When the past catches up (Part Two)

Posted on 24 Oct 2020 @ 5:38am by

Mission: R&R - after facing the Planet Killer
Location: Starbase 308
Timeline: During R&R time
1999 words - 4 OF Standard Post Measure

(Continuation)

Starbase 308

Michael arrived on the Starbase, feeling on edge. That feeling he had during that date with Iola, came back. He was feeling slightly paranoid, that someone was watching him. It put him on edge, and into battle-mode. Outwardly he gave a wave to several people whom he had recognized before, but didn't stop to converse as he normally would. The promenade was busy, for there were several conventions there, one of which was a medical one. He wove his way through the crowd, stopping several times when he caught the furtive movement of someone possibly following him. He wasn't certain, so he moved to an area that didn't have as many people.

He realized that he was telegraphing the fact that he knew someone might be following, he became more subtle, walking along the shop area. He looked in the various windows, the displays which caught his eye, acting like he was rather engrossed. When he got the familiar feeling between his shoulders, which indicated that someone was watching, he continued on. He proceeded to go to the recreation area, in the upper level of Starbase 308. There he took off running, at a rapid rate of speed. He ducked into the forest trail area, where he climbed up a tree, resting his back against the trunk of the tree while sitting on branch.

He closed his eyes for a moment, listening. There, his eyes flashed open, for he heard the light sound of cloth against the rough bark of a tree. His head swiveled about pinpointing the direction of the sound. In a tree not too far from him, a woman perched herself in the tree. Her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. She had streaks of red, orange and yellow, in her dark hair. The streaks reminded Michael of flames. She was wearing dark brown trousers, black boots, a cream colored long sleeved shirt, much like a swashbuckler's style, and a black vest with red trim. His eyes moved towards her face and he froze, for there in the other tree was his former fiancee, Hotaru.

"H-Hotaru?" he stammered out, somewhat in shock. He was at a loss for words.

Hotaru laughed. "Once again I have caused you to lose your speech. Meet me on the ground, lover boy." then she quickly climbed down to the ground at the base of the tree that she had been perched in.

"Wait, what?" "Dumbfounded, Michael adroitly climbed down to the base of his tree.

Just as his feet were solidly on the ground, and he turned to face her. Hotaru sprang into his arms wrapping her arms around him, and holding him tight. The buried feelings he had for her, came to the surface, he swept Hotaru up into his arms, carrying her to a place to where he could sit down comfortably, with her still in his embrace. He looked into her eyes, she pulled his head close to hers, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss. One kiss led to another, then another, their hands running along each other's back, caressing each other's hair. Hotaru's hairband being lost during this. It was a heady sensation, Michael's head felt like it was starting to spin. It had been such a long time since they had kissed.

Hotaru's hand reached up underneath Michael's shirt stroking along his stomach and that was when his hand stopped hers. "Hotaru..." he groaned out. "No."

She pulled away from him, sitting on the ground nearby, her back against a rock, feeling a bit frustrated. "Once again, you refuse to be intimate. It's a natural thing to do, Michael, to be intimate. After all we were engaged."

"And I wanted to wait until we were married for me to thoroughly give myself to you. That is how I am, you know that, Hotaru." Michael rubbed his face, leaning his back against a tree. "How did you find me? I have a huge amount of questions, the big one is, why did you leave me before the wedding?"

Hotaru took a deep breath, to calm herself down, even though she wanted to go over and kiss Michael once more. His kisses were still as intoxicating as before. Maybe even more so. She scooted close to him, and reached out to his shirt pocket, deftly plucking the firefly pin out of it.

"This, this is how I was able to track you down. I am surprised you kept it. I thought for certain you would destroy it when I left you." her voice soft and gentle. "Why did you keep it?"

"Because, I still loved you and just couldn't get rid of it." Michael said honestly.

Hotaru knew that he was telling the truth, via her empathic abilities. "You still have feelings for me, but there is something different to them." she laid her head on his shoulder reaching up to touch his cheek.

Michael nodded, "Go ahead, I trust you."

This elicited a surprised look from Hotaru, as she looked up into his eyes. "You trust me? Even after all that I've done to you?"

"Yes, I do. I do have one thing to ask of you, share with me, what has happened with you." Michael softly requested.

"I don't know if i should." she remarked, "You may not like it, and in some aspect, I feel some shame. Shame for what happened years ago." her eyes lowering so as to not see his eyes, of which she was certain he had reprimand in them.

"Hotaru, I've already forgiven you." tenderly lifting her head back for her to look into his eyes. There was no reproach in his.

"All right, then...I will share a small amount." Hotaru replied.

He leaned his forehead against hers, allowing her access. Hotaru found it interesting that his willpower had grown immensely since they had been dating. it was strong back then, but it had developed more. After a little bit of time passed, Hotaru pulled back, giving a bit of a sigh.

