Post by Scribe on Aug 29, 2009 9:12:13 GMT -5
NEW EARTH COLONY
GAIA
Stardate: February 2166
Ren Richards hated feeling nervous but she was.
As a Shark, this was an alien experience for her because part of the reason for joining the MACOs had been to avoid feeling this way. For most part, she had gone through the last decade, not caring about what anyone thought about her personally. She left all that behind when she walked out of her parents home. However, tonight, she was nervous. She couldn't remember who had made the suggestion but there didn't seem to be any reason why they shouldn't embark upon this course. After all, Major Merrick and the Sharks knew that she was engaged to the Iron Colonel.
That in itself had caused some friction. Among her squad, who knew her and had fought along side of her, they had kept their counsel and Jazz as always had hugged her and said. 'Always knew that only an officer would be good enough for ya but damn girl! The Iron Colonel?' She loved him for that. Him and Derick who had told her he was happy for her, that Hayes was lucky to have her. Major Merrick too showed his concern but for reasons he did not explain, he and Gabe had words although neither discussed with her the content.
The rest of the Barn, well they ranged from indifferent to some downright ugly. A week ago, Ren had run into Sgt. Craig Kemper whom she had been on friendly terms. Kemper's reaction was downright brutal and he spared her nothing. They had actually come to blows and it took Gunny to drag the man away and threatened to kick the crap out of himself. To say nothing about the fact that Kemper was having a fight with a pregnant woman.
Only a few people were aware of her pregnancy. As far as she was concerned, it was no one's business but hers and Gabe for now. Her transfer to Major Merrick's office was seen as a way to keep her out of the firing line for now, until people got used to the idea of her and Gabe. She had no problems with that. Everything was going as well as could be expected until suggestion was made that they go out for dinner and for the first time since all this had began, Ren was nervous.
"So Beasts or Outpost for dinner?" She asked when they finally emerged into the night air.
"Outpost would be my preference." He was not even remotely interested in trying out Beasts. Not yet.
"Sentimental," Ren gave him a little smile of affection even though she knew that sentimentality had nothing to do with that. She had no desire to go to the Beasts either. Neither of them was ready for that.
"Hmmm." Gabriel replied with his habitual grunt and held her hand as they walked out of earth quarters. He was on high alert but not due to any combat or true need and Hayes was not typically a tightly strung man with nerves.
Neither of them was in uniform and had opted for civvies. She wore a tasteful shift in soft amber shades, clingy but not overtly standout. Tonight, she had no desire to look standout. While she was done up a bit, hair and make up, she wanted to blend in. As it was, she was scared to death.
"Maybe we should wait..." she stared at him, hoping he'd have a good reason against this idea, "We can have dinner out another time."
"We're already out." Gabriel looked almost pissed off as they walked.
Apparently not.
"Alright," she agreed dubiously, unable to deny that she was a little anxious. It wasn't that she was ashamed to be seen with him but after so many months of subterfuge, this exposure was...disconcerting. Of course, she'd get used to it eventually. For him, she'd get accustomed to anything.
Upon arriving at Outpost there was free seating so Hayes led them to a booth in the back. Their booth. Sentimental indeed, he thought.
The Outpost was the same as always, a little sultry, reminding Ren sometimes of a piano bar or something. There was music playing, couples on the dance floor, others canoodling in the dark and some who were enjoying an intimate dinner like they planned on doing.
Gabriel sat next to Renee, not across, and held her hand underneath. In any aspects of his dating career, Hayes had never been one for public display. Now, whether he wanted it or not, all eyes were on them. He ignored the whispers and stares. "What do you want to eat or drink?"
"I suppose shots would be in bad taste," Ren gave him a look, half joking half anxious. Eyes did look at them and she didn't know why it bothered her. Was it because they thought she was some kind of gold digger, after an older man because of his position, a sergeant fucking her commanding officer? A plethora of doubt entered her brains and none of it made sense. She reminded herself to focus on the truth.
She was here because she loved him.
"Very bad taste." Gabriel too sat in silence believing better choices on how to spend the evening could have been made. Not that he was going to let anyone dictate that for him. "Milk? Water?"
"Mineral water," Ren replied automatically, wishing it could be shots but supposed that the kid was going to have enough problems with her as a mother, without adding brain damage because she drank alcohol, to the mix.
