<USS Avalon> Dinner at Home before the Mission

Dinner at Home before the Mission
By Captain Keith Ketchum and Senior Lieutenant Patience Merritt-Ketchum

(Takes place BEFORE the Practicing For Real, and Greatly Exaggerated)

"What a day," Pacey exclaimed, as she walked into her quarters.  Keith was on 
the sofa reading and she plopped next to him, lying her head in his lap, blonde 
curls splayed everywhere.  "I'm exhausted and I missed you."  She closed her 
eyes and breathed in his scent, feeling how wonderful it was to be near this 
man she loved more than life. 
Moving the PADD away, he looked down at her, "And I have missed you.  This 
mission isn't as easy as it sounded.  We're looking for a wormhole in a 
haystack.  At least we haven't found the Maquis yet, but I'm sure we find one, 
we'll find the other."
 
Sitting up, she turned to face her husband.  "What is it about this mission 
that's got everyone so uptight?  I don't understand it, but it's definitely 
going around the ship."
 
"I think it has to do with the Temporal stuff, we remember all too well, the 
last time we played with the future.  Something that doesn't sit to well with 
everyone.  But we'll complete it, and go off on another adventure, I'm sure."
 
"Per the usual Avalon adventure, I'm sure," she chuckled.  "I'm starved.  Tell 
me you have dinner.  I don't think I even have the energy to use the 
replicator."  Pacey winked before resting her head against Keith's shoulder.  
"I got a comm from Tess today.  Pre-recorded, of course." 
 
Almost yelling across the room, "Replicator, pizza, double cheese, pepperoni, 
and black olives."  Finishing the order, he looked at Pacey, "And what did Tess 
have to say? "
 
Pacey smiled.  "Relationship advice.  Apparently she has a young suitor.  That 
she misses us and can't wait for the Avalon to be near Earth."  She sighed 
lightly and looked up at her husband.  "I miss her too.  I never thought she'd  
be this accepting of me."
 
"Suitor?  She is too young to have a suitor."  He shook his head, as the pizza 
materialized.
 
"Aye, but she's not."  Patience moved over to her husband and slid her arms 
around his waist.  "You're little girl isn't quite so little any more.  She 
grew up, Keith."  She bit her lip to keep from going on.  Pacey hated the fact 
that Keith had let Tess grow up away from him, visiting only occasionally.  A 
child should have their parents in their life for more than a dinner stop over 
once in a while.  
 
"Well, I guess she has grown up without me.  I am glad that she has accepted 
you, though she never knew her mother.  That might have made it easier."  Still 
not believing that his little girl grew up, and seeing boys.  "What would you 
like to drink?  I don't have much time, shift starts soon."
 
"Just water," Pacey smiled with a measure of sadness.  "Why are you working an 
evening shift?  You don't normally do that."  Then with a mischievous wink she 
added, "Or are you just trying to get away from me?"
 
"Going into the Badlands, have to be prepared for the Maquis, and to finish 
this mission.  I'm beginning to dislike temporal issues."  Getting her water 
and him a cola.  "Besides, if I didn't go to work, I wouldn't be happy to come 
home to see you.  And you wouldn't want me home all the time, I'd drive you 
crazy."  He winked. 
 
"Then it's a mutually beneficial arrangement," she grinned, wrapping her arms 
around his neck once he sat the glasses on the table, "because I still don't 
know what you see in quirky li'l me."  She leaned forward and kissed him gently 
on the lips.  "Thank you for loving me."
 
He smiled as they ate, then the chime on the clock told him it was time to head 
up, "I'll see you soon."  Kissing her again, he made his way to the bridge, and 
to another mission.

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com

Other related posts: