Ten years ago, when the children had been old enough to be in other activities, Gus had studied and got his counseling degree. It was something he saw in his comrades as well as himself, more than he would have estimated possible.
Recent combats had taken their toll on the ship and crew alike. While the ship was able to be repaired, bodies were one thing. Rebuilding or breaking down the mind to a place where it could find peace and heal, was a responsibility to his friends, crewmates, and patients when he had them.

Medical was overwhelmed with cases, so Gus had been assisting where his duties allowed. The pain, misery, and heartache could only be patched for so long. Downtime was needed. Long-standing tradition held no favorites on leave unless you have congruent circumstances. The roster came up and he was on it. Cia had been thrilled of course, agreeing to meet him there. Seeing her would do a tremendous amount for his psyche, whether he admitted it or not.

Arriving back on Vulcan, the planet was the same as the last time he left decades ago. Gus was not. Far more mature, sure of himself, and at peace with who he was and had become. No slums existed on Vulcan, but some areas were spartan.

He found it interesting how his fellow Vulcans now treated him. Once nearly an outcast for a series of decisions that led his parents to take up a colonization effort off the planet. Now, it was deference and respect, he even got a few bows.

Securing quarters, he made a stop by the local market. Cia loved his vegetable lasagna, though she did insist on real cheese. Upon arrival, the suite they had given him was an obvious status symbol. Overlooking the nearby bay, the water was clear, and a cool, for Vulcan, breeze blew from the ocean.

Once dinner was in the stasis unit, and the quarters were squared away properly, Gus went for a run, nearby foothills provided enough variation that he had done a ten-kilometer run, before realizing it. A quick swim in the bay, followed by a real shower. Gus lay down for a moment, knowing Cia was due sometime later, and unwittingly, he fell asleep.

Cia had been delayed by arriving ships. Having to wait her turn, it was two hours later by the time she had reached the port city, it was dark. Proximity made her smile as she read a dream Gus was having. A new Vulcan female, T’Leya. She could tell he liked her as a friend, there was enough shared heritage, and she was attractive. One advantage of being married to Gus was he wasn’t reluctant to share himself freely. She didn’t have to wonder how he felt, she knew. T’Leya was no threat. Their shared existence during mind melds brought a closeness to her that she found very comforting.

In an aircar for the final leg of the journey, she felt his dream shift. At first, it was quiet. She thought he was back asleep. The sound was coming from Gus’s mind, but it wasn’t a familiar noise, to her. Gus knew, then so did she. “Incoming!”

She could tell his heart rate shot up. Night terrors. Humans were not the only race that had that condition. By then she was in the front door and let herself in. She tried reaching out to Gus through their link, but he was in too deep.

Finding her way to the bedroom, she turned the lights on and said his name aloud. Still no response and he was clearly in the middle of a firefight with someone.

Getting close to him she reached out and pulled on the blanket. Immediately, his eyes shot fully open and he looked right at and through her at the same time. Reaching out he grabbed her arm forcefully, the instant contact made him fully conscious and he relaxed.

“You are here,” Gus said, overstating the obvious.

She decided to tease him. “Wow, not much gets past you. Good thing you are Chief of Security.”

Gus glanced over, “And it’s a good thing you are here.” he pulled her into a hug. Melting into her, Gus inhaled her scent as he held her tight, his head against her dark hair. When the embrace broke, she felt the stubble under his neck. It didn’t bother her, though sometimes poked her. She said, taking his hand, “Clean up on aisle 1.”

She learned that it was something Gus liked. He could do the grooming, but the act felt inclusive.

Gathering the supplies, she sat him down in a chair outside. They were fully clothed, and she straddled him, brushing out the beard before starting to shape it. Since they were touching it was an easy way to reconnect. Cia smiled as she took care of the final edges, not having to look knowing that Gus was looking at her.

That left the rugged stubble. Sharpening a straight razor, she lathered up his face and took several minutes slowly cleaning him up. While it wasn’t entirely non-sexual, it was intimate. The act of caring for the other person.

“Assisting in medical has affected me, as you have noticed. A short time in meditation will help me correct it.” Gus offered.

“Can I meditate with you or is it a solo?” Cia asked, her eyes casting a twinkle as they locked eyes.

“Your presence is always welcome.” Gus offered with a gentle smile. “There is even a Baby Grand Piano in the other room. Nice touch.” He told her, knowing she had changed a few details.

A hot wet cloth left him feeling refreshed, clean, and more energized. Even before she said it, Gus started to smile wider as Cia jumped up and excitedly said, “Do me.”

Trading places, he found her brush nearby. Instead, he gathered her silky dark hair in his hands and started to work it back and forth almost like a rope. It was similar to a neuropressure, but it allowed him to find and relax certain nerving endings, while at the same time, the action was nearly automatic, freeing Gus’s mind. It was therapy as much for him as it helped her.

“You are a good counselor. Unconventional sometimes, but getting people out of their comfort zone is as you know the needed thing on occasion. Seeing you working office hours you know is a dream.” Cia offered as Gus continued the conjoined therapy. She didn’t need to say it. Countless wives of soldiers, law enforcement, or any other first responder, from countless worlds, Gus needed to be there, he was good at what he did, and Cia needed him to come back alive, not take needless risks, was at the heart of her anxiety.

Comfort in knowing their oneness allowed a rather unique aspect to their marriage. The separation war brought had tempered Gus. Seeing the ugly in him again wasn’t something either of them wanted to see.

They ate dinner. They swam together in the moonlight, reuniting as couples should. The next morning, Cia awoke to fresh Chai tea, and the smell baking.

As she sipped her tea, Gus’s comm badge trilled insistently, as did the system suite. “USS Denver personnel. Priority one. All Senior staff report to the briefing room in two hours. All leaves are hereby canceled. This is not a drill.”

Cia quipped, “Your timing, not your fault, sucks mister.” Her dark eyes smoldering like hot black steel. “Now, grab those,” Cia said, indicating the scones that were cooling nearby, “and follow me.” She replied unwilling to relinquish her grip on the tea. “I don’t get you often enough as it is.” Cia said, Gus hearing the unsaid, ‘due to this damned war.’