TLC (backpost)

Posted on Mon Nov 13th, 2023 @ 2:43am by Lieutenant Commander Callie Raven-Grayson & Commander Jonathan Grayson

Mission: Hard Earned Peace
Location: Jon & Callie's Quarters
Timeline: After mission to Planet of the Apes

Jon and Ayana had been rescued and returned to the Washington. Both had made a stop in Sickbay to get their injuries treated. Jon's were the most severe. After convincing and promising Sam that he would stay in bed as much as possible. He was allowed to return to his and Callie's quarters. Which is where he was now, lying in bed, his eyes closed. Everything hurt. His fight with Thade had been a knock down drag out. He had gotten some good telling blows on the chimp, but Thade was too strong and sadistic. He had enjoyed hurting Jon. He had taken perverse pleasure in hurting him.

Even as he lay there, he became aware of another presence in the room. Opening one eye he looked to see Callie standing beside the bed, looking down at him. "Hey." He whispered. His windpipe had been injured when Thade had grabbed it and almost crushed it. "How are you pretty lady?" He croaked out. He loved Callie with every beat of his heart and breath he took.
He would be lost without her and her love.

He patted the bed and doing even that hurt. "Come sit next to me, take a load off." In the next breath, he asked, "Where's Harry?"

Moving over to sit gently down beside Jon, Callie offered a worried smile. “He’s in his room making you a get well card.” She gently took his hand and held onto it, “I should never have left you, I should have been there with you. Maybe if I had this wouldn’t have happened to you!”

Jon shook his head, "No, no Callie. Don't you think like that. If you stayed you may have lost the babies and that would have been tragic." He took one finger and motioned her to lean toward him as Callie did, he kissed her. It was the kiss of a man who totally loves his wife, knows what a good thing he has with her. It was full of his love for her. "I love you Callie, I love you forever."

“I love you, and I will be at your side forever.” She gently returned the kiss with an equally as loving one, before sitting back again. “When they brought you onboard...I was so afraid I was going to lose you! I could feel you when you were down on the planet, I could feel there was something wrong.”

Jon smiled at her. "All I need is you, Harry and the babies. I couldn't ask for anything more Callie." Jon was quiet for a moment, and he spoke softly, holding Callie's hand in his. "I'm sorry I worried you, Callie. I knew you would sense something wasn't right. I'm sorry sweetie. I didn't mean to add more stress for you."

“No, don’t apologise” Callie offered a caring smile. “At least if I’m feeling you I know you’re still alive.” She took a deep relaxing breath. “Now you’re here you’re going to rest until you’re cleared for duty, both physically and mentally. I’m afraid you’ll have to ask Sam to be your Counsellor, it would be a conflict of interest for me to be the one to clear you for duty.”

Jon nodded, "Yes ma'am. I'll stay right here. Why would I go anywhere else? I have you and Harry right here with me. I do promise to be a good patient." He gave her a lopsided grin before replying. "Yeah, I guess so. But you can oversee my progress on a first-hand basis, right?"

“Ohh I will” Callie nodded and smiled. Just at that moment the door opened to reveal Harry in the doorway holding a small wrapped gift and a card. “Hey Sweetheart, come on in Daddy’s looking forward to seeing you.”

Walking in Harry moved quickly across to the bed, but instead of his usual playful jumping around he cautiously moved to sit in-front of Callie as she made room for him.

Jon looked at their son. "Hey Harry buddy, what's wrong?" Jon asked worried about the boy.

Callie looked at Harry then gave him a hug. “He’s been very worried about you, it was hard to try and explain what was going on.” She motioned to Harry’s card and gift. “Why don’t you give Daddy your card and present sweetheart.”

"Oh Harry." Jon said to their son. "You know what? When I was down on that planet. I said to myself. Mommy is okay because Harry is there with her to protect and look after her. You helped me just great Harry. Thank you for taking care of Mommy. Now, can you show me what you have for me?”

Harry smiled and nodded. Holding out a card he’d made by hand. “I made it for you Daddy.” He smiled proudly as he handed over the get well card with a very artistic drawing of his family on the front.

Jon took the card from Harry. "Thank you Harry. Did you draw this? That's very good." He opened the card to reveal a big red heart and underneath it was printed. "I love you Daddy, get better soon!" Jon felt himself getting misty at Harry's thoughtfulness. "Harry I love your card. I am going to keep it forever."

