Family Bonding

Posted on Saturday, 10 April 2021 - 7:09pm by Commander Soral & Lieutenant JG Maximus Mackenzie & Lieutenant Alex Kingsley

Mission: Operation: Peace or P'Jem
Location: Alex and Soral's Quarters | USS Standing Bear
Timeline: 2394 = Night after T'Lanna's meltdown.

ON:

Soral had asked Alex to pick N'vek up from the Tactical office. He'd been there in Mac's care reading up on some things. Soral himself was at home on the sofa waiting for the two. With Stillwater's blessing he'd converted the little office that was attached to his quarters into a room for N'vek. This would be the time that he'd tell the boy that the Captain had approved his stay.

He and Alex had talked about it and she seemed on board but he wondered again if he was asking too much from her.

Finishing her shift, Lieutenant Kingsley had made the detour to the tactical officer, finding N’Vek quizzing Mac. The room fell silent as she rounded the corner. Always a reassuring sign. “Hey,” she offered with a small smile, “all ready to go, N’Vek?”

N'Vek gave a nod. "Thanks Lieutenant MacKenzie."

Mac smiled, "See you tomorrow." He watched N'Vek head to the other room to get his pack and walked closer to Alex. "How you doing little sister." He tossed his arm around her.

“All good, how’s you?” She countered. “Things any better?”

"So so. He's anxious to get back to work and Stillwater still hasn't rescinded the transfer offer."

“That’s gotta be a good thing, right?” Alex asked before frowning, “or not?”

"The jury is still out." He said as N'vek came back. Mac sighed. "Well I guess it's time to go."

“Call anytime you need to talk, or moan,” Alex whispered to Mac before she turned her attention to N’Vek. “Do you have everything?”

He hugged his bag and gave a nod.

“Alright, let’s go,” Alex smiled. “See you later Mac.”

He waved to Mac one final time.

Together they walked to their quarters in relative silence beyond small talk. A companionable silence had fallen by the time they arrived home to find Soral waiting.

Soral stood at the sound of their entry. "I am glad you are both here. I have something to show you both."

Alex flashed N’Vek a reassuring smile and gestured for him to follow Soral. She trailed behind, giving them this moment.

Soral stopped at the door that lead to his once office. He looked at the two. "Alright this next phase will require trust on both your parts. If you shall close your eyes I shall take you inside."

Alex rolled her eyes before closing them. Soral’s flair for the dramatic had not lessened one bit.

He lead them into the room. "Alright, open your eyes."

On first sight the room looked average. It had a small bed that was laid out with fresh sheets, a Romulan design, it had a desk with a computer terminal, a night stand, a small coms screen that could be used for watching movies. It was tidy and well arranged. "Now, the surprise." He stepped back. "Computer begin night mode."

The lights dimmed and all of a sudden a swirling galaxy seemed to burst from holo emitters on the ceiling. It swirled around the room showing the Romulan Star system.

N'Vek seemed awed by it. He just stood and looked around.

Soral walked up behind Alex and slipped his arms around her waist. "What do you think?" He whispered.

“It’s incredible,” she commended him as she watch the holographic projection. “And N’Vek seems to like it too.”

Just then the boy turned and looked at them. "This...this is for me?"

"Indeed. Alexandra and I hope that you wish to stay with us and be a part of our family."

The boy looked at them both and then tears welled up in his eyes. He hurried out the door and out of the quarters feeling overwhelmed.

Soral called after him and then turned to Alex. "I...do not understand."

“He’s lost a lot Soral. Maybe it was too much? Or maybe he doesn’t want another day on a starship? Or maybe the stars are a reminder of his home-world is gone... go, speak to him.”

He studied her. "He may respond better to a mother figure...or we could speak to him together."

“Soral, it is you he has fixated on, understandably given what he has lost,” she pointed out.

He sighed. "Together," He held out his hand for her.

“Your unhappy with me,” Alex guessed as she took his hand.

"My wife I could never be unhappy with you." He kissed her cheek. They searched for a little while and then found the boy at the observation lounge he seemed to be staring at the stars. "The stars always calmed me too."

“Can we sit with you?” Alex asked the boy, not wishing to overstep any boundaries he may have.

He gave a nod.

Soral motioned for Alex to go ahead. He stood slightly closer to the window watching the stars. He'd jump in if necessary but he really wanted the mother son bond to form here. He was still wondering if Alex really wanted to bring another person into their family. Perhaps she was just humouring him.

