Family Day Out

Posted on 08 Nov 2023 @ 6:23pm by Lieutenant JG Christina Hartley & Lieutenant JG Kin'Fuji Hartley MD

2,631 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Outbreak
Timeline: Before the discovery of the illness

Christina smiled as she held K'tress's hand whilst she, Kin, and K'tress were walking through the market place of the planet. There were a lot of people staring at them, but Christina knew that was to be expected. "Nice place," Christina said.

"It is, but we are getting some strange looks." Kin'Fuji said as she was still enjoying Family Time.

"To be expected. Most of these people don't understand any of our tech, and I think some of them, if not most, thought they were alone in the universe," Christina replied.

"I can understand that." Kin'Fuji said. "They did just test their first Warp Ship."

"Yeah, and honestly, their tech is... intriguing," Christina said. "I mean, I already found a way to improve it, but I'm holding on to that for now. It's curious, the way they make it work."

"And I am sure you will puzzle over it, until you figure it out." Kin'Fuji said with a smile.

"Oh, you know me so well," Christina agreed, smiling.

"Yes I do love." Kin'Fuji said with a smile.

"So, what shall we buy first?" Christina asked. They had a decent amount of currency, given to them by the planet's government, and then Christina had permission to trade simple stuff.

"I don't know, how about a few cookbooks and ingredients." Kin'Fuji suggested.

"That would be good," Christina agreed. "I doubt they have replicator codes, so we could get a wide selection of ingredients, and then program them into the replicator."

"We can always eat at restaurants and scan the plates of food." Kin'Fuji suggested.

"Good idea, but I know you prefer the ingredients, and cooking yourself," Christina said, smiling.

"You know me too well love." Kin'Fuji said.

"Of course I do, and I'm glad for that," Christina giggled as they neared a food store. "Let's start here, shall we?" Christina suggested, recognizing the store as what looked like a supermarket.

"Sounds good to me love." Kin'Fuji said with a smile. "I wonder if they have several cookbooks here?" She asked.

"Probably," Christina said. "In a sense, there are parts of this world that remind me of how Earth used to be."

"From what time period?" Kin'Fuji asked.

"Like, the early two thousands, something like twenty twenty three," Christina said. "The Earth was going through a pandemic at the time, or starting to come out of it, but the shops were much like this."

"I remember reading about that in the Academy." Kin'Fuji said.

"It was interesting to read about. Humans used to kill each other all the time back then. Hell, if I lived back then, I wouldn't be the woman I am, there was a lot of bigotry back then, and the transitional medication was worse," Christina explained.

"I know history back then was very dark." Kin'Fuji said.

"Tell me about it. I'm glad we live in this day and age," Christina said, as they neared a toy store. "Want some new toys, K'tress?" Christina asked.

"O'tay momma." K'tress said, as she would never say NO to new toys.

"Come on then," Christina smiled, as she led the way to the toy shop.

K'tress hummed happily as she walked with her parents. Kin'Fuji smiled as she looked at Christina. "Oh the simple days." She joked.

"It's these simple days I love most," Christina said, smiling as they looked at the toys on the shelves. "Getting to go shopping and spending time as a family."

"I so love this." Kin'Fuji said as K'tress was still humming happily.

"Me too," Christina agreed, picking up a child's teddy. "I love this, it's so cute, looks like a cat," Christina said, smiling.

"I though you were into foxes?" Kin'Fuji teased. "But it does."

"Foxes, cats, fur, it's all good," Christina teased in return. "I think K'tress has found something," she added, grinning.

"I think so." Kin'Fuji said with a grin. "What did you find sweetie?"

K'tress showed a big stuffed animal, or some native creature. "This."

Christina chuckled. "You want it?" she asked.

"Yes pweese." K'tress said with a huge smile.

"Okay sweetie. See if there's anything else you want," Christina said.

"I will look." K'tress said with a smile.

"Good girl," Christina smiled, as she picked up several art pads and other supplies. "It's amazing how many species have the same things, like pens, pencils, stuff like that."

"Every culture have those similarities." Kin'Fuji said. "They have some great art, and cooking, and even literature."

"You're not wrong. I've already managed to download the literature and music of this culture, they've got some amazing stories. They love their mystery stories here," Christina said. "I was thinking of introducing them to computer games."

"So that is up with the various PaDDs around our quarters." Kin'Fuji said. "I was trying to figure out where they where coming from."

"Sorry, I know I've been a bit messy lately love. I just... you know me, I get into a project, and I lose myself in it," Christina blushed, selecting several items.

"I am already aware of your habit when you get into a project." Kin'Fuji said. "Sometimes I even come and take care of business when you are busy." She said with sticking out her tongue.

