"What greater gift than the love of a cat" - Dickens

Posted on 12 Feb 2020 @ 9:24pm by Captain Jonathan Reynolds

Mission: Mission 3 - Whom gods destroy ...
Location: Reynolds quarters
Timeline: MD1 08:45
1023 words - 2 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Eddie was just walking out ready to go to school when the chime rang. He knew it couldn't be True as she had left and could enter when she liked now. Maybe it was someone for his father who was still in his room dressing he assumed.

"Come in," the younger Reynolds said watching the door open to reveal someone in uniform. "Oh hi. Do you want me da …."

The young teens mouth dropped open when he clocked what the new person was holding. "Is that a … kitten?" he asked confused.

Michael grinned, cradling the orange, tabby kitten in his arm the other preventing the kitten from climbing up to his shoulder. "Hi I'm Ensign Hawkins and your dad is expecting me." looking down at the kitten then back to Eddie. "Would you let him know I am here?"

"I already did," Eddie grinned pointing at his head. "Hes just getting dressed. Come in. I'm Eddie," he said to the new face.

"You just told him..." Michael's eyes widened as he just realized something, an image of another pair of eyes of the female persuasion coming to his mind. Her eyes shared the same traits as the boy, and his father! "You're part Betazed." he exclaimed. "I had a commanding officer who is half human and half betazed."

"Well ermm you have one now actually. Dads a hybrid," Eddie said. "Can I hold the kitten?" he asked.

Michael nodded. "I have no problem with that at all." he remarked,handing the kitten over to Eddie. "The kitten doesn't have a name yet, it will be for whom the gift is for, to do the honors" smiling.

Jon appeared an approving look running over his face spotting the Kitten. "Good morning Ensign Hawkins. You have done me proud. Thank you very much."

"You are welcome" Michael answered

"He's perfect. How did you manage this?" he asked replicating coffee. "Would you like a cup?"

" A cup of peppermint tea if you don't mind." Michael responded. "As for getting the kitten, thanks to that cute ball of fur, I was able to establish some contacts and found him on Starbase 308." looking towards the kitten with great affection.

"How did you get him on the ship?" Jon asked as they had not been back to the Starbase since they had launched. He ordered the peppermint tea and handed it too him.

"Dad is this for me or True?" Eddie asked curiously.

"I think you know the answer to that one Eddie. How many conversations about pets have we had to date?" Jon said turning back to Hawkins.

"One of the supply ships delivered the kitten from Starbase 308. " Michael stated, accepting the peppermint tea. "Thank you."

"Its True's then," the blond teen sulked.

"Well why don't you help with the kitten between now and her birthday and show me you can be responsible with a pet," Jon suggested. He took a seat as his son rapidly nodded his head.

"Are you all settled in now?" he directed at Hawkins.

"Yes I am, Captain." giving a slight smile, hearing the conversation between father and son. He felt some wistfulness remembering a conversation he had with his own father about certain things. "I do hope that Lieutenant Keading, will like her cat. He seems to be rather affectionate."

"I have a good feeling about it," Jon said. He finished his coffee and considered another cup. "Tell me have you seen any more of Iola? You seemed to be building some rapport together."

"That is next on my list, to see how she is doing, and to get things going in her learning to speak."

“I’m happy to hear that,” Jon nodded. “What are you planning to get in place?”

"I will be meeting with her to find out when she would like to proceed, and I plan to utilize music/singing to help out with her speech as well. " Michael stated. Singing helps a person learn enunciation, plus music, I feel, tends to help a person learn quicker."

Jon had a vague memory of an old earth musical his grandmother had made him watch as a kid. The song, "Poor Professor Higgins" seemed to flow through his head.

"I have an idea what you mean, "In Hartford, Hereford and Hampshire, Hurricanes hardly happen," he smiled at the other man. "And the Rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain."

Hopefully he wouldn't end up poor Professor Hawkins, he mused. Because he sensed this guy liked Iola. Although from what he could remember the female protagonist did return back to be with Professor Higgins.

"Ah My Fair Lady! Funny that you quote from that musical. I played Professor Higgins, when in school." thinking that this situation with Iola and he teaching her to speak would sort of be like that, at the very least.

That tickled Jon immensely. He bit back an amused smile, “Bit of an actor and singer are you Hawkins?” He asked.

"Only just a wee bit." Michael chuckling, opening up a small space between his thumb and index finger."I do love musicals and acting, and I can dance. Though it doesn't beat being working on a Starship."

"You know I'm not aware of any drama groups up and running yet. Perhaps you might like to start one?" Jon suggested. "Then you can do both. Maybe as well it would help with your therapy with Iola? Help get her confidence up?"

Michael gave a nod."Possibly, everything though does hinge upon how Iola wants to go about learning to speak. That is definitely something I need to find out very soon."

Jon nodded. "Then don't let me keep you any further. No time like the present ehh Hawkins. Thank you again for getting me the kitten. I know True is going to love it."

"Thanks for the tea, Captain." Michael replied giving a nod in acknowledgement of what the captain said before heading out of the captain's quarters.


OFF:

● “ Ensign Michael Hawkins“
Chief Operations Officer
USS Andromeda

●●● Captain Jonathan Reynolds
Captain
USS Andromeda