Kyle knew the Truth - Temporal concerns

Posted on Mon Jun 12th, 2023 @ 10:00am by Kyle Cragen [Reece] & Consul Josephine Carlyle-Cragen

Mission: WHAT IF?
Location: England Country Side
7961 words - 15.9 OF Standard Post Measure

***Author's note: this jp is a long read, at nearly 8000 words. Also, while there is some intimate contact between a married couple, it is not any more graphic than would be seen on any Trek production.***

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It had been a month since Kyle's rastalla, and they maintained their lives well. The servants never suspected a thing. Josephine used the shuttle to fake letters from her 'brother' on the continent and they attended court on occasion.

One night after dinner and they had 'retired' for the evening Josephine went down to the shuttle to check on the scanners. She didn't check every night anymore but she still did.

She sat in the pilot's seat and frowned at the read out. Something was out there. She set the scans to be run again and then hurried upstairs to get Kyle.

She found him in their bedchamber. "Kyle." She said in a low voice to not to alert the staff. "Come with me."

Sitting in his dressing robe, Kyle looked up from the book he was reading and smiled at Josie when she entered their chambers. The smile fell when he felt her energy. "What's wrong, my love?" He asked as he quickly stood, putting the now forgotten book down on the side table and moved over to her.

She led him down to the passage and then into the tunnel and beyond. She all but ran ahead to the shuttle and to the cockpit. When he joined her she brought up a small screen. "This," she pointed to a flashing dot that was blinking next to a circle labeled as Jupiter.

Kyle looked at the screen. He had learned that this displayed what the long range sensors could detect. "What is it?"

"A ship," she said softly. "A vessel from my time."

"How can you tell?" He asked as he looked back at the tiny blip. "There are other spacefaring species out there, even in this time." He pointed to himself and grinned slightly.

"Transponder." Josie replied. "USS Cairns"

Nodding thoughtfully, Kyle looked back at the screen. "Do they know your shuttle is here?"

"No not yet." she said softly. "I have yet to signal them."

"Do you wish to?" He asked softly, turning his eyes back to her beautiful face.

"It's a conversation for both of us." Josie said softly.

Kyle thought about it for a second, reaching out to pull Josie into his strong arms. "Wherever you go, I go as well, my wife."

"Temporal prime directive, I have broken it. I would be arrested, put in prison. Nothing like what awaits my colleague. If we go back, you could be alone for a while." Josie said softly. "I want to go back there, believe me I do."

He gently pulled her away so he could look I to her eyes. "Did you break these laws intentionally? Or were the circumstances beyond your control?" Then he grinned. "Also, while I do not know of the El Aurians of your time, I do know this. There are laws that my people follow, which date back before humans could walk upright. One of them being, a citizen of the El Aurian Imperium, be they native born or married to a native, shall be protected by the same set of interstellar laws. So," he grinned slightly, don't seal in your cell yet. Also, I will testify on your behalf."

"I tried my best not to interfere with the timeline. I stopped James from making the Queen fertile and such." Josie nodded. "Ok, so I shall send the transmission, but first, Let's pack up everything we want to take with us."

Kyle chuckled softly. "There are only a few things I can think of to bring. The first book I gave you. A few other things. The question here is, what can we take with us, that wouldn't alter the timeline?"

She thought about it. "We would need to come up with a reason for our departure, but, we could take family items, antiques, everything. We could even store things somewhere safe and collect them in the future, if we could guarantee nothing would be discovered before then."

Kyle thought about it for a few moments, then, "I know of a place that might work. There are a series of subterranean caves under the land that my castle is built upon. We could transport our things there, then seal the caves. I looked at my land in the future reports. There are no mineral deposits or anything else that would be enticing or mining, so, the items should be safe."

"We can take things back, but if you still want your property to be yours, you will need to put things in place." Josie said softly.

Kyle thought again. "The King did give me the fifty acres of land that my home up north is built on. The London home would probably have to go, though." He was silent for a few beats, then spoke again. "If you think it's truly important to keep, I will ride out and try to set it up. If not, the possessions I have here with you are more than I'll need. They are all just things. You are what is most important to me."

Josie thought about it and then smiled. "Oh I have an idea" she said with eagerness.

She leaned over the console and began typing. The Replicator behind her whired and a scroll appeared. "That, its a deed, placing the land in trust until your descendant claims the land and all properties. All rents and incomes from the farms, will be used for upkeep of all properties."

Kyle looked at the parchment, amazed by its very existence. "It looks real, feels real, even..." he lifted it to his face and sniffed. "It even smells real!" He looked over the waiting and smiled again, his eyes sparkling with wonder. "This is in the King's handwriting, with his royal seal! This is amazing!" He carefully rolled it up and tied the attached ribbon around it. "I'll take it to my home and give it directly to Barnaby. He'll keep things straight."

