Catching Up

Posted on 02 Jun 2021 @ 12:57am by Lieutenant Commander Joey Geisler & Lieutenant Commander Gemma Alexander

2,843 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Extinction
Location: Talon's
Timeline: Mission Day 2 at 1300

Glad to finally get a break from the never ending paperwork that seemed to haunt her every step lately, Gemma entered Talons finding a lucky table at the height of the lunch rush.

Joey sat at a table not too far away with her two young children that appeared to be gnawing on some kind of biscuit. Only a glass of water sat on the glass in front of her with two sippy cups not too far away. She glanced up and caught sight of Gemma and smiled. "Hey. Long time no see. Would you care to join us?"

Gemma glanced over from, to be honest, just staring out the nearest window. Then smiled as she stood up to head over, "Like ships in the night." She agreed, for awhile their schedules matched up and they got to be gym buddies but when that shifted and children happened it got more difficult to hang out. She looked at the children, still smiling, "They're huge, they flying the ship yet?" She asked sitting down at an empty spot.I

She laughed and looked toward the two babies, then looked back to Gemma. "They're close to their first birthday, but I'm not so sure I want them flying any ships just yet. They've got to stay little for a bit longer," Joey replied with a smile. She was still trying to come to terms with the fact that almost an entire year had gone by. "How have you been? Between our forced downtime for ship repairs, and family, we haven't seen much of one another."

Gemma nodded, "One thing after another." She agreed, then thought on the question, "Well enough considering the past year. I'm still here so that's a win." She tried not to be distracted by the cuteness of the two soon to be toddlers as she returned the question. "Yourself?"

"Busy," Joey answered with a smile. She could tell Gemma was fighting to keep from paying more attention to the twins than her, and she honestly didn't blame the pilot. "These two are trying to start walking now, and they're getting recall close. I give them a couple more weeks of so."

Alison, who had always been the more observant one since birth, watched Gemma while she gnawed on her teething biscuit. Her brother, though, was definitely the more friendly sort, and hadn't come across anyone he hadn't liked yet. In fact, Jameson held out a little fist with drooled on cookie in it and offered some to their guest.

Gemma smiled broadly at them and directed herself at Jameson. She politely took the partial cookie offered, "Thank you." she said and made a big show of enjoying it and looking in her pockets for food to give him only to show him the empty pockets with a shrug.

A waitress came up to take their order. "More food." She smiled at them then at Joey, "Sorry their cuteness is has a gravitational pull."

Joey smiled. Gemma wasn't wrong. Her children definitely had a way about them, and that's why she suggested they become honorary morale officers. She gave Jameson, who was still watching their guest, a new teething biscuit and looked to the waitress. "Gemma, you can order first."

Wondering if she could pretend to sneak them something ordered a burger, fries and a chocolate shake. Feeling a bit old school today. "All you." She said as the waitress turned her attention to Joey while Gemma then made faces at the pair in an effort to be entertaining while their mom put an order in.

Jameson smiled brightly while he chewed in his cookie. He definitely appeared to be fascinated. Alison, on the other hand, was too busy watching her mother and held her hand out for her cup, which was quickly provided by her mother.

Joey looked thoughtful as she pondered what she wanted to eat. Did she want a burger and fries? Not really. She'd eaten a lot of those when she pregnant and tried to stay away from them as much as possible. Today she felt like something different. "I think I'm going to go with a taco salad, and a side of fries, please," she said.

The waitress nodded and started to leave but Gemma caught her adding a small pot of tea, with a smile the waitress left. "So before I get suckered in by the bundles of cute distraction, what have you been up too?"
She asked Joey curiously.

"It is pretty easy to get suckered in," Joey said with a smile, taking a second to look toward her two children before looking back toward Gemma. "I'm so ready to get back to work, though."

Gemma smiled, "I'm surprised you're not sneaking in paperwork." Then she pretended to look concerned for a moment, "unless you did and the Captain busted you. Have you been on house arrest? Blink once if you need help." She joked. It was well known how much they loved each other and she thought it was great to see.

Joey laughed. "I'll have more than enough paperwork soon enough," she answered with a smile. Gemma's sense of humor was definitely nice. "I'm good, though."

Gemma smiled, "Fair enough well if you need sitters, I got half a flight deck that would drop most anything myself included." She half joked, "Though if I remember my mom's concerns when I was a kid it was getting the chance to talk to other adults. Did the Doc say went you'd be able to return to full duty?"

