JP – Ens. Nathan Richards + Patrick, Blake, & Jennifer Richards: Home Is Where The Heart Is (Part 2)
Travis St. John
((Richards Homestead, Glacier National Park, Earth))
Jennifer: I know that smile. ::Leaning forward, pointing finger, squinting eyes:: Who is “her”?
Blake: ::Leaning forward again, brushing hair out of his face:: Wait a second, did you meet some hot alien? Are you pregnant with her baby? ::Knowing glance at pops:: It’s happened to Starfleet officers before.
Patrick leaned over and flicked Blake on the forehead.
Patrick: Come on, Blake… Nathan’s pregnancy is nothing to joke about–
His father couldn’t keep the straight face, snorting himself before letting out a hearty laugh.
All of a sudden the matter of Nathan’s arm was all but forgotten – or at least, set aside for the time being.
Patrick: ::looking back at Nathan:: Is that the real reason why you’re leaving so soon?
All three of his family members honed in on this new information and the telling expression he was trying to keep hidden. Nathan ran his hand through his hair, hoping that he wasn’t blushing or anything as he thought about returning. He shook his head and chuckled.
Richards: ::Trying to divert the conversation:: She is just a Science Officer who was assigned to help me with the programming.
Blake: ::Grinning:: Oh man, you’re such a bad liar.
While Patrick and his younger son Blake were having some fun now, Jennifer was strictly business, questioning Nathan like a grizzled detective.
Jennifer: Name?
Richards: ::Nervously:: Is her name really important?
Jennifer: A mother *knows*, Noonie. What’s her name?
Nathan looked at his mother. He was losing the battle. She wasn’t going to give up, and he knew it. He let out a sigh of defeat before he answered.
Richards: Robin. Her name is Robin Hopper…
Blake: ::Slightly disappointed:: Aww man. So she’s not an alien? You sure her name isn’t G’roxat or something?
Briefly, the name Kyri Taival flashed through his mind, but he quickly pushed It aside. He didn't need *that* can of worms opened at the dinner table.
Jennifer: I think it’s a beautiful name. ::Turning head to side:: And is she beautiful, Nathan?
Patrick: …and maybe blind?
Blake: ::Chuckling:: What if she’s ugly and she just has him under the spell of her pheremones or something? Do you have a picture?
Jennifer: ::To Patrick and Blake:: Ahem, excuse me! I was talking about her as a *person*. Such primates sometimes, you two.
Blake rolled his eyes, still gsmiling.
Blake: Hey, I don’t care. I’m just looking out for my brother.
Nathan laid his face in his hands, letting out a groan.
Richards: If you really must know, yes. She is beautiful. But, we are *just friends*.
Blake leaned forward, propping his arms up on the table and resting his chin in his hands with teasingly amorous eyes.
Blake: But you do think she’s beautiful?
His father sighed again before picking up another slice of pizza.
Jennifer: ::Smiling:: She sounds lovely. Will we get to meet her?
Nathan shrugged. Bringing Robin back to Earth to meet his family seemed like a bit much, but if they traveled out to Amity, there wouldn’t be anything stopping the meeting.
Richards: Maybe, eventually.
Nathan finally picked up his slice of pizza, and took a bite.
Blake: I guess it depends how long the “gestation period” is, hmm? ::Grabbing another slice:: Have you considered naming the baby after me?
Patrick: For all we know, this “Robin” of his is as a real as a Canadian girlfriend…
Jennifer gave the other two men at the table a scolding look.
Blake: Look, I’m trying to fit in eight months of ribbing into one night. If this visit is anything to go by, it’ll be next Christmas before we see him again.
Jennifer: Ooh! Which reminds me. I sent your Christmas present months ago! It is probably waiting for you back at your space station.
Richards: ::Raising an eyebrow:: Oh? I honestly completely forgot about Christmas this year! ::Chuckling:: I'm not even sure *anyone* remembered or even did anything on the outpost. What did you get me? ::Glaring at Blake:: And I’m not pregnant.
