to take someone out.
She watched him leave the table and wondered what on earth was in her mind to embark upon this course but her reservations melted with that look over his shoulder, as if he needed to reassure himself that she was still there. It was sweet and she didn’t wish to disappoint him. Finishing her drink, Ren watched him move across the floor and despite his broken arm, there was a grace to him, a calculation in his movements that seemed beyond Fleet.
Loose credits were paid for, as Gabriel had brought the bill with him to pay for their meal and the room. A key card was given to him and with nothing but anticipation growling inside he returned to her and dangled it before her eyes. "What do you think? Should we go?"
"The sooner the better," she lifted herself from her seat, linked her arm through his uninjured one and whispered in his ear, "I want to be alone with you Gabe.” There was lust and desire oozing from each word she spoke.
Parts of him were reacting to her by voice alone and he did not speak but hurried his pace. Gabriel's plan had worked and he was going to bag this little sweet thing. In his mind, he was glad she appeared too intelligent and was renown in the artistic world for while he had no talent for such things, as a youth, he had studied on Earth's old UK. After two attempts with the key card, he pulled her in and all but slammed the door with his foot, attacking her with one good hand and murderous lips. Forty-eight hours ago he had attempted this same move, forceful, on his major and experienced the most humiliating moment in his life. Tonight, he was going to make amends.
Ren's own desire had not abated after two attempts at opening the door. When she was pulled against his plundering mouth, she was almost relived. Pushing away for just a moment, Ren crossed her arms over her body and freed herself of her dress and was soon standing before him, naked except for a bit of lace.
One set of fingers explored her body in the darkness and there was nothing sexier than standing fully dressed in front of a gorgeous woman who wore nothing but a tiny thong. She was tight. Not a vegetarian but a meat eater who worked out and liked her alcohol. He moved in to kiss her again, finding himself rubbing into her soft flesh and pushing forth so she would find him again. "Touch me," he whispered in lust before going to work on her mouth once more.
Ren's answer was an insistent tug on his shirt. Pulling apart the fabric, Ren slid it over his shoulders, taking careful care to clear the cast before it fell on the floor, pooling at their feet. Her hands went back to the broad plains of his chest, caressing the skin, relishing in muscle that was hard and taut, groaning slightly at how good if felt beneath her palms. "You're a beautiful man," she whispered in his ear before she started kissing him along the shoulder, down the chest.
From his lips he was about to return the sentiment but what she was doing to him was far worth parting his lips and sighing. Gabriel leaned back into the wall, groaning in anticipation of what she might do further to him and his good hand lingered down past her waistline where lace was to greet him.
Running her tongue across taut muscle, she swirled and licked, nipped at flesh that yearned for touch. The soft groan at her ministrations inspired her further and she slid down his body, kissing and tasting. Her fingers danced across his ribs as she lowered to her knees and unfastened his belt. How much she had aroused him was evident and the longing expression on his face told Ren that it had been a long time for him. The realisation brought out the best in her to please him. Freeing him, she wasted no time in wetting her lips with his flesh, her nails raking gently at his hips as she tasted him.
"Ohgod...." Gabriel closed his eyes, her body no longer near his fingers for touch, and he found himself pushing back into the wall with his pants bunched up at his ankles. She was about to take him and it had been a very long time since a woman engaged in such oral pleasure. Some of Gabriel's lovers did not enjoy engulfing him for they were too proper for such a thing. Harriet first and fore most. Sloane, the prude, was not even a thought. Not right now. The civilian was going to treat him right and in his mind, there was almost nothing more pleasing. He put his hand atop her head, as if to say, 'please. please.'
Unable to smile despite that yearning plea, Ren took as much of his cock as she could and made a mental note not to over do it because had she really wished to perform, he'd never make it to bed and she did want him at least once tonight. Lavishing him with a number of long strokes, she pleasured him orally, enjoying the hands in her hair, the soft whimper that came out of his mouth at the first touch.
It was hard to think of anything concrete but when he managed, Gabriel wondered if the prude bitch did this for her fuck ass lover. On her knees with a mouthful of small penis. As his mind began its revenge on his Major, it switched a bit and forced the image of his right hand man down there. On her knees. Begging for forgiveness as she sucked him in an attempt to make wrongs right. "More," the groan was almost a demand for the alcohol had completed his mental scene of Sloane sucking him and he felt strong.