Joey would definitely remember that. Her children seemed to have many fans aboard the ship, and she definitely appreciated it. "I once mentioned making them honorary morale officers for the crew. They just have a way of bringing smiles to faces," she said with a smile. "I was cleared to go back to duty about six weeks after they were born, but circumstances came into play. Now, I'm ready to get back to it. What did you do when the ship was in dry dock?"

Gemma nodded, they were cute, no wonder they made others feel better just be existing. She couldn't wait to see them grow as they discovered the universe. To Joey's question she replied, "I got that it was some challenging times." She agreed then continued, "Mostly enjoyed not the ship. I mean I love the Hawk and all but a change of scene once in awhile is great. I went sailing, camping, got to know some crew I don't usually roll with, a lot bars...." She grinned, "Of course cycles and atmospheric air craft. Again love the craft we get but I do like the wind on my face...without the certain death." She quipped. "You?"

"I spent most of my time adjusting to life with two babies," she replied, pausing when their waitress arrived with their food. Once the fries were in the table, she took one in each hand to blow in before giving them to Alison and Jameson. "Honestly, I never expected to get married or have a family, but I can say out of everything I've done in my life, this has definitely been the most rewarding."

Gemma arranged her newly arrived items and began to make her tea, pouring the hot water into the cup after adding milk etc as she replied, "I can understand that." she replied honestly, "My mum always said it was the hardest thing to do trying to raise some squirming mass of independent being into a proper adult." She smiled at the memory of it, "Still she admits to my brother and I in public so I think she's proud enough. I mean I think she did a great job but I could be biased." She shrugged with another smile. "My brother's not even that annoying....most of the time." she joked but the familial love was strong in her voice.

"You have a brother?" She asked with a smile.

Gemma looked up from finishing sorting her tea with a surprised expression that smoothed out after a moment, "I didn't tell you? Right of course I must not have." She sipped the tea to test it then continued, Yes I have a little brother, he's in College learning everything he needs to know to dig in the dirt for ancient ruins or somesuch. Apparently he has a knack." He tone was light but there was a hint of pride there.

"That's pretty impressive, but so is being a fighter pilot for Starfleet," Joey pointed out. "I was once on the flight deck. Happened a while back. One of the most embarrassing moments of my life. So much so that I channeled most of it out. All I remember is demanding a fighter from Commander Walsh and vomiting on the floor in his office. Never accept chocolate from Ensign Khan if it's offered."

Gemma blinked, "What was in it?" She asked now really curious. "Was it some kind of prank?" she asked because of the warning. She wracked her brain trying to remember but she didn't think Walsh told her about that, which made sense. He didn't normally brag about the suffering of others, unless they were a true jerk.

Joey reached for her water and took a sip. "I don't know what was in it, to be honest," she said as she mixed some salsa into her taco salad and passed a couple more fries to the twins. "I remember her saying something about them being artisan, though, I'm fairly certain she didn't know that was going to happen."

Gemma looked sympathetic. "Having fancy chocolate just turn on you like that. Harsh. I mean that's like if bacon or tea turned on me. How would one live?" She ate a bit of her own food and did not sound like she was kidding.

The Intel Chief grinned. "I'm not sure, but it would be a travesty nonetheless," she said. "And, I think it's close to time to introduce these two to bacon. Maybe another month or so."

Gemma waited until her mouth was clear again before replying, "Well just make sure it's the real stuff none of that turkey crap. Then they'll be ready for the cockpit...oh there's an idea. My mom had one of those flight toys when I was little. It didn't do much but you could push buttons, it made noise and had a little plane that moved across. Wonder if I can get an engineer to make a couple for a gyphon layout..." She half joked.

Joey took a sip of her drink. "If the plans are in the computer, Operations might be able to take care of it," she said just before she passed a couple more french fries off to the twins. "Of course, if you're interested in a Gryphon layout, Engineering might just need to be involved in that process."

The mental image of three departments banding together to make a child's toy made her grin, "You know I'd been I could find people interested." She smiled at the children before returning her attention to to Joey, "I'll work on it, see what we can do, just don't look at me funny if it comes with tiny flight suits."

Joey looked thoughtful. "Flight suits would be nee. They've got little red uniforms already," she said with a smile.

