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 Lieutenant Hannah Lori Asimina (Asst. Chief Medical Officer) in How I Met Your Mother, Part II
Posted by… suppressed (16) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(Snip)
Nope, I’ve got this. You just make sure everything else is ready. Jason has vanished her from the kitchen since the morning, but now he began setting glasses on a large tray before picking it up and carrying it into the living room. On it was two glasses of whiskey, two glasses of port for his parents, a pineapple / mango / coconut drink for Hannah and a beer for himself. But it was what the drinks surrounded that was truly impressive.

Everything was ready. Hannah had nervously checked and arranged the living room multiple times in the last day. However, she did it again - fluffing pillows, folding already folded blankets, fidling with the shading on the large windows. She turned when when Jason came over with the tray.

A charcuterie board with all different meats, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and breads was laid out in such a way as to look like the three planets of the couples that were there. Jason looked at Hannah and grinned. What do you think? Too much? and he laughed.

Reilly- Deputy Director, CIA

She grinned looking at the intricate board. Maybe, but you wouldn’t be you otherwise. When Jason did something, he put 200% into it. Hannah adored that about him. The effort he put into the over the top design eased some of her excited nervousness. It’s a shame to eat it.

Lt Asimina, SFAMO

The door chimed and Hannah went to answer it. Lyla and Tahoma stood in the door way. Hannah smiled and let them in before hugging them both tightly. A lot of back and forth signing went on. Hannah led them over to the living area and handed them their drinks.

Tahoma walked over to the large floor to ceiling windows and looked out. He turned to look at Jason. Has she tried repelling off the balcony yet?

Dad! Hannah signed sharply knowing where the question was headed.

Lyla smirked and sipped her drink. Hannah was saved by the door again. She made her way to the door, Behave, Dad.

Heather and Michael were right in time. She got another hug from Michael and a polite smile from Heather. As they entered the living area Lyla was signing with Jason, complementing their home.

“Mom, Dad, these are Jasin’s parents.” Her voice sounded in the room. “Heather and Michael Riley. Heather, Michael, these are my parents Lyla and Tahoma.”

Her parents set down their drinks and came over to greet them. There was all the normal awkward chit chat until her father finally got back on track. “I eas just asking Jason if Hannah had tried to repel down the side of the building yet.”

Hannah shook her head and picked up her drink. She supposed she couldn’t blame her dad. It was the first time he had the chance to tell embarrassing stories about her.

“Watch out for that. She has no sense of danger. When she was five she decided she wanted to follow me on one of my patrols. Well, I had already left. What you need to know is our complex on Catawba is a floating city.” He paused to take a sip of his drunk, eyes dancing at his daughter. “She took some spare climbing gear and went out an access hatch. Thr problem was the rope wasn’t nearly long enough. We found her dangling 60 meters from the hatch. Secure in her harness and just hanging out.”

Lyla shook her head, “Took 20 years off my life.” Tahoma grunted, “Then there was…”

“Dad we’re going to be late.” Hannah interupted, “Jason made dinner reservations for us. Stories have to wait.”

Lt Asimina, SFAMO

Bump

Bump

“I can hardly wait.” Michael said with a grin. “We can trade back and forth. Oh, remind me to tell you about when Michael convinced three Star Fleet officers he was an Admiral and got a tour of a classified lab when he was fifteen.” Heather sighed heavily. “That was the first time I had ever met a Federation Senator.” Jason looked at Hannah and grinned. “What can I say? I can be very convincing.”

Reilly- Deputy Director, CIA

Hannah’s eyes widened in mock surprise, “Really? I had no idea. You are so quiet and unassuming.” Hannah managed that with a straight face. She folded her hand into Jason’s and moved toward the door and then the lift. This time they went down to the lobby. Outside the slider Jason had ordered was waiting to take them to The Wilde Fork for dinner.

