Good to be Home

Posted on Sun Feb 17th, 2019 @ 1:14am by Commander Liam Snow & Commander Alexis Agrax (*)

Mission: Cosmos
Location: Earth
Timeline: 2389
1923 words - 3.8 OF Standard Post Measure

Alexis had slept the whole flight back to earth after a Gamma watch the night leading into there vacation. It was amazing that she could sleep anywhere and anyhow sometimes. Stretching out slightly as she realized she was slipping away from her hours in slumber she sighed and mumbled something in Betazed. “Liam… how long was I out? We can’t be at your folks yet?” The woman wondered blinking at the light.

Liam laughed. "Lexi, you've been out for hours. We'll be at my parents ranch in about 5-10 minutes. I'm actually surprised I didn't wake you lifting you from transport to transport but boy you were out like a log." he joked.

The hills around them were a lush green, trees aplenty and so colourful with shrubbery. A landscape that had been left untouched by time and a testament to how Earth had transformed back after the 21st century. In the distance you could see mountains, snow covering the top and the slight specs of people that were skiing although at this time of year it was still warm. Liam let out a little smile, it had been many years since he'd been home, a slight pang of nerves unsettled him as Alexis sat next to him and he couldn't help but feel there was an ulterior motive for the visit. It almost felt like he was being lured in, like bait in one of his Sting operations.

"You are just being a jerk. I've been on Gamma shift last week." Alexis grinned at him and shook her head taking in the greenness all around them, it had been many years since she had last seen so much. "I think that is all your family," Alexis said pointing to the house where several people were waiting just outside watching out for the hover car.

"A jerk?! Me?!" Liam laughed. "I'll have you know I am the utmost gentleman." He added before letting out a sigh as he saw his family gathering outside. "Yes... that's the Snows. Not one for a quiet reception that's for sure, even the horses are excited." he pointed to the pastures by the main home. They ran, some excitably whilst others came to the fence in curiosity.

Alexis waited for the car to stop before she turned to Liam and squeezed his hand. "Sometimes I don't want a gentleman." She whispered before she got out of the hover car. "Hello." She greeted the family that were watching her just as intently as she was. Alexis knew about his deceased wife and how that had ended nearly a decade before, knew that she would be compared as the first woman in that time to be brought back home or even that his sister had contacted her to help plan this.

"I'll be sure to remember that." Liam said as they exited the car and his smile faded slightly.

It had been years since his return home. He always felt mollycoddled here after the tragedy that befell his then family and he tended to steer clear of the reminders of that. There was also the added fact that being in the Intelligence service it was more difficult to be detached from ones family, a source of leverage in some cases, to keep them safe from harm. They seemed to flock to Alexis and not so much him which made a smile appear slightly as he was being overlooked for a change.

"This is Alexis, she's my lover and a long time believer in sadism against Humans. Better watch your back kid." He said punching the shoulder of his sister Rebecca.

The woman being spoken about turned to look at Liam and rolled her eyes at him. "You never said she was Betazoid?" His mother whispered looking at the man as well as Rebecca moved and hugged them both. Sarah looked at Alexis unsure, she looked so small and dainty. She was so much like Caroline in size that she wondered for a moment what her son thinking.

"I never told you about her at all mother, just watch she's a security officer so she may dive into your mind for all your secrets." he teased her, albeit a bit too seriously for his sisters liking.

"Security you say?" Liam's mother said as she looked the woman up and down. "And that is the problem you don't tell me anything."

"What he is trying to tell you, Mrs Snow, is I handed him his butt several times," Alexis assured glancing at Liam wishing she had the guts to break her own rules on reading minds everyone was on eggshells at the moment.

"And I enjoyed each time," he said nudging her hips with his own.

From behind the mother, Sarah, he heard the guffawing laugh of his father. "That's my boy, taking no prisoners in conversation as he does in life. Welcome home my boy!" he said as he slapping Liam on the shoulder and brought him in for a hug. "You've brought a fine woman home, I can see she is the one with the brains as I'd never speak to your mother like that!" he laughed once again.

The family relaxed a little as Oliver welcomed Alexis as well as he offered his hand and shook hers with warmth and familial acceptance. Rebecca (sister) and Matthew (Brother-in-law) walked off towards the large house laughing, Sarah was a little sterner as she was very protective of her children but still she eased a little.

"Kyle making an appearance too sir?" he asked his father, his brother was a JAG Officer at Starfleet HQ.

