Posted by Lieutenant Commander Bethany Kovra Gadi (Chief of Security) in side-sim: New Rhythms

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Aasrel Izei (Chief Medical Officer) in side-sim: New Rhythms

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Bethany Kovra Gadi (Chief of Security) in side-sim: New Rhythms
Posted by… suppressed (65) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
Aasrel smiled. “Okay. Go on. I’ve got work to do too.” He said and he stood from his chair. “I’ll comm you when it’s time?”

~ Aasrel

“You better, or no coffee for you tomorrow,” Bethany winked at him and then left sickbay. She had a lot of work to do, and needed to check in with her department. Then she had some computer programming to finalize.

Bethany

Oh, well, the coffee wasn’t the part he was looking forward to. Aasrel went back to work in Sickbay. There was a lot to do. Near the end of his shift, Th’rethiss came to Aasrel for the test. Aasrel comm’ed Bethany with a quick =/\= It’s time =/\= as he followed Th’rethiss.

~ Aasrel

Bethany was in the middle of going over the latest simulation. His comm broke through what she was saying. She tapped her badge, =/\=Aknowledged.=/\=

Most of the officers recognized the CMO’s voice. They were all curious and there were a few hidden grins and smirks. Bethany finished going over their performance. What went right and where they made mistakes. Then she dismissed them. She then went oulver the duty roster for the next shift and was able to head to sickbay.

She entered and before she could say anything, one of the nurses pointed the way for her without a word.

Bethany

By the time she arrived, Aasrel was already on a biobed, Th’rethiss using one of the more advanced imagers to take pictures of his head. As wordlessly as the reception nurse, Th’rethiss pointed to a chair next to the bed for her to sit in. Then he went back to focusing hard on what he was doing.

Aasrel didn’t move his head, he wasn’t supposed to, so instead he reached a hand over to her.

~ Aasrel

Bethany quietly sat in the chair and took his hand when he reached for it. She didn’t say anything because she didn’t want him to move. She watched the screen curiously, having no idea what she was looking at.

Bethany

It was a rather detailed image of a brain. Aasrel’s brain. Th’rethiss was frowning, flipping between ‘slices’ he was looking at. “That’s the paracortex. There’s the psilosynine gland…” The doctor squinted at the screen. A few more images and he was done, moving the machine away and loading the images to a PaDD.

Aasrel sat up as the Andorian doctor gave a look to Bethany, then Aasrel, who gave a small nod, then between both of them. “The implant in your brain is an electronic chip, wedged very, very close to the gland responsible for psilosynine production.”

The doctor frowned again, and then went on, “It can be removed but the surgery would be very delicate. It must be removed before this experimental donation procedure has any chance of success.”

~ Aasrel

Is that what stopped the production? If it was an electronic chip, it had to have a program. Bethany wanted to get ahold of it and find out exactly what it was supposed to do. That was a thought for later. “I know this is not the time, but can you do the procedure here? Do you have the right equipment and facilities?” Bethany wanted to donate before something happened. Whether her illness or this suicide mission, and she knew Aasrel wanted it more than anything. They had to be patient though. Rushing could cause mistakes.

Bethany

“I could do the procedure,” Th’rethiss said. “It’s more dangerous than the donation process. A mistake would mean brain damage. There will be a recovery period for which you would be off duty.”

Bethany nodded. Since Th’rethiss didn’t think it was necessary surgery, that meant approval for leave. Well if they were still Star Fleet. “How long?”

Th’rethiss shrugged. “Brains, even with the understanding of them we have, are tricky. Doctor Izei is a Betazoid, but if his brain were healing on its own like it should, we wouldn’t be here.”

“If it can be removed, I want it out and soon as you’re willing to do it.” Aasrel said. “I don’t care about the recovery or complications, I want it gone.”

~ Aasrel

Bethany squeezed his shoulder. “Let’s get through this stage of the mission and see where we are.” Speaking to Th’rethiss, “I am sure you will want to study the procedure. Dr Izei and I will have to make sure we have our departments well covered while we are recovering.” If they seemed too eager, Th’rethiss might refuse.

