The morning sky overhead was blue and clear, without a cloud to mar the perfection; the sun shone bright and yellow in its firmament, sending the gently undulating ocean all asparkle with its light. The deck of the old boat rocked beneath his sandaled feet, and the rigging above his head creaked in rhythm with the swaying motion. The wind caressed his graying hair; cool, fresh sea-spray blew in his face; and from below-decks came the enticing aroma of breakfast being cooked by his wife. The fishing pole leaning against the railing, its line dangling in the water, gave no indication that the fish found the bait tempting in the least, but that didn't matter. Rick Hunter, Starfleet Commodore, Academy Instructor, was content.
He felt arms slip gently around his waist from behind and a soft voice ask, "Any luck?"
He shook his head in the negative, turned around in her enfolding arms and kissed his wife. "Not with the fish," he replied, an arched eyebrow and glint in his eye hinting at a double meaning.
The corners of Dee's mouth curled upwards slightly. "Well, why don't you come below then," she suggested enticingly. She arched her own eyebrow 'just so', meaning he might have better luck there. After fourteen years of marriage and another ten before that as inseparable friends, they hardly needed words any longer to communicate their feelings. She took his hand and led him away from the boat's railing, down the hatch to the cozy galley below, and after one last glance at the unmoving fishing pole he went.
The afternoon carried on in much the same tradition as that morning had—lazing about on the boat's deck, warmed by the slowly westering sun, while watching white seagulls circle on thermals high above. The lonely fishing pole still leaned idly against the rail, still unmolested by the fish.
Dee had gone below a few minutes earlier, in search of some sunscreen lotion, but now popped her head out the hatch and called his name. Rick didn't like the expression on her face. "What is it?" he asked, concern threatening to spoil this otherwise perfect day.
"It's Starfleet on the radio," she replied, not without a certain level of distaste disturbing her features.
Rick winced as if struck. "Of all the... Can't I have one day to myself?!? And today of all days!" He exclaimed. He took a deep breath to calm himself. "Who is it?" he asked.
"Admiral Pike's office," was the reply.
"Well, I guess it was only a matter of time before they tracked me down..."
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