Putting the Tin Man back Together

Posted on Sat Feb 4th, 2023 @ 6:14am by Captain Gary Taylor
Edited on on Sun Feb 5th, 2023 @ 11:15am

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Taylor Ranch/USS Elysium
Timeline: Backpost
1051 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Gary stood at Catlin's grave, under the big oak tree she loved so much. He had been too far away to attend her funeral and he had now just arrived and stood before it paying his respects as his heart broke and shattered into a million pieces. Tears flowed down his face like twin rivers. The Wolf Queen had been here and paid her respects and now he was alone. Totally alone the love of his life was gone, snuffed out like a candle. Not from and illness or accident but in a stupid hovercar accident. He made a silent vow; he would never love again. He wouldn't be hurt again, have his heart broken again. As he said his silent goodbyes to Catlin, the song Never Gonna Fall in Love Again by Eric Carman began to play.

No use pretending things can still be right
There's really nothing more to say
I'll get along without your kiss tonight
Just close the door and walk away
Never gonna fall in love again
I don't wanna start with someone new
'Cause I couldn't bear to see it end
Just like me and you
No, I never wanna feel the pain
Of remembering how it used to be
Never gonna fall in love again
Just like you and me
At first we thought that love was here to stay
The summer made it seem so right
But like the sun we watched it fade away
From morning into lonely night
Never gonna fall in love again
I don't wanna start with someone new
'Cause I couldn't bear to see it end
Just like me and you
No, I never wanna feel the pain
Of remembering how it used to be
Never gonna fall in love again
Just like you and me
Never gonna fall in love again
I don't wanna start with someone new
'Cause I couldn't bear to see it end
Just like me and you
No, I never wanna feel the pain
Of remembering how it used to be
Never gonna fall in love again
Just like you and me
Never gonna fall in love again
I don't wanna start with someone new
'Cause I couldn't bear to see it end
Just like me and you
No, I never wanna feel the pain
Of remembering how it used to be

*Five years later, USS Elysium*

Gary was the newly installed executive officer of the USS Elysium. He was there to help the newly minted Captain; one Phoenix Lalor learn the ropes and gain experience. He was cool and distant. Professional in his dealings but not unfriendly. He just didn't get involved in personal relationships, a tin man until he met her and then everything began to change.

Gary had just had another contentious meeting with one Lieutenant Commander Aurelia (Lia) Taylor. He didn't think he could say hello without getting into an argument with her. Yet despite that, he was attracted to her and wasn't sure why. Perhaps it was her spitfire personality or her stubbornness. She was certainly attractive and intelligent but carried a massive chip on her shoulder. He was intrigued by her and despite red alerts going off in his head, screaming no, no,no! He proceeded with the plan to know more about her.

An away mission changed that plan. Gary was no longer intrigued with Lia.
he was falling in love with her despite all his intentions to the contrary. He discovered Lia had a wonderful sense of humor that had only shown itself as they grew closer. They were kindred spirits. Lia had some personal tragedy in her life and Gary was still reeling from Catlin's death. Lia was patient with him, helped tear down the walls he had put up to protect himself from being hurt. Showed him he wasn't living but merely existing. Her love and her patience slowly rebuilt what he thought he was gone forever. He laughed and smiled and enjoyed life but most of all and again all thanks to Lia, he loved again and his love for her grew. She had shown him her inner self. She was warm and compassionate and above all else caring and loving.

Lia had done the impossible, she had found the Tin Man's heart and rebuilt it with love and compassion. He couldn't imagine his life without Lia in it and now they were husband and wife. Facing life and what it threw at them together. He loved her totally and completely. Whether Lia knew it or not, whether she accepted it or not the truth was she had saved him. Saved him from an empty life of loneliness. He even had a song to show his feelings for her. As the computer began to play, I just called to say I love You by Stevie Wonder.

No New Year's Day to celebrate
No chocolate covered candy hearts to give away
No first of spring, no song to sing
In fact, here's just another ordinary day
No April rain, no flowers bloom
No wedding Saturday within the month of June
But what it is, is something true
Made up of these three words that I must say to you
I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart
No summer's high, no warm July
No harvest moon to light one tender August night
No autumn breeze, no falling leaves
Not even time for birds to fly to southern skies
No Libra sun, no Halloween
No giving thanks to all the Christmas joy you bring
But what it is, though old, so new
To fill your heart like no three words could ever do
I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care, I do
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart
I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care, I do
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart
Of my heart
Of my heart (baby, of my heart)

 

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