Post Number 81 Reflections

Posted on Wed Oct 23rd, 2024 @ 3:26pm by Lieutenant JG Celine Quinn & Captain Joel Haines
Edited on on Wed Oct 23rd, 2024 @ 3:26pm

1,162 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Obsidian

ON:

Joel came out of their bedroom, having taken a shower and gotten fresh clothes on after a long day on the station. He got a glass of water and turned when their door slid open and Celine came in . He smiled as their eyes met.

“I just got home a bit ago.” Joel said with a warm smile. “How was your day?” She looked a little tired, he hoped she hadn’t had to put out too many fires. Keeping departments from being at each others throats took finesse.

"Oh fine," she said with a tired sigh, "better now," she said and hugged him. "How was yours?"

Joel hugged her back and kissed her. “We’re in charge of clearing out all the broken and useless things to make it easier for the departments to try and get operational faster. It’s hard work but we made a small dent today.” Celine gave a small smile.

"I'm glad. With all that is going on these days, it will help me sleep at night knowing that we will be protected." She broke off the hug, and went to the replicator, and after ordering herself a glass of Merlot, sat lightly on the couch. "I have some work to do in here as well," she muttered dubiously as she looked around their sparse quarters.

“Jordan told me to tell you if there is anything he can do to make it more comfortable. He has a friend who has a friend who knows someone.” He grinned. Jordan was still trying to make things up to Celine. Celine rolled her eyes.

"Oh Jordan," she said. She had spent years working to forgive him for what he had put her through, and although they were in a good place at the moment, he still had a tendency to make her want to wring his neck at times. "Tell him I want this place to be palatial, and tell me what he says," she said with a laugh.

Joel grinned. “I am not promising anything. My brother is known for using quite colorful metaphors and I won’t repeat them to my wife.” He sat his glass down. “The crew is a bit shell shocked at this new assignment.” Celine's smile faded from her face.

"We all are," she admitted. "There has been so much loss."

“Too much.” He thought back to Ghost Station and Valdez. She and Rodriguez had had the same kind of love he had with Celine. “It changed people, they can never go back.” He thought of Josiah.

"Hopefully," Celine said, trying to lighten the mood, "this will be a fresh start. I'm just glad we are here togerher."

“So am I.” Joel smiled. “Josiah sent me an email. It seems Cece drew some pictures for you. She wants you to hang them in your office to brighten it up.” Celine's eyes crinkled in the corner slight as she smiled.

"I will, of course I will. That is so cute," she said with a laugh. She missed that little girl so much...but she was glad that Cece wasn't here with them. She wasn't brave enough to endure that with the dangers surrounding them. She took a sip of her wine, and relaxed further into the couch. "I can't believe we are here again with so many familiar faces," she said after a moment.

“It is nice to be among them.” Joel agreed. “It gives us a feeling of not being alone. Even though years have passed it was as if we all hadn’t been parted.”

"I think the things we endured bonded us in a way that isn't normal with Starfleet crew," Quinn said quietly. "The Zaj... that was an experience I will never be able to forget, no matter how hard I try."

“None of us will.” Joel agreed. “It changed us all.” He smiled then. “We all have to remember we saved untold lives. The freedom of the Federation was at stake.” Celine looked up at him.

"We did, didn't we," she said. "And yet here we are again. Isn't one time enough?" She set her wine down and paced the floor for a moment before taking a deep breath to calm herself. "I'm sorry, that was awful of me."

“No it wasn’t.” Joel smiled. “We are allowed to question why we said yes.” He paused. “If it is ever too much then we leave.” Celine put a hand on his cheek and smiled, knowing that would never happen.

"That is just not who we are," she said.

“It isn’t.” Joel agreed. “We both believe in making a difference.” His eyes met hers. “I love watching you work when two are arguing and before anyone knows it they are eating lunch together.” Celine laughed, despite herself.

"It has been a change, that's for sure. Medical was my life," she admitted, "but I feel like I can do good there, especially with trying to find new members to join the UFP."

“You are a natural.” Joel said honestly. “I think what we went through shaped both of us.”

"I agree," Quinn said. "It took us a long while to get together, but I am glad we finally managed it." She returned to the sofa and picked up her glass of wine, holding it a few seconds before taking a sip. "How are you liking being the XO of the Marines?"

“This is what I was meant to do.” Joel said honestly. “I don’t have a desire to be the top dog. I am happy with this job and not having to deal with command.”

"You could have done it, you know, " she said. "You have that commanding presence, but I know you wouldn't have been happy."

“And that is what it is about for me.” Joel murmured. “Growing up it was always about who my father wanted me to be. I almost lost myself and I will always make certain you and I are happy because when we sent it’s time to move on.”

"I'm happy wherever you are," Celine said simply. It hadn't always been easy, for either of them. But they had managed to come together, and that was everything.

“It’s the same for me.” Joel said quietly. “I don’t know how some are happy married yet serving separately. I look forward to coming home to you.” Celine smiled again happily.

"We don't have a replicator, yet. Want to get something to est on the Arcadi? I'm pretty hungry, " she admitted.

“Yes.” Joel nodded. “I am pretty hungry as well.” They had been so busy today the marines just ate an energy bar and drank some water. They wanted to get things done. Celine took his hand, and with a smile thrown at him from over her shoulder, exited their quarters.

Off:

Lieutenant Commander Joel Haines
Executive Officer
Starbase Obsidian

Lieutenant Junior Grade Celine Quinn
Chief Diplomatic Officer
Starbase 11 - Obsidian Station

 

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