Headaches and Cupcakes

The interior of the restaurant was dark.

I met the Captain at the front. He wore a dress uniform from another century.

"What are you wearing?" I whispered.

"I have to go back to work, very soon," he said.

I sighed. "Somebody is going to catch on, you know."

"No. They won't."

I looked around the crowded restaurant, nobody was looking at us. "You're right. They won't."

The hostess took us to our table and I immediately took off my sandals and put my feet in his lap. He took one foot and gently massaged it, and then he did the other.

Drinks were served and then we were forced to contemplate the menu. Which we did.

"Are you ready to order?"

"Yes. We'll have the calamari and the tuna tartare."

"Very good sir," the waiter turned, menus tucked under his arm and sauntered off.

"I missed you," I said, kissing him.

"Dammit, Hilda, I wish we could have gone back to the ship."

"Well, it's nice to get out once in awhile."

"Gorram it. All right." He kissed me again and slid his hand up my skirt and massaged gently. "I want to have you, right now."

"Lo se. After we eat."

The food was sublime. The calamari was beautifully fried and I alternated between the marinara and the wasabi dipping sauces. The tuna was fine, save that they put cumin on it. What kind of idiota puts cumin on raw fish? It 'ent right. It 'ent.

For dessert we had chocolate cheesecake cupcakes. They had with poofs of creamy white frosting from out of which, disaster struck: a headache. I think it was the cream cheese and the chocolate combination. I can't be sure.

Cap took me right back home. I showered. Two ibuprofin and lay down. He lay beside me.

"Is there anything I can do? Do you want me to get Doc to fix something up for you?"

"Naw. I just need quiet. And dark."

"I'll leave you then. My crew is waiting." He gave me a look. "Next time."

"Yes," I squeezed his hand and then kissed it.

"Thank you," I kissed him.

When I woke up, I saw him sitting across the room, having a drink. "We're celebrating," he said.

"Oh yeah? Was the mission a success?"

"Shiny," he said. "Do you want a drink?"

"Okay," I got up and followed him through the wormhole to his kitchen. "You know, I've always liked it in here. It's so cozy."

"It is, but let's go to my quarters, people eat off that table, Hilda," he said, as he caught me eyeing the long wooden table.

I rolled my eyes. "All right, Cap."

We descended the ladder down into his quarters.

"You know, this is the first time I've ever been here."

"Yup," he proceeded to take off all of my clothes and put me, face down on the bed. He then began to massage me, not missing a single inch.

And I know you're wondering: was there a happy ending?

It was very happy.

For both of us.

I remain,

Hilda Stinson