Posted by Lieutenant Commander Alexis Bonner (Assistant Chief Medical Officer) in Enduring Correspondence

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Dr. Solomon Kane (Chief Science Officer/Research & Development) in Enduring Correspondence

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Alexis Bonner (Assistant Chief Medical Officer) in Enduring Correspondence
Posted by… suppressed (10) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
Alexis had a message from Hannah. It came a sooner than their normal correspondence, which made her curious. She sat at the desk and opened the message…

Hannah was playing with the dog tags that were hanging around her neck again. They were a heavy weight. She signed quietly into the recording. =/\= Hey Nugget. How are things? You figure out everything? You get married? Did your mom go over board? Did your dad cry? I wish I could have been there..” Hannah paused and lifted the chain. “Look what I got back. I don’t know what to tell you, Alexis. It’s one of those things your dad always says only your heart can understand. Right now mine doesn’t. Only that I am grateful I found him, and angry that he was taken away again.” Hannah sat back and her hands started and stopped a few times. “I wish we had gotten married. I wish we had broached the subject at least. I am lonely in a way I can’t explain to you. We were so content to just be together, it all passed us by. I’m glad that hasn’t happened to you. Don’t waste time over thinking your life with Solomon, just do it.“

“I took a new position, but I think I may go home for a visit first. I’ll contact you when I get settled. =/\=

Alexis stared at the screen for a long moment. She turned the console off and got up from the desk. She had things to do.

Bonner

It had almost been a month and Hannah still had not contacted Alexis again. Alexis had sent her several messages and no reply. She opened her comms one more time and started a recording:

HANNAH LORI ASIMINA ANSWER YOUR COMMS!!!! Alexis was worried. It was all over her face as she signed in the most agitated way possible. That was something. Alexis never got worked up…well not before she met Kane anyway. The sound of Alexis slamming her hands on the desk and rattling the screen so it went fuzzy, made Hannah feel bad. Alexis was really worried. Hannah, really. You aren’t like me, so don’t tell me you got lost in your work. I saw when I had to actually look you up that you are the AMO for Oed V now. You will do great, I know. But ANSWER YOUR COMMS. Alexis huffed. A note that you are alive and okay will suffice. Twelve hours. If you don’t, I swear I will leave my Honeymoon and travel to Oed to find you.

There was another note sent 20 hours later with Alexis’ travel itinerary to get to Oed. Hannah had sent a very quick note back then. Alexis, calm down. I’m alive and on Oed. I am not okay but I am. I have my first shift at the hospital in an hour. I will call today or tomorrow morning. Promise.

Finally almost a day later the comms chirped with an incoming live call. The Star Fleet symbol rotated around and around and then the screen flashed to Hannah as Alexis sat. Alezis wanted to laugh as Solomon shouted. “Damnit it’s our Honeymoon!”

“It’s Hannah.”

“Oh, well that’s different. Tell her I said to stop avoiding you. It makes you cranky.” And then his masculine laughter carried to her from the other room.

Hannah! Are you okay? I mean it! You can’t send me a message like that and not answer for almost a month!

Hannah sighed and nodded. You’re right, Alexis. I am sorry. I just…I can’t even blame it on the work. I… It was one thing to tell Jason, and how easy that was.

You what? What is it? Alexis waved her hand at the screen to get Hannah’s attention. Hannah turned to look back at her. I think I’m crazy Alexis. I…well I met this guy like two days ago…and he left me this letter… Hannah pulled it out of her pocket and waved it to show. He…signed it ‘love’. I mean…what?

Alexis sat back and gave Hannah the most neutral and typical ‘Alexis is thinking’ look ever. Wait, two days and you…spent the night with him? Hannah, that’s not like you. Hannah shrugged and made a motion to get Alexis talking. Well lots of cultures sign off letters with such statements. Maybe he did it out of habit?

No I don’t think so, listen, and Hannah read the letter to Alexis. What do you think?

I don’t know; I have never gotten a love letter.

Hannah looked at her like she was lying, Never? Kane has never written you a letter or a note or anything? Come on Alexis, help me.

