Location: Tombstone Estate, Planet Gran Canaria, Omega 49 system.
Having just woke up, Midori walks from the kitchen in her kibuki robe drinking some tea. Normally it's coffee but this morning she feels a bit naseous so it's tea instead. As she drinks, she rubs her stomach with her free hand.
"Stop it," she says to the life growing within her sort of jokingly. After a simple breakfast of a bagel and cream cheese, she hears the horn beeping on the com unit. It is a message from Moira and Reggie Waverly, her old friends she hasn't seen in some time.
"Coffee and crullers," she thinks, "hopefully I will not feel so sick when I get there." She finished her tea and bagel and took her shower. She then dressed in a more relaxed kimono and fixed her hair. Since John was out working already, she just left a note:
I am at the Veranda visiting Moira. Stop by when you get home. Hugs and kisses, Midori
With that, she left Tombstone and found her way to the Veranda.
Married to Ambassador John Henry "Doc" Holliday
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Location: Tombstone Estate, Planet Gran Canaria
John returned home from a day of trading. He was tired but his spirits were high. He was met at the door by none other than his own wife.
"Konnichiwa, Sweetheart," she said as they embraced for a welcome home kiss.
"Dahlin'," he said with a smile as he placed his hands on her stomach.
"And how are my two favorite people today?" he asked
"We are fine," she answered with a smile, "are you hungry?"
"Hai," he replied, "starving."
"Good! I will have a mahi dinner ready shortly," she said.
"Very good," he answered with a smile, "while it cooks, I want to go to my lab for a bit."
She nodded. They separated and he went to his lab.
Earlier that day, he had an encounter with a Nomad that reminded him of an old project he had back burnered for a time. From a small safe he took out the device that he was given by a friend, a device that was a mind block of sort from Nomad telepathy. Although he never felt threatened by it, he wanted to learn more.
Unfortunately, he wasn't very mechanically gifted and couldn't do much with it. He also had no real way to test it against the Wilde or the Nomads. Unsure of what to do, he researched his files for someone who could help or who would be willing too.
Of course, the Order came to mind and their well known doctor aboard the Khonsu.
"Hm," he thought. He had always wanted to work with him but he was so secretive. Maybe he would be given a chance? He wasn't seeking his years of knowledge and research but enough to be able to have some kind of his own understanding. Figuring it was worth a shot, he began putting together a secure transmission to him, encrypting it to where it was unbreakable.
"Dinner time, John Henry," Midori's voice yelled down his steps.
He didn't answer. He just saved his work, got up and joined his wife for a good, evening meal.
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The Moonstone landed and Grady was there to meet his boss at the pad in the truck. John was tired and quite dejected. Grady said nothing to him knowing full well what he had just been through and what he may face.
"He didn't speak one word coming here," said Captain Vincent to Grady, "never has he been like this."
"Mrs. Holliday will take care of him," was his answer as the two men went about their business. The Moonstone lifted off to return to it's base while Grady drove his master home. He never spoke a word to him either. He quietly entered his house. Hanging his robe on a wall hook with his hat, he quietly walked to his West room and closed the door.
Confused, Grady looked over at Mrs. Holliday who was equally confused.
"Mrs. Holliday," he said softly, "I do believe you have your work cut out for you."
"Hai," she said, looking at the door.
Quietly, she entered the room. She had read the report, heard his broadcast and knew what he was willing to do to make it right. That in itself scared her but she never thought of herself, only him. He needed her. He knew it but slow, boiling anger filled him. She quietly walked up behind him as he played his piano, placing her hands on his shoulders. For the moment, she stood silent, hoping he would speak first. He didn't. She stood with her head hung unsure of what to do.
He stopped finally but still said nothing. Finally, in a soft voice, almost helpless, she said, "Say something, John."
He looked forward and spoke softly, "I failed, Dahlin'."
She hung her head again. Then, she hunkered down behind him and hugged him from behind, "No, John Henry, you did not. I think you being to hard on yourself."
Still looking forward, he answered, "Dahlin', if the Liberty government takes me up on what I said, you do know I could be incarcerated for the birth of our child do you not?"
She then went around the front of him and looked him in the face, "You are not going to jail, John Henry. You did nothing wrong."
She then stood up and opened her dress. Taking his hands, she placed them on her stomach, "We will not let you."
He sighed as he let her go as she closed her dress again. He then stood up. He took her in his arms and held her, "I only hope you are right. For now, don't let go."
