After the Storm: Part 1

Posted on 01 Oct 2014 @ 10:11pm by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeroen Adlar & Commander Scarlet Blake & Lily Blake

1,302 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 06 - Legend of Souls
Location: USS Galileo: Deck 1 - First Officer's Quarters
Timeline: MD 07: 1900

ON:

Taking a deeper breath, Jeroen stopped outside the quarters of the XO. He had missed the...family unit. Lily and Scarlet. And while he had seen the battered Scarlet earlier, this was him seeing them both. Officially. In his hand he had two wrapped presents. A necklace for Scarlet, a jade pendant. And for Lily...a teddy bear, with a big bow. Old fashioned and big. He smiled as he looked around before ringing the chime.

Scarlet opened the door herself, watching him with a warm smile. "Fancy meeting you here," she teased, leaning forward to hug him tightly, sighing with warmth. "That's better."

Jeroen held her close, kissing her hair as he closed his eyes, glad she looked better. She hadn't been well when he had seen her last and...well. This felt better. It drove home a lot of things. He had missed her so much. "A lot better," he agreed, stroking her back soothingly.

Scarlet watched him with clear fondness as she took hold of his hand to squeeze, leading him inside. "How did it all go?"

"It went the way it was meant to go," he said as he moved with her, holding her hand. "He went peacefully. It's all anyone of us can ask in the long run. How..." he stopped and looked around. "Oh. You have tribbles too."

"Yes..." Scarlet rolled her eyes with frustration. It explained it all. As to how things were going on Galileo at least. "Tribbles. They're everywhere, little bastards."

He watched her for a long moment, reaching to touch her cheek. "Sit down...let me get us something to drink. I have a present for you. And for Lily."

"You didn't have to," Scarlet smiled brightly all the same at the promise of gifts. "And absolutely not, you sit down, you must he exhausted. What do you want?" she was already making her way to the small, open kitchen area.

"Cup of tea would be nice," he said, placing the presents down as he watched her. "Without a tribble if possible..." he added playfully, just watching her. "How...are you doing? How have things been?"

"Ridiculous," Scarlet replied honestly, letting out a heavy breath as she set real tea to brew in a pot. "You must be a good luck charm or something. Since you've been gone, the world has gone mad. Cardassians, haunted mine tunnels, tribbles, a poorly girl, disputes between officers and enlisted, energy zombies, being pounced on...." she leant against the kitchen bar, watching him with serious eyes as she arched an eyebrow and folded her arms. "You know that saying? We are only sent the trials we are strong enough to handle? If someone says that or something similar to me, I reserve the right to hit them."

He chuckled warmly, standing to walk over to her. He reached out, to gently touch her cheek. "Scarlet...you are strong enough to handle anything. It does not make it less annoying though," he said and looked around. "Is Lily feeling better?" He hated the idea of her poorly. As much as he hated the idea of Scarlet unhappy.

"Oh yes," Scarlet laughed softly, shaking her head gently. "Just a bug. She was back to hunting dragons pretty quickly," she assured.

"Uncle 'Roen?" Lily smiled from the doorway to her bedroom before running to him, her arms already held out. "Uncle 'Roen!"

Jeroen smiled warmly, picking her up and kissing her cheeks. "My angel! I've missed you," he said, holding her close as he closed his eyes. "Missed both you and your Mummy so much."

"Me too!" Lily smiled warmly, resting easily against him in the strong grip. She giggled, shaking her head at herself. "You, I mean...."

"I know what you mean, my princess," he said and winked, holding her as he let out a breath. "It's good to be here."

"It's good to have you back," Scarlet replied honestly, smiling fondly as she watched them together. "It's not been the same without you around," it really hadn't. And it was odd, because Jeroen hadn't been back in her life all that long, not really. But now that he was, it felt wrong without him around.

He nodded, smiling as he put Lily down and went to Scarlet, taking her hand. "I have not been myself without you," he said softly, his eyes gentle as he leant to kiss her cheek. "Now. Sit down. Relax a bit...I hear you have been busy."

Scarlet shook her head with a small smile as she sat at the kitchen bar, pouring the tea out for them. "I'm sure you can imagine the pleasure we had with the cardies."

He nodded as he watched her, with a small smile. "Sneaky buggers," he said and shook his head. He sat down and held his arms out for Lily to climb up and sit with him.

Scarlet chuckled as she poured extra milk into the third cup for Lily, glancing to them as Lily climbed up into Jeroen's lap all too happily. "Still, I'm not in the brig, so all is well that ends well."

"Clearly not," he said as he reached to touch her cheek, smiling as he held Scarlet's eyes.

Scarlet chuckled softly; he never missed anything. She didn't want to say too much within hearing shot of little ears though. She didn't want her dislike of Cardassians to rub off on Lily. She had the right to experience the universe on her own terms as she grew up. "You should come to dinner tonight. We'd really appreciate it."

"Yeah!" Lily grinned at the prospect, looking up to him with wide blue eyes. "Ice cream to start....chocolate for main....and sweeties for pudding...."

Jeroen laughed, tickling Lily quickly. "That'll rot our teeth! How about I make us some dinner tonight?" he met Scarlet's eyes, with a small smile. "I'd enjoy it. I'm not officially on duty until tomorrow anyway."

Scarlet leant on the worktop with a slight frown, shaking her head. "That's just rude, putting you to work the minute you get back."

"Oh, you know I love it," he said and smiled as he kissed Lily's cheek. "I can even have Lily to help me and you can...well, do whatever you'd like for a few hours. You've been...busy." And under pressure.

Scarlet watched Jeroen with gratitude before leaning to kiss his cheek. "Thanks. I'm going to have a bath. A real one. So long as you're sure."

"Of course he is!" Lily held her arms up as if it were obvious. "I be little chef!"

"I love my little chef," Jeroen laughed warmly, nodding as he smiled. "Look, I've only been away for a bit. Just...let a stubborn man do as he wants, okay?"

"Okay," Scarlet smiled warmly, patting his back on the way past. "Behave you two...."

"We'll try," Jeroen said and smiled, reaching for the wrapped up bear. "Here's a present for my little chef...I hope you like it.

Lily watched with wide eyes, excitement clear on her face as she reached for it. "Thank you!" she laughed warmly, tearing eagerly at the paper. Her mouth formed an 'o' shape as she saw the bear, stroking the soft fur. "Oooooo! It's so nice!"

"I thought you needed another friend," Jeroen said and smiled, touching her hair. "He is yours to name and to love. He likes hugs."

"Just like me!" Lily watched the bear, clearly pleased as she stroked the soft ear. "Beorn!" she hugged it close before leaning to Jeroen to hug him too, the bear squished between them. "Thank you!"

TBC:

PO2 Jeroen Adlar
Geoengineer
USS Galileo
[PNPC Rice]

CMDR Scarlet Blake
First Officer
USS Galileo

Lily Blake
Civilian Child
USS Galileo
[PNPC Blake]

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