It had been sometime since recreation had taken place away from duty onboard the USS Fearless.  There was the occasional holodeck trip, celebratory banquets, rare weddings, and even brief shore leave trips; none of which allowed authentic detachment from the role of Captain.  All except for one occasion, when the ship is recalled for retrofitting.  The Fearless was one of the few, quite possibly the last, remaining original Excelsior Class vessels left operating in the galactic theater.  Most all of them had already been brought up to Excelsior II specifications.  

It was an honor to serve onboard a classic workhorse which had nearly celebrated its 90th year in service.  Not only was the Excelsior one of the original designs to form the “classic” era, second to the Constitution Class, it was a heavy cruiser ready to render any service needed along the fringes of Federation space and further when necessary.  Her age, however, had begun to show quick refits and upgrades were slowed by “jimmy rigged” couplings and gadgets to interface with new technology.  Even the software had required specialized coding and drivers to interface properly with newer computer tech.  The time had come and a little cosmetic surgery and gutting was far better than seeing her mothballed, scrapped, or perched near some museum.  Such duties were not befitting the name Fearless.

“What time did we have to leave?”

Ed glanced at the at the clock and calculated 30 minutes from the time now displayed.  He added an additional ten minutes just in case and reported 20 minutes.  Time had become substantially more valuable while Fearless was in repair, freeing concentration and focus to address secondary priorities…and the bonded relationship.  Ed loved his wife especially because she understood the sense of duty and responsibility that comes with a commitment to Starfleet.  It helped that she had commitments of her own serving her kinspeople in Romulan Space.  

Ed sat quietly reading Federation politics from his reading nook which overlooked the surrounding cityscape.  It was the place he went for solitude and a convenient place to park so as to refrain from pacing while he waited.  He didn't mind waiting, nor was he frustrated with the time she spent accentuating her natural beauty. He had come to recognize that years in leadership had groomed him to move to the next thing.  He groaned in disgust, feeling frustrated with the effort it took to sit and embrace the present moment.

Placing the PADD aside he pulled himself from the comfortable confines of his favorite armchair and meandered through their house.  Their limited time together had allowed for an amalgamation of opposing feng sui.  Ed preferred ‘cozy cabin’ with knick-knacs, memories, and comfort strewn about; while Sienae favored what he called ‘the sentimental Vulcan’ which placed strong emphasis on principles of Feng Shui, family heraldry, coordinated colors, and more.  The time spent together in their space and the mutual exchange of ‘raised eyebrows’ only highlighted the reason for their for their success: they were hardly together and never at home.

Ed paused outside the expansive closet space in their primary bedroom.  He shook his head in disbelief as he passed the bed with a neutral tone, non-print comforter which bridged the his and hers decor which split the room in two.  At least Fearless would offer them both a fresh start with space demanding a minimalist approach to joint dwelling, at least he hoped.

“You look incredible,” Ed stated

Sienae stood towards the back closet before a custom made vanity, which did not exist before he was married, and clasped a decorative earing to her left ear.  His heart fluttered as he caught her smiling.  Her cheeks flushed a soft-yellow green and she refrained from looking back at him in the mirror.  Her hair was pulled back and wrapped into a folded knot, held together by some ornamented hair clip.  He favored the long ponytail  she wore most regularly but silently agreed the bun met the expectations of formality.  The dress she dawned was new, Romulan in design and modernized by popular fashion trends. The closest thing he could identify was the Sari Lieutenant Patel wore at the wedding he officiated.  Sienae's dress, however, was more subdued with a spectrum of green, blue, and earth tones.  

“Will I be the…bell of the ball,” Sienae inquired.

Her eyes by reflection of the mirror met his own.  She glanced once more at her own reflection and with an affirming nod, she turned towards him clutching a decorative pouch and gracefully stepped towards him.  She sauntered forward and extended her arm in a playfully seductive gesture.  He gently took her hand, eying the ring with a Topaz colored gem stone from Romulus, adoring her finger.  

“A supernova,” Ed affirmed drawing her hand to his lips.  He drew her forward and laced her hands with his leading her out of their heart and home.

Even with such time apart, Ed could read the signs of change loud and clear.  Romulan culture was shrouded with mystery.  Even Ed had recognized early on that he had barely lifted the vail when married.  Intimacy and affection were early points of silent conflict in their early years.  Holding hands and other public signs of affection were met with subtle retreat and deflection; the ring worn on a change and tucked neatly beneath unimposing garb.  He knew well enough that these were not malicious, but remnants of a life lived in another place and time.  He was patient, but understanding and empathy bore its own weight and turmoil.

Today was not his wife's first appearance with him in public, but the vulnerability and courage she displayed in the closet alone, made him anxious about future appearances together.  Life on Fearless offered very little privacy, especially for the Captain's wife.  He may not know every face under his command, but they all certainly knew his…and soon his wife's.  Discomfort was assured, but only time would tell to what level it would be experienced.