The Vacation

Posted on Mon Jun 27th, 2022 @ 11:34pm by Petty Officer 2nd Class Henry Washington & Ensign Charlotte (Charlie) Washington

Mission: Shore Leave
Location: Planet
Timeline: Shoreleave
1179 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure

"Henry isn't this gorgeous?!" Charlie threw her suitcase haphazardly on the bed in their room and made a beeline for the balcony. Their casino resort happened to be nestled right in between a stunning beach and a soaring mountain range. Exotic birds danced along the skyline and the breeze made Charlie's hair dance around her face. "I'm so glad we decided to come here."

"We?" Henry asked, teasingly. He had wanted to explore the ruins, maybe investigate some of the mysteries of this ancient civilisation. She wanted to go to a beach and relax. She had won. He had to admit that this planet was beautiful and even he would find it difficult not to relax here, as long as her Floridian background wasn't going to force him to surf. "It is nice," he admitted to his wife, "though I'm looking forward to the casino more."

"I'm looking forward to the casino too. One of the new ops officers, Myra, decided to vacation here as well. I told her I'd meet up with her later for a game or two." Charlie looked over at her husband, who had clearly just come to this resort to please her. She felt like the luckiest girl in the world sometimes. As Henry walked onto the balcony, she pulled him into an embrace. "Thank you, for going along with the beach resort."

"You make it sound like I had a choice," Henry replied with his signature crooked smile. He wrapped his arms around his wife and knew in his heart of hearts that he would do anything to make her happy. "By my count, this is the third holiday where you have picked the destination. It's definitely my turn next."

"What? It's only the second. We went to Risa for me last time, but before that, we were on Bajor hiking around crumbling buildings for daaays," Charlie retorted with a roll of her eyes. "Besides, next shore leave we should probably spend some time in Florida and in Tycho City. I think our collective parents will kill us if we go another year without visiting on shore leave. After that though, all your choice," she smiled. "Speaking of your choice...why don't you pick a place to eat and we'll grab some lunch before meeting with N'Garzi in the casino?"

"Are you telling me you didn't enjoy visiting the fire cave where The Emissary had his final battle with Gul Dukat? Not to mention the ancient city of B'hala, that was gorgeous," Henry said, wishing for the millionth time that his wife shared his passion for 24th century history. "You're just uneducated Charlie, pure and simple," he said with a smile. He was so caught up in his rant that he only just realised what she had said. "N'Garzi? You mean Commander Zora? We're meeting her at the casino?"

"Oh, no. I one hundred percent loved all of that stuff on Bajor. I particularly enjoyed the flaming cave where the wormhole alien ambassador fought off that lizard guy..." Charlie said with a smirk, knowing that everything she said incorrectly caused Henry's eye to twitch with annoyance. "And yes, I mean Commander Zora. Why are you surprised? You know we met at the Academy when she was a cadet liaison and she is our neighbor across the hall on the Athena. It's polite to get to know your neighbors..."

"I know it is," Henry said as he squirmed a little, "but why does that person have to be the first officer of the ship? What do I even talk to her about? Maybe she has been to Bajor," he added to himself.

"There's only one way to find out," Charlie smiled. "So about that lunch...where do you want to go?" She asked, knowing it was a loaded question. Deciding on where to eat had been a challenging question in relationships since the beginning of time. Towing a line between the food you wanted and what you knew your spouse enjoyed and predicting what the right choice was that moment was always a difficult task.

"Oh, I've actually heard of this great dish called Kelp," Henry said, his eyes widening at the mention of food. "It's native to this planet, almost like Sushi, but more ... raw."

"Oooh, that sounds interesting. You know I love a good seafood dish," Charlie smiled. "As long as it's not slimey. I draw the line the slime! I don't want to slurp my dinner."

"But yet you don't mind slurping spaghetti, in public," Henry said with a grin. "You get dressed and I'll make reservations, if it's too slimey then we can just head somewhere else."

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"I don't deserve you," Charlie smiled as they sat down. Henry had worked some magic in getting the reservation at the new and popular restaurant. More than that, he had secured a table with a beautiful view of the beach below. "This place is poppin'! How did you accomplish this," she gestured at the table, "on such short notice?"

"You honestly expect me to give away all of my secrets?" Henry asked, a slight smile on his face. In truth, he had completely lucked out, he had asked for the best table in the house and wow had they delivered, but Charlie didn't need to know any of that. He was always eager to earn more latinum points. "And I'm the one who doesn't deserve you, you look stunning tonight."

"You don't look so bad yourself," Charlie smiled, internally considering how lucky she'd been to have him. "So, about this kelp," she picked up a menu and browsed the options. Most looked somewhat like deconstructed sushi covered in waves of various sea leaves. "The toram dynamite kelp plate looks interesting, but so does the four leaves tasting boat. What do you think? We could get both and try it all if you're feeling adventurous."

"Are you kidding me?" Henry asked. "You know that trying foods from different cultures is up there with things that I love, along with puzzles, history, oh and you, I suppose," he added, clearly teasing his wife. "We're getting both, and I want to get a side of the steam-fresh ringlets too."

Charlie chuckled. She didn't love puzzles as much as he did, but Henry was perhaps in his cutest form when he started to gush about the things he loved. That nerdy smile could light up any room in the most adorable way. "Ok, ok, but be sure to save room for dessert. I have plans," she said with a sly grin.

Henry rolled his eyes, "seriously Char, I'm happy with some fr- oh, OH!" He exclaimed, suddenly realising the kind of plan that she had in mind. "In that case, I will absolutely save some room," he added, turning a little red. Thankfully the waiter arrived and Henry focused on cooling himself down as Charlie ordered their meal; they made such a great team.