Genie In A Bottle.

Posted on Tue Jun 10th, 2025 @ 11:08pm by Lieutenant Faith Hawkins & Lieutenant JG Genie Cleminson
Edited on on Thu Jun 12th, 2025 @ 9:50pm

1,804 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: R&R
Location: Deep Space 9; USS Liddell.

Under massive duress, Faith had arranged to meet Genie for a drink on Deep Space 9. Matthew would be taking care of Meredith, Beatrice while their mother was absent. Faith had indicated to her father she would be gone for an hour. Matthew didn’t share Faith’s pessimism. “I think you’ll be gone for a bit longer than that.” he’d said. Dressed in an open flannel shirt, t-shirt and jeans, Faith made her way to the agreed meeting place. Normally, she’d have made a little more effort with her hair. However, Faith had decided it wasn’t worth it. She considered it presentable.

A quiet venue had been suggested by Genie. Away from the hustle, bustle of the likes of Quark’s. Where you couldn’t hear yourself think. Instead, a microbrewery which served food had been proposed, agreed upon. Deciding to give herself more time for composure, Faith took the long way around. It had been three years. Why now? Why did this chapter in her life suddenly decide it needed to be revisited?

If she was honest, Genie half expected Faith not to show. The animosity from the other woman was evident. Genie understood. Sat alone in a modest booth, she’d decided to wait until Faith arrived before ordering a drink. On the other side of the bulkhead next to Genie was where all of the various beers, ales available for purchase were manufactured. Sadly, her request for a tour was politely denied by the owner. Outside, Faith considered turning around and leaving. But, she promised Matthew she would try. So, after taking a breath, she entered. It seemed like a nice enough venue, in many ways similar to her local pub back home. After spotting Genie sat alone in a booth, Faith sat down opposite. “If you want to talk to me, then talk to me directly. Stop using my Dad as a go-between.” said Faith, picking up the menu.

Genie accepted using Matthew to communicate with Faith, rather than attempting to open dialogue with her directly, was not fair. “I know, it was wrong.” replied Genie, remorsefully. “I’ve already given him an apology. And, well.” a pause. “I’m sorry to you too.”

Faith responded, her eyes firmly on the menu. It was very different to the bistro she had visited with her father, daughters yesterday. “Well, there’s a first time for everything.”

“Which means what?” asked Genie. She had recently re-applied the red tints in her hair, something she had become synonymous with. Along with her fringe. And her collection of t-shirts depicting 20th century bands from England. This evening, it was Joy Division. Genie’s music tastes reflected her vast garment collection.

“You know full well what I mean, Genie.” replied Faith, standing up to go and place an order at the bar. As she stepped away, she felt Genie’s hand gently grip around her wrist. Faith turned, glaring down at her. “Let…go.”

Genie did so, returning a less hostile glare. “You know why I left. I didn’t have a choice.” she began, before pausing. “I don’t remember you protesting very much.” So far, the encounter had gone exactly as Genie expected it would. “Like you said, Genie. You had no choice.” countered Faith. A few minutes later, Genie watched Faith return. With two drinks. The pint of beer was placed in front of herself, Faith placing the wine in front of herself. “Thank you.” she said, surprised Faith had even bought her one. “You remembered well.”

“It’s hard not to.” replied Faith, flippantly.

The two women took the first couple of sips of their drinks. “Faith, you know I didn’t have a choice in leaving.” began Genie, hoping this time Faith would give her the chance to explain her side. Without interruption. “But, like I said.” a pause. “You didn’t really say much. You just shrugged your shoulders. If anything, you pretty much told me to leave.”

“Maybe I did. But what was worse is you left without saying goodbye.” countered Faith. “Meredith was asking me about you and when you were coming to visit again for weeks after you left. You really upset her.”

That much was true. Genie did leave without saying goodbye. Faith’s words of “If you’re going, just go already.” were still as clear as day. “If I have to say sorry to both of you every day for the rest of my life, I will. But what you said hurt me too, Faith.” she said, watching as a bartender placed a share basket of chicken wings, goujons in between the two women. Faith thanked the bartender before they departed.

Faith helped herself to some of the large pile of chicken, gesturing to Genie that she could do the same if she wished. She watched as Genie gratefully tucked in. For the first time since they parted ways, Genie had admitted she too was hurt by the argument which took place between them three years ago. Keeping things to herself was unmistakeably Genie. She only ever showed interest in how others felt. Never herself. That gave Faith much food for thought. Literally. After a minute, maybe two, Faith spoke. “I’m sorry I was horrible to you, Genie. I just. I…I don’t know. I was being selfish.”

