Lost Harbor - atlantis-mission

:: setting out a platter of various finger-foods next to a couple of bottles of wine on a comfortable patio at a resort in Zanzibar on a rise overlooking a slope of acacia trees that becomes a beach as it runs down to the sea ::

:: smiles and goes for one of the tiny sandwiches, looking out at the view. By now both Doc and Kimiko know the story of how the family name 'Acacia' came to be, on a trip by Emily's parents much like this one. Seeing the trees in person was quite meaningful for Emily, and to share it with her two favorite people was all the better ::

:: thinks :: I can't believe I'm doing this.

:: leans against the tree :: I can't believe I'm doing the waiting-on-the-far-edge-of-a-funeral thing. This is, like, in the first chapter of The Big Book of Clichés. Hell, it's in the introduction.

:: once the coast is clear, approaches the gravesite, and takes in the name on the headstone: Richard Derondo Leirone 2320 - 2401 ::

:: sighs, looks down, then back up at the headstone, then down at his shoes :: :: sighs again :: :: sighs a third time :: Computer, end program.

Mr. Leirone, the point was to say the words out loud for yourself. No one could hear you.

You could hear me.

No I couldn't; I was all the way over by the entrance gate.

Yeah, well I would've told you what I said, and I didn't want to have to do that. So, if I didn't say anything, then I wouldn't have to repeat it. :: shrugs :: I sound like a teenager.

Listen, for next week, I want you to ask yourself what you're afraid of when it comes to talking to your dad. Because he can't hear you anymore.

Right, right. I'll work on it. And, for the record, Dr. Hart, I think you're doing just fine.

Huh?

As a therapist. You said last week that you were nervous about being so new to the field. So I thought I'd say I think you're doing fine.

Oh. :: smiles awkwardly :: Thanks. Well, I'll see you same time next week. Take care, Jack.

:: opens the bottle of rioja and pours three glasses before settling down on to a couch with one of them and a toothpick of hard salami, olive, and cheese, leaning his arm on the end of the couch as he looks to Emily :: @LCdr Emily Acacia I hope you enjoyed the day here, querida.

:: takes her glass of wine with a cheerful nod and munches on her finger sandwich :: Doc/Suzuki: I had a great time. It’s so nice to see the kind of place my name is from.

:: reclining on the adjacent couch, languid in the fading heat of the day, she chews thoughtfully on a piece of cheese, idly pondering the story of Emily's surname. When Emily speaks, she somewhat belatedly returns to the present and reaches for the remaining glass of wine, which she assumes is for her. Spending time as part of this trio in such a place feels mildly awkward to her due to the undercurrent of romance that she just can't seem to connect with, but she's decided that it's an awkwardness she can live with. ::

:: At the house that she and Lexy own on Risa, she's floating nude on her back in the pool, the passing clouds reflecting from the lenses of her sunglasses while she ponders her future and whether that involves continuing to command Atlantis or stepping down from that role in favor of a life here with her wife. Now that summer has arrived here, still a far cry from her tropical home, she vainly tries to soak up some of the light of Risa's suns as her hair billows around her in the water, but she only ever ends up with more freckles instead of a tan. The scene is quiet and tranquil, but her mind races... ::

:: the Jasper couple had been busy in the weeks following the closure of the Xovul-attack. Selling their current house, buying a larger one, moving, and transferring from Atlantis to permanent shore-assignment kept both busy. And, between all this, also waiting for the pregnancy preventative to wear off so they could start trying for a family... it kept her busy enough to not have flashes of regret at the sudden transfer off Atlantis, but she knew she'd still stay in contact with the crew. ::

:: after a slightly longer drink from his glass of wine than usual, he leans forward and speaks, trying to be casual :: @LCdr Emily Acacia / Jester: It's a lovely notion, isn't it? Choosing a new name for one's new family, that is... If our relationship were to progress that far, I would be in favor of us doing that, too. :: tries to prevent his nervousness at suggesting this from creeping into his demeanor ::

