Don't everyone thank me at once (Costa)

[Fells Halgerdur]

[sick bay NPC Cooper]

The look she gave the doctor escaped his attention but if anyone had asked, he would have bet on it.
Right now he had to focus hard so he didn't bump into other people or door frames on their way out.
When Costa asked about coming to her place, he stopped dead in his tracks and turned to look at her.
Was she teasing him, joking...or what did he have in his pockets that she might want? A moon stone?
Then she explained about the pub and he sighed audibly. It wasn't about stones!
Of course he got nervous about going to her place...her home....before he could do anything against it and his voice wasn't as low and calm as usually but a little higher and faster.
"That sounds like a really good idea. I probably shouldn't go anywhere like this, People might think I'm smashed already!"

He followed the exotic woman, who was being so kind to him today, but wondered what kind of an ass he might end up making out of himself tonight.
"Man, whatever she gave me is really kicking me off kilter. I hope you don't mind!"
On cue he bumped his shoulder into a man turning the corner, who apologized before Brody could apologize.
"Better hurry up before I mow down the place!"
His laughter was light hearted and somewhat childish.

[Alexa Costa]

[Lex Costa - Sickbay -> Private Quarters]

Costa arched a brow when he stopped and looked at her, an expression on his face she couldn't quite figure out. She did feel a slight relief when he eventually accepted her offer, and seemed to follow her train of thought even through the haze of the painkiller drugs he'd been given. When he said he hoped she didn't mind she grinned and shook her head. "Nah, am kinda jealous actually." Cooper seemed to be on an altogether different buzz to her, and she was having trouble keeping a straight face at the very endearing display.

She gave up and laughed aloud when he almost knocked down that unsuspecting, polite man, and grabbed his hand to offer some physical support and guidance. "C'mon, almost ta the 'lift."

[Costa's Quarters]

It might come as a shock to some, but Alexa Costa was a complete and utter neat freak. Her medium-sized officer's living quarters were pristine, quite minimalist, with the only clutter being her collection of model starships and freighters. The living area was comprised of a sofa and two comfortable armchairs, with a desk, console and shelving units off the wall behind. The only other door apart from the entrance led to a double bedroom with en suite. At the end of the bed was a chest that was locked to her DNA.

Once they'd arrived, Costa would gesture for Cooper to enter. "Are ya feelin' alrigh'?" She asked, her tone still a mixture of slight concern and a lot of amusement. "Take a seat, will get us tha' bottle."

[Fells Halgerdur]

[Costas quarters NPC Cooper]
The way was long and full of stumble stones it seemed. Yet Brody made it to her apartment without breaking his other arm even though he managed to bump into a Vulcan and then into the door of the turbo lift.
The whole thing amused him for some reason.

When he finally stepped into Costas quarters he was surprised how clean they were.
"Splendifferous, thanks for asking." He babbled.
Unlike his own there were no scattered clothes or food packaging. No pets, no pictures...just collectibles.
"Wow....do you LIVE here?" He walked over to the couch but before she could serve any drinks he spotted the models.
"Where did you get those?" The question should have been 'why' but he didn't dare to ask because he was too loopy and ready for the drink she was willing to provide him with.

As she walked away he let his back sink against the back of the sofa and let his head drop back as well, then ran a hand through his hair in a poor attempt to look a little less messy.
He felt his strength leave him quickly after the long day.

[Alexa Costa]

[Lex Costa - Private Quarters]

Splendiferous?

Costa shook her head, wondering what planet Cooper was on currently, because he wasn't on the Starbase. "Nah, Coop," she said when he asked in disbelief about her living quarters, "Stole it." Sure, she was squatting in this clean, roomy lieutenant's quarters while the real owner was away on mission. Never to return, because maybe she'd killed him and stuffed him in her wardrobe.

She moved toward the shelving units and reached up to the top shelf to grab the special bottle. It had no label, and inside the glass was a clear liquid. There was a date marked in some sort of pen on the neck of the bottle. She took a couple of glasses from another shelf, pulled the cork of the soju and poured a generous helping in each glass.

"All over," she responded to his question as she poured, her eyes flickering from the liquor to the model ships, "Some I picked up, others I made after servin' on certain types." She moved back over toward the sofa and held out a glass to him, some slight amusement returning when she realised how tired he must be.

"Tha' small freighter is the Presto, the family boat."

She sat on the cushion beside his, kicked off her boots and pulled her legs up underneath her. Once she was comfortable she held up her glass in a cheers. "Ta those we hafta leave behind." She took a long gulp, her shoulders beginning to relax as she sank back into the sofa, finally able to stop moving for a moment.

[Fells Halgerdur]

[Costas place Cooper]
There was a hint of sentiment when she was talking about the ship models. Like some others talk about family and friends, Costa talked about the ships she'd served on. And Brody totally understood, even in his state, because those ships meant adventures far away from the Base.
"I'm so jealous. You served on all of those...and your family owned this?" His eyes, that had been half closed, opened wide.
"Today was my first time on a fighter...."
Yep....he'd been on transporters, freighters but not once on a fighter during battle.
"That's how fuc*ing boring my job is...." His eye lids got heavy again when he reached for the glass she had poured and sniffed it.
It almost burnt up his nostrils and made his eyes water a little.
"Holy crap....cheers! To all those who didn't make it today."
He tipped back the whole darn glass, which burnt so much that it made his throat tighten and provoked a certain feeling of nausea paired with sentiment.

