EXETERRPG: (1 - 2014) MS - CSO Lt Erin Cortez & Lexington CO, Captain Jimmy Hart

[Jaclyn Smith]

Mission: Auld Lang Syne

Day:01

Stardate: 2445.12.28



(Risa– Suraya Bay Resort, beach - CSO Lt  Erin  Cortez  & Lexington CO,
Captain Jimmy Hart - 2014)



Walking along the beach, Erin kicked the sand gently as she walked. Having
spent the day exploring Risa, she had earmarked a couple of places that she
wanted to visit. Sunset on Risa was an event all of its own.

Stepping off the sand, she stood watching the people walking by, heading
out for the evening or heading back to their accommodation. Smiling to
herself, Erin pulled a shawl around her shoulders and sighed.

After a few minutes of crowd watching and walking through the crowds, Erin
began walking back along the sand towards the small condo that she had
rented just off the beach front. The night air was full of the aromas of
the cafes and bars along the beachfront plying their wares and the sounds
of the crew and the others mixing with the Risan natives made for a happy
and content soundtrack as she walked.

After a few moments of walking, she stopped and gazed out at the ocean.
Thinking back to where she had come from, the academy and now the Exeter,
she thought to herself, ~funny how life can turn out. I would never
have.thought that I would be doing a job that I love with a crew I admire,
and seeing the universe in the way I am. But, for all the hardship and the
bad that we have gone through, he crew is stronger together now.~

Erin smiled as she watched the sunset. No longer afraid of allowing people
in and being by herself, she.looked around fir a moment and took off her
shoes. Walking down to the water's edge, she dipped a toe in the oceans
walk waters. Closing her eyes, she smiled widely as she walked a step into
the water and felt it lap around her ankles.

Feeing at peace,  she took a deep breath in and opened her eyes looking at
the stars. "Wonder which one is home?" A quote popped into her head and she
chuckled a little. Her father's voice, in her mind, ~second star to the
right and keep going until morning. You will always find home.~

“You wouldn’t be able to see it from here. Too far away.” Jimmy said with a
smile.

Turning, she smiled. "You surprised me."

“Sorry couldn’t sleep, so I decided to take a walk.”

"I understand. When I can’t sleep I tend to read. Helps me to calm the mind
so to speak."

“Reading makes my mind too active. My imagination goes bonkers. Walking,
movement, thats what does it for me.”

"It is beautiful here. Have you ever been to Risa before?" She asked,
gazing back at the fading sunset.

“Once. A long time ago.” Jimmy paused. “It’s kind of where Tommy came from.”

"Oh… " Erin replied,  "How is the little guy? Missing his dad I bet."

“Depends on the day, and depends on the answer to the question, can I have
a cookie?”

Erin smiled, "Sounds like a character. So is he excited for his daddy being
a Captain? Big starship and all that."

“It will be nice. His mom is taking a position as a civilian consultant on
the ship. Which means he gets to come with.”

"Great adventure. Kids are an adventure so my mom tells me."

“He is my greatest adventure.”

"I sometimes feel that I've yet to find my adventure. Although the Exeter
doesn't disappoint."

Jimmy just nodded.

"You know, standing here, looking at this view, makes me feel small."

“Everyone’s adventure is different. But I think, I think, for me, it needs
to be more personal, more introspective. Yes going through the stars is a
great adventure. But the greatest adventure is smaller.”

She looked at him and nodded. ~he's right. I suppose I am on my
greadventure when you put it like that~

“Family, Erin, family is the greatest adventure.”

"I'd love to have a family. One day. Right now, I'm content to work on
myself. And no hokey remedies this time. Just me. Making myself better."

Jimmy nodded. “I haven’t been fair to you.”

"In what way?"

“You’re young, free, got a whole lot of life to explore. Me, I’m focused on
family, my kid. Then I ask you to give up that up. The youth, your journey.”


"Hey,..." She began, taking his hand gently, "What you asked was a
surprise.  I won't lie."

“Not fair of me, and I’m sorry. I have a family. You’re not ready for one.
But my kid is a packaged deal. Not fair of me to force that on you.”

"How can you know that? When we started this, I knew what I was getting
into. That you and he are a package deal. I accepted that. I wouldn’t have
been stood here if I didn't. I'm not some fly by night kid who just wants
to have fun and move on. What I want…"

“You literally just said, and I quote. I’d love to have a family. One day.
Right now you want to work on yourself. But being with me, its more of an
instant family.”

"I forget that you have a good memory."

Jimmy just nodded.

"You really want to know what I want?"

“Sure.”

"Yes, I want to work on myself. Don't we all? I am trying to be better, not
stronger but to let people in. Maybe that's you… I'd like to think that…"
Erin paused and sighed, "...But i also want family. People are always a
work in progress. They grow and change every day. I don't have an
idealistic image of family. What I want is a true partnership. Someone that
can support me and someone that I can support back. So, if that person has
family already. That's fine by me. Family is what you make it. It's not
perfect, it's what you make it. If that means building it from the ground
up,  great. If that means building on already existing foundations and
making them something different, something that will grow then that's great
too." Realising she had been rambling, Erin stopped and looked out at the
ocean.

“That’s not what I meant and you know it,” He said.

Looking at him, she took a breath,  "then what did you mean?"

“Its not the blended family, its if your ready for it. Im not gonna be your
weird Romulan mind game, or what have you. Thats not fair to me, to Tommy
to you. What I asked you, to leave your journey of discovery, for me. Yeah,
i cant force that on you.”

Taken aback, Erin took a step back. Taking a moment, she turned away from
him and took a breath. ~and there it is. That is never going to be
forgotten. Damn it. That Erin is going to follow me. ~ Turning back to him,
she took a deep breath,

"Okay, firstly, you didn't force anything me. I walked into this with my
eyes open. If I didn't think I was ready then this, whatever this is or is
going to be, would have been over by now. But, the fact I am still here,
still wanting to do this, that I still want to be with you… " she paused
for a moment,  ".. that…. That person who did that Romulan thing… that's
not who I am now. But, I understand that you have to protect your son. What
I want? I want someone to see me for who I am… not who I was. If that's you
then fantastic,  excellent. If you are that person willing to give me a
chance, then I'm here. "

“Erin….we both are and are not the choices we’ve made. We are not who they
are, we change, we grow, we adapt. But we are. We live with them, they
define us good or bad, and they stick with us. You will always be and will
not be that person. But the more you say you’re not….you have to own your
mistakes, not just say I’m done being that person. That’s how we grow. The
quote-unquote old you also said many times they weren’t said person. Own
it. Own you are that person. Don’t say you aren't that person, be that
person, but better.”

She nodded. Not knowing quite how to respond.

“Look, I’m tired. I love you, but I’m tired. We can talk in the morning. I
want you there, I want you on the Lexington with me. But I don’t want to
rob you of your growth, of learning who you are, of your youth. That’s my
fear.”

"i understand. "

“Look, tomorrow. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

"Go get some sleep. I'll find you tomorrow."

Jimmy smiled, gave her a hug and left.

Watching him walk away, Erin bit her lip and sighed. ~I have some thinking
to do.~

(Reply none)

(Posted by Jackie and Will)
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