"And as we are married, all my property is yours in this day and age." A few more taps and another scroll appeared.

Kyle picked up the second scroll and looked it over. "I'll give this to Barnaby as well. I trust him to do what is best. He has been thr most loyal servant I've had these past forty years." He paused a moment, then asked, "Can you see if the property records of your time still show these two castles are ours?

"No, and Havers will not be. It should go to the real relations of Anne Boylen." She smiled. "But my townhouse should be ok"

He smiled softly and nodded. "Very well, my beloved. I will go get dressed and head out to Aloria at once. I should be back in two days. While there, I will gather a few items to bring now. When I return, we shall contact your friends."

Josie nodded. "Good Luck" she said and kissed him gently. "I will start packing."

Kyle returned the kiss with equal passion. "Two days, my love." He then turned and made his way back up into the castle. After telling the staff to get his horse ready, he quickly dressed. Within twenty minutes of kissing Josephine, he had mounted his horse and was speeding north to his destination.

Josephine retreated to their bedchamber and locked the door. She knew protocol. She knew that the ship would probably find traces of their presence, debris, metals that were not meant to be there. She just needed to stay out of sight for 2 days while she waited for her husband to come back.

***Forty hours later***

As the house staff busied themselves for the departure of their lord and lady, Kyle appeared over the far hill, his journey moving at a fast gallop.

The staff were not sure where their employers were going but they followed their lady's orders and the house's furniture was soon covered in covers. Josephine paid them all favourably and gave them glowing letters of recommendation. When Kyle returned the staff was all but gone, as Josephine didn't want them to be involved with their departure. Only the buttler and the cook remained. And Josephine was saying good bye to them, explaining that

"King Charles's servants would help us tomorrow morning."

The buttler nodded sadly as Kyle rode up.

The Cook bobbed a curtsey to the Lord and Lady. "I..if you return my lady, please contact me, I would love to work for you again."

Josephine smiled softly. "We shall indeed."

As soon as he pulled up, Kyle dismounted his horse. As there was no longer a stable boy present, he held onto the reins. "Yes, we most certainly shall," he echoed Josie's words. He then turned and reached into his saddlebags, pulling out two small sacks.

Turning back to the group, he handed one to the cook. "Missus Habersham, please accept this a small token of appreciation for your tireless service. If you would please, as a final duty until our return, please distribute the contents with the entire kitchen staff."

He then looked at the butler and handed him the other pouch. "Mister Franklin, the same goes for you and the rest of the house and grounds staff." He looked at both as he added, "You both have been an excellent team for my wife and me. I hope that we can reunite at some point in the future. However, should Fate choose otherwise, please know that you will always be thought of fondly."

Both servants thanked them profusely and shook their hands before heading off in their carts.

Once they were gone, Josie said softly. "That was the last staff. And your horse is the last animal for the stables." Her 4 dogs were lazing on the grass near by.

Turning to face his trusted steed, Kyle gently rubbed his snout. "I don't suppose there is any way we can bring Thunderchild, is there?" His voice had a touch of sadness to it.

"I do not believe so. The Cairns is a Sovereign class vessel, but I do not believe they have the room for a horse. We could ask, once we make contact."

Kyle sighed softly in resignation. Then, as if he knew his master was upset, Thunderchild gently nuzzled Kyle's hand, then his face.

The movement brought a smile to the El Aurian's face. Then, an idea struck home. "Beloved, is there enough power to both recycle my riding gear, then transport Thinderchild somewhere far away, so he can live out his days being free?"

She nodded. "Or you could pack your gear and take it with us. I have three trunks packed of our belongings and the library trunk is all but full."

Kyle considered it for a few beats. "How will we carry all of our things? Do you have servants in your time?"

"No, there are no servants, but we have technology to help, so we carry our own things." She smiled. "And I will beam our belongings into Transporter buffer chips."

"I started to read about those," he replied thoughtfully. "You could hold all of our possessions in a few of them."

"Yes, and I have managed to use them to hold the majority of the furniture we want to keep as well as other items. Clothes and Books are in the trunks."

He chuckled softly at this. "While the books I understand, I thought you hated the clothing?" He smirked playfully at her as he reached out to gently hold her hips. Or at least, as best he could with the amount of padding social norms dictated a married woman of her station to wear.

"I do but they are pristine examples of clothing of this era. It is for history." She moved towards the house. "I am going to send the message."