Lt Asimina, SFAMO

Jason waited for everyone to get in before entering himself. He nodded to the driver. “Hey, Krijek. How’s the family?” The Bolian including bed his head and said “Very good, sir. I will send them your regards.” Jason smiled and then slid up the privacy window ass the slider began to move. He looked at the group and said “Okay all. So a few things before we get to the restaurant. There will be photographers and vid cams all over when we get out. Not sure any of us warrant the full paparazzi treatment, but there is no telling who we might bump into. So just be aware. Dad, no picking your nose.” Michael chuckled and said “No promises, boy-o.” and Jason laughed.

Reilly- Deputy Director, CIA

Lyla laughed, “We must keep our children on their toes. She tugged the sleeves of her dress. Tahoma leaned over, putting an arm over her shoulders. “Stop. You look lovely, my bride.” Lyla’s cheeks flushed slightly. But she relaxed.

Tahoma looked at Michael, “Hannah told me you ate both retired. Is it really as good as people claim?”

“Tell him it is,” Lyla said. “He thinks it will be pure boredom.”

Lt Asimina, SFAMO

Michael chuckled. ” Well I am a fan, for sure. My beautiful bride, on the other hand…” and he glanced at Heather who gave him a playful glare in return. “Retirement has its good points and bad points.” she said flatly. She then looked at Tahoma and said ” For those of us who really enjoy our work, it is a definite adjustment. That being said, I would have to say the time I get to spend with my husband now usually makes up for any sense of loss of the job. Except when he is being a smartass.” Jason grinned. ” Which is always.” and all the Rileys laughed and smiled at each other.

Reilly- Deputy Director, CIA

Tahoma and Lyla grinned, recognizing good natured teasing and love when they saw it. “Well, maybe,” Tahoma mused, “in a couple of years.” Lyla sighed, “Stubborn.”

Hannah just grinned and shook her head. “I know what it is. Dad doesn’t want to leave his home.” Tahoma shrugged and signed as he spoke. “Memories Hannah.” She shook her head, “Memories can be made in knew places. They live here ” she tapped her head, “not in a place. Didn’t you tell me that?”

Tahoma crossed his arms over his chest and gave his most ferocious stare, “You are not supposed to use my words against me.” Hannah’s face lit up with silent laughter. It worked out great for me. Hannah slipped her hand into Jason’s. Love you, Daddy.

Lt Asimina, SFAMO

“She’s right, you know.” Jason said. “Memories are reminders, not achievements. And if you did choose to retire, it doesn’t have to mean ending your work and driving your wife crazy puttering around the house like my mother does to my Dad.” Heather gave Jason a look of indignant shock and then grinned slightly. Michael said “It’s true. I sometimes break things on purpose just to give her something to coordinate repairs for.” and they both chuckled. Jason smiled and then looked back at Tahoma. “I happen to know that the university here is always looking for professors to expand their offerings. And I’m pretty sure you might find the terraforming efforts here interesting. I even heard a rumor that the new Conservation Director has found a way to grow full grown trees in a matter of months instead of decades.”

Reilly- Deputy Director, CIA

Tahoma sat up and leaned slightly forward in interest. “Really? I don’t suppose he’s one of those people who like to brag about his work or enjoys sharing? That’s incredible. And on a barren planet like this? I would love to talk to him or the terraforming team. The work being done here is fascinating. I’m sure I could bring some of that back to Catawba.” Lyla sighed and rolled her eyes. They hadn’t been there 5 hours yet and he was working again.

Jason gave Lyla a surreptitious wink and then smiled as Tahoma began the (fully expected and not-at-all-completely-anticipated) line of questioning.

Tahoma spent the rest of the ride trying to pull information out of Jason about the work being done on Oed.

Lt Asimina, SFAMO

Jason responded by dolling out just enough information to keep the man engaged and intrigued; but not enough to actually explain anything significant. It wasn’t malicious on Jason’s part, simply a way to help Tahoma feel more at ease in the environment they were about to enter… which was far removed from Catawba. Heather watched the exchange with a proud but slight smile on her face. She leaned in to Hanna and whispered very softly, just enough her aids could pick it up, “He really is incredibly good, isn’t he?” she said; knowing that Hannah would most likely know what her fiance was up to.