Bethany

Aasrel shook his head but kept quiet and squeezed her hand.

“I will need to study the donation procedure. The procedure for the implant is fairly straightforward, the same as removing a tumor or other anomaly in the brain. It’s the location that makes it difficult. It’s pressed into the paracortex, wedged between that and the gland. Those are deep brain structures.” Th’rethiss considered for a moment. “Make a plan for your departments. When this mission is over and Lieutenant Gadi is cured, we’ll talk about doing this surgery.”

Aasrel was very clearly not happy with that, but kept quiet.

~ Aasrel

Bethany wasn’t happy either. She didn’t like the implication that she had to be cured. They had no idea what a cure would look like. It could mean removal of the gland and then she would stop producing. Aasrel had said that was a possibility. “If a cure means removing my psilo-gland, will you take the necessary donation first?”

Bethany

Th’rethiss frowned and sighed a long sigh. “If you’re healthy enough, I can try… Otherwise, no. You are both my patients and I can’t prioritise an elective procedure over your health.”

~ Th’rethiss

Bethany was going to have to have a talk with Th’rethiss. She understood his position and commended him for his stance, but she didn’t think he understood Aasrel’s. She squeezed Aasrel’s hand again.

If it came down to it, Bethany knew very good doctors who, for the right payment, would do anything a patient asked - as long as it wasn’t torture or meant to hurt the patient. She would take care of it that way. Th’rethiss could jump off a cliff.

“Thank you, Dr.” Bethany stood up to leave.

Bethany

Aasrel had learned his lesson about arguing with doctors and was silently squeezing Bethany’s hand. When she stood to leave, he stood with her. “Thank you, doctor.” He said, sounding sad and upset.

He followed Bethany out of Sickbay. “I don’t like it, but he is right, you know.”

~ Aasrel

Bethany hurmphed. “Perhaps, but what he doesn’t seem to understand is that just as a Klingon could not live with paralysis, a Betazoid can’t live without their telepathy. It is about quality of life and mental health. Physically a Klingon can live with paralyzed. Mentally, emotionally, spiritually they cannot. It would be the same for an Andorian whose antenna will not regrow after injury.”

Bethany

“My old counselor would tell you plenty of people accept themselves with disabilities,” sighed Aasrel. He looked at Bethany. “I really, really want this but not at the expense of your health.”

~ Aasrel

“That’s true, some people do. Some can’t, and telling them they must accept it and then either forcing the issue or ignoring it only makes it worse for the person.” Bethany was quiet for a moment. “I understand the risk of the surgery. I do. But how is taking a large portion of the psilosynine out of my system a risk to me. Because of it, I am sick. The psilosynine is why my body is attacking itself. Wouldn’t removing it help me? And if it is being removed anyway, why not let you use it?”

Bethany

“Removing the psilosynine from your system isn’t the risk,” Aasrel replied. “For a betazoid whose body was working properly, it might cause issues with their telepathy. You don’t have that problem. The process of retrieving it is the tricky part. It’s more invasive than the sample test we did before, and you are already ill. What if something went wrong and you got worse? Then it won’t stay viable outside your body, so they’d have to do the procedure to give it to me, fairly soon after. Which we just learned is riskier than it would even normally be. If we weren’t on this mission, Th’rethiss might let me do it. But while we are on this mission… I don’t know.”

~ Aasrel

“I understand his reluctance because of the mission. But in the end it is my body, my choice. I’m not blind or uneducated. Yes it might get worse. But you know what, Rel? If we do nothing I die. If we do something I might get better or I might get worse and die. If we do nothing we both lose. I think it’s worth the attempt.”

Bethany

“We aren’t doing nothing,” Aasrel reminded her. “We just need to find a way to tell that neurochemical where it’s supposed to go.” He looked at her and smiled sadly, “It’s not me you have to convince. Th’rethiss is the doctor who would ultimately be responsible.”