More? She didn't think he could take much more if how hard he was in her mouth was any indication but Ren complied nonetheless. Her tongue and lips working in tandem, Ren dug her hands into his rump as she began to bounce off him.
"Yes," Gabriel groaned and all but pounded the wall with his fist. Sloane was raking him and he wanted her to pay for what she did. Clutching her hair harder, almost too tight, he felt the texture and the facade began to fade away into the reality that this was not a MACO at his feet. He had felt Sloane's silky straight hair and this was very different from the locks he only touched in sickbay. In fact, opening his eyes, Gabriel was reminded he was in a dark hotel room at the Outpost and the woman at his feet was old enough to be his daughter. The thought caused him to shrink a bit in her mouth and he couldn't believe that Sloane, even when not present, managed to fuck up his life even further. In trying to cover it up, he whispered, "Let's move to the bed."
She noticed the frenzied pleasure die off a little and wondered if she had done something to displease him. Pushing upright, she stared at him briefly and then took his hand and led him to bed. "Lie back," she instructed because it would be easier on his arm if she did the work.
After removal of his shoes and pants, he followed her and whispered, "Are you sure?" Ren. This girl's name was Ren. Fuck. What was he doing having sex with some poor civilian artist who probably earned barely enough to pay her weekly food bill and he was preying on her. "Are you sure?" Gabriel didn't even realize he said it twice.
Her response was to remove the last bit of fabric left on her body before straddling him at the waist. Lowering down, she captured his mouth and started to ravage it. "Very sure Gabe," then she pulled back and looked into his eyes. "Are you sure?"
A soft stream of moonlight crept in between the curtains and he could see the innocence on her soft face. The beauty of her bluish coloured hair that had earlier been flaming red. Letting his hand travel up her side, taking hold of her soft breast, he massaged and played while nodding. "Yes. I want to be with you."
He was going to fire Sloane McRae if it ended up he was too drunk or too distracted now to perform.
"Good," she said running her hand up and down his length. Dropping onto his mouth, she thrust a lusty tongue down past his lips and began tasting his mouth as well as stroking him back to rigidity. "Let go Gabe," she whispered in his ear briefly. "Whatever it is that's got you wound up so tight, let it go. Let me help you release it."
She gave good advice and he wondered if he was so transparent to the world tonight. Engaged in their wresting of tongues, he rubbed both hands up and down her side, even if one was almost dead to feel her skin. "I want to release it," he whispered, licking the side of her cheek as he leaned forward.
"I can feel it," she whispered lustily in his ear, as she shifted her hips and impaled herself on his length fully, until she could feel him pushing up against flesh and could go no further. "Oh God," she whimpered slightly, her body arching like a cat stretching in languid pleasure. Straightening up, her hair bounced against her shoulders as she looked at him. "You're so beautiful," she groaned and started to move, started to ride the sleek and beautiful animal beneath her.
The soft moan came forth from his lips as with almost no warning Renee planted herself on his body and he felt her engulf him in a wetness he hadn't yet earned. The woman, this civilian girl, had done everything to please him, yet what had he done in return but manipulate her back at the table. Gabriel knew if he wanted to keep a lover, he must give as much as he expected to take. Since she was taking charge of the physical sex, he did the only option left next to meeting her by lifting his hips into her body. "And you're amazing. Gorgeous and amazing." Women liked to be talked to like this, he found, so he made sure she heard it. "You feel amazing." A few more rocks and he became more engaged with the woman who was on top of him. Pressing his fingers so they latched onto her flesh as he helped pull her down on top of him.
Ren smiled but it was hard to concentrate when he felt so good. In unison, they moved together, her body slamming against him until she could feel her teeth jarred with each thrust. "Christ Gabe," she whimpered, her thighs flexing with each push into her depths. Bracing herself against his chest, Ren continued to ride, continued to be carried away on this wave of pleasure.
"You like that?" Each slide of her body, each enjoyable friction, felt more and more loose with her flesh as Renee stretched out around him. She was nice and tight at first, almost too tight for he hadn't properly warmed her body to the point of acceptance. Not a novice, the girl knew what she liked and how to please him. Also not a rookie, Gabriel pushed into her each and every time she came down on him in a false attempt to pierce her insides. To strike her deep so she would want more. Always keep them wanting more. "Kiss me," he all but demanded, his voice low and heavy with air.