Alexis tapped her finger against her knee, Well…yeah once on the back of a picture. He draws me pictures, he doesn’t write letters. Alexis shrugged, Come on Hannah. Why are you freaking out over this? You are always the one telling me that time doesn’t matter, circumstances don’t matter. That if it’s right it is. Then Alexis started to laugh, OMG Hannah. You are OVERTHINKING this aren’t you?!

Hannah glared at her best friend. Oh Alexis was enjoying this too much. Well I have to, Alexis. It’s not simple anymore.

Why not?

Hannah looked down and Alexis could see the sigh, it was so big, before Hannah looked at her again. He used to be with SFI and…well I just don’t know if I should trust him. I feel like I can but what if it’s just because I’m scared, and even if I can trust him, that’s not fair to him. He seems like a really nice guy. And this is such a messed up situation. I can’t just fall in love with him. There is so much to consider…

“Hannah!” Hannah stopped and looked at her at the noise. Hannah, what are you talking about? What situation?

Alexis…I’m pregnant. Alexis’ mouth dropped open and then snapped shut. It’s…Daniel’s.

Okay well, that is a tough situation. Alexis was so out of her depth. What was she supposed to say to Hannah. Give her statistics about how single parents do just fine on their own? Alexis had no idea. That wasn’t the issue though. Umm…have you told this…?

Jason…Jason Reilly. Yeah he knows. He said he had never thought about kids or a long term relationship, EVER. But then he told me had been in love once….SONUVA- IT WAS ME! HE WAS TALKING ABOUT ME! What the hell am I doing?!

Alexis was still for a long minute. How did one run a background check? Because if this guy was screwing with Hannah she wanted to know and she’d do something worse to him than they did to Soulis. Hannah…you don’t act like this, so I am going to take a guess and I might be wrong, but I think you have already fallen in love with him or you wouldn’t be over thinking this at all and you wouldn’t be staying overnight in his house talking about being in love. So no, I have no idea what you are doing because even I know where you should be and what you should be doing Hannah. Of course that was assuming this guy was who he said he was. Look Hannah, all you can do is try, and if it doesn’t work then no regrets right? And take care of yourself, both of you okay?

Hannah sighed, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to hear but she wasn’t sure that made her feel better. Though Alexis turning the table on her was funny. Yeah you’re right. I…I have to get to work. Bye Nugget. I’ll call soon.

The comms closed and Alexis stared at the screen. “Solomon! How do I do that crazy background check that will tell me everything? I know you can do that. Show me how.”

Bonner

Kane walked into the room while the vast majority of his clothes stayed in the other. “One. No. Two. You don’t need to.” and he sat down on the couch. “Jason Reilly, right? So? Whaddya want to know?”

Kane

Alexis was determined not to be distracted, but she could look anyway. Of course that wasn’t a problem as soon as he answered her. How did he do that???

Her mind raced from was he watching her conversation? No. When did he learn sign? Was he watching Hannah? Had he checked on her? Probably several times. To cataloging the next set of tattoos he was going to explain to her and he still had to design one for her. That if he already knew the guys name then he already knew if Hannah was safe or not. And if not he was doing something about it. Right? Right. Because he hated people but Hannah was important to her, just like her dad, AND Hannah was a really good person of her own right and didn’t deserve to be used. And several other distracting thoughts she would attempt to ignore for now.

So what was most important, what did she need to know so she could honestly tell Hannah she was okay. “1 is he using her? 2 Is he really out of Intel? 3 Is whatever he did before or now going to put her in danger simply because? 4 How do you do that!?”

Bonner

He watched her try not to look and grinned evilly, laying just so so she had no choice but to see those particular tattoos her eyes kept going to. “One. I dunno. Normally I’d say yes, but I think this is different. Two. I dunno. But if he is, people are talking. Three. Maybe. Maybe not. He made enemies. You can’t do that job without making enemies. All depends on the nature of those enemies and how bad he pissed them off. Four. You should know already… I’m magic.”

