Flowers and Family "
By: Giuseppe Silvio, Chief Engineer, [RNPC]
Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]
Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]

Stardate: 58206.25 2030

Patia strolled down the corridor toward her temporary quarters. The tension she had noted in her upper back had dissipated, melted away under the magic hands of Mr. Knott. The meeting that evening with her brother still left her unsettled, but the knots in her muscles were gone. Hopefully, they didn 't have enough time to reappear before the visit was over.

As she approached her room, she sensed something in the air. A heavy, heady floral fragrance hung, as though suspended in the very air she was breathing. A glance up and down the corridor revealed nothing. Not even a potted plant graced the hallway. The area maintained the rigid military protocol she had grown to know and love. She shook her head slightly. The meeting with her brother must have her imagining things. Her florist sister-in-law must be a stronger draw than she had thought.

Patia stepped forward and entered her clearance. The doors to her living area swooshed open. The floral scent no longer hung in the air, it now enveloped her. Entranced, she moved through the doorway. Every flat surface, and some that weren't flat, were covered in arrangements of her favorite flowers. Artfully arranged blooms, in elegant vases blended seamlessly with such casually arranged blossoms that she knew they had taken even longer to arrange than those in the vases. Here and there, a single flower rested, as though dropped. Again, though, to a practiced eye, there was nothing casual about the arrangements. Someone very obviously put a great deal of effort into planning this most delightful surprise.

Her heart swelled. Only one person could have arranged this, and only one person could have executed it. Two of her favorite people had to have worked together to make this happen. She shook her head as she softly smiled.

She made a slow circuit around her quarters. Her fingers softly caressed the petals. Her eyes crinkled as the smile spread across her face. Silvio was quite the gentleman.

She tapped her commbadge. "Zoei to Silvio"

"Silvio here," came the reply, "How are you?"

"Just fine, where are you?" she asked.

Silvio did not reply, he simply reached down and rang the door chime of Patia's quarters.

She chuckled lightly. "Enter."

As the door slid open Silvio could smell the wonderful flowers. The room was indeed full of them. The flower shop's delivery boy had done a wonderful job. He smiled as he searched the flowers for Patia.

She raised her eyebrow, and gestured around the room. "How were you able to convince someone to do all of this. It is quite impressive," she smiled.

Silvio took a moment just to look at Patia. On a normal day Silvio thought her to be a beautiful woman, however, seeing her surrounded by the flowers was incredible. "I found a flower shop on the station here. They were very helpful," he replied.

"Really? Which shop did you go to?" she asked.

Silvio shrugged, "Out on the promenade. The owner was very nice," he replied, "but her delivery boy must have a cold. He kept on coughing... or choking."

"Delivery boy?" she asked. It sounded like Trina's shop, and the work was certainly like hers, but she wouldn't have a delivery boy. She always worked the shop by herself. Michelio would help if it was needed, but she never had a staff.

"Yeah," he said, "He was not very happy. Probably because it was such a big order."

She shook her head and smiled slightly. Slowly, Patia crossed the room. She slid her hand lightly up his arm before letting it rest on his shoulder. Standing on tiptoes, she brushed her lips against his. "Thank you," she whispered against his mouth.

"My pleasure," he whispered back. He gently slid his arms around her and kissed her.

"It is time to go to Lio's. Would you like to come along?" she asked.

"Sure, thing," he said, "I'm ready when you are."

She shook her head slightly. "Well, I am as ready as I'll ever be." She turned to the door, paused slightly before the door and walked through as the door slid open.

Silvio started to follow after Patia, "Is there something wrong," he asked as he quickened his stride to catch up to her.

"I am nervous. Michelio didn't want me to know he was here. He hasn't been in contact with me since he arrived. He is my older brother, my childhood hero, and I guess I am afraid I am not going to live up to his expectations of me." She sighed heavily. "I know he loves me, but I am just a worrywart."

