Togetherness (backpost)

Posted on Wed Oct 21st, 2026 @ 5:39am by Lieutenant Commander Callie Raven-Grayson & Commander Jonathan Grayson

1,601 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Creatures of the Night
Location: Grayson Quarters
Timeline: Backpost

To say it had been an interesting day was an understatement Callie grinned as she walked into quarters alongside Jon. “Dragons! Actual dragons! It’s been one hell of a day don’t you think?”

Jon followed Callie into their quarters. " Yep. Actual Dragons, never thought I would be saying that. Were you able to scan them and pick up anything that might endanger this mission and yes, it's been a hell of a day."

“I got a good sense off Drake, he protected us so I trust him. I’m not doubting the sincerity of the others, just be cautious of the mischievous one he could be trouble.”

"Good to know with Drake. He seems the most open." Jon pointed out. I'm not sure of the others especially Tiamat. I think he would love to cause problems for us."

Callie nodded checking the time. “Mrs Atkins should be here soon with the kids, she asked me if I’d like them dropped off to save having to pick them up.”

"That was good thinking and it saves lots of time." Jon agreed. 'We need to be careful about mentioning dragons around Harry otherwise he'll make a pest of himself wanting to go see them.

“Of course, but I’ve no doubt word has already got out. If it hasn’t then it probably will sooner or later.” Callie grinned just as the door swished open and Harry came dashing in followed by Mrs Atkins with the twins. “That was quick, thank you so much!”

“My pleasure Callie” Mrs Atkins smiled and gave Jon a wave. “Have a good evening.”

Carrying in Stephen and Shona, Callie smiled at Harry. “Hi sweetheart how was your day?”

"Thank you Mrs. Atkins." Jon replied as he ruffled Harry's hair and took Stephen from Callie.

“It was great!” Harry grinned as he ran over to the sofa. “We were told all about Dragons daddy! It was so much fun!!”

Jon chuckled at Harry's excitement. "Really? What did you learn about dragons? Tell your mom and me so we know."

“I can show you!” Harry reached for his small bag pulling out some drawings and a PaDD with some reading on it.

"Wait a minute Harry." Jon said and then spoke to Callie, "Mom, could sit down next to me, so you can hear and learn all about dragons as well."

Callie nodded. “I’d love to” she walked over to sit down next to Jon giving him a smile. “Come and show us what you’ve been doing.”

Harry waited for his parents to sit down before happily squeezing in between them to show off his work. “Do you like my drawing mummy?”

“It’s lovely Harry” Callie smiled. “I’m going to find a special place for this.” She kissed him on top of the head.

"That is a very good drawing." Jon agreed, "Now what did you learn about dragons Harry?"

“Lots of things” Harry showed them his PaDD full of interesting facts about Dragons. “Miss said Dragons are not real, but they have to be!” His little eyes looked between his parents for confirmation.

“Well…maybe.” Callie added simply wanting not to lie to her son for fear of damaging trust between them.

"Harry." Jon said to their son, "If you believe in dragons that is all that matters. Don't let anyone make your mind up for you. Believe what you believe."

“Exactly!” Callie nodded wishing she could introduce Harry to Drake.

Jon nodded in agreement and gave Calle a smile as she too encouraged Harry.

“How’s about we all have something to eat?” Callie smiled as she looked between Jon and Harry. “I don’t know about the rest of you but I’m hungry!”

"I think that is a great idea. What about you Harry? You hungry like a dragon?"

Harry nodded. “Can we have ice-cream after please!?”

Callie grinned. “I think that can be arranged, especially after all your good work.”

"Ice cream?" Jon teased, "Do dragons eat ice cream?" he then went on. "Harry, you can have whatever you want."

“Yay!!!” Harry grinned as he celebrated the idea of dessert

"Why don't we have something simple? Like hot dogs and fries." Jon suggested.

“Now there’s a fun idea!” Callie nodded. “Can you sort out Stephen and Shona for me while Harry and I have fun getting the food?”

"Sure thing." Jon replied with a smile to go and take care of Stephen and Shona while Callie and Harry went try worked on dinner.

“Okay let’s go Harry” Callie grinned. “Can you set the table for me please?”

