[USS Charon]
"Seriously, though, I will have you court-martialed if you tell her I'm coming," Bravado told the Transporter Operator who'd just beamed him aboard the Charon. The dedicated crewman looked torn, but eventually relented. "No intruder alerts, or calling the bridge either. If anyone asks, I'm just another officer bringing some much needed supplies over from the Guardian," for effect, he held up the gifts and bottle of Andorian Wine that he'd brought along for the trip.
"Understood, sir," the Transporter-guy replied.
"Fabulous," Bravado replied, as he left the Transport chamber. It had been a long time since his last, and only visit to the Charon. While the layout was unfamiliar, he had a general idea of where he was heading. How long he had, wasn't exactly clear, but finding Shi's quarters shouldn't be a problem...
[USS Charon Ready Room]
Leaning back in her chair Shiarrael watched the contingent of Vulcan's leave. Once the door closed behind them she leaned back in her chair and slapped one of the PADDs off the desk "fvadt thaessu'a" she glanced at her chrono and sighed. Standing up she entered the bridge "Commander Tyrax you have the bridge. I will be in my quarters if anything arises." She said and entered the turbolift.
It was a very short ride from the bridge to the Captains quarters. A few seconds in the lift, and then a few more seconds to stroll down the corridor to the first door on the right, when she reached her quarters she smelled something- different…perfume perhaps? Or was it cologne? Her eyes narrowed suspiciously and she entered in a defensive combat stance.
The lights were dimmed for the most part - save the nursery, and the candles already lit on the table. At the sound of the door, Aiden peeked around the corner, holding little Ael while Nnoil played with one of the toys he'd just received only seconds before. "You forgot to say 'Hi honey, I'm home,'" he quipped as he handed Ael back to the holo-nanny.
"Aiden…" Shiarrael spoke his name slowly, as if the man standing in front of her might have been an apparition. Finally she smiled, brightly, and approached her bond mate "why does it seem that wherever you go trouble seems to follow- these Vulcans…they are quite irritating things."
"You didn't have to transport them here," Aiden replied with a smile as he brought her in close. "But seeing you now has made it all worthwhile," he added in a quieter tone.
"You really do love to torture me Captain" she smirked and wrapped her arms around him and leaned upwards kissing his lips. It was a soft affectionate kiss- subtle and meaningful. Ael and Nnoil stood at the edge of the playpen staring at their parents in awe. Pulling back she pressed her forehead against his warm lips "I have truly missed you- this entire ordeal has been nothing short of a trial."
"I wish I could have been here to help you through it," he replied, smiling slighty as he held her. "It's been far too long."
"It was my choice." She smiled and pulled away. "So, what do you think of your father?" Shiarrael looked at the kids who were grinning. Nnoil climbed over the pen and rushed his father grabbing Aiden's leg "yyhle!" He shouted in Rihannsu and then corrected in standard "play!"
Aiden smiled. "They've gotten big," he replied as he picked up the exuberant two-year-old. "And what would we like to play?" he asked. Though he was loathe to admit it, the last time he'd seen the kids was while they were still in their squirming around on the floor phase, and since then, he hadn't really spent any time around children. Suffice to say, the Guardian was hardly family-friendly.
Shiarrael could see the slight unease in Aiden's movements. She regretted that she took the children so far from him, that he never really had a chance to get used to them, but she knew he would in time. The Charon only had a year left at most and then it would be back to Federation space, and perhaps, that would be the end of her command career. "They have grown considerably- too much like their father for my liking." She grinned.
"I dunno," Aiden replied as he found the toy Nnoil had been playing with earlier and handed it to him. "That 'yyhle' sounds a lot more like something their mother would say."
"Perhaps." Shiarrael smiled "how long will you remain aboard?"
"For as long as you'll have me," Aiden replied with a grin. That was, of course, barring any emergencies aboard the Guardian. "How long can the Guardian stay in the area? Staying aboard ship isn't the ideal break for my crew, but I'm sure they wouldn't mind the down-time."
"I plan on the Charon departing in a week. We still have some minor repairs." Her eyes focused on the windows as a work-bee hovered by. Shiarrael looked at Aiden again feeling warmed by his presence "not long enough but this will be the last half of Charon's journey. Once we are done in six months we will be returning to proper space." She smirked "your mother has been talking about building an addition to her home- having me and children live with her. She complains that she is getting old and you don't do enough to take care of her."
[To be continued…]
Captain Shiarrael Rehu
Commanding Officer
USS Charon
&
Captain Aiden Bravado
Commanding Officer
USS Guardian
