A New Pioneer

Posted on Wed Sep 23rd, 2020 @ 5:47am by Commodore Tyler Malbrooke & Lieutenant Commander Katherine Malbrooke

1,381 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 10 - New Home, Same Pioneers
Location: After 11 - Deck 11 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD010 2130

The wedding was a success, and the weight was off of Tyler's shoulders for the time being. That is until the next two weddings, and then there was the Solwick wedding on the horizon. But right now he had his beloved, a tall glass of cider, and his friends. "You know it was a great ceremony. That was the first time that I was able to perform that duty as a Captain. It is definitely the best perk of commanding a Starship." Tyler turned to his wife and pulled her in for a kiss.

"It was a beautiful wedding." She wanted to find the perfect moment, the perfect setting, to tell him her news, but every time she thought she could pull him aside, someone needed him. It was part of being the Captain's wife, and generally she was fine with it, but today, she just wanted a few minutes...

She looked at Tyler for a long moment. Maybe she should just tell him now and then they could have another celebration. "Hey, Cowboy, think you could hang up your stirrups for a few months?"

He could tell by the look in her eyes that something was going on. There was more then she was letting on. But, the way she called him cowboy always had a way of making Tyler melt. He loved his wife, where most Captains were said to be married to their ship first and their spouses second, the Pioneer was number two for Tyler.

"What do ya mean darlin? I mean I you be asking me to leave..." Tyler's voice trailed off as he thought about the prospect of her asking him to leave the Pioneer. He shook that thought off, there was no way that she was asking that.

"No." She wrapped her arms around his neck, trying hard not to grin. "I mean can you keep from riding for the next, say, nine months or so?"

Tyler cocked his eyebrow in the Vulcan manner, he did this whenever he evaluated a situation and wanted to look particularly astute. He looked into Kat's eyes and he could see the mix of surprise, delight and even a hint of reluctance. But the smile, beautiful smile beamed. "Really... hang up the spurs and settle down, make roots. Is there a particular reason for this or are you just in the mood to take a step back from the hustle and the bustle of Starfleet?" He had an idea of what she was getting at, but he wanted her to say it. He had to hear the words for himself, it would perhaps make it all more real to him.

She could no longer contain her smile. It didn't help that Ty looked so cute when he tried to be analytical. "I went to see Doctor O'Rourke today. I'm almost three weeks pregnant. We're going to have a baby."

And there it was, it hit him like a ton of bricks. In these initial seconds Tyler would go on to say that he was not sure if he should celebrate or run. He was in utter disbelief. Tyler took a generous swig of his cider. "I mean Hermia is absolutely sure..." The look on his face was one of pure joy and pure unbridled fear. There was suddenly so much to do, and so little time to do it in. "Well if you are sure then what are we supposed to do next..." His voice trailed off as the sound of his mother's voice rang into his head. She was calling Tyler and idiot. So he stopped talking and embraced Kat long and hard. He kissed her his wife, his love, his best friend, his confidant, and now the mother of his child.

When the kiss finally broke, Kat was laughing. She ordered a glass of water and then looked at her husband, smiling. He was everything to her, and now, they were going to be a family. She was excited, scared, and so happy she wanted to dance.

He noted the glass of water, and thought how strange it was to lose his drinking buddy for a time. Tyler closed his eyes and forced all of the questions, and all of the doubt out of it. He rooted himself in the moment, and let the moment wash over him. "Having my baby What a lovely way of saying How much you love me." He began to sing. "You know Quinn is never going to let me hear the end of this." He said with a smile.

"Neither will Ameri." She smiled. Tomorrow she had to share the news with her friend. "But they'll both be thrilled, too."

Before Tyler would let the moment pass. "Chloe a round on me for the house. It seems that the Captain is going to have a new title: Dad. What do you think everyone... I am going to be a Dad." Tyler shouted and those that were gathered in After 11 responded with cheers and intonations of congratulations. The drinks began to be passed out and the reality of the situation settled into Tyler's brain. "So ummm... what do we do next..." For the first time in a long time he was incredibly befuddled.

"Go back to our quarters for a quiet celebrations?" she asked. After the celebration, she would appreciate a little quiet time with Ty.

He opened his mouth to speak, Tyler had nothing but questions at the moment. Like was she going to leave Starfleet, and many others. However, Kat was right now was not the time for questions. It was the time for celebrations. He smiled and kissed her again. "Whatever you want m'lady." He could not resist placing his hands on her stomach. Knowing that a life was growing inside there had changed everything for him.

"Do you want to talk first?" she asked, reading the expression on his face. There was plenty of time to figure things out, and make room for the baby, but there might be some things Ty needed to discuss tonight.

"Just one question if I am totally honest. What about your career?" The words sounded selfish as they left Tyler's mouth, but with a newborn one of them would have to put the fleet on the back burner, and he had a starship tow worry about. "I just do not want you to give up on your dreams..."

"I'm not," she assured him. "I'm here, with you. That's where I want to be. Right now I'm still working on the project for Quinn. When that's done, I can write a book, or publish papers, or design ship modifications. I can do all of those things here. Look at Ameri, she's found a way to make it work. All I need is a few hours a day. A holonanny can watch the baby while I work. If I have to do it as a civilian, that's okay, too. I'll still be doing what I love, and having what I want."

There were no words. She was the strong one back when they were in the Academy. Tyler would worry about finals, and papers and the like and Kat would be there with her smile telling him that everything would work out. Here she was doing it all again. He squeezed her tight, not wanting this moment to end. When he released the embrace a few small tears welled up in the corner of his eyes. "Of course you are right; all will work out. It is time for the Malbrookes to sprout roots."

The two left After 11 hand in hand as members of the crew celebrated their Captain's good fortune. As for Katherine and Tyler Malbrooke they were headed to their quarters for the beginning of the end of the quiet time that they will ever have. Despite the uncertainty and worries of the future both wore ear to ear smiles as in nine months there would be a new Pioneer to walk this journey of lige with them.

A Joint Post by:

Lieutenant Commander Katherine Malbrooke
Operational Advisor, USS Pioneer

Captain Tyler Malbrooke
Commanding Officer, USS Pioneer

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