"Promise"

September 2022

The sound of crickets, distant waves, and the wind brushing gently through the juniper trees created a light blanket of sound around the couple. The golden lights of warm homes below them and far across the bay dotted the landscape like the stars overhead. Despite being a simulation, the village of Elara was full of peace and comfort.

At last, Gemini turned from their view to glance at Hudson, only to find that his expression had changed. It had grown solemn, almost melancholic, as his brows arched over his dark eyes. She bit her lip in determination and held out her hands. "Hudson?"

He eyed them for a moment before taking them, wrapping his tan fingers around hers. "Ma'am?"

She straightened her posture, taking a step toward him to narrow the space between them. "I want to make a promise."

Hudson watched her expectantly.

"I want to promise that, no matter what happens, I will be with you."

He glanced at their hands for a moment. "I like that promise," he admitted almost sheepishly.

She tried to smile, though the weight of her words caused her to pause. "Whether that means you stay with me... or I go with you..."

"You'd leave here—The Enterprise—to be with me?" He seemed surprised, despite his voice barely rising above a whisper.

She bit her lip. "I... I can't be without you. I hope it wouldn't come to that, but... if it does, so be it."

His smile squashed almost embarrassedly. "Then, I promise that, too; with everything I am."

Gemini remained hesitant. "Even if it means leaving everyone from Westfall?"

"It wouldn't be easy to leave 'em, but, I'd choose stayin' with you in a heartbeat." His smile stretched wide. "Gemini, I..." He stopped, as if choking on the words, before giving her hand a squeeze. "I love you."

The words struck her like a phaser to her heart. Despite wanting nothing more than to hear him speak them, she felt both overjoyed and dumbfounded. But when the man before her pulled her in, she immediatley wrapped her arms around him and held him with all her might.

"I love you, too," she admitted into his chest.

"And I promise, no matter what, I'll always love you," he spoke into her white strands of hair.

She smiled, squashing her eyes shut as she remained tucked in his arms.

"I like that promise, too."

--

~David Helpling, Promise

I've been sidetracked into writing a Star Trek: TNG crossover with my original series Westfall where Gemini is found by The Enterprise and joins Starfleet to serve - only to help intercept a distress call from Braecia where she meets (and falls in love with) Hudson.

Thanks to the song above, this cute little scene emerged from my scribblings and begged me to draw it first. With days left before Hudson's departure from the Enterprise, the couple go on a date on the holodeck to Elara, Aravast (Gemini's village) where she dresses in a more traditional Aravasti outfit. After taking in their location and situation, the two realize they can no longer ignore their feelings...

Tags: Westfall-Related