A Brief Respite
Posted on Wed Oct 30th, 2024 @ 9:14pm by Commodore Tyler Malbrooke & Lieutenant Commander Katherine Malbrooke
Edited on on Wed Oct 30th, 2024 @ 9:18pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 16 - Silent Cries
Location: Malbrooke Quarters - Deck 3 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD001 1300 hrs
Kat still felt anxious and jittery, even though she knew Tyler was himself again. Zhara assured her it would get better over the next days and weeks, but she didn't want to negatively affect the baby.
Now that they were at Empok Nor for some shore leave, she wanted to take Tyler to the station for a few hours to just get away. But that would depend on her husband and what he had planned, and what Starfleet Command needed him to do. So, she pulled up a book on her PADD and waited for him to get home.
The ship was docked for the past day, the crew given shore leave, and all of the paperwork had been signed. The time had finally come for Tyler to take a break. He made his way to his quarters being sure to smile and greet crew members as he did. He wanted everyone to know that the worst was behind them and now they could move forward as normal. He walked in his quarters and grinned like a young boy. As he unzipped his uniform he spoke. "Honey I'm home..."
He made his way to where she sat and gave her belly a kiss, then kissed her. "Gotta show the love to the newbie." He laughed as he finished removing his uniform tunic.
Kat smiled and touched her belly. "The baby knows your voice. I just got kicked." She smiled at her husband. "How was your day?"
"That's the soccer player in them." Tyler beamed. Despite everything that happened he has never been this happy. "It was a standard day of paperwork and keeping the ship running. I try to take some of the extra responsibilities on the ship when it docks, so the crew can get off to shore leave. I have a couple of hours respite. The engineering teams are due to report at 1800 and then I am all yours for the duration."
"Good. I'm making plans to kidnap the captain for a night on the station." She gave him a come-hither smile. "I hear he could use a break and I want to take advantage of it before the baby turns into a basketball." She rubbed her belly. "Or it may be a soccer ball if the kicks are anything to go by," she added lightly. She generally didn't mind the kicking. It let her know the baby was growing well and she would occasionally tap or press on her belly to see if the baby would push at her fingers. "We need to decide on a name, too."
"If the baby is a girl, we could name her for my mother, or a variation on that." Tyler changed from his uniform into a pair of jeans and a flannel shirt. He knew that on Earth at this time it was autumn, his favorite season. So, despite the climate control of the Pioneer he decided he would dress for the fall. "We should do something autumnal." He added with a smile as he plopped down on the couch next to his wife. Tyler had thoughts to tell her what was in his head after the past mission. But, he thought better of it. At least for now he would wait until he spoke with a counselor.
"Autumnal sounds great." She turned to look at him for a moment. "Do you have anything special you want to do?" He'd been through a lot and she didn't care what they did as long as he could relax and have fun. "I think I'm a bit too big for horseback riding, but we can always go for a walk in the woods on the holodeck. Or see what Empok Nor has to offer."
Tyler thought for a moment and then with a snap of the fingers he had an idea. "I have it! There is a great apple orchard on Earth in New York. My parents took Rachel and I there when we were kids. We can go apple picking, then dinner with Mickey that is always a good time." Yes, the Stag was one of the places he needed to be right now and Tyler knew it. The White Stag Pub was always home for the wayward Starfleet Officer, Mickey saw to that.
She grinned and kissed him. "Perfect. Let me change into jeans and some sturdy shoes, then we can go."
She grabbed the arm of the couch and used it for support as she heaved herself to her feet. She was fine if she was moving around or sitting down, but getting from one to the other was becoming more difficult. She knew it was normal, but part of her wanted to put padded rails everywhere for the next few weeks.
Tyler watched as his very pregnant wife rose to her feet. The idea of whether or not raising a child on the Pioneer was a good idea came into his mind again. But, then the question of whether or not he could leave this crew at this crucial time came to his mind. They were all his family and he would have to make sure that they all protected each other. This included Kat and his soon to be child. "Excellent then we can head to the holodeck..." He took a look at what he was wearing and smiled. "I guess I should change too." Tyler added as he entered the bedroom.
Five minutes later they had both changed and were ready to go. "I'm looking forward to this," Kat said, slipping an arm through her husband's.
