Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Sharah Fayth (Chief Science Officer) in side-sim Homecoming

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Joseph Rainns (Chief Of Security) in side-sim Homecoming

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Sharah Fayth (Chief Science Officer) in side-sim Homecoming
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
There was nothing else to put on the table and Sharah sat down waiting for Joseph before beginning to eat. ‘I hope it’s alright.” She flexed her hand a little. ‘I love you, too, very much.’ They weren’t much for small talk but she was curious to know what he thought of their new home. ‘What do you make of Ark Angel?’ She began to eat while she listened. She felt very content and happy in the moment. The feeling of finally being home, with him, making her smile.
Lt jg Fayth CSO

Joseph took a seat, poured himself some wine, and began to eat. “It’s fantastic dear.” He smiled. He pondered her question for a moment, collecting his thoughts. ‘It’s fine. No Challenger I suppose, much larger obviously.’ He paused, ‘I am undecided as to whether or not I like the fact that there are so many children on this ship.’ He took another bite. ‘I haven’t met much of the crew yet either, so I don’t have an opinion on that aspect of the ship either.’

Lt. Jg. Joseph Rainns-COS

‘The size is certainly something. Challenger was easier. Europa was smaller too, but in some ways Ark Angel is easier than Europa. But I have three arboretums to enjoy here.’ She grinned, she did love her plants, and the work she did with them. ‘Or at least till I got promoted. And your rounds won’t take only half an hour to complete. You’ll get to stretch your legs.’ She took a sip of the wine, considering the children. ‘The aCSO when I came on board told me that the children tend to sneak into the jefferies tubes and pop up in places where they should not be. I haven’t seen that happen. The worst thing they’ve done is this robot they built. EXR-11. They children made gifts for the department heads, to thank them or welcome them to the ship, depending. They used the robot to deliver the gifts to their offices, so that they wouldn’t be where they weren’t allowed.” Another thought occured to her and she grimiced a little bit. “There was another incident, but it was a much bigger problem than the children involved.” Granted she had just been promoted and so the NL wasn’t her fault, but it had come from her department and she didn’t like that. ‘There was a fight in the lounge between two of the children. In the end the previous XO got to the bottom of it, but one of the children’s parents had instigated it, even urging his son to start the fight. They are no longer on board.’ Her thoughts turned though to the larger idea of children on board. She’d told Joseph once she didn’t want to raise children on a star ship, and she still didn’t. But on a ship like Ark Angel, she could see how it might not be so bad. She had seen several officers on AA that had put off their life till they retired, and that was a long way away. She didn’t really want to be at ‘retirement’ age before they started a family. A ship like AA was still a star ship, but it was a good alternative. She wasn’t ready to jump into it, but the idea of having children, Joseph would be able to tell, didn’t bring the immense fear that it had before.
Lt jg Fayth, CSO

Joseph felt her lack of anxiety about children and smiled. He was glad she was no longer afraid of that future. ‘Kids are troublesome,’ Joseph thought, ‘Ours won’t be though.’ He smiled at his little joke. He took another sip of wine. ‘I wonder if the Captain will let me imprison children who fight, teach em a lesson.’ He continued on before switching thoughts. ’ I also enjoy the more professional atmosphere here, much more mature, more my taste.’

Lt. Jg. Joseph Rainns- COS

Sharah laughed, ‘Keep saying that, Imzadi, and you’ll jinx us.’ Sharah finished her food as he talked. She sat back slightly sipping the wine. ‘I would say she would, if the transgression called for it. She doesn’t usually get involved but let’s the XO handle it, or the previous one anyway. The captain has a daughter on board, and doesn’t want preferential treatment, so she has the XO deal with any disciplinary action required.’ In all honesty the children on board were well behaved and didn’t cause problems for the crew. Now that Lt Faval and Ro’nal had left there were no major problems amongst the ship’s children. ‘It is much more professional here, and I can say I do NOT miss the cadets, and you dealt with it more than I did. But who on Earth will we stalk around the ship and catch in the act?” Joseph had turned what could have been an unpleasant moment into one a happy memory as he had snuck up on some very wayward cadets. The memory made her laugh softly. That particular evening had ended in a particularly pleasant fashion. Her mind wandered for a moment before she blushed softly and took another sip of her wine. “I have really missed you.”
Lt.jg Fayth, CSO

Joseph finished his food and smiled. ‘Nobody I hope.’ He picked up his plate and picked up Sharah’s. He walked into the kitchen and placed them in the sink. He walked back to where Sharah was sitting and wrapped his arms around her and kissed her on the cheek. “I’ve missed you more imzadi.” He said with a cheeky grin.