Harry’s face lit up like a light at Jon’s words. “I made you a present too!” He handed over a lightly wrapped box. “Be careful when you open it Daddy!”

Callie gave Jon a smile and a shrug of her shoulders, even she didn’t know what the gift was. “This’ll be a surprise for both of us.”

"A present too? Thank you Harry." Jon replied as he cautiously unwrapped the gift to reveal a Lego spaceship complete with guns and nacelles with a figure at the front of it with a sword.

That's you Daddy!" Harry explained. "So you can fight the bad people."

Jon sat up a little straighter and leaned forward to hug Harry. "Thank you Harry. I'm going to put this on the bookshelf, so everyone can see how beautiful it is. I love you, Harry."

Harry hugged back just not as tight as usual incase he hurt Jon by accident. “Welcome home Daddy!”

Callie couldn’t help but get misty eyed at the sight of Jon and Harry hugging. She could only imagine poor Harry’s fears while Jon was missing, especially after losing his real parents. “Can I get you anything? Some food? A drink?”

"Maybe later Callie, right now I have all I need with you and Harry." Jon replied with a smile as he looked at Harry. "What about you Harry? You want anything? Like maybe a Strawberry milkshake?"

As he waited for Harrys answer, Jon began to sing but with the injury to his windpipe it was more of a hoarse whisper.

"Who can take a milkshake, sprinkle it with dew
Cover it with choc'late and vanilla add a miracle or two
The Milkshake Man, oh the Milkshake Man can
The Milkshake Man can 'cause he mixes it with love and makes the shakes taste good.

Oh, who can take tomorrow, dip it in a dream
Separate the sorrow and collect up all the cream
The Milkshake Man, oh the Milkshake Man can
The Milkshake Man can 'cause he mixes it with love and makes the shakes taste good

The Milkshake Man takes every milkshake he makes satisfying and delicious

The Milkshake Man, Oh, The Milkshake man can!"

Harry took a moment to think then nodded. “Yes please!!”

Callie grinned and stood up. “I’ll go get you one, I’ll be right back.” She looked at Jon. “Are you sure you don’t want one?”

Jon shook his head, "No, thank you Callie. What I want is to get up and make it for Harry." He replied honestly but also knew that wasn't the wisest idea.

“Absolutely not!” Callie stood hands on hips. “When you’re better you can, but right now you’re staying where you are.” She smiled as she turned to go to the replicator. “I’ll be right back.”

"Jon nodded and sighed, "Yes ma'am." he then looked at Harry. "See how your mom talks to me?" He grinned at his son. As Callie left he told Harry. "Your mom is the best Harry. I love her very much."

Harry nodded in agreement, “Mummy is the best!”

Returning to the room Callie smiled as she saw Jon and Harry talking. “Here’s you’re milkshake Harry! Nice and cold just how you like it.” She took a little sip then handed the frothy beverage over to Harry.

"So, how is it Harry?" Jon croaked at his son, who happily slurped on the milkshake.

Harry nodded wide eyed as he enjoyed his milkshake. “Mmmm”

Callie smiled warmly. “I’m glad we’re back together, I don’t ever want to be faced with that again.”

"Me too." Jon said lying his head back on the pillow. "I'm sorry I scared you Callie, you too Harry. I promise to do my best to avoid doing that ever again."

Callie gently held onto Jon’s hand. “I know that can’t always be the case, what we do in our daily lives can put us in situations we can’t prevent. Besides you’re First Officer of this ship, and I couldn’t be more proud.”

Jon brought Callie's hand to his lips and kissed it gently. He then leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips. As Harry made a funny face and commented, "Oh gross! Yuck." Jon just smiled and looked at Callie. "It is I who am proud of you Callie, your poise, your ability to keep cool and deal with Harry and your pregnancy. You are amazing."

Callie smiled as she looked into Jon’s eyes, grinning at Harry’s lack of enthusiasm at their kiss. Taking the moment she lay down on the bed beside Jon to cuddle for a few minutes.

Harry knowing a good thing when he saw it, finished his milkshake and then squirmed his way in between Callie and Jon.

Callie moved a little to let Harry in before the stresses and strains of worrying about Jon finally floated away allowing her to get some well needed sleep.

Jon turned his head to smile at Callie as Harry made himself comfortable. It was good to be home to be with Callie and Harry. To be loved. "Love you, Callie." He whispered before surrendering to sleep.

{OFF}