Earth Bound

Posted on Friday, 3 July 2020 - 3:36pm by Commander Soral & Lieutenant Alex Kingsley

Mission: Operation: Jabberwocky
Location: Shuttle
Timeline: 2393 - MD01 - A day after leavig the Station

{ON:}

Earth.

Setting aside the research journal which had been keeping her company off and on throughout the journey, Lt. Kingsley shifted forward slightly in her seat as the familiar sight of home came into view. Right now it seemed so small, as if she could hold it in the palm of her hand but it would take very little time for their shuttlecraft to traverse the short distance. Although they had planned the trip and talked about it, and talked some more, the fact they were soon to be in orbit was somewhat surreal.

Soon the peace and quiet of the shuttle would be shattered.

By her mother.

"Last chance to feign technical issues," Alex teased as she glanced over at Soral. She wondered if he truly, honestly knew what would probably await him. Not that Alex had not tried - literally begged - her mother to try and be... restrained. To go at a hundred miles an hour rather than a thousand. To invite twenty rather than two hundred if she had planned a surprise party, to not immediately ask how soon she could expect grandchildren. Her mother had smiled, promised and promptly forgotten. She could tell, just from the look in her mother's eyes. Because Alex always ended up forgiving her sooner or later.

Soral looked over at her. "Alexandra what are you afraid of?" The trip had been quiet and the small shuttle just cosy enough for two. The crew was enjoying their time on a Starbase and Soral had talked Alex into going to visit her mother. "It will be alright."

“You say that because you don’t know her yet,” Alex reasoned as she turned to face him, “don’t get me wrong, I love her to bits and miss her. I do not miss her complete lack of boundaries or her lack of respecting personal boundaries. She very much believes that mothers and daughters should have no secrets. At all. About anything. A few days with her and you’ll break the bond yourself and I’ll be assigned to some dead end research post with Edward Mulligan.”

He turned and took her hands. "Alexandra, there is nothing that will make me want to end our bond." He kissed her hands. "You are my very breath. This will all work out. I promise you."

She smiled, unable to doubt his sincerity. “I’ll remind you that you said that.”

He kissed her again and they resumed their journey. Soon they were docked at the orbital station and in the transporter. He took her hand. "Ready?”

“Are you?” She teased as she squeezed his hand and nodded, “let’s go.”


(Sydney, Australia)

It was another beautiful day. The sun was shinning, a light breeze drifting in with the waves and Laura Kingsley was bursting with excitement as she waited impatiently for her daughter’s arrival. And not only her daughter, but also the man who had was now family. It had been such a long time since she had seen Alex. Too long. Calls over subspace just was not the same.

“Alex!” Catching a glimpse of the red hair, Laura jumped up from her seat and all but ran to throw her arms around her child. “I was beginning to worry! Let me look at you! And the ring! Oh! Beautiful! I am so so happy for you both. And Soral! You are taller than I imagined, aren’t you! Welcome to Sydney! You will both love it here! My home is just a few minutes walk and the beach a stones throw away. Much better than wet and dreary Cambridge!”

“Breathe mother,” Alex whispered to her the moment a silence appeared. “Have you been drinking coffee?”

“Only two,” Laura replied defensively, “or six -“

“No more coffee for you,” Alex chided her gently. “Why don’t we drop of our things and then find somewhere nice to eat?”

Soral had watched the exchange with some amusement. "It is lovely to finally meet you." He gave a small bow. He was amused that Alex had in a few short minutes taken on a motherly role. "Food sounds good."

“While I’m sure you won’t need them here,” Laura told Soral as she led the way out onto the street, accustomed to the wall of heat that seemed to hit them. “I’ve been knitting for you! Three scarves and a sweater. I hope it fits!”

“You might hope it doesn’t...” Alex whispered to Soral under her breath. As they stepped out into the sun she turned away, her eyes taking a moment to adjust to the sudden brightness and her body to the sudden heat.

Soral, happy that it was hotter here then on the ship enjoyed the sun and heat. It wasn't as hot as Vulcan but it was pleasant. "Indeed. It shall be useful on the ship. I often find it cold. Vulcan temperature is much higher then is comfortably tolerated by others." He looked around. "This heat is pleasant." So far things were going well. He was a little nervous at meeting Laura, he had to admit. Part of him wondered if she'd find him to be worthy of her daughter.

“It’s taken me a while to get used to, but I love it here!” Laura enthused. “I work with a rehabilitation centre just at the other side of the beach, so it’s a very pleasant commute! I don’t think I could ever be confined on a starship...”

