Posted by Lieutenant Belle Harper (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Side sim - Harris’ Quarters - I’m Back

Posted by Colonel Calvin Harris (Marine Commander) in Side sim - Harris’ Quarters - I’m Back

Posted by Lieutenant Belle Harper (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Side sim - Harris’ Quarters - I’m Back
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Lieutenant Belle Harper had strolled quietly through the corridors seemingly on auto-pilot, her mind drifting back to boat decks and piano bars. She had intended to not make her presence known at all unless duty dictated she must. It’s not as though she had any feelings left for the man. Their romance had been passionate but brief. Maybe a long time ago she even loved him. Now, however, she felt nothing.

So why did she wind up standing outside his quarters late in the evening? It was as much a shock to herself as it would undoubtedly be to Cal. She activated the chime and immediately regretted it. “This was a mistake,” she said out loud and turned to go.

-Lt. Belle Harper, Chief Intelligence Officer

It was at that moment, Belle heard a voice… that voice… which she hadn’t heard in years. “Excuse me…” Came the surprised tone from the man rounding the corner in Marine sweats. “… can I help…” He froze before her. The man’s blue eyes flashed in surprise… confusion… pain. The man standing before Belle Harper was every bit the man he was when she last saw him yet, different. There was distinct greying of his jet black hair by his temples, his eyes had more noticeable crows feet, and his hair was longer now… a short, wavy style that made him look a little more… grown up. Harris took in all the changes to the woman before him… one of three that he had ever loved… and until this moment, all but one of those women… Harris was absolutely certain… were quite dead. Tears sparkled in the corners of his eyes and the Marine reached out a gentle, trembling hand. As his voice caught in his throat, the very softest tips that hand brushed her cheek as if to see if she were really there… like a ghost. “B–Belle?!”

Col. Calvin Harris, Marine CO

For the first time since coming aboard the Dresden, Harper felt ill at ease. She almost flinched at the soft touch of Harris’ fingers but managed to control her reaction. For the first time since… the Monty… six years… she felt… something. She didn’t smile she didn’t move. She just looked. She ooked into the eyes of a man she remembered from another life that felt more like a dream from long ago than actually a part of her past. Time had aged him, but like a fine wine, it was all for the better. Harper could only imagine what she must look like to Harris. Her bald head and steel-gray eyes must look so foreign. The lights of the corridor reflected off of her almost metallic skin, giving her a wet slick appearance. “Hello, Cal,” was the only thing she could think of to say.

-Lt. Harper, CIO

Cal looked as though he had been struck… by lightning. Tears fell from painfully sad stormy blue eyes as the man’s hand ever so gently cupped her cheek. It was really her… but… but how?! “My god Babe…” His voice trembled as he spoke, his eyes never leaving hers. “… wha–what happened to you?” The question was spoken as if it caused him physical pain to ask it. The love for her roared like a flame behind those eyes and the care… the protection in his touch… was there just as it was that night in New York harbor.

Carefully, slowly… he lowered his hand and asked in confused shock. “How are you even… even here?” Cal wanted nothing more than to reach out, touch her… hold her… if for anything else… to remember her touch just one last time. But so much had changed… good and bad… and as tears flowed, Cal stood… visibly shaking… and said in a cracking voice. “You… you were dead.”

Col. Harris, MarDet CO

Dead. He had said that with such conviction. How did he know? Had he checked? Did he check her pulse? Did he even come to see for himself? Or had the report of her death over comms been enough for him to give up, to leave. Oh well? Those were the thoughts that ran through her mind though she quickly pushed them away and of course she voiced none of them. “You’re absolutely right. Belle Harper died six years ago. What’s left standing before you is a shell of what I was. As far as specifics, I am under direct orders not to discuss it. I was reanimated a few months ago. And that’s about all the information I can give you.”

“Reanimated…” The word left his lips softly, the tone even more confused than before. She was Belle… or at least what the frack Harper WAS! It was in that moment, the Monster Blacks of Starfleet Intelligence registered with him and her last sentence made him want to scream. Intel had botched the ‘safe’ Observation zone that got Ali’s mom killed… had taken Molly and twisted her to their will… and now Belle. Those bastards had killed or meddled with every woman to ever hold his heart and it made him sick.

There was the tiniest part of her that felt somewhat guilty holding back so much. She was sure the last six years had been painful for the colonel. She could see how painful their meeting tonight was. As much as she might have wished that things could be different, her hands were tied. “I just wanted to see you. I’m not sure why.” For the first time, her gaze fell from his as she looked down at the ground.

-Lt. Harper, CIO

Cal shook his head as if clearing away cobwebs and leaned over to one side to look up at Belle in the eye. “I’m glad you did… I…” Harris closed his eyes as more tears fell. “… I nearly tore the ship apart trying to get to you. I… my god Belle… I’m so sorry!” He gasped softly. “I tried to–to get to you. I–I couldn’t reach you in time. That bastard took you from us.”

Col. Harris, MarDet CO