Heart to Heart

Posted on Sun Oct 30th, 2022 @ 6:24am by Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: Season 5: Time Warp
Location: Gary and Lia's Quarters
Timeline: Current
1746 words - 3.5 OF Standard Post Measure

ON

Gary sat on the couch, waiting for Lia to get home. They needed to talk about his talking command of the Arizona-D. He had a Padd in his hand as he looked up its records. It was a fine ship with a good crew. Sovereign class. A good, no a very good posting. There was a lot to consider, hence his wanting to talk with Lia as this concerned her as well for she definitely had a say in this. There was a lot to consider, and Gary wanted to consider this decision from all angles and points of view.

Lia entered the Tea House to see Gary sat waiting, she looked at him then went to the bedroom. Inside the bedroom she changed into her Yukata, then taking a deep breath she walked over to Gary. "So Captain, from your demeaner I believe you wish to talk about something?" Lia moved over to the small bar they had and poured two glasses of Saki, she then returned to Gary placed the Saki on the table and sat down beside him.

"Your belief is correct Lia; I do wish to talk and I'm sure you know about what." He paused and looked at her before continuing. "It's the Arizona Lia, to be her Captain. It's a good ship with a good record. Sovereign class. Command is what I've always wanted or what I thought I wanted. Now I'm not so sure."

Taking Gary's hand, Lia looked into his eye's. "You do what you think is right for this family, I will follow if I have to. I know how much you've wanted your own ship, its second only to having a kid. So I'm not going to tell you what to do, only that I'll support you no matter how you decide." She then handed him the Saki, "Now are celebrating or mourning?"

Gary took the offered Sake but didn't drink it. He set it on the coffee table instead. "Too early to tell Lia. The Elysium is my home, this crew my family. I was brought on to back Phoenix up, give her an experienced voice to help if she needed it. Well, she doesn't need my voice in her ear. She's got the seasoning, but she still needs me."

"Are you sure about that? I mean Phoenix looks to me like she can fly on her own now, could it be your comfortable here?" Lia looked at Gary as she placed her own glass down, "You can't tell me that after all this time, you're not a little concerned about taking the next step?"

"Phoenix is an excellent starship commander but she needs me to have someone one she can talk to, whose opinion she trusts." He sighed "Maybe I am just kidding myself." He looked at her, "Concerned? What would I be concerned about Lia in taking the next step?"

"You're not kidding yourself, nor are you kidding me. You're happy here, so leaving here would concern you. It most certainly would concern me, if I had that choice to make." She held out her hand, "What if I told you, I needed you here? How would that affect you?" Lia turned her head away from Gary, "It would be the truth, but if you want to go then we go." She turned back to him, "Concerned now? Gary, I love you; I know you. And I can tell this isn't easy for you, but I'll support you whatever happens."

Gary smiled and placed his hand atop hers. "We're a team Lia and we're stronger together than apart. So, if you say need me here. It definitely affects me." He gave her a boyish smile, "I love you Lia and you are right it isn't easy for me." He picked up the Sake and drank it. "I don't take your support for granted, so it means that much more to me." He sighed, "I'll figure it out."

Leaning over, Lia kissed Gary. "Yeah I have no doubt you will, but remember. This is important to both you and the Elysium, so don't jump or rush the choice. You have a family, that family might only be me right now but with luck may expand one day. I'm here if you need me, or want to talk to me ok?"

Gary nodded, "I won't rush or push it Lia. I know how important it is to both me and the ship. You are my family and as you said hopefully one day it will expand. I know I can always count on you Lia."

"Do you remember when I got injured and was transferred to DS9? Do you remember how hard I tried to get back and what I gave up to get back?" Lia returned to the little bar and poured two more Sake, then went back to Gary, "I think this is your version of that event, you have a choice of remaining here comfortable, safe, surrounded by family as you say. Or do you jump ship and branch out, take your dream and run with it? Yes you can count on me, but can you count on yourself?" She picked up her Sake and took a sip, "This won't be an easy step no matter which way you look at it, but ultimately I'll remain at your side and follow you wherever we end up."

