R & R

Posted on Sun May 31st, 2026 @ 10:07pm by Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Remal Kajun

2,332 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Character Development
Location: A Tropical Island

The transporter shimmer dissolved into warmth, sunlight, and the distant hush of rolling surf. Fine white sand stretched beneath swaying palms, the shoreline curving gently around a lagoon so impossibly blue it looked painted rather than real. The resort itself rested further up the rise, elegant low-profile villas woven naturally into the tropical landscape with the understated luxury Earth had perfected by the late twenty-fourth century. Soft pathways glowed faintly beneath the trees, environmental systems quietly balancing comfort with the living island around them rather than overpowering it.

For a moment none of them spoke.

Rhenora simply stood there breathing it in while the ocean breeze carried salt, flowers, and warm rain somewhere far off beyond the horizon. Patina squirmed excitedly in Remal’s arms the instant she heard the water, tiny hands immediately pointing toward the beach with urgent toddler determination.

Remal adjusted her comfortably against his shoulder and slowly turned in place, taking in the stillness around them. No alarms. No damage reports. No smell of smoke or blood lingering beneath recycled air. Just warmth and sunlight settling across his skin for the first time in what felt like forever.

“I think,” he said quietly, a faint smile finally surfacing as Patina nearly launched herself toward the ocean, “we chose correctly.”

Rhenora nodded silently, letting the sheer serenity of the space take her breath away for a moment. There was no crisis here, no-one who needed her to make a decision, or to speak inspiring words, or solve the problem. Only the gentle sea breeze, the rhythmic crashing of the waves, and a little girl who was busting to get the sand between her toes.

"Bula!" One of the staff greeted a moment later in the traditional language of the island. Shell lathe's were placed around the necks of the small family and a cool drink pressed into their hands. "It means hello, or welcome, in Fijian. We are honoured to be your hosts"

Remal blinked slightly at the sudden hospitality, the shell lei settling against his chest while Patina immediately grabbed at hers with fascinated little hands. The cool drink helped cut through the lingering heat of travel, crisp and sweet with unfamiliar tropical fruit that earned a faintly surprised lift of his brow after the first sip.

“Wow,” he murmured quietly to Rhenora as they began walking alongside their host, “they are very friendly.” Patina seemed to agree wholeheartedly, already babbling happily at the staff member while bouncing lightly in his arms.

Their guide led them along softly lit wooden paths that curved out over crystal-clear water, the resort becoming more secluded and peaceful the farther they walked. Small cabins stood spaced comfortably apart atop the lagoon itself, each connected by polished walkways with gentle privacy screens of tropical greenery and flowering vines. Sunlight danced across the water beneath them, schools of brilliantly colored fish visible even from above.

When they finally reached their cabin, Remal slowed slightly, taking in the private plunge pool, shaded deck, and the endless stretch of ocean beyond it. A warm breeze drifted through the open-air architecture, carrying the scent of saltwater and flowering trees.

He glanced toward Rhenora, the exhaustion still present in him but softer now, less sharp around the edges. “I could get used to this very quickly,” he admitted quietly.

"I believe my dear, that is the point" Rhenora pushed through the thatched door, taking in the spatious interior with two separate bedrooms and white tiled floors. The sea breeze drifted through the open windows, providing perpetual cooling through the warm humid days. The sun began to dip towards the horizon, the low lying clouds turning every shade of gold and pink imaginable. It was truly idyllic.

The cabin staff sat their bags down and quietly left, leaving the family in an exhausted peace that wouldn't ease completely for several days. Rhenora breathed in deeply, taking in the salty sea air and the waves that soothed her soul more than she cared to admit.

"Glass of wine?" She asked after a few moments, heading to the cooler unit and withdrawing a bottle of Earth wine. It wouldn't have the usual tang of spring wine, but as the old Earth saying 'When in Rome...' went.