:: feels Doc's heart skip a beat and glances at him, but quickly redirects her gaze to her own wine glass to take the pressure off. A breezy smile crosses her face, as she can't hide her fascination with the idea :: @Lt Doc Navarro/Cpt Kimiko Suzuki: I like the idea, but that's me, I've grown up familiar with the concept. It would certainly be easier than getting people to remember 'Santiago Navarro Caballero de León'. :: she looks to Kimiko, curious how she feels ::

:: Emerges from the house, wearing a bright yellow sundress and carrying a big fluffy white towel. Her hair is in a thick French braid and laid over her left shoulder. She spies Kate in the pool and crosses the patio, calling out to get Kate's attention. :: @Cdor Kathryn Harper Kate! You'll never guess who just called. :: her smile seems ever so slightly forced :: I think you might've forgotten to tell me something important.

:: Sips her wine, pondering Emily and Zorro sharing a new last name -- she supposed she could get used to it. Moments pass before she realizes that they are both looking at her, and since they both know her well, they're able to spot the flicker of confusion that crosses her impassive features. :: @Lt Doc Navarro @LCdr Emily Acacia Well, you certainly don't need my permission. What name would you choose?

:: half-chuckles into a nervous grin :: Well, I didn't just mean... :: he places the wine glass on the table and clasps his hands before starting again, his eyes moving between the two women every few seconds :: @LCdr Emily Acacia/Cpt Kimiko Suzuki: I never imagined myself in a relationship like this, you know, as I was stuck with more traditional ideals of how things were supposed to be, but I really, truly treasure what we have together. Jester and Emily, I love both of you, and would be ecstatic if the three of us were to get married.

:: She lifts her head from the water at the muffled sound of her wife's call, then stands up and slicks her hair back as she tries to process the rest of what Lexy said, wondering what she could have forgotten. Unsuccessful, she walks up the steps out of the pool and gratefully accepts the big fluffy white towel, then begins drying herself off. :: @Cdr Alexis Wright: Who called? I do not think I forgot to tell you anything...

:: blinks, cycling through a range of emotions before settling on a small smile, a twinkle in her eye :: @Lt Doc Navarro/Cpt Kimiko Suzuki: Oh... wow. That's... I love that.

:: though she normally prides herself on her strong control over her emotions and her quick wit, on this occasion she finds herself stunned. Zorro and Emily fade into the background as her thoughts focus solely on what Zorro said, and whether she could possibly be misunderstanding, because that was a sentiment that she had never expected to be directed at her. It set her spinning through a sea of calculations and scenarios, complications and possibilities. She did not know how she felt about it; she did not know what it would mean. For once, Kimiko Suzuki is out of her depth. It does not even occur to her that her response of abrupt silence and obvious shock might be taken poorly by the others; that cognitive capacity is currently beyond her. Reality finally begins to come back into focus when someone - she's not sure who - gently shakes her and says her name, a voice tinted with concern. She looks around, as if re-orienting herself, and tries to speak with a dry mouth and thick tongue. :: I- I beg your pardon. You- You did just say married? I heard that correctly?

@Cdor Kathryn Harper :: nonchalantly :: Oh, your parents just called from their shuttle. Your mother said something about a garden? And that they would be here in ten minutes?

:: sits on the couch, PADDs galore laid out in front of him: everything from the newest tactical specs on new ships down to old, turn-of-the-century historical records of skirmishes and battles that the Federation had waged. Specifications on phaser banks, torpedo tubes, and shield harmonics sat to his left - he knew those like the back of his hand, but it never hurt to review. He sipped at this whiskey and picked up the latest Daystrom entry on defensive strategies. Shore leave was one thing, being prepared for a new endeavor and added responsibility was another ::

:: she pauses while drying herself to stare at Lexy for a long moment :: @Cdr Alexis Wright She what? Wait. What? :: thinks about her recent conversations with her mother, trying to figure this one out, then it hits her :: Oh. OH. :: swears elaborately in Risan before sighing in resignation and looking skyward for a second or two before finding Lexy's gaze again and shaking her head :: We talked about doing some gardening for the new house, someday. Someday. Apparently that day is today! Zok. Come on, Rosie, it looks like we are spending the day gardening. :: she wraps the towel around herself and heads inside ::