~ Aasrel

Bethany shrugged. “I know a doctor who will do it. She’s very good, very clean, and has no aversion to elective surgeries.”

Bethany

Aasrel stopped and looked at her. “Someone in Starfleet?” She wasn’t suggesting what he thought she was, was she? If she was, was he desperate enough to go through with that?

~ Aasrel

Bethany gave him a look. “No, not Star Fleet. If we could use Star Fleet doctors we would request medical leave and go do it. We’re fugitives, on the run. And not every doctor can work for Star Fleet. She is highly trained. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Alpha Centari Medical Institute. She’s worked all over the quadrants. I met her when I was with the Rangers.”

Bethany

“How exactly would we get there?” Aasrel asked, “Not to mention doing that would piss off every doctor you and I are currently working with.” He’d been on the other side of it before, when a patient went off and found a doctor willing to do something he and the patient’s care team would not. “And Bethany… You know how much I want this, but if it made you worse I could never forgive myself.”

~ Aasrel

“I can get us a ride. I wouldn’t suggest going until this mission is over though. If we succeed, then we can take medical leave and go to a Starbase. If we fail, we will be outlaws for the rest of our lives. So non Fleet doctors will be our only choice. And I do not care if it pisses them off. I, and you, we are entitled to seek other medical aid.” She stopped walking and looked at him. “What are you going to do if you find a solution for me, dangerous but a solution, and Th’rethiss refuses because ‘it’s too dangerous, too risky, I’m not healthy enough’? Go along with it?” Of course she knew his immediate answer was of course not.

“Of course not. At this point, any solution is less risky than letting you die by doing nothing.” Aasrel said, proving her right.

But she had a feeling Th’rethiss didn’t feel that way.

She should never have allowed Ryley to check her. Refused the meds. She was better off not knowing. Now everyone treated her like she was fragile and incapable. That willing to take a huge risk at the possibility of living was insane. Why had she even bothered to go home that night?

Bethany

Aasrel sighed and looked at her. Was this what he sounded like? Probably. “We can look into it. Okay? But if we can’t do it till the end of this mission, by then I bet Th’rethiss will be willing to do it anyway.” Or wouldn’t be able to, if they had to remove the gland from Bethany. Either way, by the end of this mission, either Th’rethiss would do it, or it would be impossible to.

~ Aasrel

If they had to remove the gland…well Bethany would just refuse the surgery until Th’rethiss took the d@mn donor psilosynine. They were condemning Aasrel to an impossible, for him, life. She wasn’t going to let that happen. And if she died in the process? Well at least she would have done something that mattered to someone. “And you would have nothing to forgive yourself for. This is my choice, made freely and fully aware of the risk.”

Bethany

But not, Aasrel feared, of sound mind. He’d made her promise not to give up and here she was, sounding like she was ready to sacrifice herself to give him back his telepathy. “It’s your choice to offer, but it’s also my choice to accept.” They were condemning Aasrel to a life he didn’t want, but he really liked Bethany and didn’t want her to die in the process.

~ Aasrel

“Why would you refuse?” Bethany couldn’t believe what she was hearing. He needed a solution, they found one, she was a match. “You two are acting like me donating is a death sentence. ANY surgery has a risk, but it also has a chance of success.” Did something go wrong with the compatibility test? She came up short for one full step. Or was it that she was disabled and he didn’t want her problem? She didn’t want to believe that Aasrel felt that way, and she knew this whole thing made it impossible for her to feel clearly.

“Trust me, I don’t want to refuse.” Aasrel said. He nodded, “I know it could succeed but what would I do if something did happen to you?”

She grinned, “You’re right. It is your choice. The offer is genuine, no matter what you decide. I have faith in both your skills as doctors.” She started walking again. “I have a few things to finish up. See you later?”

Bethany

“See you later.” Aasrel said and smiled at her.

