[BACKSIMM] JP Lieutenant Commanders Lael Rosek & Chythar Skyfire: An Important Question, Pt. 1
Lael Rosek
OOC: Set before Lael’s “Long Distance Date Night”
(( Golden Gate Park, California, Earth ))
{{Time Index: Stardate 239701.27, Evening}}
The coastline glimmered with the orange and blue that was typical of a San Francisco sunset. Chythar had just returned from Seattle earlier that morning, and was seated atop the very spot where he and Alex shared their first kiss. In some ways, it was almost tranquil, and in others it was a painful reminder of the man he lost because of an unexpected transfer. He’d sent a message to Lael when he’d gotten into the city, and was now waiting quietly, lost inside his own thoughts on the grass. He was wearing a pair of denim shorts and a black t-shirt that said Raktajino Seattle in white italic text, along with a pair of flip flops.
With the term wrapping up, most of the work that remained was grading assignments and filing PADDwork. Her assistant was getting the PADDwork settled and ready for her to sign. The grading could wait. It had been months since she’d seen her closest friend, the two of them separated as she’d come back to Earth for a sabbatical of sorts.
Most of her time since returning had been split between teaching a couple of Engineering courses at the Academy and lending a hand with the Warp XV project. Though the teams had managed to iron out most of the kinks, her expertise with warp travel in regions like the Shoals had been welcomed.
She’d changed out of her duty uniform into a pair of dark jeans, a short-sleeved cotton lavender top that sat loosely on her shoulders, and a pair of white and purple running shoes. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a loose bun, a few strands framing her face as she strode toward the location in the park where Chythar had said he’d be.
As he sensed her approach, he opened his eyes and stood up. Before she could say anything, he pulled her into a gentle embrace, like the sort that one gives to a long-lost friend after months or years of separation.
Skyfire: Good to see you again, Lael. I missed you.
The suddenness of the embrace surprised her, but she smiled, accepting it and returning it. She’d thought about him more in their months apart than she cared to admit. There was an emptiness to her assigned quarters with just her. She’d gotten so used to someone being there with her that the change had been unsettling. Reaching out, she brushed her mind against his, taking comfort in his familiar stable presence.
Rosek: ::whispers:: I’ve missed you, too, Chythar. oO More than you know. Oo
He too, felt his quarters empty. Breakfasts on his own weren’t the same without Devlin, who had been left back on the Veritas in Carter’s care during his absence. Due to the proximity, he caught the stray thought.
Skyfire: I think I have a pretty good idea…
A slight flush filled her cheeks as she was reminded of the strength of their connection. Since her training on Vulcan, her mental barriers had become stronger and she’d become skilled at blocking the stray thoughts of others. It took a physical connection these days before she could even pick up surface thoughts. It seemed that wasn’t the case with Chythar. Dropping her gaze from his, she took a seat on a nearby bench facing the bay and patted the empty bench seat beside her.
He followed her to the bench seat and took the empty space alongside, clasping her hand in his to provide that familiar touch she’d missed.
Rosek: ::pauses:: So...how are things on the Veritas?
Skyfire: Things are...interesting. I met little Natalia for the first time, and got a couple new nicknames.
She tried to keep a smile on her face at the mention of Jansen and Raissa’s little girl. She’d met her at Mei’s promotion party and it had taken her breath when she’d first made the connection. Old wounds had been torn open and it had taken everything she’d had not to run from the room and not look back. Yet somehow, she’d managed to maintain her professionalism even if it had taken a moment or two for her to gather her wits.
Rosek: ::smiles and nods:: Yes. I met her at Mei’s promotion party. She’s a little darling.
She kept to herself the pang it had caused her, a sharp reminder of how desperately she wanted to be a mother. There had been a couple of times when she’d thought it might happen, but it had ended in disappointment.
Skyfire: Indeed she is. :: He noticed her tense up at the mention of the little girl and quickly realized his error. :: I’m sorry. That was dumb of me.
Rosek: ::shakes her head:: It’s fine. ::lifts her gaze to meet his:: Honestly, I’d rather you talk normally with me than walk on eggshells. It bothers me, but that’s my problem. It shouldn’t be yours.