Kane

“You do understand your answers do not convince me that I don’t need to research him?” Alexis wasn’t quite ready to attempt it on her own, but she would if she had to. Okay so question and answer, she could do that. And at the moment Alexis really loved her brain. She could do that and enjoy looking at the same time. Though she might have to admit to herself if the topic was anything other than Hannah she probably could not. “One why do you think this is different? Two are people talking? Why would they be talking? If they are what are they saying? And if you haven’t looked why not? Three normally I would say that’s Hannah’s issue to decide but it’s not that simple for her anymore, so can and will Reilly protect her if it came to it? Four the jury is out on that. But I will concede you go to great lengths to convince me you are.” Alexis grinned. She had yet to see evidence he was not. She wouldn’t say that though, that made it too easy. “Five you know something, specific about Hannah and Reilly, what is it?”

Bonner

Kane took a breath and exhaled slowly. Nope, she was not going to give up. And if she started digging, that could have blowback on not just her; but maybe Hannah as well. And Kane couldn’t have that. “One. Because Reilly isn’t the type to get involved with someone unless he was working an angle. Hannah has no angles, and whats-his-nuts is outta the picture. Unless Reilly was trying to find him, which I doubt. Two, how the hell should I know? I don’t pay attention to that drama-laden crap that floats through SFI halls. And they would be talking because Reilly was kind of a star. Loyal, dedicated, and straight-up Machiavellian in his planning and scheming. If he left, they either made him, or he got sick of their bulls#!t. And I haven’t looked ‘cause he isn’t any of my business. Three? I will tell you this directly. If Reilly is truly with Hannah? As in not for an Op but because he just wants to be? Oh, I would pity anyone who tried to get to her… SFI included. Four, I am magic… I amazed you a few times last night, if I remember right. And five, yeah… I do. Because he called me night before last and asked if she was a player in the Intel world. Apparently my name came up in their talking and… well… we have a kind of ‘history’.”

Kane

Alexis stared at him. This was hard for her. In all the years of their friendship, Hannah had never asked Alexis for help or advice. Alexis didn’t count when Hannah asked for her help studying because Hannah knew the material as well as she had. Hannah had only asked because no one else would partner with her. Alexis wanted to help her. To tell her something useful. She hadn’t exactly ended their conversation in a way that helped Hannah at all.

So one either something changed for Reilly or he was using Hannah. The only thing that would be for was Daniel, but Solomin didn’t think so. Hannah hadn’t been on Oed long enough to know anything that was going on there…Alexis didn’t think anyway. Two, his answer didn’t surprise her and made her smile slightly. Solomon wasn’t going to be involved in anyway with something that had nothing to do with him. He simply didn’t like people and didn’t care. His description of Reilly was telling. It was games again. Reilly apparently was good at them. But that circled back to whether he was playing Hannah or not, so not helpful. Three was only reassuring if Hannah actually mattered to this guy. The risk was really Hannah’s business. It wasn’t like Hannah didn’t know the risk of getting involved with someone like that. Alexis knew the choice was different for Hannah now though because she was pregnant.

Four, “You amaze me on a regular basis.” Alexis flushed as she stared at him. She would really like to get this resolved so they could go back to their Honeymoon. It had to be resolved because Alexis wasn’t going to be able to just drop it.

“Five, what did you tell him, and what kind of history?” Alexis wasn’t sure he would tell her and that was fine, but she could speculate. Solomon didn’t have good history since he moved with anyone. Before he came to Ogawa it was a hole and that meant Reilly probably had some thing to do with that. And that made her stomach churn for him and for Hannah. Alexis held her hands palm up in front of her. “Would you trust him with me?” Okay so maybe not quite a valid question. She didn’t think he would trust anyone with her, but that wasn’t the point.

Bonner

Kane glared at her, but not in the way he glared at… well… everyone else in the galaxy. This was a ‘Damn it can we please just go back to naked twister time’ glare. But… he knew his wife’s brain. If he didn’t get it finalized in her head, it would soon take her out of honeymoon mode and into research mode. And if that happened, he might as well go back to work.

