She had just returned from the college. The program she had been putting together was working and in full swing. Student and even seasoned medics were finding good training there and it made her job more rewarding. She had just began to unbutton her uniform top when her com flashed a message.
"I am coming home. Can't wait to see and hold you in my arms. I am landing on Pad C, Gemini Port in 2 hours. See you there? Also, we have an invitation to meet my team on Athena's Pub for tonight. You know, tradition. Missed you so much, my dear."
She smiled. My dear. She actually enjoyed hearing that from Oreste. With a smile, she began to freshen up for an evening out. She looked forward to being with Oreste. She paused a few times in the middle of getting herself cleaned up and ready to enjoy the though of him hugging her. She never thought that her mission in the Taus would turn into this. Still, she kept it a secret from her crew as she didn't know how it would affect them. She sent a response to Oreste:
I'll meet you there. I hate these stretches of not seeing you even if it's often only a day or two.
She paused a moment before putting a proper blouse on to check some messages. Her face went long and water filled her eyes when she saw the arrest warrant for Doc on the suspicion of murder.
"No," she said out loud to herself, "that can't be."
Hard as it was, she managed to collect herself and get herself ready. It was quite casual, jeans and white blouse. She flipped her hair down her back, looked in the mirror and said to herself, "You can do this."
She took her com pad, a small purse and took a taxi to the pub to meet Oreste.
Commander Sarah Coyle
Commanding Officer, [MFE]Med Force Two
Later on that evening, Oreste still was wearing his medical outfits and was easily spotted by the worn crest of the Medical Corp of Crayter Armed Forces. But he was not the only one in the Pub, as it was known to be mostly used by the Medics, especially after a mission and there was no shortage of these type of adventures once you joined the Crayterian Fleet and Army.
Trying to stay closer to the pub doors to see Sarah, Oreste was forced to respond to the other Medics shennanigans: "Roman, I heard that you served with the Olympia a long time ago. Heard is now fused with some rocks in Omega 3..."
"Oreste, shove it. I knew most of the crew and I still don't understand why you had to drop that on me"
"I may be mean but what you just done to young Valenus was meaner so ... "
"Knight in shining armour"
"Yes ..." but before he could continue he felt a heavy hand on his shoulder and turning around he saw the mark of CIS riding on his chest. Captivated by the badge, he tried to see the face of the person but a mask was protecting his features "What can I do ... Agent?"
"Agent Wilco. You have tried to reach a certain Zoner figure. We are interested. CIS will dispatch a team on Gran Canaria. Make sure you send the Zoner Frequency that he is using to Buoy 221." and he departed as faster as he came.
Still shunned and stupefied by the CIS intervention and seeing that during the conversation he was out of the pub, he looked around and tried to gather his thoughts "I went to Aeryn. Aeryn went to the Fleet to see what can be done but with Tau 31 operations, he might have Contacted CIS? Or they monitor him?"
Soon after, a cab pulled near the pub and Sarah made her exit from the vehicle, looking as stunning as ever. Quickly, his mind forgot about the CIS and he rushes to take her into his arms and kiss her. "I missed you so much. It gets harder every time I am sent away." and kissed her again. Holding her near him, he remembers why he was looking for Doc and whispered to Sarah "I have news, CIS will send a team after Doc. Let's get in and I will tell you more. Damn, how I missed you" and holding her arm he leads her to the pub while quickly explaining what is happening.
There was a feeling of relief when she heard the news and explanation.
"I was going to say something before we even got started here but, now I don't have to." She then managed a smile of relief, "thank you. Just be sure that your agents find him before the Bretonians do." She sighed, "I don't want to think of what would happen if they did find him first."
She smiled, "If we call him for a meeting, one that is of importance, he will come." She then kissed him, took his hand and motioned to where everyone was, "Now I need a drink."
Sarah herself didn't pay much attention to the CIS agents. She only would have if they approached her. Out of courtesy, she nodded to them. It was the gathered medical personnel that were there. Many she knew, if only a little, but a few she didn't. It had been a long time since she was in a mixed environment, one of both unwinding fun but semi-professional. She made small talk with many of them and had a few of her medical staff on hand that had been working with everyone. With Oreste at her side, she was beginning to feel like she belonged. She gave a radiant smile of thanks to Oreste as she went to speak with on of her own staff, a young female medic whom she was friendly with from her ship. They were sipping some wine.
