Posted by Lieutenant Commander Alexis Bonner (Assistant Chief Medical Officer) in Guest Quarters - Family Woes Part II

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Dr. Solomon Kane (Chief Science Officer/Research & Development) in Guest Quarters - Family Woes Part II

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Alexis Bonner (Assistant Chief Medical Officer) in Guest Quarters - Family Woes Part II
Posted by… suppressed (17) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
Anthony nodded, “Good to know,” and he took another small taste. “You could go into business making this tuff. But what’s the fun in that?” Anthony had confiscated so many home brew bottles over the years he could probably fill Kane’s office. When he was done, he stood, “Thanks for the drink.”

---

Allison looked up as the door opened. “Anthony? Where have you been? I had no idea where to look for you. This ship is so big.” Anthony let the doors shut behind him, crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back against the frame of the door. “Allison this ship is bigger than the Reliant and you navigated that just fine. You know how to use the LCARS system, and if you really wanted to find me it’s a matter of asking the computer. You know that.”

“Well, yes, but…where were you?” She got up busying herself at the replicator. “You didn’t eat did you? You always forget to eat when you’re working. You and Alexis, I swear you both....”

Anthony sighed, loudly, “Allison stop. Just stop. I and certainly not Alexis have done anything wrong. When did you becomes so....so negative? The woman I fell in love with was vibrant and happy all the time. You found joy in everything and reveled in the differences in people. Held no expectations of anyone except they be kind and happy. Where did she go? I miss her.” He moved toward the bedroom. “For your information I went and saw Alexis and then I went and talked to Kane. They, or at least Alexis, is coming in the morning. She’s devastated, Allison and it’s your fault. Kane would like to send you out an airlock. I can’t say I blame him. You were cruel. Whatever is going on with you, you need to take care of, and tomorrow you need to fix it. And in case you are wondering, you start by apologizing and mean it.”

---

Alexis was doing something totally out of character and letting her brain vegetate to television. She would rather be in the lab, but she would also rather not run into anyone else on the ship right now. She sat on the floor, Frigga bringing her random toys that they tossed or tugged on, they were littering the floor and making kind of a mess. The show, she admitted to herself, was intriguing. The main character was really brilliant, not just book brilliant, but truly all the way into application and manipulation of the things around him. MacGyver or something like that.

Bonner

It was a few hours later when Kane came in. He carried a PaDD with him and walked past her on the floor and went to the replicator, dropping the PaDD on the floor next to Lex. “Finished the headband for Myqian. I think it’ll work. Have the specs and sim data for you if you want to look at it.” He got a glass of water and turned and leaned on the small counter separating the living space from the kitchen area and looked at Alexis sitting on the floor.

Frigga trotted over and sat at his feet watching him a moment and then very gently stood on her hind legs, one paw on his thigh, and the other flapping like she was waving at him saying ‘you’re upset, she’s upset, I don’t like it. I’m here.’

Alexis hit the control and the screen went blank as she turned and watched him cross the room. Alexis picked up the dropped PaDD and scanned it. She immediately saw what her father had, and what had prompted Anthony to ask if Alexis knew about it. The prototype was just a mash up of random bits and pieces he had sitting around the lab. She could tell from the schematics, and it made her grin. Just random pieces that he made do what he wanted them to do. She started to ask about the device, but was stopped by his next words.

“Talked to your mom. That went like awful. Spoke to your dad, too. I think he was as pissed as I was… and that’s saying something.”

Kane

“That would explain the growling. You know what she said, then.” It was part question, part statement. She didn’t like that he knew what her mother had said. “Did you convince her how wrong she was?” She couldn’t imagine that Solomon said anything in agreement with her mother, but she had a very strong urge to ask him if she loved him the way he needed. Stronger than that urge though was the absolute certainty she’d get a lecture from him about not using her smarts again. So instead she just smiled at him, but it was sad.

“My dad came and talked to me.” He’d spoken calmly and very quietly, but Alexis knew that didn’t mean anything. “He is. The very first thing he said was your mother is wrong. He only starts conversations that way when he’s really angry.”

Bonner

“No, I didn’t convince her. Didn’t try. But I did call her a few things and made damn sure she knew she was outta line. Oh, and I told her that she is done wedding planning. And she isn’t invited. We’ll tell her when it’s done.” He took a drink. “Your dad was better. But I told him that his wife is on my list. And I’m not taking her off of it.” and he took another drink and chuckled slightly. “He seemed okay with that.”