"Said he'll try and make it, but you're here for a few days any way so I'm sure he'll show his face at some point, scare the horses." he laughed. For a Field Marshall of the Air Corp, he didn't give off the strict vibe at home that he did on the job but still his children gave him the respect he was due and it showed. "I'm more interested in this beautiful woman you've brought home, finally! I was beginning to get worried... Miss Agrax, welcome to Snow Ranch." he said as he led her by the hand and took her over to a scenic overlook of the area. It showed pastures of horses, cows and other livestock as well as the vistas of greenery, trees and all lovely naturey things.

"Please call me Alexis Sir," Alexis said not at all sure what to make of Liam's family. They all seemed far to interested in her from his sister who had gotten her to get him to come home to his mother who was still staring at her unsure. "You have a beautiful home," Alexis said taking in everything about the place. "It has been far too long since I've been planet based." She admitted aloud.

"Ah you're too kind Alexis, but it's Sarah who keeps it like this more than I." Oliver said noting the lingering look of his wife. "Don't worry about her, she's just sussing you out. Did the same thing with Michael here and I know you're twice the person. She knows that too but Liam is the first born and she's a mother lion protecting her cubs. Quick right hook and you'll be fine." he said imitating the action as he threw a punch into thin air.

Alexis turned and looked at the woman and smiled. The Betazoid respected strong females. "I would be the same and I respect that being Betazoid." Was all Alexis said with a nod as she looked at Liam and smiled just for him. Your family is beautiful inside and out She didn't talk to him mentally often but she did it then thinking he needed a small hint of reassurance she wasn't going to demand he take her to a space port.

Liam smiled as her thoughts entered his mind, he found it soothing at times and it no longer startled him as it first had. "Come on! I'll show you our room!" he said almost dragging her inside past his mother.

Inside they made their way upstairs through the old fashioned wood interior of the Snow residence to his room. It hadn't changed much over the last 5-10 years and still had posters on the wall of old American Football teams, the odd Baseball one and trophies from his success in American Football and Parisses Squares. A large doubled bed in the middle and pictures of family littered around the room showing warmth and familial connection.

Alexis smiled as she sat down on the bed and looked around. "So how do you think that went?" Alexis wondered as she noticed some of the photos around the room.

"Fair to middlin'." he replied honestly. "My mother has always been frosty with new women I've been dating. My dad for all his position within the Air Corp acts the most relaxed man I've ever seen, even more so at home. Then my sister and her husband well they like to get involved in others business, as you've no doubt found out." he said with a wry smile. He knew Rebecca had contacted her, he'd be a poor intelligence agent if he didn't.

"And you acted all this time like you didn't know. I don't know if I can ever trust you now." She said lightly as she finaly decided to sit on his lap and wrap an arm around him. "Happy Birthday Liam." She whispered kissing his cheek.

He laughed, "Come on now darlin'. You don't expect me to give away all my secrets do you?" Liam grinned as she kissed his cheek and as his way of thank you stood up a little, holding on to Alexis and threw her onto the bed onto her back. "I already have the best present in you, Alexis." He continued but went in to kiss her.

"But I am not all wrapped up yet?" She teased him with a smile as he threw her on the bed and then joined her without hestitaiton. She instantly relaxed wrapping an arm around him as he kissed her.

"Too much wrapping just gets in the way." He replied as he kissed her neck. "I already think you're wearing too much." He began to unbuckle her belt.

"Your mum is outside." She whispered to him sensing the woman just on the edge on her consciousness. She couldn't blame the woman at all but it was amusing when her son was desperately trying to seduce her.

Liam shot up and ran to the door, as he opened it a little he did notice his rather overbearing mother outside trying to pretend she was cleaning a lamp. "Mom can you do me a favour? I've been dying for that special milk from the next ranch over..." he continued whilst only his head was visible. "Can you go get me some?"

She went to speak back, her mouth just about to form words.

"Thanks, mom! You're a gem!" And Liam slammed the door, locking in thereafter.

Looking at Alexis, this Goddess on his old bed he grinned. "Well thank God for your Betazoid senses! Now it's just you, me and Gabriel Stamets." He said indicating the poster on the wall of an old American footballer.

"You Americans," The woman sighed softly barely containing the giggles.

"Well at least you didn't call me a cowboy!" He laughed.

OFF::

Lieutenant Alexis Agrax
Security
Utopia Planitia
(PNPC Gregnol)

Commander Liam Snow
Intelligence Officer
(PNPC Carli)