Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last conversation. You are all wonderful.
Day 88: Adventures in babysitting
From: Number_one_Pike
To: Spock's_cuddlebunny
Time arrived: 05/19/2260 00:00:01
Subject: I'm glad I never had to supervise the under 20.
Why am I not even that surprised? Oh yeah, because of the amount of cadet shacking up with professors back when I was a student. I'm glad you're back safe. Of course, the 19-year-old hooks up with somebody when stuck in a cave. Again, not surprised.
At least he's over 18 now, so not your problem. Maybe he's making up for that year where he was in space, but technically younger than the Federation age of consent. It is kind of weird that you can serve in Starfleet on behalf of the Federation, but you're not allowed to get laid. If we think you're emotionally mature enough for one, then he probably should be emotionally mature enough for the other.
Jim, you know you're never going to get stuck in the cave with your significant other because that's just the way the universe works. It's cruel that way. We really should have better protocols regarding gravity storms because it seems like everyone will get stuck in a cave at least once in their Starfleet career. Maybe even more than once. Hey, at least you had a deck of cards.
I haven't got a transfer request yet, so maybe your therapist is a miracle worker, or the lag time is worse than we thought. Have you made it to the Star base yet? Everybody wants your prisoner dropped off especially me. That court-martial is going to be fun. Glad I am not your enemy.
It's going to be mostly easy stuff until Yorktown at least. Mostly transporting things to Yorktown. Along with some dignitaries and ambassadors that are being relocated to Yorktown. Good luck.
Okay, I should probably tell you that you are picking up a few dignitaries from a planet that are a bit more amorous than Vulcans or humans for that matter. They've sexually harassed the last team that picked them up. Just be careful. I don't want to find out if Chen will cover up your husband choking a dignitary to death for touching his husband without express consent.
Your new teacher will be on Yorktown waiting for you. It works out great because she'll get to travel with her best friend there in time to see her off on the Hamilton. I'm still surprised Ms. Gutierrez agreed to do this despite everything Sue most likely told her.
I'm sorry I'm not coming to Yorktown with the others, but I'm sure our paths will cross eventually. I'm not sure how much longer Chen is going to keep me on Earth. I will probably get an off-planet assignment as Chen is sure that those on Earth won't try to poison her to take over her position. A lot of Marcus' cronies have been locked up, but some remain. It's going to take a while to get everything resolved, but I think we will get there.
From: Elizabeth_Chen
To: SulxuHG2260
Time arrived: 5/19/2260 00:00:01
Subject: Greetings from your new child caregiver
Hey since I am going to probably be the one writing Desi's updates after my sister leaves next month, I thought maybe I should get a head start on writing you.
We got the forms two days before your letter got here. I guess the system prioritizes legal forms. We did get your letter and then we got Jim's letter as well as your other letter. Although by that point we kind of knew. The Enterprise rumor mill is quick and vicious.
So, it was Pav who was the one who had cave sex for like five days straight? I know it wasn't Jim because Spock wasn't with him and I'm pretty sure the only person they would be in a poly relationship with is Nyota and she's dating Leonard right now. Maybe in a different time line, but not this one.
Your daughter was a sweetie pie at Princess Land. I have so many pictures. Yes, Mulan was her favorite. She also loves Ariel and of course Jasmine. Jasmine may have been her favorite. It's the blue. She loves blue. Or at least that shade of blue. I kind of had to buy her three of those headbands.
Also, we may have had to chase around your boyfriend's kid because she is fast for someone who just mastered the art of walking last month and chatty, very chatty. Then again, so is Desi. Mama is a perennial favorite. Also, Susu. I think she's trying to say her last name or maybe my sister's first name. It could be either because they kind of sound alike.
Your boyfriend managed to bond with my boyfriend's mom. They are both members of the Starfleet widows' club. It was good for him to spend time with someone who is a more seasoned member even though Winona has made a lot of mistakes. Winona told him that he had to put his emotional well-being and the emotional well-being of his daughter first and not let others hurt him, especially the in-laws. I think it was something that he needed to hear.
Oh, if you haven't heard from Ben recently, please write because his in-laws pulled some shady stuff that day and are doing more awful things. Shawn is working on it, and maybe he will have it all settled in a couple of days, but Ben can kind of use your support. God, they are just awful.
I put in my notice at work and I only have one more week of work before I'm going to have to pay full price for all my study food, but I think it's better for me to be available all summer. I'm sad, but I can afford it especially because I'm going to get child support payments while babysitting. Although, if it's a year, it's not really babysitting. I guess we'll call it temporary parenthood. I never thought I would become a parent this early, but it's happening and I prefer it this way. No stretch marks and I don't have to worry about mom killing Kevin because of contraceptive failure.
Anyway, I have finals to study for, so I'll cut this short. I'll try to send some videos or something else before we leave. Only a few more weeks. Anyway, good luck and I hope nobody gets stranded on planets again.
