Posted by Commander Ardashir “Jack” Creed (Executive Officer) in Creed Quarters Flashback Wicked Ballad

Posted by Lieutenant Celina Rodriguez (Chief Tactical Officer) in Creed Quarters Flashback Wicked Ballad

Posted by Commander Ardashir “Jack” Creed (Executive Officer) in Creed Quarters Flashback Wicked Ballad
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻

<snip>

“There is no big plan, just us, friends… I wanted us to look nice. We deserve that, after all we have been through, capturing the men hurting the syndicate. We made it out alive… whole. Not everyone can say that puppy. So this is just a celebration, of life, victory… and us.” he said softly as he leaned over and gave her a deep sensual kiss as the driver began to move.

Creed, XO

Celina let Jack kiss her. She let his cologne and touch take her far away from the moment. When he broke it off, Celina was not ready for it to end. Turning in her seat, she at Jack’s lap and looked into his eyes. Jack was right. The past few weeks and months had been hectic. Some days she had felt like her heart never would stop racing. Other days she could barely deal with the bordom. The fights, stakeouts, secret meetings, and endless hours sifting through paperwork had dominated her life. The only thing that was constant day after day during this time was Jack. “What will we do without a big plan,” she said softly. “I love you Jarbroni. I love everything about you.” Leaning forward she put her head on his shoulder and just let him hold her. Childish maybe but the need to be in his arms was so great. “I think I want you to meet my mother,” she said softly. “I know your family is gone and that you are alone but you don’t have to be. You can be part of my family assuming you pass the trial by fire to which my grandmothers will subject you to. It’s just next year I will be up for a transfer and I thought maybe…we could find a place be a dynamic duo again. I like the us I am with you. I just thought you should know.”

“Oh there is a trial? Well… I guess I can’t fail that now can I? That sounds amazing love, and I will spend every minute making your family love me.” Jack said, biting his lip ever so slightly. He had much to inform her. He knew tonight he could let her in on all his secrets, he wanted her to be just a part of her world as she made him a part of hers. She was worth the world to him and he knew he couldn’t ignore a chance to give her all that he was.

She had wanted to tell him this a thousand times. Yes they had had thier silly fantasies about meeting her parents and what they would do after Jarbroni found his parents killers but Jack’s words of this being a victory party had a sense of ending to it and Celina did not want it to end. Jack was on special assignment. He was tight lipped about anything regardling his past. They were both Starfleet personel and could be reassigned based on the Federations needs. She just wanted him to know that she did not want this partnership to end.

Lt. Celina Rodriguez, CTO

Jack looked at her softly, feeling her trepidation and her unease. Sliding her closer into his arms he kissed the top of her forehead. “I know what you are thinking puppy, don’t let those thoughts in your head. I am not going anywhere okay?” he said softly to her as he felt the car stop. He could see their stop, the old stomping ground as it where. “I figured I wanted to start the rest of my life with my friends, and loved ones.” he said as he looked at her, wondering if she had expected some fancy fine dining establishment or something far different than their old bar.

Creed, XO

“This is perfect,” she looked up at him seeing the pinkish building with green trim and the big black letter’s announcing MOE’S tavern. The building had a slightly Caribbean feel to it with the coloring but the inside was all dive bar with few places to sit beside a bar and the iconic dart board. “You just can’t get annoyed when Moe or Barney comment about my legs or hair or cleavage or,” she let her voice trail off. While the men were close friends of theirs they were still men. At times she debated if Moe wasn’t capable of clunking Jarborni over the head with a shovel and claiming Jarbroni took off for other destinations just ot get a date with her. Celina held out her hand as Jack helped her her from the car. As he did the door to Moe’s opened and a patron stumbled out accompanied by the sound of the music inside.

I never dreamed I could love somebody like you filtered into the night air. Celina smiled and wrapped her arms around Jack as they stoon on the pavement. “See it is a sign. This song will play at our wedding one day and become the one thing you always remember about us. It follows us wherever we go and only brings good things.”

Lt. Celina Rodriguez, CTO

“Yeah, it sure does…” he said rolling his eyes as he smiles at her. He didn’t have the most fond memories of the song but her smile made him forget all the horrible events that seemed to plague him. Still, tonight was a great night. “I love you though, so much moosh.” he said as he leaned in kissing her cheek. Entering he saw everyone waiting for them as he asked them all. He beamed, he had made a lot of great friends with Celina, their lives became intertwined.

Creed, XO

“Hey Celina’s here…and Jarbroni,” Moe said from behind the bar drying out a glass. He kept the lights low and the action was just for show. No one ever dared look at the bottom of the glass they were served and after three drinks never thought about it. His voice also did not hold the high pitched almost squeal of happiness when he added the second name.

“Hey Moe, Barney,” Celina said walking up to the bar.

“You look prudy,” Barney said letting out a large burp. The man was nice but never seemed to manage more than three sentences before needed to extricate some gas.

