In A Good Place

Posted on Thu Feb 20th, 2014 @ 7:51pm by Admiral Ricky Wegener & El'Shar Blackhorse
Edited on on Thu Feb 20th, 2014 @ 7:54pm

Mission: Breaking New Ground
Location: SB900 - Rick's Quarters
Timeline: Current

Their vacation over, both Rick and El’Shar returned to 900 very refreshed and feeling very much closer to each other. Rick’s schedule allowed him one more day to get back to business but he made sure to alert Li to let her know that he was back on the base if something happened.

He’d finished putting away his personal items in his quarters when El’Shar, returning from her own quarters, came back to find him. He met her at the door and greeted her with a kiss. “I know you, don’t I?” he asked jokingly.

“You had better, after what all we did on vacation,” she replied, kissing him again and entering into his quarters. “It’s almost strange coming back to these cold, sanitized rooms after having spent so much time in that cabin. I think I enjoy a little bit of dirt on occasion.”

He chuckled as they sat on the couch. “I agree. We’ve been back, what, an hour? I already miss that place. We’ll have to go back and visit regularly, I think.”

“Mm-hmm,” she said quietly.

After some moments of silence, she added, “Rick, I know you have your job going for you, but I truly wish you weren’t stuck here. Don’t get me wrong, 900 is amazing on its own, and there is quite a bit that’s close that is very interesting.” She turned to face him fully. “But I’d like to spend my time exploring everything with you. I just don’t think that you’ll be able to do it all with me, at least not immediately.”

He was taken off guard and didn’t know what to say. “I…” he faltered. “El’Shar, I want nothing more than to be with you, but I can’t leave Starfleet just yet.” He began to get nervous, his palms starting to sweat and seeming to be unable to form full sentences.

She took his face in her hands and rubbed his cheek, sensing his sudden surge of uncertainty. “Shhh,” she said gently. “I’m not going anywhere, Rick. This isn’t a break up speech, or anything.” Watching his face, she could see he was terrified. “Oh, my sweet ashaya*. I just wish that our timing was better since I’m not tied down to anything, but you are.”

After a shaky breath, Rick took one of her hands in his. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry, El.”

“Rick, it’s…” She shrugged. “I don’t know about you, but I was always told that people sacrifice many things for love. And if I have to wait months or years for you to be with me all the time, I will.”

“But it’s not fair that I’m not really sacrificing anything,” he said, frowning. “So far, nothing for me has changed.”

“And you don’t have to. Honey, I’m retired. I don’t have to get up, put on a uniform and no one is relying on me to give orders or make decisions. But you, you’re very important and it’s not quite your time to retire, and I’m okay with that.” She snuggled into him. “As long as you want me, I’ll be here for you as well.”

He kissed her head and hugged her. “I don’t know that I’ve ever said this out loud, El, but I love you. And after my past history, that’s a big leap to make. I feel a very strong connection to you and am so very comfortable with you, unlike anyone else that I’ve ever met.”

“Mmmm,” she said, snuggling in closer. “I love you too, Rick. I’m glad we found each other.”

And she really was. After having lived so long without a lasting relationship, she could tell this one was different. They had so many things in common, despite being so different, and she could feel a tinge of excitement at the feelings of love toward him, and the feelings she felt emanating from him. She could tell he loved her, long before he said it aloud. And it wasn’t just their lovemaking. She’d had that without love, it was just sex. But it wasn’t satisfying, not like it was with someone who felt as strongly for her as she did for them.

“We still have the day to spend together,” he said. “Do you want to do anything? Or do you want to just have a day in with each other?”

She smiled. “I like where I am right now.”



*ashaya - Vulcan for love, or my love

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Admiral Ricky Wegener

&

Captain El’Shar Blackhorse (ret.)