Posted by Civilian Jason Reilly (Deputy Director - Colonial Intelligence Agency) in How I Met Your Mother, Part II

Posted by Lieutenant Hannah Lori Asimina (Asst. Chief Medical Officer) in How I Met Your Mother, Part II

Posted by Civilian Jason Reilly (Deputy Director - Colonial Intelligence Agency) in How I Met Your Mother, Part II
Posted by… suppressed (26) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Hannah was usually pretty laid back. She just went with the flow. If things bothered her, she didn’t let it stop her. MOST things anyway. Apparently her life was full of the few things that did disrupt that laid back playful out look she had. The closer the day got, the more obvious it became that Hannah was anxious. At first it wasn’t quite noticeable. She’d move things around, but it was more like she just forgot to put them away. Except for the fact that those items were returned to their new spots when she was finished with them.

As the days progressed it was more obvious as she wandered about rearranging things. She wasn’t completely rearranging, just reorganizing… sort of. At first she thought it looked like she didn’t really live there, was just ‘visiting’. Then she thought it looked like she’d taken over the whole place and Jason’s things were relegated to a closet (they weren’t of course). Then her opinion swung back the other way, and she’d start moving things again. She really wasn’t going too overboard, Hannah could ever laugh at herself because it was not like her to get so worried over things.

But this wasn’t just an ordinary thing. Jason’s parents were arriving, and her parents were arriving within hours of them. She’d never introduced anyone to her parents before, and she’d certainly never met any boyfriend’s parents before. The only other person she’d ever been serious about was Daniel, and meeting his family was never going to happen. Of course she’d never been engaged before either. Then add on top just typical nervousness, there was the baby, or the loss of the baby, and the history Jason and Hannah had built.

They were leaving soon for the orbital platform, but she had wandered out onto the balcony. It was her favorite place in the whole apartment. She stood at the far corner, where the wind whipped around the building, tugging at her hair, and the air smelled fresh. With the terraforming efforts progressing there was a change, and here on this side of the building, there wasn’t any hover traffic, so the sounds of the city were muted somewhat by distance.

Lt Asimina, SFAMO

A gentle hand found it’s normal spot on the small of her back and a pair of lips brushed her cheek. Jason seemingly simply appeared next to her, as was his habit. He looked out over the sweeping vista before them and closed his eyes; drawing a deep breath, smelling the air with just the barest hint of moisture and growing things carried on it from somewhere far away from the city. He opened his eyes and the looked at Hannah and smiled. Hey, beautiful. Come here often? he signed and smiled.

Reilly, Deputy Director - CIA

The feel of his hand on her back made her feel secure and safe. Hannah wasn’t a fearful person, nor was she afraid, so Jason evoking that intense feeling of safety in her was wonderful. He was eerily quiet (and it had nothing to do with being deaf) when he moved, but it never spooked her. Hannah found it reassuring actually. Even if she wasn’t aware of his presence, she knew he was always there. She leaned back slightly against his hand as she turned to look at him. He was incredibly attractive, devastating really, and the sight of him always made her heart race. Hannah returned his smile, As often as I can, Handsome. It’s one of my favorite spots. Especially now that you’re here.

Lt Asimina, SFAMO

Jason smiled. Shhhhhh. Talk like that could get me in trouble. You are engaged after all. And I hear your fiance is the jealous type. and he leaned over and kissed her softly. You ready to go? he signed. The first ship is in system and on it’s way to the Platform.

Reilly - Deputy Director, CIA

She grinned and put her arms around him briefly. She leaned back only enough to use her hands. I would say he’s protective, not jealous. But you make a point. Hannah hugged him again, leaning against him, simply enjoying the closeness. Then with a soft sigh she nodded. I’m ready. Let’s not be late. She took her implants out of her pocket and slipped them on behind her ears.

Lt Asimina, SFAMO

Jason took her hand and led her inside. He looked back and asked “Nervous? Need to rearrange the place just one more time?” and he smiled and chuckled.

