Happy Thoughts

Posted on Mon Mar 27th, 2023 @ 6:26am by Captain Gary Taylor & Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Gary and Lia's Quarters.
Timeline: Backpost
2649 words - 5.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Gary was in his and Lia's quarters. He was working on dinner. Not Japanese this time. But good old American steak with a baked potato with all the trimmings and corn on the cob. He had thought of having French fries or onion rings but settled on baked potatoes instead. He would make one exception to the dinner and have Sake for Lia if she wanted it. He would have something different, not wine or a cocktail but a glass of whiskey. Tennessee whiskey with its rich, bold flavor. It would complement the streak perfectly. Cherry pie was in the cooler for after dinner. A nice finish to what he hoped would be a perfect meal. As he prepped the meal and took care of the details, a song came to his mind by his favorite singer....Frank Sinatra. No one sang like Frank.

"Computer, play Come Fly with me by Frank Sinatra." This song was completely for Lia and wanted her to know it. To know she was number one in his heart. Soon the music and Frank's singing filled the room.

Come fly with me, let's fly, let's fly away
If you can use some exotic booze
There's a bar in far Bombay
Come on, fly with me, we'll float down in the blue
Fly with me, float down to Peru
In llama land there's a one man band
And he'll toot his flute for you
Fly with me, we'll take off in the blue
Once I get you up there
Where the air is rarefied
We'll just glide
Starry eyed
Once I get you up there
I'll be holding you so very near
You might even hear
A gang of angels cheer just because we're together
Weather wise, it's such a cool, cool day
Just say those words, we'll whip those birds
Down to Acapulco Bay
It is perfect (perfect) for a flying honeymoon, they do say, hey
Come on, fly with me, let's fly, let's fly away
Do do do, do do, do do, do do, do do
Once I get you up there
Where the air is so rarefied
We're gonna glide
Absolutely starry-eyed
Once I get you up there
I'll be holding you so very near
You might even hear
A gang of angels cheer just because we're together
Weather-wise, it's such a groovy day
You just say those words, we'll whip those birds
Down to Acapulco Bay
It's perfect for a flying honeymoon, they do say
Come on, fly with me, let's fly, let's fly
Pack up your bags and let's get out of here (come on let's fly away)

As Sinatra sang, Gary couldn't help but join in. His voice blending in with Sinatra's. The song was upbeat, happy and as always as sung by Sinatra, perfect. Lia didn't know it as he had worked extra hard to keep it from her but a trip to Acapulco Bay was in her future. She deserved it and so much more for loving him, supporting him, listening and yes even disagreeing with at times. Lia had a mind of her own and voiced her opinions when called for and sometimes when not. Like her opinion of former Captain Garrett Lovejoy. He still chuckled over that. Smiling he got back to preparing the steaks by seasoning them and lightly coating them with barbecue sauce. Lia was going to love this! Or so he hoped.

As she approached the Tea House (her quarters), the aroma of cooking could be sensed. *Who the hell is cooking?* she thought. Then as she got to the door it hit her, *Gary!! Who else?* She decided. =/\="Computer, beam me into the bedroom of my quarters."=/\= She now appeared in the bedroom of Gary and her own bedroom, she quickly stripped off and changed into a striking red Yukata. Arranging her hair in a more traditional style, she checked herself and then entered the main living space. "And to what do we own this little feast pray tell?" Lia stood with her feet together and her hands held before her waist, "Or have you been promoted? Perhaps posted to another ship?"


Gary decided to tease Lia, "Funny you should say that. Another command has opened up and I have been assigned to the Eclipse as its new captain." He finished his face set in stone.

"The Eclipse? Now where have I heard that name before? Oh yeah, it's the ship I got injured on. Nice try fly boy, now do you wanna try that again or do I remove yer bonce with my Katana? Captain!" Lia now placed her hand on her hips, "You are looking a tad to happy, have you managed to take command of the Elysium without a mutiny??"

Gary's expression didn't change. "Quite correct Lia. However, Captain Clarkson was transferred to the Saratoga, and I was assigned to the Eclipse." He shook his head, "I wish your statement was right."