And she didn't. He needed her touch, her sensitivity, her confidence and he just held on, trying to draw it from her. For the moment, he felt safe. The thoughts of what could be seemed to fade, if only for a moment.
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Tombstone Estate became the meeting place for the Zoners to regroup. Zoners of past and present met to discuss the many issues facing them and re-building what was destroyed by the defection of Aurelia DeFrance.
Security was tight around the Estate, a full Klingon guard detail maintained it. All non-essential secure transmissions were blocked until the conference was finished and Mrs. Holliday volunteered to prepare genuine Kusari cuisine.
The conference was complete and the last of the guests had departed for home. Her kitchen was finally cleaned up with some help from some courteous guests and her home seemed to be normal again. Her husband, wanting to catch up on some research work, retired to his laboratory.
She was tired, very tired. Even in her fourth month of pregnancy, she continued to be the hard working busy body she always was. It wasn't her way to slow down. But, on this night, she dimmed most of the Estate lights and went to her bedroom where she stood before the mirror behind her dresser. Looking into it, she pulled the sticks from her hair and let it fall over her shoulders. She then shook her head slightly and ran her hands through it to put it where she wanted it. She removed the necklace from around her neck, the bracelets from her wrists and finally, her earrings. As she continued looking in her lighted mirror, she had forgotten about the wall mirror behind her, the one she used to see behind her while looking into her dresser mirror.
She turned to it and looked at herself. There it was. She hadn't really paid much attention to it as she never stopped each day. She placed her hands on her stomach and, as she looked in the mirror, saw that she could no longer hide her growing stomach in even loose kimonos to avoid attention. As she stood, she then released the rope belt that held her dress closed. She then released it, letting it slide off of her shoulders and onto the floor. She also removed her undergarments as her curiosity of herself grew.
She now stood completely naked, her hair flowing over her shoulders and down her back as she caressed the life growing within her, running her hand over the top of it and pressing in slightly. She also noticed the other changes about herself, her breasts seeming to be larger than before.
"Why I not notice this before," she asked herself only to answer her own question, "because I too busy."
She then turned to the side, her arms cradling the life growing within. She could only smile as a proud mother-to-be. Finally, she turned back. As she continued, the door to the room closed. He was trying to be quiet, thinking his wife was asleep.
He found her standing naked in the mirror. She knew he was there but didn't react, letting him come up behind her after he had hung his lab coat over the back of a chair. He stood behind her, his hands on her hips, sharing the same view she was.
"What are you looking at, Dahlin?" he asked.
She didn't really answer, unsure of what to say. For some reason, she didn't see herself as beautiful in her condition and didn't want to state the obvious. "I looking at our child," she answered softly.
He sensed her hesitation and held her close to him, his hands replacing hers at her stomach.
"Do you know what I see, Miss Sato?" he asked affectionately, "I see a very beautiful woman. A loving woman. A great wife and most importantly, my best friend."
She let her head fall into his chest, "You just saying that."
He looked down into her face and shook his head, "No, Dahlin'. It is what I see......every day."
She then turned to him and looked up into his eyes. She smiled softly, mesmerized by the man she loved. Still looking into his eyes, she whispered, "Love me, John Henry. Love me now. Love me tonight."
He said nothing and only nodded his head as they locked eyes. As they kissed, he soon found himself as naked as his wife. Shortly thereafter, they loved each other. They would wake the next morning facing each other, still naked and embraced.
*more to come*
Married to Ambassador John Henry "Doc" Holliday
She had gotten tired of her husband being gone for so long, that and she had heard of what had happened to the Vor'cha. With little thought, she boarded the Kentaro Sato and made for Baffin under escort from a temple guard. At five months pregnant, she could no longer fly herself so her escort pilot took the helm while she rested in the back. While the ship flew through Dublin and Edinburgh, she went over a recent picture. She had a surprise for her husband and she smiled looking at it.
With her husband in a meeting as she arrived at Shasta, she went to Pueblo Bonito to visit the recovering Commander Matok. She entered his chambers, much to his surprise.
Matok himself had some bumps and bruises and his left eye was almost swollen shut. It was more than enough for her to take pity on him.
"Sit, Matok," she insisted, opening a nursing bag she brought with her.
"I am fine, Midori," he said to her almost defiantly, not wanting pity for his actions.
She then got stern with him, "Commander Matok, you sit down this instant." Realizing that she meant business, he sat and she then started tending to him.
