Lt Alex Storm - I Never Got to Say Goodbye

[Karen Morris]

((The Temple of Zor’Adi - Medara City - Betazed))

The moment Alex opened up her mind, she had felt Elsine’s presence, large and unmistakable -- heavy with emotion.

Alex’s own frustrations, though masked before, now open to the multitude, were as jarring as something foul in a place meant for beauty.  Her bare shoulders shivered, and not from the physical cold.

Their eyes met - an invisible thread connecting two hearts, two minds, two futures.  Her confession came quickly.

Storm: ~ I’m not here to make trouble. ~

Antares: ~ Then what is it you want? ~

Elsine's sorrow was evident, but something more delicate - potentially dangerous but also possibly helpful - mixed with it -- remorse.  Could Elsine understand the ever present ache that bobbed just below the surface of Alex’s conscious awareness.

Storm:  ~ I just want a word before you leave, please.  I’m willing to wait.~

Antares:  ~ Soon, we will have our conversation. It is time, Alexandra ~

Storm:  ~ Of course.  I understand. ~

Alex stayed where she was.  One person walked by and touched her arm with a gentle smile, feeling her own grief - even if misunderstood.  Elsine walked toward Alex, raising her arm in a silent wave of dismissal.

Antares:  ~ Come, follow me ~ 

Alex fell into step behind the woman.  She had for years tried not to look on her as one of the architects of her sorrow.  For a long time, she had believed that moniker belonged to her own parents as much as to Kona’s.  Since, she had come to understand that she bore - not all - but enough of the guilt as well.

She could have said no.

Should have.

But she hadn’t—and now they were here.

Elsine led the way to a small private room for family. Once inside, the matron donned a silk gown, and gestured to others from which Alex could choose.

Alex chose a gown of royal blue, but as she slipped it on, the scar tissue on her back caught on the delicate fabric several times.

Antares: This way we can speak. Privately. 

Elsine moved towards a drinks table and poured herself a small jestral tea.  Alex’s stomach chose that moment to protest the less than steady eating habits of the last day.  But the gurgle was just a cover for the way her stomach roiled within. 

The tall raven haired woman moved to a second sofa facing the first and sat on the edge of the couch slowly, as if afraid it was going to jump up and bite her.

Storm: Thank you for the offer, but as I’m sure you could hear, my stomach is already protesting my food choices.

The sound of the people still milling about in the next room spilled over and filled the momentary silence between the two women.

Storm:  I am sorry for your loss.  I could tell that you loved Kyre very much.

Antares: I imagine you know that Kona departed Betazed this morning :: smiles :: I'll be returning to Cestus in the next few days myself :: sighs :: I imagine it will be some time before Kona returns to me. If he ever did. 

An unconscious instinct instructed her - Bury your hurt, Alex.  The calmer you feel, the less she’ll be on the defensive. 

She allowed herself the space of a breath before answering.

Storm: I am aware, yes.

Antares: I want you to say what is in your heart, Alexandra. I have thought about our interactions over the years. The missteps, the misunderstandings and the resentments. I never offered you kindness and I regret that. Maybe if I had things would be different between us. 

Storm: I’ve also learned to see my own fault in my current situation.  I’m not saying that there is not enough blame to go around, but I also bear guilt in where I find myself now.

Antares:  Response

Alex’s breath caught in her throat, causing her shoulders to hint at a tremble, though only for a moment.

Storm:  I know your heart is breaking, I can feel it, and I can empathize in a very real way.  Mine has been breaking for a long time.  For the marriage I had a hand in ruining - and when it was too late, I had tried to save.  For the life that I had hoped to live - full of joy and promise.  But more than either of those, for the daughter…

Her voice cracked and her hand covered her eyes and then slipped down alighting over her mouth.

Storm:  For the daughter I never even got to say goodbye to. 

Antares:  Response

Storm:  I want to see my daughter and hold her in my arms.  I want to affirm to her that I love her.  That she is my life.  That is what I want. 

Antares: Response

~*~

Tags / TBC!

~*~

Lt Alex Storm

Tactical Officer

USS Artemis

O240103SK2