So...It Is True

Posted on 04 Jul 2016 @ 9:11am by Senior Chief Petty Officer Mila Rasputin & Lieutenant Commander Joey Geisler

3,570 words; about a 18 minute read

Mission: Risky Business
Location: Joey's Quarters
Timeline: MD 3 || 1900 Hours

After Mila had gone back to her quarters to change, shower and feed Chow, she put on a pair of black jeans, a purple blouse and a pair of white shoes and headed out to Deck Five with a bag in her hands where Joey was on. The fun the two of them had with Harvey had brightened her day and the interaction between Harvey and Joey had definitely been something that had made her smile in addition to Harvey laughing and having fun with them.

She arrived and reached out to press the chime, the smile still on her lips while she fiddled with the bag that she carried and waited for Joey to answer the door.

Joey sat on the couch studying up on the LRAD device she and Cooper were going to using on their mission hoping to know the ins and outs of it in case she needed to do any field repairs on it. Her hope was that it'd never come to that point, but one couldn't be too careful in situations like she was going into. Rico was settled on the couch with her, his head on her lap while she used her free hand to rub his head right between his eyes. He seemed to be enjoying it, too, because when the chime alerted her that someone was on the other side of the door, the canine gave a sound that sounded like a groan.

"Oh, you act like you never get any love," She said, giving his side a pat before she placed her PADD on the coffee table and got to her feet. The brunette had no idea who was on the other side of the door, but there was only one way to find out. Pressing the sensor to open it, she smiled when she saw who it was. "Mila! Come on in." She stepped out of the way, gesturing for her new friend to come inside.

"Thank you," Mila said as she entered and looked at Rico. "So this is handsome partner I have heard much about. He is certainly big, strong K-9." She turned back to Joey and offered her the bag she had been carrying. "I am bringing small memento for you."

The taller woman took the bag from Mila and peered inside, laughing when she saw popped blue balloons inside of it. "I actually have the water gun I used. I let Harvey keep the other one. They might come in handy again in the future. Can I get you anything?" She looked toward the lounging dog and smiled, when he raised his head a fraction. "That would be Rico. He's enjoying his downtime."

Her living room, despite being the dreary colors Starfleet decided was a good choice, was decorated with a Hawaiian theme with little figurines, throws and other things that reminded her of home. It was a pain to have to lug it around from place to place, but since she didn't plan on going anywhere for a long time to come, it was worth it.

Mila looked around Joey's quarters and gave a nod. "Something cold would be nice," she said, letting tall brunette decide what to get for her. "I am liking theme to your quarters. Is much better than I have done to date. Is Rico to be friendly to anyone but you?" She asked, not wanting to disturb the K-9 unless she was given permission.

Joey moved over to the replicator to retrieve two sweet teas, then moved over to her new friend to hand one of the glasses to her. "He's friendly, but let him smell you first, and don't try to take his sock. I think I'm the only person he wouldn't rip the face off of." She gestured for Mila to settle down, then did the same as Rico shifted a bit, revealing a very worn white sock underneath him. Sock-o had definitely seen better days.

Mila accepted the sweet tea and sat down near Rico, but gave him his space as she looked a the battered and worn sock that he had revealed. She offered him her free hand palm out, but kept it away from his sock. "I am greeting you, Rico. I am Mila."

Rico gave her hand a curious sniff before he licked her, causing his handler to smile. "He's a lovebug when he wants to be. Harvey pet him the first time he met him, and Rico even pet him back. There were a couple kisses exchanged from my big furball, too. I was actually beginning to get jealous, because I'm the only one who ever got them." She set the bag on the side of the couch to put away later. "I have to say that this is rather a pleasant surprise."

Mila smiled. "He is knowing who is good and who is not," she said before she moved her hand to give Rico a gently scritch between his ears. "So, who is to be watching him when you are to be going on suicide mission?"

