Chapter 6

Transferred

Sulu stood in the doorway, hugging his girlfriend for the last time. He kisses her tenderly, softly. He finally finds the one thing he wants, and now he has to let her go. His hands cup her face and kiss her again.
Charlene smiles after each kiss, each tender kiss. Savoring each one of them to memory. Rubbing her hands across his gold uniform chest for her last feel of him.

"I will send com-link messages to you, telling you how much I miss you...chocolate."

Charlene gasp and gave him a shocked look: What did you call me?"

You heard me! Giving her a sly, seductive look.

"Then in that case, then I the only chocolate that you need!"

"Yes, you are!"

"Oooh baby, I like that," and pepper kisses him.

Karu smiles at her one last time and left to report for duty.

Charlene wants to burst out and cry, her heart aches so bad for her boyfriend. Leaving him this way because she wants a career. She had no one for so long that's all she had left was her job. But now she found someone to share her life with, and she must go. She wishes she could find a way to stay and continue her love life. A solid one. Things that any person would want. Starfleet makes it hard to keep shipboard romances under control, and they had made exceptions. Nyota was able to stay with Spock after they were married, but she's not even engaged yet. Charlene signs and went back to her quarters to get her belonging and head out.
The signal came that the Hood is at the rendezvous point. She took one last look around her quarters and thought of the fond memories being aboard the Enterprise. The best ship in the fleet, with the best crew. Two yeomen came to assist with her stuff, Charlene looks puzzled.

Good morning Lt. Masters, we are here on orders by the captain to assist you and your belongings to the transporter room."

Charlene was relieved, she could barely carry the stuff she had in her hands and shoulders.
"Thanks, guys."

The men took all her duffle bags and proceeded to the transporter room. When she arrived, there were most of her friends.
Captain Kirk
Mr. Spock
Eve Brody
Nyota Uhura
Mr. Scott and
Dr. McCoy
Everybody from the wedding except… the one person who made her life enjoyable again. Charlene wanted to cry when she saw them and hurt at the same time. She thought maybe Sulu couldn't bear seeing her off, she would've broken down crying. Perhaps it was best, well for now.
Kirk steps forward first.
"Lt. Masters you are now officially the chief engineer of the USS. Hood, Congratulations on your next endeavor. God speed Lt."
Kirk handed her a black box and gave her a hug.
"Thank you, Lt for saving and keeping the Enterprise the finest ship in the fleet."

Mr. Spock and Nyota step forward, she has been crying for some time, and Spock is having difficulty counseling her. Tears are not his bag.
"Girl, you know your the best! Please keep in touch. You are the best friend I ever had, you are more than a friend, you are my sister. Most of all we are family, I will miss you so much."
Nyota starts sucking in air to avoid crying. Gives Charlene her big sister hug and stands next to Spock.

Spock nods his head in approval of Charlene's decision
"Live long and prosper Lt. Masters."
Spock holds Nyota's two forefingers to give her composure in the situation and leads her back next to the transporter console.

Meanwhile on the bridge:
Sulu feelings are confused, he should have seen her off, what kind of man is he? He doesn't know when he will see his girlfriend again. Starships seldom share the same docks unless the ship is being refitted. Then stares at the Hood in front of him, the ship that is taking the only thing that made him content. He needs to see her one last time, and this time he won't hold back what wants to say. He knows what he wants, the woman of his dream who lights up his world. Sulu turn towards Desalle with a determined look:

"Permission to leave the bridge to say goodbye to my girl sir!"

Desalle at first was taken back and realized what Sulu said.
"Go get her man, just don't stand there!"

Sulu took off for the turbo's and was gone.

Mr. Scott steps forward:" I never met a lass who could handle my engines as you do Masters, you pull your weight in my department as much as any man. It is an honor working and serving with ya." and steps back behind the console.

McCoy steps forward:
"Listen, Masters, I'm not much on farewells, but I would never want to have a bet with you again. I hate losing, so take care of yourself." McCoy took one of her hands and kissed it.

Brody steps forward:
"I want to thank you for being my friend and having lots of girl parties, now … sighs .. I will miss your company. Gives Charlene a gracious hug and sniffs and steps back.

Charlene wants to break down and cry and scream she doesn't want to go. But she has her orders, with her head down, turn from her friends and steps up onto the platform. She turns towards them one more time.
The doors open and Sulu runs in, straight up onto the platform and grabs Charlene and kisses her in front of everybody.

Charlene's eyes widen when she sees Karu running through the door straight towards her. She was in so much shock, taken by surprise that he kisses her.
Nyota and Eve both gasp and awe at the same time. The men just stare at the couple on the platform, kissing.

Charlene is so overwhelmed that the flood gates burst and returns his passionate kiss.

"Karu, what are you doing?" in between sobs.

"Char, you're the best thing that ever happened to me, and I don't want to lose you."
"I've decided to transfer to the Hood to be with you."

"WHAT!?" shouts Kirk, McCoy, and Scotty.

"Fascinating," said Spock with his eyebrows raised.

"Now wait a minute," interjects Kirk, but McCoy cuts in.

"Hold on Jim, this is getting good."

Uhura and Brody are holding each other with the anticipation of what's coming next.

"Karu, you can't do that!"

"I decided that I can't live without you another day or moment. And I've been waiting for you my whole life."

Sulu got down on one knee and said the magic words.
"Charlene Masters will you marry me!"

Everyone was taken back with the outward declaration and holding their peace. Except for Spock who stood by observing the transaction.

"Really?! You want to marry me?"

"Yes, do I need to repeat myself?"

"No,?"

Charlene looked into his eyes, it took guts for him to say those magic words. With tears in her eyes and touching his cheek with her hand.

"Oh yes Hikaru, yes" Charlene grabs her man and kisses him again.

Brody and Uhura start jumping and screaming.
Kirk runs his hand in his hair, watching another love story unfold in front of him.
Spock didn't know what to think, another Terran tradition performed right in front of him. Very emotional was his thoughts.

"I don't know what kind of ship we're running, but it looks like the Love Boat!"
Kirk gives McCoy a glaring look.

Sulu turned around and gave everyone a big smile: "She said yes!"

Uhura and Eve run up the steps to congratulate the couple but mostly Char.
"I've got to make another wedding dress! My clientele is expanding!"

Sulu didn't hear them, he was holding his prize possession in his arms. Giving Charlene his full attention.

Then he releases Charlene and steps down and walks to the captain.
"Captain, I request permission to transfer to the USS. Hood."

"Sulu, we need to talk and review our options, this is a spur of the moment."
Lt. Uhura can you notify the Hood that there is a delay and ask for time."

Sulu turns and goes back to his fiance' and holds her.

Uhura wipes her face and runs to the communication console in the corner and contacts the Hood.
Kirk turns to Mr. Spock, Scotty and McCoy with his hands on his hips:
"Well gentlemen, we have another wedding to arrange."

"Indeed captain."

How was that ending? I hoped you liked it. Peace.