She leaned forward, still managing to move in time with him and claimed his mouth. With nails digging into his shoulders, she kissed him lustily, devouring his mouth with a hunger she had not felt in too long. It was becoming harder to concentrate as her skin became moist with perspiration. Ren uttered a soft moan as she felt him push harder inside her, until her muscles could only clench spasmodically in an attempt to keep him within.
Her attention is what he wanted and in his mind, Gabriel fought against the visions of fucking Sloane McRae. If he wanted to keep this lover, he would need to push aside from time to time the real want of his Major and concentrate on who she was. This sexy, fun little young artist who would do for the time being. A temporary bridge to get over the gap. Renee's lovemaking was good, so good in fact, it was easy to lie on his back and take what she gave him. He had almost done that leaning into the wall.
"Hold onto me," Gabriel whispered, his voice choppy as they continued to grind up into one another. Be it guilt or be it age, he felt the need to prove himself.
"Whatever you say Gabe," she said softly, her voice strained as she rode him and held on tight as they performed that oldest of dances together. She watched his face, saw the vulnerability in it and knew that this was who he was really. So much need in those eyes, so much anguish struggling to escape the body. Ren did not think of it too deeply but the memory burned itself into her thoughts nonetheless. She remembered that in the early days, she too had made love like this, when it was not just for pleasure but a tool of healing. Clinging to him, she became the instrument he needed to feel.
He rolled over, keeping joined as best as possible with only the threat of slipping out once. On top, he wanted to please her. Show her what he could do. Make her want to come back and be with him, because Gabriel wanted to have this sweet little thing to fuck again. A vampire in a way, he leeched onto her and would make her yearn for him so bad, she would be intoxicated with orgasm. That was the goal he knew he could achieve. Perhaps Hayes was not very good at expressing himself to a woman he had loved for years and years, but he could make other woman tremble before him. It was a skill he had learned at a very young age.
The only problem he forgot about was the handicap of his arm that was now getting in the way. In his want to be a great lover, Hayes hadn't thought on his own near-dead wing. This was a new problem but the Colonel had been up for too many challenges in the past to let this stop him. He wrapped one arm under her, to situate her body and hold on at the same time. Pulling a pillow under her head, he shoved his cast under the pillow and let his weight go down on his elbow. It was awkward at first and paused their love making, but in his mind it would be only a temporary set back. "Sorry," he whispered before leaning down to engulf her mouth. To taste her sweet lips that lingered with vodka and beer. As he kissed, his hips circled around so he could push around every inch of her inside walls. Gabriel was going to make her want him so bad, she would either scream, whine or give in completely.
Jesus Christ, Ren thought as he engaged her in an entirely new manoeuvre, surprised that he would not be slowed down by a broken arm. Not by a long shot. As they suddenly changed positions and Ren caught her breath in the slight pause, she saw the purpose in his eyes, the need to possess her in this intimate endeavour. She didn't mind so much because he was turning out to be a more than pleasant surprise. It had been a long time since these kinds of encounters had been anything but disappointing and as he began to pound into her a new, she knew this would be the exception.
The girl's body was responsive and she was allowing him to take the lead but he could not tell if she was enjoying herself. Perhaps she had too much to drink and he should finish her off along with himself. Determined even more, he pulled off from kissing her for it might not be her thing. Instead, he moved down to her neck and planted wet lips along with a prodding tongue as if trying to engulf her. There was a dominance here that Gabriel was only somewhat aware of. The throat. On top. He continued to fuck her, but changed tactics to straight on when she did not seem to notice much of a difference in his method. Perhaps pounding into her harder and harder would be her pleasure.
"Oh God," she started to cave when the movements became impossibly faster and harder. Grabbing at his arms, Ren closed her eyes and threw back her head. She whimpered loudly, a thing she wasn't accustomed to doing in sex but then she wasn't accustomed to this either. Moaning like the headliner of a tawdry porn film, Ren caved into the pleasure she was feeling.
Bingo. He found the right touch that was causing him to play her and then some. Gabriel didn't expect her to open up like a flower, her body stretching out so he could manipulate her as he best saw fit. The sounds from her body is what filled his ego the most and that turned him into an iron hot poker that had to have its fire put out. The only way to accomplish that would be to not stop his actions of plundering her body and when he became so full of their heated passion, Gabriel had to pull back from the kissing. The only sounds that filled his ears were his own groans, her moans and the sound of hard flesh slapping into the other's skin.
