Cowboy Shoreleave Part II
Posted on Tue Jul 18th, 2023 @ 9:46pm by Commodore Tyler Malbrooke & Lieutenant Commander Katherine Malbrooke
Edited on on Sat Jul 22nd, 2023 @ 9:48pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 14 - The Poseidon Adventure
Location: Poseidon Station Various
Timeline: MD005 2000 hrs
There was a lightness to her step as she walked beside Ty to the lift. The last time they had shore leave she spent much of it in the computer core. Now, she was eager to do some exploring, have a good meal, and spend a work-free evening spoiling her husband.
The two walked along the promenade hand in hand and took in the sights. Poseidon was certainly different from Empok Nor. He noticed nestled in the corner of the promenade was a Texas style bar-b-cue restaurant. His eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas. "Hey babe look bar-b-cue. It has been sometime since we had some authentic homestyle bar-b-cue. What do you think? After all it is on theme with the rest of the night."
"That sounds perfect." She grinned. He was right. They hadn't had any authentic barbecue in quite a while. Whatever was programmed into the replicator was okay, but it wasn't the same. "If it's as good as it smells, we may have to come back here again."
Tyler led the way in and the couple was escorted a table that had a nice view of the ships that passed by the station. As he looked at the menu Tyler spoke with a smile. "Now my love what are you and the little one craving? I am looking toward the brisket. One can never go wrong with that."
She looked over the menu, letting her stomach tell her what sounded good. She was past morning sickness--thank goodness--but her stomach still made its opinion known. Ribs were too messy, and she wasn't in the mood for chicken. "I'll have the same. And a sarsaparilla."
The server arrived and Tyler ordered the meals he too had a sarsaparilla. When the food arrived, he dug in ravenously. However, after the first few bites he realized that this moment could very well be the last. The las moment that they would have as a couple, without little feet walking beside them. It was something he wanted to cherish so he stopped eating and just looked at his wife. "I just want you to know that I love you more today than when I met you all those years ago."
She put down her fork and used her napkin to dab her wet eyes. "Hormones." She chuckled. Right now, she cried at far too many things. "I feel the same. Being on the Pioneer with you is better than anything I could have hoped for." She felt a kick and smiled. "And the baby thinks so, too." She wiped her eyes again. "I love you, Cowboy. Now, I want to enjoy this food before you make me cry again." She smiled to let him know she was teasing.
He laughed at her remark, he hoped what she said was true. However, he had to ask. "Are you sure? I know that your career has meant so much to you and it has been put on hold of sorts while I command a ship and galivant the galaxy. I just want to make sure that you get fulfillment as well." Tyler decided to take the time while waiting for the food to check in with her emotional wellbeing.
"I'm sure. I've spent months sifting through the main computer and I've had several papers published. That keeps me involved in engineering. If I miss it too much, I can work on projects on the holodeck." She put a hand on her belly and smiled. "But I would give it up if it meant I could always be with you and the baby. The time we spent apart changed my priorities."
Tyler knew what she said to be true, and yet it was what also troubled him. He knew that he would never give up his command for anything. So, when his wife said that she would give up her career for him and their unborn child he began to question himself. He could see doing everything he could to protect his wife and child. But he was not sure if he could bring himself to give up his ship. Tyler pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind and smiled. "Well, I know that I cannot wait for the little feet to run around the Pioneer."
Kat noticed the concern in his eyes before he spoke and had a good idea what he was thinking. She put a hand over his. "Cowboy, you were born to command a starship and you're good at it. Just because I've made changes to my life doesn't mean you have to. I'm perfectly content being the captain's lady. I made the choice I did to be with you and to have a family. I would much rather be here, now, than running an engineering department." She gave him a mock-stern glare. "Now, unless you have a problem with it, accept that it's my choice and I don't want to take it back. What I do want is to enjoy this night out with you." She couldn't help grinning as she added, "And once those little feet start running around the bridge, you'll be glad I did."
"Yes ma'am... You know you are the real power behind the chair. For behind every strong Captain is an even stronger partner." Tyler smiled broadly as the drinks were placed in front of them, and the server disappeared into the background once again.
She took a sip of her drink and chuckled. When the server was gone, she replied, "My job is to love you and remind you that you're only human--and make sure you eat." She was glad they were able to get away for the evening. As much as the Pioneer was home, they could both use a break from time to time.
After the meal the couple proceeded to the holosuites. While walking the station it seemed that the news of his promotion traveled fast. As he was greeted as Commodore by a lot of people along the way. They arrived and were assigned their holosuite. Upon entering the program had already been running, and a woman dressed in black stood there. Her red hair pulled back in a tight pony tail. "Tickets please?" she questioned Tyler. He smiled and reached into his jacket pulled out the tickets and handed them over. "Right this way." The woman replied and escorted them to the fifth row in the center of the row. "Here are your seats and enjoy the show." She added with a smile.
The curtain was red with scalloped gold trim in the old fashioned theatrical look of the mid 20th century. "This is going to be a treat. I have never seen the show and it is named for where I grew up." Tyler said with some excitement. The sound of an orchestra tuning up could be heard within the din of people arriving and taking their seats.
"I saw it with my mother, but it was a long time ago." Kat smiled, tickled at Ty's enthusiasm. Seeing a show like this was a first for them--and she hoped they could do it again.
When they found their seats, she smoothed her skirt and sat. A small part of her wanted to bounce like she did as a little girl and she had to admit, she was as excited as her husband for the show.
In a short time, the murmur of people taking their seats and chatting died out and the sound of the orchestra got a tad louder. The lights dimmed and the orchestra began to play the overture. "Here we go. I can feel like I am home already." Tyler said and the curtain began to rise to reveal the opening tableau.
Kat quickly lost herself in the musical. So much so that she spent intermission reading through the playbill.
When intermission arrived, Tyler was both awestruck and homesick. "So, what do we think thus far. As for me I miss home..." He laughed. "I especially like Curly."
"We should take a trip back to earth soon." It had been a while and it would be good for both of them. She considered his question for a moment, but she already had a favorite. "Curly is good, but I like Aunt Eller best. I want to grow up to be like her. She doesn't take guff from anyone."
"You already don't take anyone's guff. Something I learned about you back in our Academy days. A guy like me needs someone who is not going to take his guff..." Tyler was interrupted as the orchestra began to play entr'acte and begin act two.
She chuckled softly and kissed him, then turned to watch the second act. The second act. As the curtain came up, she slipped her hand into Ty's.
When the show ended Tyler and Kat made their way out of the holosuite. The program did a good job of making it seem like all of the other audience members exit the theatre. Once they were out of the holosuite Tyler smiled and kissed his wife on the forehead. "You know that this may be the last time we get to do something like this for quite some time. I am glad that it may be the last time, as it is a near perfect night." They strolled the station's promenade arm in arm.
They stopped to get ice cream cones as Kat was in the mood for one, and headed back to their quarters.
When they arrived at their quarters Tyler took his wife in his arms and kissed her. He had to lean over the baby that was now between them and it made him smile. They had a great night and very soon they would be a family of three. "I love you, he whispered," and simply held the embrace.
A Joint Post By
Commodore Tyler Malbrooke
Commanding Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Commander Katherine Malbrooke
Operational Advisor, USS Pioneer
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