Posted by Lieutenant Alexandra Robins (Xenobiologist) in What the hell is up with this island
Lexi leaned back on her chair and closed her eyes feeling the sun warm her face and body. Her family needed this vacation but she needed it even more. Work, marriage, family, and life in Starfleet came with so many more challenges than Lexi expected. This was the lie she told herself. Alexandra Garfield had spent the first five years of her career bouncing around the galaxy, away from family, exploring the galaxy. It was fun but also lonely. She reconnected with Chris several times during this period with one fateful science conference producing thier daughter. Stretching her body out anyone would have seen it as her relaxing but Lexi instead was trying to find a position to relax and work out the tension in her body. Taking a deep breath, Lexi exhaled it louder than she intended drawing the attention of her companion.

“Drink this,” Kelly handed Lexi a chilled bottle of strong alcohol. “Whatever problem is going on between you and Chris is going to be shared easier the drunker you get.” She waited for Lexi’s protest. It was coming just like the conversation that was simmering just under the surface. She just needed to give Lexi some time and a little encouragement. “Ian did you lie about there being a barbecue or just raising the cow for the barbecue. I am dying here,” Kelly glanced over at Ian with a smile.

Lexi took a sip of the drink and blinked shaking her head. Kelly counted the juice in a drink and not the alcohol which translated into a drink far stronger than one normally expected. “What makes you think there is a problem with Chris?” Kelly’s knack for being a Betzoid at times annoyed Lexi.

“Because we are in the middle of a desert island instead of with his family on the ranch,” Kelly said simply taking a sip of her drink.

“Becuase he has no idea what is really going on,” Lexi spun her legs around to sit facing Kelly.

“What is going on,” Kelly took a long swig on her drink. Her gut told her it wasn’t something as trivial as a hot ensign or old flame. Chris and Lexi had their problems like any other couple but it usually revolves around who left their shoes in the middle of the floor or who missed the clothes hamper.

“Chris and i were talking about more kids. I mentioned it to my mom who has completely went off the deep end. She doesn’t understand why we are not back in Israel which is where I was headed before marrying Chris that weekend. All I hear is how I need to give Ruth a better up bringing. Kelly she doesn’t know the Shema.” The blank stare by Kelly made Lexi swing around and drop back into the seat. “It’s the first prayer all Jewish kids learn,” she informed Kelly frowning.

“And your mom is going to expect Ruth to l is it,” Kelly finally snapped the pieces together. “So can’t you just cram for it with her?”

“That is exactly what he said,” Lexi waved frustratedly at Chris. Looking around rapidly for a second she realized Ruth was no longer building a sand castle but moving towards the waters edge. In truth Ruth was only about two feet from Chris. One large step and he would be next to Ruth but right now Lexi was just annoyed.

“Ruth if daddy isn’t going to watch you come sit with me ,” Lexi called out.

Lexi Robins

Chris looked over at Lexi with an eye roll before he walked over to Ruth and put her five inches closer to him. “She’s fine, where is she going to go? Wander into the ocean and I won’t notice? It’s not like there is a lot around for me to be distracted by.” Chris said as he gestured around the beach which had some tiki huts set up around them with booze and fires as with a few passing beachgoers coming and leaving. This area of the beach was fairly dense, as it wasn’t tourist season and often only found native islanders coming and going.

Chris was wearing his board shorts and was next to the surfboard he had been waxing up. It was clear this was his element, tanned and toned he looked like the people that were coming and going all around him. He had planned to take ruth out and let her lay on the board as he floated her around. It was something his father always did to him and his brother and sister and he wanted a chance to experience that with his own daughter. “I can still get you one ready and you can go out with us, there is a boogie board and wakeboards that are pretty easy to get on. You don’t have to sit there and look like you have wandered the desert for 40 years.” Chris said as he looked to his left as he saw Ian wandering towards him from the forested area with a bunch of bananas behind him.

Ian didn’t quite look like he belonged as well as Chris. He was still tanned and toned, but he wasn’t wearing the shirtless cabana boy look Chris had. Instead, he had what many might have called a tactical vest, with everything someone who thought they might get lost on a deserted island might need. “Hey, Chris… these the edible kind? I found them growing and was curious how good they might be.”

“I am not the biologist, ask her,” Chris said as kneeled up from the board, pointing at Lexi with the rag in hand he had been using to brush down his board. “You might be careful though… could have a like monkey crap on it… this isn’t a Piggly Wiggly,” Chris said with a smirk as he looked down at Ruth with a big smile. “You bout ready? We need to get you a life vest and you have to be tethered to the board as well.” Chris said as he moved back his beach towel that was near his cooler as he began looking for where he put down the life vest.

“Yes yes, I will get floaties on her too. We are not going that far out, wont even hit the tide break. It’s just a paddle around the shoreline.” Chris said as he felt a twinge of irritation. Lexi would not get off his balls and it was driving him insane. He thought this trip would be good for everyone but she seemed insistent on being mad.

“I love you too…” he added, as he looked back with a wide smile. This smile, despite any irritation, was very genuine. He couldn’t help but let the irritation wash over him. As much as she could annoy him, she could thrill him and make him feel like the luckiest man alive just as easily.

Christopher Robins