"As am I. There is nothing quite like a fresh New York apple. Even on the holodeck, the replicated apples are almost as good. You know... This could be our last date before the little feet running around the ship and trying to get into my chair." Tyler said as they strolled down the corridor. A few crew members smiled as they passed. Tyler knew that most Captains like to remain distant from their crew, to make sure that the crew did not see the personal side of the Captain. Tyler was different and did not care who saw his love for his wife.
Kat saw the smiles as well. She was relieved that none of the crew blamed him for what he did while possessed. He was an excellent captain and she had no regrets for taking a lesser position here to be with him. "It might. But we still need to find time to be together, even if it's only for an hour or two a week." The baby kicked her and she paused, putting a hand over the foot that was now stretching into her ribs. "I think the baby agrees." She took Tyler's hand and put it over the spot so he could feel the foot.
Tyler stopped walking and stood mesmerized by the child, his child that kicked him. It was the most profound first contact that he ever had. "You know of all the lives, of all the species that I have met in my career that little kick was the most important, the most earth shattering. This ship is not going to know what hit it."
She laughed softly. "Of course not. It’s your child." The baby turned to push its head against Tyler's hand.
"Right little one. I think it is time for your first ride. Then perhaps we will go introduce you to your aunt." Tyler had a mind to visit his little sister this shore leave. All of these events had shown him exactly how important family was, and he was sure that Skye could use the company.
"I think I'd enjoy that more if the baby wasn't pushing against my kidneys." Kat laughed. In truth she loved to feel the baby move as it reassured her it was doing well. "Yes. I think we're all ready for an outing."
A few moments and a short walk later they stood in front of the holodeck doors. "Program Malbrooke-5 is ready." the computer said. "Alright m'lady lead on. I have some horses ready to take us to the orchard."
"As long as you have a gentle mare, I'll be delighted," she teased as she entered the program. She paused a few feet in to breathe and appreciate the view. "We don't do this often enough." However, she would definitely need help mounting at this stage in her pregnancy.
They stepped into the holodeck and there were two beautiful paint horses standing tall and tied to a tree. "Well, there we are... and here we are." Tyler stood next to one of the horses and made a stirrup with his hands. "Up you go."
She held on to the reins as she put her foot in his hand and mounted. It wasn't as gracefully as she normally did, but she hadn't been pregnant the last time. At least the mare was docile. There would be time to race Ty after the baby was born.
Once he made sure that his wife was comfortable, Tyler swung up onto his horse. "Right off we go then..." He gave his horse a gentle nudge in the ribs with his heels and it started to walk down the path. Kat fell in pace right next to him. "You know I often forget that you were not born on a ranch. You sit a horse well."
"Thanks to you, I've had a lot of practice." It felt good to be back on a horse, now that she was settled. Since her mare knew the way, she could devote part of her attention to looking around and enjoying the scenery. Until now, she didn't realize how much she needed this.
They were surrounded by the mountains of an area of New York State known as the Hudson Valley. The leaves were rich colors of red, orange, and gold. The two made their way down a path that had been blazed through the forest. "I believe the orchard itself as about another two hours ride or so. That is if memory serves correctly. I have not been down this way since I was a child."
"I may need a break before then, but we'll see how the baby and my body are doing." She gave him a wry grin. "I'm hoping the baby will enjoy the rocking motion and my back won't start to ache because I'm now a blimp. If it does, we'll stop and make adjustments." She wasn't sure if there would be a problem or not, but Kat wanted Ty to be aware that there might, just in case she had to dismount and stretch.
"You know there are times that I envy you. Embarking on the greatest adventure there is, creating life. Well, that and your lack of selfishness. I know that I could never give up my career or my ship for anything. I also know that is a little on the selfish side. So, the fact that you can put one dream on hold to pursue another. It is something to be admired for. But then again I would expect nothing less from my fiery lass." Tyler laughed a tad awkwardly. In many ways he was still the awkward guy from the Academy around Kat. It was also his way to reveal a part of what is in his head veiled in humor.
She laughed with him. "I'm actually enjoying the freedom to write what I want. I've also been peer reviewing other papers. There's some fascinating research going on right now in warp theory. Plus, I get to see you every night. All the time I was on the station and you were here, I missed you. I missed talking with you." She rubbed her belly. "As far as junior goes, you took an active role in the creation. I wouldn't do this if I wasn't here with you. I think we both won with this decision."