“We can talk if you like?” Alex prompted. “Or not. Silence can be good. Watching the stars... it can be very soothing. Not as soothing as chocolate or ice cream but way better for your teeth.”

N'vek smiled a little. "I'm really all alone now huh?"

Soral turned from the view port. "No, you are not. You have your half brother and half sister, you have Alexandra and I...."

N'vek looked at Alex. "I don't think she likes being called Alexandra. She gets a crinkle in her eye when you say Alexandra."

Alex glanced at Soral, “I don’t mind it, really.”

"Being a husband has its privileges." Soral simply said. "Now as I was saying you have Alexandra and I."

The boy looked between both of them. "Do I really get to stay with you? You are … alright with that?"

“If you want to,” she nodded. “At least for a while. This ship wasn’t intended for children but we have permission. And then, if you want, we can let you visit with Severine and Soval.”

He gave a small nod.

Soral studied the boy, he saw so much of himself in the child.

"Why? Why would you be so kind to me after my mother treated you the way she did."

Soral sighed. "N'vek, that is a long story. I see myself in you."

The boy emitted a sound of disbelief.

"It is true. I was just slightly younger then you when I was abandoned by my father and step mother. I had never known my mother. I wandered the streets of Vulcan hungry and feeling both relief that my father couldn't say unkind things to me anymore and sad that I was alone. I was frightened and felt as if I could trust nobody but myself until the monks gave me a chance. One of them took me in, I had a home, food, support and for the first time I felt as if I would have a future. Both Alex and I wish you to have those things, a home, a family, support, enough to eat and a chance to really be a light in this universe."

“I wasn’t raised by my parents either,” Alex added, “but from almost the day I was born I had a family who loved me, cared for me, encouraged me. You deserve those things, no matter what your parents may or may not have done.”

He looked from one to the other and then said, "I won't be any trouble, I promise."

Soral reached out and too his hand. "You must always be yourself. Alexandra and I wish you to be who you are. You do not have to change yourself for us to care for you. You are now a part of our family."

N'vek smiled a little. "Okay." He yawned.

Soral straightened, "Shall we all go home for dinner and chocolate?"

“Sounds good,” Alex grinned. “Especially the chocolate part.”

They arrived home quickly with Bones to greet them. The little dog seemed to know that he was needed and made it a point to stick close to N'vek. The meal was mostly consumed in silence and Soral felt himself anxious to speak with Alex alone. He had much to tell her. They consumed dessert and settled N'vek into his own bedroom and then they started about getting ready for bed themselves.

After a shower and brushing his teeth Soral sat on the bed waiting for Alex to join him.

Emerging from the bathroom, Alex tied up her hair as she climbed into bed. “Everything okay?”

He sighed. "No. With all that has happened...we need to speak. About the Andorians and the potential for them to go against Vulcan."

She turned to face him, “I’m listening.”

"I was worried about the family and I sent them to our place on Risa." He sighed. "They have V'shar agents and Romu-Vulcan unity guards. They will be safe."

She couldn’t hide her relief as she kissed his cheek, “thank you.”

He wrapped his arm around her. "I want them all safe and getting them off Vulcan was the best idea. I know I should have consulted you first but with everything that has happened...It is something that had to be done quickly."

“I’m glad you did, I was worried. I mean, I know Vulcan will be on alert but,” she shook her head as if to dislodge the image of something unpleasant. “I never thought there would be a time when we had to worry about Vulcan being safe.”

"Yes, Perhaps that was true once but my people are known as defenders of the Federation ideals but the Federation had taken a dark turn and frankly Vulcan being its top ally willy caught in the cross hairs. As far as the Andorian Vulcan battle it is one that was never truly over. Our peoples...have always had a turbulent peace." He paused and then, "But I promise you, our family will always be safe, I will keep us all safe."

“We,” Alex corrected. “We will keep them safe. You aren’t alone in this Soral.”

He pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head. "Thank you Alexandra."

“I didn’t do anything, you were the one who went all James Bond secret agent,” she teased lightly.

"Thank you for being a part of my life."

“Is this the sentimental part of Pon Farr?” She asked as she kissed him.

Perhaps or perhaps his fear that things may not work out. "If you wish it to be."

“I wish it,” she whispered as she cuddled into him. He would hear her just fine.

OFF: