Another Winding Road

Goodbye Doctor Spada

By: Yuki Wildstar

 

 

Wildstar Residence

18th of April, 2219

 

“It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it?” he started.

Feeling the breeze in her face, they walked on the beach looking up into the night sky. It was clear and the stars shone bright in the distance. The moon was full and Nova felt that she could just touch it as it brighten the night sky. “It is.” She replied. Gazing out to the sky she could tell that something was bothering him. “What’s wrong Derek?”

He smiled at his wife, how she knew him all too well. “Nothing passes you does it?”

“No it doesn’t. So what’s up?” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and continued to walk. “You miss it don’t you?” she asked.

“I can’t say I don’t. It’s been a while since I’ve been in space.” Her heart began to beat faster knowing what he was going to say next. “Nov, I was thinking of stepping down as Rear Admiral.” She walked quietly next to him waiting for it. “I know that I promised that I would always be here, but, but.”

“You want to go out again.” She said softly.

“Honey, I love you and being home these last few years have been great. Being home with you and the boys is something I would never change. But, I feel useless at work. Pushing paper is something I never dream of doing.”

“Derek, I figured that someday you would want to go back. I just hope that it wouldn’t be so soon.”

“If you want me to stay, I’ll stay.”

She wanted him to stay and never go back but if she told him to stay he would resent her for it. She took a deep breath trying to stop from crying, “No Derek you go. It’s who you are.”

He pulled her closer to him and brought her face up to look her in the eyes. “It’s not that I’m not happy. It’s just that I miss being in space.” A tear ran down her face and he gently wiped it away. “I love you Nova.”

“When are you going and for how long?” She had a sinking feeling this was in motion for a while.

“I’m leaving in three months.” He said not wanting to say more.

“For how long Derek?” she asked annoyed.

“A year.”

“A YEAR!” she stood there shocked. “You can’t go for a few months and ease yourself into it. Not to mention the boys.” She snapped at him.

“Nov, I don’t want to argue about it. Please don’t make me feel like I’m abandoning you and the boys. Its’ just, well, I feel restless here just going to meeting and pushing papers. It’s not me.”

“I can’t say I’m happy. But I love you. Go Derek, if it makes you happy. Then go.” She said in a low voice.

“I love you so much baby.”

 

 

Was the conversation they had 11 months ago and Nova could feel the next month fly by. It wasn’t easy with him gone. Raising three boys alone and working made it a little difficult. If it wasn’t for Michael she would have lost it long before. He came often to help her around the house fixing things and playing with the boys. Feeling relief that he was there to help her sons she looked outside to see him playing with them as she finished making dinner. She called out to them to come eat and watched as they raced in. Nova laughed as they almost pushed her out the way. Michael grabbed hold of her and kept her from falling to the floor. “Are you alright?” he asked as he held her in his arms.

“Yes Michael. You would think that I’d be use to this, hungry boys and all.” She giggled more.

“I’ll get them to wash their hands and face.”  He said and rushed them into the bathroom.

She began to put the food on the table when she heard someone at the door. “Oh gosh who could that be now!” she huffed. Opening the door her heart dropped to the ground.

“Mrs. Wildstar?”

“Yes that me.” She said to the two men in uniform.

“We have a message from headquarters.” One of them said as he handed a letter to her.

“Nova what’s going on?” Michael said as he watched what was unfolding at that moment. “Boy’s why don’t you guys go and sit down for dinner while your mother and me see what they want. Alex you’re in charge alright?”

“Alright Uncle Michael.” He said as he shoved his brothers to the dining room.

She thanked them for the letter and quickly closed the door. Sitting down in the living room she just stared at the envelope in her hand. Michael sat down next to her and held her other hand. “Do you want me to open it?”

Shaking her head her hands shook as she opened it and began to read the letter.

 

My Dearest Nova

 

How I miss you so. I know that you were expecting me home soon. But things here changed and my presence is needed for just a few more months. My return home has been extended to another 8 months possibly more. I’m sorry that I couldn’t keep my promise to you and the boys but I will do my best to end things here and come home. Tell Alex that I still intend to take him to Pluto base station for his first space trip. One that we have post pone one too many time.

