Downtime

Posted on 26 May 2025 @ 2:54pm by Ensign Aidan Crehan & Master Chief Petty Officer Mila Rasputin

1,517 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Bait and Switch
Location: Personal Quarters
Timeline: June 18, 2390 || 1930 Hours

Mila sat in her and Aidan's quarters feeding Chow a cup of yogurt and raisins, a soft smile on her race as she watched the little white faced Capuchin examine a piece before he crooned happily and popped it in his mouth. "You are being such a good boy, Chow."

Aidan had gotten out of his uniform and into something more comfortable when he got home. He walked into the room with two glasses of water and put one of them on a nearby table before sitting down. "Rumor has it that the ship's theatrical troupe is performing an ancient Earth play later this week. If you're interested. l don't know the name, but it's supposed to be light-hearted. I think they should probably set up somewhere larger than where they normally do as there might be quite a few people needing something like that."

"It will be appreciated," the slender brunette said with a smile as she fed Chow another yogurt covered raisin.

Aidan watched as Mila fed Chow. "He seems relaxed more this evening as of late. But he is not the only one who's always happy when something special is nearby," said Aidan. He leaned in and gave Mila a kiss. "It has been so long since we had downtime, I don't know what to do around this ship anymore."

"There is not being much we have not done lately," Mila said. "But we are having it now. What are you feeling like we should be doing?"

Aidan sighed, "That is true, though. But with it in mind, perhaps we can find a mountain getaway program in the holodeck library. Somewhere with a cabin, hot springs, trails, stargazing, or hiking. Perhaps visit an abandoned town and have an adventure. Simply...forgetting about things for a while."

"That is sounding wonderful." she said as she gave Chow the last of his yogurt and laid her head on AIdan's shoulder. "But being anywhere with you is wonderful. Perhaps we can invest in home on some planet here and have a home away from this for a time."

Aidan laid his hand on Mila's knee. "Now that is a fine idea. Admittedly, I cannot think of a planet off hand that hasn't been ravaged. But investing in a home here would be very nice. We could actually get away for shore leave, perhaps entertain friends, and have a place of our own. A place to call home."

"New Risa is being nice," Mila suggested after a moment of thought. "We are clearing up disease there and I am no longer crazy because of it."

"We certainly made some fond memories there, didn't we," said Aidan. "Beforehand, that is. It is good to hear that the clean up has gone so well. However, it is much better to hear that you are no longer crazy because of it. I think we can most certainly find a nice place to invest in on New Risa. Would you look for somewhere near the beach or closer to the city?"

"Well, is depending on what the Wadi.are willing to part with and price they are expecting." she said. "I am not as good at games of chance as I am being at cards."

"Then we will have to plan some time away and physically visit these areas," he said. "Everyone could use a vacation now. Regarding the cards, you are persuasive. Perhaps you could talk one of them into learning a new game of chance," he added with a grin.

"Is that being so?" Mila grinned. "You have already taken big chance on me."

He smiled and put an arm around her. "And I would take it again and again and again. But I should thank you for taking a chance on me that day when we discussed who was going to sleep where in that little vacation rental."

She smiled at that fond memory and laid her head against his shoulder. "I love you, Sir Knight."

"And I love you, Printsessa," he said. Aidan enjoyed the feeling of Mila's head laying on his shoulder. It made him smile. He gently rubbed her upper arm where his hand rested and leaned his head over onto hers. "It is moments like this that make me glad that we were on that same shuttle. I can't imagine what life would be like without you."

"As am I." Mila smiled and snuggled closer to him. "I am being happier than I have ever been, and words cannot be expressing how much I am loving you."

His heart swelled at her words and a wide smile crossed his face. Aidan held on to Mila as she snuggled closer. He didn't want to let go of her, not ever and not just yet. Everything had been so busy lately that they hadn't had as much time to themselves as he would've liked. The closeness and the quietness was relaxing for a moment.

"Is there anything which you would like to have one day when we are able to retire?" She asked, knowing retirement for her would come hundreds of years before the love of her life, but it was a sacrifice her heart made willingly.

"I suppose," he began, "a small room in our house with a bay window and a small desk facing out. A place where I could write. Perhaps, when we retire, I could write a memoir of our adventurous life together. And maybe some oil paints and canvases so I could continue painting. I have not created a piece of artwork since that painting of you. How about yourself? What would you like?"

Mila thought for a moment. "I would like to hear the sound of children playing," she said quietly before she looked up at him.

As Aidan looked down at her, a gentle smile played across his lips. "I think that would be great," he said. "But you, we, don't have to wait until retirement for that." He paused a moment as a thought struck him. "Are you thinking about retiring soon?"

His words and his smile made her heart swell. "Nyet. I am just making Master Chief, but I would do anything for you."

"Then I would not ask you to do so since your recent promotion," said Aidan. "But that doesn't mean that we can't continue talking about - or working towards - a family."

"Do you mean it?" Mila asked softly.

He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Yes, I mean it. Though we should probably set a date for the wedding first. And ask the Captain if he would perform it. And find our attendants and so on. Unless you were thinking of something larger."

"I...had forgotten that," she said sheepishly. "Being with you is like being at perfect moment in time that is always wonderful. I would like my parents to be there, but we are being in Gamma Quadrant. Joey would be first wish for Maid of Honor if Harvey is to marry us."

"I can't think of anyone better suited to perform the ceremony or be your Maid of Honor," said Aidan. "I must confess, though, I have no idea who I could ask for the Best Man. I am not that close to anyone on the ship. At any rate, we have Captain and Mrs. Geisler and probably Chow as Best Monkey," he paused and chuckled. "Do you think we could look at the next shore leave for a timeframe? Depending upon where we would happen to be of course. A non-holographic setting would be more intimate, I think."

Mila couldn't help but laugh delightfully at Best Monkey and she leaned over to kiss him. "As long as you and Best Monkey Chow is being there, I do not care. We can ask if they would be Maid of Honor and Best Man, along with Chow being Ring Bearer. I definitely wish to be getting married on real ground. Is a shame that we cannot get back to New Risa where we planted that tree."

"Oh, now that would be perfect," said Aidan. "I like the plans so far, as well; purchasing a house, having a family, getting married." He paused, "It would be the best thing that's ever happened."

"Da," she agreed. "Meeting you on that shuttle changed my life and I would never, ever do anything differently."

Aidan smiled and held Mila close for a minute, relishing the solitude and her. "Those were certainly some fun times we had. And even if we can't return to the tree we planted for the wedding venue, I'd like to try to make it back at some point."

"So do I," Mila said with a smile. "But as long as I am being with you, I am being happy and content."

"Then perhaps we don't need to go out," he said. "Let us simply stay in tonight. Just you and I, something nice to drink, and some soft music. How's that sound, Printsessa?"

"It is sounding perfect, my Knight," she said with a smile and snuggled against him a little more.

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