Besides, she had to play demure if she was going to be his wife. Behaving like a shark when they were in private was one thing but the last thing she needed was for the entire colony thinking that Gabe had landed himself some coarse grunt who didn't know her dinner fork from a salad one.
Not that he drank wine often, but Gabriel ordered her mineral water and a glass of wine for him, not to mention nachos like their first 'booth' night together. How they got past that first and second night was beyond him, but here they were all the same. Engaged, pregnant and he dared admit, in love. Hayes wanted to be with Renee Richards for reasons he could not articulate. Perhaps that is why, in his mind, it was so right to not let her go.
No matter how much he pined and loved McRae. Not matter how angry he had been towards the finance of his past. He was a simple man who had chosen to exercise his brain power to his job.
At the time, twenty years ago, that seemed to be the right choice. Since hearing of Cub Boy, since meeting the redhead Corporal, Gabriel's life was in flux and he questioned everything. Not a comfortable place for a man who had been so confident, he rarely self assessed.
"Still having fun?" He glanced at his bride to be, putting a hand on her belly thanks to the comfort of the table hiding the gesture and offered a small smile.
"Oh yeah, thrilled," Ren replied, trying not to sound anxious. "Are you sure you want to marry me?" She asked, not quite joking as much as she would like. "I mean…I'd understand, I know..." she paused and shook her head, "Hormones. Just ignore me. I'm freaking out."
Hormones. Could she have said any other word that wouldn't have wigged him out as much? Gabriel Loman Hayes didn't use the word 'hormones'.
He simply sat there, watching her since she dismissed him from obligatorily answering.
"Sorry Gabe," she looked at him seeing as to how he was giving her that blank expression which meant he had no idea what to say. "It was easier when we were behind closed doors, I could be myself. Out here I'm your fiancée and I'm reminding myself that Governor's fiancées are usually more demure than I am."
Hayes raised a brow. "I didn't realize there was a protocol for Governor's fiancées." He tried to picture Renee demure. "You are a MACO. You're..."he shrugged. "You're you. I wouldn't try to be anything other than that."
A half smiled escaped her, "thank you. I guess I'm just trying not to embarrass you. Its been a while since finishing school and as you can imagine being Shark has made my edges a little rough."
"You remember who I am, right? Spacer, as you call it. I don't belong here but I'm here."
"Yeah but you always have such nice manners," Ren teased with a little smirk, harkening back to her first impressions of him. "I sure as hell never picked you for a Shark when we first met." Her mind
returned to that memorable first meeting. The angry guy with the cast and an attitude. "You were the sexiest civilian I'd ever met." She winked.
Upon hearing that, he had to again look at Renee like she was crazy. "I don't know why." He looked at his redhead. "I'm old Renee."
"Age is relative," she gave him a look of impatience. "You don't look old Gabriel...and the rest of it is just a number. And I don't just pick up any guy you know? He needs to not look like a closet case." She winked.
“Are you saying I look like a closet case?” The Colonel frowned.
“I said you don’t look like one,” she rolled her eyes in exasperation. She loved him but sometimes, she wanted to take her napkin and swat him too.
"Oh". Gabriel nodded before looking around Outpost again. The initial stares subsiding.
"Basket case however...." she looked at him playfully, "That's another story."
He gave her a dry look. "Thanks a lot for that."
One year ago, hell... six months ago, Hayes would have scoffed at the idea of being compared to a basket case much less called one. The Colonel was reminded again of the New World.
She leaned over and kissed him seeing that endearing look on his face when too many thoughts were running through his head. Not a good idea because he could get stuck on a point. "But you're my basket case if that makes you feel better."
"I suppose it does," Gabriel admitted that much. "Here comes our food.. He nodded his chin at the incoming drinks and snacks and wondered why they even bothered coming out if all they did was sit like stiff boards. Hayes glanced about. "After we eat, we're going by the open floor and sharing a dance."
He wasn't about displays but felt the need to crack this shell they built. Perhaps no one on Gaia even gave a fuck what they did or who they were and Hayes wanted it out there. Stopped. So he could enjoy life instead of feeling caged. Gabriel wanted off the mental leash they had trained themselves to be, although what was normal, he wasn't sure.
Ren's eyes widened and like a scared rabbit, she shot the dance floor a look. There were a few people out there already. It wasn't rowdy but nice, the music was good, a kind of jazzy tempo that was inviting. "Okay...." she nodded, feeling that anxiety bubble up again as the food was served.
