Posted by Lieutenant Cara Esmé O’Farrell (Counselor / Education Specialist) in Side Sim - A Much Needed Vacay

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Gravel Mardusk (Chief of Security) in Side Sim - A Much Needed Vacay

Posted by Lieutenant Cara Esmé O’Farrell (Counselor / Education Specialist) in Side Sim - A Much Needed Vacay
Posted by… suppressed (33) by the Post Ghost! 👻
It took almost two and half weeks for Gravel and Cara to make the trip from the Atlantis to their final destination.

Earth floated below Station One in all it’s blue and white majestic glory. Hundreds, if not thousands, of ships of all sizes and origins floated, moved, and jumped in and out of warp while the runabout they were on finished docking at the station. Gravel held out his hand to Cara as they walked through the hatch and stepped onto the deck. As they exited, a Blex female in Star Fleet uniform with Lieutenant pips walked up to them. “Lieutenant Commander Mardusk. Lieutenant O’Farrell. Admiral Mardusk is expecting you. Please follow me.” and she spun on her heel and began walking. Mardusk looked at Cara and said “Of course. Wouldn’t even let us get to our hotel.”

Cara grinned - parents. She was glad she was in uniform and not civies, they were on vacation after all. “Either she is happy ta see ya or one or both of us are in trouble. I am going for option D: all of the above.”

She led them to a single turbo lift and pressed the call button. “The Admiral is very excited to see you, Commander. She hasn’t stopped talking about it for several days.” Gravel smiled and said “Well, its better than the opposite I guess.”

The doors opened and they stepped inside. The Lieutenant pressed a deck and the lift began to move. Soon, it stopped and the doors opened. Two Fleet Security officers armed with rifles stood guard and the Lieutenant led them out and to a desk at the left end of the hallway they were in. A Master Chief Petty Officer looked up and said “Commander, welcome to Starbase One. Your mother is in her office.” and he gestured to the door behind him. Gravel looked at Cara and said “Ready?”

Mardusk

Cara gave him a look and a small shrug. “No much of a choice if I am or not.” It would have been nice to have warning, but Cara hadn’t expected anything else. What was the point of being an Admiral if she couldn’t pull strings to see her son? Especially after the fiasco on Atlantis. “Come on, let’s not keep her waiting.” Cara followed him around the desk and through the door.

O’Farrell

Through the door was an office unlike any on a star ship. The entirety of the back wall, floor to ceiling, was window looking out over the 0la etc and the myriad traffic moving about it. A large seating area with couches and a low table separated an area containing a long conference table and chairs from a space donated by a large desk. It was behind the desk where sat one the most incredibly beautiful women Cara had ever seen anywhere.

It was a well known fact that Orion women were viewed as universally attractive by almost all species; particularly by the males of those species. This woman was exponentially more beautiful than that standard. Long locks of ebony hair flowed down to her shoulders, and her green skin almost shimmered it was so smooth. Her eyes, the same metallic emerald hue as Gravel’s, flicked to the door as it opened and her dark grin lips parted in a smile that framed brilliant white teeth. Her beauty was almost contradicted by the plain working uniform she wore. Red with Admiral pips.

Cara had a very absurd thought that, when she was younger would have shown all over her face. Cara was much more disciplined now and the thought was gone before it could register. His mother was gorgeous to the point of being intimidating and aweing. And she wore her authority just as naturally.

“Gravel… my son.” she said and stood up. As she moved to the two arrivals, her movements were fluid and smooth.. almost etherial in their grace. She walked up to Gravel and Cara and she wrapped her arms around Gravel’s waist. “Oh it is so good to see you. I have missed you.” Gravel returned the embrace with a smile and said “Missed you too, Ma. And this-” and he stepped back a bit and put his hand on Cara’s back gently, “- is Lieutenant Cara Esmé O’Farrell, Mom. She is the ship’s Counselor on the Atlantis… ” and he took a quick breath, “… and my girlfriend.”

Admiral Mardusk looked at Cara with a mother’s critical eye for a long moment, looking her unabashedly up and down…

Cara wondered if Gravel had a hand on her back to support her or himself. Cara stared back at the woman. Her gaze was simply curious and accepting of the scrutiny. Parents were all fundamentally the same when it came to their children.

