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[Capt Griffin Wright]

==Closed subplot for the titillating adventures of Murphy and Wright! 😮==

[Capt Griffin Wright]

Griffin was headed to Earth after some debriefing on Starbase Alpha, and was eager to breath Terran air and drink Terran water (heavily-purified, of course).  He looked forward to the sunrises and the sunsets of the California coast, and swimming in real water and eating real food.  He was homesick - nay, earthsick, and ready for some R&R.

 

He had just settled in to his seat on the shuttle-craft (a preferred seat towards the front as befit his position), when he saw someone familiar board the craft after him. His jaw dropped, and he was speechless.

 

It was Maggie...

 

==Very brief intro - take it, Murphy!==

[LCdr Maggie Murphy]

Mags wasn't particularly happy to be taking this ride back to Earth. There was trouble among the Federation, but her family didn't seem to care about that. After everything that had happened as of late, her family thought it wise to call her back to Earth to say goodbye to a Grandfather she hardly knew.

 

If it had been her other Grandfather, it would have been understood, for he and Maggie were quite close. But family saw it differently: Maggie could hardly argue. Starfleet gave bereavement, and Maggie's family had filed it for her when she was unable to give them an answer due to the nature of her last mission.

 

I feel like that mission's gonna give me flashbacks... Maggie tried not to outwardly shudder as her mind brought her back to the moment she dislocated her shoulder. And to think that was the least painful memory.

 

A furry head pushed its way into her hand, and Maggie smiled. As uncomfortable as she might feel on Earth, at least Piper was here to help her escape. She could always use the dog as an excuse: “Need to walk the dog!” She'd pronounce, and run away. “Need to feed the hound!” She'd explain, and back away slowly. Sometimes her family was a lot to handle. It would be nice to take Piper to a field or something outside Philly and let her run around in a limitless expanse. She was pretty sure the dog knew the holodeck had its walls.

 

“Lieutenant, Murphy? Margaret S?”

 

“And dog.” Maggie replied, dryly. “Piper. Furry.” She smirked. If she could take out her frustration by annoying the shuttle crew a little, then she would. People tended to love Piper no matter what Maggie's attitude. As if on cue, the man looked down at Piper and the dog sat, still wagging her tail.

 

“To the front.” The man instructed, pointing. “Away from the Xenobotany.”

 

There was a very nervous-looking old lady who clutched at her plants as Piper walked past, wagging her tail. Another small smirk from Maggie; maybe she would just use sarcasm to get through this family function. She began to get herself situated in the front when Piper started pulling on the leash something awful; it was so much so that Maggie had to stop and use all her body weight to try and pull the beast back.

 

“Sorry,” she apologized in her best 'my dog is nice, really!' tone. “She just really... oof... loves people.” She looked at the man now to make eye contact and nod to complete the apology, but instead found herself with mouth agape.

 

“Griffin!” She practically screamed, dropping the leash. Well, so much for professionalism and decorum: she threw herself at him, embracing him in the tightest hug she could.

[Capt Griffin Wright]

Griffin was speechless as he waited for Maggie to notice him back - Piper had beat her to it, though. “Sorry,” she apologized in her best 'my dog is nice, really!' tone. “She just really... oof... loves people.”

 

Smiling, Griffin spoke quietly with a twinkle in his eye, relishing the moment. "Aye, she's got the same enthusiasm for me that you do, Maggie..." 

 

Maggie was understandably startled, and lost track of Piper who broke free of her gasp and landed a fat wet kiss on Griffin's cheek.  He rubbed the dogs head happily when Maggie finally processed who he was. 

 

“Griffin!” She exclaimed loudly, forcing Griffin to turn his head to avoid the high-pitched sound in his ear.  He found himself being tackled now by two beasts - dog and woman.  Practically in a death-grip, Griffin couldn't get enough oxygen out to respond with more than grunt, but returned the hug enthusiastically.

 

What's this - just a hug? Smiling, Griffin eventually pulled Maggie's head away from him with his hands and brought her lips to his fervently, not giving a flying crap who saw, and did his best to convey his joy to see her again...

 

When finally they parted to get some air, he looked her in the eyes and spread his fingers through her hair, playing with it. "Well, what are you doing here, Maggie?"

 

==Tag!==

[LCdr Maggie Murphy]

It was the most wonderful feeling to have Griffin's arms around her tight; the rest of the shuttle seemed to just fade away. Well, except for the large, furry head shoving its way between the couple's legs. Maggie did her best to gently kick Piper away from them. The dog would behave for the moment the relished being in each other's arms.

 

Then he was pulling away, Maggie felt almost horrified, but then again, she couldn't tell what she was feeling with her heart racing so much. And then he was kissing her, oh! he was kissing her!, and the fact they were in a shuttle crowded with people mattered none to her.

 

Finally, it was as if their bodies were sated for the moment, and their minds needed to see each other once more. They pulled apart, but only enough to look at each other, and take in the others' face. Maggie smiled as she felt fingers through her hair; where was Piper? Who cared!

 

“Well, what are you doing here, Maggie?? Griffin spoke softly.

 

She laughed, unable to actually think properly for a moment.

 

“Family stuff.” She said quickly, once she had thought up an answer. She waved her hand as if to dismiss it. “Not important.” Of course, she was obligated to see her family, seeing as how they had been the ones to put her on the next shuttle to Earth, but surely could could convince them they were exaggerating, and all was fine.

 

“What ...what are you doing here?” She asked, breathless.

 

“Shuttle take-off in five minutes!” Someone yelled from the back. Maggie quickly sat down, Piper laying down in a satisfied heap in front of the two.  

[Capt Griffin Wright]

Maggie laughed, which warmed Griffin's heart. 

 

I can't believe this. We're both here. This can't be happening...

 

“Family stuff.” She said quickly, once she had thought up an answer. She waved her hand as if to dismiss it. “Not important.”

 

Griffin raised his eyebrows. It seemed like quite a lot of travel for non-important family stuff. Before he could question her further, though, she added on her own question. “What ...what are you doing here?” She asked, breathless.

 

"Well, " Griffin started. “Shuttle take-off in five minutes!” He swiveled his head towards the source of the sound, and saw a frantic petty officer trying to get everyone squared away. He sat back down next to Maggie and held her hand. "As for me, I'm just here to relax. I've got some vacation time saved up, and didn't have any firm plans."

 

He looked at her, holding her gaze for a few moments, then with a twinkle in his eye, he smiled. "Think you could fit me in to your schedule, Miss Maggie? I can think of a few things I'd like to do to you." 

 

He blushed, and chuckled. "Rather, do with you. Freudian slip, I suppose..."

 

==Tag!==

[LCdr Maggie Murphy]

“Well,” Griffin replied, taking her hand and sitting them both down. “As for me, I'm just here to relax. I've got some vacation time saved up, and didn't have any firm plans.”

 

Maggie made a “heh” noise, which was her verbal version of a shrug. It must be nice to have your own ship, She thought, I bet he's racked up a lot more vacation time than I have.

 

“Think you could fit me in to your schedule, Miss Maggie?”

