Tombstone Estate

[Doc Holliday]

Location: Tombstone Estate, Planet Gran Canaria, Omega 49 System

In a fit of rage, John Holliday walked in the front door to his estate house, cursing out loud to himself with his flight helmet in his hand. Shocked, Midori turned to face him in time to see him throw his helmet down on the floor, breaking it in several pieces. Her look of shock went to one of horror as she was seeing this side of her husband more and more of late. He then removed his robes and tossed them on the couch behind him. Wanting to help but avoiding a raging bull, she went around behind him, took his robes and hung them for him while he stormed out to his deck to find some serenity.

For the next several minutes, she gave him some space to collect himself. In that time, she poured a tall iced tea for him and added a hint of rum in it. Cautiously, she then ventured to the deck.
"John," she asked softly, "want to talk?" as she handed him the tall, cold, drink.
He managed a smile, "thank you, Dahlin'"
"You are welcome," she responded taking a seat next to him.

"You have been very angry of late," she began to lecture, "I do not like it and want to know why."
He looked at her for a moment, shocked of her tone but he knew she was right. He also knew his behavior was affecting her. He sat up a bit and turned to her. Putting his drink down, he took her hands in his and began to explain.

"Dahlin', while life here looks peaceful, up there," he pointed to the sky above, "it's turning into a war zone. Corsairs, Privateers and everyone else wanting a piece of what we have. That and Mal leaving, I'm handed the Council Chair and find myself trying to hold TAZ together. And did I say some......." He held back a moment, wanting to say something he shouldn't and then continued, "....some one destroyed the Moonstone again?"

Midori, stunned, placed her hand over her heart remembering what happened last time it was destroyed.
"The crew?" she asked
"They are fine this time," he answered.
"Oh good," she replied with a sign of relief.

Doc then continued, "Listen, I sense it's going to get worse. For your safety, I want you to pack some stuff and leave for awhile. I won't be far behind. Go somewhere where you will be safe."

Midori sat shocked at what she was hearing and stood up and herself began to get angry. She looked sharply at him and wagged a finger at him, "John Henry Holliday I am going nowhere! This is our home! You, John, are allowing anger and even hatred to control you."

He thought for a moment. It was the first time he had seen her angry. He then stood up. Facing her, he tried to explain, "I'm concerned for your safety, Dahlin', nothing more. And of my own. We aren't fighters, well, not up there anyway."

She then turned and took a step away and turned back, "To protect my home, John Henry, I would try, even if the Kentaro.Sato get shot out from under me. I take that chance."

He now started taking her seriously. Her back still to him, he stood behind her, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Dahlin', I'm sorry if I hurt you or offended you but the way these privateers and Corsairs treat us, I don't want to be stuck here at their mercy."
Placing her hands back on his, she turned back around, "Doctor, you have research here too. Michael? Mijana? Those refugees you promise help to? If you walk away you will lose the respect of so many."

He then lowered his hands to her waist. "You're right. I hate it but you are right. We may get stranded here but you're right."
"John, we have enough food and provisions to be stuck here until we are ancient. You also forget, you have loyal friends here in the form of the Klingons you rescue. Many tell me they would die in your honor," she reminded.

"You sure you want to get stranded here with a grouch like me?" he asked her.
She just smiled and put her arms around his neck, "John Henry Holliday, I marry you for reason. I be honored to be stuck here with you." She finished it with a kiss.

"Alright then, do me a favor, fly out and see your folks. I don't want to send too many transmissions. Let them know what is going on," he asked of her.
"Now that, John Henry, I will do," she replied with a smile.

Midori would then load up and head to Honshu to see her family while Doc prepared for the possible long haul.

*more to come*

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