"Unless you object." He saw that flash of fear.
"No," Ren said firmly when she saw herself in his eyes. She was shark. Sharks weren't afraid of anything she sure as hell wasn't going to be either.
"Alright."
"We have to do this," she declared resolutely. "I love you. I'm not shamed of that or be afraid of being seen out with you."
"I would hope not." He drank in further silence. Contemplating.
******
Dinner was good and they ate, chatting about inconsequential things and the perceived fanfare they made with their arrival had diminished beyond noticed. Oh there was a glance or two in their direction but none of the scandalous outrage she had built up in her head. She had been afraid for nothing.
Setting down her napkin on the table, Ren stood up from their table, meeting his gaze with invitation, she spoke, "So, let's dance."
"Let's." Hayes moved after her, feeling very much awkward like the night of the ball. At least then he was in full dress uniform and was armoured in that. Leading her, Gabriel stopped when they arrived by the other couples and took her hand. The other resting on her waist. He could classical dance and the soft music allowed for such a lead.
Allowing herself to be led, Ren draped her hands on his shoulders and began to move. Staring into his eyes, a little smile on her face, she was filled with sense of wonder. That night, she had been only looking to meet up with her friends and have a good night drinking and celebrating. One encounter with a stranger had changed her life. The twists and turns it had taken, to get them to this place now were amazing.
"This isn't so bad," he looked down at her, matching her expression.
"Not bad at all," She agreed and then remarked with a coy smile,. "So Gabe," eyes dancing with mischief. "What's your pleasure?" Echoing words spoken to him only a few months ago now.
He almost coughed in light laughter. "Out here on the dance floor?"
"We could get arrested."
Ren joined his laughter, "maybe we should rent one of the rooms upstairs." She winked. "Worked out well the last time."
"True," he smirked, "But there's no need to be wasteful. - have a place across the way." Hayes couldn't help himself, "Besides. I think you're a sure thing."
"And boy were you lucky I was that night," she chuckled, punching his shoulder lightly.
Light laughter filled her ears as he pulled her close. Holding onto his pregnant fiancée and swaying to the music. "This is nice," Gabriel admitted just before he kissed her cheek. The women he'd been with in the past were fillers. Something idle to do to pass the time. With Renee Richards, who was pregnant with his son, he felt at home.
"So Colonel," Ren smiled holding him close, moving with him as the pieces of their happy life started to fall together. "What's next for us?"
"After dancing?" Gabriel couldn't help himself. "Another drink. Then dinner or dessert."
"You're messing with me Colonel," she gave him a look that was part ire, part playfulness.
"Me? Would I do that?"
"Absolutely," she said leaning forward to capture his lips. She kissed him long and deep, not caring who saw. "But that's why I love you so much."
Feeling more and more at ease, Gabriel returned the coupling with his mouth, closing his eyes. Every nerve said stop and pull away in public but this wasn't the first time Richards brought out the worst in him. "Let's get married. "
Ren's eyes widened in shock. After all these months, the man still could pull a rabbit out of his hat and floor her. "We're engaged. Isn't that getting married?"
"Tonight. " He all but stopped dancing as he looked at her. "Or plan a date. Soon." Hayes knew what he wanted so there was no need for longevity. "What are we waiting for? The birth of our son?"
"Tonight?" She straightened up, looking at him like he was crazy. And then again. What were they waiting for? She had long ago discarded the notion of a large wedding, with reception halls, nine tier cakes and long flowing gowns. "Tonight sounds good."
Gabriel smiled wide. "Really?"
"Yeah," Ren nodded, feeling a little more confident about the decision because this whole relationship of theirs had started like a rollercoaster. This was just another loop in the course. And it felt right.
"You don't want a pretty dress or to invite anyone?" Hayes had no one. Once upon a time, McRae, but not for this.
Ren thought about her parents and her sister Liz. Her mother would embark upon this like the royal wedding and she wasn't sure how Liz felt about Gabe, not really. No sense opening those can of worms yet. As for her friends at the Barn, it was too soon to hit them wit this.
"Everyone that needs to be here is already present." She glanced at her belly and met his gaze with a smile.
His soul swelled and Hayes leaned down to kiss her. Taking her mouth full to claim. "Alright," his voice barely audible with rare emotion.
"So you're the governor," she leaned up closer, enjoying that moment of vulnerability she saw in his eyes, "who do you know that can marry us quick?"
