=/\= and now the conclusion… =/\=
A short while later, they found themselves on the promenade, walking down the bustling street, hand in hand. Both had chosen to wear civilian garb, however, it wasn’t quite as romantic as Richard would’ve liked, due to the standing order from Como. Guzman that he must have guards, so two armed marines were following at a discrete distance.
Chloe had noticed the guards early on, but she hadn't wanted to mention anything. Now that she was sure that they were following them, she quietly asked him, "Why are there guardes following us, Richard?" She was wearing a dark blue dress that went above her kness that was strapless.
Richard sighed. “Standing orders from Task Force Command, all task force staff must be escorted by security, or in my case, by marine sentries. This is due to the recent number of fatalities in Task Force staff, not by natural causes.”
There was a worried look on her face, "Richard..." She said somewhat disapprovingly. "At least your listening and letting them follow you."
“Like I have a choice.” He said. “I’m the second most senior officer in the task force, after Admiral Guzman. My death would do serious harm to the Federation’s image out here.”
"Not to mention serious hurt for me too, you realize." She told him seriously.
“That reminds me, you’re going to have to have security too. They might try to hurt you to get to me.” He sighed. “I never should’ve brought you here.”
"I would of come anyway, and you know it." She told him as they slowly walked down past a few stores that didn't exactally catch her eye.
“You know, you mean a lot to me.” He said. “If anything were to happen to you, I don’t know what I’d do. I already lost one wife to the service…”
"Your not going to loose me, Richard. So stop fussing." She gave his hand a light squeeze to reassure him.
“Oh I don’t know, this crowd is pretty thick, and some of those jewelry stands are pretty sparkly. You might get distracted and we might get separated.” He teased.
She gave a soft laugh. "I think I can manage to make sure I don't loose you." She did see a small clothing shop on the left that did catch her eyes.
“I think my credit account would prefer that I did.” He sighed, jestfully.
"I can still pay for my own things too," she smiled, but she did like it when he payed for her.
“Yeah, I’m sure a newly minted second lieutenant has a very large credit account.” He smirked. “Go on, I saw you looking at that clothing store.” He handed her his card.
She didn't go of his hand. "You know, I thought you didn't want to loose me." She teased him.
“Yeah, but I’m a guy, guy’s don’t go into clothes stores with girls.” He said. “It’s a genetic thing.”
She took his card, kissing him on the lips softly. To anyone watching it was no mistake that she was something to him, this new woman shortly arived.
Richard kissed her back, then drew her close to him and kissed her firmly on the lips. “What say we have dinner on the promenade, then go back for dessert?” He said.
"Where should I meet you once Im done in the shop?" She liked that he didn't mind showing her affection while they were in public- that he wasn't ashamed of her, but liked showing off what was his.
“Meet me at Gilligans.” He said. “We passed it back 2 minutes ago. It’s the Irish pub on the corner by the turbolift.”
"Alright. I wont be long. Maybe get a drink while you wait?" She said as ske kissed him once more before heading into the little shop.
Richard set off down the promenade, occasionally stopping to look in a few shops. Nothing really caught his eye, and in all fairness, it wasn’t exactly like most of the stuff was good quality. However, there was a jeweler who was selling pretty good merchandise.
Chloe made her way into the clothing shop. After a few moments of admiring a red dress, the owner came to her asking her if she wanted to try it on. Nodding with a smile to the woman, she took it to the changing room to do so.
Finding himself examining an equisit looking ring, in a glass case, Richard caught the attention of the shop keeper. “May I look at that one?” He asked. It was a fantastic ring, with a diamond in the middle, surrounded by alternating rubies, sapphires and emeralds. It was perfect, as far as Richard was concerned. “I’ll take it.” He said, and produced his second credit account card. He always carried a spare.
After changing into the dress, Chloe was standing in the shop infront of a large mirror with the shop keeper who was putting some pins into the dress where it would have to be altered to fit her small form.
After getting the pins put into the dress the old shop keeper helped her out of the dress in the changing room as not to stick herself with one of the needles. Soon she had her dress on again. Leaving her name number of her quarters with the woman and paying, the woman said that the dress would be sent to her quarters in two days once she had finished the alterations.