Christina chuckled, and kissed Kin. She noticed people were looking at them curiously, but that was to be expected. "We should also look at their fashion whilst we're here," Christina said.

"Oh I would love to see their silks." Kin'Fuji said with a smirk.

"So would I. I bet they'd make some lovely kimono's and outfits," Christina said. "And some naughty stuff," she whispered so only Kin could hear her.

"Mommie and Momma can't be naughty." K'tress said out of the blue, and very loudly, as her ears twitched.

Christina closed her eyes and let out a soft groan. "How can she have such good hearing, yet ignore us when it's time for a bath?" Christina asked.

"Oh I know." Kin'Fuji said,

"I no like baths. Makes me look like a wet bitch." K'tress said flatly, as Kin'Fuji choke. "Nope that bad word. Sorry momma, mommie." She scolded herself.

"Thank you for correcting yourself," Christina said. "You need to have baths when we say though, because you need to keep clean."

"I keep myself clean." K'tress said. "I just don't like baths."

"They're still important," Christina said. "You found anything else you like?"

"I like my momma and mommie." K'tress said happily.

"I meant any more toys, sweetie," Christina smiled, kissing K'tress's forehead.

"I can have more toys?" K'tress asked with some excitement.

"Yes, you can have more toys," Christina agreed.

"I no want to be spoiled." K'tress said. "Minnie, in class, is spoiled."

"Minnie doesn't earn them. You've been a good girl, and you've been helping others. You can have one more toy," Christina replied.

"I am a good girl." K'tress said with some excitement.

"Yes, you are," Christina agreed, smiling, as she selected a few more art supplies. "So, one more toy," she said, getting a few different ones for some of the other kids on the ship.

K'tress started to browse the shelves more. She was looking for the right toy.

Christina smiled. "I think we'll be good with everything so far," Christina said.

"So far." Kin'Fuji said with a smile. "I am still a little concerned by the looks we are getting."

"It's to be expected, most of them have never seen aliens before, let alone two with their child," Christina pointed out.

"But we are not... Oh." Kin'Fuji realized something.

"What?" Christina asked, looking at Kin.

"Just realized that we are the aliens in their world." Kin'Fuji said with a chuckle.

"That we are. We don't think about it often, do we?" Christina asked.

"No we don't." Kin'Fuji said with a smile.

"To these people, we're magicians, able to do anything they can't," Christina explained. "Every species has myths of magic and higher beings, and in fact, it could just be people with advanced tech each time."

"That is true." Kin'Fuji said. "But if they join Starfleet, they will see our technology."

"True, but I can't see that happening any time soon," Christina replied.

"That is true." Kin'Fuji said with a smile. "But we are here to help guide them down a better path."

"Exactly, so best to do that together, showing them the good in us," Christina smiled.

"That is so true." Kin'Fuji said with a smile. "So let's show them how we handle family."

"Alright, let's pay for our shopping and go see other shops," Christina suggested.

Kin'Fuji smiled happily. "I just love spending time like this as a family."

"So do I. We spent too much time apart, and I don't want us to be apart ever again," Christina said.

"That is so true." Kin'Fuji said. "I already told command if they attempt to separate us again, that I was going to resign and join you on your next posting as a civvie."

"If they tried to do that, I'd resign, and get a ship of our own love," Christina told her. "Uncle Plase won't let us be apart."

"Well I even gave him an ear full about this posting." Kin'Fuji said.

"I know, but it wasn't really his fault," Christina pointed out. "Eventually, he went over Admiral Jameson's head."

"Yea, I know." Kin'Fuji said. "I know Plase doesn't want to lose us."

"He definitely doesn't," Christina agreed. "He's always been so supportive."

"I know." Kin'Fuji said. "I am just glad that we can stay as a family."

"Me too. You've always been my family, ever since the day we met," Christina told her.

"I so feel the same way love." Kin'Fuji said with a chuckle. "There is not many in this universe that have a love as strong as ours."

"Love is powerful, and it's universal," Christina said, smiling.

"That is so true." Kin'Fuji said.

"I just love looking around and seeing the things we have in common with these people," Christina said, nodding towards several families buying toys for their children. "That's what people often fail to understand about why I love being out here. There's so many possibilities, so many ideals to learn, and so much to explore."

"Same here." Kin'Fuji said. "I have been looking at some of their Medical Knowledge. There is a few fields that would advance the Federation's knowledge."

"Like what?" Christina asked, curious now.

"Micro-biology, Neural Reconstruction, and Viral biology." Kin'Fuji said just naming a few.

"That's impressive, but I knew you'd want to study their medical texts. You're that passionate," Christina pointed out.