He followed her into the house. "How much of this is actually still going to be here in the future? With all the wars that are about to take place, are we being foolish to think that anything we leave behind will still be there?"

Josie nodded. "This house and yours are still standing, I actually took a tour of this house when I was ten." She didn't hide their walk now to the passage down to the shuttle.

Kyle looked over at his wife, a slight smirk on his face. "I bet you were an adventurous little troublemaker, weren't you?"

"Moi? Mais non!" she said in French as she vanished into the passage.

"Mmm-hmmmm," Kyle chuckled as he followed Josie back to the shuttle. Once they were back inside, he looked at the screen showing the approaching ship. "Looks like they just reached Mars orbit." He looked over at Josie. "What do you think will happen after you send the signal? I mean, other than what you said about how you might be arrested? Do you think they would allow me to go forward, to your time? While I am an alien, hiding amongst humans, I am still from this time."

She didn't know. "They might see it as best that they remove you from the timeline as well."

He nodded, understanding. "Because I know of future occurrences and there's more of a risk removing me from what would have been the natural time line, as opposed to me staying and accidently changing something else."

"Had we married and not told each other about each other..."She shrugged. "My death would have been easy to stage." She tapped the console and did as he requested about his horse. And then she sent the carefully crafted message to the ship.

Upon hear Josie speak that way, Kyle gripped the console infront of him and squeezed, causing the duranium to actually deform slightly. "Even if you had never told me who you really are, my love, if anyone tried to harm a single hair on your head, I would pave the stars with their blood." He growled angrily as he spoke.

She smiled. "I know that. And believe me, it would be worst case." She monitored the transmission carefully. After a few moments there was a return signal.

Josie took a deep breath and hit the acknowledge button and the viewscreen lit up and a woman appeared in the red uniform of command with a single pip surrounded by a square. ["I am Commodore Carter-Davis. Identify yourself."]

Josephine seemed to straighten. "Lieutenant Josephine Carlyle. Assigned to the Science Runabout Miranda."

The woman's eyes narrowed and there was a hissed comment from the side not picked up by the microphone.

["Transmit your clearance codes Lieutenant."]

Josie nodded and did so.

The screen changed to the emblem of the Federation. "On hold," Josephine said softly.

Kyle arched an eyebrow. "If they are here to rescue you and James, why the delay?"

"I don't think they are here for us. I think they are like us. They must have been trapped by the void or some other phenomenon." Josie said softly.

Then suddenly the screen cleared and the woman was back.

["Lieutenant. Where is your Commanding officer?"]

"In stasis Sir. He was starting to violate the Temporal Prime Directive."

[" And the man beside you is?"]

Josie took a breath. "My husband, Kyle Cragen. He is an El Aurian and is aware of alien species."

She didn't tell them Kyle was born on Earth. They didn't need to know that.

The woman on the screen inclinded her head slightly. ["I am sending down an away team. Is your location secure?"]

Josie nodded and uploaded the co-ordinates to the Cairns. "Yes Sir. And I have made sure we are not leaving anything here that may contaminate the timeline. "

["Very well. Both of you pack. We will beam down in an hour."]

"Of course Commodore." And the connection was severed.

Josie sat back and took a breath. "This will be fun. "

Kyle put his left hand on Josie's right shoulder. "You seem...unsure about all of this. What vexes you, my love?"

She looked at him and said. "Sometimes people are not easy to predict Love. And you will find some have their own agendas so keep your ears and eyes open."

Kyle arched an eyebrow at that warning. "Have no fear there, my wife." He leaned down and gently kissed her on the lips.

Josie smiled and stood and began checking the shuttle's systems. "We should get the dogs ready to travel and finish packing." She picked up a small device.

"And what do we do with James? Leave him in stasis for the Commodore's people to deal with?"

"Yes." She replied. "The Miranda will be recovered and they will revive him on the Cairns."

"Good," he replied. "Better that he is brought out of stasis surrounded by your security teams."

"Yes, but, he will add assault on a superior officer to the charges they can level." Josie commented as she finished her checks. "Shall we go upstairs to await them and finish packing?"

"As he will already have more serious charges set against him, I imagine that charge against you would be dropped. You were only following your own rules and regulations, when you incapacitated him and placed him in stasis. He was interfering with the timeline afterall." He then nodded to her question. "That sounds like a good idea." He reached out for her hand.

She took his hand and together they headed out to finish their packing.

An hour later she led him out of the front door to greet a group of people. All were human looking and they all wore clothes of the era, though, it was clear that the leader was not fully human, his jet black hair covering pointed ears. He stepped forward as Josephine and Kyle exited the house.

"Lieutenant Carlyle?"

"Yes."