Harry nodded, he was used to helping out at dinner time. “Is it true there are dinosaurs on the planet mummy?”

“Where did you hear that?” Callie asked as she looked round at her son.

“Peter told me, he said his mummy said so.” He gave her a curious look.

“Did she now?” Callie nodded. “Alright, yes there are BUT they don’t want us on their planet unfortunately. Plus some of them are dangerous.”

Jon sighed softly in the background. This was exactly what they didn't need. Someone speaking out of turn as Peter's mother had. "Mom's right Harry, they don't want us on their planet and we respect that so we will leave them alone.”

Callie nodded. “I can show you the sensor logs though, can’t I Jon?” She looked over at him wanting to check first to be sure

"Yes. You can show Harry the sensor logs. it will be fine." Jon replied

Callie nodded as she moved across to the computer to pull up the logs and visual records for Harry to see.

Jon couldn't wait to see Harry's reaction to seeing honest to goodness dragons. It would be epic.

“Ohh wow!!” Harry’s excitement was plain to see as he sat with Callie looking at the mission logs. “Real dragons!!”

What do you think Harry? Do you like them?" Jon asked their son.

Harry nodded enthusiastically. “Can I keep them?” He motioned to the recorded images. “Please??”

Callie looked at Jon. “I don’t know about the video, but you can keep some images if you’d like? What do you think Jon?”

Harry can keep the images but not the video." Jon replied. So pick which ones you want to keep Harry." Just then Kirk sauntered into the room saw the dragons and hissed.

“I guess he hates Dragons” Calllie added with a grin. “Maybe we should heed his warning.”

Jon nodded, "I think that is an excellent idea. Can't go wrong doing that." Jon replied.

Harry wasn’t paying any attention at all he was busy choosing his favourite images. Once done he tapped his mother on the arm and pointed them out.

“That’s great Sweetheart” Callie smiled. “I’ll save those for you.” She gave him a hug.

"Way to go Harry, now you have your own private collection of dragons." Jon remarked.

“Thank you!!” Harry nodded and grinned as he looked between his parents.

“Now I suggest we all get on with having dinner.” Callie smiled.

Jon nodded, "That sounds like a plan I can definitely follow." As he moved towards the kitchen table.

Leaving Harry to have fun with his pictures Callie got on with setting the table ready for dinner.

"Come on Harry. You can go back to your dragons after you eat." Jon told their son.

“Okay Daddy” Harry was hungry and he knew it, the Dragons weren’t going anywhere.

Jon grinned. "So buddy, how many hot dogs do you think you can eat?"

Harry looked at his mother before giving his father a smile. “Three…please!!”

“Three!?” Callie looked at her son with a grin. “Do you have a giant pit for a stomach?” She nodded to Jon. “Just don’t overstuff yourself okay?”

Jon chuckled at Harry's answer. "He's a growing boy mom. He needs his food."

Callie nodded. “I’ll settle for two, that’s more than enough for me. What about you Jon?”

"I think I'll go for two as well sweetie. Have to save the rest for our growing boy." Jon replied with a grin.

“Two it is” Callie smiled as she set about sorting out all the hot dogs along with their accompaniments incase Jon or Harry wanted to add them.

While Callie got out the condiments, Jon fixed their drinks all while Harry sat waiting to eat.

“Okay here we go!” Callie walked over with a tray of hot dogs, placing it down on the table. “Everyone tuck in while they’re still hot.”

"You heard your mom Harry, dig in while your food is hot." Jon said as he placed the hot dogs on Harry's plate.

“Yummy!!” Harry smiled as he added ketchup to his hot dog before he started eating.

"Can't get better praise than that." Jon commented as he placed his hot dogs in buns and added mustard.

Callie grinned as she added ketchup to her hot dogs, she wasn’t one for onions just plain hotdog and ketchup. “Yummy indeed!” With that she started eating.

"A great meal." Jon agreed with a big grin.

Harry nodded in agreement as he ate his hot dog, enjoying every little crumb.

"Slow down Harry. Chew your hot dog not swallow it." Jon teased their son.

Callie was well and truly enjoying hers, having hot dogs was well and truly a treat.

Jon watched his son and wife as they ate and enjoyed their hot dogs and he realized life didn't get any better than this.

 

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