Post 270: By the Sea. . .

Stardate:70701.1050
Title: By the Sea, By the Sea, oh How Happy We'll Be?
Author: Lily T'Ana
Scene: Quarters/Holodeck Four Beach House Program
Time: After "Come As You Are."

While hurrying through the corridors of the ship Lily hit her com-badge, "T'Ana to anyone in Seven,"

[Hey little iron butterfly, what's up love? What can Trick do for you, ey?]

Lily sounded very winded, as she was almost skipping her way through to her quarters, making mental notes as she rushed.

"Trick, the shin-dig is on. I hope that Angus has kept you up to date about our little clam bake on the beach of my holodeck program?"

[That he has. We are packing things up as we speak. He has a few surprises for all of you, too. Especially you. He, um, has a request for you to bring a pretty little bikini. Oh and make sure February brings hers, too.]

"Oh, right. I'll be sure to make note of that. But February Grace in a bikini? That'll be the day! You two just make sure we have all the fixings for a great party. Remember, holodeck four."

[But love we ARE the party! Last one there has to go skinny-]

"T'Ana out." Lily had cut him off on purpose. She couldn't imagine what Captain Gilmore might think if he were to hear something like that! It was enough to make Lily blush. Wait a minute, What was this blushing stuff? She hadn't blushed but maybe twice in her entire life.

Come to think of it she was doing quite a few things, and thinking about quite a few things that she had never thought about or done before in her life.

Humming that ridiculous ancient song that her mother used to sing. Where the boys are, someone waits for me? Oh, brother!

What was going on with her? Maybe the few days on the beach would do her good. She could have a good talk with Dr Trind, she knew Trind was a therapist. Maybe it had something to do with Lily's mother.

It seemed that in the end analysis, everything always had to do with Lily's mother. She always meant well, but a more over-bearing, over-protective, stick-your-nose-in-your-daughters'-lives, woman there had never been before, that's was for sure.

She finally reached her quarters and continued rushing around. She packed all the essentials, and yes, she packed a few bathing suits. Although she could replicate just about anything at the holodeck, she preferred to show up dressed for the part.

Lily grabbed her pet Viola's travel cage and put her in it. Of course she would never leave her bird behind. Wherever Lily went, Viola went. It was a package deal.

"Come on sweetie, we are going to the beach!"

Viola bopped up and down, she started to dance and say, "Yeah, yeah! Bye-bye with Lily, love you!

Lily told Viola, "I love you too!"

Cage in one hand, suitcase in the other, Lily flew out the door of their quarters and was at the Holodeck door in no time at all.

Lily looked quite festive. She had changed into a pair of white shorts and a red and white floral halter top that went just to her waist. She wore a pair of matching sandals and had even painted her toenails bright red the night before in anticipation of the coming event.

Her hair was neatly tied down with a headband so as to keep the wind from blowing it in her face. She had donned a pair of chic white rimmed sunglasses, worn perched on top of her head.

She was so ready.

She punched the code for the beach house program into the holodeck panel and presto! Lily took a deep breath of the clean sea air.

"Oh, I have missed this, Viola"

The doors to the holodeck closed behind her. She made her way up the path to the exact replica of the beautiful, huge French Country style home of her youth. It held thirteen bedrooms and fifteen baths. When you opened up the doors, it was like looking into a dream, a comfortable home that you could stay in forever and actually relax in.

The couches were over-stuffed and upholstered in beautiful red and yellow fabrics that made you want to immediately curl up and take a nap. The windows were expansive, and many were actually door-walls that opened up to the huge deck and surrounding flower garden.

From the flower garden, it sloped down about ten very wide steps, about twenty feet wide each down to a beautiful sandy beach of the Pacific Ocean. It was all very private and had the feel of an exclusive resort.

At night everything would be all lit up with tiny twinkling lights. There was room in the garden to sit, or to walk, or even take a spin on the small dance floor. Just like guests used to dance when her parents would entertain at the real-world version of this illusion.

Inside the house it was very open and airy. There was a huge kitchen with an L-shaped counter around the kitchen itself so that one could prepare food and enjoy their guests at the same time. The bedrooms were all upstairs, reached by climbing a huge wooden spiral staircase.

Each bedroom had a different floral name. The 'lilac room', or the 'peony room' for instance. Lily felt like she was truly "home" here.

*Well,* She thought, *enough of the day dreaming.*

She got busy making all the preparations for her guests. Food, towels, drinks, etc. Even bringing in extra help. She was ready and so excited!

Lt. Lily T'Ana
Science Officer
USS Independence