He took a deep breath. “Reilly. Jason Reilly. Commander in Intel’ covert operations division. And also one of the ones they called in when I was in the hole. He was one of the ‘outside objective perspectives’ they brought in. And he was one of the only ones to recommend they let me go. He said I was most certainly dangerous… but I wasn’t a threat. That… that seemed to resonate with some of the brass. Anyway… so when he called he said that he wanted to make sure he want getting set up or played. I asked him why he wanted to know about Hannah and he said…” and Kane chuckled and pinched the bridge of his nose, “… he said he had met her ten hours earlier and was falling in love with her.”

Kane

Alexis opened her mouth to tell him that was absurd, but stopped because it kind of worked the same way between them, didn’t it? And it was Hannah. She was one of those uniquely wonderful people that everyone loved. It was just who she was. People couldn’t help it. The rest of his explanation gave a unique perspective. Solomon wasn’t the type to owe anyone anything. So even though Reilly argued for Kane, Kane wouldn’t throw Hannah to the wolves out of owing someone. Solomon was also scary accurate about people even though he hated them…maybe that was why he hated people? He understood them too well…huh? A thought for another time.

In the end it came down to Alexis didn’t know Reilly at all. She knew Hannah, and she knew Solomon. If Kane thought Hannah was in trouble, Alexis had to trust he would tell her so, and he didn’t. He said he thought this was different for Reilly. All the rest, if he was out, still in, in danger or not, was between Hannah and Reilly. That was all the data she had to work with, and it wasn’t much of answer. It wasn’t absolute, but conclusions rarely were. She nodded quietly and turned back to the computer and tapped the controls and began to sign.

Hannah, I am really not the best person to ask, but you did ask, so… Alexis paused a moment, You are trying to apply quantitative data analysis to a qualitative study. They don’t operate under the same rules or criteria. Only you can interpret the data. You have to decide what criteria you are examining and then decide how the data does or does not meet that criteria. I won’t even touch on your lack of hypotheses.

Alexis tapped her fingers together. Okay, I am going to tell you to do something Solomon always tells me to do because he is right. The next time you are with Jason, I want you to ask yourself ‘how you feel’. Right then in that moment. Not what you think, or why you feel the way you do, or if you should or not. Not the why’s or how’s, just how you feel. If any of that is doubt then you need space and time. Not fear (unless you are afraid of him) or apprehension, they aren’t the same as doubt. If you feel happy, safe, loved (even if you aren’t ready to admit it) then don’t let your head convince your heart it’s wrong. I love you, Hannah. We’ll talk in a few days. Alexis stopped the recording and sent it. She didn’t know if that would help Hannah or not. She was just going to have to let it go for now.

She got up from the desk and let his shirt that she had quickly pulled on when Hannah called, fall off her shoulders. She joined him on the couch and kissed him. Her hands smoothing over the Mathusian Funeral Pyre, he always seemed to like it when she did that. Then one hand slipped lower, tracing a design that was right over his hip, that he had oh so nicely made sure she had an excellent view of. “Tell me about this one.”

Bonner

Kane gave her a rare and genuine smile, accompanied by a soft groan. “Later… we’re on our honeymoon.” and he kissed her while simultaneously ripping the shirt off of her and pulling her to him.

Kane, Alexis’ Husband

She felt that smile all the way through her, all the way to her toes. Alexis wrapped her arms around him, after brushing that fall of hair back behind his ear. “Honeymoons are kiss supposed kiss to be kiss for fun. kiss Your kiss tattoos kiss are fun.” She laughed softly before concentrating fully on kissing him. That was much more pleasurable and distracting than his tattoos.

Bonner, Kane’s wife

Many hours later…

The afternoon and evening had been filled with honeymoon-esque activities, and they laid on the floor of the bedroom on a blanket hastily dragged off the bed in the midst of some very rigorous discussion of whose legs were more flexible. “Ok… what tattoo were you talking about?” and he set her hand on his hip and kissed her. “Was it this one?” The tattoo was of a humanoid skull with a hole and accompanying radiating fractures indicative of a projectile hit.

Kane