“We literally lived in a bubble when I grew up,” Alex pointed out.

“But it was a huge one! Ah, here we are,” Laura declared as they found themselves in front of a cottage, the side facing the beach had floor to sealing windows. Guiding them to the door at the side of the house, Laura unlocked the door to let them inside where it was markedly cooler. Alex couldn’t hide her sigh of relief.

The view was spectacular. He liked it a lot. The cottage had a feel to it that was romantic and perfect. "Your home is very lovely." He said. He was a bit chilled but he'd worn a warming suite under his uniform as he always did. When he changed for lunch he'd keep the suit on although he had to admit he was never as bothered by the temperature as other Vulcans. "If you will kindly point me to the room I will change before we proceed to lunch."

“Second door on the right, I thought you’d like an ocean view,” Laura enthused.

"Before I do change though I was not sure of the custom so...." He unzipped the large bag Alex had asked him about earlier. He'd told her she'd have to wait till they got to Earth. He began pulling out items. "I was not sure what was appropriate there was various theories so I got it all." He pulled out a bottle of wine that was well aged as well as what looked like a hat box, a small box that held a broach in it, and another box that had within it carefully packed flowers. He also pulled out a necklace, gray pearls. "I would be pleased if you accept these gifts." He'd read that it was not good to go into a house empty handed.

“Oh my word! Soral! Thank you but this is too much, you didn’t need to buy me a gift! Alex, look at all of this! Why didn’t you stop him?” Laura demanded as she surveyed the gifts now adorning her kitchen table.

“Don’t look at me,” Alex protested as she raised her hands, “completely innocent.”

Soral supressed a smile. Alex tended to do that too, always say it was too much. "I wished to get you something. I was not sure what so I got a few things I thought you might like." Then as if he forgot. "Oh yes! A shawl." He reached in and brought out a box that obviously could hold a shawl. It was ocean blue with delicately woven stars.

“They are all beautiful, thank you,” Laura assured him. “I’m not going to start a diplomatic incident if I hug you, am I?”

“Mother!” Alex protested when she didn’t even wait for an answer before pulling the Vulcan into a surprisingly strong hug. Alex groaned as she rolled her eyes and headed for their bedroom, pausing in the doorway to call out, “at least let him breathe..!”

Entering the room she dropped her bag on the floor and threw herself onto the bed, giving no attention to the view.

Soral had been taken aback but the tightness of the hug but returned it. He saw Alex head to the room He reached out with his link sending her love and letting her know he was enjoying meeting Laura.

He pulled back from the hug. "Alex and I will change and meet you here in a few moment. "Do you have any particular restaurant you favour or if you wish I can cook for us all."

“I booked us a table at Antonio’s. Italian was always Alex’s favourite,” Laura smiled. “We have a little while so no rush at all.”

He gave a bow. "Alex is probably hiding in the room. I shall retrieve her."

Laura laughed, “you embarrass her one time in front of a boy and she’s convinced I’ll do it again!”

He walked down the hall and into the room. "Are you alright?"

“Are you?” She countered, propping herself up on her elbows. Suddenly she looked horrified. “Was I rude?”

"No," he shook his head. "Your mother loves you very much. She is perfectly fine." He went over and sat on the bed pulling the rest of the way up and onto his lap. He held her. "I like her. She is very sweet. I can see where you get some of your personality though. She too tries to brush off gifts and complements."

“I’m glad you like her cos she loves you,” Alex pointed out, “just not as much as me, obviously.”

He smiled and kissed her. "While we are here what would you say to spending a few days in paradise. I have a friend here on Earth who has a cottage in the Japanese Mountains."

“Sounds very tempting,” she agreed as she returned the kiss. “We just have to break it gently to my mother.”

"Oh no when we are done our visit here of course." He studied her. "Are you exited about the wedding?"

Alex frowned, “if she keeps to her promises, then yes. I still think it is completely unnecessary. We are already married.”

"We are but I want you to have this memory with your mother. I want to share it with you friends." He looked into her eyes. "I did invite a few guests as well."

"Well, it is your day too," she smiled before teasing, "unless you've invited an ex I should know about..."

He smiled. "My eyes and love are only for you. I have invited my half sister and Fang and his wife and two of my closest friends."

"I look forward to meeting them," Alex smiled, "come on, if we wait any longer she will just walk on in here..."

He stood up with her in his arms and kissed her. "Very well my love" He set her down reluctantly so they could both change and they left the room hand in hand.

{OFF:}