 

Baby I miss reaching over to you and know that you are there. My room here is empty as well as my heart because of you all not being here. Please understand that I must finish this and I will be home as soon as this is all over. I love you always.

With all my heart

Derek

 

Her tears fell to the ground as she read his letter. Michael placed his arms around her shoulder and pulled her closer. “Is everything okay?”

“He’s not coming home.” She sighed.

“Did he tell you why?”

“No he didn’t. How could he do this to us?” She snapped in a low tone. “A whole year and now he is staying out there longer. How am I supposed to tell the boys?”

Looking over to the dining room Michael lean closer and said. “Maybe we should talk about this later. The boys are looking.”  He pointed behind them.

“You’re right, let’s just finish eating and getting the kids to sleep.” She said as she got up and wiped her tears.

 

Dinner seemed to last forever. She wondered how she was going to tell the boys about their fathers delaying his return. How she wanted to shake him for doing it to her. She watched as Alex ran to his room every night and mark on his calendar another day until his father would be home. Now she had to be the one to give him the bad news. Mark and Dee were still young to understand, but Alex was quick to know that something was wrong with his mother. Something he inherited from her. As she tucked him in he could see the stress in her face. “Mom what’s wrong?”

“Nothing honey, it’s late so go to bed.”

“Mom why were those two men here for you?”

She stared at her son, how perspective of him she thought. “They brought me a letter from you father. Alex sweetie, daddy isn’t coming home on time. He has to stay out in space just a little longer. But he said to tell you that he will take you to Pluto base station this time around. He promises. He also said that he loves you and us and misses us very much.” She watched as his face turned to disappointment and it broke her heart. “Alex I’m going to need you to be a trooper okay. Daddy is working hard and he promised that he will be home soon.”

“He promise me last time and we never went.” He pouted.

“I’m sorry honey, but daddy’s doing his best to get back to us. Why don’t we go and visit grandma and grandpa. I’m sure they would love to see you and your brothers.”

Looking up to his mother he tried hard to smile. “I guess Mark and Dee will like that.”

“Why don’t you get some sleep, I love you very much. Good night sweetheart.” She kissed his forehead and left him to sleep.

 

Michael sat in the living room and waited for her to come out. He saw the expression on her face and knew that she told her sons about their father’s delay. “How did it go?”

“How could he do this? To see his face disappointed is something I can never forgive him for. What the hell is so important that he had to stay out there longer? There better be a war going on out there for him to disappoint his kids!” she said out in anger.  He walked over to her and hugged her as she began to cry. “How can he do this to us?!” she cried.

“Shh it’s alright. I’m sure that it was something important or else he would have come home on time. He’s never let you down without a reasonable explanation. And don’t worry about Alex. He will bounce back by the end of the week.”

“But he shouldn’t. He’s just a kid.” Taking a deep breath she said. “I know it’s not his fault that he had to stay out there. And when I married him that things like this come up, but we have kids now. He’s not here to see their faces.”

“Nova it’s his job. Alex will be alright. And anyway, I can come by and help out. Did he say when he will come home?”

“Not really.” She said. “You’re right when I married him I knew it was him.”

“Is there any way of getting in touch with him?”

“No he is too far out. Our communication can only go out as far a Deslock territory. We can only rely on the old packaging system. Any communication is sent to headquarters. And if I’m not present I’m out of luck. I was lucky last time he called. And even that was delayed by weeks.” She sighed. How she missed him especially at night. He could tell she was lonely for him. And he took her in his arms and hugged her. “Thank you Michael for being here. It would’ve been harder to tell them about it. Let alone keep it together.”

“Hey that’s what friends are for. Would you like me to stay the night?” he asked like so many other times. He would sleep in the spare room some nights when she asked him to stay.

“No, I’ll be alright. Thank you again, Michael. I’ll see you at work.”

 

 

26th of August, 2219

Four Months later

 

She kept as busy as possible to keep her sons from missing their father too much. Michael stopped by mostly every day. He played with the boys and made them laugh. It became a routine for them as a family. Michael felt like a segregate father to her boys. He would stop by every night after work and he would stay until late. She came out of Mark and Derek’s room and threw herself onto the couch blowing her hair out of her face. He let out a small laugh at her as she let out a loud sigh. “They are getting big. I don’t know how you do it all by yourself.” He said.