"Commander K'tar. Chief of Security."

Josephine saluted, which looked weird for a woman dressed in 17th Century dress. "Commander." She took a breath. "This is Lord Kyle Cragen."

Kyle dipped his head respectfully as he considered each person standing before him and Josie. When his eyes landed back on the one who had spoken, he tilted his head slightly. "You're a Vulcan," he said matter-of-factly. My parents briefly taught me of your species, before they were murdered, back in the 1400s." He looked at the group again, then swept his left arm towards the front door. "Welcome to our home. If you would please follow my wife and me, we will take you below, where James is currently in stasis."

The vulcan nodded and Josephine led the way into the house and down the halls to the hidden door and then into the tunnels.

K'Tar fell into step behind her, between her and Kyle. "Have you packed Lieutenant?"

"Yes we have." She replied "we have four dogs that will need to come with us. But i have packed our things in preparation for transport."

K'tar inclined his head. "Once we secure The shuttle we will beam you and your pets to the Cairns. The Commodore wants to speak with you both."

Josephine nodded and when they arrived at the Miranda she waved a hand to it. "Here it is."

K'tar waved a hand and the others headed into the shuttle.

Kyle moved next to Josie, putting his arm around her waist for support and to give her some protection.

She smiled at him faintly and then turned her attention back to the Commander who was directing people to put transport enhancers around the shuttle. He then turned back to them. "Lieutenant please lead me back upstairs and we will commence beaming you and your husband to the Cairns."

She nodded and led them back up to the sitting room. Once inside she called for her dogs with a soft whistle. The four King Charles Cavaliers raced in and ran around her skirts and Kyle's feet.

She looked at the Commander. "I was wondering Commander, my husband has a horse he is very attached to, is there room for it?"

K'Tar considered it. "We could store them in the cargo bay. the commodore is a horse lover so I do not see it being a problem."

Josie stared at him. "You are Vulcan yes?"

"Yes." he replied. "But I know the Commodore well." K'Tar paused "But our scanners showed no horse."

"I Beamed him to a place a fair distance away. I can give you his biometrics and location." Josie pulled a chip from her reticule and held it out.

K'Tar took it and nodded. "Very well. We will commence beam up shortly." He looked at her. "You will need to make sure you change before you see the Commodore."

"Do the replicators still work with Replicredits?"

K'Tar nodded.

"I have some saved, enough to outfit us both properly." Josie assured him.

K'tar nodded again and headed out to help his team.

When he was gone Josie sat down on the sofa with a sigh.

Kyle moved over and knelt before his wife, love clearly evident in his eyes. "Thank you, my love, for Thunderchild. I would have missed him in the future." He took both of her hands into his and brought then up to his mouth and kissed her knuckles.

Josie smiled at him. "You are welcome." She said softly. "We will make a home back in my time."

"Wherever you are, regardless of the time, is home to me, beloved." He smiled softly as he continued to look at Josephine.

Several hours later they were beamed up to the USS Cairns and were shown to VIP Quarters on Deck 14.

Once the security officers had left them in the cabin, with their dogs and two large chests of their belongings, Josephine took a deep breath of recycled air. And moved to a replicator on the wall. She tapped in a code and began to replicate her uniform and clothing for Kyle.

Kyle was currently standing by the viewport, looking down on Earth in amazement. "I remember seeing images of your world when I was a boy," he said quietly to Josie. "But to see it like this, with my own eyes....it's breathtaking!"

"Wait until you see it in 2396." She replied as she pulled a uniform out of the machine. She laid it over the chair and waited for the boots to appear.

Kyle looked at the uniform. "Such subdued colors. And,"he chuckled softly, "as you said, definitely more form fitting than what I'm use to seeing a woman in." He glanced down at his own clothing, then back up at his wife. "Is there something befitting my rank as a Knight of the Realm that I can wear? Or do things like titles no longer mean anything in the future?"

"They do not mean much, some familes hold tight to them but as we do not use money as such..." she finished replicating him a black suit, with a dark blue shirt and then black shoes. "Here..."

Looking over the suit, Kyle considered it carefully. "Not many places one carry weapons. Or...is that considered... inappropriate in the future?"

"Depends on the culture, But we do not need weapons on this ship." She began to pull at the ribbons at her back and began shedding the dress. Once the dress, stays, and everything else was in a pile at her feet, she headed into the bedroom area and beyond to the sonic shower.

Watching his beautiful wife move, Kyle couldn't help but smile at the sight of her perfect figure. He started to remove his clothes, then moved to follow her into the bathroom. "Is there room for another in there?" He asked coyly.

"Yes" She smiled. "But no time for fun. The Commodore will be waiting," she said as she turned on the sonic shower.