"Oh shit!! I've only just got over the last posting you were given, do you have some kind of a uncle at Star Fleet Command? Two ships in as many months, that's just a little to much of a coincidence don't you think??". She moved forward and held her hands out, "Now instead of trying to fool me, just tell me why we're having this banquet?" Her eye's twinkled with devilment, she was more than aware that Gary was taking the Micky out of her.

Gary took her hands and brought Lia to him. "I guess, I'm just a popular guy Lia. What can I say?" He answered, not quite ready to admit he was teasing Lia though he was sure she knew he was. "Banquet? This is a normal dinner. Steak, bake potato and corn on the cob. A good old fashion dinner."

"Good old fashion dinner? Just who eats this?" Lia pointed at what to her was a slab of beef, "That's half a bloody cow there, I never even thought about eating that much cow in my life." She moved her arms to around Gary's waist, "I'll make you a deal, I'll have about half of that cow and eat the rest of the food you've made. But just for future reference, I'm not a beef eater. Despite being British, I'm more into Chicken or pork."

Gary leaned forward and kissed Lia lightly on her lips. "I eat it, thank you very much." He answered with mock annoyance. he looked at the steak, it was a 10 ounce steak. He didn't think that was a lot of steak. "Okay, that's fair and thanks for the tip. Next time, I'll fry you a whole chicken and a rack of ribs. How does that sound?"

Lia now bopped Gary on his arm, "That's not what I meant, and you know it. I was only saying that I don't eat a lot of red meat, Chicken, Turkey is my choice. But Pork is a good second choice, fish is dead last but even then I might just say no to it." She wandered over to the table, "Whiskey! Not had to deal with that for some time, you'll excuse me if I stick with Sake?" Glancing at how the table was set she nodded her head, "You Mother must have taught you well, this is set out very good. I might start hiring you out, seems your rather good at organising dinners and lunches." She giggled as she said the last part, trying to hide her mouth with her hand.

Gary grinned at Lia, "I know you don't eat a lot of read meat Lia and this isn't a lot. Besides, eating a steak every four months isn't going to hurt you." He looked at the table and back to Lia. "She did, taught me how to wash clothes, make a bed. So when I was out on my own. I could take care of myself." He smiled as he said the next, "That's me, Gary Taylor, Organizer of events and lunches. " He nodded towards the cooler, "I have Sake already cooling for you my dear. I figured you would prefer that over the whiskey."

"To me even this size is a little to much, for some reason it's the taste I'm not to fond of. But I'm willing to eat it as you've taken time to prepare it and done all this work to make things nice, it would be rude not to eat food made for you with love." She made her way back to Gary and kissed his lips, "And just for your information, nobody is getting their hands on you. Do you think I'm risking some other woman finding out your so good in the kitchen??" Lia couldn't help laughing at her comment, she loved Gary and wanted him to know it.

"I understand Lia. You don't have to eat all of it. Eat half and save the rest." Gary suggested. He smiled at her, "You know you just might find you like it. I marinated them to make them extra tender." He returned her kiss. "Well, truth be known, I prefer to cook just for you. So, I can continue to be your secret. So, you have no worries on that score." He wrapped his arms around her and held her loosely to him. "I do so love you Mrs. Taylor and I never want you to forget that." As he punctuated that statement with a passionate kiss.

"Mrs. Taylor loves you to Mr. Taylor, and that is a fact you I don't want you to forget either." Lia returned Gary's kiss, "Now shall we indulge our taste buds, and eat this delightful food while its hot?"

"Mr. Taylor is very much aware that Mrs. Taylor loves him a fact he will never forget." He bantered and continued. "An excellent idea. I do prefer my food hot."

Smiling, Lia bantered back. "I can think of at least one other thing I prefer hot, but for now I'll stick with the food." She headed for the table, "Oh hold on, got to get me a Sake." Turning, Lia now headed for the fridge.

"Oh. Is that a fact?" Gary questioned playfully. "By all means, get your Sake. It isn't a proper meal without Sake."

"As your having whiskey, I won't pour you one." She poured her Sake and headed back to the table, "Why don't we visit the Zojoji Temple together, say hello to Angel. If you want to, that is?" She sat down and looked at Gary waiting for his answer.

