Lazy Mornings

Posted on Thu Nov 10th, 2022 @ 6:40pm by Ensign Alexandra 'Lexi' O'Connery & Commander William Gerhard

Mission: Sojurn
Location: Deck E - Starboard Side Quarters
Timeline: Day 329 07:00
2152 words - 4.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Lexi loved lazy mornings now that their shifts had been shifted around so that they were both on the second watch, him on the bridge and her in the Comms centre. She got to just lie there in the morning instead of having to rush around issues to get on her bridge watch for eight. She was warm and snug between the wall and William for the first time since before the tower when it had ripped them apart nearly. She had not been awake when he had come in but he had not woken her so it must have been okay that she was there instead of going to her own quarters.

William had come in the night before after a long day. After coming off watch, he had been in the armory conducting tactical drills with his armory team. He had returned to his quarters and found Lexi already there fast asleep. She had been spending more time in his quarters, not that he was complaining about it. He knew at some point they would need to discuss whose quarters would become their permanent home, but there was really no rush. He had stripped off his uniform and climbed into bed with her, pulling her close into him and quickly falling asleep. He now sensed her stirring slightly, but he kept his eyes closed and kissed the top of her head.

"Good morning my love," he said softly as he felt her burrow in closer to him.

“Mmm morning … you got back late.” She yawned as she snuggle back against him a little more now he was awake and she would not be disturbing him. It was adorable to hear his sleepy Swedish. “Sorry I came here to wait for you as we’ve not caught each other in days and then promptly fell asleep.” She responded in English.

"No need to apologize. You know you don't need my permission to stay here," he said with a smile as he opened his eyes and stared up at the bulkhead overhead. He wrapped one arm around her and placed his other behind his head. "Last night was training night for my armory team. It felt good to actually put in some training after so much light duty," he said referencing his previous restrictions from the incident where he was injured. The pain in his ribs had gone, but he occasionally found his chest get tight with sharp intakes of breath. Dr. Avira had released him to full duty a few weeks ago, and she had encouraged him to get back to his usual fitness regime.

She knew she did not need permission but still sought it, it was his space even if she wanted to be with him. "Yes, but you were on light duties for a reason." She reminded with a smile. She moved to curl against him taking in how relaxed he looked now. "Nearly dying is a good reason for light duties and just taking a breath. Did it go well?" She wondered thinking she would put the training night in her diary so that she could remember it.

"It did. Actually, we discussed afterwards that it had been quite a while since we had a training session like that. I guess recent events had us all strung out and alittle rusty," he said before closing his eyes again. "Oh, and did I mention that the MACOs took part in it as well," he offered opening one eye to catch her reaction. He knew that in Lexi's unofficial role as morale officer, she had prioritized being more inclusive with the MACO detachment. They had already suffered enough losses, and William had been discussing with the captain on how to fully integrate them into the Armory division.

The woman smiled as she gave up his held onto knowledge and narrowed her eyes seeing him watching her. She moved up a little and leaned over to kiss his cheek softly smiling at the stubble beneath her lips. "Thank you." She said simply. It meant a lot to have them included after everything that had happened with them, they needed to know they were wanted onboard in all ways. "Sounds like you had a positive evening." She surmised.

"Indeed," he said before he stretched his arms over his head and made an exaggerated yawn before he wrapped her up in his arms again. He tilted her head to face him before he leaned down and gave her a soft kiss. "What about you? How was your watch in the comm center," he asked when their lips parted.

“Another day cataloging things.” Lexi said stealing another kiss from him as he pulled away but still kept her close . “Nothing different than yesterday.” It was mundane but she did not care as it was a sign that she was getting back to normal.

William smiled to himself as Lexi explained her day. There was an air of normalcy around it all. Here they were, 150 years from home and just chatting about their days. "So, It's safe to say that things are starting to return to normal. Though, as normal as it can get out here," he said. "So, forgive my daftness, but what all are you cataloguing," he asked genuinely curious.

“Sounds. Things that we hear.” She shrugged grinning. “I would definitely say things are returning to normal especially us here and now. I feel back to normal apart from from every now and then over doing it with my leg.” She stroked his cheek. “This is different… nice different though.”

Her touch was soft on his face, the small amount of his stubble sounding like sandpaper. "You know you keep hounding me about not over doing it, but when i remind you about your leg you give me the look," he said before opening one eye to glance down at her with a grin. She lightly swatted at him and rolled her eyes before giving him the aforementioned "look". It was true, Lexi was great at being a mother hen, constantly checking up on William since coming back from the beyond. Yet when he did the same about her leg, she got very defensive.

“Because the ship can function without me, but they cannot without you.” The woman said softly as her look mellowed just a little. “My leg will not kill me but your heart failing will.” It was brutally honest as bad she hated saying it, but it needed to be said.

He knew she was speaking from the heart, and he smiled down at her in response. "I know, and I won't do anything to jeopardize that," he said before giving her a soft kiss. "Your stuck with me now," he said softly when their lips parted.

“Forever and ever and ever and… ever.” She whispered kissing him as she moved under the blanket to straddle him to be able to see him properly. She looked down and grinned at him. “I feel like I have not seen you properly in days.” She smiled finally awake properly now and able to take in that he looked less pale even in the semi darkness of the dark quarters.

He smiled up at her as she looked down at him. Her hair lightly touched his face as it cascaded down around him. "Indeed, I guess I forgot that our normal routines don't always let me drop in on you," he said before a thought came across his mind. "Perhaps we should fix that," he said before giving her an upraised eyebrow.

The woman had leant down for a kiss before she stopped raising an eyebrow. “Change that?” She wondered quietly as she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Well, seeing as how you said yes when I proposed, why don't we make this our permanent home," he said giving her an expectant look.

“Oh… well it is a new quarters for us both.” She murmured thinking for a moment as she looked around the space. Leyton’s former quarters was now Gerhard’s new quarters and was more than enough space for them both. “Had a decent bed… has a better shower than your last quarters… has a porthole.” It did make sense.

"Yes," William said growing quiet for a moment as he turned his head to survey the area. It still felt strange that he had taken these quarters under the circumstances he had. Leyton's personal items had already been placed in storage, but he'd felt selfish when he'd first taken them over. "Just wish it wouldn't have happened the way it did," he said softly.

“But it did. Do not feel guilt over other peoples actions that you cannot change.” Lexi whispered and nuzzled his neck, kissing him there trying to distract him from the dark thoughts that threatened to surface. They all had them over the death of the former executive officer but no one could blame themselves. She had been caught by Smith when she had been weak and there was no blame to place anywhere especially on the man that had taken over her job.

"I know," he said softly as he moved his head slightly to give her better access. His eyes closed again as he felt her kissing his neck, and he pulled her closer to him. "So, I've been wanting to ask you...," he said trailing off as he reacted to her kisses before continuing, "Are you going to take my name?"

“Well you can’t exactly take my name.” She shot back giggling against his neck as she could imagine him taking her surname. It would just be silly, despite it being quite common for husbands go take wives name. “I will take yours… if that is okay?” She wondered almost in a whisper.

William nodded as he smiled at the thought. "Lexi Gerhard. It has a nice ring to it," he said as he kissed the top of her head. He then stared up at the bulkhead above him. For the first time in a long time, he thought back to his family. His relationship with his parents had never been good, but he couldn't help but wonder what they would've thought about Lexi. "You'll bring more justice to the Gerhard name than i have," he said.

Lexi swore at him in Swedish and shook her head. “Foolish man.” She said making him look at her. “You make your own name proud everyday William. You are a good man.” She assured moving his hands above his head pinning him there. “Foolish but a good man.” She hated when he went thoughtful like he was and started to feel like he was inadequate. He was brave, strong, thoughtful, all skills that not everyone onboard possessed.

He looked up into her eyes, the intensity stirring something in him. He let her pin his arms above his head as he smiled up at her. She believed in him, and that was what he loved about her. He knew that no matter what happened, she would always be there to support him. She'd made him into a better man than he had been, and he never wanted to let her down again. He reached his head up to find her lips and kiss her softly. When he pulled away, he stared up at her before saying, "I love you Lexi, now and always."

Lexi could not help but smile at his worlds and freed his arms shaking her head at the emotions that were flickering around his face and caressed his cheek. “I will always love you William. I will always believe in you but you need to start believing in yourself too. You are not the man who yours parents knew.” She assured quietly.

He looked up at her and saw in her eyes the ferocious intensity that indicated she firmly believed every word she said. He reached up where she caressed his cheek and wrapped his hand in hers. "I know. Sometimes I forget how different a man I have become," he said softly.

“I will remind you every single day if I have to but it’s not going to change thee person you are now to who you were back then. I would not be in bed enjoy the laziest morning ever with that man.” She glanced over at the chronometer and smiled down at him. “We have hours till shift starts.” She pointed out.

William broke his gaze and looked at the chronometer as well before he looked back at her and smiled. He raised an eyebrow before speaking, "Well, Mrs. Gerhard, how would you like to spend this morning." He reached up and pulled her face towards his and kissed her softly before letting her pull back to look at him.

Lexi just grinned and whispered something in his ear before showing him exactly what she meant.