Artemis: Hell Hath no Fury
Zack Fester
USS Artemis
Joanna Byrds Quarters
Joanna looked at the communications screen, taking a long deep breath as she started to type in the frequency. There were several what ifs involved with this conversation, namly if she would even pick up the communication. She had always been on great terms with Auntie Penelope and her kids. But has she been being groomed or singled out. The conversation with her sister and Thani still rang in her head, all that time. She had screwed up and failed in her relationship with Jennifer...but that hadn’t been all her doing. A good chunk of there feelings toward one another couldn’t be salvaged...but she had to try. She waited until the screen flashed twice..and an image of a rather attractive young man appeared on the screen.
“Bonjour how may I….Ah Joanna is it really you?” it took her a second to recognize her cousin Jean Pierre. She smiled remembering some of the good times with him, she hoped this call did not drive a wedge between them. “You are looking quite lovely tonight...in your pajamas it seems.” she gave him a smile, regretting her choice of a blue tank and boxers.
“Merci dear cousin...I hope I am not interrupting, I need to speak with Madam Penelope if possible...is she around?” Jean Pierre nodded at her.
“Indeed she is, she is in her studio at the moment I will transfer the call to her...is this about her show in Florence...will you be attending?” she had forgotten that her Auntie was an artist...a good one at that.
“I am afraid not...work has taken me away for a long time...maybe the next one...I do need to talk to her. It's important.” He nodded then looked at her.
“Very well Joanna I will transfer you right now.” She smiled at him.
“Merci beaucoup dear cousin” she watched as the screen flickered and she spotted a woman leaning forward over an easel painting. Jo waited a few minutes before letting out a sigh then spoke. “Bonjour Auntie Penelope” She watched as her aunt put down her brush then turned toward her.
“Bonjour Joanna. How are you?” the woman asked. Joanna straightened up in her seat and smiled at her aunt. This was going to be a bit of a shock for her but she would hold back for now.
“I have been better Auntie, it's been awhile...I see you have a few new pieces in the studio...the Florence showing right?” she inquired
“That’s right dear.” her aunt smiled a preening, self-indulgent sort of smile. “I’ll be seeing you there?”
“I’m sorry Auntie but I am afraid not…” Joanna felt a twinge of regret in her gut “I am currently away on business...the kid that takes me far from lovely Paris and the artistic world sadly…” she let out a sigh but figured she would tear the bandaid off now. “I am currently on a Federation Starship…”
Penelope looked disappointed and a little angry. “Why? “ there it was...the typical Penelope facial reaction. Last time she had seen that was when she told her she was going to stay in starfleet after her mother and father were assimilated.
“Well Auntie….I am back with Starfleet again” she said matter of factly “On the USS Artemis actually...and well” she took in the deep breath and gave a smile “Jennifer is here as well…”
“Oh, that explains everything.” Penelope said, getting a little more shrill. “That brat has pulled you away from your promising career and back into Starfleet.” she nearly spit the word out. Joanna could feel the darision in the voice, the poisoned wording. And though her description of Jennifer wasn’t too far off she always felt that to be a bit harsh.
“I would ask you to elaborate on the statement Auntie but you and I both know that you won’t” Joanna’s words were lighter but held that small edge of anger in them. Like a Sehlat stalking it prey she watched her aunt’s face and figure waiting for a tell.
Penelope put her chin up. “I should think not. After all the time I put into raising her... “ her mouth twisted, as if she had eaten something bad.
“I know she was a handful back then...hell she still is” Joanna stated “But she is family and well I still feel like I haven't done right by her” she admitted. She wanted her aunt to speak her peace but now she was getting impatient “I mean she has cleaned herself up pretty well, dyes her hair that lovely shade of purple mother loved so much….if memory serves your the one who showed her how to do that with highlights” she grinned hoping it would disarm the situation even if just for a fraction of a minute.
“I - well, yes I did - but that’s not the point. She’s made her bed, and she should lie in it. No doubt she managed to get ahold of you after getting in trouble again and you had to go bail her out.” her aunt looked cross. “Girl can’t understand consequences of her actions.” She hated to admit that her aunt was right when it came to that statement. She let out a sigh then shook her head. Time to let slip the first stone.
“Yeah I guess your right….but maybe that bed wouldn’t have been so rough if her request to return to Paris hadn't been denied” she stated. “I mean I still can’t believe it...but you never know...and as they say you can’t choose your family….can you Aunt Penelope…” her words were Ice at that point...and her eyes were daggers.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The words were out of Penelope’s mouth almost before Joanna finished speaking. It was as if the older woman was waiting to be accused of something. Joanna looked at her aunt...the initial kindness was gone, replaced by a judging glare.
“Whats wrong Auntie...didn’t you know...I mean according to the Rehabilitation camp’s discharge paperwork she had petitioned to come back to Paris...she had even written in that she had family there and that your oldest son Daruis” she smiled a little thinking about her older cousin..the other artist in the family. “Had offered to be her parole housing...but it required a family member over the age of 23 to sign off on it….” she brought up the document on the screen “And as you can see my signature is on this document….”
