Making new friends - Part 2

Posted on Sun Nov 3rd, 2024 @ 8:34am by Lieutenant J'airesh Mora-Heath & Lieutenant JG Zac Smithson & Master Chief Petty Officer Chuck Finley [Reece] & Senior Chief Petty Officer Emily Charles {Kelea-Salik}

Mission: Season 6: Episode 5: A church beyond heaven
Location: Holodeck
1260 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

— Previously —

Zac looked at Emily as J'air and Chuck started off down the trail. He smiled at her and held his hand out for her to take, "Shall we get going? Or those two will leave us far behind." He grinned at Emily

— Now —

“Sure” Emily smiled as she took hold of Zac’s hand. She hadn’t been keen on hiking, but she was going to give it a go.

"Thatagirl." Zac smiled as his fingers curled around Emily's in a warm grip. "We'll walk slow and enjoy the view and each other's company. This will be fun." He assured her.

J'Air turned back slightly, without letting go of Chuck's hand. (Wild horses wouldn't force that to happen! She was stuck to him as if sutured there!) Looking to check if Zac and Emily were following she slowed a little to let them catch up and as they pulled alongside, J'Air began to recite some of the facts she'd found out about this Bajoran Scenario.

"This program is based on the Eastern Province of Bajor. It's a region called the seres and it's been called "Eden" because it's so green and beautiful." she explained.

Chuck looked around and nodded. "It certainly looks well named." He smiled warmly at J'Air. He was very happy to be spending time with her, he just hoped he never did anything to embarrass her.

J'Air looked up at him, soaking up his smile. She was SO proud of him and hadn't yet come to understand how her luck had changed so dramatically to allow someone this wonderful to arrive in her life. It wasn't that she wasn't grateful of course, just incredulous. She walked in close to him and their arms touched against one another. She squeezed his hand and beamed up at him.

As they walked on, J'Air pointed to some unusual trees. "Those are called Timpock Trees" she said. Once we get up on top of the undulation ahead - you can't call it a hill, the guide says" she laughed. "Then we'll be able to see the Lodge where we can stop for lunch."

“Sounds lovely” Emily smiled as she looked around, the area was definitely gorgeous and she had to agree the name Eden was definitely a well suited one.

Zac leaned close to Emily and whispered so only she could hear. "As beautiful as this is, it pales in beauty to you Emily." Then he gave a quick kiss on the cheek.

Emily couldn’t help but blush as she looked at Zac. “Thank you Zac.”

Zac grinned broadly at Emily. "You are welcome sweetie."

The four continued up the gentle slope and down the soft undulation beyond it. When they reached the next tip of the rolling slopes, they could already see another beyond it - slightly higher and another beyond that before the ground looked as if it might finally level off - at least briefly.

The weather was beautiful. Warm but with a gentle cooling breeze that was very comfortable as they all walked on. J'Air reached down and picked a very tall daisy an put it into the band of Chuck's hiking hat. There was some giggling about this.

"... but it suits you....." she insisted as he appeared to raise some mild resistance to being adorned.

Chuck smirked playfully, then bowed formally to her. "You honor me, fair maiden. Just as ladies of old Earth history, who bestowed a token of their affection to their champion, you so honor me now."

"I do!" she agreed wholeheartedly, and as such, I require you to be my knight in shining armour for all time!" she added assertively, knowing full well she was being unreasonable, but chancing her luck anyway.

"You don't seem to have brought the horses though..... " she added, looking around in an exaggerated way. "That was remiss of you, Sir!" she pretended to scold, her eyes sparkling as she put on the act. "I think you may have to carry me yourself in that case.... if I should become faint due to your manly presence!" she winked at him and laughed, running up the next few yards to the top of this particular undulating ridge.

Chuck grinned and chuckled, then set off after her, momentarily forgetting that they were not alone.

J'Air squeaked with fake alarm as he caught up with her. She turned and met him square on, throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him.

"It's SO amazing here. I'm having such a lovely day. It's breathtaking," she breathed, a little out of breath from the sudden sprint. "Just like you!" she slid down from his neck and planted herself back on the ground, grinning up into his gorgeous eyes.

Smiling happily, Chuck sat down next to J'Air, putting his arm around her shoulders and gently pulling her into his side. "You're the amazing one, Darling. I'm just the lucky shmo who gets to walk next to you through life."

Zac and Emily walked hand in hand along the trail, admiring the surrounding beauty and enjoying each other's company. Zac smiled at Chucks and J'Airs actions. It was obvious the pair was very much in love. He stopped and turned to her, without a word he brought her close and kissed her. Then he spoke softly, "I love you Emily, with every breath I take, I love you."

Emily returned Zac’s kiss, she could willingly spend all their time together like this. “You know I love you too Zac.”

Zac smiled and nodded at Emily's reply. "I know you do Emily, and I am so lucky to have a remarkable woman such as yourself to be in love with me. It is a dream; I never want to end."

As Zac and Emily caught up with them, J'Air stood up and pointed over the ridge they'd just topped and down into the plain below. "There's where our lunch will be set out." She enthused.

"Let's walk the last bit together" she suggested. "It's not far now!"

“It wasn’t such a bad walk, in fact I’ve enjoyed it so far” Emily grinned. “It’s nice getting out and doing something fun.”

"It has been great." Zac echoed. "I've had great fun and as Emily said doing things with others is definitely fun." As he finished, he gently squeezed Emily's hand.

Chuck smiled as he stood up and took hold of J'Air's right hand. As the four of them made their way to the spot she had pointed out, he gave her hand a loving squeeze. "I'm glad we did this, sweetheart."

"I am too" J'Air agreed, squeezing Chucks hand in return. "And I love that Zac and Emily were able to join us. It's so special to make new friends." she added and walked closer to the other couple so as to start a conversation with them too.

"You were right Zac, when you told me how beautiful Emily is" she said and grinned at Emily. "Oh.... "she pretended to suddenly realise she'd revealed a confidence. "was I supposed to tell her you said that?" she grinned, nudging Zac's elbow in fun.

Zac feigned shock at J'Air's announcement. "Well, cat is out of the bag now and anyway it is true." He grinned at Emily and winked at J'Air.

Emily couldn’t help but blush, she wasn’t used to such comments especially said in front of others.

J'Air grinned, very happy that the four of them were here in this idyllic place, getting to know each other better.

tbc