SIM:Satscher: Proposing husband

((USS Challenger-A: Holodeck))

:: The door to Holodeck opened revealing the view down the Champs-Élysées with Arc de Triomphe in a distance. Vojana trembled while her eyes were filling with tears. ::

Satscher: I love Paris, you knew, right. Oh you're so dear, my love. Thank you, oh thank you for this.

:: Vojana leaned on Marcus's hip holding his hand. The door behind them closed but they weren't paying attention. Something distant and joyous embraced them and a song; old but gentle and at the same time sad and pleasant played in her mind. ::

********************

The summer air was soft and warm

The feeling right, the Paris night

Did its best to please us

And strolling down the Élysées

We had a drink in each café

And you

You talked of politics, philosophy and I

Smiled like Mona Lisa

We had our chance

It was a fine and true romance

********************

Dickens: It’s the least I can do for the woman I love, if not what kind of gentleman will I be? I want to be the man of your life, the man that gets others apart, the man you deserve as the wonderful woman you are.

Satscher: Oh Marcus. ::beat:: I love you, not for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you.

Dickens: That's very nice, but I'm the way I am thanks to you. I wonder if you would like me as I was before I met you. I was all work and duty You showed me there’s things more important in life.

Satscher: You never told me about Marcus before we met! But from what I was told by our friends you was always good friend and someone to lean on! When you last spoke with Cruise?

::She blushed remembering friend who introduced them to each other. ::

Dickens: Long ago, it seems he'd doing well the last time I talked with him. Now that we've settled up our lives a bit I think a call is deserved.

:: Marcus thought about Cruise and how they worked together and this work becomes a friendship. That made him think of all the people he'd met in the different destinations and how life had spread them apart. He'll need to contact them and know what's of everyone of them at the moment. ::

Satscher: How many friends we forgot, people who formed us. Heard anything about Cody? He was one of those who taught me more about courage and strength with his actions and decisions than anyone ever could. He's one of the reasons I would never accept to keep bionic implants even if could. He never asked to take it easy to :: beat :: "make" it easier for him. Three months of operations and he never complained even a bit.

::Vojana raised her head to look at Marcus and in his eyes saw the same, memories. Pictures of people they met, people they loved and cared for... people they lost because of their work! Seeing it she was even more determined to do what planned. Marry this man and stay with him, close to him till the end of their days. ::

Dickens: :: As they strode into the restaurant they ordered, well, in fact Marcus just gestured to the waiter. :: He's a strong man, I remember... Sidney, captain Riley. I've learnt a lot under her command, a determined woman.

Satscher: Yes, she is. But I still remember Ventu more fondly. I told you she gave birth, right. I'm godmother to her son Rhys. Oh I miss her a lot. How I'd like to go and visit them. I've never seen my godson except on pictures.

Dickens: And what about Salak! That's one of a Vulcan!!

Satscher: Oh, that tall Vulcan stole my heart. :: Seeing dark look on his face. :: Of course, not like that, but as a friend, dear friend... same as Storos. He will always have special place in my heart. Strong and calm he was always like an anchor for me. :: He looked at her with a puzzlement, response was interesting. ::

Dickens: Lt. T'Lea, she was a strong woman too, and my second Chief of Science. She taught me to be dedicated and that the Science job could be as exciting as any other duty post.

:: Talking about people they miss they reached a cute little Restaurant and occupied the table on the edge. When a rain started Vojana smiled vigorously remembering a song again. ::

********************

I can still recall our last summer

I still see it all

Walks along the Seine, laughing in the rain

Our last summer

Memories that remain

********************

:: It was nice watching the rain safe under the parasol. After they ordered Marcus continued with talking about the people they met. ::

Dickens: Do you remember about Atimen? Man, this was a joyful man... He's in some kind of... private business, isn't he? :: He took a sip of wine and caressed Vojana's hand. ::

Satscher: Not any more or maybe better to say not again. But you should know that better than me. Didn't you met him on Tiger when rejoin them before returning to Ambrosia? He rejoined Starfleet and was posted there. I know he was present for a briefing during... :: She trembled. :: That last mission.