“You weren’t being selfish.” replied Genie. At the time, Faith had an almost-two-year-old Meredith to consider above anyone and anything. She understandably didn’t want to uproot her daughter, taking her away from her father in the process. “You were putting your daughter’s best interests first. Making sure she could still have Galran around. It’s what any good mother would do.” she concluded.

The kind words were appreciated by Faith, because she knew Genie always meant everything she said. She ate some more chicken, before washing it down with a large sip of her wine. As things slowly, surely became more amicable, small talk gradually become more appropriate. “I can’t wait to get started on your Dad’s project.” said Genie, genuinely excited by the opportunity she had been offered by Matthew.

Faith nodded, her Dad’s offer still on the table. “Yeah. I have to admit. It is an amazing opportunity.”

-

Her doubts of the encounter’s longevity a distant memory, Faith found herself in Genie’s quarters aboard USS Liddell. A few more drinks were planned here, then Faith would head to Matthew’s quarters a few decks down. Ambient music playing in the background, she watched as Genie poured herself a beer, then a wine for Faith. The latter was handed to her. After a few drinks each at the microbrewery, amongst a frank clearing of the air, the mood between Faith, Genie was markedly lighter.

“Do you remember that picture?” asked Faith, a lyric in the current song reminding her of a favourite memory of hers. They were 21, visiting Genie’s family in London for her birthday. It was such a memorable occasion. For all of the right reasons. Genie knew exactly which picture Faith remembered. She raised her right index finger, depositing her beer on the table. She departed for her bedroom, returning a few moments later.

“No way!” said Faith, standing up. She examined the offered framed photo, then the bright pink pairs of sunglasses which they were wearing in the picture. “Aww. You kept the glasses too.”

“Of course I kept the glasses.” replied Genie, putting her pair on. She offered Faith’s pair to her. The other woman promptly put them on, striking a similarly silly pose to the one in the picture. “Stop trying to make me laugh.” said Faith, failing to suppress a giggle. “I’m still trying to be mad at you.”

“You’re still trying to be mad at me?” asked Genie, lifting her sunglasses so they rested atop her head. Her arms folded across her chest, Genie pretended to be cross. It was one of the many cute things she did which Faith adored. Genie watched as Faith shook her head, her sunglasses also now perched on her head. “Oh, that’s…” began Genie, until she was stopped in her tracks by Faith wrapping her arms around her shoulders in a loose embrace. “…good.” she concluded, her tone lower.

“I’ve missed you so much Genie.” whispered Faith. Genie’s almost immediate response was to pull Faith in for a deep, passionate kiss. A kiss Faith was too nervous to initiate. But one she reciprocated with equal passion, hunger. Desire. A pent up desire the two women had contained for the other for the past three years.

Their respective garments deposited across Genie’s lounge area, she’d pushed Faith back onto the couch. As Genie’s hands, lips and tongue touched, caressed various parts of her body, Faith’s longing for Genie’s intimate touch was being expertly satisfied. While she had always been comfortable with her sole attraction to women, Faith never discussed her sexuality openly. Her family, best friends knew, but she otherwise considered her sexuality to simply be a part of who she was. Not a defining label. She was just Faith Meredith Hawkins. And Genie was Genie Ada Cleminson. They just happened to be madly in love with each other.

-

“I hate that we had to break up.” mused Faith, wondering how differently things would have turned out had things not conspired to force the end of their relationship. They had it all planned out. Then, they didn’t. But yesterday, Genie admitted her part in things ending, and rightly pointed out Faith wasn’t entirely blameless herself. As they lay on the bed after a shower, Faith gazed into Genie’s brown eyes with much adoration. The fingers of her right hand were interlocked with those on Genie’s left. After wondering if it was the right thing to say, and the right moment, Genie took a risk. “We don’t have to stay that way.” she replied. Last night was so special. “But if you’re not ready or don’t want to at all…I get it.”

Last night had been so incredibly special for Faith, too. It had made her realise all along: Genie was the missing piece. She was what was missing. Genie would complete Faith’s family. They could raise Meredith, Beatrice together. As they'd initially planned. For the first time since they were last together three years ago, Faith felt special again. “I’m ready.” she responded, placing a lingering, delicate kiss onto Genie’s lips. “I love you.” she said, her smile only telling half of the story.

“I love you too.” responded Genie, returning the loving smile offered to her by Faith.

 

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