Breaths of Fresh Air

Lindsey, Steven and Evelyn Hale and Charlotte Knight

Another argument in the Hale Household, what a novelty. Steven groaned as he reached behind him to grab his headphones and plant then squarely over his ears to block out the sound of his sister Evy and his mother screaming at each other. "Damn Craig women," he muttered as he pushed his nose against his PADD once more. Facts about ailments and cures for all species known danced in front of his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose but kept at it. He had a major exam tomorrow so he needed to be hot on it or he'd be off the Starfleet Medical course.

There was an almighty scream from downstairs that made Steven jump even with his music turned up full. Yanking off his headphones, he threw them down and stormed out of his room. The only reason he'd come home was because he couldn't put up with his damn roomy at the Academy for one more day. Stomping downstairs, he ducked as a piece of cutlery whizzed past his ear.

"What the hell's goin' on here?" he yelled at the two women who were in full screaming mode. He settled fuming hazel eyes on his sister and folded his arms. "Evy?"

"She won't give permission for me to enlist early in the Marines," the fifteen year old cried, sniffing lightly but still shaking with fury and indignation.

"I ain't havin' one of mine in the grunts," Lindsey replied evenly. "Not until they're old enough to do it for themselves."

"For Godsake, Momma, just sign the damn form and get her out of your hair," he sighed. His reward was a whack from Evy on his arm that left it numb and his sister storming past him and running up the stairs. The slam made him wince more that the punch had and he sighed again. "I didn't mean it like that."

Lindsey actually slumped in relief as she rubbing her middle finger over her eyebrow. "I know, sweets, she's just bein' over sensitive right now. But I ain't signing the form and neither's your father. That girl can become a Marine when she's damn well old enough to understand what it means."

"She understands, Momma," he said softly as he wandered over to get himself a soda from the refrigerator. "But I think you're right. If she waits, she'll feel like she deserves it more."

"Exactly," Lindsey nodded. " 'Cept she don't see it that way, I'm just a wicked witch for making her wait."

"Momma, you're gonna have to tell her that," Steven said carefully. "She's not a kid any more, she'll understand, you just gotta start treating her like an adult."

Holding her arms tightly around herself, Lindsey sighed as she nodded. "I know. But I want her to stay my little girl, Stevie, she's just a baby."

This was what Evy heard as she crept up to the kitchen: just a baby. "Y'know," she said very softly, "I was gonna apologise for bein' so mean. Turns out, I'm just a kid so I don't have to."

Steven could feel the air crackle with yet another fight coming so he grabbed his jacket from the hook by the door and just walked off. "I'm going for a drink," he called, "I'll be back after dinner, don't wait up." Before his mother could object, he shut the front door behind himself and made a beeline for the nearest transport station.

The Texas heat thumped down on him as he trudged along mourning his night of supposedly peaceful revision. "Well," he told himself, "I've been workin' on it for weeks, I might just scrape the grade."

As he swung into the station, he waved to the operator. "San Francisco," he called. "China Town. I'm in some deep need of some decent chinese food."

Winking at the young man, the operator nodded to one of the pads. "Co-ordinates set, sir," the woman chimed. "Ready when you are."

He gave the pretty blond a bright Hale grin, tilting his head to the side. "Fancy joining me?"

Her silvery laughter filled the whole station as she shook her head. "I'm filling in for my cousin," she explained. "But the shift doesn't finish for another five hours. But come back and see me after. Maybe we can have a drink."

"Oh I think I can manage that for a pretty lady," he laughed as he dissolved into molecules. The trip was of course instantaneous but it still felt like forever to Steven. Cool, ocean air was his reward though and he breathed deep and grinned. "Damn it's good to be back!" he called out in a crow. Several of the patrons queuing to get elsewhere shot him strange looks but he just smiled at them and waved to the transport operator. "If a pretty blond from Texas comes through, tell her I'm eatin' my way through an all-you-can-eat buffet."

The fresh air was like a balm. He couldn't keep the grin off his head and thoughts of his exam didn't even creep into his mind. Each step away from the station was a step further from the stress of his family. His mother had insisted he come home during his exams and he'd been dubious given what Christmas had been like but he loved his home so he'd gone. Now he was regretting his decision. At least the gabby counsellor and their rather quiet and strange third roommate caused less headaches.

The scent of his favourite buffet drew him into the bustle of China Town. His grin wide, he waved at the patron who rolled his eyes at the young man and wafted Steven to a table near the window.

"Good for business to see people eat so much," the old man chuckled.

"Hey at least I didn't bring Tennyson and Sinon," he laughed, his eyes sparkling.