Blake: ::Mouth full of Pizza:: Ath far ath you know…
Jennifer: ::To Blake:: Don’t talk with your mouth full!
Patrick responded with an exaggerated eyeroll, which Jennifer noticed.
Jennifer: ::To Patrick:: And don’t do that! You’re meant to be setting an example.
Richards: ::Wide smile:: But dad is the example. Who else is better at talking with their mouth full of-
Jennifer: And you’ve only been here ten minutes! Behave!
The three men reacted, almost in unison, each folding their hands together on the table with their heads down. It had almost become a tradition whenever Jennifer had to scold all of them at once. They each hung their heads and gave a quiet and solemn apology.
Richards: ::Holding back laughter:: Sorry, Mom.
Blake: Yeah. Sorry, ma.
Patrick: Sorry, Jen.
Richards: Okay, can we eat now? ::Chuckling:: I'd like to *enjoy* this family dinner.
((Later That Evening, Forest))
Blake trudged along the gravel path that led from the front door of the Richards’ family homestead, right hand shoved into his trouser pocket, a jean jacket hastily thrown on as he walked through the door. In his left, he carried a six pack of Founders – actually, two were missing, so it was really a four-pack. The conversation had carried on into the evening until, at long last, the elder Richardses could no longer keep their eyes open.
It had been more than a few years now since Nathan had started his training at Starfleet Academy, and in the time since, the two brothers hadn’t had many heart-to-heart chats by the pond. He wasn’t about to wait a few more years. With Nathan already sitting on the shrouded rock that hung over the dark water below, Blake walked up behind him and spoke softly.
Blake: Tin Man… They still let you drink in Starfleet? ::Holding up the beers:: You seemed like you still had more in there to get out…
Richards: That depends. ::looking back at his brother with a smirk:: Am I still pregnant?
Blake: ::Smirking:: Nah, I’m done with the jokes… oO For now. Oo ::Pointing to the spot next to him:: Seat?
Nathan slid over slightly to make more room for his brother.
Richards: I guess, ::Chuckling:: If you must.
The boys sat, side by side, and Blake passed his older brother a can. As they popped the tabs, he held his can out to Nathan in a little ‘cheers’. After taking their first drink, a little silence passed – the only sound, the gentle rustling of the boughs above them in the cold Montana wind.
Blake: Was it worth it? ::Looking up at the stars above:: Getting out there.
Richards: Honestly? ::Following his brother’s gaze:: I wouldn’t change it for anything.
Blake: Then that’s all that matters. Right?
Richards: Yeah. ::Bringing his gaze back down to the water below:: And for the record, there is more I *wanted* to get out…but I’m not sure doing it with Mom and Dad would have been the best idea…
Blake held in the urge to immediately rescind his promise not to mock Nathan and just nodded, hiding his little smirk behind his beer as he took another sip.
Blake: ::Earnestly:: Yeah I know what you mean. ::Rolling his eyes:: But you don’t want to keep that @#$% in either… If you’ve got something to say, you can tell me.
Richards: ::Taking a drink from his can:: There has been… A lot that has happened out there. Yeah, losing my arm was a big part. I may act like everything is alright and I’m doing good. Hell, I even have myself convinced of that, I guess. But it still messes me up, you know?
Blake: ::Slowly nodding:: …Not really. ::Honest look to Nathan, a little shrug:: I think you’ve obviously had some experiences that I can’t even really wrap my head around… But we also haven’t really heard from you much. I’d like to understand. It’s just tough when you’re so far away…
He kicked his feet a few times.
Blake: I get that you love it out there, though. And that’s what matters to me. ::Wrapping an arm around Nathan’s shoulders:: Sorry I called you ‘Tin Man’... Do you have people to take care of you out there?