Lt. Jg. Joseph Rainns- COS

Sharah smiled watching him move around the room. Joseph could feel her happiness and sense of peace at having him there. He was really there and she was tempted to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. She loved being in his arms and rested her head against him after he kissed her. She shook her head with a laugh. “It’s not a competition, Joseph.” Well, everything was a competition for him. He was competative and always pushing himself, but she knew he was teasing her. She kissed him, her fingers running through his hair. She was tempted to immerse them in how she felt, but she couldn’t, not here. Too many thoughts, too many minds. She’d hurt herself and then him trying. She ‘felt’ around her spot, home. ‘It’s not hurting you, is it?’ She could leave, maybe she should. She didn’t want a repeat of her time on Challenger, but her trust in him was stronger than her self doubt and so she stayed right were she was and kept kissing him.
Lt jg Fatyh, CSO

Joseph grinned, “Sure it is.” He returned her kisses. ‘I assure you this is real.’ He thought. He felt the sensation of being at home, the safety, comfort, and happiness of it. He shook his head, ‘I am in no pain Imzadi.’ He smiled. ‘How could I be? I’m with the woman I love who loves me back dearly.’ He gripped her tighter. ‘And I’m not leaving you again.’ Sharah could now feel his happiness and comfort flowing through her as well.

Lt. Jg. Joseph Rainns- COS

She nodded her head slightly and then kissed him again. She couldn’t help the wave of warmth the spread through her as he held her tighter. She kissed his neck softly and she settled in his arms, like she’d never been away, right where she belonged. “I know. I’m not leaving either.” She wasn’t sure how that would work with their careers. It seemed like she was always leaving, but Ark Angel was a career ship and she was not leaving unless it was with him. She was kissing him again, she neither the desire or though to stop. ‘I love you, more,’ she smiled against his kiss but there was a hint of a teasing challenge to her thought.
Lt jg Fayth CSO

Joseph paused for a moment. ‘While I highly doubt that dear, I certainly hope that is the case, because I love you a whole heck of a lot.’ He finally let go of her, walking back around to his side of the table, picking up his glass. He enjoyed making things a competition, but love was an area where he felt it best to reserve such impulses most of the time. ‘I have to say, I feel a bit awful that I didn’t decorate my own quarters to make you feel at home.’ He thought with a gleam in his eye to indicate he was clearly joking.

Lt. Jg. Joseph Rainns- COS

She knew he was joking and it made her smile. Only Joseph joked and teased her. ‘If you feel that bad about it I can introduce you to the ensign that did this. You can spend hours going over the options until you decide what you want.’ She walked over resting her hand over his heart and kissed his cheek. She walked over to the couch and sat down, setting her wine glass on the coffee table. ‘Or whenever you want, you can come here,’ and he would be able to tell that here meant both her quarters and herself, ‘as for me, all I need is you to be at home.’ she grinned at him but it quickly turned to a soft smile.
Lt jg Fayth CSO

Joseph shook his head. ‘I’m afraid my guilt isn’t quite that severe. I hate interior designing too much to give that a go.’ He watched Sharah walk over to the couch. Refilling his wine glass, he stood up and followed over a few moments after she took a seat. He stood next to the couch for a second. ‘Then I shall be here quite often. I feel most at home here.’ He took a big sip of wine and placed his glass on the table before sitting next to her on the couch, he placed his hand in hers. This was home.