And then she grinned. “Hello, Cara. I’m Serchena. It is so nice to finally meet you.” and she held out a hand with long fingers and exquisitely painted nails.

Mardusk(s)

Cara took her hand in a grip that was both confident and conveyed comfort. Like Gravel said, sometimes it was hard to turn the job off. “I am very happy ta meet ye.” Though Cara did wish it wasn’t on the tail of such circumstances, even though it had all worked out. “I do hope ya enjoyed the pears.” Cara’s mouth twitched and her eyes danced.

O’Farrell

Sechena’s eyes lit up with mirth and she smiled. “Oh, very much so. Such a considerate gift for your mother-in-law.” and she laughed. She looked at Gravel and said “I’m guessing the card was your idea?” and he shrugged. “Maybe, but she was the one crazy enough to actually send it.” Sechena looked back at Cara and said “You’d have to be crazy to be with this oaf.” and Gravel chuckled. The Admiral said “C’mon you two… come have a seat. How was rhe trip?” and she walked over to the seating area.

Mardusk(s)

Cara refrained from saying at least she wasn’t insane like Bubbles. “Oh I never claimed not ta be crazy. But who’s crazier? Me for datin’ him, or Gravel for thinkin’ he can keep ship, crew, and me safe from me?” Cara laughed as she followed and sat where indicated. “Any trip I donna get sick is a good trip.”

Cara

Gravel sat next to her and Sechena took a single chair. “So tell me what your plans are while you are here. How long do I have you two to myself?” she asked with a grin. Mardusk said “Few days, at least. We are gonna go see Cara’s family while we are here, too. But are you gonna have time to do anything? We don’t wanna interrupt.” Sechena gave him a look and said “Seriously? That from the same one that burst into my office and told me and the upper echelon of Star Fleet Command that there was no force on Earth that would stop you from going that concert? And if I had anyone try to stop you you would make them, and I quote, ‘Kiss my giant green ass up one side and down the other’? That kind of ‘not interrupting’?” and she laughed. Gravel looked at Cara and said “In my defense, I was fourteen at the time.”

Mardusk

“Music is a serious thing, no matter how old ya are. Unless it’s that punk rock stuff.” Cara grinned at him because she loved punk music. “Then it’s life changin’.” Cara waved her hand slightly at the question. “We will go see my parents, but I’m no sure how long tha’ will be. Mom got home from the hospital 2 days ago. So she may no be up for a long visit.”

O’Farrell

Sechena looked at Cara and said “Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. I hope she feels better soon.” She then said “Okay. Dinner tonight, my treat. And if you have time, tomorrow we do some fun things. Let me know your schedule as you figure it out. And if you need to go to see your mother, I understand. I am happy to work around your schedule, okay?” Mardusk snorted softly and said “Since when?” His mother looked at him and said with a grin “Since I became an Admiral. Rank does have its privileges.” and she laughed.

Mardusk

“Thank you. I’ve talked ta my sister and my mother is doing well.” Emilia had taken a few days off from her duties to stay with her parents at the hospital. Cara was certain the hospital was glad to have her sister out of the way. Nothing like the chief surgeon of Star Fleet to make you nervous. “Mam cried and wailed tha whole time she was in the hospital, sayin’ she wanted ta die at home. They got her home and now Dadai is goin’ ta have a heart attack tryin’ ta keep her still and runnin’ all over for her.” Cara looked at Gravel, “And ya think I’m dramatic. There is still time ta save yerself.”

“Yeah right… you’d have my skin for a rug in our quarters if I tried to bounce now.” Gravel said.

Cara refrained from saying she would use his skin as a blanket or coat not a rug. It was always best not to show all the crazy the first time.

More like to save herself from her family. “Tomorrow is fine, they are no expectin’ us for a couple of days. Mom would much rather see me from her chair than in her bed.”

O’Farrell

“Then dinner it is. Come, I will have you beamed directly to your hotel. Rest up, change, recover a bit… and tI will meet you in the lobby at eight o’clock sharp.”

