Old times

Posted on Mon Jan 13th, 2020 @ 7:33pm by Lieutenant Leah Bailey

Mission: Character Development
Location: Dionysus Bar
Timeline: MD-00
832 words - 1.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Leah sipped the mug of steaming hot chocolate gently, using the heat to comfortably warm her hands as she gazed out of the wide open viewing ports into space. She liked being out on board a starship again; there were only so many stationary assignments she could stand before it got dreary. At least out here she could relax and put some of her energies into use on real frontier projects.

She glanced up as a couple entered the bar. At first she wouldn't have given them another glance, but there was a strange familiarity about them that it took a few seconds to place. Once it did click, she rose from the table and made herself a little more visible to them.

"Haley? Haley Davis?" she inquired. "I thought that looked like you. I don't know if you remember me: Leah Bailey. I was assigned to the USS Loki for a few months right out of the Academy. Must be, what, fifteen years ago now?"

Haley turned her head towards the woman who called her name. She narrowed her eyes as she wracked her memory, then finally shook her head. "No I'm sorry I don't remember," she finally admitted, "and it's Horn now..." She gestured at the Vulcan appearing male at her side. "My husband Peter."

Peter didn't offer his hand but bowed lightly at the introduction. "How do you do ma'am," he offered politely.

"Sir." Leah recognised the new chief of Strategic Ops. "I don't blame you; it was a long time ago, and we were both a lot younger." She motioned to her table, offering them a place. "You're recently arrived, aren't you?"

"Yeah.." Haley smiled brightly. "After several odd jobs I really hope we can call this ship home for a fair while. The children need some stability too, especially the boys." She paused. "You remember our oldest probably? She was a baby when we served on the Loki."

"I recall a wedding, and you were expecting, but I think I departed right before you gave birth. So it's boys now? Plural?" Leah grinned. "That's exciting! Speaking as someone who never settled down long enough to even think about kids, it's great to see that you've taken to it."

"Two daughters, Seleya and Lilah and two sons, Dukath and Ylias. In that order at that," Haley chuckled, "and well Peter has a large family and I always wanted one so it's win win. And why didn't you settle?"

"Oh I've been too busy. My specialism in crisis response means Starfleet sends me all over the place, wherever I'm needed. So nothing serious ever seems to come along. It's actually kinda nice to be able to land in a place where I'm likely to be setting down a few roots for once!" Leah chuckled. "So, Commander, word is you're pretty well traveled, too?"

"We all are," Peter smiled, "but yes we've been around the last few years. Came with my job as both legal officer and mission advisor. That meant we went where I was needed."

"And now that we're all settled, we can find you a man too," Haley teased, "you have no idea just how grounded a family can make you feel."

"Oh, I'm not sure I'm even looking..." Leah started, but the embarrassment stopped her. "It's very sweet of you. Who knows what can happen, hmm?"

"You might find yourself someone," Haley chuckled, pulling her husband close to her, "maybe even like how I found mine. All you need is a uh... what's a male damsel anyway?"

"Desperate?" Leah quipped with a laugh. "I'm sure there are plenty of eligible men on board. I'm just...not sure how I'd fit all of that relationship stuff in around work."

"Oh I have no doubt," Harley smiled.

"I will leave you two to get re-aquiainted," Peter said, "I have work to do. Please excuse me. It was nice meeting with you again Leah."

"You too!" Leah smiled warmly at him as he left. She looked over at Haley. "You did pretty well for yourself there. Seems like things turned out well for you both."

"Four children and a large old dog," Haley smiled, "our marriage started off a bit odd but I wouldn't have had it any other way. He's a strange man, but I love him to bits. I just hope this assignment sticks for the long run, I'm tired of moving."

"I hear that." Leah nodded. "At least having a couple of friendly-ish faces will help."

"That's right. And being the wife of a security chief wasn't easy. Perhaps being the wife of a strategics chief might be better. Not as dangerous in my book." Haley grinned.

"One can only hope," Leah replied. "Though to be honest I don't really know what a strategics chief does."

Haley chuckled. "That makes two of us... because neither do I."

::OFF::

---

Lieutenant Commander Peter Horn
Chief StratOps

Haley Horn
Nurse

Lieutenant Leah Bailey
Science Officer
(PNPC - Kane)