"Now you know why I left, and what I am up to. And I will have to say, have feelings for several women, but the strongest one I can tell is that you are definitely developing strong feelings for someone by the name of Iola. And you have been sabotaging yourself when it comes to relationships with the ladies. I'm sorry I broke your heart, Michael." her voice breaking, she melting into tears leaning against Michael, her sobs full of agony, grief and remorse.

Michael wrapped his arms about Hotaru, "You broke your own heart at the same time." kissing the top of her head. "You need to forgive yourself, Hotaru. I didn't die, though from what you showed me, you came close to it, on too many occasions."

Hotaru's sobs quieted, she drifting off to sleep in Michael's arms, feeling safe and comforted. Michael held her, drifting off to sleep himself. A few hours later, Michael woke up, with a crick in his neck. He smiled seeing that Hotaru hadn't stolen quietly away. Instead she was still sleeping, still wrapped in his arms. He chuckled softly.

This woke Hotaru up, and she looked up at him. "Oh my, I fell asleep!"

"As did I." Michael murmured in answer to her exclamation.

"Well I can now say, we slept together!" she laughed, feeling pleased with herself.

Michael's face turned beet red, "We were fully clothed so its all innocent, really Hotaru!"

Hotaru just laughed all the harder, tears rolling down her cheeks. Michael soon joined in, as it was funny especially his comment. Their laughter died down, and Hotaru placed her head back on Michael's chest. "That felt good, I've not laughed like that in a long time."

"Same here." he gave a big sigh, "Now what?"

"Well, I can say with a lot of relief, you and I are friends, and not enemies. Well maybe more than friends but not lovers." giving a wry smile. "We have an interesting relationship, don't we."

Michael nodded. "Yes, we do."

Hotaru handed the firefly pin back to Michael. "Keep this, just so you know, I can find you. I have been keeping tabs on you, I couldn't help it. Oh and another thing, you need to warn your friend Natasha that someone is looking for her, and he's not a nice guy at all."

Michael tilted his head with a great deal of curiosity. "Who is this guy you are talking about?"

"He had been engaged to Natasha Blackthorne, until he decided to become rather controlling and hit her. They got into an awful fight, she won. He's the captain of the Black Fury. You know him, the nemesis of Captain Letsul." she snarled out.

"Oh...him." Michael's upper lip curling up in utter disdain. "That makes sense now, why Natasha didn't say anything when we first met. He's now in this neck of the galaxy?"

"And he's still as slippery like he always is. He's not in prison, he has great lawyers. Just let your friend know to watch out for him." Hotaru went quiet, pondering over things, then gave a bit of a sigh. "I've got to get going, I'll keep contact with you, now that... we've gotten a bit of closure. I guess you might say that's what it turned out to be?"

Michael chuckled, "In some ways yes, or we could say, our friendship has definitely turned into something unfathomable. Best friends?"

"Something more deeper than that, but yes, bestest, best friends." Hotaru stood up and dusted off her pants. "If I can be of any service to you, your captain, your ship, or any of the crew, let me know. And I'll do what I can. I am out here doing my job, keeping tabs on the scum and villainy. And also, you have my special code now, in order to get in contact with me."

Michael got up, while Hotaru talked, stretching his back a little bit. "You make certain that you keep in contact with me this time." giving her a crooked smile.

"I will, and well... guess this is goodbye for now. I'll see you later, I hope." Hotaru starting to saunter away. Stopped then turned back to Michael, in a swift movement, she was near him, and planted a nice long kiss, Michael responding with one of his own. "Okay that was an excellent goodbye kiss." she stated wistfully. "You treat Iola well, or I will hunt you down." she gave a wink, then left.

Michael could only shake his head, feeling like a huge weight had lifted off his soul. Hotaru was alive, there weren't any hard feelings on either of their parts. He felt really relieved. However he still was going to be proceeding carefully on the new path he found himself on, where Iola was concerned. Now he knew though, he did have strong feelings for her, he could almost call it love. Okay he could say it was love, in its tenderest forms. he was worried though, will it work out? He was certainly going to cherish Iola, a rare jewel. Iola had things to learn, for her to become the fullest person she could be.

Smiling, Michael headed to get back to the ship. He hadn't really asked Iola on an official date, having tried to make certain there were barriers. Now though, Michael felt that he needed to take her out on a date, on the station. He didn't know if she had been on the station before. So a chance to go shopping in real shops. And to walk in the park area. Michael's mind was bursting with new ideas on what to show Iola. Much for her to experience to broaden her horizons. Michael felt invigorated, and excited. This seemed like a new lease in life, a possible brand new love, a new department, Engineering. He jumped in the air, giving a fist pump. Life seemed good to him!