Saying Good-bye

Posted on Sat Apr 9th, 2011 @ 10:46am by Ensign Matthew Lessly

Mission: Episode 2.1 - "Unanswered Questions"
Location: Starbase 386 Docking Port
Timeline: MD-05, 1900 Hours

ON: [[Docking Port, Starbase 386, Shoreleave Day 05, 1900 Hours]]

Matt and John (NPC) walked down the docking ring, laughing. They had spent the last few hours on a sunset dinner cruise in one of the stations holosuites and were both happily filled from the experience. Coming to one of the docking ports, the two officers came to a stop and they looked each other in the eyes, knowing that they were about to say good-bye again.

"The cruise was a great idea, Matt, but you should really stay away from the spaghetti." John laughed, wiping some marinara sauce that Matt had missed off of his cheek.

Matt blushed slightly, and smiled. "Yeah... I guess you know my weakness now. If only I had more Italian heritage." he said, smirking.

John opened the hatch and the two walked into the runabout. It wasn't large, not nearly as large as a Delta Flyer, but it was more than what John would need for his trip back to Earth. Setting his bag down into a storage compartment, John grabbed a small box from inside.

"I meant to give this to you when I first got here, but it kept getting pushed back." he said, handing the box to Matt. "Don't open it just yet. Wait until I'm gone."

Matt gave him a questioning look after looking the box over a couple of times. "Why wouldn't..."

"I want it to be a surprise." John responded, not waiting for Matt to finish his question. "It's something I found and thought you'd like it."

Knowing that John wouldn't let him open it while he was with him, Matt shrugged and smiled in appreciation. "I'm sure I'll love it."

=^=Runabout Jackson, you're cleared for departure within the next five minutes.=^= a voice announced over the intercom.

Not entirely wanting to go, John wrapped his arms around Matt and sighed. "I'm sorry I couldn't get more leave time." he said. "We're just so busy trying to get..."

Matt silenced John with a quick kiss. "I don't care." he said, softly. "A few days, a week, a month, I don't care. The important thing is that we were able to spend time together."

John gave a broad smile and returned Matt's kiss, only slightly longer. "I love you, and if I have to fight through red tape every now and then to get time to see you, I'll make sure to bring my machete." he said, jokingly.

Shaking his head and chuckling, Matt let go of John. "I had better get going. You'll be late getting back to Earth."

John sighed, knowing Matt was right. "Yeah..."

Walking out of the runabout, Matt turned slowly, said "Be sure to call me when you get back," and tapped the control to close the hatch.

"I will." John responded, waving as the door closed slowly, blocking Matt from view.

Matt walked a short distance down the hall to where a viewport allowed him to watch the runabout disembark. He watched as it pushed away from the station, made a slow one-hundred-sixty degree turn, and power off at impulse for a little while. Just as Matt was about to lose sight of it, he was able to see the warp distortion as it jumped to warp.

Matt looked down at the present John had given him and smiled slightly. Even though they would be keeping in touch, he hated saying good-bye to him and this present was probably going to remind him of John all the more.

Opening the small box anyway, Matt was surprised when a piece of paper fell out and landed on the floor. He could see there was writing on it, so he bent over, picked it up, and unfolded it.

"Matt," the short letter began, "Like the gods had power over the elements, you have power over my heart. It may not always seem that way, but I am always with you in mind and heart, if not always in body. I know how much you hate the idea of a long distance relationship, which is why I'm so happy you're willing to stick it out with me. For those times when you think that I have forgotten you, remember this gift."

A questioning look glanced over Matt's face. "The gods? What's he talking about?" he asked himself as he looked through the small box to see if there was anything else inside.

Under a few layers of thin but fluffy packing material, Matt saw a flash of green at the bottom of the box and lifted it out. As it came out of the box, Matt recognized it as a holochip. He wasn't sure what John had put on it, but he hoped it would explain the note a little better.

OFF:

A post by

Ensign Matt Lessly
Chief Science Officer
USS Pandora