Journey Home

Posted on Monday, 10 August 2020 - 6:03am by Commander Soral & Lieutenant Alex Kingsley

Mission: Operation: Jabberwocky
Location: Earth, USS Firestorm, -- Various
Timeline: 2393 - MD 10

{ON:}

Soral sat own hard on the sofa rubbing the bridge of his nose. Severine and Liviana had just left. They were shuttle bound that would carry them to Vashti where they would meet with T'Shael who would be governess to the children. She was his former teacher, an honoured member of the Vulcan Learning Annex as well as, later in her life, the Vulcan science Academy. She was retired now.

The scene had been... difficult. Gone were Severine's Vulcan ways. She had cried and clung to Alex and Soral wanting to stay with them. Only the knowledge that her brother was back on Vashti had spurred her to go.

“The house is going to be so quiet,” Laura lamented as she finished wrapping up a fresh batch of brownies. The first had gone with Severine, along with as many cookies as the girl could fit in the little food bag. Turned out she could pack a lot.

“Less things broken though,” Alex pointed out with an apologetic smile.

“That just makes amends for the time I turned my back for a second when you were a baby and you fell off the bed and got your head,” Laura quipped before her daughter’s horrified expression made her laugh, “kidding dear.”

Alex stuck out her tongue, snagged a brownie and returned to packing what they would take back to the ship. “Mum?”

“Hm?” Laura replies as she took off her apron, turning just as Alex through her arm around her. She smiled, returning the hug. “I’m going to miss you too. And you Soral! But mostly you. I worry every day, that will never stop.”

“You are the best mum I could ever wish for,” Alex whispered.

“Don’t make me cry in front of Soral,” Laura warned, “I have a reputation to uphold!”

Soral listened to the two. "I can assure you that your reputation will always stay intact." He stood and walked over. "These were delivered this morning." He held out a set of papers to Laura. "They are a guarantee for you. When you are ready to come to Vulcan these ensure that all will know you are from my house."

“I should have everything organised in a month,” Laura said as she took the papers while keeping on hand on her daughter. “I want both of you safe and sound, is that clear?”

Soral gave a nod. "Indeed. I promise to take care of her. Do not rush your work when you have time it will be wonderful to have you there."

“Oh, Alex will tell you I tend to flit from one place to the next,” Laura smiled, “not much tying me down. And I’m looking forward to it!”

He gave a nod. "Thank you...for all you are doing. I know Severine will be happy you are there."

“I miss her already!” Laura declared. “Now, do you have everything packed?”

"Indeed. All I need is Alex."

Laura smiled, “alright.” She pulled Alex back to her, kissing her cheek, her composure slipping at another round of goodbyes. Finally she let go, “I’ll see you both soon.”

Once Laura and Alex had said their goodbyes Soral stepped up and gave Laura a hug. "Thank you for everything" He kissed her cheek.

“It’s what mother’s are for.”

===USS Firestone===

Alex and Soral were settled in VIP quarters. He had to smile. Who'd have thought Lieutenant Riddles would make Captain. He'd just taken over the Firestorm, a ship Soral served on. He laid back on the Sofa. "I could get very used to luxury like this."

“Luxury was never mentioned in the brochure at the Academy,” Alex commented as she sat by the mirror, attempting to tame her curls.

Soral got up and took the brush from her. "I very much enjoyed meeting your mother."

“I don’t think she expected quite so much drama but she loved having people around the house again,” Alex agreed, “and she loves you.”

He continued to comb her hair. "Even after the trouble that resulted in my being there?"

“None of which was your fault. And you gave her what she thought would be a long way away. Grandchildren. She adores Severine.”

He smiled a little. "Severine was quite attached to her as well." He finished combing her hair and sat down beside her. "How do you feel about all this?"

“Overwhelmed,” she admitted. “It’s been... a lot to even try to take in let alone sort out how I feel.”

He sighed. "I am sorry for that." He was. It was more then most people could handle. He briefly wondered if when all was sorted in her mind she would turn and run.

“No,” she shook her head firmly, “you have nothing to apologise for. You had no idea about your sister, let alone Severine and Soval. Keeping them from you, keeping their existence from you... it was unforgivable in so many ways but it was not your choice.”

"No, it was not. I wish I had known. Liviana gave me a recording from Evesta," he began. "Just prior to her dying and her logs after we severed ties." He paused. "I have been afraid to watch them." He admitted.

“When you feel ready we could watch them together,” Alex offered, “if you like. I mean, if you want. Or Max would help too. If that would be a little less awkward... can it be less awkward? Maybe not. I’ll help you watch them. Just not tonight. My head aches and I just want to sleep. I’m sorry. I know you were so happy to get a chance to be aboard this ship again.”

He took her hand. "I could very much like your help in watching them. Perhaps sometime next week. I, as you, am tired now. It has been an eventful few weeks." Hell if he had to admit it has been an eventful few months.

He stood and pulled her up. "Let us go to sleep. Tomorrow evening we shall be back in our quarters."

"Assuming Bones hasn't taken over the ship," she warned him as she let him pull her to her feet. "Those big puppy dog eyes, nobody would suspect him."

"Indeed. He has become a rather interesting personality." They headed to the room and snuggled into bed. It would be a quiet night tonight. "Alexandra?"

Curled up against him, Alex peered up at him. “Hm?”

"I do love you."

“I love you too.”

{OFF:}