Steak and poker chips

Posted on Thursday 4 February 2021 @ 12:45 by Captain Melody Jones & Civilian Sansa Draxx-Jones & Lieutenant Commander Hayley Godding & Lieutenant Breana Rathburn & Lieutenant Ricardo Draxx

Mission: Homeward
Location: Earth, Texas Ranch
Timeline: MD12
3081 words - 6.2 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Time seemed to have flown by while she'd been home, but then again it always did as she tried to cram as much as she could into the time she had. But, she'd been pleased with herself and the work she'd gotten done with the horses. Now, though, she had to get ready for the kick off.

Dustin had, thankfully, set up the area for her over by the small lake and bonfire that he'd prepped. A couple of coolers, pops and beer stocked in them. Another cooler with homemade potato salad, a container of deviled eggs and then of course a small tote with all the making for s'mores on it. The grill was going and she'd already had the steaks marinating.

Still unable to believe her other brother had pranked her and invited the Commander and family to the ranch before telling her. She vowed to get him back for that one day. For now, though, she paced nervously along the front of the wrap around porch as she waited for her guest to get here. Duke, the family's newer black lab paced alongside with her.

Melody and Draxx were the first to arrive. Melody had opted to wear a light summer dress and carried 2 bottles. One in each hand, one containing a green liquid and one an orange liquid. Draxx held a box containing some fresh Bajoran spiny fish to put on the BBQ.

Melody approached Bree and embraced her. "Hello Breana. Thank you for inviting us. Sansa and Hayley should here soon, they are coming from a skiing trip in Ontario. Here, a gift." She handed her the bottle of green liquid. "Aldebaran whisky, 2218. This one," she indicated to the other bottle "Is for me. Carrot juice. I can't get enough of it at the moment, plus I'm off alcohol... for the next nine months..." She let that last statement hang and patted her stomach.

Returning the hug, Bree accepted the gift and smiled a bit more, while shy at the moment she was also well relaxed in her place of home. Whiskey, it would be a good night indeed... unless of course she saved it for a night on the ship. "Congrats" She said with a sudden grin hearing the Captains news.

Sansa and Hayley beamed in shortly after Melody and Draxx did. Hand in hand, they walked down to where everyone was gathering. Sansa beamed her most radiant smile "Hi Breana, Hi mom, dad."

Melody came over and hugged Sansa "Hi Sweetie." She then hugged Hayley too.

Hayley returned the embrace smiling, then gave Draxx a friendly nod. "Hey everyone." She said, as she walked over to Bree. "We brought you a little something for the BBQ..." She handed over a small hamper of selected meats and a small bottle of Canadian wine. "We were in this quaint little hamlet and Sansa spotted this small shop selling local delicacies in a hamper, so... here you go."

"Sweetheart," Draxx said hugging Sansa. He stopped for a moment in front of Hayley. He wasn't at hug her point yet. "Hayley," he said holding his hand out to shake hers. It was more formal for sure but it was a little awkward still. He was getting there.

Carefully, she accepted the added gifts before moving to set them all on a wooden table to the side of the porch. "Welcome all, and thanks for the gifts... though you didn't have to." Taking a deep breath to calm the rush of nerves as she looked at part of her crew and Captain a moment.

"I'd invite you in but my brother has some friends over for a poker night. So I figured I would treat you all to a cookout and bonfire by the pond." She motioned to the 4-wheelers and the jeep. "We can ride there by four wheelers, or I can drive you in the truck if you feel more comfortable. We are just going a couple of acre's out that way." She pointed to where the light hint of smoke was drifting into the air.

"Red, I'm driving," Draxx said simply. If her current wanting to eat everything in sight was anything to go by he wasn't risking letting her going for more speed too.

"That sounds wonderful Breana, lead the way. I hope the food won't be long, getting rather hungry." Melody said as she headed for one of the 4-wheelers.

"Bree this place is wonderful. I'll help you cook," he added. It might be the only way he got some lunch, he mused.

Sansa and Hayley hopped in the back while much to Draxx's surprise, Melody got into the passenger seat without a word of protest. She looked at him with an amused smile on her face. "Comming dear?"

Well, that was unexpected, the Bajoran mused his mouth opening and closing a couple of times. What was going on? His wife and seemingly 2 other women hadn't challenged or argued with him. Was he in a parallel universe? Whatever he would take it. He jumped in the driving seat.

With Draxx taking over the driving of the jeep, and Hayley and Sansa surprising her by not taking the four wheelers, she gave a nod as she looked at them. "Most the food should be about ready, the only thing left to cook is the steaks. Just so you know." She said with a little wink to Melody, glad for once that she'd overcooked in preparation for this get together.

"I'll take the four wheeler, just follow me out, straight shot... and I'll try not to go to fast." Bree said as she headed over to her black, slightly muddy, four wheeler and climbed on. After checking to make sure they where ready and started, she headed out before them, keeping slightly to the side of the jeep. After all she wanted to make sure Draxx remembered it was on wheels and not flying through space.

