[JP] PNPC PO2 Philippa Phillips & Lt. JG Alix Harford - No Words for Goodbye
Matt Ide
((Shuttle, Leaving the USS Astraeus))
Her bags had been stowed and gifts left behind with a few letters penned the old fashioned way, with ink on paper, and sealed into a crisp white envelope. Alix didn't do goodbyes. She couldn't since that final goodbye to Allison five years ago. The memory of her little sister's tears as Alix walked away from their family home still shook her and today they were mirrored by tears of her own.
They tell you in the Academy that your crew is your family, your ship is your home. Alix was tired of leaving families and losing homes. Her heart broke as the shuttle pulled slowly out of the bay and into the blackness of space.
((Earlier that day))
Dr. Harford looked around Sickbay, everyone was hustling and bustling like normal. None of them knew it was her final moment here, and none of them would. She’d miss many of them, Brian the most, and she’d miss out on seeing young August become the doctor she knew he could be. That thought hurt, but she knew he’d be fine without her, especially after their long chat the other day. He had the knowledge and the tools and confidence would find him along the way. Quietly, she left a crisp envelope on her desk and walked out of the Astraeus Sickbay for the last time.
Dr. August Winslett
Dr. Winslett,
I have very much enjoyed getting to meet the bright young talent that the Academy is sending out these days. If things had turned out differently, I’m sure we would have made an excellent team. Unfortunately, I have personal matters to attend to back home which has necessitated me taking a Leave of Absence from the Fleet.
Your mind is sharp, and your eagerness will serve you well as you learn and grow as an officer. Just don’t ever lose your compassion. It is your greatest strength. If ever you need anything, look me up. I’d be most honored to stay in touch and will be following your career closely,
Dr. Harford
P.S. Don’t ever let anyone refer to you by rank. You are a Doctor.
Walking out of Sickbay, the doors swooshed shut behind her with a sense of finality she hadn’t felt in the past. She didn’t look back, but kept her head forward and her shoulders set. She’d made her decision, spoken to the Captain, filed all the necessary paperwork. Her family needed her, her sisters needed her, and just as Diego had done when his family needed him, she knew she had to go. The fleet would still be here when she was ready to return… if she was ever ready to return.
Alix had two more stops ahead of her and she hoped she could avoid conversations at both. Conversations took longer. Conversations opened her up to questions and explanations she wasn’t ready to give. Plus emotions made her uncomfortable, especially from other people. It was best if she could leave her letter and slip away.
The lift ride was quick, the corridor was busy, and Alix managed to slip into the Ops Center unnoticed. With luck, everyone was busy working and Esa was nowhere to be seen. She looked around again for the brazen Trill and then snuck into her empty office. This time a black box a bit larger than a brick accompanied the crisp white envelope that she placed on the Chief of Operations’ desk. She hoped the gift wouldn’t anger Esa, and she’d genuinely planned to wait until she knew her friend was ready for it, but she’d run out of time.
Esa Kiax
Esa,
You’re going to be mad at me. I understand and I promise you we will have a conversation. I owe you that, I’m just not strong enough to face that conversation today. My mother is ill and my sister has asked me to swallow my pride and come home to help. I have to go, I hope you’ll understand. I know you well enough to know you’re not going to listen to just anyone regarding your PT. So, I’ve recorded videos of all the exercises you need and attached a schedule for you to follow. I’ve also left you a gift, and you’re going to be really ticked about it. I ordered a custom prosthetic for you, I think you’ll really like it when you get over being angry. But Esa, hear me, you need to let the pain and the guilt go. You’ll never be whole on the inside if you refuse to be whole on the outside. Your stump has become the way you punish yourself. Knock it the f— off.
Alix
On her way out of Ops and back down to Deck 6, Alix ran into a couple of Junior Officer’s she knew from about the ship. She managed to wave them off with a hurried nod and half smile, snake around sticky conversations, and finally make it to her quarters. Fourteen minutes. Divya would be off shift and returning to quarters in fourteen minutes. For a moment she stood, hand resting at the entry pad to her own quarters, conflicted. She should wait, she knew she should wait and say goodbye to her friend in person. With a heavy sigh, her chin dropped low and she entered her room. Her things had already been sent to Philippa in the Shuttle Bay, except for the bag she’d carry with her and a final gift.
Looking around the quarters she’d barely had the chance to settle into, she paused and steadied her resolve. This was the right thing, even if it was the hard thing. She couldn’t serve anyone if she couldn’t face her family and care for her mother. Alix had wounds that finally needed to be stitched up; the kind of wounds no one could see on the outside. She slung her satchel across her chest, gingerly picked up the final gift which already had its own crisp white envelope tucked inside, and turned on her heel. It took seconds to place the fragile gift in front of Divya’s door and then she walked down the corridor, not looking back. A small Azalea Bonsai tree sat on the floor in front of her neighbor’s door, with the shortest letter, but also the hardest to write.
Divya Tam
Divya,
You have truly become the best friend a woman could wish for. I will miss you too much for words. Please forgive me. I know you’ll see the paperwork for my leave, I only hope you see this first.
The Azalea Bonsai represents clarity of sight, peace, and healing. It will also prosper under the environmental settings of your quarters. I’ve been cultivating it for you for months. I enclosed care instructions and I call her Zalee.
Go with peace, friend, until the stars bring us together again.
Alix
Now walking with haste, Alix made her way to the Shuttle Bay, careful not to cross paths or make eye contact with anyone. She had to hold it together and get off the ship quietly. She’d begged Phillipa into silence and asked for her help in a quiet departure. She knew the woman might receive heat for it later, but if anyone could handle it, it was Phillipa Phillips who waited for her in a nearly empty bay.
Harford: ::nodding:: Phillipa.
Pippa smiled, and returned the nod, respectfully.
Phillips: Doctor. I kept the shuttlebay clear, as requested.
Harford: Is everything ready to go?
Phillips: As long as you are, I am.
Harford: Thank you, I owe you one. I owe you many. I just hope someday I get the chance to repay you.
Phillips: ::Teasingly:: I am under no illusion that our paths won’t cross again, so you can be sure I’ll collect. ::Beat:: Anyone you still need to say goodbye to?
Harford: No, I got off quietly and I’m ready to go, before Esa finds the letter I left and calls down to stop the shuttle. Or Divya…
Pippa smirked, slyly.
Phillips: I suppose it’s a good thing that I made sure there was a scheduled cargo run out of this bay then. No-one will be able to tell that you’re the cargo. ::Beat:: You take care now, Alix, and I’ll see you around.
Without the words to make the moment feel less cowardly, Alix nodded to her confidant once more and boarded the small shuttle to head home to Earth.
[END]
Medical Officer
USS Khitomer
D240104AH2
and
Petty Officer Second Class Phillipa Phillips
Quartermaster
Simmed By:
Chief Operations Officer
USS Astraeus – NCC 70652
A239511ED0