Together again

Posted on Mon May 10th, 2021 @ 5:52pm by Staff Sergeant Leilani Charles {Kelea-Salik} & Captain George Charles [Reece]

Mission: Season 5: Episode 2: Operation Save Humanity
Location: Various
Timeline: MD2 1210 hrs
4043 words - 8.1 OF Standard Post Measure

{ON}

With lunchtime having arrived Leilani had mentally requested George to meet her for lunch, their connection was still fresh so just hoped he had gotten her telepathic message. Sitting at a table in the mess hall she sat excitedly waiting for George to arrive.

A few moments later, George entered the mess hall. He was wearing his flight suit and carrying his helmet in his right hand. Looking across the room, his features lit up when he saw the woman he loved. Be right with, Imzadi. Gonna grab something to eat. Do you want anything? While he still needed much more control over his abilities, for now at least, his mental communications with Leilani were becoming much quieter and comfortable.

Leilani smiled the biggest smile yet Yes, please. Surprise me! she sat eyes firmly fixed on George almost as though she expected him to vanish if she looked the other way.

George kept smiling as he moved to the nearest replicator. A few minutes later, he moved to the table, balancing his helmet and a tray in both hands. "Hi!" His eyes sparkled as he greeted his Imzadi. After placing the covered tray on the table and his helmet on one of the three empty seats at the table, he leaned down and kissed Leilani with just the right amount of passion as was normally accepted in public. Though he transmitted to her that he wanted so much more.

Leilani mirrored his feelings, she couldn’t wait to share another night with George, and she let it reflect in what she sent him. As the kiss broke she smiled warmly. “You look so handsome in your flying suit. Are you allowed to take out passengers?”

His smile changing to a cringe, he replied. "I'm sorry, honey. It's against regs." He seemed to shrink away from not being able to do this for Leilani, when he suddenly had an idea. "However, there's nothing in the regs that says I can't do the same thing in a training program on the holodeck! We remove the safety parameters to simulate a real world environment." He leaned over the side of the table, making a show of looking her up and down. "Buuut, if you ask nicely, I could get you your own flightsuit made up, complete with my unit patch. I’d even give you a callsign."

“Mmmm really?” Leilani smiled. “How could I refuse that one? You do know how handsome you look in that flightsuit don’t you? I’m an extremely lucky woman.” She smiled before looking at the tray. “So what did you bring me?”

Reaching out to take hold of her hands in his, he communicated to her, I'm the lucky one, Imzadi. Then, smiling, he let go of her hands, grabbed the lid handle and pulled the lid clear, revealing two plates, each with a cheeseburger, finished with ketchup, mustard and dill pickle chips, a side of sweet potato fries and a starberry milkshake. "This was the first meal I had, in the Constable's station, after I took Emily from the foster home. This became my favorite meal. I would eat it when I was sad and it would help me."

“Ohhh Wow!” Leilani’s eye’s grew wide at the sight of the delicious food in-front of her. “You are truly the man who holds my heart!” She pulled her plate over eagerly sipping her milkshake, before picking up a chip and eating it. “Mmmmm delicious! Thank you!” She paused her smile fading as what he said sank in. “I’m sorry, I want you to tell me everything that happened to you, and to Emily.”

George gave her a sad smile. He knew it would come up, sooner or later. "Tonight, when we're alone, my quarters this time." It’s worse than you can see in my mind, Imzadi. Trust me. "But, for now, lets eat!" His smile came back as he banished the evil memories. As he picked up his burger, he said, "I have to go fly a training sortee after lunch. Maybe, if you find yourself by a porthole on the starboard side of the ship, when we drop out of warp at the next waypoint, the Captain is having us run drill after drill after drill." I wish Captain Lalor was still here. She's a damn polar opposite to the woman currently topside.

Lani offered a smile as she held onto George’s hand for a little longer before letting him have his hand back to eat. No matter what you have to tell me, it won’t change how I feel for you Imzadi. She tucked happily into her cheeseburger savouring every bite.

