Distractions

Posted on Monday, 10 August 2020 - 5:06pm by Commander Soral & Lieutenant Alex Kingsley

Mission: Operation: Jabberwocky
Location: USS Standing Bear | Crew Quarters
Timeline: 2393 - MD 13 - Early Morning

{ON:}

True to his word, the Standing Bear’s Executive Officer had immersed himself in reports long before Alex sat herself down to eat. Sipping the orange juice she had used her spoon to push the cereal from one side of the bowl to the other, the multicoloured hoops happily drowning in milk until she recycled the bowl and everything in it. Perhaps by the time T’Lanna came for dinner her appetite would be back.

But at that moment, standing in the middle of their quarters she had never felt more alone.

Showering, she had a singular determination as she began to lay out a uniform. That act alone felt exhausting but she would not just sit here drowning in her own dark thoughts. It was the pitter patter of tiny paws that gave Soral away. He had taken the puppy with him and, back home, the bundle of excitement was quick to search her out. Sure enough she turned to find him standing in the bedroom doorway and she followed his gaze to the uniform on the bed.

“I wanted a walk and I thought I could see how repairs to my lab were going,” she said as she tried to fathom his expression. Not sure if wearing nothing but a towel was giving her a position of strength or not.

"Indeed." He studied her. It did not help his Vulcan resolve that her uniform was on the bed rather than on her.

“How are the reports?” She asked casually as she rummaged inside the closet. “Do I need to make sure Grol survived?”

"The first round of reports are complete. I have come to pick up the Tactical PaDD." He followed her with his eyes. He had missed her. "Alexandra are you attempting to distract me?"

“That depends...” came the reply. “Is it working?”

He raised an eyebrow. "Indeed." He said in prim and proper Vulcan fashion.

“Shame you planned to work all day,” she commented as she walked over to him. “It’s on the couch.”

"What is?" he asked distracted.

She smiled, “the PaDD? The thing you came home for?”

"I see." He still stood there as if weighing things in his mind.

She frowned at him, not sure exactly what he saw because he suddenly seemed a million miles away.

"I came for the tactical PaDD."

Her frown deepened as she walked towards him. “Are you alright?” She asked softly.

"Yes. Just a slight headache." Then he did something he wasn't known for. He pulled her into a hug and just hung on for dear life.

Initially caught off guard she wrapped her arms around him too, resting her head on his chest. “I love you,” she whispered.

He looked down at her. "And I you." He looked at her and then he looked around. "We need to speak on something"

“Of course,” she encouraged while making no move to let him go.

"These quarters are still very much mine. I wish you to change it so that you are comfortable here. Perhaps a shopping trip before we leave?"

“I’m not sure I would change anything but if you want to go shopping with me, I could be persuaded to visit the station,” she conceded. Personally she had no real desire to change anything but if it was important to him... “maybe tomorrow and we can have lunch or dinner?”

"Indeed. I shall clear my afternoon. I have an urgent matter to tend to now."

Soral looked at Alex. He tapped his communicator. "Soral to Grol."

=/\=Go ahead sir=/\=

"Move back my tactical appointment to 1600 hours. Free up the next two hours."

There was a pause and then, =/\=Sir you are meeting the new crew starting 1340 hours.=/\=

"Indeed. I need you to review their records and ensure that all relevant material is flagged for me. I also require you to set calls with their previous XOs and department heads for tomorrow. Block the entire morning from 0800 to 1300 hours."

=/\=Aye sir. Is anything wrong.=/\=

"I have an urgent matter to tend to."

=/\=Do you require assistance?=/\=

"Absolutly not. I shall contact you when I am enroute to the office. You may use my terminal for your work until then."

=/\=Aye sir=/\=

“Soral?” Alex asked curiously as the comm link terminated.

Soral in one yank pulled the towel from her and lifted her into his arms. "Now as to the urgent matter." He headed towards the room

“Didn’t like the towel huh?” She grinned with a mischievous smile as kissed him. More than willing to lose herself for a few hours with him before duty invariably got in the way. Not sure which of them needed this more.

=/\=Couple of hours later=/\=

“I wish we could stay here all day,” Alex whispered softly as she lay in Soral’s arms, her head on his chest, his steady breathing soothing. It was ridiculous, to be an adult and an officer but still feel a need to just have the safety of his arms around her. Of all the times he had talked and probably thought of putting her in a bubble this was a kind of bubble she wanted.

He kissed the top of her head. "We will be together a life time and know that I will always ensure there is time for us to be together." He paused. "Alexandra I require a promise from you."

She shifted so that she could peer down at him, “anything.”

"You tend to blame yourself for things that are not your fault. I wish you to not do that. Before the bond was severed I felt...guilt from you. I did not understand it but I do not want you to feel it in any respect."

She was silent as she lay back down, unable to speak. “I... I don’t think I can promise that,” she admitted quietly. “I’m sorry. It may be illogical, it may be wrong but ... it was me. My body, my mind. I couldn’t save our bond.”

"Not even I could have if I was given that hypo. This is squarely Sara Kingsley's fault." He paused. "You have no blame in this. It...causes me pain for you to think that you do."

“I just need time. Half human after all,” she whispered, although she doubted she would see it as he did for a long time. “We tend to be an emotional and irrational species.”

He sighed. "I should go. I have to be back on duty soon. Tonight is your dinner with T'Lanna?"

“Your unhappy with me,” Alex realised as she studied him. “I don’t want to ever hurt you. Ever.”

"I am not unhappy with you in any way my wife. You shall always be my gift. " He pulled her down for a quick kiss. "I wish you would not blame yourself. I know it shall take time but I will be there to remind you constantly that in my eyes you are perfection."

“I love you more than anything,” she whispered.

"And I you." He paused. Just before he could speak Grol called to remind him that he had a meeting in 15 minutes. He sighed. "On my way." He kissed Alex again and hurried into the shower. He was changed and ready in 10 minutes. "I shall see you later?"

“I’ll wait up,” she promised.

{OFF:}