She was quiet for a moment, then asked, "How is the crew doing? I've talked to a few people, but I've mostly been working on the baby's room."
"This crew is the best in the fleet and yes I know that every Captain says that about their crew. But, look at everything they have done and been through. There are some that are going to need help for the foreseeable future. Rowena, and Mignon..." Tyler whistled as he thought about what happened on Igion. "...I can't imagine having to go through what she went through. I put her in for a promotion. I think that was the quickest decision Starfleet has ever made. Act surprised when you hear. As for the rest of the crew they have pulled together and showed me exactly what it means by family is not just blood. They will all be great aunts and uncles."
"You have a right to be proud. The Pioneer has been through some tough situations recently and they've come through marvelously." She began to choke up and cleared her throat. She blamed it on the pregnancy hormones. "I'm especially pleased with how they freed you and Rowena. And how your staff got back from the pocket universe." She smiled. "Yes, I do pay attention to what's going on, and they were incredible."
Tyler smiled but it was a half-smile of sorts. His wife had just hit on the one subject he hoped to avoid. It seemed that everyone wanted to talk about the possession, and he was the only one who didn't. Well, he and Rowena most like. "Yes, indeed they showed exceptional fortitude in getting us back. It seems that The Cure is making waves all over the fleet. As Starfleet considers integrating more Marines into the command structure of Starships. Seems to be something they are warming to the idea of." Tyler reined his horse in and turned to Kat. "Now, are you feeling up to a run. Let’s see what these horses can do."
She hesitated for just a moment. It wasn't because she wanted to talk more about what happened, but because she was concerned about the baby. She reminded herself that they were on the holodeck, and there were safeties in place. Instead of answering, she spurred her horse into a gallop. It was liberating to lean forward and give the mare her head.
Tyler laughed out loud. "That's my girl..." he shouted as he kicked his horse into a gallop and was close on her heels. He loved the wind in his hair and the sound of the leaves under the horse's hooves. For Tyler Malbrooke riding a horse was more liberating than commanding a starship.
They rode in relative silence for a time as the horses kept their speed. However, horses need rest and so Tyler reined his in. As he did rows and rows of apple trees stood before them. "Welcome to Maskers Orchard. I know that so long as we are on the holodeck even holographic apples taste good." He chuckled and dismounted the horse. In short order he had the horse tied to a tree and the animal happily grazed on leaves, hay, and apples. He stood next to his wife as she remained mounted. "Shall we m'lady?"
"Yes." She held out a hand so he could steady her while she dismounted. There were some things that could not be done gracefully while pregnant. Mounting and dismounting a horse were definitely on that list. "An apple sounds great right now."
"Well then here there are many different kinds. Jonagolds are my favorite. I remember when we were kids my parents would transport over here and we would spend the day picking apples. There would be music and hayrides, just a lot of community. Of course there were similar events in Oklahoma. But, apples just did not seem to taste the same from there." Tyler helped his wife down and then took her hand as they strolled through the orchard. The trees were exceptionally filled with apples. Tyler thought that must be something the program did. In order to make sure the experience was exceptional.
It felt good to be on her feet again. And good to be outdoors with her husband. "That sounds like it was a lot of fun. Maybe we could make this a family activity of our own?" It wouldn't be quite the same as doing it for real, but with Tyler's career, this might be the only way their kids could experience farm life.
Tyler wrapped his arm around her and smiled. "You know I would love that. Give the kids the best of both worlds. They can grow up on a starship in the stars and experience farm life." He pulled her in for a squeeze and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Yes. But for now, I think it's time for me to take a short break. Junior is big enough that I can't do as much as I used to. But that will change before long." She wrapped an arm around Tyler. "How about some food?" It was another thing about being pregnant. She had to eat small meals more often now.
Tyler reached up on a tree and pulled down a green apple. "Here snack on this. I have a surprise picnic a few minutes down the trail. Can't keep a pregnant woman away from her food."
"Have I told you lately that you are the best husband?" Kat hugged his arm and took a bite of the apple.
He led her down the trail toward the picnic that he had programmed. The sun had begun to set and in this moment life could not have been happier for the Malbrookes.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Commander Katherine Malbrooke
Operational Advisor, USS Pioneer
Commodore Tyler Malbrooke
Commanding Officer, USS Pioneer
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