A Question for Amber

Posted on Wed Jan 14th, 2026 @ 1:08pm by Lieutenant Amber Laurell & Lieutenant Joshua Silas

1,999 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: 7a. Guile - Short Treks
Location: Josh's cabin
Timeline: Evening prior to docking at DS9

Josh was nervous. he was in the mist of preparing what he hoped was a meal to truly impress Amber. That however was not what he was nervous about. No, he had a question a serious question for her and he wanted everything to go off without a hitch. Their relationship was going great and they were closer than ever. They had been dating for several months now. He briefly wondered if he was rushing things but pushed the thought aside as he knew his feelings and love for Amber would never change. The question before him was how to keep her from knowing what he was going to ask before he actually asked. As a Betazoid, she could sense his emotions and thoughts. Not that she pried but as nervous as he was, it would be easy for her to learn them. Therefore, he had avoided Amber for much of the day without it looking like he was avoiding her and see her for their date tonight. He sighed deeply and prayed all went smoothly as he got back to preparing the menu and meal. He had the wine, the flowers were in a vase on the dining room table. Roses both red and white. had the music playlist ready to go when she arrived. he cast his eyes upward and said a silent prayer. That the evening was a success and he received the answer he was hoping for.

Arriving at Josh’s quarters for their arranged meal, Amber was already sensing a whole host of emotions pouring from Josh. She knew how much impressing her mattered to him so she put it down to dinner time nerves as she pressed the chime. She had a slight headache but was sure seeing Josh would make her feel better in no time.

Hearing the door chime and knowing Amber has arrived., Josh wiped his hands on a towel and had the computer put on some soft romantic music. Then he went to the door. "Hi Love!" He said brightly. "Come on in." As he stepped back to allow Amber into the cabin. "You look lovely as always." He commented.

“Thank you” Amber smiled as she walked inside. “As promised I brought some uttaberry wine, be warned though it can have aphrodisiac-like side effects” she grinned as she put the bottle down and gave him a kiss.

Josh nodded, " I have never had it." He admitted and then continued. "So, are you saying we should only sip it?" He asked a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“Ohh I’m not saying a thing!” Amber grinned. “I just read it on the label. I love uttaberry juice so I thought we’d try the wine.”

Josh laughed at Amber's reply. "Taking the diplomatic approach? Smart idea, Let's try it with dinner and we'll see how well we like it. But first I fixed us some appetizers." He he went into the kitchen and returned a moment later with a plate full of pigs in blankets. "I hope you like sweetie, dig. in."

“Are you kidding me!? I love pigs in blankets!” Amber grinned. “They’re a Christmas staple on Earth, I fell in love with them whilst I was at the Academy.” She picked one up and politely ate it. “Mmmm lovely!”

Josh nodded at Amber's reply, "I have some sauce if you like some. Sweet and Sour, Honey Mustard even some BBQ."

“It just has to be BBQ!” Amber grinned. She was enjoying this treat, especially as it was combined with time with Josh.

"BBQ it is for the lovely chief counselor." Josh replied happily as he handed Amber a small bowl containing BBQ sauce. So far the evening was progressing perfectly.

“I won’t eat too many or I won’t want any other food” Amber smiled as she dipped her food in the sauce.

"You can take some back to your quarters and for later as well along with the sauce." Josh suggested.

“I just might do that” Amber grinned. “Though I’ve no doubt you’re going to make sure I’m well fed anyway.”

"You are absolutely right about that." Josh admitted grinning. "I can't have you over here and not do my part in making sure you are well fed."

Amber grinned. “Is there anything I can do to help? I don’t expect you to do all the work.”

Josh smiled, "Yes there is. Will you please pour us some of the uttaberry wine then you can help me me bring out the meal."

Amber nodded. “By all means” setting about opening the bottle of wine she picked up 2 glasses and poured it out then set them on the table ready for dinner. “Okay that’s the wine done.”

"Thanks darling. Could you bring in the biscuits and some extra napkins? I think we will need them for this meal. and I'll bring in the main meal for us."

“Sure” Amber smiled as she picked up what was needed and carried them across to the table. Taking a seat she waited for Josh to bring over the meal.

While Amber did that, Josh brought in the main meal consisting of baby back ribs, corn on the cob, hush puppies, Brunswick stew. "Hope you are hungry," He teased.

“You bet I am!” Amber nodded. “That looks just wonderful Josh, I can’t wait to get stuck in.”

"Music to my ears." Josh answered as he set the containers containing their meal down. "Please help yourself as you can see there is plenty."

“I never refuse a good plate full of food” Amber grinned. “Besides after a long day at work I need the energy.”

"Then definitely get yourself plenty. Don't want you passing out from the lack of food and energy." Josh teased.

“Who me?” Amber grinned. “That wouldn’t happen to me” she gave him a wry smile as she dished up her food. “Now you get and put yours.”