Feeling reassured by her words and the love behind them, George nodded once and then dug into his lunch. Though he desoerately wanted to just take Leilani up in his arms, carry her to his starfighter and fly far far away, he knew that was just a fantasy. Besides, being with her, here in reality, would be so much more fulfilling.

A short time late, when their lunches were finished, Leilani and George walked hand in hand down to the flight deck. As it was part of Marine County, no one looked at the two of them twice, what with them both being Marines and he was a combat Starfighter ace, as he had killed six drones during the rescue mission over Quell'ish. When they reached the observation station, he first pointed out his Valkyrie. "Tail number 6-7-9, see it?"

“That’s yours?” She smiled as she looked towards the Valkyrie then back at George. “Promise me something?” That no matter what you’ll always come back to me?”

George smiled when he saw the awe in Leilani's eyes. Then his smile faltered slightly when she asked her question. Leading her to a more private area of the launch bay, he turned to face her, pulling her close to him. Imzadi,his thoughts were quiet. Because of the nature of my job, that's one thing I can't promise you. But, what I will do is, I promise to do what I do to the best of my ability, so that I can cone back to to you.

Leilani’s eyes filled with emotional tears, she knew George was right not to promise her. I can’t lose you! Not now that I’ve just found you. I don’t know what I’d do without you! She lay her head on his chest holding him close before she leaned back, and looked into his eyes. Imzadi, will you marry me? I want to always be at your side.

George slowly sent what comforting thoughts and feelings that he had to Leilani in a effort to sooth her.I know, my love. And I know that I'd be lost and and empty shell without you! He held her close when she laid her head against his chest. Suddenly, he felt a swell of excitement rise up in her. When she move to look him in tbe eye, then ask him to marry her, his answer was immediate.

"YES!!" Then, when he realized that he had actually shouted the answer, he pulled her to him and kissed her deeply. Yes! he communicated in a quieter, yet happier thought to her as they continued to kiss.

Lani’s emotions were a flood of love, happiness, and excitement. She was going to be married to a man who’d won her heart in a very short space of time. She kissed him passionately before letting him go so as not to get carried away. “Mrs Charles, it has a nice ring to it doesn’t it?”

George smiled so bright, a supernova would be put to shame. He held Leilani so close, a passerby might not know where he ended and she began. "It sounds perfecr to me, Imzadi!" He whispered into her hair.

Lani smiled the biggest smile yet. "So I guess the question is when?"

"Well," he said, relaxing his hold slightly to allow him to look in her face. "While I would say right now, because I have zero doubts that I want to spend the rsst of my life with you, what are your thoughts? I mean," he sighed softly. "How would you dream our wedding would go?"

Lani smiled, “There’s an ideal setting amongst my programs on the holodeck, and right now sounds ideal to me!” She looked into his eyes letting him know how serious she was.

The smile that filled George’s face was the biggest he had ever had. He quickly nodded and released his embrace, taking hold of her right hand with his left. The pair then started to move towards the exit. As they did, George caught sight of his REO, Second Lieutenant Slarth. "Tink!" He called out, waving the diminutive female Ferengi over. As she approached he turned his eyes to Leilani. "We should have a witness, and as you're marrying a fighter pilot, you should get to know his teammate.

Leilani nodded and happily followed her husband-to-be offering a warm smile to the Ferengi female as she came their way.

Slarth, hearing George’s call, turned and smiled. She then moved towards the pair. She could see the smiles on the two and wondered what was going on, glad to see her new friend looking happy. "Hey, Demon!" She called as he trio reached other. "Our girl is all fueled and ready to go."

"Slarth," George replied happily. "I want to introduce you to someone very important to me. This is Sergeant Leilani Rahl, our new medic and the ships archeologist/anthropologist." He turned his face to Leilani, "Lani, this is my REO, or Rear Equipment Operator, Second Lieutenant Slarth, callsign Tink. She keeps our bird in one piece while I fly us through hell and kill the enemy."

