Impromptu Family Reunion - Part I

Posted on Mon Jul 14th, 2025 @ 4:32pm by Lieutenant Adrianna Baciami & Lieutenant JG Zai Walker

2,365 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Stars Around the Well
Location: StarBase 6

ON:

The bar at Starbase 6 had an old-world charm, with dim lighting casting warm shadows across the tables. A band played traditional Italian music, filling the air with vibrant rhythms and the nostalgic hum of an accordion and a mariachi band, with a modern twist. Around one of the tables, Adrianna’s family gathered– her oldest brother Giovanni, second in line Franco, and her parents. It had been years since they'd all seen each other in person; their usual scattered calls paled in comparison to the energy of being together. It may not have been the full family, but the trio were the closest of the siblings owing to all choosing Starfleet over the family business.

Giovanni, with a firm yet affectionate hand on Franco’s shoulder, watched as Adrianna, dressed in a flowy skirt, stepped onto the dance floor with a professional dancer, part of a troop encouraging people to join the dance floor. It didn't take much encouragement, be it liquid or familial to get her to agree.

Her eyes sparkled under the lights, and as the music picked up, she twirled effortlessly, her movements elegant and lively, easily blending in with the professionals. Her mother leaned in with a proud smile, whispering to her father about how the Baciami spirit would always shine through their little girl, no matter how far her adventures took her.

Franco, always the joker, laughed and gave Giovanni a nudge. “Guess she's picked up a few new moves while out saving the galaxy, huh? She's better than you now.”

Giovanni chuckled, crossing his arms as he kept a close eye on her, his protective instincts never far from the surface. "She can’t help showing off,” he said, though his grin betrayed his admiration.

Adrianna spun, catching her family's eyes and blowing them a playful kiss mid-twirl, trying to beckon them to join. She was the same sister they’d grown up with, but there was a newfound confidence and grace about her, a mark of the life she’d led beyond their reach. In that moment, she was both the girl they remembered and the woman she’d become– a Starfleet officer, but still, through and through, a Baciami.

As the song ended, she sauntered back to the table, breathless and flushed. Giovanni handed her a drink, nodding approvingly. “Not bad, sorellina but next time, don't think you’ll get away without one of us joining you."

She laughed, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Careful what you promise, Giovanni. I might just hold you to it."

Before she could sit down, he set down his drink and gestured for her to join him, catching her by surprise. She laughed, delighted, as he joined her, leading them into an impromptu dance party that made heads turn around the bar. Be it tradition, or culture, everyone in the family could dance.

“Oh, look at you, fratello!” Adrianna teased, matching his steps, “Still got the moves, I see.”

Giovanni chuckled, spinning her lightly. “You didn’t think I’d let my sorellina steal all the attention, did you?”

Giovanni’s eyes sparkled with that telltale Baciami mischief as he danced alongside Adrianna, his movements surprisingly nimble for someone who usually claimed he was “too dignified” for such things. She laughed, letting him spin her as they moved in sync to the lively beat, drawing attention from the other tables.

There was a motive for his actions though– he wanted a minute alone to check in on his sister following her recent history. After a few moments, he leaned in close, just loud enough for her to hear. “So, sorellina,” he said, his tone half-teasing, half-serious, “where’s Vance? I thought he was supposed to be here tonight. Or did you scare him off already? Or did Jason hunt him down?”

Adrianna gave him a mock glare, rolling her eyes dramatically. “Don’t get too hopeful, Giovanni. His was just delayed on his shift, that's all, so it pushed back his when he should leave-- gives him opportunity to shower and get off all that engineering stuff off of him before he makes a bad first impression,” she shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant, but she couldn’t quite mask the hopeful tone slipping through. “He’s supposed to arrive any minute now, I did warn Fang and Zai not to keep him too late.”

Giovanni’s grin softened, reading her well, “Well, well… so, you’re really waiting for this guy, huh? Never known you to be so patient for someone, or so nervous about him meeting us.”