Reilly- Deputy Director, CIA

Hannah knew exactly what Jason was doing, and she was grateful. Her mother was equally curious about the topic and enjoyed listening. She let Tahoma do most of the talking. She teased him about his work, but she loved the passion in him for it. Hannah winked at Heather and nodded. Her voice would never come out clearly dropped to a whisper. Watching Jason subtly lead the conversation was like watching an artist paint. By the time he was done, Hannah was certain her father would be ready to move and start his career over here on Oed, just to be part of the work.

It wasn’t long before the slider was slowing its approach to The Wild Fork. The crowd was thick with on lookers, media, cameras, and drones.

Lt Asimina, SFAMO

As the slider came to a stop, the privacy screen came down and Krijek, the driver, said “Sir, we have arrived. Do you wish for recording to be halted?” Jason shook his head and said “Naw, doubt they’ll want any pics of us anyways. Well… Hannah, probably. She is certainly beautiful enough to warrant the attention.” He smiled at her and then opened the door. As he did, vid drones and flashes came alive… only to slow and eventually stop as the paparazzi and on-lookers didn’t recognize the man who exited. Jason held his hand out to help Lyla and then his mother out. He then waited until Michael and Tahoma exited before reaching in for Hannah. Turn off your aides. It’ll get loud, I think. he signed with a wink.

Reilly- Deputy Director, CIA

Lyla smiled at Jason. “Thank you,” and she stepped past. She turned to Heather. “Jason is wonderful. I’ve never seen Hannah this happy.”

Hannah took Jason’s hand, reaching up to turn off her aids before stepping out of the slider. She slipped her hand onto Jason’s arm and looked around. Wow, Oed’s most elite were there and all the most annoying paparazzi. It was certainly not the type of chaos she was familiar with. Her father took her mother’s arm and followed them toward the doors.

Lt Asimina, SFAMO

Jason led the group towards the door. As they walked, vid drones and handheld cameras focused on the six people. There was some mumbling- Who is that? Hey, you know her? I think that guy is some kinda businessman or something. As the got to the middle of the walkway, a voice rose over the others. “Hey, what the hell? Something’s screwing with my vid! Picture is all fuzzy and crap.” A few others joined in, and soon it was more than a few. As Jason and the others reached the door, he looked at Hannah and grinned.

Hannah squeezed his arm and grinned at him. She realized immediately what he had done. Sneaky. She leaned her head on his shoulder for just a brief moment while they walked.

The Wild Fork was on the top of the building, but it’s presence extended to the ground floor. Here the group approached a large reception desk flanked by four armed guards, two on each side. Jason ignored them and simply looked at the Risian receptionist and said “Good evening. Reilly. Party of six. We have a table reserved.” The receptionist smiled and tapped her console. As she did, Jason signed to Hannah You can turn them back on now. The receptionist smiled and said “Why yes, Mr Reilly. We have your table prepared. Please take the express elevator to the top and the Maitre D’ will seat you.” Jason smiled and returning and offered his arm to Hannah.

She reached up and quietly turned her aids back on. Her mother gave her a concerned look. “Still having trouble?” Hannah nodded, “Some times. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to the larger crowds and all those signals make it hard to focus as well.” Lyla nodded and gave Hannah a warm tight side hug. Hannah slipped her hand back onto Jason’s arm as he returned. Tahoma watched, expression stoic, but Hannah knew her father well enough to know he liked what he saw in Jason.

Jason let them to the elevator. With a door opened, it was obvious that the outside of the elevator was see-through. How’s everyone stepped inside in the door closed, the elevator began rising along the exterior of the building, offering the occupants a full unobstructed view of the entirety of the capital city of OED V.

Reilly- Deputy Director, CIA

Lyla stepped up to the window and gazed at the city spread before them. “Oh wow. It looks so different from up here. You can see the beauty of the architecture from up here, the planned layout.” Tahoma grunted. “Oh hush. Architecture is still art, even if it isn’t art you like,” Lyla said poking him in the stomach.

Lt Asimina, SFAMO

Bump