"The church is always open…" He felt confident about that.
"Alright," Ren nodded with a smile, "Let's go find us a preacher."
He took her hand, dropped credits at their table on the way out and left Outpost. "I always thought I would be married in uniform." The comment was made in casual conversation as they crossed the grounds. The cool night air feeling fresh against his features. "This feels more appropriate."
"I never thought I'd ever be married," Ren said truthfully as they held each other's hand, walking toward the church. She could see the spire in the distant, peeking over the roof tops of other buildings to beckon their approach. "So this is good for me."
"How come?"
"Never thought I'd live long enough." Ren shrugged. "Ground pounders don't last long. We're canon fodder."
"But near everyone starts out as ground pounders."
"Yeah but its different with spacers," Ren replied. "Spacers have longer life spans."
That caused him to laugh.
"What?" she shoved him a little. "I thought that I'd never make it to 25."
"They didn't exactly have a lot of starships when I was younger enlisted." Hayes raised a brow, "How much history of your Colonel have you bothered to look up?". He memorized her file right after the reveal of the ceremony. "You know, in olden days, everybody was a ground pounder.". He liked her shove.
"The olden days? " Ren stared at him. "Listen to you... you make it sound like back then women wore corsets and had vapours instead of orgasms."
"Well, the way you talk about Spacers and ground pounders. As if that was so terribly long ago.”
“I don’t mean too but I guess I never thought I’d live long with the Sharks. I was sure in the first week I joined up I was going to do something stupid and walk into a landmine or something. This wasn’t exactly my first choice for a career you know,” she smiled.
"No," Gabriel looked at her, "I didn't know."
“You didn’t?” Ren raised a brow. “Well,” she said holding his hand. “You know my dad’s an artist, sculptures mostly but I…paint. I used to be pretty good. I was trying to get into École des Beaux-Arts in Paris when Earth blew. After what happened with…well you know,” she didn’t like to say David Satler’s name, it profaned things somehow. “I just didn’t feel like drawing again and I wanted something to get me out of my parent’s house. T'Pol told me that I could try the MACOs and when you sign up, you could go straight into holding. No waiting.”
"I see." He said nothing and knew nothing comparable.
“I don’t regret the decision Gabe,” she clarified, in case he thought she regretted the choices she was forced to make. “Times changed and in the scheme of things, I’m happier doing this than being a flighty airhead who’d feel completely out of place in the world we now live in. As a Shark, I’m happier than I’ve ever been, I’ve never had reason to look back.”
“That’s good,” they had crossed the land and were walking towards the church. “Being a MACO marine has made me happy too.”
“Just so you know, I want a whole bunch of kids,” Ren declared. “We have to have four you know.” She smirked. Ren figured laying this out there for him before they were married was only fair.
“Four?” Gabriel slowed his pace and looked at her. He stopped.
“You have our son Christopher,” she touched her belly “then we have to have a girl but I always wanted three children. But if we have three, our little girl who shall be called Miranda because I like the play Prospero’s Books, is going to have middle child syndrome. Now I do not wish to condemn our child to the associated hang-ups with being the middle child, so we have to four. To balance it out.” Ren concluded, believing her argument to be perfectly logical.
Gabriel stood there, overwhelmed by the idea of four much less all the thought that went into it. The Iron Colonel had no strategy for such a response.
Ren burst into laughter seeing his face, "Gabe, I'm just kidding."
"Are you?"
"A little," she smiled, wrapping her arm around his and resting her head on his shoulder. "I'd like to have more than one child but I'd also like to let things happen naturally. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't."
Hayes put his arm around her, pulling the Corporal turned Sargent close. He stood quiet. For a long while.
"Gabe, say something." She urged, unnerved a little by his silence.
He looked down to his soon to be wife. The mother of their son and apparently three other unborns. "I was an only child."
"Oh." She nodded, in understanding. "Well I was one of two." She explained.
"Four..." Gabriel slowly began to walk again, bringing her along. "That's a big number." He was already going to be in his sixties by the time his son graduated school. Three more? He could be pushing seventy.
"It's just a number," Ren shrugged. "And I'm just hoping...not saying we're going to have four. Besides, after this one I may never want to have sex again." She smiled.
He looked at her and remembered reading the story of the lost infant in her file. He realized he did know the reason for her joining the MACOs after all. "Perhaps four."
"We'll see," she replied, taking it easy on him.
