Dinner time rolled around and they headed to the mess hall to meet up with Derek and Mitch. The guys brought their girlfriends with them. Rose was thrilled to meet some women, she had expected there not to be as many women on the sub, but was thrilled to get to meet them.
" How's the day been guys? Derek asked.
" Great! Lucas has been a great tour guide! I think I'm still going to get lost for awhile though..." Rose grinned.
" You'll get used to it." Mitch said. " Rose, this is my lovely girlfriend Kelly."
The raven haired girl extended a hand to her. She had massively long hair pulled back in a braid that hung to her waist. Her tan skin had Rose wondering how she was so tan.
" Hi! Welcome to SeaQuest!"
" Hi! Thanks! I'm pretty excited to be here!"
Derek spoke up and introduced his girlfriend." This lovely lady is my girl Danielle."
The pretty strawberry blond smiled and shook Rose's hand." So Lucas has been showing you around huh?" She winked at Lucas making him blush.
" Yeah! He's been great! He even took me swimming with Darwin. That was a blast! "
" Darwin is amazing! " Kelly said.
" Let's get some food! I'm starving!" Derek said.
The group agreed, so they lined up to the cafeteria style buffet and filled their trays with food. The girls surrounded Rose and she knew immediately that she'd just made great friends. After dinner The group walked to the Rec center on the sub a place for crew to blow off steam. There were games and places for people to relax. Rose was glad to know more people but especially the women. It would help her feel more comfortable. Eventually the evening grew late and the couples went their separate ways. Leaving Rose and Lucas alone again.
Lucas walked her to her quarters.
" Lucas, thank you for today. I truly appreciate you showing me around. I'm hoping to learn my way around quick. Everything looks the same!" She giggled.
" It is kind of clinical. Small things will stand out though. " he stood against her hatchway watching her. The sparks had been flying between them all day, and now he knew he had to make a move soon or he'd combust.
" Um, I know it's kind of late, but you wanna come in for a night cap before you leave?" Rose asked a little shyly.
He took that as a good sign though and smiled. " Sure. If you're sure. "
" Yeah I think I'd like the company. Come in. " she stepped aside and let him enter then closed the hatch.
" You don't have too much to unpack. " he observed.
" No. I figured there'd be uniforms and I didn't know how often we'd get shore leave. I can always buy new things as needed. " she searched for glasses. "Ahhh here we go, just what I wanted. Can I pour you a beer now that we're off duty?"
" Sure. That would be great. Mind if I sit? "
" Please do. I'll be right over. " Rose finished pouring their drinks and walked over to the small couch. Tucking a leg under herself do she could face Lucas . He sat with his legs slightly open, accepting the glass of cold beer.
They were quiet for a moment. Both calculating where to start. Lucas opened the conversation.
" So how are things since the...um...I guess I'm not sure what to call it the other night... "
She watched as his face turn red. " Goodness. You blush easily. "
Looking down he reached up to loosen his collar.
" Yeah... "
" I had fun... in case you were wondering... " Rose sipped her beer.
Nodding, Lucas met her eyes and said, " I did too. It's uh, been awhile since I've danced with anyone. That was really nice. "
" Yeah it was. Damn, I wish I had my music. "
" Oh! I can do something about that. What are you in the mood for? "
" Hmmm. Something soft . "
" Come watch and I'll teach you how to use the music system I designed for personal quarters. "
They set down their beers and Lucas went to a panel with lots of buttons and a touch screen. " Show me. I'm going to stress out if I don't have music sometimes. "
" Right. So this panel is for music and it's linked to the internet so anything you may have in the cloud you can access from here. "
" Whoa, great! Show me more! " Rose was beyond curious. " You're ridiculously smart, you truly designed this? "
" Yep. Ahhh, there we go... I logged into my account. I hope you like this. It's really old. Captain Bridger turned me on to it. "
" Who is this? " Rose was really liking the old style instruments.
" Frank Sinatra. "
" This is good. Like really good. I think my Grandparents used to listen to this kind of stuff. "
" This is cheesy, but you wanna dance? " Lucas asked.
Rose met his gaze and nodded. " Yes. I think would. "
Lucas stretched out his arms and wrapped her up in them pulling her close. They got into the beat of the music and started to sway quietly. " So how are you doing since your break up? " Lucas inquired gently.
Rose sighed as her body followed his. " I think I've been to busy to think about it. "
" I'd be pissed I think. It's been a long time since I've been in a relationship, but I've never been cheated on. I don't know what that's like "
Rose looked over his shoulder instead of making eye contact this time. " It hurts. " she said simply.
" I'm sorry. "
" It feels like being punched in the heart, and it sucks. I gave him so much of me. All to be replaced by some whore. " she missed a step and accidentally stepped on his toe. " Oh! I'm so sorry! " she blushed and stopped moving.
Softly he said, " Easy. It's okay. It didn't hurt. "
" You didn't need those toes right? " she met his eyes with a bashful glance.
" Nah, not those ones, just leave me a few though okay? You know, just enough so I can still wear my flippers. "
Rose giggled. " All right. I'm still sorry tough. "
" It's all good. Come here. " he took her arm and draped it on his shoulder then took her other hand in his. His other hand rested at the small of her back. The moment became very tender as they both tried to figure out what to do next. " I like this. " he said softly, his eyelids were lowered slightly, sensually. He relished the closeness though he also felt nervous.
She looked up at him and smiled, " I do to. "
Lucas reached up extracting his hand from hers and touched her cheek. Watching her , he wanted badly to kiss her. He worried that it was too soon though so he hesitated. Instead he just watched her but as he touched her cheek she tilted her head up just slightly, inviting him in.
" Rose. "
" Yeah? " still she followed his body.
