SNIP

Alexis raised her brow and nodded, “Yes we will be, so it would appear. Though as chief of psychiatry you will be working with Dr. Walker and not myself. Unless, of course, he is unavailable.” Alexis leaned back against the wall taking in Ever once again. The woman was still as prideful and seemingly direct as she was those years ago. “Look, Ever, I don’t hate you. I was..” she looks off to the side thinking, trying to find the right words to convey her thoughts and feelings, even though the Betazoid could easily do that on her own, “I was angry, for a long time. I wanted to hate you, but that was wrong. You were not to blame. And in my youthfulness it took me awhile to realize that. Soulis,” the name churning up feelings of anger, inadequacy, regret, and sadness, “was to blame. He was very good at playing on the feelings of women. I would wager you knew without him telling you exactly what type of relationship he was after. Maybe you didn’t know he had other women. Then again, perhaps you did, but were unaware that he was playing them in the dark, or perhaps you were aware. And you felt safe in proceeding because you did know. However it was, it doesn’t matter. Without meaning to, you freed me from a trap that would have surely destroyed me, at such a tender age, if it had continued. And although your voice and face, much to my own disappointment, recall the pain all to clearly for me, I do not hate you or blame you.”

Alexis lets her words sit for several long moments. “Coming upon the two of you was the best thing for me. I was too young to understand what he really wanted. He knew that, and he took advantage of me. Afterwards I threw myself into my work. A child prodigy has no business socializing with anyone. My age peers are intimidated by my intelligence and obsessive dedication to my work, and my intellectual peers are disgusted with my inability to understand them socially, and are threatened by the fact I can do things that they can not. I returned to my work, and made a name for myself.” It would occur to Ever that despite being at the top of her field with a brilliant mind, Alexis was still very young socially and personally.
Lt. Bonner, AMO

“You are right. None of it matters now. One day, Soulis will reap what he sows as far as breaking young hearts goes. As for me, well I think you understand me well enough to know that I do not care if you blame me or hate me. If it is any consolation, he did love you. As much as is capable of loving anyone outside of himself. I think he had every intention of marrying you,” Ever said as she crossed her ankles and leaned back against her hands relaxing behind her. She let her words sink in for a few minutes while the scans finished. Medical records would report severe injuries, those most horrific any woman could endure, from an assault that had occurred during a riot on the penal colony a year previous. At this time, Ever seemed to be on perfect physical health at least. Turning her eye contact from Bonner, she lowered her gaze while she waited for the young doctor to read the results and report. 

“I am pleased though that you have moved on and are doing well. Truly I am happy for you. And now for a confession. I knew you were on the Ogawa and it is no accident I am here. While others might be intimidated by your genius, I admire your beautiful mind and require your assistance on my research. This will require discretion and a security clearance. Works perfect for me to that you are a complete nerd with zero social life,” Ever said smiling slightly. As usual, her speech was mixed with compliments and insults. “So Dr. Bonner. Can you truly put aside our sorted past for the good of the crew and Starfleet?”

Zeanar, CoP