She re-cut his swollen eye to drain it. "Hold this," she instructed, putting a rag in his huge hand and having him press it to his eye. As he did, his good eye was watching her.
"I must admit," he said, you are much better to look at than your husband....and a touch gentler. I see why he loves you as he does."
She smiled back and blushed a bit, "Thank you."
After a few minutes, she pulled the bloodied rag from his eye and treated it with a disinfectant and then sutured the cut shut and placed a small bandage on it.
Matok admired her handy work in a mirror.
"Nicely done," he said, "you have been taught well."
He then poured two glasses of sparkling water and toasted her, "I know you like wine but," he looked at the mound on her abdomen, "I know right now that is not possible. Too good medicine!"
They klinked glasses and drank. As they did, the door again opened. It was John Holliday himself.
Matok poured another glass and handed it to him.
"Dahlin'," he said to his wife as he kissed her, "I see you have taken my patient from me." He then inspected her work and nodded in approval, ''nicely done."
He then turned to Matok, "care to join us for dinner?"
Matok shook his head, "I need rest. Enjoy yourselves."
"Very well then, old friend, I shall check on you later. I'm just glad that you are OK," he said to his friend. He then took his wife's arm and escorted her to dinner.
"How are you feelin', Dahlin?" he asked her.
She nodded and smiled, "I OK."
"I'm surprised you came out," he said softly, "but I'm glad that you did. I am sorry I have been here so long."
"It OK, John Henry," she answered.
"No, it isn't," he interrupted, "I bury myself in work and forget what matters, you." He went quiet for a moment and looked into her eyes, "mark my word, when you have this child, I will be home a lot more."
She smiled and reached into her handbag. She then handed him a picture.
"While I here, we should come up with a name for her," she said smiling with a tear rolling down her cheek, "it is why I came out. I wanted to tell you."
They would enjoy a meal and the evening together. She would also spend the next few days in his company before they returned home to Tombstone Estate.
*more to come*
Married to Ambassador John Henry "Doc" Holliday
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John Holliday wiped his chin after a pleasant mahi fish meal with his wife. All that remained were but a few scraps and crumbs on their plates.
"Delicious as usual, Dahlin'," he told her with a smile.
"Domo arigato," she answered with a smile of her own as she made a motion to stand up and begin clearing the table.
"Don't go yet, Dahlin'," he said to her, taking a sip of his water, "I want your advice on something."
She sat as he took her hands in his. It was obvious to her that something weighted heavy on his mind.
"Is everything OK?" she asked with a look of concern.
He told her of something he had seen only the day before, something that greatly disturbed him not so much as a diplomat but as a doctor. He told her of a Kusari battleship that sat above Planet Leeds in which the commander offered a rescued Zoner.
"That not sound bad," she began.
"That's not what is bothering me, Dahlin'," he interrupted, "as I was leaving, he then ordered the bombardment of the planet. I wanted to stop him. I wanted to get in the way. But, I was as powerless as the three BAF fighters that sat watching. I wish now I had done something."
She sat in horror as he told the story.
"I could only think of all the refugees I take care of at Port Jackson, all those innocent children who did nothing to bring this upon themselves. I can only wonder how many died that day because I didn't try," he confessed.
She sat looking into his eyes. She saw the pain he felt, the guilt that plagued Dr. Holliday. She also sensed the Ambassador's anger.
He continued, "I ask your advice being that you are Kusari born. If I cease any and all ties with Kusari...."
He stopped to see what reaction he may be getting. He saw her sitting and listening but not angry with him, "......how would you feel?"
She gripped his hands, "Considering what I just hear, I would support you. I see what they have done in Leeds, the children at Port Jackson."
"I was afraid," he began.
"Of what, John Henry," she interrupted, "that I may leave you over cutting ties? That I may oppose you?"
She shook her head, "No. This war must end. Even if it does not, I will raise our daughter in peace here on Gran Canaria. John Henry, you do what you must. I will stand by you."
He just looked at her. Never had she been so foward about something. She had always been outspoken against her own people but not like that.
"Thank you, Dahlin'," he answered, "that is what I needed to hear."
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Location: Kreuzberg Depot, New Berlin
It was his first visit to Kreuzberg and it was comforting. He considered the Junkers friends and didn't feel at all threatened by the Red Hessians, Unioners and LWB agents that were about. In fact, they paid no mind to him.
