Not the Mama

Posted on 29 Jan 2017 @ 8:24pm by Lieutenant Commander Joey Geisler & Commodore Harvey Geisler
Edited on on 29 Jan 2017 @ 8:33pm

1,265 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Endgame
Location: Captain's Quarters
Timeline: MD 13 || 0130 Hours

The lights were dim, and all would have been quiet if it weren't for the two canines out in the main living area. Something wasn't right, and both Rico and Pequeno knew it. The white German Shepherd stood at the door whining and scratching at it. He knew she was on the other side somewhere, but he couldn't get it open to go in search of his human mama. Since the day he came to be with her when he was a little younger than his new furry brother, he'd never spent much time away from her, and separation anxiety was beginning to set in.

He gave another low whine and trotted back to the bedroom where his other human was sleeping. The little black ball of fluff was on the floor just off the side of the bed 'attacking' a boot. One of the laces was in his mouth, and with a ferocious puppy growl, he gave his head a shake before tugging the poor defenseless boot to a corner where he planned to give it hell. The little guy liked to chew on things, but he never went after shoes... until now.

Rico whined again and jumped onto the bed to stare at Harvey. The whining wasn't doing the trick, so more drastic means needed to be taken. After all, his other human was the only one who could get the door open so he could escape. He pressed his cold nose against his human's neck, then quickly followed up with grabbing the covers between his teeth and pulling them.

"Mmmm..." Harvey moaned, feeling moisture on his neck and then the blast of cold air on his chest. He rolled over and opened his eyes, not at all expecting what he found. He'd collapsed in bed just as soon as he finished his last shift and had expected Joey to come by a while ago. "Computer, time?"

"Time is 0130 hours," came the emotionless voice.

Harvey shook his head as he sat up in bed. Though starstreaks flew by outside the window, very little light entered his room. It was just enough, however, to see Rico with the covers in his mouth. "What's going on with you?" he asked the dog, reaching over to pat him on the head.

Rico dropped the covers and cocked his head to the side when Harvey started patting his head. His tail started to thump against the bed as he gave a bark, gaining the attention of the puppy the floor who gave a mighty bark of his own. The larger dog danced around in a circle a couple times before he jumped from the bed and ran for the door again. Once there, he gave another bark and started scratching at it again.

Pequeno, who wasn't willing to be left out, took off behind Rico as fast as his legs would take him. The puppy resembled a duck waddling, but he didn't seem to mind.

Harvey raised an eyebrow at the two dogs, wondering what they both were up to. He then heard the bark and what seemed to be muffled scratching. "Computer, lights at twenty percent."

With the quarters now dimly lit, he rose from the bed and entered the main room to see Rico scratching at the door. "Hey!" he said, his voice mixed with calm and agitation (he didn't like the fact that the paint was being chipped). He knelt down beside Rico and looked at the door. "Computer," he said, "locate Lieutenant Corwin."

Rico gave another whine and stared at the door as the computer responded in its normal tone, "Lieutenant Corwin is in the Chief of Security's office."

Harvey raised an eyebrow. He hadn't seen Joey since she began looking into the Andorian crewman's death, and she had been taking anything regarding Major Jackson rather hard lately. He wasn't security, but if there was even a hint of danger to the ship, then he was certain that Joey wouldn't rest until it was countered.

At least, he could assume as much based on their prior conversations.

"Come on," he said to Rico. "Mama's working late. You can lay with me in the meantime."

Rico stared at Harvey for a few moments, then glanced toward the door again. He needed to get out, but his human wasn't opening the door. No, this wasn't right. It appeared he was stuck, but that didn't mean he had to like it. He looked to the little black ball of fluff who was dancing around Harvey's feet, eager for some of the attention he was showing the larger canine.

"Yes, you too," he said with a grin at Pequeno. "Come on," he said, standing to return to the bedroom.

When Harvey stood, Pequeno took off toward the back room once again, but Rico stayed where he was by the door. The white dog gave a low (nonthreatening) growl followed by a bark, then placed a paw against the offensive barrier that was keeping him from where he needed to go.

"Come on, Rico," Harvey said, patting the frustrated dog's head as he walked by. "She's working and she'll be home soon."

Rico turned a few circles in front of the door and settled down, resting his head on his paws. Since he wasn't getting the chance to look for her, he planned to stay there until his Mama showed up. If it was at all possible for a dog to appear depressed, he epitomized it. He gave another low, pitiful whine, then let out a sigh.

In the doorway, Harvey turned back to look at Rico. He could only frown, feeling sorry for the poor soul. "I know how you feel, buddy," he mumbled. Of course, Rico had been with Joey far longer than Harvey had. While he did sympathize, there wasn't much he could do. Ordering Joey to stop and come home seemed to be more self-serving than for the interests of the ship. As much as he wanted things of his own, Harvey had to always let the ship come first.

With that in mind, Harvey entered the bedroom.

Watching not the Mama enter the bedroom, Rico gave another sigh before he rose and followed. It wasn't often he got the opportunity to sleep on the bed. If he'd have held out a few more minutes, instead of curling up on the foot of the bed, he would have been there to see the door open.

Joey shuffled inside quietly half in a daze. She hadn't been asleep long before the sudden jolt of nearly falling out of her chair woke her with a start. Thankfully, she braced herself, and was quite pleased no one was around to see it happen. Disoriented, she somehow made it from Security to home in her zombie-like state without hurting herself.

Pulling her belt off, she set it on the couch and made her way back to the bedroom. Joey was a bit surprised to see the dogs in there, but didn't do much to move them. She was too tired for that. In fact, she moved over to her side of the bed and stretched out on it in full uniform... boots and all, then reached out to touch Harvey's cheek before she curled up on her side where she fell asleep.

Harvey's tired eyes opened ever so slightly. There was enough light in the room for him to make out the additional form in the bed. Even in his grogginess, he smiled. No sooner did the smile appear did his eyes close again, thankful she was home.

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