EXETERRPG: (1 - 0900) Cmdr Ailynn Bracken and Civilian Caity DuBois

[Mark Howard]

Mission: A new day dawns

Day: 1

Stardate: 2446.01.28



(Mars - Ares City Park - Cmdr Ailynn Bracken and Civilian Caity DuBois -
0900)



Ailynn saw a lone female figure sitting in the shade of a small copse of
trees, and with a smile, turned course and left the path, walking slowly
over the grass toward her. Waving happily as she reached about half way,
she felt her mood lift with each step that she got closer. She reached
behind her head, and pulled out the bobble that was holding her hair in her
usual utilitarian bun, and shook her long, dark hair loose.



“Tee! There you are. Sorry I was delayed honey.” She leant over and kissed
Caity gently on the lips. “You look gorgeous.”



Caity smiled gently. The last few days on Earth had been a blessing. Being
off the ship and away from the constant reminder of what had happened had
allowed her time to breath.



Having spent a good portion of the time in counselling, she had begun to
understand and articulate her feelings more than she had. As she had done
this, the old Caity had come back.



Looking up at her partner, she smiled  "I look like I always do but
thankyou for the compliment. "



Passing over a cup that she had been carrying, and a small bag, she smiled.
“Ash made pancakes, and I got you your favourite coffee.”



Taking the coffee, she inhaled the aroma and sighed happily,  "Dear
prophets,  that smells amazing. "



Ailynn sat down on the blanket next to Caity. “It’s from that place just
down the road from Trip and Ash’s house.” she sipped at her own and after a
second leant her head on Caity’s shoulder. “How are you doing honey?”



"I'm okay. Counselling is going well and I'm finally feeling a little bit
normal."



“You look more like you.” Ailynn realised that she needed to perhaps
explain that. “Since… well since you know when, your face was you, but the
look in your eyes and the way your face fitted you wasn’t you. It’s
beginning to now, we all still have a road to go down, but we’re getting
there.”



"How are things at HQ?"



“Ugh. I have another meeting later, It’s not that I don’t like the place,
but it's the bureaucracy, people just adding layers of crap just to justify
their own existence.” She held Caity’s free hand with her own, then on a
whim lay down, with her head resting on Caity’s lap. “I saw Ronnie, at
Trips house.” She didn’t need to elaborate her feelings to Caity.



Not saying anything,  Caity stroked Ailynn’s hair gently. The unspoken bond
they had grown during their time on earth needed nothing to be said.



“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you, you have no idea how much I wanted to. It’s
the thing I hate most about what I do, the secrets I have to keep even from
you.” She closed her eyes momentarily as Caity ran her fingers through her
hair.



“Hey, I understood what I was getting into so no apologies needed."



Ailynn smiled, Caity’s acceptance of their situation and the constraints
that Ailynn’s ‘job’ placed on all of them had always surprised her. Life in
the Fleet wasn’t easy for anyone, let alone the families of Command
officers. It was a rare person that understood and accepted the thought
that they’d be put aside at a moment’s notice, to be willing to almost be
second best to an Officer's devotion to his or her duties.



"So, where to next my love? We can't stay here much longer. I think your
family will kill you if we don't go and visit."



“I’m seeing mum in a while, I need to go to Earth, but beyond that I’m not
certain, whatever you want to do.” She looked up at Caity, leaning her
cheek into Caity’s abdomen in a sort of hug, then looked up to her brown
eyes. “It came through.”



"What did?:



“My sabbatical. They rubber stamped it this morning.”



"Oh… so what about me? Do I have to go back…?"



“Well, it’s funny you should ask that…”



"Ask what exactly… A what are you talking about?"



Ailynn sighed, and leant into Caity’s abdomen once more placing a delicate
kiss, she managed to hide a smile. "I'd like to take you home, if you'll
let me."



"You mean back to the ship? I don't know about that…" Caity replied,
looking out at the view.



Ailynn sat up, and turned slightly, facing her and sitting closely. "No
honey." She smiled gently. "My home. I'd like to take you to Tuscanny."



"Oh… that makes more sense. But what about…" she started to ask as Ailynn
cut in.



"You have leave approved too. I suspect Ash and Trip have sorted it."



"But… I… I mean your family, are you sure they will accept me?"



Ailynn nodded. "A sensible, intelligent girl, who keeps me out of trouble?
They'll like you more than me." Ailynn quipped gently.



Caity smiled, "I  hardly think I'm that."



"Happy?"



"If you are there to protect me, yes."



"They're not that bad. A little intense is all." She smiled deeply. "I
can't wait to show you my favourite places."



"I think I know one of them." She replied with a wry smile.



Ailynn laughed, but kissed Caity gently anyway.



"How much do they know… about what happened?"



"Not much. But mum…"



"She knows?"



She slipped her arms around her waist, and shrugged. "I can guarantee that
it will be fine. She has access to all the medical files. It's fine, she
won't break any confidences."



"I… I'm scared, A. They’re gonna know…"



"Tee...its okay. My family understands things like that happen they know
the difficulties of the life we lead. I can guarantee they won't judge
about anything." She kissed her girlfriend gently on the forehead.



"And they won't see the broken me? That's what scares me the most. I'm
tough normally but after that…" she sighed.



"They supported me when I fell so deep into addiction it nearly killed me.
They will see a beautiful girl who has been through serious trauma."



"I know. Time to meet the clan then I suppose."



"They will adore you, and won't judge about anything." She leant forward
and rested her forehead and nose against Caity’s. "...anything."



"Then let's go. Although I'm no good with vines. Selling wine I can do but
looking after them…. No."



Smiling happily, Ailynn sighed, "I love you Miss DuBois."



"Love you too." Caity said smiling down at her. "All of you."



(Posted by Jackie and Mark)

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