“It not easy, but you have help me a lot. Alex seems to not miss him as much when you’re here. Thank you again Michael, for taking time to be a male figure in their lives. And thank you for taking him to Pluto Base Station for a field trip. He like that a lot. With Yvey and Stephen away it’s not easy to keep Alex occupied and though the rest of the Star Force tried to make time for them they still have their own families to deal with.” She lean back into the couch and continued. “I miss him so much. It’s so hard to sleep in bed and not being able to touch or hold him. And lately I just feel like he is no longer in my life. Is it wrong to feel that way?”

He listened to her, for the first time she opened up to him in areas no one should. He could see the strain of him being gone was taking a toll on her. Each time they talked he would ensure her to hang in there that he was coming home to her. But each time he said it he wanted to bite his tongue. “No Nova it’s only natural to feel that way. He’s been gone over a year and you’re here dealing with everything. I’m not saying it’s not easy for him out there without you. But he chose to go. People change, it’s up to them to change and grow together or change and grow apart.”

Was she changing? She thought. Could she be growing without him? Getting up she walked into the kitchen and brought back a bottle of wine and glasses. “Would you like some?” she asked him.

“Just one, thanks.” He said. By the end of night she drank down two bottles of wine. They talked back and forth on work and Derek’s mission. He held her on and off as she cried for her husband. As the night went on he could tell that she was drifting on and off as she spoke. “Nova I think this is your last one.”

“I’m okay Michael. I’m just tired.” She was starting to feel depress and she didn’t want him to go. “Stay the night Michael. I don’t think that I can deal with the kids in the morning.” She said as he assured her that he was there for her. They both got up and she began to make her way to her room. She gave him a hug and then kissed him partially on the lips and cheek. He held her a little longer not wanting to let her go. How he ached for her. He wanted to put a smile back on her face from the pain that she felt. “Thank you Michael.” Trying to pull away he held her closer and looked into her eyes then kissed her fully on the lips. She could feel herself melt into his arms. It’s been so long since she felt a man’s lips on hers. She took in his kiss feeling wanted for once in a long time. How she wanted to feel like a women again instead of a mother and friend.  He moved her slowly to the couch and she lean back as he lay on top of her. He kissed her with passion that she long for. In haste she reached for his shirt and began to help him take it off. He moved his hands to her blouse and began to unbutton it exposing her bra. He gazed at her in silences knowing that if he said anything it would break the moment. Gently he kissed her neck working his way to her chest. Breathing heavily she wanted him more and started to help him remove his pants. He took off her bra and began to kiss her more when they heard DJ come into the room.

“Mommy, what are you and Uncle Michael doing?” he asked sleepily.

“My god DJ! What are you doing up.” She jumped and grabbed a throw blanket covering herself with it.

“I had a bad dream.”

Quickly she put on her blouse as he put his pants on. She picked up her son and made her way back to his room hoping that he didn’t see much of what was happening. “It’s alright DJ, it just a dream. Remember what daddy said. Dreams can’t hurt you.” She tucked him into bed and smiled down at him. “Go back to bed. Before you know it daddy will be home. I love you.”

“I love you too mommy.”

Feeling relief that he didn’t ask her what she and Michael were doing she went back into the living room. Michael stood there waiting dressed and jacket on. “I should go.” He said.

Feeling her mind clear she nodded and said. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, it’s been hard. Anyway its late, I should go. Goodnight Nova. I’ll see you at work.” He said then kissed her on the cheek.

 

 

0332 a.m.

Wildstar Residence

 

 

He looked at his house. Everything was dark and a smile crept on his face that he was finally home. How he missed his family. He promised himself that he would never go away for this long again. The stress of leaving them took its toll on him mid way and then they extended his returned.

 

Entering his house he took in the darkness trying to remember how he left it over a year ago. He walked into his bedroom and looked at the dark figure that slept in his bed. He sat down next to her and pushed some hair strains away. He ran his hand down her face feeling her soft skin then leaned down to kiss her. Her eyes opened feeling his presences there. She reached up and turned on the light shocked to see him sitting there. “Hello Mrs. Wildstar.” He said as he smiled at her. “I’ve miss you so much.”

