It's been awhile

Posted on Mon Sep 29th, 2025 @ 8:04pm by Lieutenant JG Willow Wales (Kosugi) & Lieutenant Josey Wales

Mission: Just Another Day on Gladiator
Location: Holosuite 4
Timeline: Shore leave 1800hrs
1146 words - 2.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Josey saddled up and mounted his horse and watched Willow do the same, It had been awhile since they both had some time off and he reserved some time on the holodeck so they could go for a ride and have a evening picnic around a campfire.

" We've both been working so much that we have hardly seen each other in the past month, I hope you don't mind That I reserved some time in here so that we can spend some time together. I've got the food we can cook at the campsite. Are you ready Willow? "

The soft breeze brought the scent of pine to her, Willow taking in a deep breath. Josey was right, they've not had time together except for, when they crawled into bed making certain they slept together. Stepping away from work though it had been grueling. "Almost ready." moving her horse to where it was next to Joesy leaning in for a kill. A long lingering kiss, then she pulled back with a beaming smile. "Now I am ready. We are going to have to make a point of going on dates again."

Josey grinned. " I agree with you on that Willow. We've both been so busy as of late that it seems that we get to have dinner with each other, talk for an hour or two if neither one of us have reports to catch up on and then get some sleep and start all over again the next day. " He shook his head. " I would really like some more time to spend with my favorite Gal. I mean that there is no one else on the ship that I'd want to cuddle to. " He said looking into her eyes with a warm smile meant only for her.

A playful smile, Willow giving Josey a kiss once more. "You better not want to cuddle with anyone else. I know you are the only one I'd like to do that with as well." she drew in a little bit of a breath, "I know we jumped into this without hesitation as it felt right. And we do have some busy schedules, but just as long as we make certain we do date nights once or twice a week, it will balance out love."

" Date night once or twice a week? " Repeated Josey. " I think we can manage that easily enough, Who knows maybe can slip in a third date in a week every now and then as our duties permit. " Josey leaned in and gave Willow a tender kiss. " I know our relationship was kind of whirlwind, But I have no doubts or regrets about it. I know you are the one I am meant to be with and I am content knowing that you love me as well and we have found each other to be our soulmate. I will always love you Willow."

" I am glad you do, and I love you as well."

As she leaned in for a kiss, and as their lips met, an message blared out.

=^="All crew make preparations, we'll be arriving at Earth very soon. There will be shoreleave for all." =^=

Josey sighed. " If it ain't one thing it's another." He grumbled at the interruption. " I guess this means we're going to going to visiting family, both yours and mine so they can meet the spouse and get to know them. That means going to Missouri and North Carolina, I s there anything else you want to do while we're on Earth? "

"I most definitely plan on us going camping and horseback riding. Now though hmmmnnn... How about we go visit your family first, then we go see mine. Sound good?"

Josey thought a moment. " We'll most likely dock at Starbase one, From there we can beam down to St. Louis and catch a transport from there to my parents place. " He became quiet for a few moments. " You know Willow, the last time I was home was about three years ago. I do send them a sub space message about every two weeks. The last time I heard from my sister she told me that a retro taxi service started up in St. Louis, I think she said they were called Johnnie Cabs. "

"Johnnie Cabs." Willow giving a laugh. "Okay lets do this. And hope they don't mind you having eloped to get married." giving a wink and planting another kiss upon Josey.

" Well they had better get used to the idea real fast, Because I'm not giving you back. They are my family, but your the love of my life and my wife. I could live without my family if I had to, But not without you in my life willow." He paused a moment to think. " That and I still have to meet with your family as well, Makes me curious about what they'll think about your new husband? What should I bring as a gift for them? "

"My new husband? Well, just to let you know you are my first and only husband." Willow giving a giggle. "As for my family, I don't know about what you should bring to them."

Willow thought for a moment. "Well, my dad likes knives, and mom, she likes leather. Perhaps a tanned hide?"

Josey thought for several moments. " Well I do have three Bowie knives, one is a matching set that I got for us, The other I picked up because I liked how it looked, It's razor sharp and has a polished mahogany handle on it and has a good leather sheath for it. Do you think he'll like that one?"

Willow gave a smile, "I think he will like it very much. And I do know of a place where we can get the hide for Mom, lets get that then onto the next part, of meeting my family. Once you introduce me to yours."

Josey stood up and offered a hand to willow to assist her up. " I guess we should get back to our quarters and pack some gear for shore leave. I remember my last shore leave, it was pretty special, I left to go do some wilderness camping and came back to the ship with a wife, I'll always remember that shore leave as long as I live." He said with a smile.

"That will be a favorite memory of mine as well." wrapping her arms about his waist, giving Josey a squeeze." I never thought I'd be finding a treasure out camping and in the woods."

Josey smiled. " And I never thought that I'd find a beautiful wood nymph peeking out from behind a tree in the moonlight, But I did." he leaned in and kiss Willow tenderly and afterward, put his arm around her waist as they walked out of the holodeck together and headed back to ther quarters to pack.