Dickens: True,... I forgot it. Atimen...

Satscher: I don't remember much about that mission. I was.. oh I don't know how to explain it. But still only bits and pieces of that mission pop up from time to time. Nothing solid! It was a Hell and I'm glad I survived it.

:: She sighed. And then she smiled remembering another person. ::

Satscher: And Anassasi, oh how I feared her. :: She went silent, her sight in another time and another place. When it seemed like she will not continue she did. :: Until the moment on that strange station when she stood against enemy we could do nothing against and offered her life to save us all. When we were all returned to Indy and she was not I suddenly missed her so much. Those few moments were so hard, so painful. :: Tears wet her eyes. :: When she appeared in her chair it was such a joy. You know who I miss from that time, and a lot? :: Beat. :: Moranta.. oh and Makno. Makno the beast.

Dickens: Heh, C’elest, I get used to her, even when she get in that Vulcan mode. But Makno? I remember him, how won’t, but from there to miss him... You’ve not called him the beast for nothing. I still remember him in my shoulder when he clapped it for joy or something alike... :: He sighed. :: Those were good times, but I think that there’s no time like present. Don’t you agree?

:: Sun showed through the rain and formed beautiful rainbow. Vojana knew it's artificial, she knew it was meant to appear here above them, but it was still beautiful and fascinating. They finished a meal and decided to go and walk by the Seine and visit Eiffel Tower. ::

Satscher: Yes, you're right, there is no time like present. :: She wanted to say it now, to jump in front of him and threw it, but couldn't. :: oO What is wrong? Why sudden fear? Oh, day is still young - I'll tell him. Oo :: Vojana grabbed his hand and let him pull her. For the first time in last few months she didn't feel hoverchair as a burden. ::

********************

We made our way along the river

And we sat down in the grass

By the Eiffel tower

I was so happy we had met

It was the age of no regret

Oh yes

Those crazy years, that was the time

Of the flower-power

But underneath we had a fear of flying

Of getting old, a fear of slowly dying

We took the chance

Like we were dancing our last dance

********************

:: The song returned and reminded her of their time together, of all good things they had. Vojana was smiling lost in thoughts, wandering how come that right now she can think only about those great moments they shared. Or better, how come that even those that brought her pain in the past now seem great. ::

Satscher: I know I met you before, we worked together, but one of the first situations I remember you, is after the promotion ceremony, you remember that one when we ended all in sickbay. The way you watched me was.. :: She bowed her head blushing. :: ..was enticing. :: Sharp fast breath. :: That is the moment I fell in love.

Dickens: Well, after the holodeck event I realized I feel something special for you, too, so I think I couldn't hide it then. Oh, I'm like an open book aren't I?

Satscher: Oh no... I didn't know. I didn't have a clue until much later. Not even the small niceties in holodeck during the horse ride, no. Until you told me, that last day on Indy I had no idea. :: She grabbed his hand as trying to keep him from going away, as fearing she may lose him again. ::

Dickens: You seem to be remembering a lot of our lives; I guess there's something that made you think of this. Should be all the time you have while adjusting after you surgery, isn't it?

Satscher: The turnover happened long before. Mission on Discovery did it to me. We were chasing crazy mass murderer who managed to turn on us. Whole mission was like a story from the twilight zone. So much blood, so much fear death and misery... :: She shuddered still holding him tight. :: That made me rethink whole my life. Everything I did everything I was and what I want! And made me choose you... :: She looked him up smiling, offering him all her love in her eyes. ::

Dickens: The twilight zone? I don't know that, however sound horrible, however seems that it worked good for me!? :: He winked and kissed her in the cheek :: Mine was more a constant process of falling in love, I just don't realize it fully until I see you injured and I feared for your life. That's a turning point for me about you.

