We'll Go No More a Roaming

Posted on Sat Jul 22nd, 2023 @ 7:03am by Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Holodeck 2
Timeline: Before the Crash
926 words - 1.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Gary was in the holodeck. More precisely in the living room of his and Catlin's apartment. He was feeling very melancholy and had been for several days. He had been thinking of Catlin quite a lot. He still loved her and knew he always would. It wasn't meant as a slight toward Lia. He loved her more than she would ever know. She had saved him from a life of loneliness. Got him to live and enjoy life once again. But as the old saying goes, you never forget your first love. Especially a love like Catin.

Catlin had been his first serious love. They met and dated through the Academy even managed to room together their senior year. Got married after graduating and were assigned to the Solstice together. Were both onboard when the Solstice strayed into the Neutral Zone and was attacked by Romulan warbirds. Killing the captain and exec along with most of the senior officers. He and other junior officers managed to get most of the crew to the lifeboats and safety. He spent three years in a Romulan hellhole of a prison on some jungle world, until he was finally released. Catlin was there to meet and greet him. Showering him with kisses and hugs. He had been so happy then. So, elated at being reunited with her. But now Catlin was gone and their life together cut short. Their dreams would remain just dreams unrealized.

"Well Catlin,
So, we'll go no more a roving
So late into the night,
Though the heart be still as loving,
 And the moon be still as bright.

For the sword outwears its sheath,
   And the soul wears out the breast,
And the heart must pause to breathe,
   And love itself have rest.

Though the night was made for loving,
   And the day returns too soon,
Yet we'll go no more a roving
   By the light of the moon.."

He whispered. "But I'll always love you and think of the good times we had. No one can ever take my memories of you and the times we had away." He sighed as he walked through the apartment. He looked at the couch where they spent so much time cuddling together and blinked. Was that Catlin sitting there smiling at him? He shook his head and blinked again. No, he was imagining things. He continued to talk to her. "Remember the nights we had just the two of laughing and being silly? Or me singing to you and us dancing? You were such a good dancer, so light and graceful and me doing my best to keep up with you." He stopped and sat heavily in one of the chairs. "I miss you Catlin. I love Lia very, very much and she is amazing. She is smart and attractive. Stands her ground." He paused and then in a whisper he said, "She saved me Catlin. Plain and simple. Lia saved me. You would like her. You could sit and talk about the things you like and love and hopefully I'm on the list somewhere." Gary laughed a bit self-consciously. "Did you know we had a daughter? Her name was, is Angel. She died as a baby. Lia was devastated, we both were but she helped me with my feelings and being able to express them. As I said, she is amazing. However, I miss you. I miss your laugh at my corny jokes or your smile that could light up a whole room. I even miss when you would cry over some silly old romantic vid you would watch. However, what I really miss is singing to you and how you would sit with your eyes closed and just sway as you let the song fill you with happiness. I miss your goodness Catlin." He stopped and when he spoke next his voice was thick with emotion. "This is for you Catlin along with my love." As he spoke from the heart. "Computer play, Always and Forever by Heatwave." An instant later the song filled the apartment and Gary Taylor hung his head and thought of Catlin.

Always and forever, each moment with you
Is just like a dream to me that somehow came true
And I know tomorrow will still be the same
'Cause we've got a life of love that won't ever change and
Everyday love me your own special way
Melt all my heart away with a smile
Take time to tell me you really care
And we'll share tomorrow together
(Always forever love you)
And I'll always love you forever
(Always forever love you) Forever
There'll always be sunshine when I look at you
It's something I can't explain just the things that you do
But if you get lonely phone me and take
A second to give to me that magic you make and
Everyday love me your own special way
Melt all my heart away with a smile
Take time to tell me you really care
And we'll share tomorrow together
(Always forever love you)
I'll always love you ever
(Always forever love you) and ever
Loving you (Always forever love you) is the thing that I've planned
For a very long time (Always forever love you)
Me with you, you with me, we as one
Love together (Always forever love you) for a very long time
Loving you
Always, forever love you
Always, forever love you
Ever, forever
Forever, ever
Ever
Forever loving you, loving you
I said, "Forever love you, love you"
Forever (Always forever love you)
Forever