Kane

She nodded, agreement or understanding, as he talked. It was always surprising to her how they naturally agreed on things even without talking, “Good, I don’t want her there for it. Whatever it ends up being. You didn’t have to do that.” Alexis stood and walked around the counter and stood in front of him, her hand slipping into his, contemplating. “Does my father understand what happens to people on your list?” The question was serious but there was a hint of a smile too.

Bonner

Kane nodded and said “I specifically mentioned her mouth, glue, and a Naussican cooking school.” He stood up straight and stood in front of her, lowering his head so his forehead rested on top of her head and closed his eyes. “Don’t ever think that what she said was right. It wasn’t. I know you love me. You show me everyday. And I see it.”

Kane

That was her mother! Alexis wanted to be upset, to feel some level of repulsion at the idea, to laugh at the absurdity of such a threat knowing Solomon would never do it. But she didn’t feel it, and she knew without a doubt Solomon would do it if he felt it necessary. She couldn’t, she wouldn’t be upset over it.

Alexis closed her eyes, her arms reaching up to wrap around him. Her breath left her slowly along with tension. She guessed she needed to hear that more than she thought she did. But not as much as she might have once needed the reassurance. “I know you love me too.” She breathed in and out slowly. “Right now I feel… breathless, safe, wanted......love. I love you and you love me. It’s locked away in my strange, convoluted, beautiful brain of mine. No matter what happens, no one, especially my mother, will break this. It’s a part of me and a part of you, right?’

Bonner

“Maybe we could send your mom to the Counselor… they’d make a cute couple, I think.” Kane said with a malicious grin.

Alexis grinned, “Sure, as long as I don’t have to do couples counseling with my mother.”

“Can we just call it a night? You can look at the headband and I can take a shower. I gotta wash this day off if me.”

Kane

“Yeah, we can.” She hugged him before she stepped back slowly, snagged the PaDD where she had set it down. On her way into the bedroom, she looked over her shoulder at him, “You want company or a little bit of solitude?”

Bonner

Kane smiled and said “Company is always welcome. Besides… gotta show me you love me… right?” with a wink as he walked into the bathroom.

Kane

Alexis laughed and followed him. The day was soon washed away, it was just them. The way it should be. Stretched out in bed they discussed the headband. It was a brilliant piece of medical technology that met a real need. Alexis had been working on a way to repair and regrow cells in the Betazoid paracortex for those with brain injuries. They speculated and brainstormed on if the technique could be reversed and help to bolster the telepathy of those who had been telepathically disabled.

---

Alexis didn’t think much about the question, the choice, her father had put before her. However it stirred and swirled in the back of her mind. It continued to do so as she slept.

=^=CMDR BONNER YOU ARE NEEDED IN SICK BAY. MEDICAL EMERGENCY.=^=

GALEN’s voice brought her instantly awake at 0425. =^=On my way.=^= She pulled on her uniform slipped on her boots and motioned Frigga back to bed and slipped out the door.

It was a half hour after she was supposed to have breakfast with her parents. She reentered their quarters in need of a fresh uniform and a quick wash before she could head to guest quarters. She looked around for Solomon to see if he was still there or had left early. Though that was subjective. They worked a lot.

Bonner

Kane was indeed gone, but a PaDD was chiming softly as she entered. On its display was a message: ‘Breakfast has been moved to my office. Told your dad. See you there when you can.’

Alexis read the PaDD and then shut it off. “GALEN where is Frigga?” The pup hadn’t come out to greet her. =^=Frigga is in the physical therapy gym.=^= Alexis nodded, good. She didn’t want to upset the dog and Frigga would be able to tell that her people were in edge. She pulled on her jacket over a fresh uniform and zipped it up and then left taking the lift to deck 8 and walking into Solomon’s office.

Inside the CSO’s office, a transformation had occurred. Gone was the mess and chaos, replaced by a clean and well-organized environment. Small items decorated shelves and the top of cabinets. And the CSO’s desk had been covered by a thick linen table cloth and set for a meal for four. A small cart stood in a far back corner loaded down with covered dishes and pitchers of chilled water and juices… and two pots; one of hot water and the other of hot coffee. Kane was seated inside and reading something on a PaDD… waiting for the impending showdown.