PS: Sue questions why you're still friends with the 19-year-old. She also wants me to remind you to write your daughter. She would write, but she's trying to write her final and she is really pissed off about having to grade on the flight to Yorktown.
PSS: Tell Jim that Kevin is pissed. He'll obviously know why.
From: Spock's_cuddlebunny
To: Number_one_Pike
Time arrived: 05/19/2260 00:12:51
Subject: Re: I'm glad I never had to supervise them under 20.
Margarita really is a miracle worker and I'm not losing a competent doctor. Really don't even think about taking my therapist away again. I understand why I can't work with Dr. Suarez anymore. But I'm going to be furious forever if Margarita ever gets transferred. We need her.
I'm sad that you're not going to be able to come, but I understand. Someone must be on Earth to keep everything from going to hell.
I'm glad that you might be getting a different assignment soon. I think you might be happier there than stuck in bureaucracy all the time. At the same time, I'm a little worried. Someone must be.
I am happy with the information about our new teacher. I'm also happy she hasn't been scared off yet especially because she's a friend of Sue and has probably heard a lot of crazy stories about what happens on Enterprise, mostly revolving around how my helmsmen got her best friend pregnant. I am also shocked she said yes.
Since you're not going to be here for the day after baby D's birthday, how are you planning to spend that day? And yes, I'm referring to it that way because it's easier to deal with if I think of it in terms of something good. I'm trying to divorce it from all the negative connotations instead of what happened with my actual birthday. Worked wholly with eight double parties this year on January 5. It works great that me and my husband have our birthdays two days apart. I'm just worried about you being alone and possibly having to do a memorial for the San Francisco attacks. That would just kind of suck. And I say that as somebody who spent most of their birthdays at Kelvin memorials. My childhood was all kinds of screwed up, but I'm better now.
Thanks for the warning. Unfortunately, Spock's ass was pinched twice. Nobody was nerve pinched, but it was a near thing. I can't wait to get them off my ship. Just two more days. Thank God.
Speaking of getting evil people off the ship, the prisoner has been safely dropped off two days ago. We're all happy he's gone. Bonus points for being able to replenish the chocolate supply. Spock is going to need it to survive the sexual harassment ambassadors on board.
Anyway, write back soon. Maybe I'll call when I'm on Yorktown. I will call. I must do something other than attend small children's birthday parties. Also, Winona's going to be there, so I'm going to need a built-in excuse to get away in case it gets ugly. You know it will get ugly.
From: SulxuHG2260
To: Elizabeth_Chen
Time arrived: 5/19/2260 21:32:31
Subject: Re: Greetings from your new child caregiver
I got an email from Ben two days ago and yes, he really hates his in-laws, with good reason. I also saw the video file and I'm sorry that their son died, but God they're awful. I can't wait until they find out what I didn't do on that planet. They are going to crucify me literally possibly.
Glad to know that Shawn is on it. Please keep me updated. If it really goes south, please convince your mom to let me get the news sooner rather than later. I know she can get transmissions here faster than normal.
You're going to be taking care of our little girl, so we must make sure she gets to keep the lifestyle she is accustomed to. Also, it's not like we have that much to spend things on when we're on mission. Just chocolate bars and liquor. Maybe I went a little wild at the Star base a couple of days ago, but it was necessary. Your future brother-in-law kind of drives me nuts. I always assumed Vulcans were so emotionless. Now I work for one who kind of freaks out whenever his husband gets into trouble.
Considering what I went through with Spock while Jim was stuck on planet, I can only see Kevin being pissed. But everything is okay. The worst thing that happened on our current assignment was Spock ended up getting groped by a diplomat, and Jim couldn't punch him due to diplomatic relations. Although they did make out in front of the guy. That's also against Starfleet policy, but less likely to cause a diplomatic incident. Of course, they're going to be here for two more days. So, it could get worse.
And you're right, we are going to end up getting to know each other well over the next year. I may be a little irregular with these emails, but it is better for me to send them to you than to your mom. She scares me. I'm kind of surprised I didn't end up in Delta Vega for getting your sister pregnant, but Jim and Spock sitting may be worse. Fingers crossed they don't break the Prime Directive for each other again. Next little bit is for Desi. I figure I should just tack it onto this email instead of sending a separate one.
Hey sweetie bear,
I heard you had fun at Princess Land. You have good taste in princesses. Also, I heard you're speaking a little. I can't wait to hear for myself outside of the video file anyway. Although those were cute. You're extra adorable. I can't wait to hug and kiss you soon. We can have so much fun together. I know it's going to be a sad time too because mommy will be going away for a while, but we'll do what we can for it to be good.
Sorry you were born into a Starfleet family. I promise next time I'll apply for something on a Star base or maybe just maybe, if things go good with the minors' program, you might get to live with me on ship someday. Fingers crossed.
To be continued