The Tao of Surfing (Part II)

Posted on Thu Jul 22nd, 2021 @ 4:20am by Lieutenant Commander Mira Jayde

1,071 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: An Angel's Sacrifice
Location: Planetoid
Timeline: The First Night

[PREVIOUSLY]

Jayde had been mentally running through different solutions. "I won't let anyone die if I can help it. Especially you. Shuttles run on power cells. If we're careful and dedicate two shuttles to medical. we should be able to take care of critical needs." She looked at him. "And that includes you. I'll also ask the doctor to get a team together to see if there are any local plants we can use as well." She and Jason had only recently worked out the misunderstanding that kept them apart for twenty years. She couldn't lose him now.

[CONTINUED]

"Jayde... Jayde." Jason said, taking her hands in his, smiling at her. "It's okay." He said softly. "It's okay. Really." He brought her hands up to his lips, kissing the top of them gently, before looking back to her as he squeezed them a bit. "If it were to happen, this way, at least I go knowing I fixed my biggest regret. Breaking your heart, the way I did. We made things right, so if I go, I go with a clear conscience and happy I could make you smile again." He looked down for a moment before looking back up to her as he whispered. "I love you, Jayde. And now you believe me when I say it."

It wasn't okay. She was crying, and she didn't like it. At the same time, there was nothing she could do to stop the tears. "I love you too. I can't lose you. Not now. Your life is just as important as any other person here. And to me, more so. I will do whatever I can to make sure we both survive this. And if not, we will live out our lives together here." If she lost him now, she'd spend the rest of her life regretting not finding him sooner.

"I said it was okay, but I didn't say I would stop fighting." Jason replied, wiping the tears from her eyes. "I have no plan to leave you just yet, so don't go writing my eulogy yet. If we can find a way to deal with this, I will be willing to try it out, but I won't make it a priority. Others come first before me." He took a hold of her hands again and whispered to her. "As long as you are by my side I won't stop fighting, but if nothing else works out, I don't want you pushing yourself to near death over it. I don't want you to feel like you failed me, because you haven't. You've given me the best thing in the world. Peace of mind and heart."

"Then give me the same and let me do this for you, if I can. We need to find a way to make medicine for quite a few people. One more won't overtax the system." She leaned forward and kissed him. She didn't want to talk any more about what might happen. Tomorrow she'd talk to the doctor about Jason and the other members of the crew in need of help. And maybe, if they were lucky, help would come before they ran out of options.

Jason kissed her, putting his hands on the sides of her face, deepening the kiss. It felt as good, if not better, than when they were back on the Maquis ship where they first fell in love. As be pulled back from the kiss, he brought her closer again, this time putting his arm around her and holding onto her tightly. As they faced the water, he kissed her on top of her head and replied. "I promise, my lovely Elf. I promise."

She leaned against him. "That's good enough." There was a lot to do tomorrow, building temporary shelters until something better could be made, gathering food, talking to the doctor. But for now, she wanted nothing more than to be here, with Jason.

"You know." He said softly, leaning down to her, as he continued. "I saw a tree that would be great for making into a surfboard. Maybe... two... surfboards?"

She chuckled softly. "I'm thinking of shelter and you're thinking of surfboards." She smiled up at him. "I could be persuaded to learn. If there is enough of a gravitational pull to have a surf. The planetoid isn't very big, and I'm not sure if there's anything else around here. If nothing else, you can paddle around on it." She smiled at him, hoping there would be a way.

"Don't knock it till you try it, Jayde. Surfing is an Ancient Hawaiian tradition which comes with its own rituals and history. Ancient chiefs, back in the day, used to use it as a way to resolve conflicts. There is much more to it than just riding the waves for fun, you know. It's an art. A spiritual connection." Jason said softly, taking her hand in his, as he continued. "Just you watch. You wake up with me, early in the day, and surf. I promise you that you'll be relaxed and much more clear minded in the morning. You'll tackle the day with a new found clarity you probably rarely ever had. You wait and see."

She liked the idea of waking up with him. "I'm a tree person. Jayna and I would often climb trees, moving from branch to branch to avoid the Cardassians. They were our playground, too. But here there are not enough trees, and none are big enough to really climb. If there were, we'd have the shelter we need." She squeezed his hand. "When we're settled, more or less, I will try."

"Would it help you to know that, using a tree for a surfboard, is a sacred thing? A whole ritual in and of itself. Finding the right one and making one from it is a time consuming but wonderful thing. It ties you to the board, and the board, ties you to the water. It's a part of you just like you are a part of it. And you can keep it with you all your life. Someday, teaching the next generation the same way, passing it on. Continuing the journey." He smiled as he leaned down and kissed her on the top of her head again. "When we settle, Elf. You'll see."

(To be continued...)

Lieutenant Commander Jason Smoak
Chief Security/Tactical Officer

Lieutenant Commander Mira Jayde
Executive Officer

 

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