Disclaimer: I don't own the characters; they belong to Seth MacFarlane and a whole slew of people MUCH cooler than me.
Author's Note: This's completely shameless, but The Orville is moving to Disney+ on August 10, and I highly recommend folks check it out. It is one of the best written, visually stunning shows on television right now. I don't normally push shows, but I highly recommend this one. :) (Obviously, or I wouldn't be writing about it!

CHAPTER ONE: CONTINUATION

Banana in hand, Isaac made his way down the corridor to Sickbay. The door slid open and Isaac bade hello to Nurse Hopkins. Claire had explained that most humans like to be greeted with eye contact and some form of acknowledgment. (He had reminded her that his optic sensors were purely aesthetic. Humans did not like faces with no eyes).

Claire sat in a meeting with Commander Grayson. Isaac waited. A few moments later, the door opened. "Oh, hey Isaac," Commander Grayson said to him. She grinned when she noted the banana in his hand. "Have a good day."

Rather than inform Commander Grayson that 'good' was a construct he was incapable of managing, Isaac instead said, "Thank you, Commander," and entered Claire's office. "Good morning, Claire," he greeted her, handing her the banana.

She accepted it with a laugh. "Thank you," Claire told him. "I was starting to wonder if you'd forgotten. You're-" she checked her watch, "-one and a half minutes late." Isaac understood his continued ritual of bringing her the fruit at this precise time in the morning was both an acceptable social practice as well as essential to her proper functioning. He also recognized the tone in her vocal patterns as 'joking.' He was very attune to the vibrations, timbre, tone, and pitch of her voice.

"My apologies," Isaac said. He sat down across from her. Human patterns of movement fascinated him. By standing, he was showing superiority over Claire in her seated position. While he was in fact, superior, he recalled what he had told Kaylon Primary, that marriage was an equal partnership. Therefore, sitting was the proper response to the situation. "I was researching the execution of a profitable continued relationship."

"Oh?" Claire's fingers drifted to the diamond on her left hand, letting the pads of her fingers run over the facets and the setting in the ring. "And what have you learned?" The scientist in her found this fascinating. The wife found it adorable. He's trying so hard. Such an interesting development. She loved it, and loved him for it.

"Yes. There is a ritual of marriage we have not completed," Isaac informed her.

"And what is that?" she asked.

He spread his fingers. "We have not gone on..a honeymoon."

"And I suppose you don't count the night of our wedding ceremony," Claire's voice took on a low tone. Isaac processed her heartbeat change and the flush in her cheeks. All signs of…lust.

"Negative," he responded. "It is my understanding that while honeymoons do include sexual relations as a component, they also require the couple to travel somewhere that is not their residence."

Claire smiled. "You're right. That is generally true. You know, I have some time off saved up. Is there somewhere you've researched that you'd like us to go?" Her biological signs had shifted-increased heartbeat, wider pupils. She was…excited.

He inclined his head. "I would like to see Baltimore."

It did something to his systems when her eyes lit up. He posited that she was recalling their second date wherein he had informed her he would like to see Baltimore.

"I would love that," Claire said. "There is so much I'd like to show you-the symphony, Fort McHenry, the art museums." She looked at him. "Unfortunately, there's no way I could take the time off to actually get to Earth and show you around…but we could do a small honeymoon in the simulator? I could plan an itinerary for us if that would be acceptable?"

"That would be acceptable," Isaac replied.

"I also request you delete any information you have downloaded pertaining to Baltimore," she added. "That way, I can really show you things."

"That would be logical. I will do this."

Claire pulled up her holoscreen, and ran through her calendar. "We could go tomorrow. Does that affect your work, Mr. Science Officer?"

"It does not. I can leave programs running in my absence in order to maintain efficiency."

She leaned over the desk and kissed the top of his head. "Then I will meet you in the simulator tomorrow. Let's say 0700."

"Acknowledged," he confirmed. "I will…" He paused, searching his databases for an appropriate parting phrase when speaking to a partner. "I will see you later, dear," he said finally, stood, and left Sickbay.

Claire watched him go. "I love you, too," she said softly, smiling as she returned to her charts.