~ Aasrel

Bethany waved and headed in the opposite direction. She headed for the holosuites. She wanted the familiarity of the only place she had ever felt like she belonged. They were full though. The target range was full as well. She stayed an watched for awhile, even took a turn with the marine guns. She checked on the officer managing the tactical bridge console, and eventually ended up in her office staring at the cruise ship’s schematics and writing programs to take out their various systems and cause havoc. Assuming she could hack in.

That didn’t last though. She ended up pacing the corridors for awhile until she decided she’d rather be alone. She sat at her desk and stared at the screen.

Dad,

It’s not likely that you will ever see this. I don’t even know where to find you, and it’s not like I can send it anyway. Uncle Cayden told me you left the mountains before I graduated. You didn’t even try to say goodbye. Uncle Kian went to check on you and you were gone. Guess I really was a worse daughter than one of my dumb rabbits.

I thought you would want to know, that you finally can stop being ashamed of me. My paracortex finally started working. But it’s killing me. Literally. My Betazoid half is attacking my human half. So, at least you can be assured that your daughter died a true Betazoid.

I am thankful for one thing though - that mom never lived to see the person you really are.

She would never send it. Even if she knew where he was, and she didn’t want to, he didn’t deserve to know about her life. She reached into the dufflebag on the floor and took out a worn glossy paper photo. It was her and her mom, about a month after they arrived on Earth. Before her mom had gotten sick again. She wished she could talk to her.

Bethany

Aasrel finished out his shift. Then he went back to his quarters, sat on his bunk, pulled his gloves off, and rested his face in his hands. He had what he wanted within his grasp, but only at the possible expense of someone he cared unexpectedly deeply about. And Bethany was worrying him. She was obsessed with this. As obsessed as he had been previously. What could he do? What should he do?

He wanted Bethany to be happy. He wanted to be happy. In the end, slipping his gloves back on, he went back to Sickbay to work on her cure. That would make her happy. If he cured her.

~ Aasrel

The whole situation was frustrating. Everyone was acting like she was crazy for wanting to be a donor for Aasrel. She didn’t want to die, and she wasn’t looking to sacrifice herself for him. She wanted them both to get through this. She supposed if they made it back to Star Fleet there were other Betazoids who could be a donor. There was probably even a registry on the planet. Aasrel’s parents or siblings could be a match. If they didn’t though, finding a match they could trust that wouldn’t exhort or scam him was slim.

She was restless and worried and to her chagrin - lonely. She stopped pacing her quarters, “Computer, where is Lt Izei?”

=/\=LT IZEI IS IN THE MEDICAL LAB=/\=

Bethany headed down the corridor and then to the galley. Shortly after she was standing outside the door to the medlab. She pulled a miniPaDD from her pocket and a moment later a message flashed on the screen Aasrel was working on. I figured you hadn’t eaten yet either… Join me?

Bethany

It wouldn’t be such a big deal if she weren’t already sick. It could go fine, and Bethany would be okay. But the off chance she wasn’t okay was a persistent thought in his mind.

Aasrel blinked, looked up, then around the lab, at last finding her at the door. He smiled and nodded. Closing out what he was working on, he grabbed his PaDD and met her at the door. “Hey. I’m sorry about earlier… Maybe I worry too much about you.”

~ Aasrel

Bethany shook her head feeling a warmth envelope her. It had been awhile since anyone worried about her. Her uncles did of course, but she didn’t see them often. “Please don’t apologize, not for that.” She grinned sheepishly, “Maybe I’m not worried enough.” She held up two brown paper bags. “You shared your favorites with me, I thought I would return the favor. Your place or mine?”

Bethany

“Oh? What’re we having?” Aasrel asked, looking at the bags with curiosity. He smiled and shrugged. “Whichever you prefer.” Aasrel said as he walked with her out of the medical lab.

~ Aasrel

“Well it’s not really dinner food, and kind of childish. Uncle Cayden used to pack it for my lunch. PB&J sushi rolls. Come on. I think yours is closer if that’s okay?”

Bethany

“That’s fine,” Aasrel said with a nod, turning the direction toward his own quarters. He smiled, “Sounds great. Maybe a little childish, but I look forward to trying it.”

