The Dance

Posted on 25 Apr 2017 @ 12:15am by Commander Terry Walsh & Lieutenant JG Daniella Blake

2,482 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Shore Leave
Location: France, Earth
Timeline: October 23, 2388

Terry had been enjoying this shore leave immensely. He'd gotten to visit his mom and catch up with his siblings and meet Dani's family. That had been a real fun experience. He could understand now where she got her spider monkey personality from. But now they were just relaxing in a little villa in France. They had both wanted to come to back to Bordeaux and since they had a little bit left on Shore Leave, they might as well. "This has been great, Dani. Thanks for hanging out with me."

Dani lounged in a chair with a glass of wine in her hand and a smile on her face. Shore leave had been just what the doctor ordered, but she found herself missing life among the stars. Of course, she could do without the droves of wounded making their way into sickbay. "It's been an amazing couple of months, hasn't it?" The petite woman asked. "And you're quite welcome. There isn't anyone else I'd rather spend this time with. I feel even closer to you now."

Terry swirled his wine as he listened. "Good to hear. 'Cause I think I've been feeling the same way. What's it been? Four months now? Something like that. And there's nothing like a long shore leave to get to know someone." He took a drink and stared out the countryside. "Whenever I retire, I think I'd like to do it here. This place is just too awesome." Terry set his glass on the table that was between them and got up, moving his chair to the other side. He scooted it as close to Dani's as he possibly could and then retrieved his glass. "There," he said, sitting down, "now we're even closer." He grinned and took a drink.

"Close to it," Dani said with a smile as she reached out to slip her hand into it much larger one. "You've made them the best months of my life, too. I'll definitely never forget them, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the future has in store for us."

He squeezed her hand gently. "Yeah, I'm looking forward to that, too." He was hoping that it would be on the same ship for the both of them. She was right, they had gotten closer. And it would be hard to be separated. He liked spending time with his Angel and not having her on the same ship would be devastating. If that were the case, he felt sorry for the squadron as they would probably bear the brunt of his emotional roller coasters. "I'm glad you've enjoyed yourself that much. I have too. I've enjoyed our walks through the markets and the towns and the vineyards. I've had fun when we visited our families. And even something as simple as this," he said, gesturing to their current area, "is great." He picked up her hand and kissed the back of it. "You're great."

Dani blushed. He was pretty terrific, too, and not a day went by she didn't tell him so. "Terry... I have a confession to make."

Still leaning back in his chair, wine glass in one hand and Dani's hand in the other, he rolled his head over. "What's that, hon?"

"I lo..." She was cut off by the sound of her PADD alerting her of a message. With a frown, she reached forward to pick it up to read what it said out loud.

To: Lieutenant Junior Grade Daniella Blake
From: Starfleet Command
RE: Assignment

You are hereby ordered to seek transit to Space Station Deep Space Nine for reactivation by Stardate 65834.2 (November 1, 2388). Senior officers will attend a mission briefing aboard Deep Space Nine with Vice Admiral O'Connell, Other personnel will be charged to report to the Chief of the Boat aboard the Starship USS Black Hawk for duty assignment.

Refusal to comply with these orders will prompt intervention by the Judge Advocate General's Office. Communication of delay or request for reassignment must be sent immediately to Starfleet Command, Department of Personnel.

Signed,

Vice Admiral Z. O'Connell

"Well... my orders came through. I don't doubt yours will be coming through soon."

"Oh. Wow. Deep Space Nine... That's quite a ways from where we're at now," he said. What Dani was about to say...he had a feeling that he knew what the rest of it was. "But, did they say the Black Hawk?"

"They did," she said, rereading the message that came through just to make sure. "That... how? Did Starfleet rename a ship? Or is it a new one?" There were so many questions that wouldn't be answered until she arrived.

"That's what I thought I heard you say," replied Terry. "And yeah, how? The Akira wasn't salvageable for flight. But, I guess you'll find out when you get there." The thought still lingered in the back of his head even as he said that. "So can get you some more..." And that's when his PADD started beeping from the table just inside. "Huh, I'll be right back." He quickly made his way inside and grabbed the PADD, reading the message to himself.

To: Lieutenant Commander Terry Walsh
From: Starfleet Command
RE: Assignment

You are hereby ordered to seek transit to Space Station Deep Space Nine for reactivation by Stardate 65834.2 (November 1, 2388). Senior officers will attend a mission briefing aboard Deep Space Nine with Vice Admiral O'Connell, Other personnel will be charged to report to the Chief of the Boat aboard the Starship USS Black Hawk for duty assignment.

Refusal to comply with these orders will prompt intervention by the Judge Advocate General's Office. Communication of delay or request for reassignment must be sent immediately to Starfleet Command, Department of Personnel.

Signed,

Vice Admiral Z. O'Connell

Terry was about to burst with excitement. His orders read just like hers! "Dani! C'mere!" he called out. He left the screen on, showing the orders, and put the PADD back on the table.

Dani jumped to her feet and ran inside. "What? What's wrong? Please tell me your orders aren't different," she begged, trying not to burst I to tears until after he answered her.

"They read the same as yours! Deep Space Nine for a mission briefing for me and then on to whatever the Black Hawk is for my duty assignment!" He picked the little blonde up and spun her in circles with excitement. Putting her down, Terry wrapped his muscled arms around her and pressed a kiss to her lips. After a few minutes, he released her. "Now, what was it that you started to say before Starfleet interrupted you?" he asked quietly.