With a nod, they continued to the church in silence.
THE END
GAIA
Stardate: February 2166
Ren Richards hated feeling nervous but she was.
As a Shark, this was an alien experience for her because part of the reason for joining the MACOs had been to avoid feeling this way. For most part, she had gone through the last decade, not caring about what anyone thought about her personally. She left all that behind when she walked out of her parents home. However, tonight, she was nervous. She couldn't remember who had made the suggestion but there didn't seem to be any reason why they shouldn't embark upon this course. After all, Major Merrick and the Sharks knew that she was engaged to the Iron Colonel.
That in itself had caused some friction. Among her squad, who knew her and had fought along side of her, they had kept their counsel and Jazz as always had hugged her and said. 'Always knew that only an officer would be good enough for ya but damn girl! The Iron Colonel?' She loved him for that. Him and Derick who had told her he was happy for her, that Hayes was lucky to have her. Major Merrick too showed his concern but for reasons he did not explain, he and Gabe had words although neither discussed with her the content.
The rest of the Barn, well they ranged from indifferent to some downright ugly. A week ago, Ren had run into Sgt. Craig Kemper whom she had been on friendly terms. Kemper's reaction was downright brutal and he spared her nothing. They had actually come to blows and it took Gunny to drag the man away and threatened to kick the crap out of himself. To say nothing about the fact that Kemper was having a fight with a pregnant woman.
Only a few people were aware of her pregnancy. As far as she was concerned, it was no one's business but hers and Gabe for now. Her transfer to Major Merrick's office was seen as a way to keep her out of the firing line for now, until people got used to the idea of her and Gabe. She had no problems with that. Everything was going as well as could be expected until suggestion was made that they go out for dinner and for the first time since all this had began, Ren was nervous.
"So Beasts or Outpost for dinner?" She asked when they finally emerged into the night air.
"Outpost would be my preference." He was not even remotely interested in trying out Beasts. Not yet.
"Sentimental," Ren gave him a little smile of affection even though she knew that sentimentality had nothing to do with that. She had no desire to go to the Beasts either. Neither of them was ready for that.
"Hmmm." Gabriel replied with his habitual grunt and held her hand as they walked out of earth quarters. He was on high alert but not due to any combat or true need and Hayes was not typically a tightly strung man with nerves.
Neither of them was in uniform and had opted for civvies. She wore a tasteful shift in soft amber shades, clingy but not overtly standout. Tonight, she had no desire to look standout. While she was done up a bit, hair and make up, she wanted to blend in. As it was, she was scared to death.
"Maybe we should wait..." she stared at him, hoping he'd have a good reason against this idea, "We can have dinner out another time."
"We're already out." Gabriel looked almost pissed off as they walked.
Apparently not.
"Alright," she agreed dubiously, unable to deny that she was a little anxious. It wasn't that she was ashamed to be seen with him but after so many months of subterfuge, this exposure was...disconcerting. Of course, she'd get used to it eventually. For him, she'd get accustomed to anything.
Upon arriving at Outpost there was free seating so Hayes led them to a booth in the back. Their booth. Sentimental indeed, he thought.
The Outpost was the same as always, a little sultry, reminding Ren sometimes of a piano bar or something. There was music playing, couples on the dance floor, others canoodling in the dark and some who were enjoying an intimate dinner like they planned on doing.
Gabriel sat next to Renee, not across, and held her hand underneath. In any aspects of his dating career, Hayes had never been one for public display. Now, whether he wanted it or not, all eyes were on them. He ignored the whispers and stares. "What do you want to eat or drink?"
"I suppose shots would be in bad taste," Ren gave him a look, half joking half anxious. Eyes did look at them and she didn't know why it bothered her. Was it because they thought she was some kind of gold digger, after an older man because of his position, a sergeant fucking her commanding officer? A plethora of doubt entered her brains and none of it made sense. She reminded herself to focus on the truth.
She was here because she loved him.
"Very bad taste." Gabriel too sat in silence believing better choices on how to spend the evening could have been made. Not that he was going to let anyone dictate that for him. "Milk? Water?"
"Mineral water," Ren replied automatically, wishing it could be shots but supposed that the kid was going to have enough problems with her as a mother, without adding brain damage because she drank alcohol, to the mix.
Besides, she had to play demure if she was going to be his wife. Behaving like a shark when they were in private was one thing but the last thing she needed was for the entire colony thinking that Gabe had landed himself some coarse grunt who didn't know her dinner fork from a salad one.