"Then we shan't keep her waiting," he replied as he stepped into the shower stall next to Josephine. While, for the most part, he did behave himself, Kyle did steal a few tender kisses and touches while they were in such close proximity.

After they were clean, Josie dressed in the skirt version of the uniform with knee high boots. She then pulled her hair into a long blond braid down her back it having grown longer in the past than she had worn it when active in Starfleet. She then afixed her full Lieutenant pips on her collar.

As Kyle finished getting himself dressed, his eyes feasted on the much more visible curves of his wife's perfect body. "You were correct, my love. I do enjoy the fashions of this time." He gave her a flirty grin. "I look forward to seeing what other garments you enjoy wearing."

"Just remember, your eyes best stay on me and not other females" she teased as she picked up a PADD she had prepared for the Commodore.

Kyle moved over and reached out to gently caress her face. "Beloved," he said softly and honestly. "There is no one in all of creation tthatcan hold a candle to your beauty. My eyes only see you, now and forever."

She blushed and then said "We should go, I am aure the Commodore will be waiting. Kyle? Promise me you will not do anything rash okay."

"My love," Kyle replied solemnly. "I give you my word, as an El Aurian, a Knight of the Realm, and most importantly, your husband. I will never do anything to dishonor you."

She smiled and taking breath she took his hand and led him to the door, just as the chime rang a clear bell like those at Westminster.

Josie waved a hand down the door release and the doora opened to reveal a security officer.

"Lieutenant Carlyle."

"Yes."

"The commodore is ready to speak with you and your husband. "

Nodding Josie straightened a bit more. "Of course Ensign. Lead on."

The security Ensign turned and led the couple out and down the corridor to a turbolift. The officer waved them into it and followed them in, making sure her back was to them as the lift began its asent.

Josie kept holding Kyles hand tightly as the lift shot up.

Kyle looked over at Josie wordlessly. If she was worried about something, he would be her champion.

The turbolift doors opened and the ensign led them out onto the bridge of the USS Cairns.

Josie didn't bat an eye at the site of crew of different genders and races moving around the extremely high tech bridge. 

Kyle paused briefly, as he took in the bridge and the various species, some he didn't recognize yet. Blinking, he turned his attention back to where he and Josephine were being led.

She followed the ensign to the side and waited with her hand tightly in Kyle's as the ensign hit the chime and the door opened.

Kyle gently ran his thumb over the back.of Josephine's hand, giving her his unspoken support.

The ensign stepped in. "Lieutenant Carlyle, Commodore,  and her ... husband."

Josie's eyes narrowed at the ensign but let it pass as she knew that Kyle's status would be an issue. 

Stepping into the room, Josie took a breath and let Kyle's hand drop as she faced the woman behind the desk.

As soon as Josephine let go of his hand, Kyle interlocked his hands in front of his waist.

Commodore Josephine Carter-Davis, was young for a Commodore, not even in her late 30's. She wore the red command uniform easily and her hair, was tied up in a chignon. Deep brown eyes focused on the couple as they entered. And it was clear the woman was studying them closely. 

The Commodore rose to her feet and came around from behind the desk. At 5f9 she was among the tallest in the room.

Kyle watched the Commodore scrutinize them both, then observed how she moved. Clearly, this was a woman who was not only comfortable with being in command, but was used to it.

"Lieutenant Carlyle." The accent was french. "Welcome to the USS Cairns."

"Thank you Commodore." Josie replied. "My husband and I were very surprised to see your ship appear."

"As surprised as we were to receive your signal. Please both of you, be seated." Commodore Carter-Davis looked at Kyle. "You must feel very overwhelmed Sir." She said to him as she waved them to seats before her desk. 

Kyle waited for Josephine to sit first, then lowered his powerful frame down I the seat next to her. "Overwhelmed would be too strong a description, Commodore. Curiously cautious would be more apt to my current frame of mind."

"Which is understandable." The Commodore replied as she retook her own seat. "Now, we have had part of the story, Lieutenant. And your superior is in medical raging about you and demanding a court marshal."

"That is your prerogative Commodore, as long as Commander Westin is also court Marshaled."

"We shall see. Tell me the story Lieutenant."

Josie held out the PADD she had carried. "My report Commodore. Complete with video evidence."

Carter-Davis took the PADD and began to read it. She didn't speak as she read the report. Leaving the couple in an awkward silence.

Not that Josie showed she was sitting there awkwardly. She sat calmly as the minutes ticked passed.

"Who's idea was it to pose as Nobel's?" the Commodore suddenly asked.

"Commander Westin's."

"Did he say why?"

