Scuttlebutt and Bombshells

Posted on Tue Oct 23rd, 2018 @ 9:51am by Captain Horatio Refelian & Commander Abigail Prescott

815 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Mission 2: Into The Breach
Location: Captain’s Lounge, Command Deck, Falton Station
Timeline: MD01 - 1600 Hours

Mint walked into Harry's office, carrying two coffees. She wanted to discuss the flight plans and a couple other things with him. She stopped in front of his desk and placed the coffee down in front of him. "Hey, figured you could use one of these," she smiled. "I was also wondering if you had a moment to chat?"

Harry smiled, “There always time for you.” He said honestly as he set down the PADD he was working on. “Thank you for the coffee.” He said before glancing at the time. “Blimey, doesn’t time fly when you’re reading reports.”

Mint laughed. "Welcome to my world," she shrugged. "One night, just before you came to, I sat here reading reports after dinner. I was on the fifth or sixth one, couldn't figure out why my eyes were burning so much. I put the report down and realized it was three in the morning!" She chuckled, but there was a slight nervousness about the way she'd talked and laughed after. She looked down at her coffee then back up at him and smiled. "There was a reason for me coming in now though, I wanted to ask you something..." she trailed off and chewed her bottom lip as she watched Harry's face.

“Shoot.” Refelian said with a smile as he picked up cup of coffee and turned his chair to face the Commander.

Not knowing how to phrase the question, Mint's mouth worked soundlessly for a moment before she turned slightly away from him. "I've been hearing a lot of talk," she said looking at the back wall of Harry's office. "About us," she added, chancing a glance at him. "And, it's got me thinking... about everything. I've really enjoyed spending time with you," she smiled at him before blushing slightly and turning her attention back to the wall. "Scuttlebutt says we're dating... are we?"

“Dad?!” A voice from the door said.

Harry peered round Mint to see his Daughter with his grandson in her arms at the open door. “Paloma! What are you doing here?” He said, with a half frown and half smile.

“We’re here to surprise you.” She said with a look of shock on here face.

“Well, I consider myself surprised.” He said giving a glancing look at Mint before standing up and heading to his Daughter. “This is Commander Prescott, my first officer and...” Harry paused for a moment to consider his next words. “My partner.”

Mint's back had gone rigid when she heard Paloma's shocked voice. She kept her back to the door all the while Harry was talking with his daughter. She knew he had kids already, but didn't expect to meet them any time soon, and especially not like this. Her face felt hot and she knew she was turning that shade of brown she always hated. Then Harry started describing who she was and she held her breath when he got to 'and..'. Her face flushed further when he called her his partner.

Heart racing, she finally turned to look at Paloma and nearly died when she realized they were very close in age. "It... it's nice to meet you," she said barely above a whisper as she began walking toward them. But as her eyes met Paloma's then slid down to the toddler in her arms, Mint lost all sense of composure, buried her browning face in her hands and practically ran from the room.

Harry was shocked at the reaction, he felt his mouth drop open ever so slightly. “I’m...i’m Sorry about that.” He said to his daughter. “I didn’t want it to be like this.” He said still in shock himself.

“Why didn’t you mention her on your letters?” Paloma said as she walked into the lounge and allowed the doors to slide close behind her.

“I don’t know really.” Harry replied after a short pause. “I suppose I wanted to see how things went before I announced it to you. I’ve not really been involved with anyone seriously since your mother passed away.”

“I know, I’m happy for you. It’s about time you found someone to be with but, dad, she’s very young! She must be only a little bit older than me.” Paloma stayed as she moved to the sofa to rest her arms of the weighty child she carried in her arms.

“I need to go and check on her.” Refelian said as he began to move towards door.

“No, dad, I’ll go. We need to get to know each other anyway, might as well be now. Take Junior and I’ll go and see if she ok.” Paloma said as she offered her son to Harry.

“Alright then.” He said taking Horatio and giving him a big Grandpa smile. “She’ll probably be in her office.”

 

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