Not that he drank wine often, but Gabriel ordered her mineral water and a glass of wine for him, not to mention nachos like their first 'booth' night together. How they got past that first and second night was beyond him, but here they were all the same. Engaged, pregnant and he dared admit, in love. Hayes wanted to be with Renee Richards for reasons he could not articulate. Perhaps that is why, in his mind, it was so right to not let her go.
No matter how much he pined and loved McRae. Not matter how angry he had been towards the finance of his past. He was a simple man who had chosen to exercise his brain power to his job.
At the time, twenty years ago, that seemed to be the right choice. Since hearing of Cub Boy, since meeting the redhead Corporal, Gabriel's life was in flux and he questioned everything. Not a comfortable place for a man who had been so confident, he rarely self assessed.
"Still having fun?" He glanced at his bride to be, putting a hand on her belly thanks to the comfort of the table hiding the gesture and offered a small smile.
"Oh yeah, thrilled," Ren replied, trying not to sound anxious. "Are you sure you want to marry me?" She asked, not quite joking as much as she would like. "I mean…I'd understand, I know..." she paused and shook her head, "Hormones. Just ignore me. I'm freaking out."
Hormones. Could she have said any other word that wouldn't have wigged him out as much? Gabriel Loman Hayes didn't use the word 'hormones'.
He simply sat there, watching her since she dismissed him from obligatorily answering.
"Sorry Gabe," she looked at him seeing as to how he was giving her that blank expression which meant he had no idea what to say. "It was easier when we were behind closed doors, I could be myself. Out here I'm your fiancée and I'm reminding myself that Governor's fiancées are usually more demure than I am."
Hayes raised a brow. "I didn't realize there was a protocol for Governor's fiancées." He tried to picture Renee demure. "You are a MACO. You're..."he shrugged. "You're you. I wouldn't try to be anything other than that."
A half smiled escaped her, "thank you. I guess I'm just trying not to embarrass you. Its been a while since finishing school and as you can imagine being Shark has made my edges a little rough."
"You remember who I am, right? Spacer, as you call it. I don't belong here but I'm here."
"Yeah but you always have such nice manners," Ren teased with a little smirk, harkening back to her first impressions of him. "I sure as hell never picked you for a Shark when we first met." Her mind
returned to that memorable first meeting. The angry guy with the cast and an attitude. "You were the sexiest civilian I'd ever met." She winked.
Upon hearing that, he had to again look at Renee like she was crazy. "I don't know why." He looked at his redhead. "I'm old Renee."
"Age is relative," she gave him a look of impatience. "You don't look old Gabriel...and the rest of it is just a number. And I don't just pick up any guy you know? He needs to not look like a closet case." She winked.
“Are you saying I look like a closet case?” The Colonel frowned.
“I said you don’t look like one,” she rolled her eyes in exasperation. She loved him but sometimes, she wanted to take her napkin and swat him too.
"Oh". Gabriel nodded before looking around Outpost again. The initial stares subsiding.
"Basket case however...." she looked at him playfully, "That's another story."
He gave her a dry look. "Thanks a lot for that."
One year ago, hell... six months ago, Hayes would have scoffed at the idea of being compared to a basket case much less called one. The Colonel was reminded again of the New World.
She leaned over and kissed him seeing that endearing look on his face when too many thoughts were running through his head. Not a good idea because he could get stuck on a point. "But you're my basket case if that makes you feel better."
"I suppose it does," Gabriel admitted that much. "Here comes our food.. He nodded his chin at the incoming drinks and snacks and wondered why they even bothered coming out if all they did was sit like stiff boards. Hayes glanced about. "After we eat, we're going by the open floor and sharing a dance."
He wasn't about displays but felt the need to crack this shell they built. Perhaps no one on Gaia even gave a fuck what they did or who they were and Hayes wanted it out there. Stopped. So he could enjoy life instead of feeling caged. Gabriel wanted off the mental leash they had trained themselves to be, although what was normal, he wasn't sure.
Ren's eyes widened and like a scared rabbit, she shot the dance floor a look. There were a few people out there already. It wasn't rowdy but nice, the music was good, a kind of jazzy tempo that was inviting. "Okay...." she nodded, feeling that anxiety bubble up again as the food was served.
"Unless you object." He saw that flash of fear.
