A beep on her console let her know that her shift was over and as soon as she stood someone was there to take her place. Her guards at her side she headed to her quarters. Waiting for the Chissen to okay her going into her room she went about preparing for some time training. As she was checking her messages she had saved she came across one not labeled. It was dated a while ago so not thing much of it she opens it.
�Hello lieutenant, I know it maybe a while before you receive this. I just wanted to send you something to let you know I was thinking about you. And I wanted to know if you would like to accompany me to my birthday dinner. That is if....well if you are here at the time. You know you are always welcome the visit for any reason. That alone would be reason to celebrate. I know you wanted to see the gardens at my estate. Perhaps we could slip away for a few minutes for an evening stroll through them. I look forward to hearing you tell me all about you trip thru the galaxy. You get to see new worlds, meet new races....I can understand the nickname Misfit Heroes you and you fellow crew-mates acquired...�
The rest of the video message was stopped as Gabe shut off the screen. Her eyes were wet with tears she refused to let fall. After a moment she wiped her eyes and headed back out of her quarters where her guards were waiting. Before either could ask why she wasn�t in the training gear she answered.
�I�m going to hang out in the lounge tonight.� With nothing else said she headed for the deck with the lounge. It occored to Gabe as she sat down on a bar stool that the last time her and the count did something together was in a lounge, the one on the station. When the bartender asked what she wanted she never bothered to look up just saying that she wanted something with vodka in it.
The Chissen were still near her although they were more scanning the room for threats. When someone sat down in the empty space beside her they moved closer to her and after a few moments of looking the newcomer over determined him to be harmless. He had no weapons they could find and that meant none to them.
�You look familiar for some reason....are you the girl in my dreams?�
By this point Gabe had drank several vodka drinks and didn�t realize the man next to her was actually directing the pick up line to her. When he leaned closer to her he spoke again.
�I was hoping you would remember me...The man of your dreams.� He was now close enough
she could smell the alcohol on his breath. Gabe really wanted to just ignore him, but he was
persistent, dropping lines that were around on Earth, and even then they never worked. When
he finally straight up asked her if she wanted to go back to his quarters and have a good time she
gave a response. It was a no of course, but the guy didn�t seem to understand that no meant no
and continued his useless quest.
�So are you not into guys...I don�t mind watching two, or more, women go at it...I�m open
minded..�
This one made Gabe turn and face the man. He was on her right and must not have seen the scar
on her face because he couldn�t help staring at it once it was in view. He was wearing the
uniform, a lower level rank, and he was drunk. Looking at him she stated her answer again. He
really must not have know who she was to event try to pick her up.