"Oh I love our family more." Kin'Fuji said with a chuckle. "But I like to keep myself up to date on Medicine."

"Which makes you an amazing doctor, love," Christina said.

"Thank you love." Kin'Fuji said with a sweet smile. "And you are a great Engineer."

"I try. You know me love, I enjoy learning," Christina said, grinning.

"And that is where K'tress gets her love of learning from." Kin'Fuji said.

"And from you," Christina pointed out, as they paid for their items, leaving the store after.

Kin'Fuji chuckled. "That is true too." She said.

"One thing I do miss, being on a ship so often, is being under a real sun, feeling real grass beneath my feet," Christina admitted, smiling at the warm sun beaming down on them.

"I so miss having family picnics in parks on Earth." Kin'Fuji said with a slight smile.

"When we can, we'll go back for a holiday and have a picnic on Earth. Maybe we should find a park here we can have a picnic at," Christina suggested.

"We should have a family picnic when we are in orbit of friendly plants, if the Captain allows it." Kin'Fuji pondered out loud.

"Definitely. I'll speak to him about it," Christina agreed.

"Perhaps he can take his family down for picnic's too." Kin'Fuji said with a smile.

"We are his family," Christina pointed out, with a small smile.

"That we are." Kin'Fuji said with a chuckle. "So then we need to invite him."

"Yeah, he'll love it," Christina agreed. "Since his wife passed away, he's been keeping himself busy with work, and of course with my family as well. I know dad worries about him sometimes, mum definitely does."

"Then we should keep in the loop with things." Kin'Fuji said.

"I'll make sure he spends more time with us. I know he's been worrying about this first contact, but so far, it's gone really well, wouldn't you agree?" Christina asked.

"I think so." Kin'Fuji said.

"I watched his speech. He spent ages on it, but it went well. I'm proud of him; this is definitely a crowning achievement in his career," Christina said.

"Sorry to say I had missed it." Kin'Fuji said. "But I heard about it while working."

"I had it recorded, so you can watch it if you like, but it was brilliant," Christina said, as they reached a food shop. "I have to admit, it's nice to be shopping, just like any family would."

"I think I will." Kin'Fuji said with a smile. "And it is nice to spend time together, without getting dragged off to work."

"Agreed. I told my teams to only call me if the warp core is about to breach. Other than that, I trust them to keep the ship intact. Besides, we're not in hostile space, there's no enemies and the ship's working perfectly," Christina said.

"Good, because I am about to the point of forcing you to take leave with me." Kin'Fuji said flatly.

"I'm sorry love," Christina said. "I know we were apart for months, and I've been working hard lately," she said, before taking Kin's hands. "But you and K'tress are the most important parts of my life. I've been obsessed with making sure you're both safe, after everything that happened," she admitted.

"Well right now, you need work hard on your relationship with our Daughter." Kin'Fuji said. "She loves her momma."

"I will, love, I promise," Christina said. "I just... I can't lose you. I have to protect you, from everything."

"Well I can take care of myself, love." Kin'Fuji said. "And I will help protect K'tress too, and protect you too."

"I know," Christina replied. "After everything... I just... I know I got obsessed. I was so scared of losing you. I still am," Christina admitted, tears welling up in her eyes.

Kin'Fuji pulled Christina into her arms. "I know love, but you can't let your obsession drive your family apart."

"I'm sorry love," Christina said softly, fighting the urge to break down into tears. "I just... I can't lose you."

"And I can't lose you too." Kin'Fuji said fighting back her own tears.

Christina just held onto Kin, ignoring the looks from the people around them. "You won't," she promised.

"Alright love, lets get ourselves together and move forward together." Kin'Fuji said lightly nuzzling Christina's neck.

Christina nodded. "Good idea," she said, smiling softly.

"I know it is." Kin'Fuji said with a chuckle.

"We should finish shopping, then beam back up," Christina said. "Then we can get stuff for a picnic."

"That just sounds lovely." Kin'Fuji said as K'tress hugged both of their legs.

Christina smiled. "Love you, baby girl," Christina said, kissing K'tress's forehead.

"Love you, too Momma." K'tress said sweetly.

"Come on, let's get going, shall we?" Christina suggested, walking with her family, thankful that she was there with them, enjoying the weather and the family time. She'd do anything to keep it going.

Kin'Fuji smiled as they started their walk. "I would like to give K'tress some siblings." She admitted.

"So would I," Christina agreed.

"Then we should work on that later." Kin'Fuji said with a chuckle.

"Sounds like fun," Christina smiled, holding Kin's hand.

"Always." Kin'Fuji said with a chuckle.

 

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