"No," Ren said firmly when she saw herself in his eyes. She was shark. Sharks weren't afraid of anything she sure as hell wasn't going to be either.
"Alright."
"We have to do this," she declared resolutely. "I love you. I'm not shamed of that or be afraid of being seen out with you."
"I would hope not." He drank in further silence. Contemplating.
******
Dinner was good and they ate, chatting about inconsequential things and the perceived fanfare they made with their arrival had diminished beyond noticed. Oh there was a glance or two in their direction but none of the scandalous outrage she had built up in her head. She had been afraid for nothing.
Setting down her napkin on the table, Ren stood up from their table, meeting his gaze with invitation, she spoke, "So, let's dance."
"Let's." Hayes moved after her, feeling very much awkward like the night of the ball. At least then he was in full dress uniform and was armoured in that. Leading her, Gabriel stopped when they arrived by the other couples and took her hand. The other resting on her waist. He could classical dance and the soft music allowed for such a lead.
Allowing herself to be led, Ren draped her hands on his shoulders and began to move. Staring into his eyes, a little smile on her face, she was filled with sense of wonder. That night, she had been only looking to meet up with her friends and have a good night drinking and celebrating. One encounter with a stranger had changed her life. The twists and turns it had taken, to get them to this place now were amazing.
"This isn't so bad," he looked down at her, matching her expression.
"Not bad at all," She agreed and then remarked with a coy smile,. "So Gabe," eyes dancing with mischief. "What's your pleasure?" Echoing words spoken to him only a few months ago now.
He almost coughed in light laughter. "Out here on the dance floor?"
"We could get arrested."
Ren joined his laughter, "maybe we should rent one of the rooms upstairs." She winked. "Worked out well the last time."
"True," he smirked, "But there's no need to be wasteful. - have a place across the way." Hayes couldn't help himself, "Besides. I think you're a sure thing."
"And boy were you lucky I was that night," she chuckled, punching his shoulder lightly.
Light laughter filled her ears as he pulled her close. Holding onto his pregnant fiancée and swaying to the music. "This is nice," Gabriel admitted just before he kissed her cheek. The women he'd been with in the past were fillers. Something idle to do to pass the time. With Renee Richards, who was pregnant with his son, he felt at home.
"So Colonel," Ren smiled holding him close, moving with him as the pieces of their happy life started to fall together. "What's next for us?"
"After dancing?" Gabriel couldn't help himself. "Another drink. Then dinner or dessert."
"You're messing with me Colonel," she gave him a look that was part ire, part playfulness.
"Me? Would I do that?"
"Absolutely," she said leaning forward to capture his lips. She kissed him long and deep, not caring who saw. "But that's why I love you so much."
Feeling more and more at ease, Gabriel returned the coupling with his mouth, closing his eyes. Every nerve said stop and pull away in public but this wasn't the first time Richards brought out the worst in him. "Let's get married. "
Ren's eyes widened in shock. After all these months, the man still could pull a rabbit out of his hat and floor her. "We're engaged. Isn't that getting married?"
"Tonight. " He all but stopped dancing as he looked at her. "Or plan a date. Soon." Hayes knew what he wanted so there was no need for longevity. "What are we waiting for? The birth of our son?"
"Tonight?" She straightened up, looking at him like he was crazy. And then again. What were they waiting for? She had long ago discarded the notion of a large wedding, with reception halls, nine tier cakes and long flowing gowns. "Tonight sounds good."
Gabriel smiled wide. "Really?"
"Yeah," Ren nodded, feeling a little more confident about the decision because this whole relationship of theirs had started like a rollercoaster. This was just another loop in the course. And it felt right.
"You don't want a pretty dress or to invite anyone?" Hayes had no one. Once upon a time, McRae, but not for this.
Ren thought about her parents and her sister Liz. Her mother would embark upon this like the royal wedding and she wasn't sure how Liz felt about Gabe, not really. No sense opening those can of worms yet. As for her friends at the Barn, it was too soon to hit them wit this.
"Everyone that needs to be here is already present." She glanced at her belly and met his gaze with a smile.
His soul swelled and Hayes leaned down to kiss her. Taking her mouth full to claim. "Alright," his voice barely audible with rare emotion.
"So you're the governor," she leaned up closer, enjoying that moment of vulnerability she saw in his eyes, "who do you know that can marry us quick?"
"The church is always open…" He felt confident about that.