Kane

Alexis raised a brow as she glanced around and then sighed. Everything from the neatly placed items on shelves to the white linen cloth was a strategic choice. Especially the choice of location. Alexis moved behind the desk, snagging an orange and rolling it between her palms. She sat in the chair next to him. “I miss the clutter.”

Kane didn’t look up but he smiled and picked up a small silver bowl of sugar and threw it over the desk/table and onto the floor. “Me too. But I’m not giving that… woman… any ammunition.”

Alexis shook her head, not even attempting to hide the grin his actions caused. She knew he saw the mess her mother left of the kitchen. Of course that wasn’t the point. “She wouldn’t know how to aim in properly anyway.” She rolled the orange around like maybe she was forming clay, half her mind back in sickbay. There wasn’t anything more she could do right now, so she let it move to the back of her mind to mull over later. She pointed to the PaDD, “Anything interesting?”

Anthony had gotten the message and from Kane and simply replied with a ‘See you then.’ The Academy didn’t often have such emergencies that required a flexibility in personal schedules, but he hadn’t always been an instructor. He enjoyed teaching, but missed field work. Medical staff though, there was no expectation of a day without interruptions or emergencies. And his daughter was an amazing doctor and dedicated. She would never pass on the responsibility unless she knew another doctor was the better choice.

He had asked GALEN to inform him when Alexis was heading toward the CSO office. When Anthony got the notification he ushered Allison out and led the way toward Kane’s office. “Why we are going to his office? Wouldn’t it be more comfortable in our quarters or the lounge?”

“They would be more comfortable there. Accept it and enjoy it.” Anthony had barely spoken to his wife since the night before and she was oddly silent as well. Arriving he quietly pressed the chime, wishing he was in uniform instead of slacks and his favorite v-neck sweater.

Bonner

The door slid open and Kane looked up. He nodded at Anthony and then stood up and pulled out a chair for Alexis, indicated a seat for Anthony… and quite deliberately and callously absolutely ignored Allison.

Alexis sat when he pulled out the chair for her, posture perfect as always, and set the orange beside her plate. Anthony moved to the chair that would put him between his wave and his daughter. Before he could pull out the chair for his wife, she sat and didn’t quite pout but everyone knew she was considering. She stared at Alexis and then Anthony as if expecting one of them to say or do something but no one would.

“So I made Eggs Benedict, bacon, oatmeal, corned beef hash, hashbrowns, and biscuits and gravy. But first drinks.” Kane said and proceeded to pour glasses of juice and coffee for him and Anthony, for Alexis he had tea ready.

Kane

The list of food seemed to make Alexis’ day because she knew something the rest of them did not. Solomon cooked, but more than that he’d baked. Specifically biscuits. A relatively easy thing to make along the choices of breads to bake, but it was a slap in the face to her mother. Alexis was grateful for the tea, it was welcome after the already long morning. Anthony picked up the coffee, taking his black, “Thank you, Kane.” He was quite well aware there was a point being made and yes there was a small part of him that felt he should feel upset at his wife being slighted, but he honestly didn’t have the energy to care. This was Alexis and Kane’s show, and he wasn’t going to interfere with it. Allison sat there a moment, waiting and then, “Coffee would be lovely,” said as a reminder she was there. Alexis just continued to sip her tea and knew Solomon would continue to completely ignore her. After a stretched out moment, “Please?”

“Of course, Mom.” Alexis put down her tea and stood reaching for the coffee pot and precisely poured the coffee, added two tablespoons of cream and the equivalent of one cube of sugar, and stirred it 4 times. Alexis had made this for her mother every morning as a child. She had take great pleasure in remember exactly how her parents liked their coffee and making it for them. A small thing, but it had meant something to her, then, to make the exact perfect cup of coffee for each of them. One way she had tried to show she loved them. This morning she made it on purpose. Alexis returned the coffee, cream, and sugar to the cart, and waited for her mother to look at her. When she did, “If you want more, you get it yourself.”

Anthony smirked over his coffee mug at Kane. This was not what he was expecting but he approved. Allison would not attempt to squeeze past all of them sitting at the desk to get to the coffee. Especially since the Kane was sitting closest to it and was rather clear she was not welcome near him.

Her conversation with Myqian hadn’t really helped Alexis make a decision but it did tell her she hadn’t studied enough so she had spent some time the day before researching. She had decided to approach her mother with the theory of positive feedback loops. An idea based on the work of Seligman, who was considered the father of modern positive psychology. Unless her mother showed good behavior, she would be ignored. She would not get a reaction for negative behavior. She would be given the opportunity to participate and then either responded to or ignored.

