[ussgeorgetown] A Quiet Saturday Evening by...quite a few people
- From: TKilyle@xxxxxxx
- To: ussgeorgetown@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 18 Jul 2005 11:50:49 EDT
A Quiet Saturday Evening
by...quite a few people
***takes place during 'Saturday Evening Social'
Senek hoped Dr. Michaels wouldn't mind but he was in a bit of pain and he
was tired. He stretched out his long legs and put his feet up on the doctor's
desk. It was still just him and Zachary in the office but, considering the
little girl noise had stopped, they were soon to have company again.
Zack sat cross-legged on the floor in the far corner, seemingly listening to
something in the distance. Occasionally he'd nod or frown, yet he remained
rather eerily silent.
Mac slipped in silently and sat in the chair on the other side of the desk.
His shift would start soon, so he needed to rest at some point, yet he
couldn't quite make himself leave. Not until he was positive his friend was
okay.
Senek nodded to Mac as the other man took up a position similar to his own.
He didn't know McEntire all that well but he knew he was Joshua's friend.
Besides that, he told himself, he kept you from getting into it with Ensign
Craig and smoothed things out for Nan and his lady.
"Thank you," he said simply. He nodded toward the outer room then pointed
toward the hallway. "For both things."
It took Mac a minute to figure out what he was being thanked for. When he
did, he grinned. "No problem, man. That's what friends are for, right?"
Senek raised one brow very slowly, a bit amazed at the statement the other
man had made. Friends? What did ever do to make him say that? True, they
encountered each other more often since Zachary had become his roommate, if
only
because he'd made it clear that Joshua was always welcome to come visit, but
Senek couldn't recall more than a few words that had passed between them.
He didn't quite understand it. Then again, he knew he wasn't at his best at
the moment.
"I expect that Nan will be very pleased," he said carefully. "I apologize
for the other incident, though. As my father would say, the ensign was
pushing all the right buttons."
"No sweat, man. Hell, we've all had our days. I've been known to have a few
myself," he winked, still grinning. He yawned and stretched, trying to work
the kinks out of muscles he knew he'd be using shortly like it or not, before
looking at Senek seriously. "I really appreciate everything you've been
trying to do for the guys. I can't explain it, but I take what goes on with
them
real personal. Mean's a hell of a lot what you've done."
Senek shook his head. "I made them a promise," he said simply. He nodded
toward the still silent, but not silent, Zack. "Zachary knows why as does his
brother though I am not quite sure it would make any sense. Hardly logical
in any case."
"I understand," Mac nodded, smiling toward Zachary when he looked up at the
mention of his name. "Made a promise or two myself where they're concerned."
He closed his eyes a moment, fending off the tiredness that seemed to be
creeping in on him despite his best efforts. Standing at last, he shook his
head.
"Dammit, I guess I better move around or I'll fall asleep and miss my shift.
Com me if there's any change?"
"Of course," Senek said automatically. He might have almost smiled.
Certainly one brow went up slowly. "Assuming they let me have one in the
brig."
Mac did smile. In fact, he laughed. "You ain't going to the brig,man. Old
man can't bust you for doing the same thing he'd have done." He yawned again
and shook his head. "I really gotta go. Talk to you later, man." And with
that,
he reluctantly exited.
"Maybe he might have done so himself but he didn't," Senek muttered aloud.
He glanced over at Zack, who was still sitting quietly, yet not quietly. "It
would be illogical to not do something."
Suvuk found the latest turn of events rather astounding and almost wholly
illogical. That his chosen grandchild was, as Sashai said, neck deep in it
all
was beyond astounding. It was just incredible. He had no idea where the
young man had gotten to but there was another he had to see as well. He and
Darius Murgo needed to talk. Nodding to the Vulcan nurse, he stepped over to
where his quasi-opponent was.
Darius was laying on the bio bed, finally disconnected from the machines,
but still to weakened to move about. His mind was a mass of jumbled thoughts
and emotions that he was having a hard time with. He and Joanna would work
things out, but he was giving it all up to do so. What would he do now? He was
a
Star Fleet officer, it's the only thing he knew. Plus there was no Daniel to
deal with. How could he have been so blind?