Tink rolled her eyes playfully. "Really? That's all we do? And here I thought I was there to just sit back and look pretty." She struck a fashion pose. Then started to laugh. Extending her right hand to Leilani, she said, "Its a pleasure to meet you."

Leilani shook Slarth's hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you Slarth. I'm glad George has someone to keep him safe out there!" She smiled warmly.

"The pleasure is all mine!" Slarth replied excitedly. She then leaned in and whispered conspirtorially to Leilani, "He is a handful sometimes but, I will always have his back." Straightening back up, she asked, "So, what's going on? You two look extremely happy for some reason."

Leilani looked at George motioning for him to tell his friend the good news.

George smiled down into Leilani's deep, beuatiful eyes, then over at Slarth. He was so happy, he was about to pop. "We're getting married, right now! And, if you want to, we'd really love it if you would stand as witness for the ceremony?"

The sudden news suprised the Ferengi. However, seeing just how happy both her friend and his bride-to-be were, she did the only thing she how to do. "It would be my honor," she replied honestly. "Where is the ceremony taking place? And, will we have to take off our clothing?"

Leilani gave George a somewhat wide eyed look, then looked back at Slarth. “Well tradition says yes, but to be honest I’ve never been one for tradition. I’m happy to have a clothes on ceremony.” She looked back at George. “Unless you want it traditional?”

George looked at Leilani. "I don't know. I think...a clothes on ceremony." Then telepathically, I'm ashamed to say that I don't know anything of our people or culture or even what Betazed looks like. I only know what I read in the Academy. I'm sorry if that disappoints you, Imzadi.

Leilani gave George an understanding look. “That’s fine by me!” She squeezed his hand, You could never disappoint me Imzadi. "I have a holodeck program of my favourite place on Betazed, a beautiful glen that looks out over the sea. It’s part of my family’s estate, it would be perfect for the ceremony.”

George's smile warmed brighter, hearing his beloved reassure him. He really foes not know what he did right to deserve such a beautiful, loving, smart, strong woman. Nodding, he replied. "That sounds perfect to me!"

"Well then," Slarth practically squealed in excitement. "Let's get you two bonded!" She hooked her arms through each of theirs and started towards the exit. "We can use Holodeck Three! It's right down the corridor!"

“Wait!” Leilani looked at George and Slarth. “I need my dress! I have a dress that would be perfect, it’s in my quarters hanging in my wardrobe. You two go on ahead, I’ll be back as quick as a flash!”

George and Slarth were only momentarily halted. Then, Slarth interjected, "Well, alrighty then!" She leaned towards Leilani. "What's the program name? Ill get it set up, get this guy in a proper suit and then signal you when we are there, so you can make a proper entrance."

Leilani nodded. “It’s just listed as Lani Betazed 1” Leilani smiled before kissing George on the cheek and quickly disappearing to her quarters. The dress she had in mind was more of a long off the shoulder summer dress but at least it was an ivory shade of white.

After Leilani left, Slarth looked up at her friend. "Well, let's go, ya big lummox! There is no way in the Grand Neagus's wild dreams that I'm letting you get married to that lovely woman wearing that!" Tbe small Ferengi began shoving George out of the observation lounge.

"I'm going! I'm going!" George exclaimed, still feeling the warmth on his cheek where his bride-to-be had kissed him. The two fighter pilots quickly jogged to George's cabin.

"You jump in the shower!" Slarth barked. "I'll see what kind of a disaster I'm working with in your closet. But first," she moved over to George's desk and activated the terminal. "Computer, set an immediate reservation on Marine Holodeck Three, time duration, oh, two hours. Then, activate holdeck program Lani Betazed 1 and hold program until both Lieutenant Charles and myself arrive. Eta in," she looked back just in time to see George's gorgous backside enter his bathroom. She suddenly realized that she had been stretching her neck to see more, when the doors slid shut, snapping her from the trance she had fallen into. "Uh...um..thitry minutes from now. Autborization, Second Lieutenant Slarth, aith code, Delta-niner-seven-Alpha-Gamma."

