Posted by Lieutenant Christopher Robins (Stellar Cartographer) in Brisbane Science Conference 2393 — Two Years Ago —
“Are you sure it’s a good idea for you to go to this event? Starfleet has other conferences in other quadrants that doesn’t have you two.” came the voice of Ian Bordeaux as his image shined bright from the computer screen as Chris kept packing as he looked over at his friend staring at him from the monitor.

Chris had been busy in the six years since the the falling out between him and the love of his life Alexandra Garfield. Unspoken words and misunderstanding had brought the two apart and nearly ended their friendship. Yet time has a way of solving some things, if not all things. “Look, you don’t have to come to the conference, I am not even sure why you and your Captain are coming. Neither you nor her are science, what interest do you two have in being here?”

“She wanted to come when I said some of my friends from the academy would be there and Lexi wanted me to come for… well I don’t really know why. She seemed thrilled at the idea of all us being together again and who am to say no to her? She gives you those big puppy eyes and you just say yes.” Ian shook his head slightly, how he kept getting in the middle in these situations was beyond comprehension to himself. He loved Chris and Lexi and the bonds they formed over the years were strong, just just wasn’t sure if the other two felt the same about each other anymore.

“Look, yes it was rocky for the first six months, but one day she called and I decided enough hiding. I picked up and… I don’t know, it was like we never stopped talking.” Chris said as he paused for a moment to sit by the edge of his bed in view of the viewing screen as he tilted his head ever so to the left as he began thinking about the whole last six years. It hadn’t been perfect, and they may never get back all they have but he felt good about this all.

“We reconnected, we avoided topics that would cause issues. I know she isn’t with Noah anymore… but we don’t talk much more about that. We share recipies and our days, we stream our movies together and both sit back and watch them at the same time as we video and voice chat. She tells me about her discoveries and I tell her about mine.” Chris said as he smiled slightly, he may avoid the serious topics with Lexi but he still got back pretty much all he loved about her. He wasn’t going to ruin their chances of friendship by pushing his feelings on her again. He cared too deeply for her to ever want to be without her again.

“Plus no Noah this time, so it will just be us three… and I guess this Captain Kelly, you sure she is cool? Kylie was nice and all but she was always just… there. If we are going to let Kelly into our fold I am going to need some promises she is going to be cool. You deserve the best, though… I do have to wonder about your timing. You just left that resort and instead of getting back to your ship your side tracking to Earth. How long can Captains just take off?” Chris asked, wondering if there would be trouble if they were all gone too long. Ian had told him about the whole ordeal of tentacles and Klingon and blind wine drinking. The ending was a lot more risque as Ian went on with the story.

“You can’t tell anyone about that… I told Kelly I have let you and Lexi know we are together but… this is literally the first few days of us even being together. We don’t want all of Atlantis talking about the Captain and Yeoman banging it on vacation.” Ian said sternly to Chris before smiling widely at his friend. They had all been through a lot of in the past for years and now he did feel hopeful to bring people together and have his friends just be friends again.

“Look it’ll be fine, we aren’t gonna be snitches, and I do gotta go the shuttle is gonna be picking me up soon to fly me to Brisbane, I will see you there… and don’t worry I got this.” Chris said with his normal swagger and cock sureness he always had.

“That’s what I am worried about…” Ian said before the screen went black leaving Chris to finish the packing in silence.

Lieutenant Christopher Robins

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

“Will you stop staring at the door,” Ian said in a low tone taking a sip of his lager.

“Is your girlfriend ever going to get off that barstool,” Lexi shot back. She didn’t know this Kelly well but could see why Ian liked her. For a captain she was very laid back. She also apparently had no liver or was not worried about her liver the way she was knocking back drinks with a rather loud pair of Klingons. Staring at her, Lexi saw that on the surface Ian’s boxes were easily checked off. The woman was beautiful with a sharp sense of humor. She and Ian had swapped barbed banter for the past two hours with easy smiles. Ian had said they were trying to play it cool in public situations. Lexi wondered what public situations looked like on the USS Atlantis. From what she could tell Kelly was enamored with Ian and Ian seemed to adore this older blonde. She also had a name that started with a K. All men had a type. For Ian it appeared to be an unwritten rule his significant others had to have a name that started with a K: Kelly, Kelsey, Karen, Karina, Kourtney.

“So what’s the story with you both. Is it serious or Kylie serious,” Lexi asked sipping her white wine spritzer. Regardless of his answer, Lexi would be eternally grateful for Kelly teaching her how to order a palatable wine for public functions. Seeing a tall blonde walk in the front door, Lexi reached out and grabbed Ian’s arm so that when she rose on her tiptoes she didn’t have to work to keep her balance. She was trying to keep it cool but after six years of not being in the same room, Lexi was like a kid at Christmas waiting for Chris to walk through the door. Video calls were okay but they were not like flesh and blood. Just to hold him once in a hug so that she could inhale his cologne would make their reconciliation real.

Ensign Lexi Garfield