" God, you're so pretty. "
" Thanks. " her eyelids lowered a little so he could see her thick eyelashes and now she blushed fiercely.
Unable to take it any longer Lucas made his move and sank his fingers into her hair drawing her up to his lips. All the air escaped her lungs when his lips touched hers. They clung to each other in the moment. Nothing mattered. The music droned on in the background.
Work was done for the day. Her break up was gone from her mind. Suddenly she was even more grateful for her aunt getting her the job on SeaQuest. This made her pull him closer. She backed up and walked him to the couch so they could make out like a couple teenagers, never mind the fact that they were in their mid thirties.
Lucas was not one to push sex on a woman. He felt it was too soon for that. So he just kept things at the pace they were going. Eventually they came up for air though. He ran his fingers through his hair and grinned, watching her straighten her hair a little too.
" Well, that was fun." Rose said. " There's maybe a little chemistry here huh? "
" I'll say! " he smiled. They sank back against the couch, yawning at the same time. Then they giggled.
" This was quite a day. I'm getting tired. "
" Me too. I should let you sleep. And I think I need to go take a cold shower. " Lucas chuckled.
" You've got some moves Mr.Wolenczak. I like them. "
" You've got some yourself girl. It's going to be hard to focus if we work together. "
" Nah, we can handle ourselves. For sure! " she waved a hand.
" Maybe you can. " he wasn't so sure.
" Maybe , maybe not. I could get lost in those blue eyes of yours. And your lips are hypnotic sir. "
" Really? "
" Uh huh. " she eyed him up and planted another kiss on him. She grinned as she kissed him swiftly. Then she pulled back. " I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. "
" Don't be! I'm not complaining! But really, I better go. Or else... "
She eyebrow arched at him, knowing what he was thinking. " I suppose it has been quite a busy day. "
" There's a lot to do tomorrow too. More crew should be arriving. It'll get busier with people the closer we get to leaving dry dock. "
" How soon do you think we'll be underway? What's our first destination? " Now she was thinking work again.
" We're expecting to leave in a week . I think we can do it as long as all the rest of our supplies arrive. Some repairs can be made once we're back in the ocean. " his hands rested around her waist as they talked. " God, this is nice. " he felt distracted by her , but in a good way. " So anyway, I think the Captain mentioned holding a meeting tomorrow to touch base on where we're at. Whether we're really ready to get back out there. I think we will be. "
" I'm going to learn the lab's lay out tomorrow. Learn my way around. This is really exciting. I loved working at the aquarium but I hope to be part of something bigger. "
Lucas nodded understanding. He felt like he was part of something having worked on the SeaQuest for twenty years. He'd seen a lot in his time.
" That's understandable. I've been here for twenty years, and we've been a huge part of research for the UEO. We've seen wreckage from sunken ships and submarines. We've been deeper than any sub known. We went down into the Marianna's Trench. You're in for major adventure being here. There's been times of combat. It can be kind of hairy sometimes, but the amazing things we've seen has outweighed the danger. "
" That sounds amazing. I really look forward to it. " she sighed lightly. Feeling very tired now.
" I really should let you get some sleep. It's your first night here you might have a hard time sleeping. "
" I barely slept last night I was so nervous and excited. I am kind of like a little kid sometimes. " she giggled.
Lucas stopped swaying and looked down into her eyes. " I am having a hard time letting go of you. This is , it's been... " he was having a hard time finding his words.
" Hey...I get where your mind is I think. And yes I feel it too. I know it's soon...Like you said, let's take it one day at a time. Right? "
" Yeah. " he reached up and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear gently. He bent down and kissed her one long kiss before parting. " Good night beautiful. I'll see you in the morning. "
Rose smiled and closed the hatch to her quarters. Looking around she smiled. Her aunt Kristen needed a video call. She needed to thank her. Thankful that Lucas has taught her how to use her communication equipment she pulled up the computer screen and typed in the numbers to her aunt.
" Ahhh the prodigal niece! How are you? "
" Aunt Kristen! I LOVE it here! "
" Today was your first day? "
" Yes! This place is insanely amazing! The people are great! And I've made a new friend! Ummm a gentleman. "
" Really? What about your fiance? "
" The slime ball cheated on me with his gross Secretary ! " I ended it. But I accidentally met this sweet guy, Lucas. "
" Wolenczak? "
" Yes! He's so sweet. And he really helped me learn some things today. This place is huge! I wouldn't have found my quarters without him. "
" I'm glad you've had a good day. Be gentle with Lucas though? He's turned into a good man. He's been through a lot in his life though. "
"I will. We've agreed to just take things one day at a time. I did just leave a relationship after all. He's really cute though."
" Ahhh it's those eyes on that boy! He's genuine. Now, tell me all about your day. "
Rose gave her aunt a full recap and finished the conversation with a thank you .
" Aunt Kristen, I truly want to say thank you for having helped me get this job. I think I'm really going to enjoy it. I truly can't wait until we get underway. "
" You will see so many amazing and interesting things. Did they say yet when you will be back to sea? "
" There's a meeting tomorrow with Captain Ford. Lucas said we should hopefully leave dry dock in about a week, but tomorrow the meeting should clarify it a bit more. Oh! I love Darwin! He's amazing! "
" Oh! I knew you would! He's such an intelligent guy! You'll have adventures with him! You're going to get to have so many amazing experiences on the SeaQuest. This I promise you. Now, call me if you need anything, but it's getting late, you better get some rest. You're in for busy times. "
" All right, you're right. Good night Aunt Kristen! "
" Good night sweetheart. I look forward to hearing of your adventures. "
" Bye! "
The women signed off and got rest for bed. Rose put her pajamas on and flopped down on her bed. She was glad that Lucas had taught her how to use the music. It helped her unwind.  Eventually she went to sleep. Her day had caught up with her.