The woman thought it was odd that she would have those quarters, before she remembered who those quarters were- she couldn't remember the name besides that they belonged to some general.
Richard arrived at Gilligans, and found himself a nice table in the corner, got himself a cold beer. Sitting down, he took a long refreshing sip, and waited for Chloe.
Chloe wasn't far behind him soon ariving at the pub. Entering, the waitress showed her where she could find Richard. Smiling she sat down next to him crossing her legs. There wasn't any shoping bags next to her surprisingly.
“Couldn’t find anything you liked?” He asked, innocently.
“No, I found a lovely dress. But it didn't fit me right, so the shopkeeper is taking it in a little to fit me properly. It will be done in two days, and she's going to deliver it to our quarters so I don't have to pick it up." She said with a smile as she handed his card back.
Richard held up his hand. “You keep it, its your card to my account.” He said. “It’s a sign of how much I trust you.” He grinned.
She smiled as she put it away. "Thank you." She was surprised that he was letting her keep it. She knew with her rank and position the credit was small, heck... everyone knew that. "Have you been waiting long for me?" she asked, hoping he hadn't.
“Not all that long.” He said. “I browsed the shops, then came here.”
She didn't ask what he looked at, knowing that most of the time he always just looked at this and that and never really got anything. "That's good." She said with a warm smile. Just at that moment the waitress brought Richard his drink and asked if Chloe wanted one. "One Alcopop please." She said with a smile before the waitress left and she turned her attention to Richard once more.
“Take it easy on the sauce, alright?” Richard said, with concern in his voice. “You’ve been clean for some considerable time, so I don’t want you going off the deep end again.”
She took his hand lightly squeezing it. "Im staying in shallow water, you don't have to worry." At that moment the waitress brought the drink and Chloe gave her another polite smile, "Thank you."
Waitress> "Would you two like something to eat?"
Chloe looked to Richard to see if he was hungry, she was especially after -forgetting- to have dinner the night before and rushing out of their quarters before having breakfast.
“I’ll have the rump steak with fries and peas.” He said.
"I will just have a BLT please." Chloe said, and once again the waitress nodded then left. With her free hand that was holding Richard's she took a sip of her drink.
“So, odd meeting aside, what do you make of Colonel Langhorn?” He asked.
"Im sorry to say, but first impressions are hard to get by. I don't think I can tell you what I think about her untill Im around her more honestly." She told him as her stomach lightly grumbled.
Richard nodded. “Her methods usually prove consistent in the end.” He said.
"She did mention that we fly out at 0900." She didn't have much time for rest before she was due back on duty, her first duty shift aboard her new assignment.
Richard nodded. “That’s when we load your air group aboard the Titan.” He said.
She took anthor small sip from her glass, indeed she was drinking slower than she normally would if it was put in front of her. "Langhorn... how did you come by her... Or was she already here when you came?"
“She was already here.” Richard said. “But I’ve known of her for a while now. She’s what we’d call a rising star. Rapid advancement through the ranks to be an extremely young Colonel. At 34, that’s quite an achievement, believe you me.”
Chloe noded. She knew that being a Colonel at 34 was impressive. She never really cared about rank, she just wanted do what pleased her, and that seemed like was flying. She didn't care what pips were on her uniform as long as she got to fly.
After some short time, the food was brought out and set in front of them. The waitress asked if she could bring them anything else, Chloe asked for some water- not that she had finished her drink, just so she had something to filter her drink some.
Richard tucked into his dinner, realizing that he was actually quite hungry. He ate different parts of the meal together, to combine the flavors, and looked up at Chloe from time to time, marveling inside how much of a lucky SOB he was.
Chloe ate her meal in small bites like normal even if she was indeed very hungry. She still was taking small sips of her drink now and then- her glass had reached about half full.
“So, you given any thought to us?” He asked. “I mean, beyond wanting to have my child.”
"You mean about us getting married?" Chloe asked as she took anthor small sip of her drink before she took a bigger sip of water.
“Well, yeah.” He said. “I mean, in the future.”