Mardusk(s)

Cara got up and shouldered her bag as she followed them out to the transporter pad. Once they were in the lobby of their hotel, waiting to check in Cara laughed. “Oh that was too easy. I am really in for it later, aren’t I?”

O’Farrell

Gravel smiled and said “Oh… you have no idea.”

When they got the desk, the clerk said “Ah, Commnader Mardusk. Lieutenant O’Farrell. Welcome. We have your rooms ready. Commander, you are in 2318; and Lieutenant, you are 1206.” Gravel looked at Cara and said “Wait… what?” and he looked at the clerk. “No no, we should have one room.” The clerk said “Ah yes… Admiral Marduak called earlier and made the arraignments.” Gravel’s eyes went wide and then he looked at Cara again. “Practical jokes? Damn, woman… she must really like you.”

Gravel

“Of course she does. I am completely loveable.” Cara’s brow went up as she glanced at the floor plan and then laughed, “Ya do realize she no only changed the reservation I made, she put us in different towers?” She eyed him, “Ya didna tell her about my nasty habit o’ getten lost did ya?” She’d spend their entire vacation trying to get from one room to the other. “Well, Malachite, ya wanna check out both rooms or take the risk that yers will be big enough?” Cara turned to the clerk and gave him a dazzling smile. “I am sure it will be fine, won’ it lad? Since yer hotel forgot ta reimburse my account for my reservation. An’ o’course all those extras I paid for.” The clerk just smiled back at her and nodded agreement with whatever she said, and then blinked. “Oh yes, Lt. The…the room…rooms should be more than adequate. We have everything else here,” and with the goofiest grin to rival a teenager he handed her a folder that she slipped into her bag. “Thank ya, Lad.” Cara laughed again, “Shall we, or do ya wanna call yer mom?”

O’Farrell

Gravel shook his head. He knew much better than to get 8nto the middle of this. He just looked at the clerk and said “Whatever she paid for, send to my room. Then cancel the change. The Lieutenant will be staying with me.” He then looked at Cara and said “Thats an order.” and he grinned.

Mardusk

Cara snapped a parade ground perfect salute. “Yes Sir, Commander.” At least she didn’t project her voice across the lobby, but that Irish accent was like magic. She winked at the clerk, “I’d go without the order.” The clerk looked from O’Farrell to Mardusk and back and grinned while typing away at the console. “All fixed Commander, and if you don’t mind me saying so…good luck.” He handed them each an access card, “Lifts are to the left, 3rd floor take a right and the room is halfway on the left.”

Cara grinned laughing quietly and waved toward the lifts, “Lead on.”

O’Farrell

Mardusk said “Oh no… ladies first.” and he gestured her forward and then swatted her as she she passed.

Cara didn’t yelp at all instead she turned the small jump into an inviting little dance for him that ended right in front of the elevators and a wink over her shoulder.

At the elevators, he looked at her and said “Yeah yeah… ‘Oh I’m so gonna pay for that later.’ blah blah.” and he grinned. “But joke’s on you. Im into that s#!t.” and the doors opened and he ushered her inside.

Mardusk

Cara’s laughter was cut off as the doors closed. “If by pay you mean me askin’ ya ta do it again, then ya, yer in trouble.” She tucked her hand into his and leaned back against the lift to look at him. She got that look and her voice got that totally distracting lilt to it, “but ya known for a long time, Grah-vel ya were in trouble with me.”

O’Farrell

Gravel smiled at her and then frowned at something over her shoulder. “What kind of garbage place is this? No ‘Stop’ button on the display. Bastards.” and then he leaned in and kissed her as the doors opened. “C’mon.” and he took her hand and led her to the room.

Gravel

The kiss was encompassing but far too short. Cara tookbhis hand again and walked him down the hall. The room was huge. Walking in they were met by huge floor ro ceiling windows that opened to a large balcony that over looked the bay. On the left wall was an entertainment stand and work station. The majority of the room filled with a grey sectional sofa with a lounger. A glass coffee table sat in front. Behind the sofa was a circular table and chairs. Immediately to the right of the door was a kitchenette and bar.