"We get to be together!" Dani shouted with a laugh as he spun her around. She was unable to keep her excitement at bay. When he kissed her, she returned it, placing her hands against his very muscled biceps. The second he asked her what she was going to say, though, she chewed on the inside of her cheek. Things happened for a reason, and maybe it was best if she didn't tell him just yet. "I'll tell you another time."

"Okay, another time it is, then." Terry ran his hands up and down her arms. "Just remember what they say about us elephants, we never forget." He grinned and winked at Dani.

Dani smiled. This was why... exactly why... she didn't wait. "I love you, Terry," she said softly. Sure, there was a time where she thought she was in love before, but it was nothing compared to how she actually felt about the man standing in front of her now. He was her safe place. He was her light on a dark and dismal day. He was her everything. Now, the petite woman was laying it all out there for him knowing he likely didn't feel the same way, and that was okay. "You don't have to say anything, but I wanted to."

"Dani," he said quietly, "thank you. You should know, hon, that love is one of the things I've been working out over the last few months after New Risa. The thing that stands out right now, is that you said it right now. Not later tonight. That's a plus, by the way." He pulled her close, hands clasped at the small of her back. Or they would be if he had leaned down. "Thanks for saying it right now, Angel. You have no idea how much that means to me. Thanks for the walks, the talks, the swims, all of it. You were there to pick me up and help me learn to walk again." He leaned down and placed his head on her shoulder, whispering, "I love you too, Daniella."

Dani slipped her arms around his as tears welled in her eyes. She couldn't believe it. The way she felt after hearing him say those words to her... it was unlike anything she'd ever experienced in all her life. Floating on cloud nine was nothing in comparison. "You have no idea how much you truly mean to me, Terry Bear. I'm always going to be there for you just like I know you'll always be there for me. We've got each other to lean on and support the other," she said softly, moving one of her hands to place against his bad head. "I'm looking forward to continuing to doing all of that with you as our future progresses."

"Thanks for the support, hon. I can't wait to have more walks and talks and swims," he said. Then he started to sway, standing there holding her. "Do you hear it?" he asked quietly. "Because I do." And he kept on swaying back and forth. Never moving his feet, just hold her and swaying.

She smiled, hearing exactly what he was talking about. Dani moved with him, moving her hand to the back of his neck to run her fingers over it. "I hear it," she said softly. "It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard, too."

"Yeah, it is." He stood there, dancing with his Angel to music that only the two of them could hear. Minutes had passed and it only felt like seconds. He slowed and pulled away to look down at here. "Well, we both have our orders and we don't want have JAG after us. We'd probably better start packing and getting our butts to Deep Space Nine. Though, we should do this again. Soon. Not shore leave, but dance."

"As often as you want to," she said with a smile, pressing a kiss to his cheek before pulling back reluctantly. "It may take us a few days to get there, but the issue is going to be finding a way to get there. Do you have any ideas?"

"Hmm, the mode would be something I'd need to give more thought to. But getting it, yeah, I think I could work something out. Being part of the Senior staff that has to be there by order of a Vice Admiral to be briefed by the same could expedite the process. But then again, maybe not. Lots of people with orders do stuff like that all the time. I do know a freighter would take us longer. A starship would get us there faster, but we would need to find one."

"I don't really know anyone, but I think we should look into that s soon as possible, then worry about packing. Finding a way to Deep Space Nine has to be our top priority right now or we'll have to face JAG, and I really don't want to do that," she said, reaching for her PADD to attempt to find out if there were any vessels leaving for DS9 within the next ten or so hours. There was one that stood out. "Maybe your rank will give us better luck."

"Good point," said Terry. "So what did you find?" He hoped that his rank would be able to get them passage if they had any problems. But he hoped that there wouldn't be any problems.

"Not much, honestly. There's a ship, the Akida leaving tomorrow morning. I'm not sure it will get us there in time, but it seems to be our only chance."

"Then we'll have to take it," he said. "Maybe we can catch another hop on the way that'll be faster. Or maybe they'll be in a hurry to get there and warp five will be the slowest they move. Go ahead get us on the roster for transport. When you're ready, I'll put my thumbprint on it. Hopefully that'll help."

Dani nodded her head and began to do as she was told, getting them on the list for transport to DS9. When she was done, she turned it toward him. "We don't have a lot of time to get all of our belongings together and get where we need to be. We'll definitely have to hussle."

Terry put his thumbprint to the PADD. "There. That should take care of that. Now, like you said, time to hussle. Though, let's make sure that the start of our new wine collection is secure. No breakage needs to happen there." He took her hand and led her back so they get their things packed and head to the nearest stop to catch a shuttle, or a beam-up, to the Akida.

The petite woman was glad to be returning to her life among the stars, but she was going to miss everyone they were leaving behind on Earth. That just meant another trip would be in order at some point in the future. With her hand in his, she made her way back with him. "Are you happy to be going back?"

"I am," he said. "Very much. I can't stay planet-bound for too long. Even when my father died and I was forced to resign the Corp to come home and take care of things, I couldn't stay long. It ate at me and mother noticed it. Mom knew exactly what it was. So yeah, I'm happy to be going back. Are you?"

"As much as I hate to leave my family behind, I am ready to go back," she answered honestly. "I'm sure I'll live among the stars until it's time for me to retire."

Terry laughed. "I had that plan when I first joined. Gonna try to stick to it as long as I can, too. C'mon hon, let's throw some things together and get out of here. We have a surprise waiting for us as Deep Space Nine."

Dani smiled. "And I can't wait to see it." It wouldn't take them long to get their things together and be on their way, but it would take what felt like ages before they got to their destination. "It's definitely time."

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