Was it instinct that made her do what she did next? Ren didn't know. Perhaps propelled by the heat of savage lovemaking, Ren lifted enough to take a bite of his shoulder. Not hard but just enough to show him how far he had driven her. Uttering another moan and grunt, her nails raked into his arms, digging in as she lost all sense of herself.
"Jesuschrist....." Gabriel breathed as the teeth meeting hard against his flesh covered bone sent his mind, concentration and control spinning out of his control. Trying to protest a 'no', the man burst within the girl's body as his muscles spasmed out of control in desperate attempts to reach all the way into Renee's body. The groan was long and throaty, near her ear as his eyes shut in vulnerable pleasure with his mouth hanging open as his sounds filled the room.
By the time he had made his utterance, Ren was already spinning out of control. She had lasted as long as she could before the back of her stamina broke and she became his creature. The sweet wave of orgasm rushed over her as she felt him burst her muscle walls collapsing around him as her body finally gave in. In concert with his own release, Ren's muscles clenched against him, milking him of every ounce of pleasure and seed he could give her. "Oh Jesus Gabe," she chanted his name, "Oh Gabe," she cried over and over again.
Dizzy, be it the alcohol or the lack of having a female visitor to his home on the NX, Gabriel found himself intoxicated by more than the vodka shot they had consumed. Ren was the prescription he needed for his ego had found some place to purchase a foothold instead of the wild unknown spin it had been embarking on. Somewhat grounded for the first time in days, hearing his name on her lips gave him a small amount of self worth. He was not hopeless, nor was he a lost cause. Exhausted from holding himself up, Gabriel allowed his dripping body to collapse into her as he rested his head over her shoulder. She had bit him and for the life of him, there was nothing more surprising or intimate than a lover who claimed him for her own. It wasn't what she meant, he was sure, for how could she know what such a bite meant to him? "Shit..." It was all he could say.
"And then some," Ren managed to say breathlessly. "That was very impressive Gabe." Eyes closed, her fingers traced lines on his slick back. She loved his weight on her, loved how he made her feel. "It’s been a long time since I've had it so good."
Relieved, he sighed in comfort and turned to kiss his lover. "Thank you." His breathing was calming a bit and Gabriel lay there to relishing in every last tingle and exertion his body felt. "You. Too." In attempt to please Renee, he withdrew his good arm and let it rest across her chest. Holding her and stroking a breast with two fingers.
"So," she smiled dreamily, somewhat adrift on the pleasure she felt as well as the intimacy they were both enjoying in this most unexpected of places. "Do I give you my number or are you never going to call me again."
A smile crept across his face and while she could not see him, a pride filled his voice. "You give me your number. I don't think I have one of my own yet, but will." Mission. Accomplished. Gabriel could not believe his good luck, but did not look a gift horse in the mouth either.
"You got it," Ren smiled, "once I have strength in my limbs to go find a bit of paper to write it down," she giggled. "We have this room all night right?" She lifted her head up to look at him.
"Yeah," he said and reached up to grab the covers. "This is going to sound bad, but I actually won't be able to stay the whole night Ren." The new 'politician' added fast, "Not that I don't want to." To prove it, he tugged her with him as he tried to manipulate the covers and pillows. "I have to report to my job tomorrow. First day."
"To tell the truth," Ren said not at all offended because this man didn't sound like he was accustomed to making such excuses. "I have commitments myself. Just tell me you're not married Gabe."
"What?"
"Just want to make sure you're not some bored husband looking for a quickie. Just find it surprising that some gal hasn't swooped you up already," her tone was jovial but there was seriousness in her question. "Its just a little rule that I have."
A nod, he could respect that. "I live alone. Never married. You're not married, are you?" It felt only right to appear interested. Of course, with his new consolation position, he shouldn't get involved with some poor sap's relationship either.
"No," she shook her head. "Never married and just so you know," she found the need to say this considering how fast things had moved tonight. "I don't do this often either."
"You don't pick up strange, older men in bars or you don't have sex with men often?" The stoic face asked it but Gabriel was smirking inside.
"I don't pick up strange men in bars period," Ren replied with a smile, avoiding the obvious bit of self-depreciation he was indulging himself. "I like to have sex but I'm somewhat choosy about who I have it with."
The answer was almost as important as their hooking up tonight, so Gabriel asked, "So why start tonight Ren?"