He looked up at her, searching her eyes while he cringed and then became serious.
"You could have gotten shot down....easily...in that small thing."
But she had been brave. She was used to it. But Brody suddenly felt overwhelmed by the urge to hold her close.
"Can I...hug...I mean, you could have gotten killed. And me, too. When Commander Hawke flew us right into the center of the storm and we got fired at....holy shit."
He reached for the bottle without asking and poured them both more. Not all of the liquid actually found its way into the glass.
"To you and me....for...kicking them back where the belong!"

[Alexa Costa]

[Lex Costa - Private Quarters]

"First part o' my Da's little 'empire'," she said of the Presto model, though her tone of voice did not suggest pride, or anything at all pleasant. But the conversation turned and so she followed its course, like any good pilot. Costa happened to think that he'd done a great job for someone with no combat experience, she also thought that his job was very interesting. It wasn't action-packed or all that dangerous, but he got to learn about stuff she couldn't even begin to fathom.

She watched as he knocked back the entire glass, a smile playing on her lips. Then when he caught her eye, his tone changed and she found herself frowning at his words. "Was safer than you," she informed him, shaking her head and reaching out to save the bottle from his expansive gesturing and generous pouring. Even as clueless as Costa was sometimes, she recognised the sudden need in him.

"Tha' Shran plan was a suicide run. Was pissed when found out ya were on tha' ship. Pissed at you, and at Hawke for pushin' it." At the next toast, she too knocked back her entire glass. It burned its way down her throat and the feeling wasn't unpleasant, rather welcomed. She needed something else to concentrate on in that moment.

"Hey, Cooper..." She began, a little hesitant at first, pouring herself another drink before diving in with the question. "Ya got anyone ya need ta speak ta? Y'know, to reassure tha' you're alive... A girl?" She pretended to be engrossed in her glass, her eyes directed downward at her hands while she waited for the answer.

[Fells Halgerdur]

[Costas place Npc Cooper]

Brody licked the last drops of liquor of his lips while Costa was ranting about the mission.
"You care about me." He observed her anger with a smile.

Then she became a little weird, perhaps thanks to the strong drink, and asked about a girl friend....even cuter.
Brody had thought about calling Maggie earlier but then they've only met three times.

He put his glass down and shook his head with a smirk.
"You want to know whether I have a girl friend?"
Did he see a hint of insecurity or awkwardness? Maybe...he was pretty tipsy now.
"Dozens.....they all love lab rats. No! No girl is waiting for me with bated breath....unfortunately."
He wanted to be honest though.
"Nothing serious anyway."
He looked around and ducked under the coffee table. "Where is your guy....is he going to pummel me?"
He didn't think she had one. "Or are you into girls? Hopefully not!"
Gosh, his mouth was so loose now.

[Alexa Costa]

[Lex Costa - Private Quarters]

"Do not!" She returned childishly when he declared that she cared about him. Having been caught out expressing something she hadn't meant to, Costa sulked a little, pouting as she glared at Cooper. Although as he continued, it wasn't an expression she found herself able to maintain. Instead, she reached out to pluck his glass from his grasp.

"No more for ya, Coop, ya talkin' madness." Her eyes flashed with mischief as she held the glass behind her, just out of his reach. She watched his antics and the show he made of looking for all of the many hidden men she obviously had dispersed around her quarters. Then when he mentioned girls, her smile turned playful.

"Would ya no share me with a girl?" She asked, feigning innocence. "Not even for Science? Tha's not very academic of ya."

[Fells Halgerdur]

[Costas place Noc Cooper]
His new acquaintance seemed to have a problem with affection, no matter how serious.
For a moment he contemplated calling her out on it or questioning why but then she took his drink and distracted him. "Oi....now you're playing unfair."

Again he was distracted by the girl comment, which provoked some seriously entertaining mental pictures.
"I'd consider that for science sake...you got friends, who are into that?"
The pictures were wild and made him slightly horny even if it was just a joke.
"Just no male friends...I'm not that experimental." Again he turned his head to adress the guys who were possibly hiding in her wardrobe.
"Hear that, dude...get out of here."

He reached around her with his sleeveless arm which strangely enough didn't hurt one bit but he couldn't get the glass, so he tried the other arm and git awefully close. Right in her comfort zone. But what did he care in his state?
"Give it to me...." He sang while their noses were almost touching.

[Alexa Costa]

[Lex Costa - Private Quarters]

"I never play fair." Costa warned with a happy laugh when Cooper complained about her methods. "An' I got friends who are inta all sorts o' things," Costa continued suggestively. It was true, she really did, but she was realising in that moment that the vast, vast majority of people in her life that she might call "friend" were all male. With one or two special exceptions, she tended to gravitate toward men. Or perhaps it was they who gravitated toward her?