“Oh my god, Derek! Your home.” She reached out to him and held him close. She hugged him tightly not wanting to let him go. “I miss you so much. When did you come home?” She said crying.

“A few hours ago. I would’ve been here sooner but we had a problem with the ship coming into the atmosphere.  You look so good to me. I love you so much.” He said then kissed her. “I want to take a nice hot shower then I want to rekindle us.” He grinned.

Her heart beat faster to see him there. Just a few short hours earlier Michael and she almost made their way to her bed. If Alex didn’t get up and interrupted them who knows how far they would’ve gone. Her hands shook as she looked into the bathroom and watched her husband take a shower.  He finished and jumped into bed taking her into his arms. “Come here Mrs. Wildstar. I’ve waited a long time to hold you and make love to you.” He pulled her closer and kissed her. Without saying more he began to take her nightgown off and started to make love to her. Nova tried her best to loosen herself with him, but her mind drifted back to Michael. What if she went through with it? He would’ve have been lying here in bed with her. Derek would’ve come home and saw firsthand that they made love. She wasn’t sure if she should tell him what happen. But Alex saw us. For sure he would bring it up. She prayed that he would think it was a dream. Lying beside her, he tried to catch his breath. Nova looked up to the ceiling a tear streamed down her cheek as to what she needed to do. Sitting up on his elbow he looked at his wife. “What’s wrong baby? Tears of joy.” He joked.  She shook her head and cried harder. “Nova, baby, what’s wrong?”

“Derek I need to tell you something and I don’t think that you’re going to like it one bit.” She said in between sniffles.

“Baby there nothing that’s going to upset me right now. I counted the days until I was home again making love you.” She looked away from him and began her story. He moved further away from her slowly as she told him what happened hours before he came home. “Derek, please forgive me. I was weak and lonely. It’s been so long since I had someone touch me like a woman.”

“SHUT UP!” he snapped. “How could you and for DJ to walk in on you; in MY house with HIM!”

“We both knew it was wrong once I put DJ back to bed. You left for so long I was starting to get depress. I missed you so much and I hated you at the same time. You left us. And then you decided to stay out longer. Not even considering how we would feel. Michael was there for me and the boys. If it wasn’t for him I would have lost it a long time ago. We never meant to go as far as we did.”

“I bet he was there for you! He’s always there for you! There’s never a day that he isn’t there for you!” He said with anger.

“Please Derek, he was only trying to be a friend. He helped a lot with the kids.”

“That’s just great, he moves in on my wife and MY KIDS! I bet he felt like it was his little family. He must have enjoyed that.” He said as he paced back and forth. “So that’s why you seem so cold while I was making love to you. I just thought that it’s been so long. I’m going to kill him. Were you even in the same room with me or was your mind thinking of him.”

“No nothing like that.” She lied. She grabbed her robe suddenly feeling dirty for him to see her.

He stared closer at her and knew she was lying to him. “I knew things would be different when I came back. I expected for us to change a little but you’ve had a whole new life with another man. Do you love him?”

“No Derek. I don’t think I do.”

“THINK?!  Its either you do or you don’t. Do you love him?!”

“No Derek, I don’t. I love you.”

“You know when I screwed up I was thrown out of the house. It took me over a year to win back your trust. What do you think I should do to you?!” He said with sarcasm.

“Derek, do, do you want me to leave?” she said as she swallowed her words.

He looked at his wife and sighed. How he loved her but he was hurt at her betrayal. “How am I supposed to let you go? You’re the mother of my children. And beside the point that I feel totally betrayed I still and will always love you. I think I need to sleep in the other room tonight. I need to think.” He said walking towards their door. “I love you Nova, why you ever doubted that I’ll never know. I was gone and lonely too. But I never thought of betraying you again with another woman. And trust me there were a few that threw themselves at me during the mission. Goodnight Nova.” He said then left her crying alone.

 

 

Morning was somber but filled with excitement as the kids flock to their father. Alex went on to tell him about all the fun he had with his Uncle Michael and how he took him to Pluto Base station. It burnt Derek to hear him tell him about it and he looked up to Nova with slit eyes. Derek and Mark jumped on top of him as they told him all about how their uncle Michael played every night with them and told them stories before they went to bed. Nova could see the pain in his eyes each time one of the boys told him something. She wanted so much to take back last night after he made love to her. But it was out in the open. He finally told his sons that he needed to get dress and head into the office for a while but promised that he would be back to spend the rest of the day with them.  She followed him into their room and hoped to talk before he left. “Derek.”