"I don't know," Ren said honestly. "Something about you I guess," she replied, thinking deeply on the question. "Maybe it was just how lost you looked, a feeling I can understand or that you were nice and more well mannered than what I'm used to. I can't say for certain."
He moved near her and tried to hold her with both arms. "Well, thank you I think. Good thing I didn't live here permanently before or I would have missed out on the most beautiful red head on Gaia." When he became uncomfortable again, Gabriel had to turn around and lie next to her on his back. Resting his arm between them.
Ren uttered a short laugh, "Sweet talker." She smiled and wished she was brave enough to tell him the truth. No doubt he would run for the hills if he knew she was a MACO. Most Fleet men got terribly intimidated by that or had developed some kinky domination fetishes.
Tired, he forced himself to stay awake despite the fact that he had to be up and in the shower at 04:00 for the start of a new day. It was hard, for all he wanted to do was sleep after being so exhausted by the young girl. "Ren," a turn of his head, Gabriel wanted to know, "Can I see you tomorrow night? Even if it is late?" Recalling his new assignment, and what tomorrow would bring, he added, "I have this, thing, to do in the evening and I don't know how early I can leave."
"I have f..." Ren was about to say furlough but stopped herself in time, "I mean I'll be free tomorrow evening." She said pleased that he wished to see her again. "Shall we meet here?"
"Sure." If there was time to unpack, he would bring her to his place. Did it matter? "But if you can deal with boxes...." In his mind, he tried to stop himself from saying this, for this really should only be a one night or two-night thing. Gabriel couldn't start a evening caller relationship when his priorities were starting a new and fresh in other directions.
"I can deal with boxes," she said with a smile, glad to see that to him this wasn't just a sordid affair to be carried out in a backroom under a rock.
Shit. Dammit Hayes! The silent reprimand came but there was something about this girl that he needed and why pay for a room when he lived across the way. It wasn't like he knew anybody down here. "I'll call you and swing by to pick you up on my way back." She could find out tomorrow he was the Governor. It was nice not having her know before then and if he was feeling really shitty after the ceremony and ball, he could go home and change first. Pretend he wasn't a MACO. Not be reminded that he gave his life to the military to become a lonely 46-year-old man.
"I'll be here," Ren said cheerily. "We can go wherever you want then."
His consciousness was loosing and his eyes lids began to close, "You want me to call you and meet you here?" Smart girl that didn't let a man know where she lived right away. Of course, he was bringing her to his place so maybe he wasn't being so bright. Sex tended to skew a man's logical process.
"Don't worry about calling me," Ren said. "I'll be here tomorrow night. If not I'll leave a note at the bar. Besides, I doubt I’ll disappoint you." She realised in the last few minutes that giving him her number might give away her MACO status since the number would be to the barracks.
The retraction he got from her giving him her number away was not lost on Gabriel, but he didn't want to force the issue. Especially when she might be his pseudo McRae tomorrow night. "Alright." Again, he forced himself to stay awake, "Are you painting tomorrow?"
"Probably not," Ren answered. "Its something I have to be in the mood for and I have a feeling my thoughts will be preoccupied tomorrow," she lifted up and gave him a wink.
Turning his head, he lifted his fingers and ran them along her cheek. "Really? Not inspired enough by a one armed man, hmm?" On purpose he used his handicap again for he rather liked how she lathered him in kind words.
"Oh I think I would be too distracted by the dynamite sex I had the night before to paint anything but overtly sexual nudes," she joked. "Besides after tonight I think I'm going to be utterly useless until I see you again."
"I've ruined a career? Great." That was a proud thought and he found that this Renee was what the doctor ordered. Tomorrow, when he saw his Major again, he could ignore her and know that someone much younger would be waiting for him. Someone who wanted to see him.
"Oh yeah," Ren laughed. "I'll be out in the streets, unable to paint anything except depictions of my brief love affair. Then I'll die in some seedy dive and become appreciated posthumously."
He was drifting and could no longer fight it, "Like all good artists." The want to sleep and the need for responsibility tugged at him. "Alarm.... needs to be set."
"Go on sleepy head," Ren chuckled and reached for the clock. "Go to sleep and I'll set it. What time?" She asked.
"Oh-three-hundred." So relaxed, he did not even think twice on how he gave the time.
"Three o'clock," Ren answered promptly. Damn, he woke early for Fleet. Most of the time those guys didn't even know how to tell time owing to being spacers and all. Setting the alarm, she set the device down on the nightstand. "Done."