Gary took the Sake but didn't drink it. He was looking at Lia. " Yes, I remember when you transferred to DS9 as well as what you gave up to come back. Though I'm not sure I know what you mean Lia. When you say can I count on myself. What exactly are you driving at?" He asked as he held the Sake to his lips and downed it in one gulp.

Lia smiled, "What I mean by count on yourself is simple, whatever choice you make. Can you, Gary Taylor, rely on you keeping and believing in that choice? Or are you going to second guess yourself and ask what might have been? Let's not fool ourselves here, whatever the result it's permanent with no going back."

"I've always believed in my decisions Lia. This won't be any different. Once I make my choice, I'll stick with it. I won't second guess myself or play what if. The decision will be final and I'll, we'll go wherever it leads. There will be no fooling myself."

Taking another sip of her Sake, Lia looked at the floor. "Up to now, those decisions have led to this point. I think I'm right by saying, they included Catlin not me. Catlin never served in Star Fleet did she, but I do." Looking back at Gary she continued, "That's a fly in the ointment you didn't consider when you planned your career path, because you didn't know Catlin would pass and you'd marry me." Lia took another sip, "Second guessing yourself is normal with a wife, or wife and child. So this will be different, and you may indeed play the what if at some time just once."

Gary nodded slowly, "They included Catlin to a point Lia and yes Catlin served in Starfleet. We were both on the Solstice together when I was taken prisoner by the Romulans. You aren't a fly in any ointment Lia. You are my wife, so of course my decision is going to take you into consideration as it rightfully should."

"Oh I thought she was a civilian, sorry." She emptied her Sake and placed the glass down, "As for being a fly in the ointment, I've been bugging you since we first met." Lia giggled as she said the last bit, "But this is your career, your dream. Don't let me be a block in the dream, if I have to resign to follow you I will. You see I want my own ship as well, but I don't want it at the expense of losing you or the possibility of losing any chance of having a child."

"Nothing to be sorry about Lia." Gary replied honestly. "I think we were bugging each other since first met and out first away mission to Risa." He smiled, you are not a block, what you are is a concerned wife and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'd be worried if you didn't have anything to say. Don't talk of resigning, that's getting ahead of yourself." He smile, 'Definitely want you to have a child, Lia."

She now leaned over and kissed him again, "That makes two of us, so Captain I think it's time we looked to our future. You'll make the right choice, and we will live with it together." Lia stood up and headed for the bedroom, "Unless your intending to stay up all night, don't you think it's time for us to retire and practice a little?" She blew him a kiss and entered the bedroom.

He returned her kiss. "Yes, we will and with no second guessing and no regrets." He smiled at her comment. "Oh no, I definitely think I need to retire and work on practice. For practice makes perfect." As he rose from the couch and followed Lia into their bedroom.

Lia was already in bed before Gary entered, she had washed before their talk and so had only needed to brush her teeth. Snuggling down in the bed she smiled as Gary entered the room, "Now then Captain, I'm prepared to repel boarders. How are you going to bypass my defenses?"

Gary had gone into the bathroom to brush his teeth, that finished he came back into the bedroom and undressed before sliding into bed next to Lia. "You are huh? Well. I'll just have to wear down those defenses." He quipped as he began to softly kiss her lips, neck and throat. "You were saying?"

Feeling excited by Gary's ministrations, Lia began to moan quietly. "If you keep that up, you'll have a puddle in this bed very soon. I surrender Captain!" She now responded by kissing and fondling her husband, "Computer lights, and Gary Taylor I hope you're fit and ready." The lights went out and Lia increased her ministrations on Gary.

Gary continued his kissing and gentle caressing of Lia before his lips left her soft skin and he quipped. "I'm a captain. I'm always ready."

Commander Lia Taylor
Chief Security Officer
USS Elysium

Captain Gary Taylor
Executive Officer
USS Elysium