Joey winced. She knew that would come up eventually after making mention of it earlier in the day, but the way Mila decided to word it... "I had planned on talking to Hernandez about taking him, but I'd rather you keep an eye on him for me until I get back. If you'd be willing, that is."

Mila turned hazel eyes on her friend, their color shifting more towards grey in sadness. "You are to be making certain that you are to be returning, Joey. I am not ready to lose new friend so soon after meeting you, but I am not being certain how Rico is reacting to Chow. He has had no other companion since I am having him, even for limited time."

"I'll ask Ensign Hernandez to keep an eye on him for me. His little canine and Rico have already been introduced to one another, so there shouldn't be any problems there. I'd ask Harvey, but he's going to have his hand full as Captain Geisler with everything that's going to be going on." She reached over Rico to give Mila's arm a reassuring squeeze. "Please, don't be sad. I promise I'm going to come back, Mila. I've been doing my homework and preparing myself in every way I possibly can."

She nodded and took a drink of her sweet tea before she set it down again as she continued to slowly scritch between Rico's ears. "I know that you are experienced in many things, Joey, but I cannot help be sad. I have no had many friends in my years of travelling the stars. Now I am having you, and Harvey, and a wonderful boyfriend in Aidan, and I am sounding selfish, but I do not wish you to go and not return."

Joey got to her feet and settled on the arm of the couch next to Mila. She slipped an arm around her shoulders and laid her cheek on top of her head. "There's always a risk in everything Security does, honey, but I can promise you... I'm going to do my damnedest to make it back here alive. If there's a chance I can keep everyone on board this ship safe, you know I have to take it. No matter what the cost to me might be."

Mila shook her head and looked down. "Nyet," she said firmly. "I am knowing what you are willing to do, but I am thinking there is always way out without it being final. You are very smart and you will be coming back. You have no other choice, because if you do not, I am knowing that Harvey will be shell of man and worse Captain for it."

"I'm coming back, Mila," The taller woman said softly as her eyes closed. She didn't want to become emotional, but her new friend was making it hard. "If for some reason I don't, but I will, Harvey would be okay. He's got you to look out for him."

"Is not the same," she said, her accent thick. "I am seeing how he was looking at you when we were finishing balloon and water battle. He is needing you, Joey. I am his friend, da, but I am seeing that he is searching more for what you are giving him."

Joey didn't know what to say. She was starting to choke up as well, and about the only thing she could do was curl up with Rico for comfort. He was good for that when she was feeling down. "Harvey and I..." She swallowed a lump back in her throat. "We're friends. He's given me no indication that he views me any other way."

"I am seeing way he is looking at you earlier, Joey," Mila said as she looked back up and hugged her. "He is liking you, but he is fresh out of relationship or whatever it was and does not wish to be seen as man who bounces from woman to woman. I am giving him a month, perhaps three before he is being more than friend with you."

Wrapping her arms around Mila, Joey pressed a kiss to the top of her head. She wasn't going to cry... she wasn't going to cry. The taller woman repeated it in her mind like a mantra. This was her job, and it was what needed to be done to ensure that Black Hawk and her crew remained safe. Once again, she found herself unsure what she should say. "Everything is going to be okay, Mila."

"You are to be certain of this," Mila said softly. "Otherwise, I am going to be finding way to bring you back. Think of Chow and how much he would miss you."

Joey laughed. "I think he'd miss me a bit, too, wouldn't he?" She was doing her best to reassure Mila, and knew she'd be able to go seek comfort from Aidan once she left, which meant she'd be left alone with her own emotions. No matter what, though... she had a job to do, and planned to do it to the best of her ability.

After taking another drink of her sweet tea before she set it down and looked a the other woman. "I am serious Joey," she said. "I am sorry that I am making you sad and for being sad, but I cannot help myself. I am believing in you at the same time and am knowing that you are to be coming back."

