A Time to Relax

Posted on Sun Mar 27th, 2022 @ 3:36am by Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Holodeck
Timeline: After 'briefing the Bad Guys
3118 words - 6.2 OF Standard Post Measure

Gary was in holodeck, he and Lia needed some time alone and to just talk and reconnect. He looked over the scene and nodded in approval. It was home more precisely his ranch in Cheyenne. Complete with horses and a small pond stocked with fish and grassland and an oak tree to sit under and just relax. He tapped his combadge, " Gary to Lia. Got some free time? I need you come to the holodeck."

Sitting in her Office, Lia got Gary's message. She glanced at her old watch. *Jez is that the time, I need to go* she thought to herself. "Hawkins, tell S'hib he's got the con. I'm off duty as of now, but if he needs me just call." She nodded to Hawkins as she left, "Lia to Gary, just off to the tea house to change. Do I need to be dressed in a certain way? Or will any old thing do?" She continued her walk towards their cabin waiting for Gary's response, *I do hope he hasn't found my old Warrior Princess program again* she mused.

"Jeans, shirt boots or comfortable shoes unless ....you want to dress as the Warrior Princess." Gary answered struggling to keep from laughing. Not that Lia didn't make a truly beautiful warrior princess, it was just that one wasn't accustomed to seeing her dressed like that. Her sword in one hand and a shield in the other as she fought the Mongol hordes. "Oh," He added, "I've got dinner taken care of."

"Gary Taylor, your cruising for a bruising. I'll be there once I've changed, Lia out." She entered the tea room and slid the bedroom door across, she found a pair of jeans and blue checked shirt. She then pulled on a pair of socks and her Doc Martin boots, *That should do* she thought. Making her way to the holodeck she wondered what Gary had planed, and also he had dinner sorted. *Gary has been a busy boy* she mused, the holodeck doors appeared and she spoke to the computer. "Computer, open holodeck doors. Taylor, Lia."

Gary heard the holodeck doors slide open. He was at the corral looking at the horses. He turned as Lia came in. "Over here Lia!" He shouted as he waited for her to join him and he could show her the ranch, the home he had spent so many happy years growing up. He hoped Lia, came to love the recreation as much as he did the real ranch. Of course he also had a dinner to share with her.

Heading over towards Gary, Lia looked around the ranch. She reached the corral and spoke to Gary, "So is this a cowboy type holostory, or something a bit more personal?" Pointing to the house she continued, "That has a homely feel to it, in fact this whole place is the sort of home I could see you and Catlin having." Leaning over, she now kissed him.

Gary shook his head, "No cowboy story, not even sure there's a story to it. More like a place to go to for a break. He was silent for a moment before he spoke with quiet conviction. "This is your home now Lia. I want you to come love it as much as I do." He said before he brought her close and kissed her with a quiet passion. "I love you Lia Taylor." He finally said as the kiss ended.

"Wait, is this your place back on earth?" She took another look around the ranch, "It's a beautiful place Gary, I'll have to show you my home one day." Lia headed for the house, "Were you raised here? I can imagine you running around these fields as a kid."

Gary nodded a happy expression on his face. "This is my home, the ranch." He said proudly. "I was raised here and spent a wonderful childhood here. I roamed all over these fields and as I got older out into the hills and mountains. It was a wonderful experience." he finished a blissful smile on his face.

"I wonder what little Gary dreamed about while he ran about here? I bet it wasn't bringing some blonde Dorset girl back here from space." She stopped and waited for Gary to open the door, "It's your home Gary, so I'll wait until I'm invited in." Smiling Lia pointed at a swing hanging from a tree, "Yours I suppose?"

"Little Gary dreamed of being the sheriff and rounding up the cattle rustlers and bank robbers. bringing a girl home? Never entered Little Gary's head but if he knew then what I know now. You can bet he sure would have." He opened the door and stood aside, "Please come in Lia and welcome to the Taylor ranch."

Lia giggled, "Sheriff?? Not the Marshal? And rounding up cows? Do Sheriff's round up cows?" She entered the house and stopped to look at the decor, "It's a lovely place, your parents must have worked hard to make it so nice." Moving further in she glanced into the dining room, "Are we eating in there? It has a charm all of its own."

Gary chuckled, "Not cows. cattle rustlers." He corrected as he walked across the hardwood floors and the high vaulted ceilings with huge pine rafters. He walked over to the kitchen bay window and looked out and saw it. the cross in the back yard under the oak tree. He had forgotten about it until now and his head hung. "No." he said softly. "Have a special place for that."

Joining Gary, Lia now spotted the cross. "Is that where.....?" She didn't finish the question, somehow it didn't feel right. "Ok so where is this special place?" She turned and walked away, though her heart was breaking. She wanted to hold her husband close, he needed to be held that much she could see. Lia now stopped, turned and walked back to Gary. Upon reaching him she simply put her arms around his waist and hugged him close to her, "You still love her, don't you? And truth be told, you even miss her. Lucky I'm not the jealous type, do you want to talk about it?"

