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 Civilian Yavia Crockett (Nurse - Sacred Heart Hospital) in Between the Fire and the Aftermath
Posted by… suppressed (30) 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 mischievousness, it’s just not the first way I would describe you.”

Lt. Cmdr. Fayth, SFCMO

“Then I’m gonna need ta’ try harder…” he half-whispered and started kissing on her neck as his hands began to… um… make sure she was clean everywhere.

Charles

Sharah’s laugh was low and sultry. “I think I’m in trouble… but, I really don’t care.”

…

The bathroom was filled with warm steam. It was mostly quiet, except for the occasional whisper. Sharah was doing a very poor job of trying to use a towel to wring the water out of Charles’ hair while kissing him at the same time.

Sharah

Charles grinned as she tried and failed, and then finally took her hands off the towel and set them on his hips as he began to dry his hair. “You know your hair needs more help than mine does, Sharah… I mean Medusa.” and he chuckled. He loved her hair. The thick, almost-untamable (except for V, who could whip them into looks that drew attention and the occasional whistle) curls gave Sharah an almost mythical appearance sometimes; and more than once he had caught himself (or been caught by her) staring with a stupid grin on his face. He pulled a fresh towel out and began drying her hair while simultaneously kissing her… in a much more effective manner than her previous attempt.

Charles

Sharah laughed against his lips. They both loved her hair and it gave her a warm feeling when they looked at her like that. And secretly (well maybe not so secretly) she loved when they played with her hair. Her hands did not stay resting on his hips. They ran over his sides, down his back, across his shoulders as she kissed him back. It was his fault she did such a poor job of drying his hair. How could she possible concentrate on drying his hair when she just wanted to kiss him, and his thoughts were on more than just kissing?

Sharah

After several long, sensuous moments Charles said “You know, we really should go wake up V. It’s almost that time anyway, and we can use our wet hair on her.” and he grinned wickedly.

Charles

Sharah shook her head, the curls still long from the weight of the water, “She’d probably like it. But first… I’m sorry, about earlier on the deck. I shouldn’t have said what you were thinking. I know better. I obviously shocked everyone. I know you’ll say it’s okay, but I’m still sorry.” The truth was thatvat home she didn’t worry so much about it. Charles and Yavia didn’t mind and she relaxed and was just herself. She forgot to be careful.

Sharah

Charles smiled at her and then kissed her. “It really is okay, Sharah. And I don’t mind that you can know what I am thinking. I don’t have any secrets from you or V. I love you, Sharah… everything else is just logistics.” and he kissed her cheek; his mind filled with images of her, her and Yavia, the three of them, and all that they share together. “Now… let’s go wake her up.”

Charles

Sharah knew they had no secrets, but that didn’t mean she should blurt it out in front of other people. Charles didn’t mind just like she knew he wouldn’t, so she wouldn’t worry over it. Her eyes closed and she melted into him a bit when he kissed her cheek.

She grinned up at him, “Okay.” She opened the door to the bedroom, the cooler air rushed in, chilling her still damp skin, and created goose bumps. She slipped under the blanket, where Yavia was warm and cozy. Sharah’s body was cold in comparison and her hands chilled as the slipped over the other woman. Sharah’s hair was still just damp enough to drip just a few drops of water onto Yavia’s neck.

Lt. Cmdr. Fayth, SFCMO

Yavia shivered and drew the blanket closer around her neck in her sleep and rolled onto her back.

Charles crawled in on the other side and pushed his torso up and hovered over Yavia so that his hair fell down and the wet strands dripped cold water onto the other side of her neck. He then pulled the covers down just a bit, rocking back and forth slightly so his hair drew delicate lines of moisture across her neck and the top of her chest.

Charles

There was a sleepy tug of war with the blanket that Yavia lost. She grumbled unhappily in her sleep and tried to roll over, but couldn’t. Sharah bit her lip to stop from laughing. Yavia could sleep through anything.

The water was icy and almost tickled as it dripped and ran in small rivulets. And it woke her up, instantly. “WHATTHEHE…” Sharah kissed her hungrily. “Shhhh luv. You’ll wake our guests.”

Yavia stared at her and at Charles. “That’s!” She took a breath and huffed, “That’s cold,” she dropped her voice to a whisper. “Why?” Her eyes narrowed, they were both damp and their hair was wet and they were in a lovely state of undress. “Oh, it had better be a couple of hours at least before I have to be up. Come here both of you.” She slipped an arm around Sharah, anchoring her to her side. Then she put her other hand on the back of TK’s neck and pulled him closer. “Wicked man, but next day it is really hot outside, you can do that again.” Then she kissed him good morning.