“I’ll do my best to keep up, ” the Bajoran said. Although the chief engineer's reputation made him think that was highly unlikely. The infamous incident in engineering with Scarlet had lead to some rumours flying around the ship as to both of them just “having to be right or win”

They arrived near the pond. Melody reached over and put her hand on Draxx's "Sweetie, I'm pregnant, not made of glass you know. I know you're only looking out for me but next time... a touch faster?" she lent over and kissed him. "It's a good job you're so devilishly good looking because you drive like an old woman Sweetie."

Sansa let out a small giggle at her mom's remarks, then was silenced by a look from her father.

“Thanks sweetheart, ” he directed at Sansa and his cheeky wife, “and yes I am devilishly good looking.”

Melody breathed in and caught the whiff of BBQ. Her stomach rumbled in response. "Come on dear.... the food is calling and your lady is hungry," she said to Draxx, getting out of the vehicle. "Come on you two." She said to Sansa and Hayley.

"Sheesh, when isn't she hungry...?" Hayley asked, mostly to herself, jumping down from the truck and helping Sansa out of the back. "I'd love to know where she's putting it all..."

Draxx caught Hayleys comment and actually chuckled. “Shes a healthy appetite that's all. Both my sons will grow up big and strong.”

Bree was trying not to chuckle as she listened to the talk of the others. With a moment to the dark haired woman placing food out onto a couple of tables that had been sat up Bree motioned to her first. "You all might remember Zoey, she'll be returning back to the ship with me by the way." She said with a glance to Melody. "And that guy over there currently reeling in a fish, is my other brother Derrick, also known as Lieutenant Derrick Rathburn of the USS Camalot."

"Evenin Sir, Ma'am, Ladies." Derrick said with a respectful nod as he reached out and snagged the catfish he'd just caught. "Breazy, the baked potatoes, corn, and ribs should be done, just need to take um off the grill."

"Hi all" Zoey responded as she went ahead and headed over to the grill to start getting the sides off.

She couldn't help but to roll her eyes as she heard their nickname for her. Looking back to her guest as she spoke. "There are extra poles if anyone wants to fish. There is steaks and BBQ ribs, and if you want steaks I just need to know how you like um cooked."

Melody made her way to the table that was set out. "It's nice to meet you all and I would love a steak, just over medium for me please."

“Fish... You said fish right?” Draxxs ears puffed as he pulled a chair out for Melody. “Derrick right. Might I have a go? I'm quite the keen angler. Never caught a catfish though.”

"Sure, extra poles and tackle boxes are right over there." He said pointing to a spot near the pond out of everyone's way. "There is a minow bucket if you want that, I have some shad heads and worms also."

Melody chuckled to herself "Oh dear, we've lost him. You know he won't return now until he caught something." melody said to Bree.

She laughed softly and nodded. "It's ok, everyone needs the chance to relax and have fun out here. Were in no rush, and Derrick and I are the same way. We all used to fish out here all night at times."

Sansa sat down next to her mother leaving a seat for Hayley. "I'd love a steak too please, just under medium for me." She looked at Hayley "What would you like Sweetie?"

"Ohhh, I'd love a good piece of sirloin, medium-rare." Hayley said, sitting down next to Sansa.

"Did you mention Poker?" Melody asked. "It's a shame Amelia isn't here. She's really good but I've been known to play a hand or two.

Getting the steaks going to everyone's liking, Bree was clearly in her relaxed element as she chatted with Melody. that country twang of hers heard more than usual. "We have poker stuff in the BBQ basket. Yes, maybe a little strange, but with my family, we grew up playing poker at the drop of a hat sometimes."

Looking over at the basket, Hayley pondered whether to partake or not. She was not exactly amazing at cards, in fact, she was downright terrible at them. However, she did enjoy the psychological study of the other players of which she was gifted at thanks to her years of training in security. Not that there would be much benefit in studying this motley lot. "You any good at cards, babe?" She asked Sansa.

Sansa looked blankly at her for a moment. "Mom tried to explain the basics to me once. I think I could have a go but I've never played before. Could be fun."

"As long a the food comes first," Melody interjected, grabbing a piece of bread of the table.

"Foods coming right up," Bree said as she checked the steaks before pulling them off the grill in the order of doneness. Passing them out to each person so they could add the sides they wanted on the plate. She then settled down with the females to sit, eat and chat with them.

"So Derrick," Draxx said casting out. "How are things on the Camelot?"

"Not too bad, it keeps me busy and the crew is a good one." Derrick replied as he started pulling on his line having felt a tug to it.

The BBQ was a huge success. In a short time, everyone's plate was empty, including Melody's who had also helped clean Draxx's plate. A poker game was started shortly after.

Despite claiming not to have played before, Sansa was doing rather well and her pile of chips grew slowly but quietly. It came down to this, the last hand. Sansa's face turned sour as the flop was dealt.

"Sweetie, you might as well be showing us your cards," Melody said gently. She glanced at her own hand and checked. Then came the turn. Sansa winced. Melody let out a small chuckled.