Silvio suddenly felt little nervous himself. What if her family did not like him? Her brother's opinion appeared very important to Patia,. Silvio pushed these selfish worries away from his mind. "You are the Chief Counselor on the USS Zion," said Silvio with a smile. "If his expectations are higher than that... Well, I find that unlikely."

"When you put it that way, it does sound a bit ridiculous. I am sure it will be fine. I just wish I knew why he hasn't told me he was here." Patia shrugged.

"Well, there is only one way to find out," said Silvio, "ask him." Silvio and Patia stopped outside of the Zoei Quarters.

As she raised her hand to ring the chime, the door slid open with a soft whoosh. A tall, distinguished man stood, framed by the doorway. His black hair, silver-tinged at the temples, glistened in the muted lighting. Patia stared at him, tears filling her eyes.

Michelio stared at the person outside his door. Little Tia, all grown up, stood stock still. Tears shimmered on her lower lashes. How she had known he was here, he didn't know, and to be frank, he didn't much care. Casually, his eyes flickered over the man accompanying her.

Silvio was stunned. The man standing before them, was the same man who delivered Patia's flowers, "Is... Is this... your brother," said Silvio.

The first smile on her face since she had left her quarters slipped onto lips. "Silvio, this is my brother, Michelio Zoei. Lio, this is Silvio." Her hand cupped Silvio' upper arm, just over his elbow.

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance," Lio's voice was gruff as he nodded. "Come here, Patia. Let me get a look at you," he opened his arms wide and she rushed into them. Slowly, he spun her in a circle, lifting her off the ground.

Silvio just stood there and watched, his mouth stupidly gaping.

Patia smiled at Silvio. "Are you ok?"

With some effort Silvio closed his mouth. "Your brother and I have met," said Silvio.

She glanced from one to the other. "You have? When?"

Lio shrugged. "I am just the delivery boy. He can tell you," he nodded toward Silvio.

As they entered the Zoei's quarters Silvio whispered, "He is the delivery boy who brought your flowers."

Out of the corner of her mouth, she whispered, "He was what?"

"Your brother is moonlighting as a flower delivery boy," whispered Silvio.

"Should I ask him for the rest of the story," she whispered, confused.

Silvio shrugged, "It's up to you."

Michelio turned to look at the two who had lagged behind. "Everything ok?" he asked, one eyebrow arched.

"It's fine," Patia said, slightly shaking her head. "Silvio said he has seen you working in floral delivery."

"Is that so?" he asked. "Trina had a job she needed some help with, so I lent a hand. We had to fill some officer's rooms with flowers. I would say she has a zealous suitor." He winked so Patia could see, but Silvio could not.

"Speaking of Trina, where is she? And where are the kids?" Patia queried.

"They are in the other room, go ahead. It won't be hard for you to find them with all the noise they are making," he chuckled.

Michelio turned to watch her go, then turned back to look at Silvio. "Delivery boy, eh?" he chuckled.

Silvio chuckled, "Zealous suitor, huh?"

"If the shoe fits," he arched a brow, a hint of a smile quirking the corner of his mouth. "In all seriousness, I am not going to pull any punches. I have read your jacket. I have spoken with people who know you. As long as Patia is happy, I am happy, but I don't want to see her become another notch in whatever it is you have used to notch before."

"I assure you," began Silvio, "My only goal is to make Patia happy." Silvio realized that he was getting the protective brother lecture. It could have been much worse, he thought.

"It could be worse. Make her unhappy, it will be worse." He smiled tightly. "I am a reasonable guy. If I wasn't, those flowers wouldn't have made it to her quarters. I will trust Patia will be very happy."

"Yes sir."

"At ease, Silvio. Now, it is time for you to meet Trina, again, as well as the little ones," he chuckled. Inwardly, he wondered how the gentleman in front of him would handle the three rambunctious kids.

"After you," said Silvio with a smile.

"No, after you," Michelio stepped back and gestured with his hand. A grudging smiled played on his lips this time. Silvio definitely hadn't given any indication of anything that should cause Michelio to distrust him. It might very well be all right.