Jester: I did, yes. :: smiles as he chuckles a bit :: I know it's not really your style, Jessie, but, I also doubt that you would have appreciated it had I only asked Emily. Besides, if I had done that, it would have been a foolish dismissal of my feelings for you. As I said, I love you both and what we have together, and the idea of spending our lives like this sounds wonderful to me. Nothing about what we have is traditional, so forgive me for not being on one knee with rings. :: laughs nervously, then holds his breath in anticipation ::

:: looks between Zorro and Jester, reading the vibe and struggling with what to say. It was more important what Kimiko was thinking, because Emily had known for a while she’d take the opportunity to marry Doc if asked. After a moment of searching for the words she looks to Kimiko :: Jester: It doesn’t have to be anything you don’t want it to.

:: nods eagerly in agreement with Emily, still not really breathing ::

:: quietly heaves an exasperated sigh as she follows Kate into the house, but has known Jhnal long enough at this point to know that she does not take "no" for an answer and will go full steam over anyone with alternative ideas :: @Cdor Kathryn Harper Gardening. She knows we don't live here yet, right? We can't very well maintain a garden from a starship light years away.

:: drops her eyes to her hands in her lap, focusing on them rather than on either of her companions, thinking carefully through her words which come out slow and quiet when she finally begins to speak :: @Lt Doc Navarro @LCdr Emily Acacia This... arrangement. Is something you both desire? :: in her mind, she is puzzling over the ramifications, of what the prerequisites and parameters and agreements would need to be, complexities that were a large part of the reason she had avoided such entanglements in the past. But if she was being honest, there was part of her that, at this stage in her life, was ready for more stability... and if she was going to be entangled, she would choose to be entangled with these two. For the first time in her life, she did not see those complexities as an immediate deal-breaker. This revelation was scary to her, and she felt as though the pit of her stomach had just fallen into a bottomless abyss -- but outwardly, she was silently staring at her hands, awaiting their reply. ::

:: blinks, taking a moment to process the vibe and considering Kimiko's words. A small smile graces her face and she reaches over to give Kimiko's hand a small squeeze :: Cpt Kimiko Suzuki: Well, I think it's what I want. We have such a wonderful relationship, I would be happy to commit to spending our lives together like this. But... don't take that as pressure, just me saying how I feel.

:: breathes a bit once more, having just barely processed that Emily said 'yes' as he leans forward to take their free hands in his, completing the triangle :: @LCdr Emily Acacia /Jester: As would I. But, as Emily said, don't take it as pressure; if it is not what you want, then that's alright. We can continue as we are since that's been wonderful enough to compel me to ask this question in the first place. :: takes a deep breath and holds it, sharing a look with Emily before searching Jester's eyes ::

@Cdr Alexis Wright Oh, she will probably take care of it while we are away. I just — augh! You would think that after knowing her my whole life, this sort of thing would have stopped surprising me by now! :: after they enter their bedroom, she crosses to the huge walk-in closet and sheds the towel on the floor as she begins to search for attire appropriate for gardening :: I should not complain so much, really. I love my parents so much, but it would be nice if Mamá and I could communicate just a little more clearly. We were not even speaking English! :: steps into a pair of panties, followed by some olive green capri pants, and then pulls a grey Starfleet tank-top over her head, subconsciously not dressing in Risan attire around her mother ::