Yavia

“Deal.” He said and kissed her back. He looked up and smiled at Sharah, then kissed her as well. “You know… I love you both so much. I just wanted you two to hear that.” and he smiled and began showing them how emphatic he was about those feelings and them.

Tenkiller, CCDA- Vice- Commander

---

The tangle of limbs and uncertainty of what belonged to whom was wonderfully thrilling. Yavia laid contentedly, pressing soft kisses to one shoulder and herbhand slowly trailing over a back. Slowly she sat up and gazed at them. “I love you both eternally. I’ll never give you up.” She kissed Sharah and then TK with exquisite tenderness. She pulled the blanket over them. “Sleep for a couple of hours. I’ll set your clothes out and make breakfast for everyone.” She kissed them both again before slipping on her robe and quietly slipping out the door.

Yavia

“Wait!” TK said. “I gotta cook! Dad’s pretty particular about what he eats for breakfast. Or… we could take ‘em all to Aria’s Diner. Might be easier than cooking for seven.” and he laughed.

Tenkiller

Yavia paused at the door, “I don’t believe it. Your father might be picky, but he doesn’t have a rude bone in his body.”

“Yavia, come back to bed. We’ll go to Aria’s kitchen. Come on,” Sharah held a hand out to her. She looked at Charles, “Are you sure you don’t want to wait till Abby is back before going there?”

“Naw, it’ll be okay. She’d rather go somewhere new and different, anyways.” Charles said and he smiled at her.

Yavia gave in and crawled back into the bed between them and kissed them both senseless before laying back down.

Yavia

TK returned her kisses, and then started in on Sharah… and then he grinned wickedly at V, an invitation for her to join him.

V’s eyes sparkled as she leaned in and kissed one corner of Sharah’s lips. Her hands went into their hair and held them close.

Sometime later…

As he finished getting dressed- pulling an old, black button down shirt over a bright red t-shirt with a white ‘OU’ on the front and wearing it like a jacket- he sat on the bed and started to pull on his boots. “Y’all ready?” he asked as he stood, looked at Sharah, winked, and reached for his black cowboy hat.

Charles

Yavia was pulling on a pair of comfortable canvas shoes. She had a lavender short waist sweater on. “I’m always ready,” she grinned suggestively as she turned to look at him. Her knowing laugh was smothered in an obviously fake cough.

Yavia

Sharah snickered at Yavia, “You’ll be the death of us.” She pulled her only slightly behaving curls from under the peach wrap shirt she had secured with a rhinestone pen. She looked at Charles, her cheeks turning pink when he winked. When he grabbed the hat she turned red from the tips of her still bare toes all the way to the top of her head. She forgot to breathe for a minute.

That was not fair. They were going to eat with his patents! Not that she would notice. She couldn’t think when he dressed like that. And what was worse he knew it, and the real distraction was his feelings and his thoughts that went with them…

“Uh… I umm,” she moistened her suddenly dry lips. “I can’t go. I have to uh, go to the hospital.”

Sharah

Charles laughed and then smiled at her. “The hell you do. But I’ll play nice.” and he put the back hat away… and picked up a gray one with a turquoise band. He then stepped through the door and into the hallway. “All right, y’all! Up and at ‘em! We’re gonna take ya for breakfast and then show ya ‘round the city. Play your cards right and Yavia may show ya the bar where I picked her up after she was done dancing.” He looked back at V and grinned.

Tenkiller

As if changing the color of his hat makes a difference! Sharah groaned and covered her face with her hands. Yavia! Sharah’s hands dropped as Yavia glided up to her, set her hands on her waist and pulled her towards her.

Do you know how much I love it when your mind brushes against mine. The way you share even the smallest part of yourself. You bring me joy, Sweetheart. Yavia lifted Sharah’s chin and stared into those incredible eyes of hers. Then she framed her face in both her hands and kissed her slowly.

Sharah sighed, hugged Yavia and kissed her back. Yavia pulled back slowly and grinned at Sharah. “He should have kissed you before he left. Glad he didn’t, so I got to. It always settles you.”

Sharah flushed but laughed softly. “I don’t know what I would do without you both. You make life…”

Yavia squeezed her. Sharah didn’t have to say it, she could feel it. “Come on, get your shoes.” Yavia went into the hall way, “Lies! Sharah’s the dancer, not me.” Yavia laughed when Sharah came out the door and just stared at her.

“I am not.” She shook her head as Yavia headed up the stairs. Sharah was a moment behind her. She walked over to the window where Hope sat on the table and set her hands on the dirt.

Lt. Cmdr. Fayth, SFCMO