Gary gave her a lopsided smile. "I do still love Catlin and I do miss her. However I love you Lia, now and forever." He hugged her close and kissed her softly. "I'm glad you understand. You would have liked Catlin. You would have been great friends. She made everyone feel like they were her best friend. She just had that way about her, made you feel at ease. But do her wrong and she was as tough and as hard as steel. Now, come let me show you the rest of the place.

"Well I have been known to hold a grudge you know, and I'm not exactly a forgiving kind if you drop me in it." Lia followed Gary through the rest of the house, her mind went back to a little one room apartment she once lived in before she joined Star Fleet. That place she lived at was in Poole opposite a cafe, just off the harbour and not far from a pub. She remembered how she almost moved to Portland, but decided to join Star Fleet instead. She wondered what would have happened if she hadn't joined, "What's for lunch?" Lia had decided her memories were not the place to go right now, Gary needed her not her problems.

"You hold a grudge? Never." Gary teased as his face split into a radiant smile. "Oh, I believe you will like this. It's not Japanese but just as good." He said with a mysterious air. "I do hope you're hungry because there is plenty to eat." Gary finished as he led her out of the house and down to the pond where a table was already prepared with a tablecloth and glasses of tea, a basket of rolls. some potato salad, cole slaw, string beans, baked beans in molasses as well and finally some corn on the cob. Along with a plate of fried chicken. Gary looked at Lia, "If that isn't enough, there's this." He said as he showed her a side of beef on the BBQ."

"Are you feeding the 5000? We'll never finish all this, but that chicken sure looks good." Lia moved forwards and picked a piece of chicken up and took a bite, "Yep, it tastes as good as it looks. And I may raid those rolls." She picked up her tea and took a sip, "Mmm, nice. I could get used to this."

Gary smiled and shook his head, "No, just wanted to show you how much I love you Lia that's all. But you have to try the ribs, their fantastic." He threw an arm out, "This is your home now and I want you to feel comfortable here, you aren't an outsider. You are my wife."

A smile now appeared on Lia's face, "You don't need to show me anything, I believe in you and more importantly I trust you. We have each other and for now that's all we need, so you can relax and enjoy our life together." She picked up a rib and took a bite, "I agree they're good, but I'm more a chicken and pork type." She started to giggle, "Na scratch that, I'm a hopeless foodie."

Gary smiled, " Yes, I did because I just don't want you to feel like you are in the shadows. You aren't and we will enjoy our life together." He smiled and then chuckled as Lia bit a rib. "Well, there is plenty to choose from so take your pick Lia."

Putting down her food and wiping her hands, Lia now crossed to Gary. "This is a partnership, you and me. If I feel in the shadows I'll tell you, so until then husband dear. Stop trying so hard, or I'll think you've got another girl on the sly." She smiled and gave Gary a kiss, then wiped his mouth because she had grease on her lips. "Sorry about than, forgot to wipe me gob." Next Lia gave Gary a hug, "Now shall we indulge ourselves before reality comes calling?" She pointed to the food, and slowly walked back to the table.

Gary nodded, "Fair enough sweet wife of mine, we are a partnership and one that works very well. No other woman just you." He hugged her tightly, silently thanking the stars above for allowing this amazing woman not only into his life but becoming his wife. "Grab a plate and your tea, we're going to the swing." As he picked up a plate and put some ribs and baked beans along with a roll and some corn on the cob, then walked over to get a glass of tea.

"Swing?" Lia glanced at the food then placed some chicken and potato salad on it, then she took two rolls and her tea. Following Gary, she headed for the swing. "Are you sure you want to do this? I mean swing, food, tea and all."

Gary grinned at her. "Where's your sense of adventure Lia? Trust me it will be fine. You won't lose or spill anything." He assured her as they walked down to the swing underneath a huge oak tree. The pond in front of them. Upon reaching it Gary spoke, "This is the only swing in the world that has a lock on it. It won't swing until the lock is released." He saw the question in Lia's eyes. "My mom always had trouble getting into the swing, so dad fixed a lock to keep it in place until she could get herself seated."

"Getting in or on a swing isn't the problem, it's what happens once the damn thing does its little thing. I want to eat the food, not wear it as a fashion statement." Lia slowly got on the swing and waited to see what Gary would do next, "I think I could use a Sake right now."

"Don't worry, I won't release the lock." Gary assured her. "Then you can eat safely and not worry about wearing your food." Gary smiled at her, "When we're finished here, I want to take you to the stables, something I want you to see. As for Sake, not now, wait just a little bit longer."