:: sits in his office, slowly packing his diplomas and personal belongings, reminiscing with each. It's his last day with Medical in San Francisco, and he's looking forward to his transition to Engineering - and back aboard Atlantis. Having moved due to need from Science to Medical, he's one of the few Starfleet officers who will have served in three distinct departments. Jorvan's move from Science to Medical had been out of necessity and due to Tav's previous experience in Medical. While it was highly unusual for a symbiont to go back into a previous host's field, the Symbiont Commission had allowed it. To this point, Tav had served for several years as a doctor with Starfleet, first on Atlantis, and then in San Francisco. :: Tav had taken a sabbatical from Starfleet after the sudden and shocking death of his mother and sister, and had extended it with his father’s passing just months later. By the time he was ready to return, Starfleet had replaced the CMO aboard Atlantis, and he had taken a position at Starfleet Headquarters. During his time serving at Starfleet Medical, he had encountered and worked directly with Ruari, who was always excited to meet one of her daughter’s coworkers from Atlantis, and even more elated to meet one of Kuari’s close friends. They had quickly formed a friendship, though not the same deeper bond as Tav had while serving with Kuari. :: Recently, Tav had received a communique from the Symbiont Commission, that while they understood the need for Jorvan to move to medical, they didn’t want too much overlap with hosts having the same career paths. As it was, they had made an exception for choosing a Starfleet Officer, since the Dax symbiont had also been paired with not one, but two Starfleet Officers back-to-back, the second being a complete disaster. It was still a sore spot with the Commission. :: They had asked that Jorvan pursue the possibility of transferring to another department. And so he had, the result being one that he hadn’t expected: Engineering. Between his Science and Medical background, Engineering was not as far-flung an option as it might appear at first. The Commission was happy with this, as it would continue to generate diverse life experiences for the Tav symbiont. :: And so now, here is Tav, cleaning out his office at Starfleet Medical, both reminiscing his Starfleet career so far, already having transitioned between two departments at Starfleet, and also looking forward to his move into yet another new department and back aboard Atlantis, when he hears his door chime. :: Door: Come in.

:: enters Tav's office once the swishing doors admit her, a beaming smile on her face that shows the long jagged zipper of teeth. Ever since he had told Kuari he was returning to Atlantis, she had awaited his transfer orders, taking comfort in it once it was official. She was eager to put the Xovul Conflict and the aftermath behind her, looking forward to what the future held. While she had seen Tav at the party, knowing he would be working once again aboard ship brought her back to her earlier years, when things were less complicated :: @LCdr Jorvan Tav Tav!

:: puts the diploma currently in his hands into the box where it was going anyway, stands up and walks around his desk to greet Kuari. :: @Cdr Kuari Kuari! Today's the day! :: looks around his office :: I will miss this place, but it's going to be so great to be back on Atlantis. I've missed being there and working with the crew MUCH more. :: puts his arm around Kuari’s shoulders for a moment, embracing her ::

:: receives the hug, standing mostly upright to meet Tav at his tall height and chortling happily before letting go of him :: @LCdr Jorvan Tav We're going to be on opposite sides of the ship! I will see you on my rounds of course, but I can't stay. We could get together off-shift, though!

:: nods :: @Cdr Kuari Of course! I've really been looking forward to that! I've held onto that memory of one of my last nights on Atlantis when you came and kept me company so I wouldn't have to be alone in my grief. I can't wait to explore the galaxy with you again.

:: presses her smile closed and nods at the memory, thankful that Tav's been able to heal well since that time. She looks down at his desk :: @LCdr Jorvan Tav Need help with your stuff?

:: is boxing up the last of his belongings, setting all but a few of the most cherished and valuable keepsakes to the side for the moving crew to transport later. He picks up that small box and sets it under his arm before walking with Kuari to the door. :: @Cdr Kuari I don't think so. This is all I'm carrying. And my condo is packed up and ready to go. The movers have got it. Yay for the cargo transporters. It's funny... :: he takes a sweeping, final gaze into and around the office :: Four hundred years ago, I would have had to think about every gram I wanted to take with me. That statue? :: points to the marble statue in the corner :: No chance I could have taken it. Now, the moving crew will just beam it into my office on Atlantis, and exactly where I want it if I give them exact specifications. I think it's heavier than Admiral Blackthorne's cannon, actually. :: he finishes looking around and the door, after waiting patiently for Tav to be done, closes behind them as they head for the Transporter Room. ::

:: chuckles at the Tav's comments about his heavy statue, walking by his side down the corridor :: @LCdr Jorvan Tav Oh hey, want to come over to my parents' place for dinner? I think my father's still home! They don't live far, in one of the tall towers overlooking Starfleet Headquarters. Although...I should probably ask my mother first.

:: blinks and then nods :: @Cdr Kuari And meet the Ambassador? I mean your father? That sounds marvelous. Please find out.

@LCdr Emily Acacia @Lt Doc Navarro :: slowly looks up at both of them, making eye contact to probe their gazes for certainty, and takes a shaky breath that she tries to disguise when she finds it there :: Both: I... I am... open... to exploring the option. But. :: her eyes once again find her hands in her lap :: There are some... things we may need to address first. For example, I feel that Emily and I should probably work to know each other a bit better. And the three of us will need to work out what the boundaries and rules are. Things like this. :: mumbles :: Alsomyfamilydoesn'tknoweitherofyouexist.