Richards: ::Chuckling:: Tin Man is the nicest way I think you could have come up with to poke fun. ::Elbowing his brother:: And yeah, I do have people there. When I need them. I’ve gotten pretty close with a lot of my crewmates.
Blake: Good… Good. ::Patting Nathan, taking another sip of beer:: When I was at school I had friends too. But we were all kind of in the fire together, you know? After a while I realized, I just wanted to come back here and get away from all that.
Blake sighed, his breath condensing in the cool crisp air.
Blake: Having people I could count on is the only thing that got me through that. ::Smiling:: But you’ve never had trouble making friends, huh?
Richards: Some closer than others…
Blake: ::Still staring at the water:: Yeah?
Richards: Well, there's Robin-
Blake: Mmm. ::A beat, a look of intrigue:: Oh. ::Full realization:: OHHH… Hot damn!
Blake leapt to his feet, narrowly avoiding falling in the drink, and did a little jig next to his brother, before plopping back down next to him.
Blake: So I was right?! When’s the baby shower?
Nathan punched Blake in the shoulder.
Richards: You said no more pregnancy jokes!
Blake: ::Laughing:: Who’s joking? You’re the one who keeps bringing her up. ::Grinning:: She obviously means a lot to you. ::Sidling up closer:: So, come on, spill the beans. Tell me everything.
Nathan shook his head, taking another drink of his beer. Blake was the only one he felt comfortable talking to about any of this. Even with the jokes.
Richards: Robin and I…well, we went on a date. Honestly one of the best nights of my life. But we decided we weren't looking for the same thing out of it, so we decided to stay friends.
Blake: Hmm… ::Under his breath:: A little anticlimactic. That can’t be it.
Nathan finished off the last half of his beer before he moved on to what he felt he needed to get off of his chest next.
Richards: And…before coming back to Earth…I think I really messed up on Betazed…
Blake: I swear to god, if you keep setting me up like this… ::Exaggerated sigh:: Alright, fine. What happened? Something happened on Betazed… With Robin?
Richards: Not…no. Not with Robin. There is a Betazoid Noble that…took to me? Is that the best way to put it?...We got drunk, went back to her apartment, and…things were getting…Well…
Nathan took a long drink from his beer. He didn't know how exactly to put everything that happened. So much had happened that he was still struggling to piece it together.
Nathan: We were in her bed, and then all of a sudden she just…flipped out. Next thing I knew I was standing outside her door in my undershirt and boxers. She kept my pants…
Blake: Like, as a trophy?
Nathan furrowed his brow. He hadn't thought about there possibly being a reason she kept his pants. He just thought he hadn't had a chance to grab them.
Richards: God, I hope not.
Blake: Wait, did you say “A Betazoid Noble?” Like, as in, uh, ::Falsetto:: “Stable boy! Fetch me another jug of water!” That kind of Noble?
Blake finished the rest of his beer, his eyes glued to Nathan as he waited for the rest of the story. Without looking, he pulled the last two cans from their cardboard sleeve and passed one to Nathan.
Richards: ::Chuckling:: Um…yes and no?
Blake: Alright, so, wait… You have her in bed with you and she suddenly changes her mind? You must have done something. ::Hands up:: No offense. But like, they can read minds and stuff, right? You weren’t uhh… Getting ahead of yourself in there, were you?
Richards: No, no. I wasn't. And yes they can read thoughts and feelings. But I was trying to be careful with what I thought about. But I had a lot to drink…and I mean *a lot*.
Blake watched as his brother absent-mindedly took another sip of beer… Contemplating where things might have gone sideways.
Blake: Well… What’re you thinking about?
Richards: I'm trying to remember…if anything crossed my mind in the moment. But everything is really foggy…
Blake: I don’t mean then. I mean now. ::Pointing for emphasis, spilling a little beer in the pond:: Right here, right now. What’s on your mind?
Nathan looked at his brother. For one he had wasted some of his beer. And for two, he had a very good point. While it might not have been forefront in his mind, there was something there that always seemed to be there.
