JP – Lt. Cmdr Hopper & Lt. Richards: Cosmic Duet (Epilogue)
Nathan Richards
((Epilogue))
((Glacier National Park, Montana, Earth))
The crisp, morning air blew from across the lake as Nathan and Sam slowly walked the footpath leading away from the Richards homestead. Nathan and Robin had collected their bags and had them sitting by the front door when Sam had asked Nathan to join her for her morning walk. He had happily accepted, thinking a bit of alone time with his sister would be nice before the long trip back. Everything had been so busy since they arrived that they hadn’t really had a chance to catch up. Sam’s laughter carried over the water as Nathan told stories from the Delta Quadrant.
Richards: And then, she starts hitting this thing with her phaser rifle, and I mean just going to town on it. So, that’s where Rambo came from.
Sam: ::Laughing:: Wow. That sounds incredible. Incredibly awesome and incredibly terrifying.
Richards: You should really reconsider joining Starfleet. For all of the dangerous missions and close calls, there are just as many, if not more, moments of beauty.
Sam: Moments of beauty huh? ::Sam sighs and picks up a small pebble on the pathway. She turns towards the water and throws it:: I’m just not sure if Starfleet is for me.
Nathan stopped, watching the pebble disappear in a small splash. He moved to stand next to her, watching the ripples on the water fade away.
Richards: Well, Starfleet isn’t for everyone. And I’m not going to push you into anything. ::Wrapping an arm around her shoulders:: I just don’t want to see that degree of yours go to waste. ::Chuckling:: You could always come out to the Delta Quadrant for an internship or something. ::Shrugging:: You would be working in the Science and Research Center under Robin. ::Sly smirk:: And I would be around.
Sam: Mom and Dad would kill me if I spent all that time in school and didn’t do anything with it. ::sighing:: What if I’m just not cut out for it? If I worked under Robin and I disappointed her it would be devastating, but I can only imagine the things she could teach me. She is brilliant. ::Looking up at her brother:: Having you around more would most likely end in shenanigans. Can Robin handle that much Richard family shenanigans?
Nathan laughed, giving his sister a squeeze.
Richards: I knew that would get you thinking. Robin can handle anything. ::Chuckling:: Even us.
There was a pause as the two simply stared out over the lake, the light from the rising sun glinting off of the surface only added to the serene calm of the morning.
Sam: Speaking of Robin.. ::smirking:: You love her don’t you?
Nathan tensed up slightly at her question.
Richards: What makes you say that?
Sam picked up a couple more pebbles off of the ground and handed one to Nathan. The siblings simultaneously pulled back their arms and threw them into the water. They watched the splash before Sam turned toward Nathan.
Sam: She brings out something in you I’ve never seen before. That light in your eyes when you look at her. Hell, even when you talk about her. ::Sam grabs his shoulders and gives him a small shake:: Nathan, you love her.
Nathan let out a sigh, letting her words hang in the air for a moment.
Richards: I do. ::Chuckling:: I…really do.
Sam: I knew it! How lucky are we? ::pausing:: I mean.. you. How lucky are you? She’s an absolute brilliant woman and not to mention a total stunner. ::smirking:: I can’t wait to see how beautiful your alien babies will be.
Nathan nudged Sam, giving her a glare.
Richards: Okay, okay. Enough about my love life. What’s happening with you? Did you meet anyone while you were at college? Any prospects there?
Sam groaned loudly as the pair continued their walk along the path.
Sam: College boys are gross. All the boys in Montana are gross. I am starting to think this whole planet is full of gross. ::chuckling:: Maybe I should take a note from you and find love out in the galaxy.
Nathan scrunched his mouth up to the side as he thought. After a moment, a scheming smile crossed his face.
Richards: I mean, there are always eligible men on the station. ::Sideways glance:: But, our first officer, Wil, might be the most eligible bachelor.
Sam: I was mostly joking, you animal. ::pausing:: I most definitely will need to see a picture.. you know.. for science purposes.
Nathan couldn’t help but laugh as he pulled out his PADD. He scrolled through the Amity Personnel database until he found an image of Wil.
Richards: Commander Wil Ukinix.
Sam: ::grabbing the PADD from Nathan:: Hellloooo commander! Do they just make them more beautiful in space?
Richards: ::Scrunching his face:: Ew.
Sam: Come on! you can’t tell me that’s not one beautiful specimen.
Richards: I can, and I will!
Sam laughed and handed the PADD back to Nathan but not before catching another glance at the picture.
Sam: Looks like I might have to make a visit to Amity ::winking:: Someone like that could make me change my mind about coming out there.
END
Lt. Nathan Richards
Chief of Operations
Amity Outpost
A239905NR1
&
Samantha Richards
As simmed by Travis’ wife Beky