Posted by Major General Charles Tenkiller (Vice Commandant, Colonial Customs and Defense Agency) in Between the Fire and the Aftermath

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Sharah Fayth (Chief Star Fleet Medical Officer) in Between the Fire and the Aftermath

Posted by Major General Charles Tenkiller (Vice Commandant, Colonial Customs and Defense Agency) in Between the Fire and the Aftermath
Posted by… suppressed (11) by the Post Ghost! 👻
It was somewhere in the early hours before dawn. Sharah wasn’t exactly sure. She had to get some sleep before her official shift actually started. She could have easily fallen asleep on the couch in her office, but she wanted to home.

Abigail had finally fallen asleep. Eraras had done a good job with her injuries. Abigail had at least, finally, with Charles’ insistence, agreed to be treated. Korczak had gone to talk to her. Sharah had hoped it would help, but Abigail had only been agitated and insist he leave. Sharah had put in a request to speak to Jal’na about mediation, but she was unavailable. She would stop by and see her in the morning. Abigail was finally asleep and resting. Sharah left strict instructions to call her when Abigail woke, and she would come directly back. No one would bother Abigail in the security ward and the police standing by the door.

Abigail was hurting in so many ways, and she wanted to help the other woman. It was a need really. It always had been with Sharah, whenever anyone was hurting. Abigail didn’t really trust her though, and their experiences were so different. She thought they could understand each other if only they could find a way. The hurt and anger were heavy and made her steps slow. She entered the house quietly, making sure the door closed behind them. The house felt full with Charles’ family there. She paused just long enough to run her hands over Hope’s leaves and then tiptoed down the stairs. She didn’t want to focus enough to tell if they were asleep or not. She just wanted to float about in the noise.

She slipped into her room. It was aglow with the bioluminescent plants, creating a magical aura to her sanctuary. She wanted a shower, soak, and sleep, and hopefully without waking anyone. Charles was a light sleeper and probably heard the door open, but after his encounter with the Klingon’s hopefully he was asleep. Sharah stepped into the hot shower, the water turning her skin red before it adjusted to the sting of the heat. She stood directly under the water, head down, letting it slowly pull the tight muscles all the way down her back.

Lt. Cmdr. Fayth, SFCMO

Firm hands pressed into her back and began working on the knots in her muscles. “Hey there, stranger.” Charles said softly. “Come here often?” and he put a hand on her neck and began working the junction between her neck and shoulders.

Tenkiller, CCDA

Sharah groaned as his hands found the knots and worked them loose. It wasn’t until his had reached her neck that she was aware ofnthe tension headache that had formed. “Mmmm not nearly often enough. I’d live right here half the time if I could get away with it.” Her head drooped further. “I was trying not to wake you. You are just so insistent on being a light sleeper. I suppose Yavia’s awake, too?” She wanted to hold him, look at his face, make sure he was okay. She let him work on her back though. Sometimes people needed to give as much as receive.

Lt. Cmdr. Fayth, SFCMO

Charles chuckled. “Naw, she’s snoring her head off. Can’t say as I blame her, though… it’s been one hell of a day.” One hand worked German nevk while the other hand said down her wet skin and found purchase on the small of her back and his fingers began to press and work loose the stress-knots they found there.

Tenkiller, CIA

Sharah laughed, “She would sleep through the Great Fire.” She moaned as his finger found a particularly sore knot. “I would argue the day has been more of a hell for you than Yavia and me, but I’m enjoying what your hands are doing too much.”

He chuckled and said “Naw… not hell. Just Tuesday.”

There was a brush of care and affection and love against his mind. “How are you, Charles?”

Lt. Cmdr. Fayth, SFCMO

His hands paused for a moment and then started up when he said “Honestly? I’m okay. Disappointed in Abby for sure, but she always did have’a chip on her shoulder. Grew up with her pissed at me most’a the time. When Mary started gettin’ involved in the shaman ways, it just got worse.” He found a particularly hard knot and went to work on it. “Ain’t the first time I got my ass kicked for her. Hopefully the last, though. I ain’t nineteen anymore.” he said with a chuckle.