Lt. Jg. Joseph Rainns- COS

Sharah looked sheepish. “I hated it. I just wanted to change the wall color. But the ensign engineering sent was so excited, I felt bad. I gave him a picture I had of the cabin and he did this. Well, with lots of questions I had to answer. But it helped to pass my down time.” The idea of interior design was tedious to her but she’d made a friend out of it. She blushed, not out of embarrassment but out of the deep intimacy their relationship had and her contentment. ‘You can be here as much as you want, and you don’t need to knock. You already know the passcode, this is as much your home as it is mine. I will never complain about you being here.’ She squeezed his hand. ‘You’ve checked in, we had dinner, we can do anything you want.’ She picked up her glass and took a long swallow. She should probably stop, she didn’t usually have that much.
Lt jg Fayth CSO

Joseph held her hand tightly. ‘I was hoping you’d say that.’ He noticed how much wine she was drinking. ‘That’s quite a bit more than your usual intake imzadi.’ He thought. He shook, ‘probably should just stay in for the night, no sense in traveling about the ship with several glasses of wine our system.’ He kissed her on the forehead. ‘I’m not quite sure what I want to do right now imzadi to be honest.’

Lt. Jg. Joseph Rainns- COS

Sharah glanced at the glass and put it down. Joseph was right. She didn’t usually have a lot, and the last time she’d had anything to drink was on Earth, and that had been months ago. ‘You’re right, it is. I’m going to stop there. And you’re right again, it won’t do for me to be seen walking around after a few glasses.’ She grinned at him, ‘You’re always right.’ The statement might, to anyone else, appear the reflection of someone who was tipsy, but being in his mind Joseph would know she was clear headed, and it was something she said a lot to him. However he could also feel she was a bit, giddy would be the best word, brought on by the lack of headache and noise, and the total lack of input. She leaned over against him, resting her head on his shoulder, one arm hugging him, the other holding his hand. ‘I’m perfectly happy right here.’
Lt jg Fayth CSO

Joseph shrugged his shoulders, ‘Not always, but close enough.’ He wrapped both of his arms around Sharah as they sat together. ‘If this is where you are happy then this is where we will be.’ He kissed her on the cheek. ‘I used to think about when this would be a regular reality for us again all the time on Challenger. So many nights alone in my quarters with only this imagination to keep me company.’ He kissed her on the lips. ‘You have no idea how badly I need this again.’

Lt. Jg. Joseph Rainns- COS

‘There were days this,’ and she holds up her left hand with his ring, ‘was the only thing that helped.’ Memories of falling asleep looking at it and wondering where he was and what he was doing. The days Dr. Marshall gave her meds to make her sleep to help her cope, wishing he was there. Because he understood when others didn’t. She kissed him back, moving onto his lap. ‘Oh Imzadi, of course I know. I’m right here, sharing your thoughts and feelings, and you mine. We aren’t alone, not any more.’ She could feel his need to be there with her, to hold her, to just be close and he would feel the same need in her. She settled quietly holding him, kissing him occasionally, sharing her contentment and happiness simply being there with him.
Lt jg Fayth CSO

Joseph smiled warmly down at her as Sharah moved closer. ‘Yes I suppose you do. I honestly forget sometimes that you are up there.’ His eyes closed for a brief moment before opening them again. Whenever he had several glasses of wine he got drowsy. He was determined not to fall asleep first though. The love of his life would fall asleep under his watchful and caring gaze, and he would not pass out first. ‘I know imzadi, and I’m so thankful for that.’ He thought, returning one of her kisses.

Lt. Jg. Joseph Rainns- COS

Joseph was going to get his way. Sharah, though it hadn’t been a hard day, it had been a very long time since her world had been this quiet, and it had an exhausting effect on her. She was relaxed and drowsy from the warmth of his arms and the wine. Her eyes were already half closed. ‘Joseph, if you really want to watch me fall asleep, let’s just go to bed. It’s more comfortable and I’m going to be asleep soon, anyway.’ She kissed his neck softly, got up, still holding his hand and drowsily walked into the bedroom.
Lt jg Fayth CSO

Joseph smiled. ‘I just want to make sure you are in a peaceful place before I clock out for the night.’ He followed her into the bedroom and made sure she was nice and comfortable by tucking her in before he hopped in on the other side himself. He watched her fall asleep in a way that he hoped would be described as lovingly and not creepily. ‘I love you Sharah.’ He thought before she fell asleep. It felt good to be a protector again, to know with complete confidence that the woman he loved was safe and secure, and that if she wasn’t he could fix it.

Lt. Jg. Joseph Rainns- COS