~ Aasrel

“Well what I really wanted to share with you, there isn’t a program in the replicator for it. So…I would have to get it, or cook it myself and well…not really a place to do that.” She glanced at him, “Did you get anything done after?”

Bethany

“Really? It wasn’t in the replicator? What is it?” Aasrel asked curiously. He nodded. “Some. Mostly I worked on your treatment.” He sighed and looked at her, “I still don’t have an answer.” They reached the door and he opened it and stepped in, taking his gloves off and plopping them on a desk nearby. The place looked bland and gloomy. He hadn’t really decorated it. He pulled another chair over and gestured for her to sit.

~ Aasrel

“Rabbit stew with Appalachian truffles, ramps, and other root vegetables. Served with buckwheat muffins.” Bethany shrugged, “You will. It’s only been a couple of days.” Wow really? It seemed…longer. “If it was an easy or obvious solution Ryley would have done it.” Bethany sat and set both bags on the table. Inside was tiny rolls of whole wheat bread with peanut butter and grape jelly, cut to look like sushi rolls. A bag of potato chips: regular, dark russet, blue, and sweet; slices of a fruit that had a flavor that was an interesting combination of mango and banana, then a can that said RC Cola.

He looked like he hadn’t moved in yet either. Really though, what was the point?

Bethany

“Hm. Sounds interesting,” Aasrel said. “Too bad the replicator didn’t have it.” He nodded and sighed, “I know. But then again, Ryley missed the El-Aurian brain structures and never did a chemical composition test. He skipped the basic stuff.” He opened the bag and pulled out the contents, setting them on the desk. To him it seemed like a bit random of an assortment of foods. He grinned and pointed at the bread and jelly sushi, “These look funny. I like it.”

~ Aasrel

Bethany grinned. “They do look funny. Uncle Cayden always did stuff like that. Like he was trying to make up for the fact mom was gone. On Earth this is something that is made for younger children. I didn’t mind though. It always made me feel better because he tried so hard.”

She picked up a roll and popped it in her mouth. The sweet and salty mix, tempered by the bread brought back memories. Good ones. She had people who loved her. She had three fathers, that individually were worth more than 10 of her own. She missed them.

Bethany

Aasrel tried one, copying how Bethany ate it. It was unexpectedly fluffy. It was good though, and once he swallowed it he smiled. “They’re good.” He tried one of the slices of fruit next and seemed to like it. “What are these?” He asked about the fruit.

~ Aasrel

“It’s called a pawpaw. I was really surprised it was in the databank. They grow wild in the mountains and can be hard to come by. Wild animals often get the fruit before we do, unless you happen to grow them yourself. Uncle Lachlan used to take me foraging in the woods.” Bethany grabbed a piece of the fruit and took a bite. She looked slightly disappointed. “It’s good, but not quite the same. Real pawpaws have a much crisper and bold flavor.”

Bethany

“You’ll have to show me sometime, then,” he said, and then he ate another jelly and bread sushi roll. Soon he had finished the rest of the pawpaw slices and bread rolls and he moved on to the potato chips, also opening the can of cola.

~ Aasrel

“Ohhh does that mean you’re going home with me too?” She wondered what her uncles would make of him. She watched him open the can. It hissed and fizzed when he did. “Have you ever had soda?”

Bethany

He looked at it funny when it hissed and fizzed from the carbonation as he opened it. “No, but it’s certainly… Interesting.” He smiled at her, “Is it not only fair that if I get to drag you off to Betazed, you also show me this interesting place called Appalachia?”

~ Aasrel

“Well warning, it is very sweet, usually very caffinated. I got this caffeine free. It also, as you see fizzes. So the sensation can be interesting and ticklish.” Bethany popped open her can, waited for the fizz to settle and then took a swig.

Aasrel took a cautious sip of the cola… And made a face. “How can you drink something this sweet?” He asked. The carbonation was weird, but interesting. He didn’t hate it but it wasn’t… Quite to his taste.