She bit her lip, glancing down, her expression softening. “He means a lot to me, Gio,” she shook her head, giving him a playful nudge to keep things light, “Not that I need to explain myself to my nosy older brother.”

He laughed, guiding her into another spin, “Nosy? Me? Perish the thought! I am a caring brother and protective brother." Then, his tone shifted to something more sincere, “but listen, if he’s someone you’re waiting for… then he’s someone we’re waiting to meet, too. He better be ready for the Baciami welcome.”

Adrianna smirked, half-amused and half-nervous, “Let’s not scare him off, okay? I don’t think I can handle you and Franco interrogating him right out of the gate--- I know that you have met him already, but you know."

“Too late for that,” Franco called out from the edge of the dance floor, clearly listening in as he raised his glass with a grin, “the minute he steps in here, he’s ours, Adie.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she couldn’t help but laugh, glancing around the room as if Vance might walk through the door at any moment. Giovanni gave her a reassuring smile as they continued to dance, his steps steady and confident, “Adrianna, with everything that went on with Jason– I wanted to ensure that you were actually ok.”

She took a breath and nodded, “I am. I just want Vance here and everything will be as it should be.”

“You know, he’s got good timing if he can make it,” Giovanni said, his voice soft enough that only she could hear, “because I think tonight’s been missing a piece. I can see it in your eyes.”

She squeezed his hand, gratitude and anticipation mingling in her expression. “Thanks, Gio.”

As they danced, Adrianna felt a warmth growing in her chest– surrounded by family, with the hope that Vance would soon be by her side. It felt like coming home, in more ways than one.



=/\= Zai's Quarters - USS Arcadia=/\=

Vance had finished his shift. He'd showered and changed in Zai's quarters mainly because his roommate had hogged the shower again and he didn't know how to fasten a neck tie. He now emerged from the Bathroom into Zai's room and changed into his suit. He'd opted for his usual a black suit with a black high neck shirt and a cowboy hat. A toss back to when Adrianna had been stuck mute by how he looked in one. He rather liked knocking her socks off.

He grinned as he came out with the ties. "Zai!"

Zai who'd been on the sofa watching the stars looked up. "You look um....no. just no."

"But Adrianna likes this. The last time I had it on she was speechless."

Zai snorted. "I bet my last credit it was for a different reason then you are thinking." He sighed. "Back in you go. Keep the dress pants put on a black turtleneck and get on tweed suit blazer jacket the one with the mandarin collar."

Vance hurried inside and changed and brought out two jackets. "Which one?"

"The single breasted one."

"The what?"

Zai sighed. "Right hand one."

Vance slipped it on tossing the other one on the chair. He turned around.

"Perfect now you don't need a tie." He stepped back. "No Scratch that. Go put on the silver turtleneck."

"Zai!"

"Go." He stood and walked over shoving Vance back into the bedroom.

The door opened and Sabastian walked in. He heard a sound from the bedroom. "Are you entertaining other men already?"

Zai grinned. "Only ones that can't seem to dress themselves."

Just then Vance walked out and Sabastian whistled. "Well now. This can dress himself."

Vance snorted. "No this one can't." He motioned to himself. "This is all Zai." He sighed. "Now to shave."

"NO!" Both men yelled.

"Huh?"

"The little bit of stubble is quite .... " Sabastian looked at Zai. "Sorry Darling but I have to say it." He turned back to Vance. "The stubble is quite hot."

Vance waved his hand. "Fine I give up!"


=/\= StarBase 6 =/\=

He extricated himself from the boys and headed to the station. They had confiscated his cowboy hat and he felt....well weird but he did look good he had to admit. It didn't take him long to get to the gathering it appeared that there was more then one event going on. He looked around for Adri.

Adrianna was still dancing with Giovanni, clearly carefree and happy to be around her family again. She'd been telling Vance that the last time that she had physically seen family was 2 years ago. This would have been an absolute moment for her and she wanted to spend it with Vance in tow.