A large open door way past the table led to the bedroom. The bed was massive and covered in 1000 thread count sheets, pillows to sink into and the most luxurious blankets. Large window filled the outer wall. The bathroom…well it had a tub large enough for 10 people.

O’Farrell

Gravel stared for a minute and then said “Its official. We are moving. In here. Holy crap, this is amazing!” He looked at Cara and said “Did you do this?”

Gravel

Cara set her bag down on the table and walked over to the windows and looked out at the view. The bay stretched out in front of them, the bridge further away but still part of the landscape. She turned with a grin, “I did. I know a guy. He owed me a favor.” She checked the packet the clerk handed her and she looked like the cat who just caught the canary. “Check the bar.” The bar was fully stocked. There were two cases of his favorite whiskey and a keg already set up with a tap. His beer. The one served at Mike’s place that no one was served but him. “Just so ya know. I’m gonna be murdered when we get back.”

O’Farrell

He grabbed the pitcher that sat next to the keg and grinned. “Oh hell yeah you are. Bubbles is gonna be sooo pissed!” and he laughed as he filled the pitcher. He lucked his lips and took a drink and moaned softly. “Oh, yeah.. thats the stuff right there.” He looked down at Cara and, with an ease born of practice and strength, he slid an arm under her and lifted her off the floor and up to eye level with him. “Just in case ya didn’t know… I’m kinda in love with ya.” and he kissed her.

Gravel

Cara grinned and kissed him back. She loved his strength. Not just his physical strength either, but it was fun - he wasn’t even showing off yet. “Oh it’s so far beyond kinda, Gravel. I am crazy ‘bout ya. Have been totally head o’er heels in love with ya for awhile.” She hugged him, which was great because since he was lifting her up he didn’t have to bed over so she could. “Ya better love me while ya can. I paid for that keg, and it might take Bubbles awhile ta figure out where it went, but she will.” Cara kissed along his jaw and his neck, “But go easy in tha’ stuff. I was only able ta get 1 keg. But since there are 2 Mike’s Places nearby, and you bein’ you, I figure ya can obtain more.”

O’Farrell

He grinned and said “Three are waiting for our shuttle to take us to your house. I couldn’t show up empty handed, now could I?” and he laughed. “But I think that after dinner, we should go to the bar. You haven’t lived till you’ve seen the amount of free booze my mother gets in bars. It’s… impressive.”

Gravel

Cara laughed, “Oh I am sure it is. However, Gravel, I donna think tha’ is fair ta let me and yer mother lose on the same bar. But it will be fun.” Cara slipped off his arm and slid slowly down his height. “I am ready ta officially get outta this uniform and start our vacation.” She stepped backwards tugging the zipper down.

And then…there was a rapid knock at the door. Cara glared and looked puzzled because there was nothing else to arrive…that she knew of. She walked over and opened the door. The door bounced off the wall and Cara stumbled backwards 3 steps before catching her balance with a muffled ‘oof’. The projectile was a woman that could have been Cara. She was slightly taller, her hair an inch shorter with more curl, but equally red, and her features only slightly more angular. Giving her an elvish appearance, and wearing a medical blue Fleet uniform. “CARA!”

A Denobulan man stepped in slightly so the door could close. He was dressed in rusty orange dreshirt with a mandarin collar and dark blue slacks. He sighed heavily, and spoke with concern and a tone that indicated he knew he would be ignored, “Emilia please be careful.” He looked at Cara, “I tried, but she saw you get on the elevator from the bistro. 10 minutes was all I could manage.”

“You’re here! I know, I know we were goin’ ta see you in a couple days but I couldna wait!” Then she turned and gave the sassiest grin to rival her sister, “Calm down, Yos, I’m pregnant no made a porcelain.” Then she spotted Gravel and grinned, “Oh now,” she glanced at Cara, “You know how to pick ‘em doncha, Cara.” She walked over and pulled him down by his shirt and left a bright red lipstick kiss on his green cheek. “Nice ta meet ya.”

Gravel smiled and said “Apparently it is.”

Cara sighed but with a grin, “Gravel, this is Emilia, my older sister and her husband, Yos.” She would get to the her sister having a baby later.