As the food was passed, Alexis looked at her father, “What did you think of the Arboretum, Daddy?” Anthony went on for a couple of minutes about some of the plant species he got to examine that he’d not seen before. Alexis took the bowel with the biscuits and offered him one and then held it out toward her mother and waited with wicked gleam in her eye. She probably shouldn’t look so gleeful but she had no desire to conceal it. Allison saw her holding the dish for her, but didn’t take one. “Mother, do you want a biscuit?”

“Oh…” she reached in and took one. She smiled hesitantly at Kane. “I would have happily made them so you didn’t have to replicate them. They are so much better that way.” It was a backhanded insult.

Bonner

Kane sipped his coffee and then, very slowly and deliberately, picked up a biscuit and took a huge bite, locking eyes with Allison as he did. He chewed slowly for a moment and then said “I made them myself… actually.” He kept staring at her, never blinking, until he had chewed and swallowed the bite. He took a sip of coffee and then said flatly and with a level of contempt that he didn’t even try to hide “Ahhh… delicious.” and finally looked away from her and smiled a loving smile at Alexis.

Kane

Alexis smiled back at him, eyes wide with suppressed laughter, and squeezed his hand just a moment. Then went back to her food lathered in gravy. Anthony did not say one word, but he was already on his second biscuit. Before he thought better of it, “These are excellent, care to share the recipe?” Alexis almost spit out her food. Alexis and her father talked quite a bit about work and projects. At one point Allison sighed, “Can’t we discuss something other than work?” Alexis ignored her and went right along telling her father about the work she and Solomon were doing with the tritanium slips. There were a few more attempts at interruptions. Allison even glanced over at the coffee when her cup emptied, but never got up. The conversation went back and forth but there was never any attempt from Allison to apologize or try to do more than whine. “Alexis what else have you been doing? Other than work that is?”, “Anthony, why are you asking more about her work? She’ll never stop.” That one did get an answer from her husband, “Because I actually enjoy hearing about the things my daughter likes.” “This is quite good, Kane, thank you. I wish I could eat more, but we waited so long to eat.” Alexis, no matter what she said, ignored her.

Bonner

Kane participated in the conversation, asked questions of Anthony and served food as was needed… but only to Alexis and Anthony. He even went so far as to set the coffee pot down near Allison for a moment and (to Alexis’s eye, anyway, waited) then smoothly picked it up just as Allison was reaching for it and filled his own cup and set it back after asking Anthony if he wanted any more.

Kane

Allison wasn’t stupid, she was quite well aware she was being made fun of. At least that’s how she saw it. That her family didn’t like that she had been honest with Alexis about things. “Alexis you are being very rude. I blame your father and his pushing you into Star Fleet. All this focus on duty and regulations, you have forgotten how to be civil.” Almost…almost Alexis said something. None of this was her father’s fault nor did he push her into Star Fleet. But Anthony shook his head ever so slightly and rolled his eyes, and Alexis went blithely on with their conversation.

Suddenly Allison blamed Kane for it. Alexis had never been so rude. After Kane’s visit with her the day before she was certain Alexis must have picked up this rude and hateful attitude from him. It was bad for her. AND he’d called off the wedding. Had he even told her daughter that. She would be devastated. Alexis would need her. Quite calmly and very politely, “Alexis, I have a question.” And nothing else. She would play their game.

Alexis looked over at her, “What’s that mom?”

“Well I was wondering if you are aware of my conversation with Kane yesterday? Because it concerns me that you are sitting there as if nothing is wrong.” Alexis wasn’t sure where this was going, but she just stared at her mother. “He cancelled the wedding, men don’t do that unless they change....”

A resounding bang and rattle of dishes filled the small office space as both Alexis’ hands slammed onto the table. “Don’t.” She grabbed the orange that started to roll of the table. “You can say whatever you want about me, about dad, our family, but don’t you dare drag Solomon into this.”