Josh chuckled at Amber's statement. he tapped his pocket feeling the small velvet box there. "I hope it never does." He replied as he put some of the meal on his own plate.

Amber politely ate her food, savouring every bite of the well prepared and cooked meal. “Mmmm lovely! Compliments to the chef.” She smiled warmly.

"Why thank you, you certainly know how to flatter me. keep it up." Josh teased.

Amber grinned before carrying on eating. It didn’t take long before she had eventually cleared her plate.

"Have you got room for desert or would you rather sit on the couch and let your food settle and have desert later?" Josh questioned.

“Actually I think I’ll let dinner go down first” Amber smiled. “I don’t think I can fit dessert right now I’m full. Let’s go sit on the sofa.”

"Sure thing." Josh readily agreed. The couch was better for his plan anyways in asking Amber the important question he had on his mind.

Walking over to the sofa Amber sat down motioning for Josh to sit beside her. “This is so nice, having time to spend with you without interruptions.”

Josh nodded happily. "I agree! Having you here, just the two of us, is a dream come true." He admitted. "One I can get use to very quickly."

Amber nodded in agreement. “I never thought I’d be brave enough to find love again, but you’ve proved me wrong Josh. I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time.”

Amber's statement was the opening he was waiting for. His hand slid into his pants and curled around the small box. "I'm glad Amber, very, very, glad." He whispered and then came the misdirection. "What's that on the wall?" He said pointing. Waiting for Amber to turn her head before he slid to one knee.

Amber turned to look, “I don’t see anything Josh.” She turned back her face a true picture of shock and surprise as she saw Josh down on one knee.

"Amber, I love you. Totally, completely and for all eternity. "You are my rock, my refuge, and my greatest happiness and endless love. Will you spend the rest of your life with me?"

Amber’s eyes twinkled with tears, happy tears as she took a moment to process before nodding her head. “Josh I… Yes! Yes! and incase there’s any doubt, Yes!!”

Josh smiled brilliantly at her as he took the ring from the box and slid it onto Amber's finger. (It is a single diamond in an emerald cut, with two smaller diamonds on each side,) Once the ring was on her finger he leaned forward and kissed her, letting his passion and love for her bubble forward.

Amber returned his kiss with just as much love, this was a day she hadn’t seen coming, or at least hadn’t let herself see coming. Now she embraced it with her heart and soul. “I love you Josh, always and forever.”

He kissed Amber again and again. He peppered her lips and neck with soft, feathery kisses. "Forever Amber, I pledge my love to you." he whispered.

“As I do you” Amber replied letting herself get carried away with the moment. “Forget dessert, I’ve got a better idea.” She looked towards the bedroom.

"A better idea? Do tell." Josh teased feigning ignorance as he saw where Amber's eyes were looking. "No, don't tell. show i think is better."

Amber wasted no time once her ring was on her finger she lead him straight to the bedroom, this was a moment to be celebrated and she planned on celebrating it properly.

Josh followed willingly as Amber led him into the bedroom. "Ahhh," He grinned. "I like your idea very much."

“You'll like it a whole lot more” Amber smiled as she paused at the edge of the bed to give him a passionate kiss. This was time neither of them would soon forget.

Josh returned the kiss with equal passion. "Let's do this," He whispered.

~ Sometime Later ~

Amber lay cuddled up in Josh’s arms, she still couldn’t believe they just got engaged. “Am I dreaming? This all feels like some magical dream.”

Josh kissed Amber's neck. They lay cuddled together. His arms around her slender waist. "If it is a dream, I'm in it with you and I never want it to end."

Amber smiled. “How would you feel about us living together? That’s if the Captain approves us sharing quarters.”

"Are you kidding? I'd love it!" Josh answered excitedly.

“Wonderful” Amber grinned. “In that case we need to request joint living arrangements, maybe we should arrange to see the Commodore?”

Josh nodded, "I agree. If he is too busy, I guess we could see the XO as a back up."

“Of course” Amber nodded. “It’s probably more the First Officer’s side of things anyway.”

Josh chuckled, "I don't care whose side it is as long as they approve us moving in together." he said honestly.

“I don’t see why they’d have a problem, we just need to make the official request and wait for an answer.” Amber smiled. “Besides we’re always spending time in one another’s quarters anyway.”

"All good points and all true. We do spend a lot of time in each other's quarters, not that I'm complaining." Josh replied with a smile.

“I certainly hope not” Amber grinned as she raised her head from his shoulder long enough to give him a kiss. “I could get used to us being like this every night.”

"You said a mouthful." Josh replied as he held Amber. " I would never get tired of this. This is heaven." He replied before returning Amber's kiss.

“Then let’s make the most of it” Amber replied as she encouraged him with a more passionate kiss.

Josh returned the kiss with equal passion, whispering, "Your wish is my command my darling."

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