 

He was looking at her 'that' way, and 'that' way made her smile and giggle and to be honest, weak in the knees. It was a good thing she was already sitting down.

 

“I can think of a few things I'd like to do to you.” Maggie laughed openly: Griffin then blushed and laughed himself. “Rather, do with you. Freudian slip, I suppose...”

 

She smacked him playfully, still laughing. “Griffin!” She said, leaning her head against his shoulder for a second. “Oh, hey wait, am I allowed to smack you now? You're a Commander with your own Starship and all!”

 

Mags looked around and scooched her body as close as she could to him, and spoke low. “Ah, hell. I'm your girlfriend. I can do... whatever... I... want... to you!” And with each word, she brought her face closer to his, and spoke low, and finally kissed him on the lips as quick as she could, teasing him. Though, now she pulled Piper's leash closer to her, and bent down to wrap it around her ankle- she knew the dog wouldn't get far, and would soon settle down on the ride anyway.

 

She wrapped her hand back up in Griffin's, and placed her other hand on his thigh. It all just felt so natural to her; so natural, and yet so new. Their long-distance relationship had become more complicated because of this Federation civil war, and it had been too long since they last met up. Certainly, there was no way she was going to be able to do something crazy like transfer to his ship. This little vacation was all they had for the foreseeable future, and Maggie was restraining herself like crazy in this small, public space.

 

 

==Tags!==

[Capt Griffin Wright]

Maggie was all laughs and giggles - this made Griffin feel good.  With his last playful remark, he even managed a wee smack out of her. “Griffin!” She said, leaning her head against his shoulder for a second. “Oh, hey wait, am I allowed to smack you now? You're a Commander with your own Starship and all!”

 

Griffin had winced briefly at the assault, but smirked. "Well, if you were on board, I think you could only do it if I ordered you to, but I think out here it's all fair game!"

 

She wiggled closer to him, and he beamed. He was so happy to be with her again, and everything felt right about life at this moment. Everything was going to be okay. 

 

Maggie leaned in close, speaking in a sulty voice. “Ah, hell. I'm your girlfriend. I can do... whatever... I... want... to you!” Griffin was having a hard time maintaining control as she teased him with a kiss. 

 

The two settled in for the shuttle journey and the time flew by.  They had made small talk for most of the journey, but now as the shuttle came in to land, more logistics came in to play. Griffin had a thoughtful look on his face. "So, where do you need to be, and when? I'm rather flexible with my schedule. If you need to see your family, I'd be happy to tag along... If you don't mind me meeting your family, of course..."

 

Griffin said it, and couldn't turn back. If he was willing to meet her family, Maggie had to know he was in it for the long haul.  But how would she take that?

 

I hope she feels the same way... This is a gamble I have to take if I think she's the one...

 

==Tag!==

[LCdr Maggie Murphy]

Earth finally came into the shuttle short-term range, and Maggie was itching to get up to the pilots' chairs and check out all the specs. It had been a long time since she had been to Earth, and something in her just wanted to see all the information the pilots had at hand. But something more exciting was happening – Griffin was right next to her, their skin was touching, and it sent electricity down her nerves. She was glued to her seat. The shuttle controls would have to wait.

 

“So,” Griffin said as they started their decent. There wouldn't be much more time for them to talk. “Where do you need to be, and when? I'm rather flexible with my schedule. If you need to see your family, I'd be happy to tag along... If you don't mind me meeting your family, of course...”

 

That one certainly caught her off-guard. “I– what?” She could only stare at him for a moment. They had never discussed this before, strangely. They had become serious enough that she had even started thinking of how they would handle marriage on two different ships -and kids?- but this made it real.

 

“You... you really want to meet my family?” Mags asked. This time when she twitched, it was with a smile across her face. “I mean--” She launched into the quick-talk she reverted to when she was nervous. “My Aunt Maureen apparently told mom that Grandpa Murphy's on his deathbed or something, but I don't really believe that because Maureen does a lot of talk, but it doesn't matter, because this whole Civil War business had my whole family in an uproar anyway, and they've somehow managed to pull a bunch of strings to get me a quick Shore Leave on Earth, and my Captain's going to kill me when I get back, but as soon as we all go up to New York and see that Grandpa Murphy's fine, I'm sure Starfleet will want me back on the Getty ASAP, but I really just want to spend all my time with you, and--”

 

Maggie finally stopped to take a deep breath, as she had run out of all air.

 

“I mean... really?”

 

 

==Sorry it took me so long!==

[Capt Griffin Wright]

Griffin felt like he a had a lump the size of a cinder-block in his chest while he watched Maggie contemplate his offer. He was taking a big risk.

 

“I– what?” She stared at him, and Griffin's introverted side took over, causing him to break eye contact and look down at his legs. "If I'm being too presumptive..."

 

“You... you really want to meet my family?”

 

Griffin gulped and looked back up at her, a hesitant smile now on her face. He felt somewhat relieved, but his hands had gone clammy and he wished he could hide - he was not one for awkward conversations. "Well-"

 

“I mean--” She launched into a torrent of words. “My Aunt Maureen apparently told mom that Grandpa Murphy's on his deathbed or something, but I don't really believe that because Maureen does a lot of talk, but it doesn't matter, because this whole Civil War business had my whole family in an uproar anyway, and they've somehow managed to pull a bunch of strings to get me a quick Shore Leave on Earth, and my Captain's going to kill me when I get back, but as soon as we all go up to New York and see that Grandpa Murphy's fine, I'm sure Starfleet will want me back on the Getty ASAP, but I really just want to spend all my time with you, and--”

 

Now Griffin could smile. When Maggie paused for breath. “I mean... really?”

 

The young CO nodded, wiping his hands and then taking hers in his again. "Of course I do - why wouldn't I? You gotta stop scaring me like that, though, sweetie. I think this is just a natural next step, don't you? We'll make it all work out, I promise."

 

He had seen her looking up towards the cockpit earlier, and with another smile, he stood up, bringing her with him. "Go on, I know you're interested." He gave her a friendly nudge up to the front. 

 

==Tag!==

[LCdr Maggie Murphy]

Griffin waited until she was done babbling.

 

“Of course I do - why wouldn't I?” He replied, sweet as ever. “You gotta stop scaring me like that, though, sweetie.” Maggie smirked. “I think this is just a natural next step, don't you? We'll make it all work out, I promise.”

 

“I—” She was speechless for a moment, the wheels in her mind turning quickly.

 

'Next step'? She thought, knowing her eyes were going wide. Next step?! Oh god, this could actually be happening! Meeting each other's families, and -and- oh god, well, we can't really live together if we're stationed on different ships, but other couples have made it work before, other married couples, oh my god!

 

“Go on,” Griffin said, nodding to the shuttle's cockpit: it was now empty, save a single crewman who had clearly recognized Griffin as a Captain, and must have at some point exchanged knowing glances with him. “I know you're interested.”

