Off to See the ...Captain

Posted on Sun Mar 29th, 2020 @ 7:33pm by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Captain Gary Taylor & Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor

Mission: INTERMISSION: Rebuild, Reuse, Recycle
Location: Various
Timeline: Current
2079 words - 4.2 OF Standard Post Measure

Gary stood in doorway to Lia's and his bedroom, his now their quarters transformed into a Japanese Tea House thanks to Lia's love of the Japanese culture. "Gotta admit I like this. It's beautiful and amazing." He said looking around at the work and detail Lia had put into the transformation. "You did good Lia, real good. You should be proud."

As Gary spoke, Lia looked around the cabin and thought about the décor. "Shame we couldn't move that damn bulkhead, just six inches. But I suppose we can't have everything". She stood up and went to Gary, hugging him as she stepped into his arms. "Thanks, but are you sure you can live with it?" She then noticed the bed hadn't been changed to futon's, "The bed! I knew there was something I had to do, but I suppose you want to keep it right?" She nuzzled his chest and then looked into his eye's, "Have you spoken to Phoenix about our impending ceremony? Or do you want the two of us to do it?"

Gary looked up at the bulkhead in question. "Well, we can't get everything. besides this is beautiful. You really outdid yourself." As he wrapped his arms around Lia. "You should be very proud." He added. He glanced at the bed, "Yes, I'm rather partial to it." He replied as his eyes met hers. "I haven't spoken to Phoenix yet. I thought as this involves both of us and our new life together, it would be a good idea to get it off to a good start and what better way than go to Phoenix together and tell her."

Stepping back Lia nodded, "Ok, when do you think we should go? I mean Heather and Fernando are getting spliced, and we don't want to swamp their day or moment". She spun round and headed for the replicator, "Coffee? I need something sweet". Lia stopped and with a wide grin looked at Gary, "Sugar, real sugar. Not a warm cuddly man, or a snuggly bed with the aforementioned man". She giggled as she made her way to the replicator, and did a little dance as she waited for her coffee.

"I think we should go as soon as possible after Heather and Fernando are married." Gary replied, "Not the next day. give everyone to a chance to catch their breath but soon." He shook his head, "I'll pass on the coffee Lia but thank you anyways." He grinned at her "I know I'm sweet but sometimes nothing beats real sugar. Though I do like my cuddly lady and warm bed."

Taking a sip of her coffee, Lia thought about what Gary had said. "How about we wait three day's after Heather and Fernando, that way we won't be cramping their style". Then she picked up a soft toy Pikachu she had made for Gary, and threw it at him. "Who said I was talking about you?" Then she started to giggle again, "But just who's this cuddly lady your on about??"

"Three days sounds good Lia." Gary replied as he caught Pikachu. "Ah, that's true, you didn't say me." He looked at Pikachu, "You are one lucky fella." He said with a smile. "As for the cuddly lady." He walked over to her and kissed her on the lips. "I think you know her. She's the Security/ Tactical chief for the Elysium."

Lia took a step back, "You mean I've been replaced again??" She placed a scowl on her face, "I thought you loved me, and that we were getting married. Now you tell me your knocking off some security bird, I'm going to my cabin to sulk". Unable to keep up the pretense she now collapsed in to fits of laughter, "Cuddly? Me cuddly, Gary Taylor, you certainly know how to flatter a lady".

He shook his head at her antics. Lia's sense of humor was a wonder to behold. It was as unique as she was. "Oh, I do but the security chief, well she's just something special." He countered going along with her charade. He chuckled as he finished. "You are cuddly, your soft and warm and fit perfectly in my arms. What's not to love and cuddle?"

She now walked back into Gary's arms, "Well I guess I'd better show you just how special I am, wanna little one on one action before we go see the head honcho?"

He enveloped her, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close. "You are special Lia. Very special. As for some one on one action,Your wish is my command."

Lia headed for the bedroom but then stopped, "You know what, I think it'll be better when we get back. Don't have to rush anything, so we can enjoy it more". She now looked at Gary, "Lets go talk to Phoenix".

Gary nodded, "What a capital idea. I like it and I definitely plan to enjoy it." He finished by winking at her. "Now as you stated, lets go talk to Phoenix."

Lia looked in the mirror, "I think I'd better change before we go, if I turn up in this get up she'll think we're not serious". She now removed her Yukata and had a wash, then found a bra and a nice sky blue Kimono style wrap top. Lia then located a pale orange skirt, and a pair of sandal's finished off her outfit. She turned to Gary, "So, do I pass inspection?"

"If you say so Lia." Gary answered as he took a seat on the couch and waited for her to change. When she had finished, he smiled at her, "Of course you do Lia. You always do. You never have to worry about that." He stood up, "So are we ready to go now?"

Taking Gary's hand, Lia walked out of their cabin. She walked slowly to the turbolift and waited, "So how do we present this? Excuse us Captain, we're getting married. Or something more, Wanna marry us??" She grinned as she spoke, but waited for Gary to answer.

