Prompt: Robau, George Kirk – A photo of a stormy night sky with lightning
Proposition
Lines of lightning cut across the sky, one after another. George waited, knowing that Robau wouldn't speak until he was good and ready, and only when the time was right.
Several more minutes passed as they sipped their drinks on the porch – Winona's rule: if she couldn't drink, they damn well wouldn't do so in front of her – and watched the growing storm.
″We could be up there, you know.″
George dropped his head back against the back of the old wooden rocking chair and met Robau's eyes. ″Up there in the storm, being hit by lightning? Not sure that's the best argument to start with, Captain.″
Robau grinned slightly, but didn't respond, his cool gaze steady.
George sighed and took another pull on his beer. ″This isn't exactly the best time.″
″I know you've requested extended dirt-side assignment, but I can use you up there. The Kelvin would benefit from having you as XO, as would I, and you could use another ship-based assignment on your record to support getting back in the sky after spending a couple years on the ground.″ He paused to let his statement, more openly stated than George had expected, actually, sink in. ″We'll be out for six months, doing what we do best. You'll be back before the child is born.″
George snorted. ″You realize Winona'll murder me, right? I missed Sammy's birth by three minutes. She'll eviscerate me if I miss the next one, too.″
″There's a position for her, too, if she wants it. Won't miss anything, then.″
George frowned. ″Except for six months of our three year-old son's life. Also, you wanna put my pregnant wife on a ship for a potentially dangerous exploratory mission?″
″You Kirks are stubborn, I think you can take it.″
George rolled his eyes. ″That's the truth, even if she is a Kirk by marriage.″
″Will you consider it?″
″Yes,″ came a voice from the doorway as they were both bathed in warm light from within the house. ″We will.″