@Cdor Kathryn Harper :: sighs and removes her sundress with care, hanging it neatly on her tidy, well-organized side of the closet while attempting to ignore Kate's side of the closet with clothes hung haphazardly or simply strewn across the floor, then selects a pair of denim Bermuda shorts and a dark grey t-shirt with stylized pictures of cats on the front. She grabs a pair of white ankle socks and sits on the bed to pull them on. :: Kate: You and your mother are both forces of nature, my love, all the rest of us can do is try to stay out of the way. :: smirks and reaches over to pet Anna, who has taken residence on the bed where the sun comes through the window just so, as is her afternoon habit ::

:: nodding along as Jester lists off the things, quite happy to hear that she's willing to explore the option :: Jester/@LCdr Emily Acacia: Well, I'm sure we can work those thi — wait, what? Did you say that your family doesn't know about us? :: looks from her to Emily and back to Jester a few times, wondering why she would not have mentioned them to her family, a strange concept to him since he comes from such a big family and couldn't fathom keeping such a secret from them, then finally settles on why it might be and tentatively asks his next question :: Would they... have an issue with our relationship?

:: steps into a pair of sandals and heads into the bathroom and starts up the future hair-dryer that's quiet enough to talk while using it :: @Cdr Alexis Wright: Yes, she is, I mean she just — wait, you included me in that? I am not like that, am I? Oh, Lunat, I am. :: peeks out of the bathroom door :: I am. Whoa, I am so sorry. It was self-defense, I swear! :: ducks back inside to hide and finish drying her hair, then emerges a few minutes later, having put it into a quick, sloppy braid ::

:: sighs with loving mock annoyance and takes Kate by the hips, gently guiding her over to sit on the upholstered wooden piano bench at the vanity, and finds her wife's eyes in the mirror as she unravels the messy braid and redoes it with more care :: @Cdor Kathryn Harper You are very much your mother's daughter, darling. :: shakes her head with a chuckle ::

:: nods her understanding, looking between the two. She offers a small :: Kimiko/@Lt Doc Navarro: I agree. :: to the stipulation that she and Kimiko should get to know each other better. Then as Doc follows up with his question, she glances down to not put too much pressure on Kimiko. The idea of her family not knowing isn't very surprising, she counts herself lucky her own family had responded so well. ::

:: takes a deep, contented breath as Lexy fixes her braid, which she had only hurriedly done because they'll only be gardening and it didn't need to be perfect, but this act makes her feel loved :: @Cdr Alexis Wright: Mmm, I suppose I am. But right now, I am very much enjoying being your wife. :: closes her eyes and snuggles her head back into Lexy's stomach once she finishes braiding her hair :: Thank you for putting up with us Aerpoors.

:: tilts Kate's head back, leaning over to kiss her on the forehead :: @Cdor Kathryn Harper I love you and wouldn't have you any other way. :: smiles, then steps back :: Are you ready? They'll be here any minute.

:: her eyes stay closed as she responds quietly, feeling warm and content :: @Cdr Alexis Wright: I love you, too. :: Her mind lingers in that heartwarming shared moment with her wife for a few seconds before Lexy steps back. Kate stands and turns to face her with a happy-go-lucky grin. :: As ready as I will ever be! And... that would be their shuttle landing. :: gestures toward the door to indicate a sound from outside, slowly rising in volume ::

:: looks at them both briefly and, remarkably, somewhat ashamedly before returning her eyes to her hands :: @Lt Doc Navarro / @LCdr Emily Acacia: Well... yes. I... I have never really been in what anyone would call a "relationship" before, and my parents are certainly not interested in the details of my... dalliances, so it... it never occurred to me to tell them. I'm honestly totally uncertain how they would react to me being in a traditional relationship, not to mention... :: gestures vaguely at the three of them :: this. Especially when I'm not even entirely certain what this is. :: looks up at them once more, a mixture of anxiety and pleading on her normally stoic face, trying to make herself understood :: This... all of this... is completely new to me. I have no experience with this. I don't know how... relationships work. :: in a small, helpless voice, almost to herself as her eyes return to her hands in her lap once more :: I'm afraid I'm going to ruin everything.

