Black and Blue

Posted on Thursday, 7 January 2021 - 6:55am by Lieutenant Alex Kingsley & Commander Soral

Mission: Operation: Ouroboros
Location: Personal Quarters

The warmth of the water had long since washed away the dirt and grime from the trip to Rome, the scent of the soap she favoured filled the bathroom and with just a flickering candle offering any light, the Chief Science Officer of the Standing Bear was in no mood to step out of the shower just yet. The heat soothed her aching muscles, the dim light hid the bruises blossoming over her body and the quiet was just perfect. Soon she would have to turn the shower off. For one thing, there was not an infinite supply of hot water and for another, she owed Adrianna a new scarf.

She could not imagine what it must have been like. Just a little glimpse into Petty Officer Baciami's life had been both exhilarating and terrifying. On reflection, mostly terrifying. Yet she handled the entire situation in Rome will a cool calmness that was impressive and alarming. They had two completely different upbringings and yet somehow they had managed to make it to the transport hub and, ultimately, safely back to the ship.

Which had left the aftermath to deal with.

Or namely, avoiding it as much as possible.

Docking at Jupiter station she had opted to get checked over there, rather than aboard their own ship. Her leg and head were treated, a mild concussion was the worst of it, and from there she had headed back to her quarters for a much needed shower and change of clothes after reminding Adrianna of their deal. When she arrived, their quarters were empty and she guessed Bones had either gone with Soral to the Bridge or to his office. He enjoyed taking up residence beneath Soral's seat whenever he thought he could get away with it.

Discarding her clothes, her t-shirt straight in the recycling since it was torn and bloody, she headed for the shower rather than a bath so she could scrub herself from head to toe. That niggling headache which had plaqued her since the bond was broken was currently in good company with the one left over from her head knock as the pain killer the nurse gave eased off. Every blossoming bruise on her arms, legs, back and forehead told of a fall or a knock or a fight.

Yet they had made it safely back, despite the odds being stacked against them. And that view...

She suddenly realised someone was standing there and gave a startled yelp. "Soral!"

His eyes took in every inch of her. A sudden rage filled him. Who had laid hands on her? "What has happened?" He tried to keep his temper under control. As of late he'd been..... unable to control his emotions too well. He chalked it up to missing all those meditation.

"Nobody who doesn't already regret it," she assured him as she turned off the shower and snagged the towel. Wrapping it around herself she stepped out, glancing in the mirror and making a face. "Okay... so it doesn't look great but honestly, I got checked over the second we got back. Things didn't exactly go smoothly but Adrianna made sure I was okay."

She was resolutely determined that many events would never pass her lips. "We are back now and if you don't mind getting wet, I could really use a hug," she admitted.

He wrapped his arms around her without hesitation. "This is because of Biacami? She allowed you go get injured?"

“No,” she corrected, “it was the people trying to kill her.”

As far as he was concerned she was still the cause. "I will have words with her."

She slid her arms around his waist, resting her head on his chest. “Not right now...” she asked, “just stay here please.”

"Indeed." He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the room that they shared. There he helped her dry off and change in her nightgown. "You will rest. I will get some food."

Normally she would protest, with various degrees of actual indignation admittedly, to such treatment but for now she just wanted and needed him there. It felt good to feel so safe and comfortable after today and so she didn’t complain in the slightest. She noted he found the nightgown he first got for her, and the care he took slipping it on before he took the comb out of her hands and did her hair. Then he arranged the pillows and lifted her up the bed with no effort. “Food would be good, all that running gave me an appetite,” she admitted as her stomach rumbles.

Soral set about preparing food. Soon he had a tray heaped with several different kinds of food and chocolates. He brought it over with a small vase and a rose, as he had done, the first night they were together. He had missed her, really missed her. He sat beside her as he added the tray to her lap. He put his arm around her offering comfort and taking comfort from being with her, here.

“This looks amazing, thank you,” she smiled as she took in the small feast he had pulled together, noticing Bones hovering nearby in the hope that there would be leftovers. She took a bite as she took Soral’s hand, “recovered from your talk with Solek?” She asked gently.

"Indeed. Better now that I know he is heading to Vulcan. Although I doubt he'll be talking to me any time soon. I took away his honour blade."

“Honour blade?”

He sighed. "Romulans carry a blade. When they feel that they have wronged someone or not lived up to expectations or when they are captured they are ... expected to use it. I did not want to run the risk of him using it. He is...my brother."

“Oh,” she said absently before his words really registered. “Ohhhhh. You think he would have? Oh.”

Suddenly she wasn’t so hungry.

"I did not want to risk it." He said. He held up some fries to her. "Come on now. Eat. Helping teach Soval and Severine seems to have... brought new meaning to him. And he will protect them."

After a moment she took the food from him. “If you say so. Soral...?”

"Yes?"

“You were right. The day we fought? I’ve not been very talkative about what happened. With Sara. I guess I just ... so much of it is a blur or total blank and I felt not just hurt and angry but... I don’t know. Idiotic maybe? I knew her my whole life and never imagined...” she squeezed his hand, “but somehow you found me.”

He kissed the top of her head. "I know. What happened with Sara is not your fault nor should you feel responsible or as you say idiotic. People have a way of hiding who they are. You had no reason to suspect her. I have never been more afraid when she took you." He wrapped his arms around her. "But you are safe my love."

She rested her head on his chest, “do you remember the cove we went to, after the wedding? Despite my mother’s terrible directions?”

It was a foolish question, of course he would. “I remember being there, sitting in the sand and watching the ocean. It was so calm and peaceful. Almost perfect. I couldn’t remember getting there and it was oddly cold, but I remember thinking it was beautiful but something was missing. You. And then the last mission when you were gone - it scared me.”

He held her tight. "I am sorry I frightened you." He rested his head chin on her head. Just as he was about to say something the coms chimed, T'Paris calling him to Tactical. He paused a moment. "Soral here. Please ask Lieutenant MacKenzie. I am off duty." He ended the call. "I wish tonight to be about us." He told his wife.

She grinned, “I love the sound of that.”

"Now finish you meal and I have prepared something you may find tasty. It is a German drink a warmed wine with herbs."

“Sounds interesting,” she said diplomatically, picking up another few fries. “You could help me and then we’d have more time for dessert.”

He raised an eyebrow. "Dessert?"

“Dessert,” she repeated with a mischievous smile.

"Indeed. Are you sure you are well for that kind of...physical activity?"

“I haven’t spent my day running through and over the streets of Rome to be be defeated now,” Alex grinned. “Besides, the answer is always always.”

He walked back to the bed and took her hand. "I have missed you Alex. I have missed us."

“Soral, every word of our vows, it didn’t go away because of our bond. Sometimes it will be hard work, because nothing worth having comes easily and you married a red head,” she reminded him as she squeezed his hand. “And I missed you too.”

He kissed her. "Perhaps it's time for dessert?"

"No argument from me," she grinned, setting aside the tray of food before she kissed him back. "No arguments at all."

OFF