by February Grace
80410.19
A short time before Defensive Shuttle Piloting Exercises begin
-=Quarters of Reece and Grace=-
Dabin had returned to her with the most adorable, if overly-frosted sugar cookies that February had ever seen in her life.
She had eaten them with delight, and thanked him for going to all the trouble after he regaled her with the melodramatic description of Fleur's leaving him to fend for himself, and how he had to help TC Blane make the baker's breakfast in the end before the nightmare was over.
She had tidied up around their quarters, and while making the bed she sat down on the edge of it and looked all around her. Able to think for the first time in a long time in the quiet calm of the room, she considered how much her life had truly changed in the past few months.
Happy little reminders that she was now a married woman surrounded her; everywhere she looked there were hints of her husband's presence. A pair of clean, wadded-up socks that he had meant to put on but forgotten sat on the ottoman in front of her favorite chair. A book he'd been reading rested on the arm of the chair itself. His favorite off-duty shirt, cast aside, was hanging over the back of the chair at the desk. She moved over to it and picking it up, pressed her nose to the collar and inhaled deeply. A secret sort of smile crept onto her lips, followed by a love-sick sigh.
*He'd only been gone half an hour, how could she miss him so much already?*
Sparrow jumped up into her lap and began to bat at the dangling shirt sleeve.
"Oh, you miss him too, do you? Good. Stop biting his toes at oh three-hundred when he's trying to sleep, then. Thank you very much."
The cat slowly closed both of his eyes, 'winking' at her.
The chime signaled that they had company, and as she called for the person to come in, she turned her attention to the entrance and realized that sadly, it was time to say goodbye once again to a dear friend.
"Good afternoon, February." Rigin stepped in, looking around for Reece. "I'm not, um, interrupting anything am I?" He'd stayed away for the past few days of shore leave knowing for certain that if he had come by, he surely would have been interrupting something.
She hadn't seen him since the other night at the Blessing, and she set the shirt and the cat down and hurried over, taking the man by surprise.
She hugged him so tight he feared for a moment that his slight, brittle bones might snap.
"How can I ever thank you? For all you've done, once again."
"I didn't do anything." Rigin shook his head. "I was just here."
"That's the point," February touched his face gently. "You were here. When I needed you most."
"You have all that you need now, Bru, right here on this ship. Friends, family, and Reece," He smiled a wistful sort of smile. "I can only hope that someday I'll be as lucky in love as you are."
"I'll keep a good thought for you," She kissed his cheek, and looked at him curiously, realizing he was holding a small, wrapped package.
"What's that?"
"It's not a belated wedding gift," he explained, "this is something especially just for you." He handed it to her, and she looked at him like an excited child at their birthday party. He stopped her. "Wait. Don't open it yet. After I'm gone, all right?"
"Oh, all right." Bru was a little disappointed, she wanted to be able to tell him immediately how much she liked. . .whatever it was. She knew that if it was a gift that Rigin had picked out himself, it had to be incredibly thoughtful.
"I have to hurry, I'm afraid, last chance to beam out. The ship is leaving orbit soon, so I'm told."
"I wish you could come with us." February's eyes reflected honest emotion.
"Me too," Rigin brushed her bangs back out of her eyes, wishing he could stay near to her, but knowing that his place was not aboard a starship. He was going to have to search very hard to find the path meant for him, whatever it turned out to be. "I'll miss you."
"Me too."
He hugged her again, and he sighed. "Promise me you'll be happy. Just forget everything else and live your life every day as fully as you can. Be happy, and feel the love that surrounds you. You deserve it."
Bru blinked back the tears in her eyes. "Walk you to the transporter?"
"I think. . .I'd best just go." He would feel all the sadder having to say goodbye to her twice. "Give Dabin my regards, and tell him if there's ever anything else I can do,"
"I will. You'll write?" Bru did love so much to write, and receive letters. Especially those written the old fashioned way, by hand.
"Absolutely. I'll keep sending you picture post cards from my travels. Reece told me how much you enjoy those."
The two friends stared at each other for a long time, saying all that remained to be said with the glance. Finally Rigin turned, and made his way to the transporter room.
"Where to?" The operator asked.
"Send me back to California Cavern, my good man," Rigin said, checking that his Holcomb was ready as it hung from a strap round his neck. He smiled broadly. "I've got a tour to finish."
***********
In her quarters, February waited until she was sure that Rigin was gone, and then she slowly pried open the edges of the wrapping paper. It was too beautiful to tear. She would use it later, as background for a page in her scrapbook.
She saw the folded sheet of paper within first, and unfolded it.
"Beloved February,
Do not be sad over what you have left behind, rejoice every day in the adventure which is to come. Draw strength and wisdom from the experiences of those who carried your symbiont before you. Honor them, and Grace will guide you with more clarity than you can even begin to imagine.
Remember, you don't need a magic feather, my dear one. The ability to fly has been yours all along.
With love always, your friend Rigin."
February turned over the gift now, and saw that it was a storybook, the sort that you would give to a child. The cover read Dumbo.
Sticking between the pages was what appeared to be a black bird's feather. On the marked page was an illustration of several crows, who appeared to be standing around a brown mouse, who was wearing a red hat. There was a caption beneath the picture.
"I'll be done seein' 'bout everything, when I see an elephant fly!"
February repeated the words aloud, puzzled. "Hmm."
The opposite page displayed the picture of a small elephant with enormous blue eyes, and she felt inexplicably drawn to him, though she couldn't have explained the feeling if anyone had asked her to try.
She decided to leave the gift for closer inspection later; she was short on time, and wanted to visit with one more friend before taking up her teaching duties this day.
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Lt. February Grace
Senior Flight Controller
USS Serendipity/Alchemy
Lt. February Grace
Senior Flight Controller
USS Serendipity/Alchemy