 

“Wow, really?!” Mags exclaimed, even as she pushed past who must have been the pilot. “Thank you!” She found herself grinning as she looked around the shuttle's cockpit controls: the layout was so much different than that of a starship's! Of course, there were similarities to a ship's own little shuttle, but never had she had the opportunity to play with the controls of what pilots called a 'people mover' before. To some, it might have been mundane, but to Maggie, it was fun just to poke around.

 

Finally, she realized that her boyfriend and her dog were watching and waiting for her, and she stopped pressing buttons like a child and straightened up to face Griffin and Piper.

 

“It's just so cool!” She gushed, laughing at herself. “I'm sorry, hun.” She put her hand out to take something that Griffin had been holding for her – her dog's leash, her luggage, anything. The began to exit the shuttle, and as the natural sunlight hit Maggie's face, she realized they would have to part. Her heart sank.

 

“What are we going to do?” She asked, her tone now morose. “I guess... we'll have to... meet up, or something? I mean, I'm headed straight for Philly, and then New York, I guess. I'm sorry, I didn't even ask where you'd be!” Maggie (unintentionally) put on her best puppy-dog eyes as she looked at Griffin now; it was so unusual they would be in the same place at the same time, sometimes she didn't know how to act around him.

 

 

==Tag!!!!! <3 ==

[Capt Griffin Wright]

“Wow, really?!” Mags exclaimed, even as she pushed past who must have been the pilot. “Thank you!”

 

Griffin smiled warmly at Maggie's delight in exploring the shuttle's cockpit.  He gave an apologetic nod of the head to the pilot who saw his pips and quickly scurried out - Griffin disliked this reaction, he wasn't going to bite or anything like that.

 

After she had her fill of the cockpit, or at least decided to move on, Maggie turned around. “It's just so cool!” She gushed, laughing at herself. “I'm sorry, hun.” She gathered up Piper's leash and they slowly walked off the shuttle. Griffin paused for a moment to take in the fresh air. "Oh, how I've missed this smell. It feels so good to be back..."

 

However, Maggie was less engrossed in the wonder of nature than Griffin, and she looked pensive. “What are we going to do?” She asked, her tone now morose. “I guess... we'll have to... meet up, or something? I mean, I'm headed straight for Philly, and then New York, I guess. I'm sorry, I didn't even ask where you'd be!”

 

Griffin nodded. "Yes, well, we'll figure-" He stopped. Her eyes dampened a bit and he couldn't ignore their allure. He felt a mix of pity and excitement, and wished they were in a more private location. He pulled her close and held her for a moment while he thought.

 

"I don't have any firm plans, Maggie. I'd love to go with you. I don't care what we're doing or where, as long as I can be with you. We could spend a night here and head to Philly tomorrow, perhaps catch up a bit before you're reunited with family..."

 

He looked around, again taking in the sunlight and the fresh air.  He was then overwhelmed with a surge of emotion. He continued to hold her, but his hands began to travel downwards.  He whispered some words into her ear which would make anyone who happened to hear them blush, and then gave her a few brief but heated kisses on her neck...

 

After they separated, he looked her in the eyes again, a mischievous smile on his face. "So whaddya think about spending the night here, Maggie?"

 

==Tag!==

[LCdr Maggie Murphy]

Griffin started to think about it, thought better of what he was saying, and then simply held Maggie close. She smiled as she pressed the side of her face against his chest, blissful just to feel his arms around her. Piper tugging at the end of her leash, Maggie left hand tugging away was the least of her concern.
 
"I don't have any firm plans, Maggie." He said finally. "I'd love to go with you. I don't care what we're doing or where, as long as I can be with you. We could spend a night here and head to Philly tomorrow, perhaps catch up a bit before you're reunited with family..."

Her heart melted. How long had they been together now, and he still managed to make her feel like this? This was love, for sure.

Mags craned her head up and and smiled at him, only to have Griff bend his head down and whisper in her ear, kissing her neck as she reacted to his words.

"So whaddya think about spending the night here, Maggie?"

"I'd say, so where are we staying?" She replied, giggling. She looked behind Griffin's back, where her border collie had tugged the leash free of Maggie's hand so she could lay down. "I'll just have to send my family a message when we get there!"

Mags grinned as she thought about introducing Griffin to her family - they knew he existed, sure, and that they had been dating for a while, but introducing her boyfriend to her family, a man who commanded his own starship, as well, was quite a big deal! And he had volunteered himself for it!


==To the ..hotel? ==

[Capt Griffin Wright]

Maggie was ablush and giggling, and seemed intrigued by his proposition...

 

"I'd say, so where are we staying?" She replied, giggling. She looked behind Griffin's back, where her border collie had tugged the leash free of Maggie's hand so she could lay down. "I'll just have to send my family a message when we get there!" 

 

Griffin smiled. "I've got a reservation already at the Lux hotel which is just a block away - it's not a penthouse, but it is an Ambassador suite, with all the accoutrements.  I think it will fit another person just fine..."

 

The two of them walked hand in hand down the sunny block, and Griffin was thrilled. He couldn't have imagined a more perfect way to start his R&R here on Earth.  He could, however, imagine many things he'd like to do with Maggie once they got to the hotel. 

 

"This is awesome, just saying. I think its fate. What will life bring us next, do you think?" Griffin asked, giving Maggie a quick wink.

 

==Tag!==

[LCdr Maggie Murphy]

Gosh, it all seemed just so perfect. It was moments like this, Maggie realized, that she had longed for, almost lived for. Moments like these that she filed away as her “Happy Place.”

 

“This is awesome, just saying.” Griffin said. Maggie could hear the grin in his voice. “I think it's fate. What will life bring us next, do you think?”

 

She had been smiling to herself, but now she shared in his grin. “Well,” she teasing, swinging the hands they had linked. “I'll show you when we get to your hotel room!” Now she looked sideways at him to give him what she hoped was a teasing and seductive look.

 

When they had reached the hotel, and checked in, Maggie could notice the difference between being treated like a junior officer and being treated as a Captain's guest – even the baggage carrier seemed shinier, as the bellhop drug up their luggage ahead of them. The man opened the door for Commander Wright and Guest, and Maggie smiled at the man as if she was getting away with something.

 

“Whoooo!” She said, almost whistling. “Look at this bed!” She immediately jumped and face-planted onto it, laughing. Piper barked, but Maggie couldn't believe how soft the blanket was. “Mmm!” She wriggled her body until she was at the top of the bed, snatching one of the pillows to see how squishy it was. “Maybe I'll just tag along on all your Shore Leaves!” She teased Griffin. “To make sure you're not sharing this bed with anyone else!”

 

 

==Tags! ==

[Capt Griffin Wright]

Griffin recognized the look in Maggie's face, and felt a warmth grow within him.  “Well,” she teased, swinging the hands they had linked. “I'll show you when we get to your hotel room!” Now she looked sideways at him to give him what she hoped was a teasing and seductive look.

 

They happily made the quick journey to their room, a two-story loft with views overlooking Starfleet HQ. The bell hop winked at Griffin as he brought their luggage in, and Griffin groaned quietly, not one to advertise his personal life. 