"I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you." She told him taking a pause from eating. "I also know I want a child from you." Chloe smiled some. "I've always guessed that we would try to find an assignments that could keep us together.
“You realize that Starfleet won’t take into account our desire to live together if we’re not married, don’t you?” He said, seriously. “With you at the bottom end, they could send you anywhere without much notice. They also tend to frown on subordinates living with their superiors.” He smiled.
"I do realize that. I was lucky enough to be able to get transferred over here." Chloe told him softly. "Darn them always thinking the superiors are always just looking for some lower rank to mess around with." She said with some humor, but went back to being serious. "I want to start a family with you Richard, properly."
“But you should know that I’m a traditionalist. Probably one of the last of them, but I believe that both parents should be married.” He said.
"And I never said I wouldn't marry you." Chloe said, there was something warm on her face.
“However, I know its hardly the time to be talking about it.” He said, smiling.
Chloe gave a smile. "I suppose it isn't." She took her glass of Alcopop taking several small sips out of it, then went to finishing off her sandwhich. "But just to mention, this station wouldn't be a bad place to be positioned for a long while."
“No, it is quite nice actually.” He said.
Chloe soon finished her food, then sat sipping on her drink while Richard finished eating.
Richard finished not long after Chloe, and leant back, sighing with satisfaction. “Good meal.” He said. “Yours?”
"Filling." Chloe said with a smile, finishing her drink.
Richard finished his own drink, and smiled at Chloe. “I want to show you something.” He said, and got up from his chair. “This way.”
Curious Chloe got up with him slipping her hand into his so he could show her the way. "I hope it's not another store, Im done shopping today..."
“No, its not another store.” He said, and lead her over to one of the large viewports on the promenade. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” He said, admiring space.
She leaned into him, resting her body against his. "Yes, it is." She loved space, not just because she was a pilot.
Richard tapped his comm. Badge. “Sharpe to Eagle one, operation dinner out is a go.” With that, he put his arm around Chloe’s shoulders, and watched out as a wing of fighters, that had been out on patrol around the station, grouped together. They began flying in a complex maneuver in front of them.
Chloe intently watched them fly, the jelliously was on her face from them being able to be out there flying. But her being able to be next to her lover watching them made up for it. "I envy them." she said smiling.
“Keep watching.” He said. At that moment, the lead fighter lit the exhaust plasma that had been deployed as part of the maneuver, so that it spelt something out in space, in bright red letters. “MARRY ME CHLOE” was emblazoned across space for all to see. At this moment, Richard dropped to one knee, pulled out a small box, and produced the ring he’d purchased earlier on. “Chloe Merau, will you marry me?” He asked.
Chloe gasped for a second seeing what was being spelt out, then looked down at Richard who was on one knee asking her to marry him. At first she had a shocked look on her face. She didn't actually expect him to propose, especially not so soon. After a moment a extremely pleased smile shone on her face. "Yes, Richard Sharpe. I will marry you." She said warmly.
With that, Richard grinned from ear to ear, and slipped the diamond ring on her finger. He stood up, took her in his arms, and gave her the deepest soul kiss he could.
She sliped her arms around his neck kissing him back, her happiness definitely showed, not to only him but if anyone were to look at here they would see that she was indeed happy.
After a few minutes, they parted from the kiss, and Richard grinned at her. “We’ll do the deed after this mission.” He said. “So, would you like to go back to our place?” He grinned at her.
"More incentive to return from the mission." She said with a soft and warm smile. To answer his question she started to lead him back to their quarters.
“Remember, we need to get some sleep tonight, as we have an early start.” Richard said.
"Don't fuss, Richard." She said with a twinkle in her eyes.
“Oh, I’m not fussing.” He said. “Just we can’t do an all-nighter like we did last night.” He said, a mischievous grin on his face. “Regardless of one’s personal feelings on that matter.”
"I will let you get *some* sleep." She said with a smile as she lead him into their quarters.
“I love the emphasis on ‘some’” He said, grinning.
=/\= End Log =/\=
Maj. General Richard Sharpe
Commanding Officer
1st MEF
&
2d Lieutenant Chloe Merau
Pilot
501st Air Group, 1st MEF