Charles

Sharah looked over her shoulder at him, and the swollen eye and the bruise that covered most of his face. She could feel his body’s reaction to the torn abdominal muscles as well. “Maybe you should let her get her own ass kicked. She doesn’t seem to appreciate your effort.” Sharah winced at her own words. “I’m sorry. That was unkind of me, and unnecessary.” Not that Sharah didn’t think that was accurate to a point considering Abby’s reaction to the beating Charles had taken. “You didn’t deserve that, and neither does Abby.” Her back arched sharply as a nerve spasmed as he worked at it. “Have… have you ever asked her why she has a chip on her shoulder? And made her tell you?”

Lt. Cmdr. Fayth, SFCMO

Charles smiled at her. “It absolutely was necessary, and not at all unkind. And not a bad idea!” he said with a chuckle. “Hun, I’ve talked ta her for years. But she’s not like me, Sharah… she’s stubborn.” and he laughed softly.

Charles

Sharah shook her head and grinned at him. “You can be more stubborn.” She turned in his arms, and set her hand gently along his face, looking at the damage there. She looked conflicted. “Make her talk, Charles. Healing can’t come without understanding. I’m sure you’ve all talked till your lungs burn, now make her.” Abby was smart and perceptive, even if she used that to lash out at people. Abby had secrets, but they weren’t Sharah’s to tell.

Lt. Cmdr. Fayth, SFCMO

He smiled at her and then said “It ain’t the talking she sucks at, though. It’s the listenin’. But I’ll try… again… but just for you.” and he grinned.

Charles

“I know, but you have to get the poison out before the medicine can work.” She shook her head, “No, don’t do it for me. Do it because you still love her despite what she’s done. She has consequences to face. She doesn’t hate me or Yavia, it’s just less frightening to do so.” She tipped her hair back into the water to wash it.

“I mean I’m pretty certain of that despite her calling me a ‘Lover of Itiske’.”

Lt. Cmdr. Fayth, SFCMO

Charles chuckled. “Now that’s funny. And true, too.” He began to wash her hair, his fingertips massaging her scalp. “When we are young, a lot of my people do vision quests to see if the spirits want to speak to us or to get guidance. We don’t discuss our visions with anyone, but sometimes we will get glimpses of the vision as we go through life. In my vision, Itiske came to me. He is the Coyote in other tribes, the trickster… but also the bringer of great wisdom. He told me that he had marked me. So I guess you really are the lover of Itiske.” and he laughed.

Charles

Sharah hadn’t particularly enjoyed having his sister tell her she had crawled into bed with the embodiment of chaos and disaster and duplicity and selfish mischief. At least that was the intended feeling behind the insult. Sharah didn’t seek it out, but she knew chaos and trouble dodged her steps.

Charles’ amusement blew away the hurt like a spring storm blew the pollen haze away in the spring. She laughed when he finished. “I don’t really see you as being duplicitous and tricky.” He wasn’t that way with her, but he was very wise and helped her see things that she couldn’t for herself. He made life fun. “You didn’t get the nickname ‘Skip’ for no reason, and life with you is never boring.” She tipped her head back into the water again to rinse the shampoo from it and then looked at him. “So how do I give thanks to Itiske? Being able to love you and Yavia is the greatest gift I’ll ever have. If Itiske is the reason for that, then I am grateful.”

Lt. Cmdr. Fayth, SFCMO

“Well I can think of a way or three…” he said as he stared past her tipped back head and then kissed her throat. “But honestly, Itiske doesn’t require thanks. You simply do your best to ensure that those who need you have you. And while you might not see me as tricky, I know a few smugglers and pirates that might disagree.” and he laughed loudly before catching himself so as not to wake up Yavia.

Charles

Sharah kissed him to catch his laughter. “Oh, I know you are tricky. I remember you and that doctor who thought he would get in to see Harris. We also heard all about you and William from Yavia. I am totally convinced of your micheviousness, it’s just not the first way I would describe you.”

Lt. Cmdr. Fayth, SFCMO