 

“Whoooo!” She said, almost whistling. “Look at this bed!” She immediately jumped and face-planted onto it, laughing while her dog barked.  Griffin smiled, gleeful that she was here with him. 

 

“Mmm!” She wriggled her body until she was at the top of the bed, snatching one of the pillows to see how squishy it was. “Maybe I'll just tag along on all your Shore Leaves!” She teased Griffin. “To make sure you're not sharing this bed with anyone else!”

 

Griffin mockingly raised an eyebrow at her. "You accuse me of not being faithful, dearest? How dare you!" He got a running start and leapt on the bed as well, causing a big poof of air to come out of the comforter and blast Maggie in the face.  He landed with a grunt on the pillow next to her. "I think you coming along on my leaves is an excellent idea - how do I know you won't some other Captain to jump on a bed with, hmm?"

 

Trying to look at her seriously, he finally gave up, laughing.  He motioned for Piper to join them on the bed, and then snuggled up next to her, kissing her deeply...

 

==Oooh la la!== 

[LCdr Maggie Murphy]

Gosh, it felt so good to have fun.

 

“You accuse me of not being faithful, dearest?” Griffin exclaimed in mock-surprise. “How dare you!” Maggie squealed as Grif decided to take a running start and fling himself onto the bed; she actually bounced on the mattress. He squirmed his body until they were face to face, and Maggie was grinning so much just from wanting to kiss him.

 

“I think you coming along on my leaves is an excellent idea - how do I know you won't have some other Captain to jump on a bed with, hmm?”

 

Maggie pursed her lips, trying to think of a good comeback and deal with Griffin's 'serious face' at the same time. But he broke, and motioned for Piper to jump up, and he kissed her as Piper turned around and immediately settled at the bottom of the bed.

 

She felt her heart quicken as their bodies drew closer – it felt so good just to be near him again. There was no way to express in words the feelings she had just when their skin touched each other's. It was all instinct; Maggie wrapped her arms around Griffin's body, and suddenly she wanted to kick Piper off the bed. The dog would be displeased, but fortunately -or unfortunately?- it was something the couple had had to do before.

 

“Good god I've missed you.” Maggie whispered, breaking apart and just staring into his eyes. “I've missed this.”

[Capt Griffin Wright]

They were both enveloped in the bliss that is the unexpected reuniting with someone loved.  “Good god I've missed you.” Maggie whispered, breaking apart and just staring into his eyes. “I've missed this.”

 

As the minutes ticked by, they found themselves smiling, giggling, kissing, and ultimately doing many unspeakable things to one another.  They dozed briefly, woke again, and repeated the process.  The room grew hot with the heat of their motions, and eventually all of the covers and sheets had made their way on the floor while Piper watched from the corner, whining from time to time.  

 

When at last they had been too exhausted to continue, Griffin propped himself up with the headboard, leaning on a pillow.  He ran his hands through his hair, trying to sort it out, and wiped the resulting sweat on the side of the bed. "Whoa."

 

They were silent, but a loud rumble soon could be heard.  It got everyone's attention, and Griffin tried to find the source of it.  He laughed as he figured it out, pointing to his stomach. "I'm starving. That was a workout!  Wanna get room service?"

 

==Tag! Feel free to fill in some of the juicy bits if you wish...  ==

Edited by Cdr Griffin Wright, Star Date 21701.07 @ 19:09 (07:09 PM).

[LCdr Maggie Murphy]

Their time together just proved how much they had missed each other – both mentally and physically. They grasped at each other as if the other was their life-line, and in those moments, they were. There were pleasurable moments in which Maggie felt herself slip into unconsciousness as a result, only to awaken and do it all over again. It was exhausting and invigorating at the same time. While stretching, she found herself kicking the rest of the covers off the bed by accident, a thing the two of them could only find themselves shrugging at. Piper, who was long tired of their 'games,' actually managed to get ahold of the covers and drag them to her corner of the room.

 

Then there were a few long moments of silence. It was not bad silence, but it was a silence in which both parties found they were able to breathe. While Griffin eased himself against the headboard, Maggie fumbled for a pillow, and wondered if it was possible for the computer to create a cool breeze within the room. An open window would be lovely right about now.

 

“Whoa.” Griffin said finally, his voice low. Maggie looked over to see his run a hand through his hair; she had done much the same just a minute before: as long as her hair was away from her face and off her neck, she didn't care about it right now. She lay splayed on the bed, still stretching her body.

 

She moved finally, grunting a little but mainly widening her eyes when she heard a sound that had not come from her body. Both she and Piper were staring at Griffin it seemed; the dog had brought her nose over to Griffin's side of the bed, where he was absentmindedly petting her snout.

 

“I'm starving.” Griffin confessed, pointing to his stomach as the source of the noise. Maggie laughed as well- it was a sound that could almost have been blamed on the dog!

 

“That was a workout! Wanna get room service?”

 

“Absolutely!” Maggie replied, stretching her body again, this time sitting up in bed. She faced Griffin and pushed her shoulders back, cracking the top of her back, the side-effect being pushing something else in Griffin's direction. “Though food would be nice too.” She quipped, smirking. “I totally vote pizza.”

[Capt Griffin Wright]

Griffin laughed, pausing to wince when he heard the resounding crack from Maggie's vertebrae, and then staring like a schoolboy as he chest puffed in his general direction. He leaned in and quickly gave her two appropriately-placed pecks, followed by a raspberry in the middle, causing him to laugh even more. Ducking away to avoid likely punishment, he quickly pulled the room service menu up on his PADD and held it up, placing it between Maggie and him. "Don't harm the food!" he exclaimed.

 

He took a moment to browse the menu... "Well, there's a number of weird foods on here, but I do believe I've found something that is pizza. Do you like round, deep dish, thin crust? Pepperoni? Bacon? So many options..." He handed the menu over to Maggie and let her be distracted by it while he mulled over an idea that had just come to his mind.  If she looked, she'd seem him muttering to himself, and tilting his head to either side in internal debate.

 

Eventually, his mind settled, he nodded to himself and looked over to Maggie. She had made up her mind, and he had made up his. "Whatever you want, go ahead and order that - it'll be charged to the room and they'll bring it up here in a jiffy. I have a proposition for you."

 

He let his words linger for a moment as she tried to figure him out, and then held up his hands defensively. "No, not that, not quite yet. We need to see each other more, though. What would you think about coming aboard the Sheridan as her Chief Tactical Officer? You're more than qualified, the position is quite available, and we'd certainly see a lot more of one another..."

 

His heart was pounding in his chest. He wanted this to work so badly, but didn't want Maggie to feel pressured to follow him...

 

==Tag!==

[LCdr Maggie Murphy]

Maggie should have seen Griffin's playful kisses coming- she was baiting him, after all. The raspberry made her swipe at him, but it was meant to miss, and he ducked away anyway, bringing up the large PADD and holding it in front of his face to save himself. He pretended to look at the menu, declaring, “Don't harm the food!”, which made Maggie grin even wider.

 

“Well, there's a number of weird foods on here...”