:: Vojana smiled that tight lip smile she kept for him only, and a kiss made her hear the song again. ::

********************

I can still recall our last summer

I still see it all

In the tourist jam, round the Notre Dame

Our last summer

Walking hand in hand

********************

:: They reached Seine and he took her off the hoverchair and put down to the grass on the meadow looking on the river. When he sat by her side she rolled on her knees. ::

Satscher: I have to show you something, just need you to be patient and to close your eyes.

:: Dickens smiled gently at her and made a face as if doubting to do it, however he made a smile at her and closed his eyes.::

:: When he closed his eyes she slowly climbed to her legs. She was doing it last few days and managed to stand, even made a few steps, but now it took her much longer and she was afraid again and it made her fail twice. She was hurt and afraid but determined to make it and finally she did. ::

Satscher: Marcus, my love. Open your eyes.

:: Smile on his face made her hear that song again. ::

********************

Paris restaurants

Our last summer

Morning croissants

Living for the day, worries far away

Our last summer

We could laugh and play

********************

Dickens: Sooo.... :: Making a big smile :: Keeping secrets from me... :: He made the gesture to be angry, but his side to side smile ruined it up. :: Have you recovered? Why didn't you told me that?

:: Vojana reached for Marcus just smiling saying nothing. He grabbed her hands as he stood in front of her and looked her from up to down one and another time. They stood like that for good minute or so when she finally decided to say it... ::

Satscher: My One True Love... I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. Yes my dear, hereby I'm proposing you to marry me, to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. What say you?

:: That caught him off guard, he didn't expected her to do that and all he could do was smile and giggle at the scene ::

********************

And now you're working in a bank

The family man, the football fan

And your name is Harry

How dull it seems

Yet you're the hero of my dreams

********************

Dickens: For the first time in many years I don't know what to say....

Satscher: You have doubts... :: She made two unlikely steps away from him. ::

Dickens: Of course I will :: He approached her and kissed her gently, softly, embracing her in his arms and feeling that their bodies were about to fuse. Passion, love, care, friendship, all emotions together, mixing and forming a new one for what he didn't have a name. They were dancing on an nonexistent music. ::

********************

I can still recall our last summer

I still see it all

Walks along the seine, laughing in the rain

Our last summer

Memories that remain

I can still recall our last summer

I still see it all

In the tourist jam, round the Notre Dame

Our last summer

Walking hand in hand

Paris restaurants

Our last summer

Morning croissants

Living for the day, worries far away

********************

Satscher: Thank you for this day, my love. I'll never forget it.

Dickens: Me neither, but we'll have many other days like this, to enjoy and remember!

:: Leaving holodeck, they went to transporter room. Intentionally didn’t tell anyone about the departure, none of them loved goodbyes. After all, both planned to return soon. Once all their belongings were on Bukva Space Station Vojana joined Marcus on the promenade, where he was watching Challenger exchange supplies with a station. ::

Satscher: You know, you really didn’t have to leave with me. You can still change your mind, go with them and return here when all preparations for wedding will be done. :: Vojana didn’t really want that, but had to offer it again. ::

Dickens: No, I won't change my mind. I've asked the leave, after all, they've had me from a year in a secret station without shore leaves and before that I've been busy too with Starfleet, so they owe me, by regulations.

Satscher: :: Vojana smiled to her handsome fiancée, her heart trembling. :: I love you... so much!

Dickens: Let's get enjoy ourselves and our lives for a while.

:: Once last shuttle reached Challenger ship moved slowly few hundred kilometers from station and of a sudden disappeared as was never here. Marcus grabbed hoverchair back and pushed Vojana to their new quarters. ::

JP brought to you by

Lt.Cmdr. Marcus Dickens Chief Science Officer USS CHALLENGER NCC-12886-A

And

Vojana Minerva Satscher Civilian USS Challenger NCC-12886-A