Hannah gave him a bemused and slightly nervous look. “No, let’s just go.” And she did not look around to see what she might need to do before they left. It was silly, and she knew that. It was kind of nice to be so excited over it that she was nervous.

A few minutes later, a dark gray shuttle lifted off the roof of their building and they made their up , up , up and to the Oed V Orbital Platform. Dozens and dozens of ships came and went around them as they made their way to the private hangar section of the platform. They landed in a large hangar in the middle of the honeycomb-shaped private and secured area of the Platform. Reilly stepped out and offered a hand to Hannah. He looked at his wrist computer and said “Well, they docked twenty minutes ago. They should be on the shuttle here any minute.”

Reilly- Deputy Director, CIA

Hannah took his hand and looked around. It was a section of the platform she was unfamiliar with. The only time she would have need to use the private hanger would be for a medical emergency call. Her finger threaded between his as she watched the incoming shuttles. “My parents don’t arrive for a couple of more hours. Assuming they arrive on time.” Hannah nodded toward one of the docking hatches as the light turned green and the door started to open. “That might be their shuttle.”

Lt Asimina, SFAMO

As the doors locked open, a shuttle appeared in the distance. As it slid through the force field and settled on the deck, Jason took a deep breath. He looked at Hannah and signed My mom can be… intense. Just be yourself, and you will be fine. I love you, Hannah. and he turned and faced the hatch of the shuttle as it opened.

I love you, too. Hannah kissed his cheek. It will be fine. She wasn’t sure if she was reassuring him or herself. Either way it would be what it was.

The first figure through the door was an older version of Jason with silver hair and a huge grin. Michael Reilly ran forwards towards Jason, arms outstretched… and then turned at the last second and wrapped Hannah up in a huge but gentle bear hug; leaving Jason standing there with his arms open. “I am so so so so happy to meet you, Hannah!” he said. Jason shook his head and dropped his arms with a chuckle. His father looked past Hannah and said “I’ve met you before. Old hat at this point.” and both Reilly men laughed.

Hannah hugged him enthusiastically. She didn’t laugh, but her eyes danced with amusement. At least right now, his father was exactly as he seemed over the comms. “I’m very happy to meet you too, Mr. Reilly,” she said in her thick enunciation.

“Enough. Michael, release your son’s fiance.” a stern voice said form the shuttle’s doorway. Stepping out was a tall and lean but fit looking woman. Her face was sharp angles, but there was an intense beauty about her. She carried herself with all the poise and self-assurance a Star Fleet Captain (even a retired one) could muster. Michael squeezed Hannah tighter and said “Get your own son’s fiance.” Jason walked over and gave his mother a hug. “Hey Mom…” he said and she smiled and hugged him back. “Its good to see you… Deputy Director.” Jason grinned and said “Good to see you too, Captain.” and he chuckled. The moved apart and Michael finally let go of Hannah. Heather Reilly walked over to Hannah and gave her a very obvious up and down look before before extending her hand. “Lieutenant Asimina. A pleasure. I have heard good things about you.”

Hannah thought his dad was trying to give her courage with that last squeeze. She smiled as she was released and looked at his mother. She’d met the type, even if she hadn’t been told, she would know Heather Reilly had been a Star Fleet captain. They all had the same walk to varying degrees. She met the woman’s gaze with her own, amusement shining in her eyes. Hannah loved life, even the hard parts. She shook the woman’s hand confidently, but not aggressively. “Please, it’s Hannah, Captain Reilly. I’m not on duty again until tomorrow.” She knew she’d heard good things from Jason, but she was curious where else the woman got her information from. Not that it mattered. Hannah had nothing to be ashamed of, and an outstanding career.

Michael, standing behind Heather, looked at Jason and rolled his eyes. Heather said “I heard that, Michael.” Jason chuckled and moved to Hannah’s side. “Well as you kind of took care of the introductions, shall we go? Your things will be brought to the apartment. You and Hannah’s parents places to stay in the building.”