 

Maggie rolled her neck, letting Griffin skim through their choices of food. The room was quite warm, so her body temperature was quite comfortable, so she chose not to cover herself up in any way: simply chose to sit cross-legged on the bed as Griff handed her the PADD.

 

“Whatever you want, go ahead and order that - it'll be charged to the room and they'll bring it up here in a jiffy.” He had left the page on pizza, so Maggie went ahead and ordered them two. She doubted they'd eat one each, but she'd seen boys eat. Growing up with a brother tended to jade you towards 'proper food proportions.'

 

“I have a proposition for you.” Griffin added, when Maggie had pressed the final 'order' button.

 

She raised an eyebrow at him, and he was quick to backtrack. He held up his hands in defense, and continued.

 

“No, not that, not quite yet. We need to see each other more, though.”

 

Maggie smiled.

 

“What would you think about coming aboard the Sheridan as her Chief Tactical Officer?”

 

Her eyes widened, the suspicious one-eyebrow-raised look now gone.

 

“You're more than qualified,” Griffin continued, “the position is quite available, and we'd certainly see a lot more of one another...”

 

Her mind was a total blank. Somehow the only coherent thought she had was the thought of two pepperoni and mushroom pizzas being delivered to their room in who-knew-how-long.

 

“You're – you're offering me a job?” The words fell out of her mouth. Chief Tactical Officer? A promotion? I'd be CTO again? And on the same ship as Griffin? Holy crap that's a huge step!

 

She was understandably speechless for what must have been the longest pregnant pause to poor Griffin.

 

“Holy sh!t yes!” She almost screamed. It certainly woke Piper up from her nap. “Oh my god, yes! Are you serious?! Yes!” Now she was laughing and hugging him – though she still couldn't think straight.

 

 

==    ==

[Capt Griffin Wright]

Griffin expected Maggie to have a big reaction, but he still wasn't quite sure what to expect.

 

“You're – you're offering me a job?” 

 

She didn't say anything else, and her face was blank, only registering shock. He smiled nervously, unsure of where she was going. "Well, yes... If you don't think its too terribly inappropriate, of course..."

 

He waited, his heart pounding in his chest. She wasn't saying anything. "I mean..."

 

Yes? No? Is she happy? Is she mad? Finally Maggie gave Griffin some feedback.

 

“Holy sh!t yes! Oh my god, yes! Are you serious?! Yes!” 

 

Griffin laughed, the relief quite evident on his face.  Maggie was happy. He accepted her hugs eagerly, giving himself a moment to recover his composure while she couldn't see his face. As they pulled away, Griffin worked to interject a few words between her laughs and giggles.

 

"Of course I'm serious! But good God woman, you just about gave me a heart-attack! I'm so happy you'll accept, and I know you'll be great at it." He smiled. "This is gonna be awesome!  I'll get the paperwork in as soon as I have some food in my stomach..."

 

==I want pizza!==

[LCdr Maggie Murphy]

==Haha, I totally had pizza and now my craving is satisfied. ==

 

 

 

“Of course I'm serious!” Griffin cried. “But good God woman, you just about gave me a heart attack! I'm so happy you'll accept, and I know you'll be great at it.”

 

Maggie straightened her back and puffed out her chest, as if she were a soldier proudly showing his medals. Of course, the result of this action done by a woman not wearing any clothes might have the opposite reaction Maggie was going for, but the childish pride on her face at least tried to cancel out the previous fact.

 

“This is gonna be awesome!” Griffin added. “I'll get the paperwork in as soon as I have some food in my stomach.”

 

Maggie raised her eyebrows at him. “Oh jeeze, I guess I better put some clothes on if there's gonna be some guy knocking on our door with food!” She started laughing, and scooted away from him on the bed and started looking around for her clothes.

 

She paused, holding a shirt, and just stared off in the distance for a moment. “I'm gonna be a CTO again...!” There was a huge grin on her face. A moment later, her eyes opened wide and she went, “Oh god, my family is not going to be able to handle all this information!” And she started laughing again.

 

 

==Pizza time?==

[Capt Griffin Wright]

Maggie raised her eyebrow in feigned alarm. “Oh jeeze, I guess I better put some clothes on if there's gonna be some guy knocking on our door with food!”

 

This gave Griffin an idea, and he smiled to himself while Maggie scurried around on the bed trying to find clothes.  She was in a dreamy mood. “I'm gonna be a CTO again...!” There was a huge grin on her face, and then her eyes went wide. Thinking perhaps the door had been opened, he whipped around to look, but no one was there.  Then he heard her speak. “Oh god, my family is not going to be able to handle all this information!”

 

Worried for an instant, Griffin considered this.  He hadn't even met her family yet and here they were making significant plans for their future together. He furrowed his brow as he thought about the ramifications.  He wanted to make a good impression on her family, but would have to figure out how to help Maggie break the news lightly.  

 

For now though, she was laughing, so he joined in.  He heard a knock on the door and just as Maggie scrambled to pull the shirt over her, he tore it away, pinning her down on the bed by holding down her arms above her head.  He kissed her quickly, calling out "One minute, please!", and then broke some sort of intimacy record in the 45 seconds that followed...

 

He covered her with a comforter while he scurried to the door in just boxers, tipping the deliveryman quite generously with a wink.  He carried the pizzas over to the bed.  He lifted the comforter up, passed her one of the boxes, and then playfully let the comforter drop back over her. "Enjoy, sweetie!" he said, giggling.

 

After they spent several silent and blissful minutes eating their pizza, Griffin set a crust down and looked at her seriously.  "So, you mentioned your family not being able to handle all of this information. How exactly should we tell them? I haven't even met them yet, which makes me a bit nervous..."

 

==Tag!== 

[LCdr Maggie Murphy]

Maggie had just about sorted her clothes out when there was a knock at the door. Of course! She thought. I always have such wonderful timing! She threw the clothes onto the bed and picked up a shirt, ready to stuff it over her head so at least she'd be covered when the room service person glanced into the room.

 

But Griffin grabbed it from her, tossing it somewhere, and grabbed her arms. Then she was on the bed with a sound of surprise from her, and Griffin was over her, kissing her, leaving her breathless.

 

“One minute, please!” He shot over his shoulder, Maggie gaping at him.

 

He pinned her arms over her head, and suddenly he ████ ██████ █████████ ████████████ ██████ █████████ █████████ ████████████ █████████ ██████ ██████ ██████ ████████████ ████████████ ██████ ███████████████ █████████ ████████████ █████████ ███████████ ███████ █████████ ████████ ████ ██████ █████████ ████████████ ██████ █████████ █████████ ████████████ █████████ ██████ ██████ ██████ ████████████ ████████████ ██████ ███████████████ █████████ ████████████ █████████ ███████████ ███████ █████████ ████████.

 

Maggie lay gasping on the bed, and Griffin carefully moved her and tucked her in, all but her face buried under the large, fluffy comforter that Maggie wondered vaguely if she could steal for her own personal quarters.

 

Griffin walked back to the bed carrying two boxes of pizza and wearing only boxers, and Maggie giggled at him, hoping the delivery person didn't know who Griffin was. Her boyfriend then lifted up the covers away from her, handed her a box, and then dropped the heavy blanket over her head, creating a very small cave with a very strong pizza smell.