"Thank you, Mila, and I promised you I would come back. I meant it then, and I still mean it now." She smiled down at the Russian woman, pushing her own emotions aside. "This is just one of many bumps in the road that someone needs to smooth out. It's all going to be okay."

"Da," Mila managed after a minute and straightened up. "It will be. Now then, when is next time you and Harvey are to be going out and having fun?"

"I don't know," Joey answered honestly. "Things are going to be getting hectic soon. Maybe when it's all over."

"I should be planning special dinner for you and he when we are celebrating victory of mission," she said. "Something worthy of Tsar, I am thinking..."

The taller brunette smiled. "You don't have to do that, Mila, but it's very thoughtful and appreciated. Make it for Harvey. He'll have earned it. My victory celebration will likely include a shower and sleeping."

"I was not asking," the slender woman said. "I was telling what I am to be doing."

"Yes, Mila," Joey conceded with another smile. "I will be there."

"Good," Mila said. "I would not have taken no for answer. I am used to dealing with Captains and they are thinking they are telling me same. Nyet, is not the case. I am horizontal and vertical controller on ship and keep heart beating."

"And you're good at what you do, too. Thing would just not be the same without you," She pointed out as she got to her feet to retrieve her glass from the coffee table. There was a lot of relief now that the subject shifted away from her upcoming mission.

"So what is next on agenda to be teaching Harvey?" Mila asked. "I am seeing funny light up hoop. What are they to be called?"

"Hula dancing, believe it or not, but I think I might hold off on that for a bit," Joey answered. "The hoop, though... it's called a hula hoop. I figured it would help out a bit."

"Is part of Hula tradition?" she asked, curious.

"No, but it will help mimic the movements. Maybe I can teach you how, too?"

"I would be liking that," Mila said. "I grew up in New Berlin on Earth's moon and we are not having things like that there. After I enlisted, I have been to many planets with large bodies of water, but have never seen anyone dance in such way."

"Then, we'll set something up as soon as all of this is over," Joey said with a smile. "I grew up in Hawaii, which is why my place looks like it does. Keeps me from getting too homesick."

"I try to decorate mine with small taste of home, but prefer to collect things from journey among stars," Mila replied. "Your place is much better."

"I've collected things over the years. A lot of that is in my bedroom, though. Your place... I like it," The taller woman said. "You should be proud. If you're willing... can we introduce Chow and Rico... see how they react to one another? Or, I can ask Harvey."

"I am thinking we should introduce them to each other," she said. "It would be interesting to see how they react with each other before we are making decision."

"How should we do it? Should we get Chow here, or should we go to your place?" Joey asked.

"Let us being going there," Mila said. "He is not very comfortable going out to other people yet."

Joey got to get feet and grabbed Rico's leash, which got his attention. He dove off of the couch and in her direction, settling down next to her to wait for her to clip it to his harness. The second she did, his tail began to wag. She smiled over at Mila. "He seems to be ready to go."

"Then let us be going," Mila said as she waited for Joey to get ready before she left the quarters and headed for the nearest turbolift. "I will prepare Chow to best of my ability, but he is never meeting dog before."

"We'll see what happens. If plan A doesn't work, there will be a plan B. Should that one not work out, then I will go with plan C," the taller woman said, stepping onto the turbolift with Rico once it arrived.

"Deck thirteen," the shorter brunette said and looked at Rico. "I am hoping you are liking Chow. He is little guy, but white faced as you are. You are good boy. He is good boy. I am hoping you are both good with each other." She looked up at Joey. "How many plans are you having?"

"You, Harvey and Xavier. If none of those work, then I'll have to put him in his kennel. I don't want to do that, but if it comes down to it, I will."

"Nyet, would not be pleasant," Mila said as the turbolift came to a stop and led the taller woman and Rico down to her quarters. She entered the access code and stepped in, motioning for Joey and Rico to follow her. Chow was sleeping on the back of the couch but looked up sleepily when he heard the door open, then perked up when he saw his mistress and came to his back feet with a happy noise. When he saw Joey, his eyes got wide and he raised his paws in the air and gave a hoot.