Looking at Gary, Lia replied slowly. "Stables? Do I really need to ask why?" She glanced at the land around her, "You need a horse to round up those rustlers, right? So are we going to become the "Lone Ranger and Tonto"?"

Gary chuckled at her, "You ask too many questions. Eat and enjoy your food. Let this be a surprise. I just hope you like it." He finished as he took a bite of a rib.

"I'm in Security, asking questions is part of the job." She took a bite of her chicken and a mouthful of potato salad, she washed it down with her tea. "Yeah ok, I'll wait and see. Only lets fully enjoy this food, like I said before. Reality is bound to come calling soon, and I'm enjoying myself right now."

"I know it's part of the job Lia but for now, no questions and yes let's enjoy the food and peacefulness." Gary smiled, "I'm glad you are enjoying yourself, I am too."

Finishing her chicken, Lia glanced back to where the rest sat. But then she decided that enough was enough, drinking the last of her tea she looked at Gary. "So now I've finished eating, just what is this surprise you have lined up?" She had an rough idea, but Gary liked his little plans to go smoothly and it was just a shame his wife kept screwing them up.

Gary set his plate and tea to one side and stood up. He extended his hand for Lia to take. "Come with me and you will see." He said cryptically. As they headed to the stables. As they arrived, he turned to Lia, "I really hope you like this." Then they entered and Gary took her to the first stall, where a beautiful Palomino horse was inside, who nickered at him. "Hiya Vic." Gary replied as he pulled an apple out of a bag hanging on the front of the stall. "Lia, meet Vic. the best horse ever."

"Hello Vic, glad to meet you." She now pulled another apple from the bag and held it out for the horse, "Nice markings and his nature appears to be amiable, where did you find him?"

Vic took the apple from Lia eagerly and chewed on it. " I got Vic a few years ago as a colt and I found him out on the prairie, brought him home and we've been together ever since. I'm glad you like him because...." Gary had moved to the next stall over where another horse was inside, " This one, well she's yours Lia."

Inside the stall stood a white mare, but her tail and mane was a dusty brown. "So what's her name?" Lia moved further into the stall, running her hand down the flanks so the mare knew where she was. "Hey there beautiful, want an apple?" She held out her hand with yet another apple in it, the mare sniffed then took the apple.

"Her official name is Lia's Angel, but I call her Angel." Gary replied his eyes on Lia and her reaction to both the horse and name and hoping he hadn't screwed up by naming the horse Angel.

"Angel, so your name is Angel." Lia moved towards the horses head, and gently scratched it's forehead. "Well it's nice to know we have something in common, so lets get friendly shall we Angel." She looked at Gary, "I know why the name was picked, but the colour? What made you pick this colour?"

"Because it's not a color normally seen in horses, and I wanted something that was as beautiful and unique as it's owner. I think I succeeded. What do you think?"

Lia walked back to Gary, leaning forward she kissed him. "I think she's beautiful, but she belongs in a field not cooped up in a stall." Taking a short halter, Lia went back into the stall and placed it on Angel's head. "Come on girl, time you played in the sun." She lead Angel to a large paddock where several other horses were, opening the gate she lead Angel inside and then removed the halter. "There you go my lovely, we'll get you inside later ok." The horse stood and looked around, bowed it's head and then walked further into the paddock. "Lets go get a drink and watch nature, shall we." Lia pointed to the veranda, "And thank you for a beautiful gift."

Gary took her hand as they walked towards the veranda. "Lia, she was in the stall so you could see her up close." He replied. "And you are welcome. You should also know, there's a real Angel waiting for you at the ranch on Earth."

"If she's as nice as that one, I'm going to enjoy going home." Reaching the veranda Lia looked back at Angel, "Do you think we'll ever go home for good? And how would you feel if we had a little one? Just asking, I'm not pregnant." She glanced around looking for the Sake, "We can't keep this kind of life up forever, and I think we deserve a happy retirement."

"She is or so I've been told. "As for going home for good, yes I think we will. I think a little one would be the icing on the cake for us Lia. I don't want to keep this life up forever, I want us to retire and enjoy our retirement." Gary added as he handed her a glass of Sake.

Taking the Sake, Lia sipped it and looked around at the ranch. "Once this mission is over, I'm going for a medical check up. It's been over a year now, I need to know if we need to take precautions or we look forward to adding to our lives." She walked over to Gary and took his hand, and then leaned in and kissed his lips. "I love you Gary Taylor, and don't you ever forget it."

"Sounds good Lia." Gary answered as he returned the kiss. "Whatever the outcome of the checkup. "I love you, now and forever and don't you forget it either." He said with a grin and a gentle squeeze of his hand.

Commander Lia Taylor
Chief of Security
USS Elysium

Commander Gary Taylor
Executive Officer
USS Elysium