"He said it would be hard to hide our education as peasants or lower merchant class people."

"Hmm" And the commodore continued reading. "And why did you put him in stasis?"

"A number of reasons. He was looking to change the timeline. Give the queen a child."

"The Queen of Charles the second was childless." The Commodore said calmly.

"Yes, and it is because of that the crown eventually goes to the Hanovers and then to the Windsors." Josie Carlyle replied. "A child would change history. He also was looking to increase his own power at court and he would ruin the history with it."

The commodore looked up and then looked at Kyle. "And yet Sir Kyle Cragen's own role in history is fairly well documented."

"Yes it is, but it also stated that he had married but then he vanished from history about this time. I read it carefully." Josie said softly.

"And the woman he was meant to marry?" Carter-Davis queried.

"Not named. A junior noble woman according to all accounts." Josie paused "Or me" She shrugged. "James chose the family line we were using because they apparently came back after the restoration of the monarchy and claimed the lands of the house of Boleyn. There was a possibility that it was meant to be us, stuck in the past but NOT interfering. Not that he cared. All my own actions are listed on the PADD."

The commodore nodded and went back to reading.

Kyle sat silently as his wife and the Commodore spoke. Josephine had already showed him the records if what his future deeds would have been, had they remained in England. As he was not human, he didn't worry about any mark on history he would have made. All that mattered to him was Josephine and keeping her safe.

"Commodore, if it would add any credence to our accounts, the Commander would have caused a major disruption in the King's Court. One of the things my parents taught me well, before they were killed in the 1400s, was to not interfere in the lives of the locals. My ultimate presence in Court, as both a Knight of the Realm and trusted advisor to the King, came simply for being witnessed defending myself and those who couldn't defend themselves." He paused a beat, then continued. "My wife and I were living our lives as the locals do, only going into the hidden shuttle when absolutely necessary."

"Hmmm," came the response. "So I can see." She put the PADD down. "The Cairns came here, like you Lieutenant, By Accident. We do however have a way home. And we are going to take it. Are you sure you wish to return to the Federation?"

"Yes" Josie said softly. She looked at Kyle. "We spoke about it. And yes. What is the year?"

"2397."

Josie nodded. "A couple of years from when we left."

Kyle nodded. "Though I was born on Earth of the past, I do not truly belong in this time, because of who I am and what I am. Not only would I be safer in your time, wherever my wife goes, so do I, Commodore." There was steel in his voice, though it was tempered with respect for her position.

Carter-Davis studied him. "Very well. We will table any disciplinary actions until we return to the Federation." She decided. "Your horse was beamed up a short time ago with the belongings you asked to be brought up. I am sure you will be able to find something to keep busy."

Nodding, Kyle first looked at Josephine, then back at the Commodore. "Yes, Ma'am. Josephine has been bringing me up to date on the history of Earth and the Federation. I still have much to study, to bring me into the present. And thank you again, for bringing my trusty steed. Thunderchild has been with me for several years. He deserves to live a comfortable life."

"Of course. Cargo Bay 3 has been set up for him," the Commodore said as she stood.

Josephine stood as well and saluted the Commodore. "Thank you Sir."

"We hope to be back in our time and back at Starbase 1 within 2 weeks." Carter-Davis said firmly. "You are not confined to quarters, but I would suggest staying clear of Medical and the brig."

"Yes Sir" Josephine said as she knew she was dismissed. "Thank you again." She thrn led her husband out of the ready room.

Kyle dipped his head respectfully to the Commodore as he stood. "Thank you Ma'am. You have my word as both an El Aurian and a Knight of the Realm, you will not have any disruptions from me." He then turned and allowed Josephine to leaf him out of thec ready room.

After crossing the bridge and entering the turbolift, this time without the security officer escort, he turned to Josephine and asked softly, "did that go as you expected, my love?"

Josie shook her head as the lift doors closed. "Deck 19," she said to the lift. "And no, I was expecting to be in a brig cell right about now."

Kyle frowned slightly. "Do you think the Commodore might still be an issue?"

"No, I don't think so, but she will not be the main one I will need to be concerned about when we get back." The lift doors opened and she linked her arm through his as they exited.

As they walked, Kyle asked, "Whom are you worried about then?" He took her safety very seriously.

"Starfleet Command." She said softly. "They are very strict."

Kyle nodded slowly as he considered Josephine's words. Then he replied, "Well, as you are legally my wide, you would be protected by the laws of my people. As my bride, you would be recognized as an El Aurian citizen."

"Well we shall see what happens." They arrived at the cabin and she keyed the lock allowing them to enter and the doors slid shut behind her.