:: she feels very exposed and vulnerable, sharing these feelings, but she feels that it would be unfair for her to hide them, not to mention pointless to try to hide them from Emily ::

:: moves to sit next to Jester without releasing her hand, instead giving it a squeeze as he meets her eyes, his expression one of reassurance and concern for her, finally actually seeing her as Kimiko instead of Jester :: Kimiko: What you're feeling is perfectly natural, and if anything, I should have been more aware of your situation before proposing, beyond knowing that "it's not really your style." We can take the time to figure this out a bit more and to work on the things you said, but please know that you haven't ruined everything and aren't going to. :: shares a look with Emily before finding Kimiko's eyes once again :: I love you and that hasn't changed in the last few minutes. Kimiko/@LCdr Emily Acacia: And I know that I speak for both of us when I say that we want you to be with us. That's the important part, and the rest will happen naturally.

:: unlike the rest of her crew, or former crew mates, who were all relaxing… or most probably were, she was busy getting ready to move. Moving out of their apartment and into a house barely five minutes away from Starfleet Medical, with room for new arrivals, and getting ready to start a new job as a staff member in the Marine track at Starfleet Academy. Ethan had retaken his old position as a Pediatric Doctor at Starfleet Med. She was also, just about eight weeks along in pregnancy with their first, and that added another layer of potential complications.

:: takes Kimiko's other hand and gives it a squeeze, hoping to offer whatever small comfort she can. She smiles what she hopes is a comforting smile, taking in the sentiment and thinking on how best to respond while Doc is talking. She takes a deep breath and decides to just speak her mind as honestly as she can :: Kimiko: That's okay! It's all a learning experience for me too, and you're right that we need to spend more time together. We're all figuring this out together and coming up with things as we go along. So don't feel bad, you can tell your family in your own time. I just want you both to be happy.

:: hurries to the door to welcome her parents-in-law, admittedly exasperated by the short notice but still happy to see them ::

:: looks at her left hand being held by Zorro, then at her right hand as it is taken by Emily, and tries - with limited success - to swallow down the sheer panic that begins to rise in her throat as they enclose the space around her :: @Lt Doc Navarro / @LCdr Emily Acacia: I... :: abruptly shoots to her feet, her hands pulling free as part of the motion :: I need some time. To process. :: she begins to walk hurriedly away, but hesitates as she steps off the deck and turns back toward them, still avoiding eye contact :: ...I'm not mad. I hope you're not mad. I'll see you at breakfast. :: with that, she quickly turns away and resumes her flight back to her own room, doing her best to mask the turmoil in her mind, knowing that it won't be very effective but that Emily will understand this request for mental privacy ::

:: He watches Jester go until she vanishes to her room, then looks down at the floor in the beats of silence that follow, afraid that while Kimiko was so worried about ruining everything, that he might have been the one to actually do it. He whispers, Ay dios mío... then looks up at Emily with a pained expression as he quietly speaks. :: @LCdr Emily Acacia: I think that may have been a mistake...

:: watches Kimiko go and then looks down at her own hands, thinking over everything before formulating a response :: @Lt Doc Navarro: It may have been too soon, but I think you were right to speak your heart. I want her to be comfortable too, and that may just take some more time.

:: heads downstairs to the front door with Lexy, arriving just in time to open it as her parents were about to ring the bell :: Rolik/Jhnal: Papá, Mamá! I am so glad that you could come! :: goes to hug them both and is enveloped by their warm, combined embrace ::

:: retrieves his wine glass from the table and empties it as he thinks on Emily's words, hoping that she's right as he finally answers without much conviction :: @LCdr Emily Acacia : You're probably right. :: As he places the glass back on the table, a stray thought improves his mood a bit; Emily had said yes. With a hopeful half-smile, he turns to meet her eyes :: You... really like the idea, though?

:: smiles, her eyes twinkling slightly with a single tear as she nods, giving a small but mighty answer :: Doc: I do.

END MISSION