"Alright," Ren nodded with a smile, "Let's go find us a preacher."
He took her hand, dropped credits at their table on the way out and left Outpost. "I always thought I would be married in uniform." The comment was made in casual conversation as they crossed the grounds. The cool night air feeling fresh against his features. "This feels more appropriate."
"I never thought I'd ever be married," Ren said truthfully as they held each other's hand, walking toward the church. She could see the spire in the distant, peeking over the roof tops of other buildings to beckon their approach. "So this is good for me."
"How come?"
"Never thought I'd live long enough." Ren shrugged. "Ground pounders don't last long. We're canon fodder."
"But near everyone starts out as ground pounders."
"Yeah but its different with spacers," Ren replied. "Spacers have longer life spans."
That caused him to laugh.
"What?" she shoved him a little. "I thought that I'd never make it to 25."
"They didn't exactly have a lot of starships when I was younger enlisted." Hayes raised a brow, "How much history of your Colonel have you bothered to look up?". He memorized her file right after the reveal of the ceremony. "You know, in olden days, everybody was a ground pounder.". He liked her shove.
"The olden days? " Ren stared at him. "Listen to you... you make it sound like back then women wore corsets and had vapours instead of orgasms."
"Well, the way you talk about Spacers and ground pounders. As if that was so terribly long ago.”
“I don’t mean too but I guess I never thought I’d live long with the Sharks. I was sure in the first week I joined up I was going to do something stupid and walk into a landmine or something. This wasn’t exactly my first choice for a career you know,” she smiled.
"No," Gabriel looked at her, "I didn't know."
“You didn’t?” Ren raised a brow. “Well,” she said holding his hand. “You know my dad’s an artist, sculptures mostly but I…paint. I used to be pretty good. I was trying to get into École des Beaux-Arts in Paris when Earth blew. After what happened with…well you know,” she didn’t like to say David Satler’s name, it profaned things somehow. “I just didn’t feel like drawing again and I wanted something to get me out of my parent’s house. T'Pol told me that I could try the MACOs and when you sign up, you could go straight into holding. No waiting.”
"I see." He said nothing and knew nothing comparable.
“I don’t regret the decision Gabe,” she clarified, in case he thought she regretted the choices she was forced to make. “Times changed and in the scheme of things, I’m happier doing this than being a flighty airhead who’d feel completely out of place in the world we now live in. As a Shark, I’m happier than I’ve ever been, I’ve never had reason to look back.”
“That’s good,” they had crossed the land and were walking towards the church. “Being a MACO marine has made me happy too.”
“Just so you know, I want a whole bunch of kids,” Ren declared. “We have to have four you know.” She smirked. Ren figured laying this out there for him before they were married was only fair.
“Four?” Gabriel slowed his pace and looked at her. He stopped.
“You have our son Christopher,” she touched her belly “then we have to have a girl but I always wanted three children. But if we have three, our little girl who shall be called Miranda because I like the play Prospero’s Books, is going to have middle child syndrome. Now I do not wish to condemn our child to the associated hang-ups with being the middle child, so we have to four. To balance it out.” Ren concluded, believing her argument to be perfectly logical.
Gabriel stood there, overwhelmed by the idea of four much less all the thought that went into it. The Iron Colonel had no strategy for such a response.
Ren burst into laughter seeing his face, "Gabe, I'm just kidding."
"Are you?"
"A little," she smiled, wrapping her arm around his and resting her head on his shoulder. "I'd like to have more than one child but I'd also like to let things happen naturally. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't."
Hayes put his arm around her, pulling the Corporal turned Sargent close. He stood quiet. For a long while.
"Gabe, say something." She urged, unnerved a little by his silence.
He looked down to his soon to be wife. The mother of their son and apparently three other unborns. "I was an only child."
"Oh." She nodded, in understanding. "Well I was one of two." She explained.
"Four..." Gabriel slowly began to walk again, bringing her along. "That's a big number." He was already going to be in his sixties by the time his son graduated school. Three more? He could be pushing seventy.
"It's just a number," Ren shrugged. "And I'm just hoping...not saying we're going to have four. Besides, after this one I may never want to have sex again." She smiled.
He looked at her and remembered reading the story of the lost infant in her file. He realized he did know the reason for her joining the MACOs after all. "Perhaps four."
"We'll see," she replied, taking it easy on him.
With a nod, they continued to the church in silence.
THE END