Those words “it shouldn’t be yours” rang in his ears for several moments. In those moments, he realized that a lot of what he felt towards her was more than the affection of a big brother. Ever since he’d met her aboard the Gorkon all those years ago, there was something about her that had hypnotized him. During their months together in the alternate universe, they had grown close. In the years they’d served together since, they had become more than friends. Almost like siblings. But this...now it felt different. He felt confused, and did his best to keep that to himself. Until finally, his words betrayed his thoughts.
Skyfire: What if I want it to become my problem?
She studied him curiously for a moment, not quite sure what he meant by that. The easy way to find out was to lower her mental shields and let his thoughts come to her. But she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to know what was behind the statement.
Rosek: I heard you were running the Brew Continuum franchise there in Teller’s place?
Skyfire: Not exactly “in his place,” per se. He was transferred to the Thor, and I asked to because of my skill set as a coffee jockey.
Rosek: ::smirks:: I take it your uncle approved?
Skyfire: He’s the only man I know who authorizes “Go get me weird coffee” as an excuse to part with my skills.
Her gaze turned toward the setting sun and her hand found his, squeezing as she laid her head on his shoulder. So much had remained unsaid between them in the intervening months...so much that she wanted to say, but didn’t dare. The balance was too delicate. They’d toed that line once and it had nearly destroyed their friendship. She was hesitant to go there again.
Rosek: ::pauses:: My attorney contacted me. The one who helped me against Zeram before. ::grimaces:: Apparently, Maddy’s dad has passed and she’s being brought back to Earth to determine what will happen from here. ::meets his gaze:: My attorney thinks that with him out of the picture, I might stand a chance of getting permanent custody.
Chythar nodded slightly. The name Zeram brought back feelings he didn’t want to remember, but he knew very well that this would pass. The fact that Maddy’s fate hung in the balance was a sign of hope, but also possibly damning at the same time.
Skyfire: That’s….good, right?
She paused. It was good for her, certainly. But for Maddy to lose both of her biological parents? She wouldn’t wish that on anyone. It had been hard enough on her not having her father around. Still--the situation was what it was. Her heart ached for Maddy’s loss, but if there was even the slightest chance that she could become a permanent fixture in the girl’s life, she was willing to take it.
A smile turned up the corners of her lips at the thought of being able to introduce Maddy as her daughter. She’d grown more than a little attached to her in the time she’d served as her guardian.
Rosek: Good for me, yes. But not so good for Maddy. ::looks at him meaningfully:: Being an orphan isn’t fun and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
He nodded slightly. He understood that feeling all too well. Both his parents were dead, and his relationship with Raissa was somewhat tenuous. The only family he had these days was his uncle Chris, and his new title as “Unca Thee-Dee” to Natalia.
Skyfire: I know the feeling.
She paused. There was something with the adoption process that she’d spent nights mulling over in her mind since her attorney had contacted her. Being a Starfleet officer was dangerous business. Even with her being stationed on Earth, there was a chance that a war could break out and she could be drafted back into service.
If something happened to her, Maddy would need someone to look after her. Normally, she’d have appointed her parents or her brother as guardians in that case. But her mother was constantly away on business and her father and brother were currently hiding from the Al-Leyan government.
Her gaze met Chythar’s, her expression serious. No. The man she trusted most to love Maddy as his own and to provide a comfortable life for her was sitting right in front of her. Even as a civilian physician, Chythar’s career was steady enough that he could give Maddy all the things she could ever need.
Rosek: ::pauses:: I have a favor to ask.
He raised a brow curiously and met her gaze. He gave a nod of encouragement, not sure what exactly to say. Instead of words, his thoughts spoke for him.
Skyfire: ~And what’s that?~
Rosek: ::exhales slowly:: I--If you’re okay with it, I’d like you to be listed as Maddy’s adoptive father. If something happens to me, a court would be less likely to fight you getting guardianship if you’re her adoptive parent.
----
Lieutenant Commander Lael Rosek, Eng.D.
Chief Engineer
USS Atlantis, NCC-74682
I238110RH0
&
PNPC Chythar Skyfire, MD
Barista
USS Veritas NCC-95035
O239002CS0