Secret Garden Sounds Wonderful
Posted on Sat Aug 30, 2025 @ 2:22pm by Lieutenant JG Jali Andloch & Lieutenant Liam Blackwood
1,930 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
Time After Time
Location: DS5 - Arboretum
After finishing their dessert, Jali and Liam stepped out of Glamdring. The dessert had been excellent enough that Liam made a mental note to come back. On the way out, he asked the hostess if their meals could be delivered to their quarters, and she was more than happy to arrange it. Liam was just as happy not to carry a bag of mashed potatoes around the station.
As they walked side by side, Liam glanced over at Jali. “Thank you for inviting me out to dinner.” He said.“I feel like I haven’t had a single moment to breathe since coming aboard… this was exactly what I needed.”
He looked at her again. “Hope you’re enjoying yourself too.”
"I certainly am. I am glad that you agreed to dinner, just now where shall we go first? I am though- of the mindset of letting you take lead. Unless you would like to check out the Arboretum. I read that it has quite a bit to offfer and see." Jali answered. "Certainly larger than the one back on the other station I served on."
Liam glanced at her with a smile as they continued walking. “Now, that is an excellent idea.” He said. “I’ve heard good things about the Arboretum, but I haven’t had the chance to see it for myself yet.”
When they arrived at the Arboeretum, Jali's eyes went wide with wonder. "This is-amazing!" she walked over to a map which showed what was available. There was the you are here dot,
"Seems that we are on the main level, there is a maze, walkways, fountains, ponds, different flowers, and of course trees. Below is recreational area with a water park, a river, and sports field. There are environmental places in the upper portion,, and just above us is a garden area, community with vertical gardening and hydroponics."
Jali turned to look at Liam. "I don't know exactly where I want to start. Then again, its probably going to be taking a few days at a time to truly get to know this whole area."
Liam looked around in quiet amazement, taking in the lush greenery and open space. He hadn't expected anything like this. None of the starbases he'd been on had offered anything close.
He looked over the map with her. When she turned to him, he smiled. "Rome wasn't built in a day, right?" He said looking back to the map. "We'll just start small and let the rest unfold from there." He pointed to one of the ponds. "Let's go here."
Jali gave a nod, the pond sounded like a good idea. She walked alongside Liam, quietly gazing about, taking in the greenery which bordered the path. Her hand glided on top of the hedge,feeling the leaves, just smiling as she seemed to forget that they were upon a station. I
The path curved to the left, a small alcove appeared with a bench and some dark red roses climbed their way up the white trellis. There was a rose which caught her attention just out of her reach. In order to reach it Mali would have to climb upon the bench. She took her shoes off, nimbly stepping up on the bench, gently pulling down the slender stem to smell the fragrance of the rose.
Jali smiled, her eyes drifting down towards Liam, blushing slightly.
"Want to join me up here?" Jali holding out a hand towards Liam.
Liam walked alongside her, quietly taking in the surroundings. When she stopped at the bench and slipped off her shoes, he watched with a mix of curiosity and mild concern as she climbed up to reach the rose. He briefly considered steadying her, maybe a hand at her waist to keep her balanced, but hesitated, unsure if it was the right moment.
Before he could decide, she had already reached the rose and extended her hand to him.
He smiled back, took her hand, and stepped up beside her.
“This is amazing.” He said looking at her.
"Isn't it?" Jali her cheeks grew warm once more, just his nearness was- enticing.
Jali turned her attention back to the rose gently lowering it for Liam to partake in its scent.
"I love this rose as it belongs to the Damask family of roses. Its the Étoile De Hollande Rose, it attracts butterflies. And also essential oils can be made from the petals. Plus the petals have culinary uses as well."
Liam leaned in slightly taking in the fragrance. "That's incredible." He said. "Sounds like it has a lot going for it." He added before glancing at her. "You seem to know a lot about these...."
"I learned about them from my grandmother on my mother's side. She is kinda like an apothecary, botanist,herbalist and loves gardening. I found it intriguing. And my grandfather loves to cook, and he likes to use flowers in his cooking. I feel that they are a good match for each other. " Jali smiling fondly thinking of them, a warm glow in her eyes.
Jali went to release the bloom, her hand brushing softly against Liam's cheek.
"Oh sorry about that, want to continue on with our exploration?"
"Sounds like they make quiet the team." Liam said. When her hand brushed his cheek, his breath caught just slightly. "No need to apologize."
He stepped down from the bench. He offered his hand to help her down. "Let's see what else this place has to offer..."