Bethany grinned. She pulled a bottle of water from her jacket pocket and handed it to him. “I don’t. Well not in a long time. For awhile I drank it because I wanted to fit in with the other kids. I never really liked it though. But it kind of goes with the meal.”

He opened it and started drinking the water. “I’m sure human palettes are more used to such things.”

“I think my uncles will like you. They’ll give you a hard time though.” She shrugged as if it was expected and grinned. “Appalachia is beautiful. I would like to show you some time.” She ate for a moment, “Besides, you aren’t exactly dragging me. I want to go with you. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

Bethany

Aasrel smiled. “I wouldn’t miss Appalachia either. It sounds lovely.” He finished the bag of chips, leaving the cola. “We’ll have to figure out when we can go after Betazed.”

~ Aasrel

Bethany nodded. “Guess it depends on how much leave they give us all after this mission. I don’t want to cut your time with your family short.” She smiled wistfully. “I miss my uncles, but I saw them a couple of years ago. I’m just glad I wasn’t listed as list or dead. They’ll know I’m not a traitor.”

Bethany

“We’ll have to figure it out when it comes to it,” Aasrel said with a little sigh. “I’m listed as a traitor too. Guess they figured I’m a bit too distinctive to pretend to be someone else. I don’t know what my family will believe, honestly. But when I get back, they’ll understand why I couldn’t say anything.”

~ Aasrel

Bethany nodded and then shook her head. “They will be angry at me for going back. They knew I wanted to do Intel work, that I was accepted. After…after my last long term assignment I was taken out of active Intel work. I was bounced around to different assignments. I wasn’t supposed to be doing this again. Not for awhile anyway. Certainly not under these circumstances.” She picked at, and ate the chips slowly. Eating the different flavors in a pattern.

Bethany

“They won’t understand that you didn’t have a choice?” Aasrel asked. He had, he could’ve refused the transfer, but he hadn’t fully understood what this mission entailed. It was too late to back out now.

~ Aasrel

“They will, once they allow me to explain. Then they will be very angry at Star Fleet, and pressure me to retire.” Bethany smiled fondly. “They wouldn’t be wrong, but what else would I do with myself? Sit on their porch in a rocking chair? I’m not ready to be old and give up yet.”

Bethany shrugged, “My skills don’t exactly transfer to a calm and peaceful civilian life.”

Bethany

Aasrel grinned, about to say something, but then changed his mind, deciding it might be too early to joke about spending lives together. “I don’t know. I was going to go back to Betazed, I really was. Now… I can’t see myself doing that. I’m not sure anymore.”

~ Aasrel

Bethany gave him a curious look, “What? What was that look about?” She drank from the soda can and set it down. It really was too sweet.

Aasrel smiled more shyly, “Not even a calm and peaceful civilian life with me?”

Bethany paused with a chip partly in her mouth. She actually flushed. She chewed the chip slowly, then washed it down. She couldn’t tell if he was serious or just joking. “Oh I think it would be worth it if you could stand me driving you crazy.”

Aasrel grinned. “Driving me crazy? What’re you talking about?” He said and smiled at her.

“Well it’s not like I would go spy on the neighbors or anything. So that leaves my computers. I’d probably end up crossing lines of code and the house would lock down and not let us out because one of us accidently snored or something.” Bethany was kidding, she wouldn’t do that. But she probably would tinker with the house, computers, vehicles, anything with programming.

Aasrel laughed, “I was kidding, Bethany.”

She winked at him, “I know, Rel.”

“Well there are always other places to settle. New adventures that aren’t in Star Fleet.”

Bethany

Aasrel shrugged. “Settle away from my family? I don’t know…” He smiled and shrugged again, “That’s something to think about later.”

~ Aasrel

Bethany nodded looking for a moment sad before it was hidden behind that smile. “You are really lucky, Aasrel. You have a home and someone to return to.”