Reilly- Deputy Director, CIA

Her hand tangled with his, it was instinct and habit. Jason always held her hand, and she wasn’t afraid to be affectionate in front of people. “We came up in the shuttle, but if you prefer to not get in a cramped space again, we can take the transporter. There will be a line though.”

Lt Asimina, SFAMO

“We don’t mind another shuttle ride.” Michael said. Jason nodded and led them to the shuttle that brought him and Hannah, and soon they were off the Platform and heading to the planet. As they entered the atmosphere and the city came into view, Heather and Michael looked out the front window. Michael smiled and said “This is much… more… than I thought.” Heather nodded in agreement and then looked at Jason. “And your agency handles all of this alone?” Jason shook his head. “Nope. No shop talk. We are here for family, not business.” Heather started to talk and Michael said “He said No, D. Let it go.” She took a breath and looked at Hannah. “I’m sorry. Bad habits.”

Reilly- Deputy Director, CIA

Hannah lifted a shoulder and shook her head, “It’s alright. We can have work take over from time to time. Just ask Jason about the time he grabbed a hot dish from the oven, and my reaction.” She grinned at Jason as the shuttle banked around the city. “Is there anywhere in particular you’d like to see while you’re here?” she asked them both.

Lt Asimina, SFAMO

“Shows what she knows.” Jason said with a grin form the pilot’s chair. “I did that on purpose. I mean, who wouldn’t take every chance to play doctor with the most beautiful woman in this or any other world? So what if a couple of second degree burns was the price of admission.” Jason’s father laughed. “Its too late, D… he’s gone. There’s no saving him now.”

Hannah almost laughed at the absurdity of it. “That’s also why you got a very long lecture about kitchen and burn safety, and almost got primitive first aid rather than modern medicine.” She sighed theatrically with a slight grin, “Unfortunately, my oath prevents me from taking such measures unless there is no other choice. And we had a portable burn unit.”

Captain Reilly even grinned at the sentiment from her son. “Oh well… I guess we are empty-nesters in every way, now.” She looked at Hannah. “I must say, you must be very special. Jason usually relies on his wit and charm to lure women to their inevitable doom. The fact he is sacrificing his own flesh is a testament.” and she laughed. Michael caught Hanna’s eye and signed She really isn’t so bad once she gets to know you! Promise! and he grinned at her.

Reilly- Deputy Director, CIA

Her fingers touched her chin and moved outward towards his mother. Thank you. “Thank you, Captain Reilly. Though I can’t say I’m impervious to his wit and charm. Those are hardly the best things about Jason.” She met his father’s gaze and nodded slightly. Aware that his mother didn’t know much sign at all, she refrained from replying. Though she was curious how Jason and his father were fluent and his mother wasn’t aware of that fact.

Lt Asimina, SFAMO

An eyebrow cocked up on the Captain’s face and she said “Oh really? So tell me what you feel are the best things about him?” Jason turned and looked at his mother. “Knock it off, Mom. You don’t get to interrogate the woman I am going to marry. Besides, I’m sure you already ran a full background check and probably have a spy on her parent’s ship.” Michael looked at Hannah and grinned. He’s probably not wrong, actually. he signed and then laughed out loud.

Reilly- Deputy Director, CIA

Hannah smiled keeping her amused expression in place, but she didn’t find it amusing. Her father was savvy, maybe not like Jason or his mother, but if he ever found out Captain Reilly was using her connections to spy on them, that she and Jason were involved in intelligence… Well her father wouldn’t take it well. Daniel had caused a severe hatred and prejudice in her father for anyone associated with that line of work. She couldn’t even blame her father. Hannah had been on the periphery of that world by choice, but her parents were as far from it as a person could get. Her fingers touched Jason’s arm lightly. She didn’t mind the questions. She opened up the topic after all. She turned her steady gaze on his mother. “His compassion, his sense of humor, and most importantly his ability to control a situation without resorting to aggression, even if it’s called for.” The encounter with Daniel had proved that. Daniel had been looking for a fight, and Jason had never raised his voice, never made threats, even when Daniel did.