“Yeah Celina is in the house,” Lenny said with a grin raising his glass. His action made her roll her eyes.

“Why don’t you get us some drinks and then I can wax the floor with your arse as I destroy you in darts,” she said coyly to Jarbroni. “I will be right back.” Celina knew that the other men would be watching her every step but she only cared about dropping one man to his knees. They hadn’t been together an eternity but she did know exactly how much swagger to add to her walk to torment him.

“Well, now that Lina’s gone. Let’s all go into our suspended state til she gets back,” Moe said watching her six as she walked to the restroom like he was sniper ordered to cover her south forty.

“How you get a girl like her to like you,” Carl asked studying Jarbroni at the end of the bar.

“It’s his smolder,” Lenny replied almost immediately.

“Smolder?”

“Yeah yeah you know like those Disney characters. That look he gets in his eye that says I like you but I am not sure I can stick around,” Lenny responded downing his drink. “All women are a sucker for smolder.”

“Hey…Jarbroni....how is it going with you trying to hok me up with Celina’s thrid cousin from her divorced Uncle’s second wife,” Moe said in a low tone.

Lt. Celina Rodriguez and the crew from Moe’s

“Hey, is everyone upstairs?” Jack asked Moe, he had set up to reserve the top half of the gastro pub, where they held parties and special events.

“Of course Roni, anything for you, extra clean perfect, got Chef Salazar cooking up the perfect meal.” he said as he had the guys close the bar so they could all follow Jack and Celina up.

Jack made the trek up, feeling the weight of the small box in his pocket more and more. It was going to be a wonderful night he knew it. He thought so at least till they made it to the top, and the song played again. He shook his head, this was a perfect day and that song couldn’t hurt them anymore he thought to himself as he took Celina and let her wrap her arm between his.

Creed, XO

Celina walked with her arm in his up the stairs. Moe had tried to upscale the place and did an amazing job. Above the bar, she had come to know and love during her assignment on Orion was a space that catered to the more affluent part of the city. The dark decor of the downstairs was in striking contrast to the upper floor where travertine tile lined the floor and soft white organza fabric lined the windows. The wall fountains and potted plants of all shapes and colors gave the room an exotic garden feel. The establishment was the epitome of life on Orion. The lower levels of most public buildings and the people that frequented them tended to be more industrial-urban while the upper floors refined elegance and manners.

This was not the first time Jack and Celina had been to the upper floors of the establishment. It was one of their favorite places to come for dinner. Tonight, however, the vibe in the room was different. It was filled not with paying patrons but just about everyone Jack and Celina knew mingling about in small conversational groups. Several waiters moved about them carrying trays filled with tapas like snacks and fluted drinks. “Jarboni,” she said drawing his name out a bit as she took in the room. “Are we reception crashing again,” she gave him a small smile.

This was not the first time they had surreptitiously crashed a private event. Several months ago, Jack and she had come for dinner only to find out the room was closed for a private event. Moe told them to go on up. Celina had to admit it was one of her favorite memories with Jack. That night she had been the Baron Von Tellur visiting from Bulgarian Prime. Jack was the Baron there on business. As the night progressed their admittingly bad Bulgarian accents got better as the booze flowed. It was the height of escapism that night with her and Jack being invited to a party following the event at a private estate high above the city to discuss how they dealt with wealth, power, and privilege.

“Zo tonight may I be Zoe the daughter of a fantastically wealthy Denevan gem dealer,” she let out a small laugh. “Or do you have a different play?” That was the one thing she loved about Jarboni. While he was grounded and sometimes hard as heck to get out of sweatpants and off the couch, he also could be amazingly daring. It was a combination she found intoxicating.

Lt. Celina Rodriguez, CTO

“Tonight, I just want Celina… the woman who arrested me… stole my heart… and looks great in high heels.” he said as he leaned back, taking a look at her finely sculpted rear section that the heels brought to attention. “It’s about us, friends and loved ones together, it’s a celebration party. I have you to thank for this all.” Jack said, waving at some of the guests. “You helped in ways I don’t know if you fathom.” he said softly as he kissed her cheek.

The night moved on with laughter and music, with food seeming to pour all around them. The room could hold far more than Jack invited, with roughly only twelve or so guests in attendance. These faces had all influenced Jack and Celina while they were there, become friends and extended family in many ways. Jack had always been a wandering soul, from ship to ship, lover to lover. For once though he felt calm and settled, and the small weight in his coat pocket seemed light as a feather, ready to come out and surprise the love of his life.

First though, Jack needed to explain some things, about him and his past… who he really was. He couldn’t ask her to marry him without all the news up front. Looking over he pulled Celina’s attention on him. “Hey, we need to talk… good talk I hate that phrase this… I need to just, you did everything for me and I can finally let you know everything…” he said pausing, he felt like his entire body was sweating. How to explain it all he wondered, you just start from the beginning.

Creed, XO

bump