EXETERRPG: (1, 2000) Lt. Brightwood and Lt. Blake

[Will Banowsky]

Mission: Space Was Cool Before it Mattered
Day: 1
Stardate: 2446.04.25

(USS Exeter -  Personal Quarters of ACEO Brightwood - ACEO, Lt. SG Alistair
Brightwood and Physio, Lt. JG Cerise Blake - 2000)

Alistair had spent most of his day in pensive reflection. He had a decision
to make, stay or go. And of course he couldn’t ask Cerise to give up
everything and go with him, he wouldn’t do that to her. But it was just one
of the moments where whether turning left or turning right could have major
repercussions on the trajectory of his life.

He had invited her over for a night cap, just a drink and a chat. He needed
to discuss what was one his mind.

As he poured her a glass of wine, he smiled.

“Do you know that in 20th and 21st century fiction, both film and
literature, there was an obsession with alternate history stories. Of the
person waking up one morning, finding their life was completely and totally
different, with a nexus point hinging on living in the reality in which,
often times, they did not choose a job or get on a flight, or go study
abroad in Australia or was it Austria, or some other random place like
that.”

Slumping down in the couch with an internal grunt of tiredness, and the
bonedeep ache of a day spent entirely on her feet. It was days like these
that brought the last decade home to her, and were it not for Alastair, a
tear to her eye. Rubbing the juncture of her outer thigh and pelvic joint,
she drew a breath, and leaned toward Alastair. “I remember movies like
that.” She smiled, and ache in her heart about a few things that had been
on her mind. ~There but for the grace…~ she thought to herself. “Where’s
this going?” She twisted, trying to straighten the muscle that had gone
into spasm.

“You okay?” he asked, “I believe our captain would say you’re squirming
like a puppy that doesn’t want a bath, or some other weird Texanism.”

“I’m okay, just been on my feet all day; causes aches is all, it’s no
bother, you were saying?” She took the glass and took a sip, with a smile.
It warmed her heart when she was with Alastair, he always tried, without
trying.

“Anyways, you asked a question and well, in those movies, those novels,
they always experience a different life, showing them where they went
wrong, the life they missed out on, and that it wasn’t too late to change
and get things back on track. Usually it involves them calling the person
they left behind and starting over.”

“I know the thing, it’s a thing in so many vids.”

“Well, I think, I feel, that at the end of the day, I end up with you at
the end of the movie. So I know if I go, if I leave and you stay here, at
the end of it all, there is you.” He paused. “But…”

“Buuuut?”

“I’d rather not have some magical moment showing me what I missed out on.
I’d rather just live it.”

Cerise was aware that she wasn’t most of her classmate’s intellectual
equal, though obviously far from Ailynn’s towering intellect, CeCe was far
from stupid, but Alastair was being inuriating. At the back of her mind,
she began to understand Ailynn’s utter detestment of ‘not getting to the
point.’

“Okay, so I adore you, but we’re being kinda cryptic?”

“Oh I thought I was being explicit.” He said smiling. “I turned down the
position.”

She felt the hit to the heart. “Honey, are you sure? I’d….for the love of
everything, tell me It’s not just for me? I’m not worth that much in
anyone’s eyes.”

“I would much rather see where this goes, then wake up one day and wonder
what was.”

“Ali…” Cece whispered, “if you're sure…maker knows I can’t leave here, but
you have to do you.”

“Hey, I’m not saying that I am certain that we will be married, but I am
certain that it’s worth it to me, to see where this road ends. Even if it
leads to heartache instead of joy. I’d rather not ask what if.”

“There’s going to come a day that I’m able to wake up in your arms…”She
swallowed the rest of the sentence.

“It’s ok, I want to take this slow. I’ve never dated before, books were
always more entertaining. Not quite as beautiful, but less messy. But I
would regret dearly not seeing this through to the end love.” He paused.
“Im not saying I love you, I’m using the British terms of endearment.” he
paused again, “Not that I don’t love you, I mean, its too soon to really
tell, but that doesn’t mean I won’t love you.” He paused again. “I’m just
going to shut my mouth now.”

Cerise smiled gently, she knew that some may tease his slightly awkward
nature, but she found it endearing, finding herself fall for him in the
daftest ways. “No, please carry on.” She giggled, sipping her wine. “Look,
joking aside, are you certain? I couldn’t stand in the way of your dreams,
we’d make it work.”


“Look, I am certain that the opportunity to be a professor will come again.
I am not certain that the opportunity to be with you, will. Will not
immediately, but if it comes back around, will it be 10 years, 15, 30. I’d
rather not be an old man when we get the chance again. Although I am quite
positive you will still be beautiful.”

Cerise blushed. “Well you met my gran…so there you are.” She teased, Her
father’s mother was a woman who spoke her mind, on the guise of ‘laying her
cards on the table.’

“So, I am staying, and I have already turned them down, and while I am sure
the captain can pull some strings, I’d much rather save that card for
sometime down the way.”

“I’m not sure what I did to deserve you, you know?” CeCe said gently,
holding his hands briefly, before snuggling in for a close embrace.

“Do not sell yourself short.” Alistair said laughing. “I think just being
you is all you needed to do.”

“Perhaps.” She smiled, wondering not for the first time what the ‘Frisco
Bay circuit would make of him. “Just seems I’m a lucky girl.” She said
cheekily, a blush running from her cheeks down her neck.

“Anyways, I just wanted to inform you that I am not going anywhere.”

“Good.” She leant forward and kissed him, before shifting into a close
embrace. “For the record, come the decision between losing you and losing
the Exeter, I’d have chosen to leave with you. I love my job and my life
here, but with that said…dammit I’m in love with you.” She pouted. “There.
I finally have the courage to say it.”

“I ummm…..” He paused. “I umm….” he paused again. “Well bloody hell, I love
you too.”

Cerise blushed deeply, she hadn't exactly meant to say what she had, she
certainly didn't expect it to be reciprocated.

“But I never would have asked you to leave just as you never would have
asked me to stay.”

"I know. Its a decision that while I had opinions on, it was a you decision
" She smiled gently. "I'm glad you're staying."

“Well I am glad I am staying too.” He smiled.

“It’s a decision that ultimately was yours alone to make, sure, my opinion
was important to you, and I love and respect that, You had to do what was
right for you though. Ultimately, if you’d have chosen the other option,
we’d have made it work, somehow.” She sighed happily, a gentle smile on her
face as she felt the quiver in her heart.


“Well then, a toast to chapter two of our story.” Alistair said with a
smile. He was glad he was staying.

(reply none)
(posted by Will and Mark)
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://startrekfreedom.com/pipermail/exeter-rpg_startrekfreedom.com/attachments/20220721/5ba138c8/attachment-0001.html>