Doing it right

Posted on 23 Jul 2023 @ 9:34am by Lieutenant Cassandra Higgins-Stevens & Lieutenant JG Oliver Stevens

Mission: R&R - Styx Outpost 2
Location: Ba'ku
Timeline: R&R
1028 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

"Come on not much further," Oliver said excitably. He had dragged Cassie out for a days hike up to a plateau overlooking something beautiful. She could guess now, as the sound of the water was reaching their ears.

The view was astonishing, only rivaled by the pain in her legs and the ache of her feet combined. When she had suggested a holiday she had meant margarita's, swimming pools, sun loungers and room service. It did not entail donning heavy boots and shorts to tromp up the side of a mountain with nothing but a bottle of water and pray that the weather held out. , which thankfully it had thus far. Of anything it was warmer than she had thought.

She could feel the sun on her back, warming in exposed skin on neck, arms and legs, her hair falling over her left shoulder in a loose ponytail. She intended to say something generous or supportive knowing that if this was to work then she had to embrace his interests, instead she sounded like a petulant child on a long journey. "Are we there yet?"

Oliver turned round and smiled, "Your going to love the view sweetheart. I promise."

He took her hand and pulled her up the last bend of the beaten hiking path and then let her take in the spectacular waterfall and perfect geographically created terrace almost - a natural viewing point.

"They call it the Timeless falls," his eyes sparkled. "The pools below lead back into the rivers that then push pressure up again back to the waterfall. Hence it keeps flowing and flowing. Timeless Cassie," he said kissing her forehead not caring that she was warm and clammy from the exercise. She needed worry about getting back. He knew who to contact to beam them.

She all but ignored the kiss, his scent almost perfect still along with his hair and smile yet she was a warm, sweaty mess but he was right about one thing.
"Its stunning. The water looks so crisp!" she observed as a small green and red humming bird like creature teased a horn like bloom with its beak.

"I prepared a surprise," he grinned further. She had not noticed the set table and picnic box he had already arranged to be beamed up ready to watch the sunset by this beautiful waterfall.

She started to remove her blouse and shorts, finally dropping her under garments on the same nearby rock. "Can it wait. I really need to freshen up!"

Stepping foot into the pool at the base of a smaller waterfall just off to their left. The water cool on her skin, small fish scattering in the crystal clear waters as she padded further in until she was fully submerged.

"This is glorious!"

"Oh you ARE glorious," Oliver said loving how much she was loosening up on this vacation. Suddenly she was skinny dipping.

He dragged the table and box closer to the pool and followed suit peeling off his own clothes. Joining her in the pool he pulled her close and kissed her passionately. "Thank you for coming. I know you hated every moment walking up that mountain."

"And you owe me room service!" she joked, returning the kiss hungrily.

He moved behind her his hand resting on her waist and head gently on her left shoulder and gently turned them towards the already melting into beautiful oranges and reds sight of the sun starting to go down. "They said its the most beautiful sunset and I thought it might be nice to enjoy it and eat under the stars."

Her eyes drank in the view of the snow capped mountains framing the valley, miles below the Ba'ku village and the river cutting its path through the valley.

"I think you have managed to find possibly the most romantic spot on the entire planet!" she whispered.

"Good," Oliver said kissing her neck, then nuzzling his nose up to her ear before releasing her and wading back to the box on the side of the pool and taking something out.

"Because I cannot stop thinking about this idea and well I thought I would ask anyway and try do it right. Romantically.

Cassie you brought me back to life when I lost my daughter, Xu. I was completely lost and broken. You recently went through a situation that broke you and I hope I helped bring you back. We work. I just want to face this life, this universe and well any other one with you. Together.

This planet, its all about time. Those falls are timeless, our bodies are getting younger from the radiation and legend has it the people here can latch onto time and create a perfect moment.

Moments here, are priceless and sometimes time well you just know its right. Marry me. Here on Baku. Before we head back. No fuss. No one interfering. No over thinking it. Just us."

He held the ring out towards her hopeful.

A sense of being completely overwhelmed with emotion enveloped her, wrapping around her in such a way that seemed to only allow her to shed tears. Tears of joy, love and a real sense of how she had genuinely landed one of the good guys that had until this moment appeared as nothing more than unicorns. Mythical in concept and even harder to find... Until now.

The tears continued to fall, the smile letting him know they were of joy as she nodded, unable to talk. As swiftly as she could in the water, she crossed the distance between them, wrapping her arms around him, pulling him close so she could kiss him and between each one she found her voice again, however weak it might be. "Yes... Yes... Yes, a million times yes!"

The smile on Oliver's face could not stop growing. "Well then I get to put this on your finger."

He slipped the ring on her finger gently. "And now I have a luxury picnic for us to enjoy. Its not room service but its from the hotel."

OFF:

Lieutenant Oliver Stevens
Transporter chief

Lieutenant JG Cassandra Higgins
Ships Counsellor
USS Andromeda