<USS Avalon> A different sort of family

TʼLeara entered her quarters following her shift and removed her jacket, 
holding it out absently. The Ivy to her right snaked out a vine and took it 
from her, placing it carefully upon a hanger. Another long vine handed her a 
steaming cup of tea, which she set upon desk. 
 
"Jasmine," TʼLeara commented appreciatively. "Good choice."
 
TʼLeara went to the replicator and obtained a piece of raw meat, a quarter cup 
of plant food, and a small dry salad. Setting the salad upon her desk next to 
her tea and handing the Ivy the plant food, she turned toward the Venus 
Flytrap. It was then that she noticed George, drooping pathetically over the 
rim of his pot.
 
"Was George not watered today, Gracie?" she asked the Ivy. The Ivy didnʼt move. 
Picking up the watering pitcher, TʼLeara turned back to the Ivy and offered it 
to her. 
 
"Why would you let him wilt?" she demanded. 
 
The Ivy snaked a tendril forward and gently tapped TʼLearaʼs hand. "It was an 
accident, Gracie. I was equally responsible for the incident." 
 
The Ivy did not respond. The Flytrap seemed to droop further. 
 
"To punish him in this manner is both illogical and unacceptable. I assure you 
I am quite over the effects. Dr. Maher was more than efficient in his care." 
Holding out the watering pitcher again, TʼLeara reminded the Ivy gently, "We 
have only each other, Gracie. Let us not lose sight of that now." Almost sadly, 
she added. "It would be a terrible thing to be completely alone."
 
Slowly, and with seeming reluctance, the tendril wrapped thrice around the 
handle of the watering pitcher, taking it and carefully dampened Georgeʼs 
roots. 
 
TʼLeara nodded her approval and, after tossing George his dinner, set down to 
partake of her own, content in the knowledge that her "family" remained intact.

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