Bree smirked a little with a wink to Zoey as they enjoyed the game. Both of them had been new to it and had to learn how to have that poker face, so seeing Sansa's face had them trying not to chuckle.

Melody took another look and pushed some chips into the centre. "I raise 50."

Sansa looked at her own cards and grimaced. "Your 50..... And another 50." she added almost as an afterthought.

Melody looked at her daughter thoughtfully. "If I didn't know better, I'd say we were being played. Draxx? Hayley? Are you buying this innocent routine because I think we're being fleeced here?"

Hayley, for her part, had a significantly diminished pile of chips since they had started - most of which were discretely in Sansa's pile. However, her keen observation skills had never once let her down and she could tell when someone was putting on a fake front or an act. Sansa was good... very good in fact. If she ever turned her tricks to a life of crime, she'd be very hard to pin down. However, not one to out her girlfriend, Hayley merely gave Melody a half-hearted shrug and looked at her own pathetic hand, wondering why she sucked so badly at this game.

"She has mothers poker skills," Draxx commented looking down at his pair of kings.

Then came the last card, The River.

Melody pushed her entire pile into the centre. "I'm all in."

Sansa, copying Melody did the same. "Me too."

Melody raised an eyebrow. "Now I know we're being hustled here. Ok! Let's make this interesting. Plus the chips, Let's add next weeks holodeck time. Whoever wins this hand, get all the holodeck time next week."

Sansa nodded "Ok."

"In for a penny," he said pushing all his chips in too.

"Well, this is pretty much the end of the game for me one way or the other." Hayley said, shoving what few chips she had left into the middle. "I'm all in too..." Since she figured that if Sansa won she'd end up in the holodeck with her at least once, she knew she was on to a winner no matter what she had.

"Sounds good to me, I could always use a bit more holodeck time." Breana said with a grin as she checked her hand again with a slight nod.

"Right then," Melody said. "Showdown!"

Laying her cards down with a grin. "2 pair, jacks high."

Placing her cards down one at a time in succession, she finished up with an amused smirk. "Pair of twos..." She grinned.

"Pair of Kings," the Bajoran pushed them forward.

Melody whistled. "Not bad, but not good enough." She laid down a pair of aces. "Trip aces," she said with a smile.

"Is this a good hand?" Sansa asked as she put her cards down. Melody's face fell as she looked upon..... A Royal Flush.

"I knew it!" Melody said as she tousled Sansa's hair. "Well played Sweetie."

"Good game, Sansa." Breana said with a smile before rising to go add a bit more to the fire that was still going strong and giving them plenty of glowing light as the darkness started setting upon them a bit more.

Eyeing the cards that Sansa had laid down and then looking up at her lovers face, Hayley raised her eyebrows; "You should give up on the whales and go into acting, you'd be great at it. Just don't become a card shark or a hustler, will ya?"


Sansa collected her winnings. "Mom, Dad.... We've been talking and I think.... Would it be ok for me to move in with Hayley?"

Draxx was taking a sip of beer. He almost choked and ended up spraying the rest of them. Clearly, he was not expecting this turn of events.

Well, that came out of left field! Hayley'd hoped that they'd explain it quietly later, ideally when there were fewer sharp implements within easy reach of Draxx! Oh well, it was out now, might as well go with it. She just hoped to all the deities that she wasn't going to have to have to physically disarm or restrain Sansa's father in front of her. "We were discussing it the other night and logistically, it makes a good deal of sense. Sansa had been staying with me previous to the Faye situation, after which she had her own quarters for a while. With you expecting twins, having more space would be advantageous. Plus, we... erm..." She blushed heavily. "...feel this is the right step for furthering our relationship."

Melody had been expecting something like this and was. She looked at both of them and smiled "Well, I suppose if you're both happy and it's what you want. What do you think Sweetie?" She turned to Draxx.

"I think its too soon," Draxx said simply. "But you're not going to listen to me. I also think this wasn't the right environment for this conversation." He wondered if he could sneak off and go fish some more instead of having to deal with this.

"Oh!" Sansa replied, looking rather down and casting a nervous glance towards Hayley. She would have to speak to her dad later and plead her case again.

"This has been a wonderful evening," Melody said to Breana. "Thank you so much for inviting us."

Bree didn't get the chance to say anything at first, as both Zoey and Derrick decided to pip up at the same time. "More fishing anyone? "Smore's for dessert anyone"

Trying not to chuckle hearing her friend and brother both trying to defusing the hint of tension that had suddenly touched upon the air. Breana smiled at Melody. "It was a pleasure having ya'll here."


OFF:

●●●● Captain Melody Jones
Commanding Officer
USS Merlin


Sansa Draxx-Jones
Civilian
NPC Jones

●● Lieutenant Ricardo Draxx
Assistant Operations Officer
USS Merlin


○●● Lieutenant Commander Hayley Godding
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Merlin


●● Lieutenant Breana Rathburn
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Merlin