"Then I would have to call in my part-time chefs," the old man bowed as he backed off, muttering about young men with hollow legs and bottomless stomachs.

Steven relaxed back in his chair as his favourite light larger was brought to the table along with a plate for the buffet. Closing his eyes just a moment, he opened them only to find that the table across from his was suddenly occupied. Not that he minded, the view was magnificent. Glossy red hair and eyes so dark that she had to be at least part Betazoid plus skin as fair as milk left his eyes just about popping from his head. Despite his enjoyment, he remembered his manners so when the woman (roughly his age by his reckoning) glanced up he smiled brightly.

"Nice evenin'," he called.

Charlotte peered out the window to the soft summer sun then nodded. "Very pleasant." Good view too, she mused as she settled her eyes back on the dusty blond with hazel eyes and a nice smile.

"Care to join me?" he called back, waving a hand to the spare seat in front of him. "Or you waitin' on someone?"

"No, I'm all on my lonesome," she chuckled as she rose gracefully to her feet and sauntered over. Sliding into the proffered chair, she propped her elbow on the table and offered him a lopsided smile. "My name's Charlotte Knight though most call me Charlie to my mother's horror."

"I'm Stevie Hale," he offered her his hand across the table and was pleasantly surprised by her firm grip. "You just here in SF on business?"

"No, I'm at the Academy, fourth year. I graduate in a couple of months actually." Setting her chin on her hand, she looked him over and asked, "D'you often ask strange women to sit at your table."

"Only lonely looking ones," he replied with a shrug. "It helps that you're beautiful." Only two years older then, he mused. "So, a fellow cadet? What's your major?"

"Science," she said, tipping her head to the side. "Yours?"

"Medical. Gonna be a doctor if I can get through the exams with my family driving me to distraction and my roommies never stopping with their late night philosophy sessions." He rolled his eyes then grinned again. "Got myself a make or break exam tomorrow morning at nine, but I just couldn't stand the fights or Sinon's damn music any more."

They chatted on from there about anything and everything from his annoying family and roommates to her Betazoid heritage, twin sister and fascination with old black and white movies.

"Casablanca," she said firmly. "It's the ultimate classic."

Putting on his worst Humphrey Boggart impression, he said, "You could play it for her, you can play it for me!"

"Aha! Yes!" she cheered. "No misquoting. You've seen it?"

"Hell yeah, I know most of it off by heart. Used to sit with my cousin Vix when she was in hospital and we'd do a Boggart marathon starting with Casablanca and ending with the Maltese Falcon. I just adore Key Largo, he's such a great actor."

Charlotte opened her mouth to add that she liked Carry Grant but someone caught her attention. A new patron had come in only the girl was barely sixteen, had Stevie's hair but bright blue eyes. What caught her attention though was her blotchy face and the way she was peering at everyone to find someone in particular. Leaning over, Charlotte placed a hand on Stevie's then nodded her chin at the new comer. "Vix?"

He glanced over then almost flinched. "Not a chance. That's Evy." He stood, lifting Charlotte's hand to his lips. "I'll be right back." Sauntering over, he touched Evy's shoulder then did flinch when he saw how hard she'd been crying. "Baby girl?" he asked softly.

"Momma wants me to stay with you for a while," she whispered, her voice hitching. "Least until Daddy gets home. Stevie, she's thrown me out."

Wrapping his littlest sister in his arms, he sighed as he cuddled her tightly. "Oh baby girl. Come and have some Chinese with us. You eaten anything today?"

"No." She shivered as she allowed herself to be led to the table. "Us?"

"Evy, this is Charlie," he told her as he dragged over a new chair. "Charlie, meet my littlest sister, Evelyn. Evy, I'm gonna give Mirrie a call, see if we can find you somewhere more comfortable to sleep than a three bed bedsit with three guys."

"I've got an apartment in town," Charlotte offered softly, taking the girl's hand. "It's got a spare bedroom. You can stay with me, if you like."

"I... No offense, ma'am, but I don't really know you and you've only just met Stevie so if it's all the same..." Evy shrugged. "I'm sorry..."

Charlotte let out a soft, musical laugh and shook her head. "Not at all. It's fine." Her dark eyes settled back on Steven as she added, "How's about you both come over and stay?"

He didn't dare to hope he understood her meaning, he couldn't, it was just wrong so he smiled and nodded. "I'll take the couch if you've got one. That sound fair to you, baby girl?"

Evy nodded slowly as she reached over and swiped an egg roll from Steven's plate. "Sure, sounds like fun."