Gemma laughed and replied, "Hey flight suits are cool too..." she joked then to the kids she said in a light, gentle tone, "Can you say Pilot? Pilot? How about Gryphon? Flight?" She gestured with her hand like a craft in flight, pretending to tickle them lightly.

Jameson watched Gemma and gave a sweet little baby laugh. Alison, though, seemed to be completely unimpressed. She looked at her mom, then reached for her cup to take a drink.

Joey smiled and took a sip of her tea. "When they're old enough to decide, they can be anything they want to be ."

Gemma laughed, "I expect so. If they join Starfleet I am sure they will do great things." She said with confidence.

"I know they will. I just hope they decide to be something outside of Starfleet, if I'm being honest. Don't get me wrong. I would support them if this is what they chose to do," she explained, passing over another french fry to each baby. "I just know what the dangers are."

Gemma was silent eating her own meal as she considered that thoughtfully, after a few moments. "I know what you mean, my parents want regular messages to make sure I'm still ok. They understand but they worry..." She shrugged, "After the Delmaqur there was a huge fight, he wanted me teaching at Starfleet Academy. Felt I'd done my part. We worked it out but..." She shrugged, "I see your point is what I'm trying to say I suppose. No one wants their loved ones in danger even if they understand the need." She sipped her tea smiling briefly at the two cutest babies ever.

"You're not wrong. I almost retired myself. I was Security before I became the Chief of Intelligence. It was the final battle with the Consortium that almost took me out," Joey said, trying to not let that particular memory bring her down. She had a lot to be thankful for, and had it not been for her team being stubborn at the time, she really would have died that day. "Being a pilot, though... you're the first line of defense. That's got to be incredibly scary."

Gemma smiled but there was a seriousness in her eyes that lent an air of melancholy to it. "Depending on the situation it's something I think we take turns being the point of the spear. It's something you learn or go mad, that there is no truly safe place and you'd best be comfortable with the unknown. Still" She rallied her positive spirit, "Someones got to do it and it's not all bad, C-beams glittering in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate, nothing between me and a rainbow nebula but some specialized canopy glass. Now that's something." This time her smile was more genuine as she ate a bite more, sipped her tea.

Joey smiled. "Well, I'm grateful to you and your fellow pilots for what you do. I know it's not easy. Especially when split second decisions need to be made."

Gemma smiled, taking the compliment, "Same to you for cutting down what we have to shoot at..." she raised the last of her tea in a brief salute.

"Thank you," Joey said with a smile as she raised her own glass. "We're definitely going to have to get together more often. Perhaps, the two of us and some of the other ladies can have dinner or something."

"Definitely maybe if we can escape to New Bajor, we can paint the town whatever color we want." She grinned at the thought. "Next to flying getting out and running at least a little amok is fine time."

"As long as you guys don't mind plus three," Joey said, indicating her two children with Harvey being the third. "I wouldn't mind. But... considering we just came off some down time, that might be a bit away."

"More time to plan then." She said mentally revising those plans with the Captain and his kids involved. Not that she minded them but one did not go bar hopping with toddlers. "Until then I am available for random lunches or babysitting duties." She continued with another ready smile.

Joey returned the smile. "I appreciate that, and I'm open to smaller trips until I'm able to pull myself away from the family for days at a time," she said, unsure if something like that would ever actually happen. "Let's start with girl's night here, and go from there?"

Gemma nodded, "I recommend the holodeck. I mean I love the lounge..." She gestured at the room they were in, "But sometimes a change of pace is the handy bit. And better to have fewer witnesses if something goes too silly." She grinned, "We could put the word out see whose free next weekend." She said her mind working on a plan. "Sorry to run off with an idea but I've noticed if I don't plan for these things something always gets in the way..." Then she gave a small laugh, "Well be fair, sometimes stuff gets in the way anyway but what can you do?" She shrugged.

"That's a good idea, too," Joey agreed. "We can go anywhere, and I won't be too far away if a family emergency comes up. Why don't you reach out to some of the other ladies and see if they're interested and we'll take it from there?"

"Can do, will do" Gemma quipped with a grin. "Next to planning evil training scenarios, should be fun." Having finished her tea she raised the last of her milkshake, "Those holodeck pixels won't know what it them."

Joey smiled. "No matter what, it'll be interesting."

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