Alexis turned to Solomon and reached up and her fingers traced along his jaw and the gently pulled out the ear piece, then she removed her own and held them in her open palm. “These are ear pods with a tympanic membrane programmed with a subvocal pickup. So let me assure you that when he told you that you are done helping with our wedding he knew my opinion about it, and if he didn’t he could quite easily ask me.” Alexis leaned forward her brown eyes locked on her mother. “Let me make this very clear for you. I. Do. Not. Want. You. There. Why would I? You don’t love me, you don’t think I am even capable of loving anyone, and you think Solomon cancelled the wedding because he’s unhappy.” Allison opened her mouth. “Don’t. I see the pity on your face. I may choose to not drown my life in over-sentimentality, but that does not mean I don’t recognize it, or feel it. If I’m a disappointment of a daughter, I learned it from my disappointment of a mother.” The words like everything Alexis did were carefully considered before uttering them. Allison looked dumb struck and Anthony…heartbroken.

Alexis took her earbud and slipped it back into her ear holding Kane’s out to him.

Bonner

Kane took the earbud and put it back in his ear. “Weird… we’ve worn these things for so long it felt weird without it.” Kane looked at Anthony and said “I told you before, and I’m telling you again. This isn’t your fault.” and he then turned and looked at Allison.

“Lady… I haven’t changed my mind about Lex. I have changed my mind about Anthony here. I thought he was a coward. Told him so yesterday. But that opinion has changed. I think he is probably the most sincerely good person I have ever met. Not because he raised an extraordinary daughter. Not because he has a reputation for being fair and supportive of his staff and students.” and he looked at Anthony and said “Oh, yeah… I checked.” and he looked back at Allison. “Now, while all those things are solid reasons for my shift in opinion of him, those aren’t why I don’t think he is coward. You see… he couldn’t be a coward and have stayed with your petulant, self-righteous, smug, condescending, petty, judgmental ass this long. He’d have to have a spine of pure deuterium to not have smothered you in your sleep decades ago. I mean hell, I’ve known you all of three days and I want to feed you your own heart… if you had one.” He paused for a moment and then said “And by the way, my biscuits are better than yours. You use too much baking soda.”

Kane

Allison just stared at them all, offended but indifferent even about being fed her own heart. Until Kane said her biscuits were bad. Her face turned bright red and her glare could easily have matched one of Solomon’s milder ones. She looked at Anthony, sputtering and he just shrugged, “Told ya.”

Alexis stared across the desk at her mother. “I remember when I was really little you playing games with me, telling me stories, letting me play in the kitchen while you worked. You were always laughing and eager to see whatever I wanted to show you. I remember you being shocked about a lot of it, but you were happy. Then when I was about 8 almost 9 that changed. So drastically I thought you had a vitamin D or vitamin B spectrum deficiency. I begged Daddy to take you to the doctor. Something was wrong with you and I was terrified. Now as an adult I know two things. The first that if it had been a vitamin deficiency, you still have it and you’d be dead or comatose by now. Secondly, it started a lot earlier than that, but it was the first time I realized it was directed at me.” Alexis shook her head, “Mom, you need help.”

“Why because I’m not you? I’m not smart? So you are better than me?” Allison rolled her eyes.

Anthony threw his hands up in the air, “For God’s sake Allison no one thinks you are stupid. Hateful, mean, cruel. You didn’t used to be that way. Alexis is right though, you need help.”

Alexis rolled her eyes, “No I’m not better than you because I’m smart, mom. I’m better than you because I make a difference. You don’t. I’m a Federation renowned doctor. You? You’re a baker.” She almost sneered the word.

Anthony thought that was going a bit too far, not because Alexis was wrong or that Allison didn’t deserve it, but because Alexis wasn’t that kind of person. Alexis shook her head at him and he remained quiet. “You are one of the most talented bakers on Earth. You could bring joy to a lot of people. Bake special cakes for children in the hospital, teach an elementary class how to bake cookies, bake meals for those in hospice care, bake meat pies and send or GO to help relief efforts and make meals for people. For patients with mental illness you could work with their doctors and families to create special meals because the two strongest sensory triggers are smell and taste. You could bring joy to people, fill starving stomachs, but you don’t.”

Bonner

“Because to do that requires something called empathy. Two of the three people at this table have that in spades. One can fake it pretty well, and then there’s you.” Kane said. “And I’m gonna disagree with Lex here. I don’t think yiu do those things she said because you just don’t. It’s because you choose not to. Like they said, you aren’t stupid. You’re just heartless. And you are pissed because people like your daughter more than you. Even with her… how did you put it?… oh yeah. ‘Over-analytical brain’. And they like your husband better, because he’s a good person and treats people with respect. You’re jealous of them, because they can connect with people and you can’t. All you can do is pretend you give a shit, but even that is transparent and worthless.”

Kane