Jali accepted Liam's hand when she stepped down from the bench. She continued to hold his hand when she put her shoes back on. Using her free hand she made certain the shoes were on proper. Holding his hand did help her keep balance.
"Okay I am ready." Jali smiling " and would you like your hand back? " she hadn't let go of Liam's hand yet.
Liam gave her hand a light squeeze as she stepped down, then watched as she masterfully put her shoes back on using one hand. He smiled back as she smiled at him. "Only if you want me to take it back." He replied. He made no attempt to pull away waiting for her reply he looked up each side to see which way they could head next.
She readjusted her hold on his hand to where it was more comfortable for the two of them.
With a twinkle in her eyes, "I don't want you to take it back. " caressing a part of his hand with her thumb. Oh how Jali's heart was starting to race, having this sort of contact with Liam.
"Towards the water or deeper into the greenery?"
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze glancing in both directions. "Let's go deeper into the greenery." He said. "Something tells me there's more to discover that way."
"I am looking forward to that." Jali giving a return squeeze back to Liam. "You take the lead." giving a light laugh.
Liam nodded, and led them down a path. The path curved gently. Vines draped overhead, creating a green archway that led them into a secluded space. The air was cooler here. It was fragrant with the scent of jasmine and something faintly spicy. What they had stepped into was a small meditation garden. There were smooth stone benches that circled a low bamboo fountain. Water trickled steadily into a basin. There were flat stepping stones that led to the fountain's edge.
"I hadn't expected this." He said glancing around the area.
Jali was amazed at this "This is beautiful, and restful. I would like to sit here and enjoy this, how about you?"
Liam nodded. "I'd like that." He said looking around for a moment. "This feels like the kind of spot where time just...slows down."
Jali slowly released Liam's hand, walking over to one of the benches nearest the fountain, and taking a seat. She watched as the water cascaded down into the basin, she had left room for Liam to come sit by her, allowing the whole essence of this area to surround her, them. A moment or two passed then she spoke softly, "There is a time upon the wild plains of Mongolia where the stars shine brightly, and all is still except for the wind rustling through the grasses that is there. and the sound of a small stream. nearby. "
Liam trailed a few steps behind, his eyes shifting between Jali and the surroundings. He hadn’t expected to stumble upon a meditation garden, but he was glad it existed. He knew he’d be returning here again. When she settled onto the bench, he eased down beside her. “Does this remind you of home?” He asked.
" My grandmother's place, and it does remind me of it. Like a secret garden. A way to allow a young girl's imagination take flight. A refuge away from my brothers. Anyway enough of talking about them. I do not want to ruin this time with you." Jali reaching over to take Liam's hand once more.
Liam nodded. “Secret garden sounds wonderful.” He said, leaving it at that. Some things were better saved for another time. Instead, he let the quiet speak for them both. The soft trickle of the fountain, the scent of blossoms in the air, and Jali’s hand resting in his made the moment feel complete.
Jali was caught up in this moment, she leaned her head against Liam's shoulder. It just felt like the thing to do and she desired to do so. This was also the first time she'd done something like this. It felt like he didn 't see her as a barbarian.
After a while of simply sitting together in the quiet, soaking in the moment, Liam broke the silence. “So… what do you think?” He asked. “Want to explore a little more, stay here a bit longer, or head off and find something else to do?”
"Exploring does seem to be an excellent idea. Taking the time to soak in the ambiance of here, I have enjoyed it immensely." Jali giving a soft smile straightening up from her position.
"I will confess that I am getting hungry and my mind has gone towards our dinner, which has been delivered to our separate quarters. "
Jali's stomach rumbled when she mentioned food.
Liam chuckled at the sound of her stomach. “You know, those meals looked pretty big.” He said. “I’d be fine with sharing if you are. We could head to your quarters or mine...whichever you’d prefer.”
Jali did want to learn more about Liam and perhaps she could get more of an idea of what he liked to do if dining in his quarters. She couldn't help herself, she was an investigator at heart.
"Well I don't mind sharing, so, your place?" feeling her cheeks warm up,
Liam nodded as he rose to his feet, then offered his hand to her. “Fair warning...no promises my place is clean or decorated.” He said. “Still in the middle of settling in.”
"Well you are not alone with things not being completely moved in. I am in the same boat as it were. Haven't taken the time to unbox my belongings, even if they are just a small amount of items to make the place to be called home. " Jali answered taking his hand and standing up.
Liam smiled. "Ok, you've been warned."
A post by
LTjg Jali Andloch
Security
Deep Space Five
Lieutenant Liam Blackwood
Chief Science Officer
Deep Space Five
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