"Then let us not worry about things until they occur," he stated gently. "We should instead focus our energies on acclimating ourselves into this timeline. You said this ship originated from a time a few years different from your origin?"

"Only a few years, it's close enough." She said softly. "It's not decades or centuries."

"No," he agreed. However, there are things that happened, I'm sure, that you need to familiarize yourself with as well, are there not?"

Josie nodded. "And if my parents and siblings are still alive."

He nodded, hoping for her happiness, that her family was safe. "I hope they are, my love. I would very much like to meet them." He smiled warmly at her as he finished speaking.

She smiled. She wondered how her brothers would react to Kyle, it would be interesting to witness for sure. She sat down on a couch in the cabin and pulled off her boots. "If you wish to go to the cargobay and check on your horse, the computer can lead you there."

"Do you not wish to come as well?" Kyle asked, worried that he had missed something.

She shook her head. "No I want to do some reading, see what the ship's database has."

Kyle nodded. "Very well, my love. Then I shall leave you in peace." He looked up towards the ceiling and said aloud, "Computer, can you hear me?"

[Yes] Came the smooth reply. [How may I assist you Mr Cragen?]

Kyle looked at Josephine. "Do all of the computers use the same voice?"

His wife smiled. "Yes," she replied. "It's normal."

Make nodded slowly, as if in thought. Then, "Computer. I would like to go see my horse in the cargobay. Will you please direct me in the correct direction?"

[Of Course. Please exit the cabin and follow the yellow flashing lights.] The Computer replied.

Josie stretched as it spoke. "Good Luck Darling. When you get back, we can relax a bit?"

Kyle moved over to Josephine, then leaned down, and kissed her gently. Afterwards, he replied softly, "I look forward to that time, my love." He then straightened back up and left their quarters.

Josie watched him go with a smile. She wondered how long it would take him to adjust fully but knowing him, she doubted it would take too long.

As Kyle made his way down to the cargobay in question, he passed several officers and crew of the ship they were currently on. For the most part, he recognized the different species he saw. There were a few, however, that he had never seen before. One, in particular. Had an extremely bulbous head, with enormous ears. At first glance, Kyle had thought it was a midget troll.

A few hours later, Josie was curled up on the low couch, in a pair of long baggy pants and a loose tee-shirt. She had a PADD on her lap and she was reading carefully.

The doors to their quarters slid open and Kyle stepped inside. "This ship is enormous! The largest ship I have ever been on is a four deck Mar of War! Are all of your ships this big?"

"Some are, some aren't. Some are 4 decks, others are up to 50 decks." Josie replied with a smile. "Enjoying your time?"

Kyle smiled in amazement at what he heard. "It's remarkable, my love! To hear about how far the humans came is one thing, to see it..." he shook his head as he continued to smile. "There are species here that I have never heard of. And my parents taught me about over two hundred different humanoid species." He moved to the couch and knelt down by her head. As he gazed into her eyes, the smell if horse wafted off of him. "Thank you again, my love. Had you not come into my life, I would not have experienced any of this."

She smiled and kissed his lips. "Go bathe, I asked the computer to tell me when you were on your way and I prepared the bath for you."

He grinned at Josephine, love filling his eyes. "You truly are a magnificent woman, my love." He leaned in closer and kissed her. As he stood, he asked, "Would you care to join me? You know I sometimes can't reach that spot on my back." He smirked playfully as he finished speaking.

"Hmm sure, the bath is more than big enough." She stood. "I replicated you some more clothes from this time."

"Thank you for that," he replied softly. He then followed her to their bathroom, removing his clothes as they went.

"Just remember, there are no servants here!" she reminded him as she placed her clothes neatly on a bench in the bathroom.

Smiling softly, he returned to collect his discarded clothing. "I'm sorry, my love. It's been nearly almost fifty years since I didn't have a servant." He moved up to her and pulled her into a loving embrace. "Please forgive your poor savage of a husband?"

"Hmm we shall see" she teased as she climbed into the hot bath, which she had put scents that he would recognise.

Kyle took in a deep breath, enjoying the view of his wife's backside as she climbed into the large tub. He then climbed in behind her and sat down in the hot water. Once he was in position, he offered his hand to Josephine, to help her sit down against him.

She slid down and leaned back against him. "Hmm this is nice," she said softly.

"It is indeed," Kyle agreed with her as he grabbed a sponge and some soap. "Thank you for getting this ready, my love." He then started to gently wash the parts of her skin that were sticking out of the water.

"Hmm do not expect it every night." she said as she leaned forward for him to wash her back. "If, I get reinstated into the fleet I will be working odd hours."