Lt Asimina, SFAMO

“Well, he comes from a long line of diplomats.” Heather said. “And spies.” Michael said with a grin and Heather flashed him a look and he just laughed. “Pull the stick out, D. She’s family. Besides…” and he looked at Jason, “… I’m sure Jason has already told her most of the family secrets.” Jason shook his head and sighed. “Some, not all. I knew Mom would want to give Hannah the spiel once she pulls the stick out.” Michael’s eyes widened in surprise and a slow smile started to tug at the corners of his mouth. Heather took a deep breath and said “Commander Reilly-” and Jason laughed once and said “Nope, can’t play that card. I’m not a Commander anymore. Just a regular ol’ civilian.” and he grinned at her and then looked at Hannah. “But when she tries to play the rank card on you, tell her I did tell you about the time she was so intent on a report she was reading that she went in the wrong office and sat on the lap of the Command Admiral of Star Fleet Intel.” Heather’s faces went red and she said “You didn’t…” and she looked at Michael, the Jason, then Hannah…

And she started laughing.

“Okay okay okay… stick removed. I got it.” and she visibly relaxed. She looked at Hannah and said “Sorry. Sometimes I overdo it. And yeah, I did that. But did he tell you the Admiral asked me to dinner right after?” and she grinned.

Reilly- Deputy Director, CIA

Hannah wasn’t sure ‘over do’ was the right phrase, but it wasn’t her place or desire to have an opinion on it. She grinned though. “Of course he did.” She glanced at Jason and even managed to flush, “Doing embarrassing things before getting a date seems to be almost a right of passage. It’s how my best friend met her husband. And I was completely embarrassed when Jason caught what I signed about a higher ranking officer. I thought my silent vent of frustration was safely anonymous. Lucky me, it wasn’t or Jason probably wouldn’t have noticed me at all.”

Lt Asimina, SFAMO

Jason laughed and said “Little does she know I was already asking everyone around us who she was and if anyone knew her situation.” The shuttle slowed and began to drop down to the roof landing pad of the Sky Harbor Tower. Jason waited for his parents to exit and then offered Hannah his arm. “Follow us. We can have a drink and talk for a while before Hannah’s parents get here.” he said, and then led them to a turbolift that rose out of the platform. The lift tool them down to the Penthouse level and Jason walked with Hannah to the door. As the door opened, he kissed Hannah’s cheek and signed You make this place home, you know. and then looked at his parents. “Come in. Happy to have you.” and he gestured them inside.

Reilly- Deputy Director, CIA

Home is wherever we are together. And there was that sign again that expressed the very foundation of their relationship. Hannah squeezed his arm lovingly before letting go and heading for the kitchen and started making drinks. “What would you like? We have most anything. What we don’t have, we can get from the replicator.”

Lt Asimina, SFAMO

Jason smiled and said “I’ll give them a quick tour. Mom will have a martini and Dad will have a scotch on the rocks.” He smiled at his parents and said “Come on. Let me show you the place.” Over the next few minutes he showed them around the penthouse. He made a point to point out where Hannah had ‘decorated’; and framed it in such a way as to make his parents, even his mother, believe that Hannah had always had the place setup that way. He then led them out on the balcony to sit and look out over the city while he went inside to help Hannah with the drinks.

Reilly- Deputy Director, CIA

Hannah took a tumbler and dropped cubes of ice into it, and then unstoppered the bottle of GlenDronach 15 Revival Single Malt Whisky and poured it over the ice. She placed it next to Jason and her drinks. Then she took a martini glass and poured portions of Beefeater’s gin and Dolin dry vermouth into it. She stirred and looked at Jason as he walked over. “Olives or a twist for your mom?”

Jason went to the chiller and pulled a tall, narrow jar. “Blue cheese stuffed olives. Got them a few days ago. Two on a toothpick.” he said as he stabbed the two and dropped them in the glass. “Ready?” he asked and picked up drinks and started walking.

