City of Eyton Part 3

Posted on Tue Nov 9th, 2010 @ 4:13am by Captain T'mpest Michaels

1,291 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Structured Shoreleave - Marchwiel

[ON]

It was dark when T'mpest stepped into Retock and Helda's house. She was very late and hoped she wasn't in too much trouble.

As it turned out, T'mpest and Helda had beaten the men home.

"Now, where could those two be?" Helda asked T'mpest as they began to light candles in the house.

"I don't know. I was afraid I would be late," T'mpest said with a chuckle.

"Well, we had better get dinner started. The meat won't cook itself and those men sure won't be cooking it either." Helda said as she laughed. She had really enjoyed the company today.

"Better warmed up than raw," T'mpest chuckled as she began to help Helda with the preparations.

A short time later, Zhukov opened the door slowly, and could smell the meat cooking in the kitchen area.

"Hello!" he shouted as he and Retock came through the door. Retock's arm was around the back of Zhukov's neck and Vladimir had to help him stay upright as they came into the house. He spotted T'mpest right away.

"Darling, can you give me some assistance here? I fear Retock...has had one ale to many." he said. Zhukov had downed some ale himself, but Retock was clearly in much worse shape. "So," Zhukov said trying to change the subject, "what are you ladies making this evening for dinner?" he asked her.

"You, if you're not careful," T'mpest said, only half-joking. She grabbed Retock's other arm and helped Vladimir hold Retock up. She looked at Helda. "I don't think he's up to eating anything right now. Where do you want him?"

Helda, distressed, hurried down the hall and opened the door to her bedroom. "Put him on the bed."

When Retock was stretched out on the bed, Helda took off his shoes and covered him with a blanket. "I'll take care of him after dinner."

Helda hurried ahead of them and began to set the table. T'mpest put a hand on Vladimir's arm to stop him. "You got him drunk?" she asked.

"No, he did that all by himself. I slowed down, but apparently he hadn't been to the tavern in a while. We did have some interesting conversation though."

When he explained, her expression cleared. "Tell me later?" she asked.

"Zhutov, Damia?" Helda was coming back to see what help them.

T'mpest put her hands on Vladimir's shoulders and gave him a slow, gentle kiss. She heard Helda chuckle and walked away as she stepped back. "I have a present for you after dinner," she said as she took him by the arm and walked back to where Helda had dinner waiting.

"A present?" Zhukov asked her. Now his mind began to wonder about what it could be. Perhaps another book.

The three of them went back to the dining room where dinner was clearly ready to be eaten.

"I want to apologize for Retock." Helda said.

Zhukov shook his head. "No reason to apologize. He and I were just talking politics and history and he sort of just got into the moment." Zhukov replied.

Helda sighed. "He's usually not like this, but when he starts talking politics, he starts drinking and the more he talks, the more he drinks." she replied.

"Like I said, no apologies necessary. Now, this looks like a lovely meal, Helda." Zhukov replied.

"Oh yes, thank you. Your wife has been a big help." she replied looking at T'mpest. "I'm just so sorry you have to leave tomorrow. You will keep in touch won't you?" she asked.

"We'll try," T'mpest said. "But Zutov and I were talking this morning and we may go back north to my mother's village. It's a bit... out of the way."

They then proceeded to eat dinner. Afterwords, Helda quickly cleaned up and made her way to see Retock leaving Zhukov and T'mpest alone.

"So, wife, what do you have for me?" Zhukov asked her with a grin.

T'mpest led him back into the bedroom and handed him the book on tales of the seas. "It seemed... appropriate," she said with a giggle.

"Wow, that's great." Zhukov said as he marveled at the gift.

Putting it down, he asked her, "What would you think about getting an early start tomorrow? Grab a quick bite to eat before the sun gets up and head back out to the OP? I haven't heard from them so I'm guessing that everything is ok." Zhukov stated.

"I agree. Although I have a dozen books to bring back, too." She grinned at Zhukov. "I couldn't resist. I'm going to scan then into the computer and send electronic copies to Starfleet for archival purposes. Plus I scanned a lot of information from the city's archives." She stripped down to her chemise and again folded her clothes on the chair

"So, what did you and Retock talk about while you were drinking?" she asked as she sat on the bed and began to unbraid and brush out her hair.

Zhukov took a deep breath. "The normal political things. You know, freedom, justice, democracy, the usual." he replied with a smile. "This is a very interesting time for Eyton. They are on the brink of revolution to move to a more republic style of government. I really wish we could stay and observe longer." he said to her.

"So do I," she said. "I could spend a month in this city alone." But she knew they had to get back to the Ranger.

"You know," Zhukov replied, "It's missions like this that make me wish I had majored in anthropology and become a scientist instead of a rocket jokey." he said as he laughed a little to himself.

He turned around and faced T'mpest and took his hand and put it on hers. "There is no one else that I would rather have had...these experiences with, than you." he said as he looked into her eyes. He bent over slightly and kissed her gently on her lips and sat back again as he smiled at her.

She looked up at him and smiled. "Neither would I. You're always welcome to come with me on scientific expeditions." She paused for a moment before continuing. "Or any other expeditions."

Zhukov smiled back at her. "It would be...a privilege, my dear." he replied. "Perhaps though, when we...return home...a proper date should be set up. I almost feel like I have put the cart before the horse and married you before we have even dated." he said with a little laugh.

T'mpest colored slightly. "Yes. We have been thrown in at the deep end. I would like to spend some time with you when we get back to the ship"

"Well, we had better get some sleep then. We have a long day ahead of us and we have to be out of here in about six hours to beat the light. Good night...T'mpest, and thanks for the book. Once I get it translated...I'm sure it will be fascinating to read." he said to her with a smile as he fluffed up the soft pillow and blew out the candle next to the bed.

T'mpest finished braiding her hair and climbed into bed beside Zhukov. She put a hand on his arm and lay her cheek against his shoulder. "Goodnight," she said softly. In a way, she was going to miss this.

"Goodnight." he said softly as he closed his eyes and tried to drift off to sleep.

[OFF]


Lieutenant Commander T'mpest Michaels
Chief Intelligence Officer
&

Lieutenant Vladimir Zhukov
Chief Flight Control Officer

 

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