“Not now Nova, I have to go to headquarters. We can talk more tonight.”

 

 

 

 

27th of August, 2219

EDF Headquarters

 

“Welcome back sir.” His aid stood up and saluted him.

“Get me form A213.”

“Transfer papers, sir?”

“Do I have to ask you twice?” He snapped at the young man.

“No sir. Right away sir.” He said and race to get them.

Wildstar picked up his phone and dial his number. “Hello Dash, how are you.”

“Wildstar I didn’t know you were back already. They said you wouldn’t be back on earth for at least another 2 more months.”

“Yeah well I got in earlier then I thought. I need a favor.”

“Anything.”

“I hear that you are short doctors over there. Do you think you could use one more?”

“We can always use doctors over here. Why do you have someone in mind?”

“He’s an excellent doctor and wishes a change of scenery.”

“We’ve been asking Headquarters for doctors for months. A lot of our doctors either retired or moved over to New York.”

“Then this will be perfect timing. I will hand down the order ASAP. He should be over on the west coast in about two weeks. Will that work?”

“Perfect, can’t wait.”

“Sir those papers you asked for.” His aid said as he walked into the office.

“Thank you that will be all.” Wildstar said then looked up annoyed at the young man. “What is it?”

“I just wanted to say welcome back sir.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to be short with you. Thank you. It’s good to be back. Can you please send over a messenger?”

“Yes sir.” He gave him a smile of relief.

 

 

“Commander Spada?”

“Yes come in.”

“I have a delivery.”

Taking the envelope Spada opened and read it. He stared at the paper and couldn’t believe what he was reading. “Who gave you this?” he asked the messenger.

“A Rear Admiral Wildstar, sir.”

“Thank you,” he said. He’s back. He wondered if she told him about them. But he wasn’t going to stand for being transfer out of the blue. “Patti, can you please refer all my patients to Doctor Fritz. There is something I have to do over at headquarters.”

“Yes doctor. All your patients’ sir.”

“Yes.”

 

 

Rear Admiral Derek Wildstar Office

 

 

“Sir, Commander Spada is here to see you.”

“Send him in.”

Spada walked in and threw the papers at him. “What the hell is the meaning of this?” he snapped.

“You need to check your attitude at the door, commander.” Wildstar stood up and snapped back at him. “You got your orders. I advise you to start packing. You’re needed more on the west coast then here.”

“This is bullshit and you know it. What’s the real reason that I’m getting transfer?”

“I think you need to take this transfer while you got it.”

“OR WHAT?”

“Or the next set of papers you get will be a court marshal for fraternizing with my wife.” He stood up and slammed his fist on the table. He stood there and realized that she indeed told him about them. For him to come home the night that they almost made love was the worst timing he could think of. It didn’t give her time to think things through. She had to have some kind of remorse when she saw her husband walk through the door. “Now go and get yourself ready to go. The sooner you get your shit the sooner I can get you off of my island. I never want to see you back here again. You have drawn the line with my wife and if I see you here any longer a court marshal is the least of your worries. Trust me when I say it’s taken a lot for me not to put you in your grave. If it wasn’t for my wife you would’ve been long gone. Now get out!”

“You son of a bitch! You can’t transfer me just like that.”

“I can and I just did. You’ve interfere in my life one too many times. And your stay here has been over welcomed”

“Are you afraid that she starting to show feeling for me. Perhaps she’s in love with me.”

“Don’t flatter yourself Spada. She was feeling lonely. It wasn’t easy for her. She loves me and I love her.”

 “If you love her you’ve wouldn’t have gone for so long. If you were home she would have never come to me. And she did come to me. Not because we were confined in a cell, not because she was delusional and certainly not because she was drunk. She came to me willing.”