Gary pretended to ponder Lia's question for a few seconds before he answered her, "Those are good however I was going to go with something like "Got any free time?" He finished and grinned back at her.

Lia punched Gary's arm, "Will you be serious, we need to ask Phoenix if we can get married. How we do it could be the difference of her saying yes or no, and more important if we can both stay on the Elysium". Her last point hinted at the Star Fleet rule that husband and wife couldn't serve on the same vessel, as it could conflict with discipline. Lia didn't want to leave the Elysium, and she knew Gary felt the same.

Gary smiled at her. "Yes ma'am. Let me put my serious face on." He nodded at her assessment. "Agreed. Don't want to give Phoenix a reason for transferring one or both of us. Though I don't think she would or has one. It's still better not to take any chances in this instance." He paused for a moment then continued. "So we go in united and we bow, curtsy, sing songs of praise and ask, respectfully of course if Phoenix will marry us. That should be enough I think."

She punched him once again, "Gary! this is serious. I don't want to set Phoenix against our getting married, and I certainly don't want to be transferred off the ship". Lia looked at Gary wide eyed, "And I don't think you want a transfer do you? Rules are rules you know, and Phoenix tends to follow the rules at times like these". She stopped and thought about how they should ask, "I think you should go in first and say we want to talk, then I can come in and we can ask together". The turbolift opened and the pair entered, it now seemed to shoot straight to the bridge leaving Lia little or no time to hear Gary's response".

"I am serious." Gary replied. "No I don't want to be transferred and I definitely don't want you transferred." He nodded, "Alright, I'll go in first get her ready for a conversation, then you come in and we can ask together." He finished as the lift sped to the bridge and opened in doors upon arrival. He looked back at Lia, "Alright here we go. Wish me luck. Give me about 30 to 45 seconds to talk Phoenix."

Lia nodded and watched as Gary entered Phoenix's office, now she could only guess as their talk.

--

Phoenix looked up as her XO entered the office. "Hello, what brings you by?" she asked curiously, though she was grateful to put the paperwork aside

Gary gestured at the PaDDS on her desk, "Seems I came by at just the right time." He bantered before getting serious. "Have you got time to talk? Have a favor I need to ask of you." He finished as he gave a backwards glance at the doors to the office as if waiting for something or someone.

Lia walked in behind Gary and stood along side him, "I think you now why we're here Captain, can you spare a minuet or two?"

"Sure. Have a seat." Phoenix replied as she watched them carefully.

"Thank you Captain." Gary replied as he took a seat but said nothing more as he waited for Lia to be seated as well.

Once they were both seated, Phoenix sat back in her chair. "ok... so if this is another request for Lia to go to DS9...." she let her lips quirk. "You are gonna need a medical letter for it."

Gary looked over at Lia then back to Phoenix, "What?. Oh no Captain , nothing like that. This is a GOOOOOD reason. An excellent reason in fact." A smile coming to his face as he said it.

Lia smiled as Gary squirmed under Phoenix's questions, "DS9 isn't the destination this time Captain, and we will need first your permission followed by your assistance". She glanced at Gary, "Of course this is all dependent on your approval".

"A good reason? ok tell me" Phoenix invited.

Gary's smile grew bigger, "We want to get married." He replied as he looked over to Lia and then back to Phoenix as they waited for the Captain's reaction and hopeful blessing.

Phoenix didn't smile. She instead reached into a drawer, picked up a PADD and turned it on. She tapped at it for a moment and scowled. "Darn it you two. Now I owe Miran 2 strips of Latinum. I didn't have you down to announce an engagement for another 3 months!" She dropped the PADD onto the desk.
And then she smiled. "Congratulations."

"Thank you very much Captain. Um, you know you can still win your bet as we haven't announced it officially yet. We've just told you." Gary offered in an attempt to help Phoenix.

"no its ok. It will keep me out of trouble. If I lie to her, then its worse." She leaned forward. "So what was the request to go with the news? Do you need to take time off? Go on a holiday?"

Gary shook his head, "No, nothing like that. We'd like you to marry us."

Phoenix smiled. "Of Course, would be my honor. When?"

"Um." Gary paused for a second. "We haven't decided we wanted to talk to you and make sure you would agree to it."

"Well you figure those details out and let me know." Phoenix smiled at them both. "I wish you both luck"

Lia now cleared her throat, "I thought we would wait for about three days before announcing our engagement, to give Fernando and his wife a chance to enjoy the lime light. Then I think a two or three month run up to get things arranged". She stopped and looked at the other two, "Well I was sat here listening, so I worked out a rough schedule". A broad grin appeared on her face, "If you two can't make those arrangements........"

A broad smile crossed Gary's face as Lia spoke. He shook his head when she finished, "Leave it to you to have a schedule already worked out. I think that sounds great with a two to three month run up as you called it."

Phoenix smiled. "Very well, once you have the date settled let me know so I can book out the day."

OFF