She didn't know, but luckily, for perhaps both of them, there was nobody else gravitating toward her in her quarters. Her wardrobes were empty of breathing people.

She switched the glass from one hand to the other when he reached around her. When the other arm wrapped around her too, her eyes flashed with something else - a challenge. It might be a familiar look to Cooper at that stage, since he would have seen something very similar that night in the science lab.

He was so close that their noses were almost touching. She smirked in response, her gaze flickering from his and down to his mouth. "Make me."

[Fells Halgerdur]

[Costas quarters NPC Cooper]
His head was practically spinning with the news of her having interesting friends, who were into all sorts of stuff. Brody knew no such people.
"I wouldn't mind meeting them!" He commented with a lopsided smirk.

Then their catch the glass game started and he ended up challenged to 'make her' give him the glass.
He could grab it forcefully, distract her with some strange tactic or pursue her. It was so obvious what she was aiming for. Of course, she wanted to be kissed. Maybe she had liked their first encounter.
Would he give her that so easily? Was he that easy to get? The answer was yes, but it wouldn't have to be that obvious.
So he leaned even closer, licked his lips, then brushed past hers, just connecting for one moment and trailed his tongue alone her ear lobe instead, then briefly nibbled it before he whispered.
"Come and get what you want."
His one hand found the side of her face while he looked deep into her eyes, his other reached for the glass.
"If you give me another glass of that fine drink, I'll be at your command." He cheekily winked at her.

[Alexa Costa]

[Lex Costa - Private Quarters]

Costa wasn't one to overthink when it came to something she wanted. She tended to see it, and if she wanted it, she just took it. So Cooper's rather open invitation to her wasn't just a response to her challenge, as far as she was concerned it meant he was happy to play at her speed. She sucked in a breath as he leaned in and brushed passed her lips, ever so softly, but continued to her ear.

Goosebumps erupted all over her skin at the sensation of his breath, then his warm tongue against her earlobe. Her breath loosed in a sigh, her head falling slightly to one side to give him more access. As soon as she felt the tug and his whispered words she reached out with her own hand, wrapping her arm around his neck, her hand sliding into the hair at the nape of his neck. She really liked that his hair was long enough for her to grab, and as he cupped the side of her face and leaned in to make a grab for the glass, she gave him a little tug and tried to keep the glass behind her back just beyond his reach.

She closed the distance between their faces a little, her tongue darting out to lick cheekily at his bottom lip. "Give me wha' I want, an' I'll be at yours."

[Fells Halgerdur]

[Costas apartment]
Costas touch, the tug on his hair, even the 'lick' was a little rough and raw. But it was unlike anything he'd ever experienced because the girls he used to date were much tamer.
It gave him a wild feeling, just like the first time they had met.
On top of that he was pretty loose thanks to the hypo and strong drink, so he turned into her 'lick' and grunted. "You got it."
He used his own hand to fully turn her face to him, return the playful tongue action and then firmly planted his lips on hers to gently suck and slide his tongue into her mouth.
He felt her teeth against the tip of his tongue and trailed it along them.
In the meantime he had pushed his knee on the cushion of the sofa close enough so they also touched.
Loosing his balance a little and took her with him...sideways against the back rest of the sofa.
"Is that what you're talking about?" He asked when he broke the kiss.

[Alexa Costa]

[Lex Costa - Private Quarters]

She barely had time to grin in response before he was getting involved himself. When his lips covered hers she actually dropped the glass she was holding, just so she could wrap both arms around his neck. As his tongue slid against her lips she proceeded to let the kiss deepen, a small sigh escaping her and cutting short when they fell sideways against the back of the sofa.

"Yes..." She answered his question, pronouncing the word in its full form. Her eyes opened slowly, biting her bottom lip in the wake of the kiss. Still mindful of his injury, and not wanting him to come to any more damage, she pulled her arm back, her fingers leaving the hair at the nape of his neck and pressed against his uninjured shoulder. Intent on pushing him back against the couch, she'd straddle his lap and face him in one smooth movement.

"Want more though." She always did. She watched him closely for a few moments, her eyes seeking his. "S'been a strange day." Her voice was soft then, the words carrying an edge to them that suggested there might be a deeper reason for her actions.

[Fells Halgerdur]

[apartment NPC Cooper]
Soon she was in his lap, straddling him, and he could feel the warmth of her body against his thighs. It was hot but also very personal.

The look she gave him even more so. Looking into someones eyes could get uncomfortable very quickly. Not this look, though. He got a little lost in her dark orbs as he searched her intentions.
"Yes, it was." Both of them had risked their lives for the Base and it's inhabitants.
"The Breen could have easily killed both of us...and everyone else on this station." The thought made him a little more sober.
"An elbow is a low price to pay....and it's fixed now."
He pursued that thought a bit further.
"But we're both here....we should celebrate this moment."
Slowly he leaned forward, giving her a kiss that was a lot slower and more meaningful.
Both of his hands reached for her waist to pull her closer, then he let them slip behind her back and intertwined his fingers.
"I might just keep you here for a while.....see what we can do with this special moment." Again the smirk appeared on his lips before he slid a little lower and let her fall on top of him.