<USS Avalon> "Confronting the Past" By Cmdr. Skyler and Lt. Marksbury

"Confronting the Past"
By Commander Skyler and Lieutenant First Class Elissabeth Marksbury
 
 
Skyler left the staff meeting with more than a few things on her mind, one of 
which had to do with Lt. Marksbury. Was she having the same flashbacks to that 
time when Skyler knew her as Lt. Lyryn Cate of the Tempest? Did she wonder 
where those memories were coming from or was it just Skyler who was having 
those memories? Skyler had to find out, so she made her way to Lt. Marksbury's 
quarters. 
 
Once she arrived she rang the chime and waited for an answer. She needed 
answers before she totally went crazy. 

Lissi had been sitting down working on that list of questions for the Rydyns.  
She was trying to figure out how to make it seem like she was telling them 
everything they wanted to know without telling them anything at all.  
 
When the chime rang, she smiled thinking it was Monroe.  She went to the door 
and was more than surprised to find Cmdr. Skyler standing there looking a bit 
worse for wear.  She felt badly for her friend - but knew that she couldn't let 
onto the fact that they had been friends.  She was still having to be Lissi.

"Commander.  This is a surprise.  How can I help you?"  

 "Lt. I was wondering if you had a few moments to talk? I need to clear up a 
few things and I hope that perhaps you might be able to help me." Skyler wasn't 
sure if Lyryn was going to admit anything, but Skyler had to try. She knew the 
Lt. had remembered something that time in Sickbay. Hopefully she would admit to 
it now.

 
"Of course, Commander.  Please, come in."  Lissi gestured for her to enter her 
quarters.  "I was just working on a project for the Rydyns and it's not been 
easy going - I'm glad for the break.  Please sit.  Would you like some tea?"

Skyler looked around the quarters and they were immaculate. She wished her mind 
was immaculate but at the moment it was a mess. Taking a seat Skyler passed on 
the tea. "Actually I would like to get right to business if you don't mind?  
I'm afraid if I don't, my mind won't last much longer." Skyler waited for Lissi 
to have a seat.

 
Lissi sat down right away, her brow furrowing in worry.  "Go ahead, Commander.  
What is it?"  
 
Skyler decided the best way was to just get straight to the point. "I have been 
having flashbacks and memories of you and myself in another time. At that time 
you were a Lt Lyryn Cate of the ISS Tempest and you were holding me prisoner. 
Over a period of time we became friends and you joined the crew of the Avalon 
as Lyryn Cate. Once we returned to Earth, you, your friend James, myself and my 
husband Mehdi had gone out to dinner. During dinner you and James were taken at 
gunpoint by Intel with no reason why. I tried to find out, going as far as 
Starbase 12 to find out what was going on. I ended up getting a brain wipe. In 
fact I had to have it done a second time, because the 
first one didn't take. I am beginning to think the second one didn't take as 
well, because I still remember you as Lyryn Cate and I have a feeling that you 
are feeling the same thing." Skyler kept watching Lissi for any reaction hoping 
that what she was saying was getting through.  She couldn't judge Marksbury's 
reaction at all.  It was that same stoic calm she had known Lyryn for.

Lissi debated for a moment what to tell her.  In the end, she remembered how 
much Skyler had done for her and couldn't stand seeing her in this pain.  Lissi 
leaned over and hugged Skyler, much to her surprise.  "I was beginning to think 
I was the only one who remembered.  I didn't know what to do or say - I still 
don't," she confessed, sitting back again.  
 
Skyler was surprised by the hug, yet at the same time thankful for it. At least 
she wasn't going as crazy as she thought. "Just tell me anything you remember. 
Anything at all."

 
"I - I pretty much remember everything."  Lissi sighed, wondering where to 
begin.  "Everything you said was perfectly true.  I was taken by Intel and ... 
hired by them.  I work for Intel, though I'm assigned to the Avalon.  James 
decided to remain on Earth at Intel.  I don't think the memory wipe worked for 
me either because after that temporary bout of amnesia, everything came back to 
me. It's a little fuzzy still in places, because it's like I have two complete 
sets of life memories in my head and I have to concentrate on who I am.  
Mostly, I try to be Lissi and forget all about Lyryn Cate.  But I can't forget 
the fact I'm friends with James - or with you.  And this is where my trouble 
begins.  Should I tell them I remember or just keep it to myself - well, and 
you ?  No matter what, it feels like I'm doing the wrong thing.  Even now, 
telling you that I work for Intel.  I probably shouldn't have."  Lissi sighed 
and waited to see what Skyler said.  
 
Skyler stood up and walked - or rather paced back and forth across the room. 
She was at a loss, yet at the same time she felt like a weight had been lifted 
from her shoulders. She wasn't imagining things. They had really happened. She 
turned and looked at Lissi and paused before speaking. There were tears in her 
eyes. "I don't care if you are working for Intel. I am just glad I am not going 
as crazy as I thought I was and that everything I thought had happened really 
did. I couldn't talk to anyone about it because I knew that no one would 
believe me. Dr. Cazook wasn't going to give me any answers, it's her job to 
keep the truth away from both of us. I just hope that now that we both know 
the truth, that we can remain friends and can talk to each other about what has 
happened to us. No one else on this ship has gone through what we have or has 
had to deal with what we are dealing with. Does any of this make sense to you?" 
Skyler wasn't sure want to expect from Lissi. She didn't know what the Lt. 
would expect from her.

 
"It makes perfect sense, Skyler.  I haven't forgotten what you did for me and I 
will be here for you."  She paused to let Skyler dry her tears. "Does this mean 
that I don't have to tell them my memory is intact?"  
 
"If you can deal with two sets of memories then you don't have to tell them 
anything. I'm not going to tell them that's for sure."

 
"I don't like going against the rules, Commander.  I hope you know that.  But I 
sure am glad that we can be friends again," she smiled.  "And I'm glad that you 
feel better."  
 
"The only one that is going to know you are going against the rules is myself 
and I don't plan on telling anyone. Especially since I would be going against 
the rules myself. As for feeling better, I still have a ways to go. This is 
only one part of a bigger problem. Taking care of it, does relieve some of the 
stress I am under but not all. Definitely not by a long shot." Skyler wished 
the rest of her problems could be solved so easily, however dealing with a 
sister she didn't know about, lies, and the disrespect of other officers were 
not going to be as easy to deal with. "I want to thank you for taking this time 
out of your busy day to talk to me Lt. Your secret is safe with me."

 
"Thank you.  Actually, I'm very glad you stopped by - you've taken a lot off my 
mind as well.  You are welcome anytime, Skyler .  And is there anything else I 
can help with - as a friend?" 

"I wish there was something you could do, but unfortunately I am going to deal 
with the rest of my problems alone. Thanks for the offer. If you decide you 
want to talk you know where to find me. For now I will let you return to your 
duties. Keep up the good work. I have been keeping track of you and have heard 
nothing but good things. Have a good day Lt." Skyler got up and made her way 
toward the door, turned around to say something, but walked out instead.

 
Lissi watched her go and sighed.  She really wanted to talk to Maturin about 
this latest development, but she had way too much to get done. Instead, she 
returned to her desk and picked up the list of questions. 



                
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