Picking up two of the glasses she followed him out onto the balcony to join his parents.

Lt Asimina, SFAMO

Jason handed drink out and then held Hanna’s for her while she sat, taking a seat next to her. He smiled at his parents and said “Well? What do you think?” Michael smiled and said “This place is amazing, Jason. You have really done well for yourself.” Jason chuckled and said “Actually, Hannah found it. When I ran into her again not far from here, I asked her to go apartment hunting with me. And this is what she found.” Heather smiled and said “Well done, Hannah. This place is absolutely beautiful. And you have a done a great job making look like a home instead of a man-cave.” and she laughed.

Reilly- Deputy Director, CIA

Her hand laced with Jason’s after he sat down. Her other hand was occupied by her drink, so it kept her hands still. Hannah grinned, eyes laughing. “Oh, I didn’t do much. I read the sign they had put out. Jason did all the heavy lifting. The agent wasn’t going to show me any apartments. I wasn’t dressed to her standards.” Hannah really hadn’t been that day. Faded jeans, a old worn graphic t-shirt, and a cardigan. She had been cold and not feeling well because… the glass stopped half way to her mouth at the sudden stab of grief. She hadn’t been feeling well because of the baby, their baby that was gone now. Her eyes closed briefly, and she squeezed Jason’s hand before taking a sip.

The smile returned to her face, despite a sad shadow in her eye. That had been a great day. “So, Jason put her in her place by buying the most expensive property. He picked most everything, but out here is all me,” she nodded her head to indicate the balcony and furnishings.

Lt Asimina, SFAMO

Bump

Michael looked at Hannah and signed You have made my son very happy. Thank you. Heather looked at him and said “Now stop that! You both know I never learned Sign Language.” Jason chuckled and said “That’s the point, Mother.” and he smiled at his father and they both chuckled. Heather tried to suppress a smile and looked at Hannah. “I may ask you for some assistance in that arena, Hannah. Maybe we could have a ‘get to know you’ Sign lesson…” and she glanced at Jason and the Michael, “… or six.”

Reilly, DD-CIA

Hannah smiled as she looked at Jason and then at his father. It was quite a mutual happiness. Hannah nudged Jason with her elbow. “I would be delighted, Mrs. Reilly. He signed that I have made Jason happy and thanked me. I’ll be sure to use my.voice until you get the hang of it.” Hannah remembered how frustrating and isolating it could be when she was young and couldn’t lip read, before she got her implants. “Just let me know when you would like to start.”

Lt Asimina, SFAMO

Heather smiled and said “How about now? You can show me how to say ‘Go soak your heads’.” and she laughed. “And it’s Heather to you, my dear. Unless I am in uniform.” and Michael interjected immediately and said “In which case it is Captain Hard-Ass!” and Jason and Michael started laughing again while Heather glared at them with a hint of amusement.

Reilly- Deputy Director, CIA

Hannah grinned, “Try this. It doesn’t translate exactly, but it gets the point across.” Hannah did it slowly, making each sign clearly, and explaining how the signs represented the concepts and correcting hand shape. She looked at Michael and Jason with a smirk, “However, I will not translate, Captain Hard-Ass.”

Lt Asimina, SFAMO

Both Reilly me looked at each other and then, in perfect unison, signed that very thing. Heather glared for a moment and then repeated the gestures that Hannah had shown her. Both men laughed and then they settled back in their seats and picked up their glasses. Heather looked at Hannah and said “When do your parents arrive, Hannah? I am very excited to meet them.”

Reilly- Deputy Director, CIA

Hannah signed something else for Heather to repeat. I know where you sleep. “When my father was being particularly mischievous, is how my mother put it, she would tell him that. It never made him contrite.” Hannah grinned, “It only made him worse, or so my mother claims.”

She looked at her chronometer, “Not for another two hours. They are looking forward to this visit. They haven’t left Catawba since I was a child.”

Lt Asimina, SFAMO