"Well," he replied as he started to wash her back. "As I do not have a job, nor need to sleep much, odd hours will not affect me any."

She nodded. "I am sure you will find something to do. There are a number of jobs and things to do in my time."

"Perhaps I could become a history teacher," he chuckled softly.

Josie turned and faced him in the tub and smiled. "Hmm a History Professor at one of the Universities... I can see that."

He smiled at her as he reached out to gently caressed the right side of her face. "You would certainly be the teacher's pet."

She smiled and kissed him. "Wash my love" she said with a grin. "You smell of horse."

Grinning still, Kyle replied. "You never commented on that before."

She laughed "No, but it's ok." and she splashed him lightly. "I was only joking love."

Chuckling, Kyle splashed back. Then quickly wrapped his arms around Josephine and pulled her to him, nuzzling her neck once he did. "Your horseman is hungry for his maiden."

"Oh is he?" Josie teased him with a smile. "I am sure we can do something to sate that hunger."

Kyle slid his right hand up to Josephine's throat and jaw line and turned her face towards his. For a few beats, their eyes locked. There was the same intensity that he felt for her since they first night together in his. He then kissed her deeply, as he slid his hand back down over her body.

Josie moaned into his mouth and shifted closer to him in the warm water. She felt freer now, without the worry of servants overhearing them, and their secrets. And her hands wandered him as they kissed.

A growl rumbled in Kyle's chest as they continued to kiss. He moved his hands down to her hips and lifted her up slightly, before using the fact that they were in water, to rotate her over to face him. Laying her back down on his chest, he kissed her again, while his hands moved over her perfectly round ass.

Gently she broke the kiss and smiled at him. "Should we take this to bed, Love?"

Kyle grinned atJosie as he looked deep into her eyes. "Oh yes, let's." He then offered his hand to his wife, helping her stand up in the tub then, once she was out, he stood up and climbed out of the tub.

Josie followed him from the tub and grabbed towels for them. No need for them to get a chill she reasoned as she handed him one.

Taking the towel with a grin, Kyle quickly started to dry off. He then wrapped the towel around his waist. "Would you care for something to drink, my love?"

"Hmm sounds like an idea," she said as she wrapped her towel around herself. "But you will only find Synthale in the replicator. I did however pack the wine cellar and the spirit collection. Try the trunk in the living room for a bottle of your favorite."

"Yes, I heard about this synthale briefly in my reading. The taste of the drink without the side effects? Sounds a bit...soft to me." He spoke as he moved to the trunk in question and opened the lid. "Aha! Here we are!" He did indeed find his favorite bottle. He also found one of hers. Taking both out, he moved over to the replicator and ordered up the appropriate glassware and an opener. Once both glasses were full, he carried them back to his wife and handed her hers. "To the star of my eternal sky," he said as he toasted her.

She blushed and saluted him back "To the man who holds my heart and soul," and she sat down on the couch with him.

After Kyle took a sip of his drink, he put his left arm around his wife's shoulders, holding her loosely against his bare chest. "So, what do you foresee happening next in our journey to your, soon to be our, time?"

"Questioning, maybe even a court marshal, and maybe reassignment." She said "If all goes well. Or a dishonorable discharge for me, and having to make a home on Earth or another world."

Kyle frowned at those prospects. "As I told you, my love, you are now protected by El Aurian laws. And we have known about time travel for nearly two thousand years of your years. The way that you carried yourself down in the King's Court, then later, as my wife, would be seen as an honorable and proper way to do things in your situation. Even your handling of James would be seen favorably. I will not allow your chain of command to ruin your prospects or career, simply because they are too young to understand the truth."

She shrugged. "Maybe I don't want to stay in starfleet? Maybe I do...I am not sure really."

Kyle nodded as he listened. "That is your choice, of course. Whatever you decide, you will have my complete support, my love." He leaned his face down to hers and kissed her gently and lovingly on her full lips.

She kissed him back and placed her drink down. "It's night shift now," she said with a glance at the chrono. "We won't be disturbed."

Understanding her meaning, Kyle carefully leaned forward and placed his wine glass next to Josephine's. As he sat back, he guided her up onto his lap, his towel falling open in the process. Looking up into her beautiful eyes, he reached up and gently held the right side of her face with his left hand. "How many children would you want us to have?" He asked as his right hand slid under her towel, along the top of her left thigh.

"As many as we can," she whispered and slid onto his lap with a grin.

"Well then," he replied with a hungry grin. "No time like the present to start." He then reached up and undid her towel, letting it fall away from her body.

~OFF~

http://usscairns-a.wikidot.com/deck-listing
http://usscairns-a.wikidot.com/commodore-josephine-carter-davis