"So, I am." Gary answered with a smile as he poured himself a shot and took a sip before his eyes met Lia's. "I would like that very much and I definitely want to." His voice soft and thick with emotion. "Thank you for asking Lia."

Lia's eye's began to fill with tears, but she held them back. "I think I owe you an apology about Angel, maybe now is the time to say. I'm Sorry, sorry for blaming you for her death. And sorry for not telling you of her departure from DS9." She stopped and caught a small sniff, and kept her tears at bay. "And I'm sorry I can't give you an offspring right now, but with a little luck that part might change."

Gary shook his head slowly from side to side. "You don't owe me an apology Lia. You were upset, angry and devastated by Angel's death and you don't owe me an explanation. I have eyes and I'm not so insensitive that I can't see how deeply affected you were and still are by Angel's death. My only issue was that you felt I didn't care and that hurt." He answered quietly as he picked up his glass and downed it in one gulp and poured another one. "I needed that."

Reaching out her hand she took one of Gary's in hers, "I'm sorry for that as well, but I don't blame you now and I know for certain that you did and still do care. Lets just make plans to visit, and maybe it will heal some more pain that we both still carry."

Gary's fingers curled around Lia's and squeezed softly. "It's done Lia. Now we move forward together as we are meant to." He gave her a weak smile, "I would like that very much and I think it will go a long way in healing or at least making the pain more tolerable."

"Pain? You feel pain over Angel? I never knew, you haven't said or even shown any emotional responses. Or is there another pain I've managed to inflict on you without knowing it?" Lia looked at Gary with a questioning look, had he been carrying a hurt for all these years?

Gary nodded slowly as he looked at Lia. "Yes, I do. I feel the pain and sorrow of a parent who has lost a child. Oh, I've had emotional responses, you just haven't seen them. I didn't say anything Lia because you were in so much pain over Angel's death, your grief hung from you like a shroud and I didn't want to add to your pain and suffering, so I kept it in."

Placing her cutlery down, Lia moved next to Gary. "I've got rid of that shroud, not Angel just the grief surrounding her. Since finding the garden, I've learned to enjoy and smile about our little girl." She glanced at the table, "Lets finish up here, who knows perhaps we can visit later today once our duties are over."

Gary nodded silently, He reached a hand out and gently squeezed Lia's hand. "I think that is a wonderful idea, Lia. I'd like that very much. In would like to talk to our Angel again." His voice getting thick with emotion.

Picking up her cutlery, Lia smiled. "Hey you know what, lets take another doll for her. Only this time, you can give it to her. OK?

Gary was quiet as Lia made her suggestion. Then after a moment he spoke, "I'd like that very much. I think that is a wonderful idea Lia."

Glancing at Gary, Lia gave him a another smile. "Angel misses us to you know, but no mourning. We're all past that stage now, so buck up husband of mine. Or I'm gonna have to poke you with a sharp stick." She giggled and returned to her food, Gary was deep with his emotions and she had to dig deeper to bring him out of his downer.

Gary nodded and replied, "Right no mourning." But even to himself he didn't sound convincing. He tried again, offering a smile to Lia. "Bucking up and no sad faces from me as I don't want to be poked with a sharp stick." At that he did smile. He looked at Lia, "I'm alright Lia. Really I am, though thank you for caring so much."

Turning to face Gary, Lia now nodded. "I love you, and I worry about you a lot. So I'll always care, more so because I don't suit black." A wide smile now graced her face, she blew him another kiss and returned to her food. In her mind, Lia asked Angel to help her Father by cheering him up.

Gary smiled at Lia, it radiated on his face, "I love you Lia and I love the fact that you care as much as you do. I hope you never have to wear black again." He answered as he turned his attention back to his food. He was already looking forward to their visit to the Garden.

*Angel you're living up to your name, my darling* Lia thought, as Gary seemed to raise his spirits. Silently thanking her daughter, Lia continued to eat and finish her meal.

Commander Lia Taylor
Chief of Security
USS Elysium

Captain Gary Taylor
Executive Officer
USS Elysium