Dancing
Posted on Mon Mar 16th, 2026 @ 6:30pm by Commodore Tyler Malbrooke & Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Tremble & Lieutenant Commander Katherine Malbrooke & Lieutenant Mira Jayna
Edited on on Wed Mar 18th, 2026 @ 8:19am
2,471 words; about a 12 minute read
Mission:
Episode 17 - Going Home
Location: The Malbrooke Ranch - Pawhuska Oklahoma - Earth
Timeline: MD025 2130 hrs
From the Stage, the Band started playing I Cross My Heart.
Along with the bandstand, the Cure's personnel had also brought down a modular dance floor. Ten feet above, adding pale light and some mood holographic candles flickered while a fairy ring of glowing mushrooms and multi-covered ball shaped flowers countering the mushrooms luminescence.
Leading her out onto the dance floor, he spun her slowly once, then slipped them into a box step. Keeping her the proper distance apart as proscribed by the manual.
Because he was funny.
"Really?" Jayna asked, raising an eyebrow. "If you're going to be formal, then you should use the proper ballroom position." She put her left hand on his shoulder and held her right hand out for him to take.
He took her hand with a gleam in his eye, glanced around to make sure they still had the place to themselves.
The band didn't count.
Transitioning from the rudimentary box step into a waltz, he stepped close to her and his free hand wrapped about her waist. "I was an officer before the Federation, Corp and Tyler gave me the bird proclaiming me a gentleman," he said. "What was that about my ballroom?"
"It's better than mine. I know enough to be competent, but I haven't needed it in a while," she admitted. "Did you know the waltz was once considered a scandalous dance?"
Since she hadn't taken the bait, Neil grinned and said, "You need a better tailor. As for the waltz, I didn't; What was so scandalous?" He led them around the floor, stepping to the beat of the music but only just and keeping the turns to a minimum for now.
"You need better puns," she countered, then shook her head. "When the waltz was first introduced in Regency England, it was considered quite scandalous because until then, couples only held hands or linked arms."
Then she leaned forward and whispered. "And kissing a man on the dance floor would be considered indecent."
"Heavens forbid," Neil said, subtly increasing their steps as Jayna found her footing. "Holding hands in public would be a step above bundling. My how things have changed."
"Holding hands is one thing. putting your hand on a lady's back and getting close enough for a private conversation?" She shook her head and grinned. "I'm sure there are other dances that have an equally colorful past, but I haven't looked too much into the history."
Right now, Jayna was more interested in dancing with Neil as they really hadn't had an opportunity to do so before.
Kat let Tyler lead her onto the dance floor. So far, only Neil and Jayna were dancing, but she hoped that with Ty here, a few others would join in.
"Well, m'lady. It seems that they are playing our song." Tyler said with a smile as he spun his wife out onto the dancefloor. After the spin he took her in his arms and started to dance. From the proverbial peanut gallery some of the ranch hands began to hoot and holler. "Go get her sir. Now that's some steppin." Things of that vein could be heard. Some of these ranch hands had been on the Malbrooke ranch for generations and grew up with Tyler. They were family.
Kat just shook her head at the comments. "I'm glad to see you can still dance, cowboy," she teased. Tyler had been far too busy lately and it was good to see him relax and have fun with his crew. The ranch hands were clearly enjoying the night, too.
Half way through the dance, the baby kicked, causing Kat to laugh. "Looks like your child wants to dance, too."
"Nothing beats an old fashioned family square dance." Tyler said with a smile and then he spun his wife across the dance floor. When she was back in his arms he spoke again. "It could be that the little one is happy to be home. This land has something magical about it for the Malbrookes. It has been in my family since 1883. That kind of connection to place makes it part of your soul. Funny, how a man can be connected to the firmament and space. There is a part of my soul here, a part on the Pioneer, and a part wherever you are." He kissed his wife much to the hooting and hollering of his friends.
Kat wrapped her arms around his neck to prolong the kiss, trying not to laugh at some of the comments by the ranch hands. "I'm happy to be on the Pioneer with you."
The band finished and moved into a more active song, playing Tulsa Time, by Don Williams
With the change of music and another couple on the floor, Neil transitioned them into a two-step. "I do have to admit I like you in a dress, boots and hat," he told Jayna. At the noise from the ranch hands, he grinned. "Almost like we're on a whole different world here."
Jayna looked around for a moment. "It is. One I'm not used to." Then she turned her focus back to Neil. "I'll wear dresses more often. Even if it's just to dance with you in our quarters."
"Wear what you feel most comfortable in," Neil told her, then leaned close to her ear as he led them past the bandstand, "Even if that's nothing at all." He thought about that for a beat and said, "Hell. Especially if it's nothing at all."
"Only when you're around," she responded impishly. "It reminds me of Risa..."
Slowly but surely others joined the dance. Many of the hands pairing up. Tyler transitioned into a two-step as well. He smiled as he looked around, looked at the magic this land had within it and how it affected everyone that set foot upon it. "You know my bride and joy, this could very well be the last time for some time that we get to be alone."
Kat opened her eyes wide in mock horror. "You're not coming back to the Pioneer? Tremble won't be happy to hear that."
Tyler laughed, it was more like a guffaw. For those who knew him this was the first time he had laughed that genuinely and without abandon in some time. "The Pioneer is as much my wife as you. I mean to say that those little feet tucked inside you should be coming out soon. You know, I hope she has your red hair."
"We'll see. As long as she's healthy, I'll be happy."
From the stage, Fry's voice sounded, "And a request has funneled down. For the special couple."
The band began playing, Save A Horse, Ride a Cowboy
Jayna hadn't heard that particular song before and hid her face against Neil's shoulder to hide her laughter. "I like the band's repertoire."