"Darius," Suvuk said simply. One white brow rose at the sight of the man's
obvious pallor. "If you are unwell, this can take place at another time."
"I'm fine." Darius replied as he sat up slowly. "Was just.. Making a small
amends. Not that it comes close to making up for the things I've done. Which
is why your here isn't is, Sir."
Suvuk raised one white brow. They were of equal rank and the other had
always addressed him as such. This was most peculiar. "If you are referring
to
what you've done within your purview as a Starfleet officer, that is not my
concern officially. Although, should you require it, my help is available
should you be brought to Court Martial."
Darius pointed to the tray beside him where all of his pips now lay. "There
won't be a Court Martial."
"Indeed," Suvuk said mildly. "And the young man?"
"When he's stronger I'll tell him everything." Darius answered. "The rest
will be up to him."
Suvuk nodded, moving his head barely a fraction. "It is a start, Darius.
One hopes it is a good start. I bid you peace and long life...and luck, if
you prefer."
"Live long and prosper only friend and thank you." Darius replied
Things were finally starting to settle down and Miranda had followed Lindsey
and John into another room. She and her sister needed to get back to
Tempest. "I'm glad things are better now, John."
John knew better than to just accept things at face value. They seemed
better...for now. But he'd known all about the calm before the storm long
enough
to know what came next. Even so, he answered, "Me too. Guess you two ought to
go get ready for your shindig." Grinning at Lin, he added. "Don't suppose
you've got yourself a chaperone already, do you?"
"Nope she doesn't." Miranda answered for her sister before Lindsey could
take a breath. "You can pick her up at her cabin. I promise to be gone before
you get there." She smiled brightly and moved out of her sister's reach.
"Well, then, I suppose she might be willing to accept an invite to go on the
arm of an old acquaintance? With her sister's blessing, of course." John
winked.
Miranda laughed. "Your far from being just an old acquaintance. Isn't he
Linds?"
Senek finally moved his feet off the desk and, with as much grace as he
could muster, lowered himself to the floor. He wondered if anyone would look
at
him askance but then decided he actually didn't care. You're this far in,
you may as well go all the way. He pulled his boots off then offered Zack a
shrug. "Much more comfortable."
Zack looked up at him then smiled as he shed his own boots as well.
"Zachary, is your brother better now that the girls have been corralled?"
Senek asked. "Despite what Mr. McEntire says, I have no wish to directly
confront your uncle until I have to."
Zack laughed. "Me either," He admitted quietly. He seemed to concentrate on
the question a moment before answering. "He's in a lot of pain. He can't move
at all without it hurting more. Especially his leg and his side, right
here." He indicated on his hip the area that had been torn open so badly on
Joshua. "He's frustrated, and still very tired. He can't sleep. The dreams
won't
let him."
Senek shook his head ruefully. He knew about pain and trying to control it.
He also knew about Zachary's nightmares. "If it were up to me, I would
sing as my father used to when we were children." And, he told himself, as I
have for you since Joshua asked me to.
"Joshua sings to me," He told him quietly. "...nobody sings for him, though.
I doubt it would help if they did. Josh isn't as easily distracted, I
guess." He smiled slightly as he added," Except maybe by N'Ellie."
"Then we should teach N'Ellie to sing," Senek said, one brow rising. It
would be an interesting pair.
"You could teach her," Zachary responded seriously. "Couldn't you?"
"I could but she would have to ask," Senek stated. "People do not react
well in general when told they cannot carry a tune."
Lindsey slipped her arm around John's waist and smiled. "Far, far from. I
would be honoured if you'd take me. I'd be the bell of the ball with such a
charming man on my arm," she said with a wink.
Miranda was impressed. She'd never seen Lindsey be so... gooey.. before. She
liked what she was seeing. Looking over at John, she smiled a coy little
smile. "Aren't you suppose to kiss her now?"
"She's right, you know," John answered with a grin, drawing her close and
kissing her tenderly.
Miranda couldn't help herself. "Eww." Then she giggled.
Leaning into the kiss, Lindsey smiled as she pulled back. "So does that
mean I get to be escorted by the most charming man in the 'Fleet or do I have
to
settle for Admiral Fishler?"