"Another drink, Sir?" asked the bartender, not addressing him by title so as to maintain his privacy.
"No, no, I think I will be set," John Holliday answered, "I have some work to finish in my quarters.
He then went to the quarters he had rented for the evening. He was tired and didn't feel he could make the trip home. After a short call to his wife, he began screening pictures and transcripts from earlier in the day when he found The Joker and his thugs stopping traders at a trade lane. Sitting back in his chair with his feet up on the desk, he took a sip of freshly poured Bourbon.
"Interesting," he thought, "very interesting." He continued on. Some traders he stopped and just let go, some he demanded dropping a portion of their cargo and being destroyed by the hauler while others were ordered to surrender ordinance.
"No patterns of consistency at all," he said to himself, "but I see compassion." He made this observation as he pressed a transport of Bretonian refugees for ordinance and while the captain didn't comply, he let him go.
"He could have killed them all but didn't," he whispered to himself. He then sat back and thought again, "He could have killed me if he really wanted to but....."
Doc only sat more confused. He so wondered what it was that made this body of insanity like him enough to call him friend. He was honored for it but he still wondered.
He continued reviewing his information. A lone military pilot had arrived but like himself, seemed friendly.
"What makes this guy tick?" he kept asking himself. Not being a mental health doctor, he only made himself ask more questions as he studied. He then took his reading glasses off, put them on a table and said, "Maybe it's time I find out....but does he trust me enough?"
He then smirked with a very crazy idea of his own but before he went through with it, he needed to talk to Mrs. Holliday about it and she was already asleep for the evening.
The dust had not settled yet as he had made it to the front gate of the Estate just waiting there hesitantly he wanted to visit the Holidays for some time but had not worked up the time or courage to do so, for some reason he cared about both there opinions of him which as rare for him it was almost alien that he had these feelings feeling as if it was not him but still he felt them wanting to always have a good impression on Doc of all and his wife and he even felt the one feeling he barely ever did fear, the fear that they would think poorly of him after all Midori Holliday still didn't know he was and Order agent in the past, only recently he had turned his back on that time in his life he no longer had the motivation nor the same personality he had when they used him or the lies that he was told.
He stepped down from the grunting motorcycle turning it off having no helmet on or the traditional biking cloths most men or woman had, being in normal civilian clothing, A black shirt and black-gray jeans. Still standing across the road he walked with the motorcycle by his side rolling it in front of the Klingon guards letting them search it. He hadn't of gotten use to the sight of them yet not really having seen many of races that were hidden amounts the Mundanes. He didn't really have any places to have weapons as he moved his hands down his limbs to show that there was nothing that was there trying to reassure the guards
He wanted to bring a present, basically the same as the little Nephthys he had made for Doreen and her child but he didn't have any parts he could recycle from his fighter, he didn't like to just make gifts from objects that had no meaning for him, the gift he made for Doreen and her child was personal being from the very ship his history in the Order started and ended with, this having significant meaning to him.
He watched the guards waiting for them to do what their normal procedures would be he'd just hope that he had made the right decision in coming to visit, after all word of his departure from the Order might have reached here and they might not trust some one that had deserted such a cause, he was part of it but as he realized it was there cause the Mundanes not his. He pulled his pockets out and try do the same for the ones at the back of the jeans.
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No guests were expected so it was quite by surprise when a young man arrived on his motorcycle. It was a good day for riding too and while the guards were curious about the stranger, they took no hostile action towards him. Instead, a man dressed in a suit came out to greet him with his heavy Bretonian accent.
"G'day, Lad," he said, "I must apologize but eh, the Hollidays weren't expecting anyone so they are preparing themselves." He then escorted him inside and offered him a drink, pouring him what he asked for.
"Wait here and they should be down in a few minutes," he finished as he left for another room.
It wasn't long before Dr. and Mrs. Hollliday came to meet their guest. He was in an old west style gambler suit while she was in her usual kimono, a Chrysanthemum in her hair and her smile. It had been some time since he last saw her in Sigma 17. In her sixth month of pregnancy, she was quickly getting big.
"Konnichiwa," she greeted with a slight bow, "it good to see you again, Christopher."
"Good to see you, Chris," chimed in Doc with a firm hand shake, "I see that Grady fixed you up with a beverage."
He then poured his bride a glass of sparkling water and then one for himself, "So I see you finally decided to make your way out here." He jokingly added, "So what took you?"