Amy came to pick up Nicole to take her to the funeral. Nicole and Amy held hands with little Brenna as they went down to the Star Fleet Headquarters. Admiral Illyan Coren and Loiza Coren were there. Loiza looked at Nicole and started to cry. Nicole gripped Amy's hand very hard.
The pair entered the ceremony. It was beautiful. Vincent did a great job making the Coren's feel comfortable and making Nicole feel comfortable. He also did an awesome job at providing condolences for the Laree family. Three people died out there; however tragic the approach.
Amy and Nicole went to BLACK for the post ceremony meal. Nicole did not expect to see Magenta there. Magenta nodded. Both remember Orchid with such fondness. Amy cuddled into Nicole trying to console her but it was Magenta who was on her mind.
Admiral Coren came over and told Nicole that he would be around more. The Betazoid Space Service was going to build a station to orbit Colony 395 to manage this end of the gateway from Outpost 294. He hugged her. If only he had done so when Orchid was alive. This would have been avoided.
Magenta came over, "I am going to be involved in the construction of Betazoid Star Base, Station 101. I will be around more."
Amy made a smart ass comment about being with Nicole. Both Nicole and Magenta looked at Amy. Nicole pulled her arm out and went over to the bar. Magenta walked over, "The nerve of her."
"Yeah.", Nicole looked at Magenta.
"Do you have a place to stay?", Nicole asked.
"Yeah. We are staying in a hotel in the Village.", Magenta responded.
"You could stay at the house.", Nicole responded.
"With you. I doubt it, Branson. I doubt it.", Magenta responded.
Nicole began to mingle and hugged Illyan and Loiza as they left. Magenta stayed visiting with everyone. It was getting very late.
"Ok, Branson, I will stay with you but only with clear expectations. Some lines should not be crossed.", Magenta smiled, feeling a little drunk.
As they walked into the house, both were smiling and telling stories about Orchid and her little quirks. Brenna came running over to both, "Mom!!"
Nicole picked her up, "You should be sleeping."
"She refused.", the sitter interjected.
Nicole put her to bed and came back downstairs. Magenta was making tea.
The pair shared a tea and Nicole went upstairs to bed.
Magenta sat there for a while wondering what was happening between them.
Posted by:
Vice Admiral Nicole Branson
Grieving Widow of Dr. Orchid Coren
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Fle