 

“Enjoy, sweetie!” He said, laughing as Maggie struggled to push back the covers and keep the pizza upright. She finally settled, and they ate their pizza in silence, relishing the taste, texture, flavor and small of a fresh home-made pizza pie. Replicators still did a damn good job, but this was just different.

 

“So,” Griffin started, putting down his slice and finishing what he had in his mouth. “You mentioned your family not being able to handle all of this information. How exactly should we tell them? I haven't even met them yet, which makes me a bit nervous...”

 

Maggie cocked her head in thought. “Well,” she replied, her mouth full. “They do know about you. They know about how long we've been together. It's just not exactly often we're both on Earth at the same time.” She raised her eyebrows, thinking about all the scenarios that would cause that to happen. (Not many of them were good.) She took another bite in thought.

 

“I figure, we'll just tell them,” Mags spread her arms out in a showy manner. “'Hey look! It's Griffin! Also, I'm getting a promotion. What's dinner?' Hah!” She laughed. “And then we'll just let them choose which info to freak out on.” She relished the bite of crust she had just taken, and shrugged.  

 

 

==Heehee.==

[Capt Griffin Wright]

==LOL at your white-space description there. Brilliant!==

[Capt Griffin Wright]

Griffin smiled as Maggie enjoyed her pizza. Her eyes were focused on something in the distance, something far away - memories of home and of happiness.

 

Maggie cocked her head in thought. “Well,” she replied, her mouth full. “They do know about you. They know about how long we've been together. It's just not exactly often we're both on Earth at the same time.” 

 

Griffin inclined his head in understanding. "That's fair."

 

Maggie continued. “I figure, we'll just tell them,” Mags spread her arms out in a showy manner. “'Hey look! It's Griffin! Also, I'm getting a promotion. What's dinner?' Hah!” She laughed. “And then we'll just let them choose which info to freak out on.”

 

Trying to laugh, Griffin choked on a bit of crust that he had just absentmindedly taken a bite off of, and took a moment to recover, tears streaming down his face as he struggled to speak.  Finding a water bottle nearby he hastily chugged half of it, and then wiped his mouth on his arm. 

 

Finally, he was able to speak. "That's about as good a plan as any, I suppose. With my dashing good looks I imagine they'll accept me immediately, eh?" He chuckled, succesfully. "I say we pack up and head out in the morning. I'm excited!"

 

==Tag Murphy - time skip to us arriving at your parents', perhaps?==

[LCdr Maggie Murphy]

Luckily, her boyfriend thought she was very funny – so funny, in fact, he choked on his pizza crust and took a couple minutes to try and remember how to breathe and eat at the same time. Maggie laughed at him for the most part, not knowing if the tears were because he was laughing or because he was choking. She patted him on the back encouragingly. 

 

“That's about as good a plan as any, I suppose. With my dashing good looks I imagine they'll accept me immediately, eh?”

 

“Absolutely!” Maggie replied, kissing him on the cheek. 

 

“I say we pack up and head out in the morning. I'm excited!”

 

Maggie grinned, looking at both their “plates”: the boxes the personal pizzas came in. They were both done, and she supposed it was late enough for them to turn in. So they finished off the few bites they had left, took some last swigs of their sodas, and cleaned up the bed (and themselves of pizza grease!) before they turned in.

 

With the lights off, the two of them snuggled against each other, Maggie couldn't help but think this might be the most wonderful feeling in the world. Stomach full of pizza, spooned up against the person in this world she might just love above everything else... perfection. 

 

 

>>Philadelphia, PA>>

 

 

It had been a short trip that had caused many butterflies for Maggie, and undoubtedly Griffin, as well. Piper had started to perk up, her nasal memory of places on Earth rushing back to her. She knew exactly where they were, and exactly who they were going to see. The shuttle's recycled air didn't foot her! Maggie was starting to wonder why they didn't just transport over. Then again, she was coming to visit with two unexpected guests. 

 

The small, personal shuttle deposited them at her front door, a house just outside of the city of Philadelphia, complete with a white-picket fence. “Guess dad put the fence back up.” Maggie said, slinging her duffle back over her shoulder. “Welcome to my house.” She said to Griffin, her voice only a little high-pitched and shaky with nerves. She didn't bother latching a leash onto Piper, as the dog would only pull her to the front door anyway. 

 

The door opened, and a tall man came out, with hair the same color as Maggie's, and a face not much older. The hair was a complete mess, and the body was a bit too lean, but there was no mistaking the person Maggie called her brother Jackson. 

 

“Well, well, well.” He said, closing the door behind him, leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed. “Look 'it what the cat dragged in, huh?” Piper rushed up to him, immune to his attitude. “Or dog.” He added, smirking, immediately petting the border collie.

 

“Shut up, Jack.” Maggie came back.

 

“Shut up Margie.” The man retorted, his voice mocking. 

 

“Ugh, don't call me that!” Maggie exclaimed, rushing up the stairs to punch her brother in the arm. “You're an a$$.”

 

“Yea, yea, missed ya too.” His Philadelphian-city accent was thick as he nodded upwards towards Griffin. “Who's this?”

 

Maggie bore a nervous smile, and turned to find poor Griffin still at the foot of the stairs. “This is Captain Griffin Wright – my boyfriend.” She said, her tone challenging. “Griff... this is my brother Jackson.”

[Capt Griffin Wright]

>> Philadelphia >>

 

Griffin had enjoyed their adventure together so far. From pizza and other memorable experiences in their hotel bed to the laughs and songs they shared on the journey to Philadelphia, their bond was growing stronger, and everything just felt 'right'. Or perhaps it all felt 'Wright'?

 

Not having been to Philadelphia in a very long time, most of the city looked unfamiliar to him - he had prodded Maggie to take him to all the sights once they had met the family, assuming he survived that ordeal. He was excited to meet then, but also dreadfully nervous. He knew it would seem strange to be Maggie's boyfriend and also her superior officer. However, there was little to be done now - they were there.

 

“Guess dad put the fence back up.” Maggie said, slinging her duffle back over her shoulder. “Welcome to my house.” She said to Griffin, her voice only a little high-pitched and shaky with nerves.

 

Griffin smiled, relieved that she was also nervous. "Nice fence, and nice house. Let's hope your family is just as nice..."  They walked up to the door and it opened, revealing a tall man who looked similar to Maggie. Too young to be her Dad, it must be her brother. 

 

“Well, well, well.” He said, closing the door behind him, leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed. “Look 'it what the cat dragged in, huh?”

 

Griffin looked the man over as he greeted Piper who was obviously excited to see him. The CO of the Sheridan was not quite as excited... The two siblings had their back and forth for a moment while Griffin watched quietly, and then the brother seemed to take notice, nodding in Griffin's direction.  “Who's this?”

 

Maggie answered before Griffin could.  “This is Captain Griffin Wright – my boyfriend.” She said, her tone challenging. “Griff... this is my brother Jackson.”