"Sure," John growled, "Give me another reason to kill the rat bas..." he
noticed Miranda and stopped. "give me another reason to want to beat the man."
he amended, shooting a look at Lindsey and shaking his head.
Lindsey exploded with laughter as she kissed him again, deeper this time.
"You really think I'd go with that horrible little man when I can go with
you?"
"Damn well better not," he responded with a grin, kissing her again. "Don't
think my heart could take it."
"Poor heart," Lindsey murmured so that only John could hear her, "can't have
that." Shaking herself and inwardly scolding herself for being a soppy
romantic, Lindsey stepped back and grinned at the look of mock-disgust on
Miranda's face. "Hell girl, if I've got to put up with you making puppy-dog
eyes at
that young Engineer of yours, I think you can suffer to watch me and John
for the night. Unless you want me to take the Engineer and you go with John?"
"Hell no, no offense, but I'm not sure I want you anywhere near Mac. Come to
that, I'm not sure Missy should be. He's a good boy, mind you, but a
bit...playful."
Miranda laughed. "No thanks. I wouldn't wanna cut in on any of y'all's
cuddle time."
Roaring with laughter again, Lindsey shook her head. "I didn't mean Mac,
although how you come to mention it, I want a word with that boy."
John roared as well. "I'll just bet you do. Just don't hurt him. He's still
needed around here."
Lindsey chuckled lightly. "Nah, I ain't gonna hurt him, just have a chat
about how things work when it comes to my sister, right Miranda?"
"Come on, Linds." Miranda looked at her sister, unable to tell if she were
playing around or not. She hated when Lindsey did that, when she made herself
unreadable, it made Miranda feel weird. "He was just playing, Linds, he
didn't mean nothin'. He was tryin' to help me out with that wackko Borg lady."
T'Leara rushed in just then, stopping just short of taking Hale by the arm.
"I apologize for the intrusion, Captain, but if I could speak to you
privately for one moment."
Noting both her tone and ________expression, Hale held up one finger as if
to say "one moment" and followed his chief of security to a quiet corner.
Within moments, he was almost running toward the door to Dr. Michaels office.
"You boys," he addressed Senek and Zack. "You were seen by one of them? Saul,
right? He passed you something? Where is it?"
Zack looked at Senek blankly a moment before realizing what Hale meant.
Drawing the chip from his pocket then, he passed it silently to Hale.
"John?" Lindsey said as she frowned and stepped up to him. "What's wrong?"
Not really wanted to intrude too much on something clearly important, she
didn't touch him, merely stood behind, trying not to invade.
Kissing Lindsey quickly upon the cheek, John headed for the door, an
enormous grin upon his face. "This could be our means to put all this shit to
rest,
Lin! This could end it all." He called back as he exited. "Go on get dressed
for tonight, hun, I'll pick you up at five." Then he all but ran to the
Turbolift, T'Leara keeping pace, nodding in all the appropriate places as he
chattered excitedly about the chip.
"Okay..." Lindsey muttered at John's retreating back, her eyes wide with
shock. Strange man, she thought, lovely but oh so strange. She turned to
Miranda, slipping an arm around her shoulder. "We gotta go, don't want your
young
man thinking you're tardy, now do we?"
Miranda walked with Lindsey but smiled. "He'll wait if he knows what's good
for him."
Zack watched him go as well, wandering towards the door then stopped,
paling, and sat back down abruptly on the floor, his eyes wide.
Senek had barely gotten time to scramble to his feet before Zack handed the
chip to the captain then ran out. He was still staring after the captain,
actually shaking his head in amazement, when he saw the look on Zack's face.
"What's the matter, Zachary?" he asked, his hand resting on the young man's
shoulder.
Zachary lowered his head a moment, collecting his own thoughts and drawing a
breath. "They're getting worse," he whispered.
"What are getting worse, Zachary? Is something bothering your brother?" he
asked softly, speaking Vulcan so that they maintained a hint of privacy.
"the pain...the fear," Zack gasped, in that same gutteral language, fighting
to keep himself separate from the images he saw inside his head. "the
dreams..."
