USS Sentinel
When Paparazzi Hide in the Bushes
Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in When Paparazzi Hide in the Bushes
Posted by Ensign Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in When Paparazzi Hide in the Bushes
Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in When Paparazzi Hide in the Bushes
Posted by… suppressed (10) by the Post Ghost! 👻(snip)
The next morning, Rand was up before her alarm. She slipped out of bed and changed quietly. She let Roman sleep. He didn’t have to be up as early as she did, and today she would rather him sleep, than join her for a run. Instead she prepped for the captain’s morning and dropped off breakfast for her. Then she took breakfast to their quarters. She set the tray down on the table and sat at the desk, working quietly by the light of the monitor until Roman got up.Rand
Roman woke with his alarm. He noticed Rand wasn’t next to him, checked the time, and then spotted her sitting at the desk. In a groggy, still waking up voice, he said, “Rand? Did I miss our run?” He sat up and yawned. “Why didn’t you wake me?”
~ Roman
Rand got up and went to sit with him. “Morning,” she leaned in and kissed him. “You needed your sleep, so I got started on my work instead. I have breakfast. Gorshin made that oatmeal you really like and toast.”
Rand
Ronan kissed her back, “Morning.” Then he leaned against her. “He always seems to know when we need something nice.” He said. He sighed softly and looked over at the desk. “Getting your morning reports done?”
~ Roman
Rand nodded, and curled up next to him. “Got an early start. I grabbed our uniforms when I picked up the captain’s. So far it seems to have been a very quiet night.”
Rand
Roman put an arm around her and pulled her close to him. “Good. That means not too much morning work.” He wanted to stay there with her, but he didn’t want to distract her from her work either. “I hope I’m not going to make you late.”
~ Roman
Rand shook her head. “No. I have almost everything done. At least until I get your reports, so I have time. Almost an hour before I have to get started.”
Rand
Roman nodded. “Do you want to finish breakfast?” He asked, looking at her, without having moved yet. He wasn’t hungry, but he knew she’d worry if he didn’t eat. And he didn’t want to waste the chef’s oatmeal anyway.
~ Roman
“I was waiting for you, and the kettle is already on for tea.” Rand wasn’t too much in a rush to move yet. She hadn’t slept great, not because of nightmares but worry. For Roman and despite his assurances, the Calianos. She wasn’t going to tell him that though. Knowing he’d slept undisturbed eased the worry to almost nothing.
Rand
His med regimen was working that well. He was still deeply distressed by the letter and the guilt, but he was still able to sleep. “It is?” He asked. He kissed her, letting it linger, but not too long. “There is no better fiancee in the universe.”
~ Roman
Rand chuckled. “Of course it is. You can’t function without your tea.” She laid her head on his shoulder and hugged him around his stomach tightly. “I hope you always think that.” For Rand it wasn’t just a silly statement but an anxious worry. She was always so worried about doing the correct thing. Not just with Roman, but everything with everyone. She didn’t worry so much with him though.
Rand
Roman hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead. “I will think that so long as we live.” He said softly, smiling down at her. “Ready for tea and breakfast then?” He asked.
~ Roman
Rand smiled back at him, hugged him tightly, and snuggled into him for a long moment. Then she kissed him and got up heading for the counter. “Extra strong today or regular?”
Rand
“Extra strong,” he replied, wishing she didn’t have to get up. At least there was a kiss in it for him before she did. He got up himself and started to get dressed.
~ Roman
One of these days, they weren’t going to have to get up. They would have an actual full day off, together, with no one needing them for anything, or injuries or illness, and they could be lazy and just stay in bed. The thought made Rand grin. She wasn’t sure she and Roman knew how to be lazy. She moved over toward the counter and started making tea to go with breakfast while he got ready. On the desk, was her PaDD with the letter for the Calianos on top. Rand had worked very hard to capture Roman’s voice. She knew he had found it very hard to express any answers to their questions, but she felt the Calianos deserved to hear from him directly.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Caliano,
I must profusely apologize for my lack of communication. I can offer no excuse for my behavior. Your letters have always been welcome and meant a great deal to me. I have wanted to respond many times, but I have been unable to find a way to express my thoughts. I hope you are both well and know I think of you often.
Rand is the captain’s yeoman, so I had of course had occasion to interact with her. As it so happened I was in need of an extra pair of hands in the lab and discovered that, like myself, she is an early riser. I thought only to make use of an extra pair of hands, but discovered that she loves animals, perhaps even more than I do. The media, to our fortune, does not have access to the ship and our communications officer is quite efficient in filtering out their communications attempts. We are intending to marry when the Sentinel next returns to Earth. I anticipate that will be within the next 9 months, but as you know, orders change. I am delighted to be able to introduce her to you both.
I am doing well. Rand and I were both injured during the incident last June, but we have fully recovered. I will not worry you with the details now. Please be reassured that we are both well. The responsible party was caught and has been convicted of his crimes.
The letter went on to describe the animals Roman has been working with, especially Mushu.
With my deepest regards,
Roman Alden
Mr. and Mrs. Caliano,
I was so very delighted when Roman shared your letter with me. He has shared such fond memories of growing up with you and your son. I am simply elated you enjoyed the performances. If you don’t mind me asking, I am curious which was your favorite?
I am familiar with the media and their trouble; though, I admit that I have never been able to get used to it. I had thought that time of my life was long over, and was quite dismayed to find out that someone on our crew was selling photographs of Roman and I. The culprit has been caught and we are quite relieved for that. I want you to know that Roman is not being stubborn or evasive. The attacks were quite frightening, and we were injured. He has fully recovered and is quite well.
Roman has promised to introduce us when next we are on Earth. We plan to get married in Scotland with my family. Though Roman is far too stubborn to say so outright, it would mean a great deal to us to have you, his family, there to celebrate with us. I am very excited to meet you both and hope that it will be soon.
Best wishes,
Miranda Farquharson
Rand