 

His heart racing, he walked up to the man, and tried to put on a convincing and confident smile. Remember man, you are a freaking starship Captain, after all. Don't let this guy intimidate you.

 

Griffin stood tall and reached a hand out towards the man, speaking politely yet as casually as he could manage. "Pleased to meet you, Jackson. I imagine you'll have some questions for me, aye?"

 

==Does Jackson beat me up?==

[LCdr Maggie Murphy]

Jackson looked Griffin up and down, his arms still crossed, clearly judging him. But Griffin straightened his back and approached the door, proffering a hand for a proper greeting. Jackson seemed almost surprised at this proper introduction, but grinned at he grabbed Griffin's hand and shook it harder than he needed to.

 

“Pleased to meet you, Jackson.” Griffin said. “I imagine you'll have some questions for me, aye?”

 

Now the brother's grin turned into a smirk; it matched the one Maggie wore whenever she thought of something clever and slightly devious. Standing side-by-side, it was clear the two of them were siblings.

 

“ 'arrite,” Jackson said, nodding his head towards the door. “Ya wanna come inside?”

 

Maggie responded by rolling her eyes and pushing the door open, Piper quick to follow. Jackson put his arm around Griffin's shoulders, guiding him inside. “We'll talk later, huh?”

 

It was a friendly-sounding threat.

 

Directly inside was an enclosed porch; it had a wood floor, a bench with coats laying on it haphazardly, and a computer desk off to the right-hand side. Two french doors opened into the main part of the house, where Maggie had already quickly abandoned her boyfriend.

 

“Hey mom!” She called out loudly. “I'm here!” She turned around to face Jackson, who now was looking at a small PADD – though it wasn't Starfleet issue. “Where is everyone?” She asked.

 

“Well, mom's probably in the garden, dad's -who knows where he is- 'Melia's probably on the computer again...”

 

Maggie looked disappointed, but then heard the back door open, and the sound of running water came shortly after. “Hi mom!” She yelled, the woman in the kitchen (the last room on the floor) turning around. The elder-looking woman, her curly, light-brown hair slowly fading into a gray, smiled as she saw Maggie in the middle of the house.

 

“Hi honey!” The woman called out. “We weren't expecting you 'till later!” She dried her hands on a towel next to the sink and came out to join the group that had formed in the living room. “And this must be... Mr. Wright?”

 

You could almost see Maggie biting her tongue from inside her mouth as she looked up at the ceiling briefly. Jackson laughed at the joke before this matronly figure then grabbed Griffin's hand with both of hers for a warm greeting. “You'll have to forgive the state of the house,” She excused, “I've gotten a bit busy with the garden out back.”

 

 

 

==I am so, so sorry this took a month... I really had not thought about the appearances of Maggie's family until this sub-plot!   ==

[Capt Griffin Wright]

==I'll see your month and raise you to a month and a half! ==

 

Griffin was sweating bullets under the gaze of Jackson, but he tried not to show it as Maggie's brother took his hand and shook with some vigor. 

 

Did I just hear a bone crack?!

 

Swallowing the pain (and his pride), the CO powered through. “ 'arrite,” Jackson said, nodding his head towards the door. “Ya wanna come inside?” 

 

Before Griffin could respond, he heard an impatient sound from beside him as Maggie moved forward and pushed the door open, Piper in tow. A very manly arm came around Griffin's shoulders, beckoning him forward. “We'll talk later, huh?”

 

Griffin didn't like being intimidated, but wasn't sure how to respond. He decided to ignore Jackson's quip for the moment, but vowed to not give in to him.

 

The house was quaint. A nice enclosed porch, familial mementos, and many signs that this was a loved house and a loving family. That made Griffin feel a bit better. Maggie announced their arrival with great enthusiasm to no reaction. He smiled at her as she tried to find someone to announce herself to. The kitchen proved to be a succesful location.

 

“Hi honey!” The woman called out. “We weren't expecting you 'till later!” She dried her hands on a towel next to the sink and came out to join the group that had formed in the living room. “And this must be... Mr. Wright?”

 

Griffin smiled warmly, taking in the older woman's curly hair with a touch of gray - she looked like Maggie, just a touch older. Maggie was visibly uncomfortable about her Mother's assessment, and Griffin decided to roll with it. "Yes, ma'am - I'm Mr. Wright, or at least I hope to be."

 

He stole a quick glimpse at Jackson to smirk and wink at him before Maggie's mother grasped his hand to greet him. “You'll have to forgive the state of the house,” She excused, “I've gotten a bit busy with the garden out back.”

 

Nodding, Griffin chuckled. "You have a beautiful house, Mrs. Murphy - a perfect house would be a bit concerning, to be honest." 

 

Trying to get a glimpse outside, Griffin looked at the mother inquiringly. "What do you grow?"

 

==Tag Jackson/Mrs. Murphy==

[LCdr Maggie Murphy]

Claire laughed at Griffin's joke about a perfect, clean house; Maggie simply looked away to avoid her mother seeing her briefly roll her eyes. Claire was a woman Maggie didn't like to cross: she was motherly enough, but certainly liked her order.

 

“Oh, mostly herbs and stuff now.” Claire replied to Griffin's inquiry. “Started some vegetables this year, though only the tomatoes seem to be doing well...” She trailed off, headed towards the back of the house, almost indicating that Griffin should come and see.

 

Maggie followed slowly behind, exchanging Looks with her brother, who was trying to have a silent conversation with her through facial expressions alone. Piper, of course, bounded through the house, racing back and forth between the back door and people's current position en route to.

 

By the time they had reached the door to outside, Maggie and Jackson's conversation had reached a quiet verbal level. Until Maggie said loudly, “I said shut up!”

 

“What's going on?” Claire asked, turning abruptly to glare at two of her children.

 

“Nothing, Ma.” Jackson replied, keeping the tone of his voice even. “So when's 'Melia coming in?”

 

“Oh,” Maggie replied instead, suddenly. “I didn't tell her we were coming. I was coming. Yeah. I forgot.” She glanced at her mother. “Oops.”

 

While Jackson shrugged, Claire tried her hardest not to glare, and instead plastered a smile on her face and continued to lead Griffin outside. Maggie grimaced at Griffin's back by way of silent apology; she didn't talk much about her sister. The two girls weren't estranged, it was simply a fact of they had very little in common, save the same immediate family members.

 

“Good to see you haven't died yet.” Jackson quipped as they all stepped outside.

 

Griffin would find himself on a deck, a glass table before him, and the walls of the deck completely littered with various plants, not all of them from Earth. Exotic flowers of all kinds bloomed from colorful pots, and tall potter plants were bursting from the brim with cloves and herbs. Maggie and Jackson barely looked, disinterested.

 

“Glad to see the Nah'ru vine hasn't lose its spirit.” Maggie commented dryly, her eyes sweeping over the thick vine that wrapped around the deck.

 

“Yes...” Claire responded thoughtfully, stroking a plant weak with berries. “Though it seems to take all the sunlight the Clavisoa berries want...”