Senek glanced toward the other side of the room. He knew Admiral Murgo was
there but..."Zachary, I can get you past certain people if you think it would
be good for you to go to Joshua..."
Zack's eyes widened further, as though viewing the very epitome of terror,
unable to respond. He grasped Senek's hand as the pain hit, his eyes filling
with tears. A strangled cry escaped him, full of pain and rage and
then...nothing. It was gone. Zachary shook his head, his eyes focussed on the
floor in
front of him. Drawing in breath after slow, deep breath, he whispered at last.
"It's over. He's awake." He cast Senek an apologetic glance as tears coursed
down his cheeks. "I'm sorry. They've been bad before...they usually
are...but not like this..."
"No need to apologize, Zachary," he said gently. Quite unconsciously, he
put his arm around him in a protective gesture. Night mares, he realized.
The
younger brother had had them as well, usually shaking Senek out of a sound
sleep. "You are a comfort to him, are you not? Do you want to do to him?"
Zack nodded slightly, rising shakily to his feet, steadying himself against
Senek as he blinked away the dizziness. "I don't think anyone is with him
right now."
"Then we shall certainly change that," Senek said simply. He stepped out
into the main room, gesturing for Zack to follow.
Catching sight of Nurse Sindar, he said something to the younger Vulcan that
caused a brow to go up and made the young man nod. The nurse left them and
came back shortly. "The privacy shield is across the other patient's cubicle,
Commander. You will pass unnoticed."
Zachary followed slowly, shakily, his mind and body still reeling from the
impact of his brother's dreams.
Senek approached Josh's area cautiously, not knowing what sort of reaction
he was going to get. "Joshua," he said softly, "if it is not a disturbance,
you have a visitor."
Josh's gaze remained transfixed, unseeing for several long moments more
before turning slowly toward Senek. His gaze was filled with pain and
confusion
as he tried hard to determine how long the Vulcan had been beside him.
Senek drew Zack forward then sat himself down. It was easier for a supine
man to see someone so tall if they were sitting. "We have been waiting until
the others were gone."
Josh nodded slightly, sighing as he blinked away the last vestiges of his
nightmare dreams.
Senek suddenly realized he was carrying his boots still. You're slipping
worse than you thought. "We got your messages, Joshua. I am pleased you are
still among us."
Josh nodded again, his eyes darting from the boots to his brother, a vaguely
amused look in them despite the pain that still held sway. Zachary laughed,
turning to Senek, an impish grin upon his face. "He wonders if perhaps you
are so tired as to have forgotten, so I'm supposed to remind you. I'm to tell
you that those are for your feet, sir."
Josh sighed, smiling slightly at his brother's laughter, certain he could
learn to bear anything so long as that sound continued.
Senek sniffed softly, the most amusement he felt up to showing. "I might
point out the same about you, Zachary," he said dryly. To Josh he added, "If
this is the least anyone sees fit to upbraid me over, then there are no
problems too small. If you recall, I hardly wear footwear when I'm off duty."
Zachary laughed louder, tucking his bare feet into the hem of his pants and
blushing. Noting Josh's amused expression, he added, "I don't like shoes
either. Never quite got used to them, I guess. The only way he'd go barefoot,
though, is if you hid his shoes."
'I am no shoe thief," Senek said solemnly, even if his eyes were bright.
"That job is reserved for my for my friend, Saketh. He is the Academy
commandant." His face sobered then as they always did when he thought about
who his
friend had been married to. "I expect you've seen him before, Zachary..."
Zachary looked confused. "I have?" he asked, rifling through his memory in
search of one by that name.
"Commander Kabuki is how you would know him. He greets all the assembled
cadets on their first days at the Academy. Half Vulcan like me but not quite
as tall...he was married to my sister," Senek explained.
Zachary smiled. "I remember him!"
"He stole my boots, Zachary," Senek said mildly. "He is as strange as I
am."
At the mention of Senek's sister, a look of consternation crossed Josh's
face. "I....think..I'm supposed to...to tell you..something..." he said,
struggling with the memory. "it's...well, it's from...a woman...named T'Kay.
She
said....to tell you...that yours is a good life...and to go...and live it..."
he
replayed the conversation in his head, to be certain he'd got the message
right, then sighted, closing his eyes a moment.