"He's cute," said the medic.
"I know he is," beamed Sarah in response, giving Oreste a look and a smile.
"Have you two, you know...."
"Stop!" Sarah whispered with minor embarrassment. "We're professionals..." She then whispered in her ear, "And even if we did, I wouldn't tell you about it."
The medic whispered back giving him a quick look, "Well, I can tell. That man is head over heals in love with you. He just hasn't told you yet."
For a few minutes, the two continued with talk of their mission before Sarah returned to Oreste, putting her arm around him.
Commander Sarah Coyle
Commanding Officer, [MFE]Med Force Two
Sensing Sarah's hands on him he turned and by reflex, he kissed her, much to the bemusement of the people present "Damn" he muttered wishing he would not forget where he is and with whom but now the action had been done. Looking into Sarah's eyes, he whispered in her ear "I am sorry, but ... now I have to tell them" and placing Sarah in front of him and holding her close, he shushed the woos and awwes coming from the people around him and continued "Yeah, now you all may know that the rumors are true. I have fallen in love with this amazing woman and she is always going to have my heart, along with my feelings" stopping to steal a small kiss on her neck "And now remember, if I hear anyone of you trying to say anything about our relationship, I will place diuretics in their water cans next time we are on training at high altitude. " and the laughter that started almost covered the congratulations from his peers. Holding her close he softly declared his love to her.
The night seemed mostly happy and Oreste enjoyed the atmosphere and mostly enjoyed being able to show his affection towards Sarah. But not everyone in the pub where so cheerful. In a corner, two dark shapes were talking and eyeing both Oreste and Sarah.
The next morning, a data pad came with a courier marked Urgent. Putting his coffee in the cup he looked towards the bedroom and could see that Sarah was starting to wake up also and he made another cup. Sensing her approach, he extended his arm and grab her. "Sarah, we have a mail" he said but after he pressed his thumb on the pad, the Black and Silver Phoenix appeared "This cannot be good. CIS" and he went to read the message.
We are going to send a Celestra towards Gran Canaria with the Primary Mission of locating some Crayterian Citizens. As this will be the main mission, we will include you both on the ship manifest so you could be doing your investigations. Officially, you are to provide any medical care that they would require and Commander Sarah is now the Liason for the planet. Commander, I am also counting on you of directing the ship towards the Crayterian Enclave 4 on the planet.
Now, you will be provided a Cheetah and two more agents for security. If you run into any opposition, please let the agents to deal with.
Further instructions will be received once you are boarding the Hermes, on Orion Space Port , two days from now, on Tuesday. Please be there before 8:30am BST.
Looking for the second time over the note, Oreste turned towards Sarah "It seems we are going to see what's been happening with Doc"
If Sarah's skin tone was lighter, everyone present would have seen her blushing but, they couldn't. When he was speaking, her open hand was over her chest. She was speechless when he declared his love, a tear rolling down each cheek through the smile she was wearing. She would spend the evening close to him. She felt....giddy....as this was still so new to her. She would ask herself what she did to deserve such good luck. After the festivities had ended, she felt.....different....in a good way when she lay with him that night. It was a feeling that she never wanted to go away.
____________
The next morning, she was in a robe when she woke up stretching and yawning to receive her cup of coffee. Normally, she needed that first cup to so much as speak but, she smiled at Oreste. "You caught me off guard last night with that declaration.. I just thought that you should know." She took a sip and again smiled, "Thank you."
She read the message and shook her head a bit. "Liason for the planet. Honestly, I don't know the planet that well as I've only been on it a time or two at Port Jackson." She then gave a look of concern, "I'll need a full briefing on the Planet. I really don't have the knowledge that others have but...we need to get a hold of Doc before the Bretonians do."
Together, they would enjoy some coffee as she was a slow riser and a good breakfast which she made before she would get ready for her day, a day in which she would prepare for the trip.
Commander Sarah Coyle
Commanding Officer, [MFE]Med Force Two