Remal accepted the glass as she poured, leaning casually against the counter while the warm evening breeze rolled through the cabin around them. The sight of her finally beginning to unwind, letting go of 'Captain Kaylen' and stepping into wife Rhenora, softened something in him further.

“I thought we were in Fiji,” he replied with quiet amusement, lifting the glass slightly before taking a sip. The unfamiliar Earth wine drew a thoughtful hum from him, lighter than spring wine but pleasant in its own way. His eyes drifted back toward her then, warmth of wine and a hint of mischief settling there together. “Though now I am curious. What exactly do these Romans do while visiting fantastical tropical islands?”

Patina had already wandered toward the deck doors, captivated by the sound of the water below, leaving the two of them standing in a rare pocket of calm that belonged entirely to themselves. Remal stepped closer, slipping an arm loosely around Rhenora’s waist as he looked out toward the golden horizon.

“Because at the moment,” he murmured, “my plans involve wine, warm water, and spending enough uninterrupted time with my wife that I remember what shore leave is actually supposed to feel like.”

She smiled, letting the space and air of the place slowly calm her jangled nerves. There was an old-fashioned clock on the wall emblazoned with 'I'm on Fiji Time', an indicator of the pace of the entire island.

"Those plans sound like a fine holiday to me." They headed for the deck chairs on the porch, still with an eye on the exploring Patina, but a view of the dramatic sunset was better afforded. Rhenora sighed, long and deep, and seemed to finally remember how to breathe.

Remal settled deeper into the deck chair beside her, one bare foot resting against the wooden railing while the wine glass turned slowly between his fingers. The pace of the island seemed to seep into everything around them, slowing thought and breath alike until even silence felt restorative rather than empty. He watched the sunset with the quiet appreciation of someone who had spent too many evenings beneath emergency lighting and burning skies.

Earth’s sky carried a simplicity Bajor never could. One sun. One moon. One long golden fade into dusk that lingered gently across the ocean instead of competing among clustered celestial bodies. The clouds caught the dying light like painted brushstrokes across the horizon, shifting from gold to rose to deep violet while the sea reflected every color upward in rippling fragments.

For nearly an hour, they remained there together, saying little, drinking slowly, and allowing the day to loosen its grip on them piece by piece. Patina splashed happily in the shallow plunge pool nearby, entirely committed to the important business of soaking herself and anything within arm’s reach. Every so often, she looked back toward them simply to confirm they were still watching before returning to her campaign against the water.

Eventually, the little girl slowed. One tiny yawn became two, followed by the unmistakable sway of a child losing the battle against sleep while stubbornly refusing to surrender.

Remal smiled faintly into his wine glass. “There it is,” he murmured softly. “The warning klaxon.” He rose from the chair and crossed toward the pool, crouching beside it as Patina blinked heavily up at him with wet curls plastered against her forehead. “You fought bravely,” he informed her with solemn sympathy while lifting her carefully from the water. “But Fiji appears to have defeated you.”

"For today - and tomorrow, you may take up the good fight with the sun and the sand again" Rhenora stepped over with a towel to wrap the wriggling toddler with. She stepped back into the cabin and looked at the menu, ordering a light meal for them all whilst Patina rinsed off in the shower. The sun cast it's last rays over the ocean, a promise to return the next day.

Remal emerged from the small washroom a few minutes later with Patina bundled securely against his shoulder inside an absurdly oversized towel that made her look more like an indignant cloud than a child. Damp curls clung stubbornly to her forehead while she blinked sleepily at the world with the tragic expression of someone deeply wronged by bedtime preparations. One small hand rested possessively against Remal’s collar while he carried her back toward the open dining area, his own sleeves rolled casually to the forearms after surviving the splashing campaign.

The evening air drifted warmly through the cabin while dinner waited across the low table overlooking the moonlit water. The scents alone felt restorative. Grilled seafood brushed with lime and island spices, alongside tropical fruits sweet enough to perfume the air. Somewhere beneath it all lingered the earthy warmth of rice cooked slowly in broth and herbs, immediately comforting.