Richards: Son of a…it's right there. Getting back to Amity. Getting back to my duties, my shuttle, and…
He trailed off. He wasn't sure he wanted to confess the last thing. It was something that he had kept tucked away in the back of his mind and he tried to avoid because of past events. A past agreement.
Blake stared a moment longer, letting the unfinished sentence hang in the air.
Blake: Riiight… Your ‘duties’.
Nathan hung his head, shaking it.
Richards: It's her. $#&@...
There was another, much longer, pause. Both brothers sat, staring out at the pond, rippling gently as the breeze rolled over it. Finally, Blake broke the silence.
Blake: When I met Mike, I went through the same thing. Uhhh… Well, okay, not the exact same thing. I didn’t have any encounters with Royalty.
Richards: Noble, not Royalty.
Blake: Whatever. My point is… I was hung up on him for months. I told myself all sorts of reasons it wouldn’t work. Law School was crushing both of us. There was no time for socializing. I barely knew him. It was stupid. So I made the responsible choice – or at least, what I figured was the responsible choice at the time – and I didn’t say anything to him.
Richards: You just kept it to yourself?
Blake: Yeah… For like, two years. By then, I wasn’t even in school anymore, I hadn’t even seen him in months. It took me a while, but I had moved on. Honestly. ::Sipping his beer:: Then, he shows up here asking for a tour of the park. Just out of nowhere. I couldn’t hold it in and I just… Told him everything. You know what he said?
Richards: That you're gross and to leave him alone? ::Smirking:: Sorry, serious moment. What did he say?
Blake rolled his eyes, but smiled anyway.
Blake: He said he was glad that nothing had ever happened between us. That I hadn’t said anything back then… Because he wasn’t in the right place for it then either… And we probably would have gone down in flames. ::Holding up his hand, displaying the ring on his finger:: Things change.
Richards: You guys are engaged?! What the @&$# why did you wait so long to tell?! ::A beat:: Wait, that's fair. I didn't say anything about my arm.
Blake: I didn’t want to steal your thunder. ::Patting him on the shoulder again:: The conquering hero, returning home. It’ll be a few years before this pans out anyways. I figured it could wait.
Nathan wrapped his arms around his brother, squeezing tight.
Richards: I'm happy for you guys! But what you're saying is, try to avoid those feelings and everything will work out?
Blake hugged him back, but shook his head.
Blake: I’m not trying to say you shouldn’t feel whatever you’re feeling. I’m just saying… You know, stuff ain’t always as permanent as it seems. If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. And if it’s not… You’ll be alright. Hell, maybe you’ll get lucky, meet some nice alien queen, and she’ll lay her eggs in you.
Richards: What's with you and getting pregnant by an alien? ::Teasingly:: Is there something *you* need to get off your chest?
Blake looked down, dramatically, as his shirt bulged. He screamed as his own arm crawled its way out between his buttons, his hand snapping like some hideous serpentine monster before latching onto his neck. His shouting quickly devolved into dumb laughter.
Blake: …Sorry. ::Shrug:: Mike loves the sci fi channel. These jokes would be killing if he were here right now. ::Fixing his shirt:: Anyways, you don’t need my advice. You’re the older brother. Just do what you think is right, keep being you, and I know you’ll find your happiness. Down here or out there in the stars.
Nathan smiled at his brother, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.
Richards: You're right. You're a @#$&ing dork, but you're right.
The two brothers sat on the rock for a while longer as they finished their beers. Nathan felt much better after having the chat with his brother. But he still had quite a bit to figure out as he traveled back to the Delta Quadrant. But he just needed to take it one step at a time.
END
Ensign Nathan Richards
Engineering Officer
Amity Outpost
A239905NR1
&
Patrick Richards
Nathan’s Dad
I238705TZ0
&
Blake Richards
Nathan’s Brother
V239806K11
&
Jennifer Richards
Noonie’s Mom
V239511WU0