“Then you must have signed it.” Penelope said with finality. “Have you lost your mind, Joanna?”
“Maybe because it's a funny story...the date on this is one that I remember quite well….” She brought up her service record. “This was signed the same week I was promoted to Ensign while on the USS Olympus Mons.” She looked at her aunt “the last time I was in Paris I was staying at Dauris’ Chateau, and had asked him to forward any messages that were meant for me no matter what they were...I find it odd that somehow I was in Paris the same time I was on a exploratory mission….” she looked at her aunt “Unless that is I have a clone out there….”
“I... ah, not that I’m aware of.” Penelope mumbled, looking down. Joanna looked at her aunt then lowered her tone to back to one of kindness...and even some sympathy. Inside however she was raging. This woman….she had trusted her, loved her and treated her like a second mother.
“I understand it must have been hard...I know you had reservations about us...about my father…” she stated “But Jennifer was kin….she was my sister and all I want to know is….why…” she demanded “Why did you cut her off”
“Because she was pulling our good name down. She needed to be taught a lesson.” Penelope snapped.
“She…..I…..” she looked down at her feet. She could feel the rage, sadness and confusion. Had Jennifer felt like this…”Then why did you use my name!” she spat “Did you hate me that much as well...that you made my baby sister hate me!” She let out an angry huff then stood up pacing away. “Was it because of my father...that she was more like him than I was……”
“It was because I didn’t want her to ruin your career. Don’t you see? I had to keep her away from you. Never mind about your father.” Penelope’s eyes got big, as if she was appalled that she was being accused of hating Joanna.
“Yeah because you never did mind him…” she allowed that little barb to seep in. “Well mission not accomplished!” she spat back “She was a scared and hurt teenager who felt abandoned...who had an aunt who treated her like an alien...and a sister whom ignored her…” she slumped back into her chair “And now she and I are on the same ship together and in therapy….”
All the color drained from Penelope’s face. “I see.”
“That's all you can say...I see” she let out a sigh “Of course it is….Auntie I love you...I do you love you understand that….but right now…” she looked away, her eyes falling on her only surviving photograph of her family...of her and a smiling Jennifer hanging on her back. “I just don’t know if I can forgive you for that….the wedge you helped create right now….” she looked at her. “I wasn’t the best sister and probably not the best niece.” she said “But I never ever would have put my career before blood.”
The older woman sniffed. “Well don’t come crying to me next time you need help.”
Joanna definitely felt like she had just kicked a puppy...a rather arrogant and well meaning puppy but a puppy nonetheless. She let out a sigh then looked at her aunt one last time “I hope this isn’t the last time we speak but know this...Jennifer will be calling you soon...and I will be there...in the back watching the call” she stated
Penelope shrugged. “Very well.”
“If that's all you can say...good luck on your show….” Joanna growled as she looked at her aunt again. “I don’t know what my father would say...but I know my mother would be sickened by you…” SHe let that sink in then looked at her one last time “Have a good day auntie...and good luck with your painting...since you seem to care for that more than your own kin….”
An angry look flashed over her face, and without another word, she reached over and turned off the communication.
Joanna watched the feed go dead then slumped back down in her chair. The conversation had been exhausting both physically and mentally. Slowly getting up she crossed over to the replicator. After saying what she wanted she watched as a glass of red bordeaux materialized in the replicator. She took it without a second though and proceeded to take a sip from the glass before the disgusted feeling came over her. She spun around and flung the glass hard at the wall while letting out a long drawn out wail that ended in a scream. She collapsed to the floor a sobbing quivering mess.
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She heard her door chime once then twice but couldn’t move, couldn’t think. She didn’t know what to do at that point it was all just..too much. She didn’t even know how much time had passed before suddenly the door to her quarters swooshed open and someone rushed in beside her. “Go away...just go away….I” She felt a strong yet gentle hand take her by the elbow and shoulder.
<Hey...no, not going away..you and I arn’t done> she glanced up to see a angry Jennifer staring right at her. She wanted to talk but all she could do is stare, eyes and nose still running from her bout of crying. <The anger you see...is not for you...It’s because I felt everything you felt last night...and couldn’t do anything> She watched the anger bleed away into worry. <Come on lets get you cleaned up and ready for service today….> she glanced at the smashed glass in the corner.
<I got angry...got a glass of wine...Auntie’s vintage> she confessed <I did it on autopilot...when I did it made me fell….> Jennifer shook her head and hugged her.
<Your fine...I am sure you and me will be at one another’s throat sooner than later...its our nature> she sent playfully <Meantime lets get you cleaned up...I’ll call off the doc for the wellness check...but security is going to ask about the door...sorry I had to let myself in.> she glanced up to see her door wide open. She smiled and nodded.
<yeah well it’s hard….I wouldn’t have put you through the sessions...I can talk to Thani and maybe> Joanna finally found her voice.
“I need them as much as you do...but thank you for being worried.” SHe watched her sister smile at her, for the first time in a long time.
“Your still a stuck up little….” Joanna cut her off telepathically.
<Hey lets not ruin the moment...as for the door if security asks It was an emergency and I will take the heat ok> Jennifier nodded and together the pair moved into her bedroom.