Lieutenant(jg) Regan Wilde - Twindecent Proposal
David Hemming
((USS Arrow - Deck 4; Regan’s Quarters))
{{Day 2 of Shore Leave}}
Regan was disappointed when he got back to his quarters after being released from Sickbay. Damage from the ship had seeped everywhere on the Arrow. A ruptured bulkhead had damaged Hitchcock’s holocaster and most of his shelving. His wardrobe looked like a bomb had gone off and half of his clothes were scattered around the room like victims in one of his mothers Holo-Murder Mysteries. All he needed was some old fashioned chalk outlines and his quarters would look like a tailored massacre.
He sat in his quarters now dressed in sweatpants and a Starfleet Academy hoodie, some of the only clothes he could find not too damaged. He couldn’t be bothered with the clearing up just now, and had left most of the garment casualties where they fell from the day before. The computer terminal on his desk began to bleep - indicating an incoming communique. Regan knew who it was. She had called several times that day and this was the fourth time he would dismiss his messages.
Reluctantly he pressed accept on his screen, transferred the message to his personal PADD and sat at the head of his bed.
On the screen was his twin sister Roxanne Wilde. Though fraternal, she was just as good looking as he was. Her light, flawless complexion highlighted both her dark sparkly eyes and her full red lips. Her fiery red hair she kept naturally curly and slightly frizzled, making it look like a lion’s mane. Very headstrong and independent, Roxanne was his rock.
Regan: Hey, Smudge.
The nickname ‘Smudge’ came from her passion for engineering. Ever since they were children she’d always had a fondness for fixing things and knowing how things worked. When they were twelve she field-stripped a tricorder and managed to get some kind of greasy lubricant smudged across the bridge of her nose. Regan naturally thought this was hilarious and the nickname stuck. Her nickname for him was less cute or endearing.
Roxy: Hey, Brat. Do you mind explaining to me why you’ve ignored my messages three times?
She stepped closer to her screen to examine him. Her eyes went wide with alarm.
Roxy: What in the hell happened to your face!? Regan, what’s going on?
Where to start? How could he begin to explain what happened?
Regan: Roxy, relax. I’m ok. I got hurt on our last mission. But I’m ok, just the one wound.
Roxy: You’re ok? Is that all you’ve got to say? You look bloody terrible!
Regan: I don’t want to talk about it!
Roxy: This is me you’re talking to. What happened?
The twins never kept anything from each other. She never left his side during his breakdown, and they’d been inseparable ever since. They never lied to each other, and she was shrewd enough to see through his crap.
Regan: I wish people would stop hounding me about it. I just need to be on my own for a bit. Apart from the eye I’m fine! I got injured. I lost my eye. It happened, I just have to face facts and learn to live with it.
Roxy: Is that it? ‘You lost your eye’!? So nonchalant like telling me like you’ve misplaced your PADD or one of your boots or something. What do the doctors say? Why have you got that patch on?
Regan: It’s an ocular regenerator. It’s healing the damage to my eye socket so they can fix me with a synthetic eye. I don’t know, I don’t fully understand it, but Dr. Morgenstern says I’ll be able to see perfectly.
Roxy: That's it. I’m calling Daddy. Maybe he can speak to Starfleet Command and get you reassigned closer to home?
Regan: Absolutely not! I’m not a child anymore Rox. This is my posting, and I’m not transferring or coming home because of one injury on a mission! I just want to forget it and get on with my life!
Roxy: But…
Regan: Roxanne!
Roxy: Call me Roxanne one more time and I will fly out there and slap you silly, baby brother.
There was a moment of tension before both of them started to giggle like children. She could always make him laugh. He snorted incredulously.
Regan: Baby brother? You’re older than me by six minutes. You’re not the boss of me.
Roxy: Be grateful I didn’t eat you in utero, and the only evidence of you would be a hairy mole growing on my…
Regan: ::Trying not to laugh.:: Roxanne Wilde! Mother did not raise a socialite like you to speak like that!
Roxy: ::Softening:: It’s so good to see you laugh. Oh Regan. ::She shook her head to shake off some frustration.:: I hate seeing you like this. Why don’t you take an extended shore leave and come home? Just for a few weeks? We’ll hit all the old hot-spots like we used to; shopping in the city, take in a show. I could get us tickets to the Fedevision Song Contest. Remember when Bajor hosted? We danced for the whole day!
Regan: And we forgot Bajor has a twenty-six hour orbit, and we nearly passed out through dehydration.
He chuckled at the memory. He had such good memories with her. Good and bad. They made a formidable team. Heaven help any starship if both of the Wilde twins were posted on it.
Regan: I do miss you, Smudge. We can’t leave the system at the moment. But we’re hanging in there. We’re a good crew.
Roxy: I’m worried about you, you know. I have to be honest. I need to know. Have you been drinking?
Regan: What? No! I haven’t, you can ask anyone on the ship.
Roxy: Ok. Good. ::She breathed out a grateful breath.:: I had to ask, I’m sorry for doubting you. I’m proud of you.
