Peel: Taking a break

Posted on Mon Nov 9th, 2026 @ 5:10pm by Lieutenant JG Sarissa Aloran & Lieutenant JG Johan Albo

Mission: CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT 09/26
Location: Various
Timeline: Back Post : Before Uncertain Orders

::ON::

~Peel~

[Quarters]

Johan had just finished his shift and entered their quarters happy the day was finally over. Walking in her saw Sarissa sitting on the couch as he walked over with a smile, seeing her always made him smile, as he bent down "Hi gorgeous" then gave her a nice long kiss.

Sarissa returned the kiss before smiling brightly. “Hello handsome.” She had a PaDD on her lap doing some reading. Picking it up she put it on the coffee table wanting to spend more time with Johan now he was home.

"Let me go change quick and get out of this blasted uniform before I sit next to you for obvious reasons" he commented with a grin before heading to the bedroom. Returning he sat "So since we both have the day off tomorrow would you like to take a break from our surroundings and spend some time on the Promenade; I hear they have a really nice Arboretum we could walk through and enjoy a change of scenery for awhile" he suggested.

“Sure, that’d be nice.” Sarissa nodded in agreement. “Any chance to spend time with you is good enough for me.”

~Next Morning~

Johan woke about zero nine hundred and walked into the bathroom to take care of his personal needs Walking back out he sat on the edge of the bed as Sarissa was waking up "Good morning sleepyhead, sleep well" he asked with a grin.

Sarissa smiled as she stretched. “After last night you bet I did.” She sat up giving Johan a kiss. “You are a serious demon when you want to be Imzadi.”

With a big grin on his face "I aim to please my love....speaking of pleasing why don't I make us some coffee while you get yourself together."

“Sounds good to me” Sarissa smiled as she got out of bed and headed for the bathroom to shower. A few minutes later she stepped out of the bedroom wearing a pretty dress for her off duty time with Johan.

After pouring their coffees Johan placed the mug on the table in front of her "Careful you get any coffee on that pretty dress" he commented "You always look so beautiful and today even more so" as he sat across from her.

Sarissa couldn’t help but blush. “Thank you, I like to be beautiful for you.” She carefully picked up her mug taking a little sip so as not to burn herself.

After they had finished their morning beverages Johan cleaned up then turned to Sarissa "I'm going to grab a quick shower and get dressed; I won't be long" he commented .

“I’ll be right here waiting for you” Sarissa smiled as she settled onto the sofa with a reading book. “It’ll give me a chance to catch up on my book.”

After his shower Johan dressed and walked back out into the living area " All-set gorgeous if you are."

“You bet I am” Sarissa grinned. “Let’s go.”

~M-69 Arboretum~

Entering they saw the area spanning two decks high with lush trees from all over the galaxy, assorted fauna of the same. Nearby was a babbling brook winding through the area and you could hear a water fall off in the distance. All sorts of small animals called this place home as they scurried along not paying much attention to visitors. A cobblestone path meandered through the area with benches to sit on off the path every so often.

Taking Sarissa's hand they started a slow leisurely pace as they walked around "This sure is a beautiful place and I love seeing all the little animals running around" Johan commented with a smile enjoying the time with his favorite lady.

“So do I” Sarissa nodded in agreement. “I love watching the rabbits run around, I could watch their antics forever more!” She grinned. “I could also spend all my time here with you, just forget the universe exists.”

"Yes, wouldn't that be nice" as another rabbit scurried by his feet "Well looks like they're used to people the way their running around near us and I have to agree they are fun to watch.

Shortly they continued walking along the path as Johan noticed all the flowers in full bloom "Theses flowers are absolutely gorgeous; it sort of reminds me of the flower gardens on Regalia I used to visit with my parents growing up" as he paused "So do you have anything like this on Betazed?"

Sarissa nodded. “I think every planet has it version of plant life found elsewhere, but Betazed has some unique flowers and plants that grow wild. I love to visit the flower fields when they’re in bloom, it’s a sight to behold.”

"Maybe we can make a trip to Betazed someday and I can see first hand the wild flowers you describe; I'm sure they are quite beautiful" Johan responded as the couple continued along the path noticing the sound of the waterfalls was getting louder now. Shortly they rounded another bend and starting on the above deck was the top of it cascading all the way down to their level. Looking up Johan was mesmerized having never seen a waterfall before as he commented "Wow! Will you look at that.....amazing."

“That it is, totally amazing.” Sarissa smiled. “Wait until you see the ones on Betazed, and there are some beautiful ones on Earth too.”

"I hope to see it with you one day" Johan responded with a smile as he leaned in and kissed Sarissa on the cheek. The couple walked and talked for quite some time enjoying not only the beauty of the place but also enjoying being off duty with one another.

When they exited the Arboretum he noticed the time on the big clock in the middle of the Promenade. Looking at her he grinned "Wow, we were in there for four hours....my how time flies when you're having fun with the love of your life" he stated as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze "There's a Pub across the way, would you like to grab something to eat?"

Sarissa nodded as she held onto Johan’s hand. “That would be lovely. I’m not ready for our day to end yet, let’s enjoy the free time we have.

"That's what I was thinking" as they headed towards the Pub. walking in they found a table for two sort of out of the way. Handing Sarissa a menu from the little stand "Pick whatever you'd like to eat" Johan commented with a smile.

“You choose” Sarissa smiled. “You always pick the best meals that I normally don't bother with. Pick for both of us.”

"Sure, I'll go the bar and order the food; would some wine be ok to go with it" Johan replied as he stood "I'll be right back gorgeous."

Sarissa nodded as she sat and watched him go. She was the luckiest woman in the universe to be engaged to such a wonderful man.

Minutes later Johan returned with a tray holding two glasses of red wine and a platter of deep fried veggies along with a few different kinds of dipping sauces. Setting the them on the table he sat "Ok dig in and don't be bashful; there's a lot of food here." Taking several different items he started with deep fried zucchini; dipping it in ranch sauce he took a bite "Mmm, this is so good" as he continued on for a few minutes. Looking at Sarissa "So what do you think."

Sarissa was tucking in enjoying the selection. “Absolutely delicious!” She smiled. “I’ll let you order more often from now on.” She paused to sip her glass of wine.

"Glad you like it! Of course it's probably not the healthiest of foods but it sure tastes good" Johan responded with a grin as the couple continued to savor every bite until the platter was just about empty. Sitting back in his chair about to finish the last of his wine "Man, am I stuffed!! I don't think I'll need to eat the rest of the day" he commented patting his stomach.

Sarissa couldn’t help but giggle. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you eat that much food before, I’ll have to remember that next time we order out.”

"I agree, I usually don't eat this much but it tasted so good. If I ate like that all the time I probably wouldn't fit in my uniform any longer" he responded with a chuckle "So what would you like to do next."

“Lots of things, but alone time with you is most definitely top of my list. Let’s go home and just enjoy time together.” Sarissa added with a smile.

Grinning "You won't get any argument from me" he replied wanting the same thing.

~Peel Quarters~

Arriving back home Johan was feeling not quite so stuffed was they sat on the couch "Computer play some Earth's 21 century smooth Jazz and dim the lights by forty percent" came the request as the area turned into a romantic setting. Looking at Sarissa he smiled before giving her a very romantic kiss.

Sarissa returned his kiss letting it linger before cuddling up. “This is my idea of heaven, just being here with you.”

"Yes it certainly is.....heaven on a Starship and you are definitely my Angel forever" he responded before kissing the top of her head gently. Leaning back with his feet on the low table in front of the couch Johan knew it doesn't get any better than this as a big smile came across his face.