Expect the Unexpected
Posted on Thu Nov 29th, 2018 @ 6:28am by Ensign Callan Armidale
Edited on on Mon Mar 11th, 2019 @ 2:16pm
1,115 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Mission 2: Into The Breach
Location: Faltan Station
Timeline: MD02 - 1730
Callan had just about burst through the door, quickly kicking his shoes off and dropping his satchel over the couch as he entered the living room. He glanced around, looking into the open-plan kitchen, the small dining area, before venturing further into the residence.
"Jonah?" he called out. "Are you home?"
Jonah walked out of the bedroom with a puzzled expression. He spotted Cal standing in the living area. "Everything okay?" he asked curiously. It wasn't often Cal came home seeking him out by calling for him.
"Yeah, all's good," he nodded, walking over to give his partner a hug and a kiss. "I was just uh... wondering if you've heard? I've been transferred out of intel."
Jonah smiled as he held Cal's hips, holding his fiancé close to him. "Oh?" he wondered slyly. "Don't you think the department heads have to approve department transfers, babe?"
Callan raised an eyebrow. "Well, of course," he said, eyes diverting a little as if thinking. "Of course! I was just... wondering whether you had anything to do with it! Curious about the kinda deal you struck with the intel chief. Or whether it was something from higher up...?"
Jonah's hand moved from Cal's hip to cup his cheek. He gazed into Cal's brown eyes with gentleness. "I didn't strike any deals or have anything to do with your transfer directly. I got the request on my desk and I approved it. Honestly, I would never have denied it. I miss working with you, having you close by," Jonah admitted, pulling Cal closer.
Callan allowed himself to nuzzle over Johan's shoulder, and the side of his neck. He took in the comforting smell of Jonah's cotton T-shirt. "Don't you think the command team will worry about us being in the same department? You know... with you technically being my superior officer..."
He gave his own comment a thought, and realised that if the higher-ups had been concerned about such a conflict of interest, then they wouldn't have allowed for the transfer in the first place. Things have moved so quickly that he didn't even know why he was being moved. Perhaps his counterpart, another ensign who he'd swapped with, was clearly more suited as an intel officer than he was. Callan saw little in himself that proved him as a useful security asset - for now.
Jonah shrugged. "It seems to have worked fine in the past," he answered. "We've shown we can maintain a professional working relationship on the Archimedes," he added with a smile. "At least as far as anyone knows." His smile broadened as he considered the effects of the nebula DNA that still intermingled with his own.
Callan also grinned, but pointed a finger, jabbing it over Jonah's chest. "Don't you start with your ideas," he said.
Jonah raised his chin defiantly. “As I recall, Miloon’s office was your idea, and I regret nothing.” He laughed as Cal pulled away from him almost reluctantly.
As if to change the subject, Cal plopped himself over the couch and asked, "Is your leg getting better? Seen the doctor here yet?"
Jonah followed, plopping down next to and leaning against Cal's chest. He ran his hand along Cal's arm and over the top of his hand until their fingers interlaced. With an amused smile, he replied, "Yeah. The leg is going to be fine. A few more weeks of physical therapy and I'll be back to normal. The doctor wants to wait for some fancy new gadget to finish the scar revision on my stomach, but that will be soon enough too." Jonah leans his head back on Cal's shoulder, content to be in the moment with his fiancé. It was hard to believe either of them had ever had reservations about pursuing their relationship.
"What about you?" Jonah asked. "Still holding up the strong front? Don't need to talk about the... traumatic events?"
Callan shrugged. "I kinda prefer not to. More keen on focusing ahead. As awful as it was for all of us, I reckon Aidan copped the brunt of it. Have you heard from him lately?"
"No," he answered as he shook his head. "Last I heard was the same as you; he was spending time back at the Academy to brush up on his skills so he could take a department head position." Jonah shrugged. "I suppose we're all ready to put it in the past and look ahead. Speaking of which, would you like to get dressed and have dinner in Faltan City? I've been told that as long as we aren't in uniform, we won't be much trouble."
Jonah had an ulterior motive to a simple date night, he now had the ring he wanted Cal to wear as a symbol of their engagement. While Cal had already said yes, Jonah wanted the engagement to be appropriate and the ring perfect. It had taken a bit of arguing and some special shipping arrangements, but it had finally arrived.
Callan, of course, had no idea. He shuffled in his seated position. "Dinner out?" he seemed to give it some thought, and was curious as to what kind of food they might be trying tonight. "What's this place we're going?"
Jonah shrugged. "Beats the hell out of me. I thought we'd be adventurous!" He extricated himself from Cal's hold, turning to face him. "They're Terran descendants; I can't imagine their food is much more exciting than anything we're used to." Jonah smiled before leaning in to kiss Cal on the lips. "Come on... hit the shower and put on something nice."
"Oh, but I'm tired and it's so comfortable here already..." Callan curled up on the couch, cuddling one of its larger pillows and leaning his head back, pretending to fall asleep.
Jonah pressed himself against Cal so that they were chest to chest, planting gentle kisses on Cal's neck. When he reached Cal's ear, he whispered, "I promise it'll be worth it. I'll make it worth it."
Callan laughed at the tickling sensation he felt around his neck, then shook his head at Jonah's suggestion. "All right, all right..." He stood up from the couch, and began making his way. "Dinner it is then, I suppose."
"Don't let me twist your arm," Jonah responded, tossing one of the pillows from the couch at Callan as he walked away. He waited until Cal disappeared into their bedroom to retrieve the ring he'd finally received earlier in the day. With the box in hand, he moved into the bedroom and changed his clothes.
Lt JG Jonah Masters
Chief Security Officer
Faltan Station
Ens Callan Armidale
Security Officer
Faltan Station
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