“Let’s just throw our cards on the table Michael. She was lonely and angry at me. Yeah maybe going away for a year wasn’t the best idea. But she loves me. You just happened to be there, nothing more.” He spoke in a calm manner that kept Michael on guard. “From day one you’ve tried to move into my life that I built with her. She always said that you and she were just friends. But I knew better. You love her and wanted more. For a while I stood to the side and allowed her to keep her friendship with you. But I’m done. The day you step into my place with her and MY SONS is the last that I will take.”

“Yes I love your wife. The first time I saw her I thought she would be a good price to have for a night. But I got to know her and saw a beautiful girl inside and out. You are lucky to have her. And I hated the fact that you’ve hurt her so many times. I wanted to shake her and tell her to come with me. That I would take care of her and the boys, but she always stayed.”

“And that should have told you that she loves me.”

“Know this Wildstar. One day she will wake up and I will be there to pick up the pieces. Even if I’m across the ocean I will be there.”

“Now you’re delusional. Get out of my office and off my base. You will not call her or even confer with her on anything. If you do I will press charges. Now I’m done here. Go. Or the next thing will be two marines escorting you to a cell.”

“And what are we going to tell Nova about my transfer?”

“The truth, that your needed more in the states and because of how you feel you think it would be best to take it. Dismiss Commander.” He ordered and went back to his paper work.

 

 

 

1800 hours

Wildstar Residence

 

 

“Alex, can you help me with your brothers. I need to just get something in the kitchen. Just watch them for just a sec.” she said and then turned to go in. She went into her room and cried again. Something she was doing on and off the whole day. I’ve lost him I know I did. How can I be so stupid? She thought. The whole day she continued to beat herself up as her sons played. She tired her best not to cry around them and kept going in and out of the house to compose herself. She finally collected herself for the fifth time that day and walked back out the patio. Her heart beat faster as she saw him playing with their sons. “Your home.” She said surprise that he came home.

Derek looked up and gave her a smile. “Hold on guys, be right back.” He ruffled his son’s hair and walked over to her. He stood in front of her and to her surprise he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her. She felt herself fall madly in love again with him. Pulling away he looked deep into her eyes and said. “Nova I love you with all my heart and I want to forget what happen. Too many times you’ve forgiven me and took me back. I don’t want to waste another hour fighting with you. I love you.”

“Oh Derek, I wasn’t sure that you would come home. It tore me inside out to even think that you would leave me. I love you too. I’m so sorry, please,” she started to say as she began to cry.

“Shh,” he whispered into her ear. He didn’t want his sons to know that they have been fighting. “It’s over and all I want right now is to be home with you and the boys. It’s been way to long. I love you I don’t want to fight with you anymore. Let’s just take the boys out to eat and then after we put them down we make up.” He grinned as he held her tighter. She buried her face into his chest and held him tight as she cried. “I love you Mrs. Wildstar. And I promise you that I will keep my adventures down to 6 months if not shorter. I don’t ever want to leave you alone with these little gremlins for a long time ever again.” He put his hand on her chin and pulled her face up to look at him. “We have a long night ahead of us.” He said making her giggle threw her tears.

 

 

 

 

EDF Headquarters

Office of Captain Nova Forrester Wildstar

1st of September, 2219

 

5 days later……

 

“Enter,” she called out to the knock on the door. Peeking in he gave her a smile. “Michael hello, come in. What can I do for you?”

“I just stop by to say goodbye.”

“Goodbye? I don’t understand. Where are you going?” Nova looked at him confused.

“You don’t know?”

“Know what?”

“I’ve been transfers back to the states.” He said.

“When did this happen and why didn’t you tell me?”

“Well it happen the day after Derek came home.” He said and thinking about what Wildstar told him. “I thought it would be a good idea after, well, you know. I know that you love Derek and maybe it’s best for me to go and start fresh. Maybe I can find a wife.” He grinned trying to make light of it. “I’d thought that at least let me say good bye to you. After all you were my favorite nurse and friend.”

Sitting down she felt her heart break slightly to hear him say he was going. How she would miss him so. “I’m going to miss you too, Michael. I don’t know what I’m going to do without my friend. You’ve been so supportive with Derek and I. I hope that we can stay in touch. Talk over patients.”

“I’ll give you call once I settle in. I should go. My flight leaves in a few hours. I just wanted to say goodbye.”

“That soon? Do you have time to say goodbye to Derek?”