There was a brief moment of silence, then the computer reued. "Holodeck reservation successful. Requested program activated and paused, awaiting your arrival."

Nodding to herself, Slarth turned and moved to Georges closet, the image of his backside still in her mind. Shaking her head, she said to herself, "Knock it off, you fool! He's your friend, not some humja massage boy that you can have your way with! Focus! Find a suit!"

In her Quarters Lani quickly jumped into the shower, she wanted to be clean and fresh to put on her dress for her wedding. A quick , and refreshing shower later she pulled out her dress laying it out on the bed ready to put on. She had to pinch herself just to be sure she wasn’t dreaming.

That ascertained she dressed before looking at herself in the mirror. Letting her hair fully down instead of on duty up she brushed it before taking another look. Putting on matching white high heels she finally looked ready and she couldn’t wait to get to the holodeck.

Once George was freshly scrubbed and properly attired, Slarth had ultimately just replicated a black suit with dark green pinstriping along the hem lines and a blood red stripe on the outer seam that ran down the side of his legs, a pair of mirror-shined dress shoes, a starched white shirt with a single baerata amethyst, a stone native to Betazed, where the top button was secured.

She had replicated a simple floral sundress, with pink close-toed heel and a wide-brimmed linen hat, the ribbon that ran around the base a striped mixture of tge colors thar George was wearing. "Well, for a Betazoid, you clean up pretty good," she clucked as she made sure that everything was as it should be. "You ready, Demon?" She asked with a toothy grin.

George smiled warmly at his friend. "I am Tink. Thank you for all of this. I mean it."

Waving her hands at his dismissively, Slarth turned and started towards the door. "Don't mention it. Georgie. We're a team, you and me. We look out for each other. Thats how it works. Now, move your ass, Marine, your bride is waiting for us to be in position!"

The pair quickly hustled out of his quarters and down the corridor to the designated holodeck. As the entered, the paused program began to play. The scene was beautiful. Lush green grass covered the the ground everwhere, there where trees filled with varioys types of flowees and colorful birds flew here and there. Off to the side, a clifff dropped off into the ocean below, tbe warm, salty air movi g up and over the cliff face, feeding the flora that had taken root here. Up in the sky, soft, pink clouds floated by slowly.

"Wow...." George gasped. He had no idea that the world of his birth was so beautiful. He was at a loss for how to describe it.

"Okay now, no tears." Slarth told him firmly as she sent the agreed signal to Leilani, stating that the groom was ready for his bride to make her entrance.

Receiving Slarth’s message Leilani arrived at the holodeck doors, pausing she took a deep breath before stepping inside. Her eyes immediately fell on George looking very handsome, and seriously sexy in his suit. She nodded to Slarth grateful for all her help.

When George heard the large holodeck doors open, he turned and, at first, his mouth dropped open at the vision that entered through the doorway. A smile of amazement quickly filled his entire face. His eyes moved over every inch of Leilani’s body and the gorgous dress that she had on. He had never been happier than he was in this instant. "Wow..." the one word was all he could get his overactive brain to put out.

Imzadi....you...you're....WOW!! Even his thoughts that he sent to Leilani were jumbled from the powerful mixture of positive emotions that were threatening to burst free of his person.

Leilani walked slowly over to her husband to be. “You don’t look so bad yourself!” She looked him up and down admiring his physique. Just you wait until later!

Suddenly, a hologram popped into view. It was an older Ferengi woman, dressed in the robes of a Starfleet JAG Judge. “Are we ready, Slarth?”

Slarth nodded happily. “Hi, Moogie!” She then turned to George and Leilani. “Since it was such short notice, I just put a call into my mother, who’s the JAG Judge over on Starbase Forty-Seven. She’s going it’s officiate your wedding.” She suddenly looked worried. “If that’s okay.”

George smiled warmly to his friend. “That’s wonderful, Tink! Thank you!” He then turned to the holographic representation of Slarth’s mother. “And thank you, Ma’am... I mean... Your Honor!”