Giovanni caught sight of Vance and smiled, though didn't let on to his sister that Vance had arrived. He subtly gestures for Vance to take over from him.

Vance walked over to them. "I would love to cut in. Hi Giovanni." He turned slightly red. "I apologize if I look a little unkept ... I tried to shave but two rather insistent men looked like they would murder me if I shaved off the stubble."

Giovanni let Adrianna go and scratched his own stubbled chin, "I'm glad-- the rest of us don't look so bad then." Gio stepped back, bowing out and walking back over to the family, smacking the back of Franco's head on the way as he was trying to chat up a girl rather poorly.

Adrianna beamed with delight, putting her one hand on Vance's shoulder and the other in his hand. She waited for Gio to be out of earshot before speaking, offering the best chat up line she could muster, "you look like my future husband, amore mio."

He smiled. "I was going to wear the cowboy suite that made you speechless on Venar Colony but Zai was rather insistent that I not."

"I owe that man," she chuckled, "that's something for home only." She kissed him softly, "you nervous?"

"Kind of." He sighed and leaned his forehead on Adri's. "A bit scared."

"You are so loved," she whispered, "they will love you because I love you. You are an amazing man. You make me so happy and feel so safe. That is what matters. Don't be nervous-- I am right here. Promise."

He smiled. "Okay. Fang said he was invited to this too but he'll be late." He sighed. "God it's a mess with him. He should be out of sickbay shortly and will come here."

"It was my mother who invited him. They have been talking a lot-- our mother's are best friends thanks to me," there was clear regret in her tone there. The song wound down and Adrianna took a step back, but kept her hand in his, "come on-- everyone is very excited to meet you."

Tanina had been cooking over the couple talking with Dario, Adrianna's father. Seeing the couple walk over, her parents stood up, her mother wrapping her arms around Vance, spewing off in Italian before kissing his cheeks. Dario, Franco and Giovanni chuckled, whilst Adrianna just went red.

He looked around. "What did she say?"

Adrianna glared at Giovanni and Franco, almost as if warning them not to translate, but she'd forgotten that her father was also a risk. Dario smiled and translated for him, his Italian accent nearly nonexistent, "she is stating that you are more handsome in person and is scolding Adrianna for not bringing you home sooner. She added that I should be careful-- she wants to trade me in for a younger model." Dario held his hand out to Vance, introducing himself properly, "Dario."

Vance blushed. He shook Dario's hand. "A pleasure to meet you, sir." He grinned. "Please let her know that while she is a stunning woman my heart will always be Adrianna's."

Dario chuckled, "gawd no. Give her something to live for."

Franco looked over at Giovanni and nodded. Giovanni reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a wearable translator. One for each of them. "Our Comms team are working with R&D. It's not perfect. It's a little literal, but this will ensure that you catch everything. It's about time my little sister felt the embarrassment of mamma meeting partners," he tossed the earpiece to Vance and then reached over and set up his mother's as he repeated in Italian.

Adrianna suddenly went very red. Now she definitely couldn't run away. Adrianna spoke in Italian to Vance as Franco did the same with his mother in Standard, "let me know if you understand."

Tanina squealed, "yes! I can understand. This is amazing! Oh, Vance! You are so handsome! My daughter is so lucky. Please sit! Sit!" She gestured to the seat next to her.

He laughed. "This is a nifty gadget. It is nice to be able to converse like this. I am learning Italian by the way." He looked at Gio. "The dreamboat you talked about with Sabastian speaks it fluently."

"I'm still hoping he has a flaw that makes the rest of us look a little better," Giovanni shook his head in amusement.

Franco reached over, holding out his hand, "I'm Franco, by the way. Welcome to the table. Now, four of my brothers told me that you are well acquainted with my sister--" both Giovanni and Tanina reached over and clipped Franco around the back of the head for trying to embarrass Vance. Adrianna smirked and relaxed, sitting down.


To Be Continued...

 

RSS Feed