Pale was not a color that went well with Senek's complexion, as olive and
tan as it was. He knew that Josh didn't like stares but he couldn't help it.
"What did you say?" he asked, his voice tightly controlled.
Josh glanced at Zachary, too tired to try voicing it all again. "He saw her
on the station," Zack answered, looking surprised and confused. "When the
doctors were working so hard and you were singing to me. She told him she was
your twin. She convinced him to leave the space where pain wasn't and come
back. She said you'd asked her to help him, and so she was. But when he was
able,
he was to tell you that from her..." He looked at Senek blankly. "I can hear
her plainly, sir, when he shows me...but how? I thought you said she had
passed?"
"She has," Senek said softly. "Almost four years ago, before we could know
which of us would...." Control, you fool. Now is not the time. He failed
and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "My apologies. Both of you. I...I
cannot believe she really did that...."
Zachary frowned. "Josh wouldn't make that up.." he began to protest before
Josh held up a quieting hand, his eyes filled with concern.
Senek let out a slow breath and looked up at Josh. "You were with
her...why? I understand what happened to you, Joshua, but why is she still
here..."
Josh looked from him to Zachary, not quite understanding what they were
talking about, but genuinely regretting having passed on the message, having
no
idea it would bring them man so much distress. "Not here..." he clarified
quietly. "On the station...I think. She said you asked her to help..."
"So I did," Senek admitted. He offered both bothers a weak shrug. "You
would have to believe in guardian angels for it to make sense. I'm glad she
helped you, though, Joshua. It seem like she's still angry at me though..."
Josh's eyes went wide. "Not angry...concerned...um..worried..." he looked to
Zachary for help explaining.
"She loves you," Zachary went on for him after of moment of seemingly
listening to the silence between them. "it is her desire that you find the
happiness you seem to be denying yourself and continue your life as you would
have
were she still here with you, as indeed she is. She cannot leave you so long
as
you have no-one else." He looked at Senek as though he were telling him
something he already should have known. "Nobody should have to be alone."
After a moment, curiosity got the better of him and Joshua asked quietly.
"What's a guardian angel?"
Senek chose to address the easier topic first. "In my beliefs, an angel is
a messenger from God. A guardian one would be one who is assigned to watch
over a particular soul, to keep that one safe and guide them," he replied.
His
face was very tightly controlled as his eyes moved between brothers. He
didn't want to tell them but it seemed he had to. So be it. If they shrink
away, I understand. "She knew...knows why I am alone. We argued frequently
about it. I see no sense in attachments if the attachment may very well be
broken by my own passing."
Though Josh nodded, seeming to understand the concepts the man spoke of,
though he didn't share the belief in angels or God, Zachary shook his head.
"Do
not all attachments end in this manner at some point? Is it not more
important that we share what we can of ourselves while we can?"
"It is illogical of me to explain it this way but I hate to cause other
people pain, though..." Senek allowed the ghost of smile, one that was
actually
visible, to show on his face. "I seem to have allowed myself some attachment
already. She must know how I feel, about either of you, if she did what she
did. I some how doubt she will see it as enough though I am glad of it
myself."
Josh nodded in agreement. "I doubt we would be," he sighed near-silently at
the thought that two mine-rats would be enough attachment for anyone.
At that, Senek shook his head and really did smile. "I think you
misunderstand me, Joshua. T'Kay wanted me to get married, to have children
like she
did. For what she did for you, I owe her the idea of even thinking about it.
I cannot allow her to always remain here because I am too stubborn to see
something as easily as you have. As Zachary has," he said quietly. "I miss
my
sister but...I might see certain people as worthy of being brothers."
Though it clearly surprised him, Joshua gave a slight nod of acceptance of
both the statement, and what it implied. Zachary, though, smiled and hugged
Senek quickly before stepping back somewhat sheepishly.
The corner of Senek's mouth quirked up slightly and his playfully mussed the
younger brother's hair. The burden of what might befall him was still there
but even the simple nod from Josh and Zack's quick hug was enough to lighten
it. Sister, perhaps you were right after all. Forgive me. Be patient with
me.
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