Regan: I’m sorry too. For the last time, I’m fine. I just want to move on with it. What’s so urgent you needed to call me three times for anway?
She hesitated slightly. Then she brought her hand up the computer screen. On her ring finger was a large diamond engagement ring, though from the way it shined it may as well have been a mini-neutron star.
Roxy: Surprise! Preston asked me to marry him and I said yes!
Regan’s jaw dropped. He brought the PADD closer to his face to inspect the ring closer with his one good eye.
Regan: That’s amazing news! Congratulations! Have you set a date?
Roxy had been in a relationship with Commander Preston Sinclair since met as cadets at the academy. He currently served as First Officer of the USS Republic. The Federation News Service proclaimed him as one of the newest rising stars of Starfleet and it wouldn’t be long before he made Captain. Regan liked Preston, but he always seemed to be the perfect Starfleet officer, and it made Regan a little bit jealous.
Roxy: We’re looking at next spring. Naturally the ceremony is going to be at home. Mothers organising all the arrangements. She’s gone into a frenzy of wedding dresses and cakes. I need you to be there, Brat.
Regan: Tell mother I miss her. But don’t tell her about this, though? Please.
Roxy: I certainly won’t tell her about this whole ‘sweatpants episode’ thing you’ve got going on. But I promise. Tell her when you’re ready. If she knows about it now she’ll flip.
Wilde: She is a dear old thing, isn't she? But I wouldn’t miss your wedding day! You know that.
Roxy: It’s more than that. I want you to give me away.
Regan: Give you away? Isn’t dad supposed to do that?
Roxy: Traditionally, yes. But this is 2397, and I’m determined to break some traditions. I’m not even taking his name. I’m staying a Wilde. Say you’ll do it?
Unsurprisingly that was so Roxy. He wouldn't even be surprised if she made Preston propose in the first place. Regan nodded.
Regan: I’d be proud to do it. Oh Roxy I’m so happy for you! ::Pouting:: But I’m so jealous I’m going to eat a whole chocolate cake to cheer me up. But I don’t mean it in a bad way. Everything’s going so well for you. And here’s me…
He didn’t mean it selfishly in fact. He was over the moon for Roxy and he wouldn’t take that away from her for anything. She gave him a stern look and shook her head.
Roxy: Stop comparing yourself to everyone else, Regan. You are stronger than you think. Look at you, junior lieutenant on starship duty. You’ve worked so hard for this, and even with this setback, you’re strong. I’m so proud of you.
She was right. Five years ago he was at rock bottom, and he worked hard to get where he was now. He was extremely proud of that.
Regan: I just feel so alone at times. You remember that old saying ‘You can be lonely in a room full of people’? That's me. Even when I’m the loudest person in the room too. I’m trying, though. I’m such a mess sometimes. I wish you were here. You’re the only one I can talk to properly.
Roxy: What about your friends? You said you were a close crew.
Regan: We are. They just don’t understand me like you do.
Roxy: Try and reach out. It’ll be good for you. And for them, to know that you have their back as well as they have yours. We’ll see each other soon. Properly. Hey, I know something that’ll cheer you up. How do you fancy organising my bachelorette party?
Regan: Me? Organise the whole thing?
Roxy: Of course. Anything you want!
Regan: Ooh! Let’s make it a proper getaway. We’ll borrow Uncle Sidney’s beach house on Risa. Let’s go crazy. Swimming in the sea, indulging in all the food. Parties on the beach. More Jamaharon than you can shake a stick at! ::He grinned mischievously:: We’ll get a group of us from the Arrow to go!
Roxy: ::Laughing lightly:: Well that took you less than fifteen seconds to organise. That’s the Regan I know! The more the merrier. I’m not sure about all the Jamaharon, though.
Regan: Oh come on. You know “What Happens on Risa, Stays on Risa”. I have that printed on a T-shirt, I think.
Roxy: Knowing you, I’m surprised you don’t have it tattooed on your…
Regan: ::sternly, though trying not to giggle:: Roxanne!
Roxy: ::Smirking:: Arse! There, I said it.
Another eruption of childish giggles. The PADD beeped in his hand, indicating that their time was nearly up. The little communication buoy at the edge of the system was working hard to connect everyone’s calls from deeper around the quadrant, which meant everyone got limited time.
Regan: We don’t get much time on these calls. Thanks for calling, Rox. It’s good to see you. Thank you for cheering me up.
Roxy: If you need anything. Anything. Just let me know. I love you, Brat. ::She blew kisses to the screen and waved.:: Please take care of yourself. I’ll call you soon.
Regan: Send me all the pictures and designs of the wedding dress, the cake, the flowers, everything! I love you too.
They waved and the signal cut. Their time was up. He sighed a little and stroked Trevor happily. He suddenly forgot all of his current troubles and focussed on all the good things coming up in his life. A trip to Risa, his sister's wedding. He decided to head to the Mess Hall and indulge in some cake. Cake was always good.
NT/END