Snickering, Neil glanced toward his boss and then all the ranch hands and said, "Aye. It does lead to impure thoughts. Are you having impure thoughts?"
"About you? Maybe." She gave him a mischievous smile. "But that's only because we're in a public place--and the captain is over there with his wife."
Grinning, Neil twirled Jayna a few times, stepping back as her skirt flared a little before slipping back into a fast two-step. "Maybe??" He teased. "Wow. They were right. The magic dies fast once you get married."
She laughed and shook her head. "I'm behaving because Commodore Malbrooke, his wife, and half the ranch hands are watching. But maybe, after this dance, we can go back to the ship. Then I'll show you magic," she teased. She was pleased that he was feeling better. At the same time, she had plans for tonight and didn't want him to wear himself out too soon.
My dad, who told me many things, "Neil said amused, "Did tell me to always dance like nobody's watching. Up to a point, of course." As they looped and fell into step with the music, his contact HUD flashed once and a dissolving icon appeared, indicating his nerve system had detected some discomfort from his leg and the autodoc patch he was wearing had automatically administered more pain meds.
"Of course, he also told me being a relatively good dancer would lead to more boarding actions. Have to say, the old man was kinda right," Neil said, as he spun Jayna slowly and moved them around the floor.
Well, it seemed that someone had the same taste in music as Tyler did, and that was something he appreciated. He was after all known as the cowboy. Tyler brought his wife closer to him and whispered in her ear one word. "Giddy-up"
It was Kat's turn to laugh out loud. "Later," she teased. When the party was over and the crew off to wherever they were staying tonight. Right now, Ty looked happier than he had in a while.
"Yeah we wouldn't want to make anyone jealous. Give these old walls something to really talk about." Tyler said with a laugh as he spun his wife on the dancefloor. "It is nice to see the crew just being people. Something we have not been able to do for quite some time." This was not only his way of observing what went on around them, but it was a way to segue into something he had been meaning to tell her.
"No. You haven't had much time to just relax and have fun as a crew, have you?" Even though Kat hadn't been that involved, she'd been aware of the recent missions and their toll.
"It is also beyond nice to simply spend some time with you." Tyler's wife placed her head on his shoulder as they danced in silence for a few moments. In an instant something occurred to him. "The Pioneer is our home, and it always will be. But, there is this place as well. I think a child should have a home. Something firm to put their bare feet on and run. This could be that place."
"Yes. The Pioneer is a special place, but we need a place like this to escape to every now and then," Kat agreed.
"Well, that is settled then. This ranch will be our place of residence. At least when we are not out on a mission. Which leads me to another point. I received a request through Admiral Rice. While you are not under my command you are on the Pioneer so it came through my desk. They want you back out there. Starfleet's Corps of Engineers wants you for the Advanced Starship Design Team. They want you to build the fleet of the future." Before she could answer Tyler spun her around again in time with the music.
"Now? When I'm as big as an asteroid?" Kat shook her head. "I don't know. I mean, if I was stationed on Earth I could live here, but you'd still be on the Pioneer."
She danced a few steps while she mulled it over. "Did he say where he wants me?" And could she negotiate?
Tyler let out a rather large guffaw. He loved that his wife was a planner of sorts. Wheels turned like clockwork under that head of beautiful red hair. He took a moment to smirk and press his finger to her lips. "Shhhhh, I am way ahead of you. Commodore's prerogative. I arranged that should you accept this position. You would remain aboard the Pioneer and work. Occasionally, you may have to travel to Earth or Antares for a meeting or two. But you can work via the computer. Besides, do you think I am going to allow my best girl and the little one out of my sight for one second?"
"And that's why I love you." Kat kissed him. "It sounds perfect. I don't want to leave the Pioneer, either." And there was no way their child was going to grow up without her father there.
From the bandstand, the previous song ended and transitioned into, Pour Me by Trick Pony.
With his leg comfortably numb again now, Neil matched the music and transitioned them into a jitterbug, moving their tempo slow until he was sure Jayna was ok with it.
Glancing toward the Malbrookes, Neil chuckled. "Think I should shock Kat and try to cut in to dance with Tyler." He had to admit, these pain meds weren't bad.
"I don't know. I think he'd insist on leading." She found it easier to follow Neil than she thought. Not because he couldn't dance. It was simply because they rarely danced together and it felt comfortable and familiar.
Neil noted Jayna spin faster as they grew more comfortable into the dance. She was naturally dexterous and he could get by, barely. "Probably," he agreed. " Trying to remember to alternate the quick and rock steps with the slow steps and various turns, he said, "Unfortunately my muscle memory only goes so far. And I might need another beer soon." His tone was light and as they continued to dance. "We might should do this more...having a good time?"
"Yes. It's the first time we've danced together since the Marine Ball. But I don't want you to overdo it." As much as she enjoyed dancing with Neil, she could tell that his leg was starting to bother him again--and there would be other opportunities to dance. "Want to go back to the ship after this?"
"Mmm," Neil said, "Probably back to the fire. Then make our excuses. I don't want to offend the hosts by ducking out too early. But then we can head back to the ship or go star gazing on Black Mesa. I reserved a camping site for us if we want. Tent site is all set up with keep-away fields for most annoying things. The Mesa's only about 600 klicks to the west."
"That sounds perfect. We can say goodnight to the commodore and his wife, then go to the mesa." If Neil felt that he had to go back to the campfire, she'd follow him, but it had been a long day and camping under the stars was a wonderful way to end the day.
A Joint Post By
Commodore Tyler Malbrooke
Commanding Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Tremble
Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
Battalion Commander, The Cure
Lieutenant Mira Jayna
Intelligence Officer, The Cure
USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Commander Katherine Malbrooke
Operational Advisor, USS Pioneer
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