Leilani looked equally shocked, she nodded her thanks to Slarth. “This is very kind of you your honour.”

The older woman smiled warmly to the two lovers. “Please, as you are part of my little Slarth’s family, you can call me Moogie, if you want, or just Dralta if you’re not comfortable. Both are fine by me.”

“Thank you for doing this...Moogie,” George replied, smiling.

Once that was done, Dralta turned more official. “Well, it seems that we are all here for the joining of these two lovely people. Marriage is a sacred bond, one that should never be entered into lightly or under false pretense. Are either of you doing so this day?”

George shook his head, “No, Your Honor.”

Lani shook her head, “No, your Honour”

Nodding her approval, Dralta continued. “As I was saying, Marriage is a sacred bond. One that is forged strong by the initial joining and then made stronger as time goes on by those that work at keeping their bond sacred on whole. Before I continue, is there anyone present who has proof that these two should not be joined?”

Silence, save for the sound of the birds singing and the waves crossing in the back ground.

“Very well,” Dralta stated. First Lieutenant George Charles, Sergeant Lielani Rhal, do you both agree to become husband and wife this day?”

“Yes!” George’s reply was full of excitement.

“Most definitely Yes!” Leilani smiled the biggest smile yet.

Nodding, Dralta continued. “Please face each other. Slarth, do you have the rings?”

Grinning broadly, Slarth nodded. “I do, Moogie!” She moved up to stand next to both George and Leilani. She raised her closed fists to waist high, turned them over and slowly uncurled her finger, revealing two gold bands. The one in her right hand was smaller and delicate. This she gave to George. The other, heavier and larger, she gave to Leilani. She thin let out an excited squeak befor moving back to the side.

“Now, Leilani Rahl, in so much as is true in your heart, do you take this man, George Charles, to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love and protect, be true and honest, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”

Lani looked into George’s eyes. “I do.”

Smiling, Dralta turned her attention to George. “George Charles, in so much as is true in your heart, do you take this woman, Leilani Rahl, to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love and protect, be true and honest, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”

George’s face was starting to ache from how hard hopes was smiling. However, it didn’t matter. There was no pain that could distract him from this one perfect moment. Looking deep into Leilani’s eyes, he said, “I do!”

Her smile growing, Dralta continued. “Then as you have both entered into this, honestly and willingly, by the powers invested in me by the United Federation of Planets Legal Council, I am very pleased to proclaim you, husband and wife! You may kiss your bride!”

George needed no incentive to do so, he was already pulling Leilani into his arms and kissing her deeply.

Leilani responded with a loving, edging on passionate, kiss of her own. As the kiss broke she looked into George’s eyes. “Hello Mr Charles.”

George’s eyes sparkled as he looked at his new wife, his new home. “Hello, Mrs Charles.” He then kissed her again.

“Well now,” Dralta said to Slarth. “Let’s leave these two alone, eh, daughter?”

“Yes, Moogie,” Slarth agreed happily. “Talk to you soon! Love you!”

“Love you too, my child.” The holographic image of Dralta suddenly vanished.

As Slarth moved away, she tapped her com badge. “Computer, site to site transport for Mister and Missus Charles to his quarters.”

A few seconds later, the happy couple where whisked away, leaving Slarth all alone in the idyllic setting. Sighing to herself, she called out, “Computer shut down program and store in Sergeant Leilani R....correction, Sergeant Leilani Charles’ personal folders.”

The program suddenly froze, then vanished, leaving Slarth in the large yellow-grid compartment. As she made her way to the opening exit, she removed her hat and muttered under her breath, “Always a groom’s maid, never a bride.”


***OFF***

1st Lieutenant George Charles
Senior Valkyrie Starfighter Pilot
USS Elysium
[NPC Tonelly]

&

Sergeant Leilani Charles (nee Rahl)
Combat Medic/A&A

&

2nd Lieutenant Slarth
Valkyrie Starfighter Pilot/REO
USS Elysium
[NPC Tonelly]