Joey smiled when she saw Chow, grateful she was wearing sweats. That meant it'd be harder for him to get his little hands down her sweatshirt. "I have handcuffs, and I'm not afraid to us them, little buddy." She moved over to him, though, and scratched him under his chin. Rico behaved himself next to her, sitting down the second she stopped.

Chow started to get into the scritches when the movement of Rico caught his attention and things went sideways in his little simian mind. He screeched and jumped away from Joey and to the back of the chair, hooting and creeling away while jumping up and down while looking between Mila and Rico as if he wanted her to kill the thing.

"Chow! Chow, calm down!" Mila said as she went over to him, but the little Capuchin darted away from her and into her bedroom, screeching in fear every step of the way. "Chow! Come back here! He is not hurting you!" She looked at Joey. "I am sorry...let me see if I am able to coax him back out."

Corwin winced when Chow reacted the way he did, and all the commotion caused Rico to get to his feet and stare in the direction of the bedroom, but he made no other movements. He knew better with all the training he'd been through. "If not, Mila, I'll go with plan B. Something is bound to work."

"Chow, please come out of there," Mila said as she approached the bedroom where terrified simian noises were coming from. "It is okay. He is good boy. Be good boy, Chow. It is okay."

With Rico waiting next to her, Joey knew what was coming next. It just wasn't going to work out, and she was okay with that. As Mila said, he'd never been around another animal before in his life, so Joey couldn't blame him for acting the way he did. She turned her attention down to the white German Shepherd. "It looks like we're on to our next stop."

"Please be excusing me for one moment," Mila said before she went into the bedroom. Despite all her coaxing and cajoling, Chow wouldn't come back out and she sighed. Then she spied what she had made earlier and brought it out to Joey.

"Is not much, but I am wishing you to have gift," she said, handing Joey a wrapped box that measured a foot by a foot on all sides.

Joey settled down on the couch with it. "You didn't have to do this, Mila." She opened it and pulled the ushanka out and lit up. "Wow... this... I love it." She was on her feet again and moving over to Mila to hug her. "Thank you so much."

Mila returned the hug. "You are welcome, Joey," she said. "I was thinking that since we are friends, you are to be having one like mine." She pointed at her white ushanka that rested on a shelf without a skull and crossbones. "We are now sisters and should have something to show others that we are bonded. I am sorry about Chow. He is scared and will take time to get used to Rico."

Looking to the shelf, the taller woman smiled. "I don't have any siblings. I'm an only child. It was lonely, too. I welcome being sisters," Joey said, giving her a gentle squeeze before letting her go again. "As for Chow... don't worry about that. It was worth a shot, and he's scared. I can't fault him for that. We'll continue to introduce the two of them until they're used to one another, then I bet they'll be inseparable."

"I am hoping so," she said. "I am hoping Chow and Rico are to be brothers of fur as well one day. In meantime, I am deeply sorry that Chow acted as he did."

"Don't be. We knew there was a chance he might be uncomfortable. He'll get used to Rico in his own time, and things will be much easier when that does happen," Joey pointed out. "But... I should probably get going to Chow can finally come out and relax. Let him know I'm sorry?"

"I will, and you and Rico be well," Mila said, still upset for a variety of reasons. "You are to be letting me know some way when you are to be leaving for other ship, da?"

"I promise, I'll find a way to let you know." She wrapped her arms around Mila and hugged her tight. "We still have some time before that happens, so I'll see you again before then."

Mila returned the hug. "I will see you then," she said as she fought back a tear, determined not to until she was alone, but her voice was thick with the effort.

Without saying a word, lest Mila actually let the tears flow and cause Joey to cry, too, she pressed another kiss to the top of her head. She was going to come back. After giving her another gentle squeeze, she made her way out into the corridor to the nearest turbolift to work on plan B.

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