“Ah sorry no. Anyway I said goodbye to him before.” He stood up as did she. “Well I hope to talk with you if you’re not busy.” She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him. “Thank you for everything Nova.” He said and gave her a kiss on the lips.

“I’m going to miss you so much Michael. Call me please I don’t want to lose touch with you.”

“I will.” He said but knew that he would never call her. If he ever found out that he talked with her he would carry out his threat and he didn’t want to hurt Nova. “I have to go.” With a tear in his eye he walked out her office door.

 

 

She watched as he walked out the door and onto the elevator. “Suki, I need to see Admiral Wildstar. This may take a while.”

“Yes ma’am.”

She marched down to his office and threw open the door. “I need to speak with you now.” She said with a stern look.

Wildstar looked up and knew it was important. Turning to his colleague he said, “Gentleman can you all excuse us.” Quickly they all made their way out of his office. “Okay what is so important that you had to interrupt my meeting?” he said annoyed with her.

“You bastard, how could you!” she snapped angrily at him.

Shocked to see her angry he walked behind his desk and sat down. “What is it that I did now?”

“You know what you did. You had Michael transfer to the states. Why Derek, why?”

“Don’t you think that this is something we should discuss at home and not here? I was in the middle of a meeting.”

“I don’t care if you were talking to Jesus himself. You transferred him and I want to know why?”

“Why? It was time for him to go. They need doctors in states and since he is an excellent doctor I thought of him. He can start fresh there, away from you.”

“I told you it was a mistake and I regretted it. I was lonely, that’s all.” She snapped back.

“Maybe you were lonely but I’ll feel better knowing he is over in the states. I don’t need to go away again and know that he is hovering over you like some vulture, just waiting to swoop down on you and the boys.” He lean further in his chair then stood up and walked over to her. “Look Nova, I know I haven’t been the best husband and father. I put you through a lot and you’ve forgiven me too many times to count. But I will not stand by and let him weasel his way into our lives.”

“Then what you’re saying is that you don’t trust me either.”

“No I’m not saying that. I just want him out of our lives, that’s all!”

Raising her voice she was almost yelling, “You could’ve told me. I didn’t have to hear it from him.”

“You saw him! WHEN?!”

“Does it matter when I saw him?”

“No,” he said and thought to himself of their agreement of him not attempting to get in contact with her. “But I would have like to say goodbye.” And choke the living crap out of him. He thought to himself

“It wouldn’t matter anyway he leaves in a few hours.”

“Shame. Maybe I’ll catch him on one of my visit to the states.” So I can really choke him. “Nov, let’s not argue about this. Sorry I didn’t mention it to you sooner. I didn’t think it was my position to tell you. It was order’s that’s all.”

“Order’s that you gave him! Orders that you could’ve warn me about. I never knew that you would be this underhanded Derek. I love you and I would have never betrayed you, ever!”

“I have had about enough on this matter! My patients are wearing thin Commander. I suggest that you leave before we both say something we both will regret later. Especially me. He got his orders now it’s over.”

She stood there wondering how she never saw this part of him. “So what happens if you ever grow tired of me? Are you going to transfer me too.” She snapped.

Walking back to his desk he looked at her one last time. “Nova, go back to work. This subject is closed I don’t want to talk about it anymore. Not here or at home. It’s over!” he said as he slammed his hands on his desk making her jump. She pivot and turned to leave, “Nov, wait.” He said and then walked over and closed the door. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to try to pull rank. Maybe you are right about me telling you. But it wasn’t up to me to tell you. I love you so much and well I kind of feel threaten when he is around. To know that he and you almost, almost, well,”

She stepped closer to him and put her finger on his lips. “Your right the subject is closed.” He looked up and saw her eyes tear up. Taking her into his arms he kissed her. “I love you so much.”  And then kissed her again. He peek out the office and told his aid “Why don’t you take lunch early. I have to straight things out here. Forward all calls to voice and we don’t want to be disturbed.” He lock his door and turn to her with a mischievous grin. “I think we have a lot to discuss Captain Wildstar.”

“Like what?” she giggled to what he was thinking.

Moving her closer to his couch he unbutton her blouse and began to make love to her.

 

 

The end …..

 

Please read on to the long version of Another Winding Road Extended.