 

“Mom's very proud of her little collection.” Maggie said softly to Griffin, letting her hand brush his, almost as if she was going to take it. She leaned in close to him for a moment, resting her head on his shoulder.

 

 

==Lunch soon! It's not all weird botany, I promise. ==

[Capt Griffin Wright]

Griffin smiled as Claire began to dive into the status of her garden, and then moved farther back in the house, chatting along the way. Griffin gave Maggie a quick grin and moved to follow the Matriarch.

 

They were about to head outside when Maggie abruply exclaimed "I said shut up!". Griffin turned around her quickly, surprised. "What?" 

 

“What's going on?” Claire asked, turning abruptly to glare at two of her children. It occured to Griffin that Maggie must have been talking to Jackson and not to him, and eyed the man again. “Nothing, Ma.” Jackson replied, keeping the tone of his voice even. “So when's 'Melia coming in?”

 

Griffin looked towards Claire, quickly losing track of who was who in the family tree. “Oh,” Maggie replied instead, suddenly. “I didn't tell her we were coming. I was coming. Yeah. I forgot.” She glanced at her mother. “Oops.”

 

Not trying to get involved in a family dispute, Griffin shrugged to himself and followed Claire outside, hoping things would normalize out there. They stood on a simple deck, surrounded by colorful and fragrant walls of plants. It was almost like a maze. Griffin turned around slowly, taking it all in. "Wow, Mrs. Murphy - this is impressive."

 

Maggie and Claire observed a few of the plants closely. “Mom's very proud of her little collection.” Maggie said softly to Griffin, letting her hand brush his, almost as if she was going to take it. She leaned in close to him for a moment, resting her head on his shoulder.

 

Griffin smiled, putting his arm casually around Maggie's back and allowing his hand to pull her close to him. He kissed her softly on the top of her head. 

 

Screw whatever Jackson thinks. I'm not going to hide my feelings for this gal!

 

He looked back towards Claire. "So, how long did it take you to put this all together? I've never seen such a collection outside of a proper botanical garden."

 

==Tag!==

[LCdr Maggie Murphy]

==WRONG THREAD SORRY SORRY SORRY!~!!==

Edited by Lt Maggie Murphy, Star Date 21710.24 @ 00:11 (12:11 AM).

[LCdr Maggie Murphy]

“So, how long did it take you to put this all together?” Griffin asked Maggie’s mother. Mags instinctively rolled her eyes, like a teenager, and even Jackson immediately looked bored. “I've never seen such a collection outside of a proper botanical garden.”

 

“Oh, it took me years!” Claire exclaimed happily. “See this jade plant right here? This must be, oh, twenty, no, thirty years old!” She moved off the deck, showing off the ivy on the side of the house. “And this ivy is from all over North America…” She started pointing towards sections. “This one is from that time we visited Boston… this over here is from the grounds of where we went to school, in New York… this we actually found all the way out in California, where we went on our honey moon!”

 

She went on and on about her ivy, and the two siblings present exchanged like looks, and Jackson pulled out a chair for Maggie to sit down in. They had clearly been versed in the speech Claire was currently giving.

 

“I’m done my list!” A male voice projected from across the backyard, somewhere behind the garage. Maggie’s head turned to try and find the source of the voice, but Piper was already on it. She ran towards Mr. Murphy, disappearing into the dusty enclosure. “Aha!” The voice added a moment later. “I’ve found a dog!”

 

“Maggie’s home!” Claire called out, still distracted by affectionally touching all of her plants. “Oh, that’ll be Jamie.” She said to Griffin. “If he ever come out of there, I’ll introduce you.”

 

“Hi dad!” Mags yelled out, herself now distracted as well, looking at something her brother was showing her. She had settled back into her family role well, though leaving Griffin a bit to fend for himself.

 

“Oh-ho, who’s this?” She rocketed out of her seat when she realized her father was about to be introduced to Griffin, and it was an important moment she should probably be present for. She skirted to a stop as soon as Claire was finishing her sentence, luckily.

 

“This is Margaret’s boyfriend,” The woman was saying, “Captain Griffin Wright.” Maggie tried to square her shoulders and look as tall as she could, though it didn’t amount to much in her short stature.

 

Mags tried to give her father a happy, proud, and hopeful expression as he reached out a dirty hand to greet Griffin. “Good to meet you.” He said, nodding. “We’ve heard good things about you – though, is Starship Captain more, or less, dangerous?”

 

Maggie’s eyes bugged out. “Dad!” She admonished. “Seriously?!”

 

“Well, let the man answer the question. You’re old enough to start a family now, you should start thinking about these sorts of things.”

[Capt Griffin Wright]

Griffin could feel Maggie pull away from him as a spark entered her Mother's eyes. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Jackson slump a bit. “Oh, it took me years!” Claire exclaimed happily. “See this jade plant right here? This must be, oh, twenty, no, thirty years old!”

 

The young courter smiled. He followed Claire, looking at some definite ivy. "Impressive, Mrs. Murphy!" Hopefully she couldn't see through his polite facade. He was touched that she would show him something so near and dear to her, though.

 

A new voice from afar broke up the conversation a bit. “I’m done my list!” It called, and Piper quickly tore after the sound and heading towards the garage. “Aha!” The voice added a moment later. “I’ve found a dog!”

 

Griffin raised his eyebrows. Doesn't sound like a stranger...

 

“Maggie’s home!” Claire called out, still distracted by affectionately touching all of her plants. “Oh, that’ll be Jamie.” She said to Griffin. “If he ever comes out of there, I’ll introduce you.”

 

Griffin smiled, but felt a bit nervous - this was the big moment. Obviously meeting the family was a big deal, but to meet his lady's father was another thing altogether. He swallowed and watched from a distance as Maggie and Jackson greeted Jamie. However, he soon took notice of Griffin.

 

“Oh-ho, who’s this?” He said, and Maggie rocketed out of her seat. Griffin chuckled. Before he could introduce himself, however, Claire spoke up. “This is Margaret’s boyfriend,” The woman was saying, “Captain Griffin Wright.”

 

Griffin stepped forward to meet the man. Jamie reached out a grubby hand and Griffin took it, shaking firmly. “Good to meet you.” Jamie said, nodding. “We’ve heard good things about you – though, is Starship Captain more, or less, dangerous?”

 

Maggie’s eyes bugged out. “Dad!” She admonished. “Seriously?!” Jamie was quick to respond. “Well, let the man answer the question. You’re old enough to start a family now, you should start thinking about these sorts of things.”

 

Tilting his head as if to say "It's not that bad", the Captain smiled warmly. "I do reasonably well at avoiding injury. I wouldn't be Captain if I couldn't manage that. Pleased to meet you, Sir. It has been my great fortune to meet your daughter, and your family is wonderful."

 

Griffin wasn't sure what to say next. He glanced at Jackson who gave him a neutral look, and then at Claire who was still minding her Ivy. Finally he saw Piper trot over to him and rubbed the dog on the head. "And Piper here is a hoot!" 

 

Hopefully that helps break the ice. If the dog likes me, surely the Dad will!

 

==Tag==