Bethany

Aasrel smiled again, his look full of sympathy for her. “I know.” He finished off his chips and then looked at her again, “They’re going to love you, you know. My family. If we… Stay together,” he certainly hoped they would, but it was too soon to say definitively, “then I’m hoping it becomes a home for you, too.”

~ Aasrel

Bethany smiled, but it was clear she wasn’t so sure. She wanted to believe him, but her encounters with other Betazoids told her she had a 40/60 chance of being accepted. She hoped that was just her father’s influence and not the reality. “I’m sure I’ll like them too.”

Aasrel smiled confidently. “They will like you. Next time I can write them, I’m going to tell them all about you and show you the response.”

Bethany grinned and shook her head. “You make it sound like the happy ending to a fairytale.”

There was something that was itching at the back of her mind, and now that something very long term, permanent, had been hinted at… “You were never bonded?”

Bethany

A shadow crossed his face and he looked away. “I was, but she terminated our contract.” He shrugged, “We knew each other as kids, but we hadn’t seen each other in years.”

~ Aasrel

The way he looked away… she didn’t want to bring up such a hurtful topic. She didn’t want to believe it was because of the Borg, but didn’t she know how cruel people could be? She reached over and took his right hand, the one with the implant, but was careful not to touch it. “I’m so sorry, Aasrel. You cared for her.”

Bethany

She claimed it was because she didn’t want to wait for him any longer, she had wanted to wait until he was out of Starfleet to actually marry. But the timing made Aasrel suspect. Her letter, telling him she wanted to end the contract, came just a month after the Borg incident. Aasrel squeezed her hand and nodded. “I did. A bonding contract is a serious thing. I know you know that, but…” He sighed. “I never thought she’d back out like that.”

~ Aasrel

Bethany felt an unexpected and harsh wave of jealousy and anger for this unknown woman. She wanted to meet her in a dark alley sometime. She wanted to tell him it was best he found out what type of person she was before they married. But that wouldn’t help. She squeezed his hand and held it for a moment. “I am sorry that happened.” She hugged him suddenly. It was awkward leaned over that far across the table and their chairs, but she didn’t mind.

Bethany

Aasrel scooted around the edge of the table to make the hug more comfortable. Then he hugged her back and rested his head on her shoulder. “I’m sorry she did it, but I’m not sorry it happened.” He said. “Because if it hadn’t, this couldn’t happen.”

~ Aasrel

It was cheesy. REALLY cheesy, and it did funny things to Bethany’s equilibrium. “I’ll do my best to make it worth it then.” There was no grin on her face this time, just seriousness, right before she kissed him. It was different. There was so much emotion and feeling poured into it that it shocked and scared Bethany a little bit. Not just what she wanted him to feel but also what she felt for him.

Bethany

It was cheesy, but, to Aasrel’s surprise, it was true. It hurt that she did it, especially why she did it, but if she hadn’t… He might’ve been with someone who thought less of him. Someone who wasn’t Bethany. The kiss was full of emotion in a way Aasrel wasn’t used to. He kissed her back with all the same intensity, wanting her to know he felt the same way.

~ Aasrel

The intensity of her feelings surprised her, but she didn’t want to examine it too closely right then. How could anyone turn away from him. He was funny, hard working, compassionate even if he didn’t want to be around people right now. He was caring and protective. Maybe he wasn’t like that before, but Bethany didn’t get that feeling from him. This mystery girl might not have wanted him or a life with him, but Bethany did. It was sudden and seemed out of nowhere, but it was true. Bethany could see a life with him, and she wanted it, no matter how much work that took. Eventually, somehow, Bethany ended up curled up on his lap in his chair with him.

Bethany

Aasrel ran his fingers through her hair absentmindedly. Being with her made him happy. Reminded him of what it was like to just be before the Borg. To him it felt as though some kind of fate had brought them together. As if, if the Gods were real, they had guided them to this ship, at this time. After a long while just sitting with her curled up on his lap, he yawned and looked down at her. “I don’t know about you, but I think I’d rather lay down.”

~ Aasrel