Together

Posted on Tue Dec 21st, 2021 @ 2:29pm by Captain Nycolas Temple & Emilie Temple

Mission: The Gauntlet
Location: Deck 2 - Senior Crew Quarters
Timeline: After the Ravager Blockade

ON:

Nyx quietly walked into his quarters with a forlorn stride, heavied by the events of the day and his near 24 hours on duty. Emilie was sat pensively on the side of the couch, watching over a sleeping Katrine and William. As soon as the doors opened and the couple saw each other, they quickly closed the distance between them. Nyx wrapped his arms around Emilie and held her close, Emilie allowing herself to fall into his body with urgency. Nyx held his wife tightly, grateful to see her unharmed after the battle with the Alrakis Pact, the stand-off wit the Ravagers, and their entry into the Nebula. The room was dimmed into low light, and it was clearly disheveled during the turmoil the Pandora had experienced.

After a moment, Nyx moved his head downwards to kiss the side of Emilie's face, "You're okay?" He whispered.

"Yes, shaken... a lot, but otherwise good." Emilie replied, still buried into his chest.

Nyx frowned at her short-hand answer, "Are you sure?"

"Yeah..." She sighed, knowing Nyx could read her tone too well, "I was getting pretty panicked there for a while. But then Krysia came over with her kids. We were able to chat throughout the most difficult parts." She explained, "Helped take my mind off it."

"Oh that's good. I'm glad you had someone." Nyx nodded, before immediately having an idea, "You know, we really should set up a group meeting point for civilians and vulnerable passengers when in times of battle or Red Alert. I'm surprised we don't have one already."

"That's a good idea," Emilie agreed, "I think the civs, especially those with kids, need to rely on each other. The officers all know what to do, where to go, and what's happening. We're a little in the dark, however."

"Once we get a moment to breathe, I'll set something up with Operations." Nyx said firmly. "How about the kids?" Nyx asked, casting an eye over to their sleeping children. They were bundled up together on the couch, blanket wrapped around them tightly. Toys were scattered around, as Katrine had been using them for comfort.

"Fine, I guess. Katrine was upset earlier on but she hid under a blanket throughout most of it." Emilie pulled herself closer into Nyx, tensing her arms to feel closer to him. She didn't like reliving what they had been through. "I've promised her chocolate ice cream every night for a week."

"Whatever she needs." Nyx smiled slightly. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to come by earlier, you know, with everything going on."

"I know," She nodded, "I've sent a video in to be played for Owen, with me and the kids. Any updates on his condition?" Emilie pulled her face back to look at him, immediately recognising the stress in his eyes.

Nyx frowned, "Still in a coma." He sighed, "I can't wait to get back home so they can help him."

Emilie gently raised up her hand and stroked the side of his face. "What about you?" She whispered, "Are you okay?"

Nyx gave a sort-of shrug, turning up the corner of his mouth in apprehension. "I just want this over with. When we were approaching the Nebula, I was so relieved. But then those damn Ravagers appeared. It could have been really bad, Ems. The ship has been through hell, I don't know if we could have survived one more battle."

Emilie kissed his cheek, "Hey, you got us out of it, right? The ship might have been beaten up, but you guys still pulled through."

"Zo did, really," Nyx explained, the memory giving him a moment of mirth as he remembered the pacified Ravagers lulling about on their ship, "It's kind of a long story as to how." He smiled.

"You'll tell it to me, in full, later." Emilie stated reassuringly, "I want to hear all about it."

"I will." Nyx nodded, "Another time. Right now, I just need to shower and sleep."

[Later]

Nyx had slept for a full eleven hours, spread eagle on the bed with his uniform only half-removed. He had intended to have a shower and talk with Emilie, but the moment he reached the bed, he was completely unconscious. The ship was still slowly passing through the nebula, without much else to do but wait until they cleared the area and returned back to Federation territory. Nyx had not been needed, with Commander Mindo taking up the big chair while Nyx caught up on some much needed sleep.

A little dazed, Nyx blinked awake. He looked at his bedside clock and realised how long he had been asleep. With a drowsy stupor, he shuffled off the bed and back into the main living area. There, he saw Emilie sitting on the couch, folding some laundry.

"Hello stranger." She smiled as she saw her husband. "Good sleep?"

Nyx gave a smile in reply, "Oh man, I feel like I've been out for days. Sorry, I didn't plan on being out that long."

"You needed it." Emilie said firmly, "Not even the kids could wake you! Katrine found it very amusing."

Nyx yawned, "I bet. Where is the little munchkin?"

"Daycare with William." Emilie said simply, putting the laundry to the side. "You hungry?"

"Yes... But don't worry, I'll get something. I feel terrible that I've left everything for you to do." Nyx said, noticing their quarters was now clean and tidy once more. He felt a pang of guilt that he had been such an absentee father and husband for the past three days. He had left everything for Emilie to do.

Emilie demurred a smile, knowing that a couple of helpful Ensigns from Operations had been sent to clean the quarters, and she had also been able to arrange a sleep-over at the Brennan-Griffins to entertain Katrine for the evening, while William had been at Daycare since the early morning. Emilie had needed a break as well. As much as she wanted to be Super Mum and do it all herself, she had relied on her Pandora extended family to help out.

She merely stood and walked over to Nyx, kissing him on the cheek, "Don't worry, I got it covered." She was able to take in his body scent and raised her eyebrows, "I think it's a good idea for you to take a shower first. I can prepare some breakfast for you."

Nyx stared down at his disheveled state and nodded in agreement. "A very good idea."

He returned the kiss to Emilie's cheek and began to walk back to the bathroom, while Emilie approached the replicators to begin making a selection. As Nyx was passing by the table, he noticed a small object sitting on top of it. He blinked through his hazy eyes and realized it was a data chip.

He held up the chip to Emilie, "What's this?"

Emilie distractedly turned around and frowned, then suddenly remembered. "Oh, that was bizarre. When we were going through the Ravager blockade, we received a knock at the door. When I opened it, there was no one present but that - the chip - was on the floor."

"Do you know what it is?" Nyx asked, carefully considering the chip in his hand. "Or who dropped it?"

"No idea." Emilie shrugged, turning back to the replicator. "I've been meaning to talk to you about it. Kaleri mentioned we should take it Intelligence first before looking into it. In case it's a virus program or something damaging."

Nyx frowned, "I'd doubt it. But, it's best to check it over, just to be sure. I'll have to go see Smithy."

"Shower first." Emilie said firmly, "And food."

Nyx smiled, giving a small salute, "Yes, boss." He said with a laugh, before dropping the data chip back ono the table and continuing into the bathroom.

OFF