O’Farrell

Gravel looked at Emilia and then Yos. “Nice to meet you.” he rumbled. “Cara has talked about you a lot. Didn’t know we’d be seeing you so soon.” and he held out a massive green hand to Emilia first, then Yos.

Gravel

Emilia at least had the presence of mind to look sheepish as she shook his hand. “Well…ya weren’t supposed ta. I was meetin’ Yos for lunch and saw Cara in the lobby and I couldn’t help myself.”

Yos shook his hand, “It’s my pleasure,” and gave a huge, absurd, but naturally Denobulian smile. “I’m sure you know there is very little that can be done to curb or control the O’Farrell women.” He gave a long suffering sigh as he stared lovingly at his wife. “But if you two need anything, Cara, you have my comm, yes?”

“Thank you Yos. You really out did yerself. Thank ya.” Cara looked at Gtavel, “Yos manages the hotel.” She looked at Emilia, “Well now I know how ya got Mam ta agree so easily ta the surgery.” Cara grinned and hugged her sister. “Congratulations., now…out.” and she turned her sister toward the door. “I am sure ya didna eat, so go so Yos doesn’a have ta worry. Will see ya in a couple a days at home.”

Emilia laughed, “Yer right. He worries.” Yos rolled his eyes and opened the door. “Of course I do.” Emilia hugged her again, “See ya at home. Gravel, it was nice ta meet ya. Sorry for bargin’ in. Can’t say it won’ happen again.” She laughed and disappeared out the door.

“Better not. I do carry a phaser, ya know!” he yelled after her and smiled at Yos.

Cara closed the door and turned to look at him. “If ya want ta skip goin’ home with me, I will not blame ya at all.” She laughed, “Now where were we?”

O’Farrell

He shook his head and leaned back against the table. “Naw, I’m in it for the duration. As to where we were, I do believe you were about to unzip that uniform and get more… comfortable.” and he grinned.

Gravel

“Ya are a brave man Grah-vel.” Cara laughed softly toeing off her boots and pullingvthe zipper down, “More comfortable sounds…decadent.” A second later she shrugged out of the top half of her uniform and the rest soon pooled at her feet. She walked past him into the bed room, her hand trailing across his stomach. “Yer turn. We’re on vacation.”

O’Farrell

“Yes we are…” he growled as he watched he walk by. Well watched part of her walk by. He ripped his tunic getting it off of his body and soon the big green mountain was walking into the bedroom behind Cara.

A few hours later…

Gravel was dressed. Blue jeans, black boots, and a white t-shirt under a black leather biker jacket covered in pins of bands. On the t-shirt was a symbol in black of an eagle behind a shield holding a apple tree branch in one talon and a baseball bat in the other. In its beak was a banner that read Hey! Ho! Let’s Go!; and around the symbol were the words ‘Johnny Joey DeeDee Tommy’s. At the top it read ‘Ramones’. He looked up at rhe bedroom door and said “You ready? And my mom better not say a word about my clothes. I’m even wearing a jacket.”

Gravel

Cara laughed, “I think no matter how happy she is ta see ya, she is gonna give ya a hard time. However I am gonna get it worse.” Cara was wearing solid black tapered jeans with metallic gold heels. She had a burgandy t-shirt with a white writing that said “If you are shocked by what I said, You haven’t paid attention to who I am.” Over that was a short waisted navy blue suede jacket. Her hair was brushed until the curls were soft and only held back by small clips. “Yeah I’m ready. And I’m starvin’ so let’s go meet yer mom.” Cara stepped out into the hall in front of him, and of course, turned the wrong way for the elevator.

O’Farrell

A big green hand landed gently on her shoulder and turned her back the right way. “I’m getting you a bell necklace for your birthday.” Gravel said with a shake of his head and he took her hand and walked her to the lifts.

Cara blew him a raspberry. “I told ya, that’s what combadges are for. And don’ya tell me that won’t work here. I am absolutely positive ya have some little tracking program on a PaDD somewhere with ya.” She was not wearing a bell.

Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at the front door of the restaurant. As they walked in, the maitre ‘d looked up and smiled. “Ah yes. You must Lieutenant O’Farrell and Lieutenant Commander Mardusk. The Admiral said that your dress would be… distinctive. Please, follow me.” and he turned and led them through the restaurant. Several heads turned at the couple as they were obviously not in suits and dresses like the rest, but as they approached a lone table set against broad bay, view windows; Serchena waved and it was obvious she expected nothing less as she stood up to greet them. She was in skin-tight black leather pants with six-inch bright red skillets heels with a matching red t-shirt with yellow lettering that said My son is the bass player. Your opinion is irrelvant. with a black leather jacket of her own. Her hair was pinned up on the left side,, but fell in a cascade of ebony locks down the other side. She smiled and said “Oh good… I was hoping I hadn’t overdressed.” and she laughed at the looks they were receiving.

The Mardusks

Cara gave the maitre’d a bright smile, “Why thank ya for the compliment.” The maitre’d looked confused. Oh and the looks they were getting as they walked. People were so self important, and Cara wasn’t working or in uniform…one gentleman was more obvious in his stares than everyone else. Cara tossed all that glorious red hair and winked at the man. That earned the man a slap on the arm from his date who glared at Cara. Cara in turn gave the woman a little wave of her fingers. Cara gave Serchena a once over as they approached and grinned, tossing Gravel a whisper, “I might have a girl crush on your mom right now.” She laughed as they got to the table and winked at his mom, “I may have to hug ya just ta make people’s eyes fall outta their heads.”

O’Farrell

Serchena grinned and leaned in and kissed Cara solidly on the lips and then said “Ten slips says that causes more fights than anything.” and she looked at Gravel who was glaring. “Oh relax… you know she’s not my type.” Gravel shook his head and said “Huh? Oh, that. No, that’s not it.” His voice rose so everyone could hear him. “It was eyeball-boy over there giving Cara the look like he was appraising a side of beef.” and Gravel looked at the man who was now trying very hard to disappear into his ceasar salad. “I was wondering how he’d like it if I looked at his date like that.” So… he did. And the reaction of the woman was not appreciated by salad-boy. Gravel turned and looked at rhe two women as he pulled out a chair for both and grinned. “Oh we are so getting into a fight tonight.” he said with more enthusiasm than was safe.

Mardusk(s)

“Oh I am not betting against that, but I will bet on when it happens.” She glanced around the room taking it in, “10 slips we don’t get past the appetizer.” Cara even slid a stack of slips subtly onto the table. Cara sat, and eyed him softly and his enthusiasm at the idea and grinned. She muttered softly. “Not even 12 hours and I’m gonna get banned from a restaurant. I missed Earth,” and she chuckled. She eyed the woman and then caught the man’s eye and shrugged. “Eh he’s no worth it.” Cara set a hand on his arm and leaned toward him, “He can look but he can’t handle all this fire. That’s why he’s with her. Besides not my type, ya know that.” The woman knew Cara was talking about her, but couldn’t quite catch the words. Cara picked up the glass of water on the table and grinned as she sipped from it watching reflections in the window. “Oh, we may not make the appetizer,” she looked at Serchena, “If Gravel so much as looks at you, that rather distinguished looking Romulan across the room is going to come over to defend your honor. Hmmm…this is getting interesting.”

O’Farrell

Srchena grinned but said “Now now… first of all that Romulan is a member of the Diplomatic Corps. I doubt he would defend anything himself. Second, I really do like this place. Let’s try to wreck it until after the scallops.” Gravel shrugged and said “Ok, Mom.” loud enough the Romulan could hear. At that moment the waiter, having lost a rock-paper-scissors contest and thus being made to wait on them, came and said “Good evening. Drinks?” Gravel looked at him and smiled. “We’re not as bad you might think.” He slid the slips into his hand and shook the waiters hand, slipping them to him surreptitiously. “Dont say anything to your coworkers. Let ‘em think you are miserable. Do a good job for us and you’ll be able to take a couple weeks off.” and thennhe said “Beer. Three pitchers.” and hooked at the others at rhe table. “You two want anything?”

Gravel