Remal settled Patina onto his lap while she worked through the serious business of staying awake long enough to steal pieces from everyone else’s plate. He sampled the fish first and gave an approving hum low in his throat as the flavors settled. “I understand why humans become dramatic about vacations now,” he admitted, reaching for another bite. “This may actually qualify as peace.”

Across from him, the warm candlelight caught against Rhenora’s skin while the sea breeze toyed gently with loose strands of her hair, softening the last sharp edges left behind from the previous days. Remal’s eyes lingered a moment before a faint smile curved at the corner of his mouth.

“I should warn you,” he said quietly while Patina attempted to claim a stolen piece of fruit with both hands, “you’re beginning to look far too relaxed already. At this pace I may never convince you to return to space.”

Patina immediately held up her prize in triumph as though supporting his argument, earning a soft laugh from him before he leaned down to kiss the top of her damp curls.

Rhenora smiled warmly as she demolished the delicious dinner. It was simple and hearty, full of flavour and utterly satisfying. The wine danced on her palate, a perfect combination to the seafood and rice that was rapidly disappearing from her plate.

"You know, MOST people do this on a regular occurrence. We're just the weird ones who never seem to catch a break" She snorted, a light laugh carried away on the breeze far too quickly. She took in her small family, Remal - her rock in all things, and Patina, the rumbunctious energetic child who demanded attention and knew exactly what she wanted. It was truly bliss.

Remal looked up from his plate with exaggerated consideration, as though weighing a matter of profound philosophical importance. “Most people also manage to go more than three weeks without being shot at,” he observed dryly. “I suspect we're vacationing incorrectly.” The soft laugh that followed carried an ease not heard from him in some time. He glanced down as Patina triumphantly claimed another piece of fruit she had absolutely not been offered.

As the meal wound down, he gathered the empty dishes and stacked them neatly together, rising from the table with practiced efficiency. Patina swayed where she sat, eyelids growing heavier by the second despite her determined efforts to remain involved in adult affairs.

Remal nodded toward their daughter. “I'll handle the cleanup if you put the rebel to bed.” Patina immediately protested with an indignant squeak that convinced absolutely nobody.

"Alrighty, my little water warrior, bedtime for you." Rhenora swung Patina up into her arms and hoisted her into her arms. She headed towards the second bedroom, humming a soft lullaby as she went to calm their little monster down. The yawn that nearly split the toddler's head in two indicated the battle was nearly won. Patina grizzled and clutched her soft toy, burying her head in her pillow and light blanket. A soft hand on the shoulder settled the sleepy one, and Rhenora tiptoed out, almost holding her breath.

"Mission accomplished," she sat on the couch, watching the palm trees sway outside their window. There was the distant crashing, crashing of the waves, rhythmic and continuous and yet utterly grounding.

Remal looked up from the last of the dishes as she settled onto the couch. The corners of his mouth lifted in quiet approval. “A victory worthy of recognition,” he replied softly.

He crossed the room carrying two glasses of wine. Before offering one, he leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss to her lips, unhurried and warm, as though there was finally time enough to enjoy simple things again. Only then did he place the glass into her hand. “Your reward, my Captain.”

The moonlight spilled through the open windows, painting silver across the floor while the ocean whispered endlessly beyond the deck. Remal settled beside her, turning slightly on the couch. Without asking, he reached for one of her feet and drew it gently into his lap. His thumbs worked slowly into tired muscles, patient and practiced after years of long missions, endless duty shifts, and the particular stubbornness of one Bajoran captain. He knew every place tension liked to hide.

“You carry the weight of an entire ship on these things,” he murmured, kneading a knot from the arch of her foot. “It's a wonder they haven't filed a formal complaint.”

The teasing faded into comfortable silence. One hand continued its slow work while the other rested lightly against her ankle. Outside, the palms swayed and the waves rolled ashore in a rhythm older than memory. For the first time in days, perhaps weeks, there was nowhere either of them needed to be. Only here. With one another.

TBC

 

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