Reflections

Posted on Sat Feb 15th, 2020 @ 6:11pm by Lieutenant Commander Carolyn Corrigan MD & Commander Hades,MD & Lieutenant Commander Ariana Monroe-Wayne

2,399 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Episode 104 - A Glimmer of Hope...
Location: Dr Corrigan's Quarters
Timeline: MD1, 0830 hours

Touching the surface of the small silver cube, Carolyn watched as the holographic display cut off, leaving no trace of the image behind. Staring at the empty space for a moment she sighed, picking up the untouched plate of food and disposing of it before heading towards the door just as the door chime rang out. Touching the control panel she immediately recognised her visitor.

“Oh...”

“I am absolutely certain you have no wish to so much as look at me,” Elise Corrigan began as she stood on the threshold, “and I stayed away. I am leaving Doctor Williams to finalise our work here. My ship leaves in an hour. May I come in?”

Without a word, Carolyn stepped back, letting her in. She watched her grandmother, unsure of when she got old. As if her very bones were tired and weary. She understood that feeling.

“The last time I was here, you were...” Elise left to word unspoken as she looked towards Carolyn’s unmade bed. “I can never apologise enough. I can only hope that one day, you may be able to understand that I did what I thought was right. And I hope you will please come home soon.”

“I have surgery in half an hour. Is there anything else?”

Elise smiled, sighing softly. Turning to leave she paused, her attention caught by the glint of two rings sitting together on a nearby shelf. “Congratulations is the wrong sentiment I suppose... If there is anything you need...”

The offer hung in the air until Elise gave a simple nod and headed for the door. Carolyn watched in silence as she left and the door closed behind her. It felt so final and yet right.

Picking up the silver cube she slid it into place on the shelf beside the two wedding rings which sat in a matching silver case. Another gift from Harris, a more traditional 'Earth' reminder of their vows which he had given to her the night of their wedding. Touching the necklace she wore she smiled softly as she remembered that day by the waterfall ...


Erebus Colony, Harris Residence


“Is this where you say we are insane?” Carolyn asked with a grin as she pinned up her hair, watching Ariana through the reflection. With care she removed the necklace which had been wrapped up in a box on the pillow beside her when she woke that morning. It was beautiful, the metal of the pendant seeming to change colour when held up into the light.

Reaching up she secured the chain behind her neck, standing up to face Ariana. “What do you think?”

She had no idea where Harris was able to keep finding her clothes and she had dreaded what would pass as as a wedding dress given her first day on the colony. Yet he had found her a dress which was a blend of satin and lace, the cut was simple and fitted her perfectly. Suspiciously so.

"I think you look absolutely beautiful" Ariana smiled warmly. "I'm so happy for you that I can't even put it into words, and that's really saying something for a Counsellor!!" She grinned.

"Thank you and thank you for sharing today with us," Carolyn smiled as she picked up the bouquet of flowers that sat on the edge of the dressing table. Ivory and purple flowers, matching the colours woven into her dress, cascading in a teardrop shape. Glancing out of the window she could see two figures waiting near the river, the waterfall creating a stunning backdrop.

"Shall we, before the groom gets cold feet and runs a mile?"

“Very definitely!” Ariana grinned as she picked up the smaller matron of honour’s flowers and made sure Carolyn’s dress was tidy before they set off for the waterfall. “I don’t think Harris would ever run away from you, from what I’ve sensed he loves you very much.”

As they stepped outside, the air was comfortably warm as the two women walked along the winding path. "I kind of figured that part out," Carolyn confided with a grin as she walked arm in arm with her friend. It was not a long walk, with a nice gentle breeze cooling the air as they approached Nivar and Harris.

It was, without doubt, the smallest wedding ever. And while a small part of her longed for her unofficial family to be with them, it felt perfect nevertheless. And given how much the people here revered Hades, she had been afraid Harris might not have been able to pull off something so low key and intimate. Yet he had surprised her. Again.

"You know something?" Ariana looked at Carolyn as they approached her husband-to-be. "You're making me nervous!!" She grinned as they reached their destination and Carolyn stepped up to be beside Harris.

Nivar stood beside Harris. Both were dressed in Earth style clothing. Nivar had helped keep the council and everyone else from the wedding. He looked at Harris who seemed nervous. "You do realize you are giving Hades what he wants."

He laughed, "Yes well for once what he wants is what I want." He sighed, "I love her Michael."

Michael sighed, "I believe everyone knows that." He looked up. "Here they come."

Harris stared as Carolyn walked own the little path of flowers. She was stunning, she was everything he'd dreamed and more.

"Hey," Carolyn grinned as she reached Harris's side, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear as she took his hand. She smiled across in welcome to Nivar who was now just a short distance from Ariana before her attention returned to Harris. "No wig?" she teased lightly, standing on her tip toes to kiss him. Stepping back she grinned, "couldn't wait."

Grinning from ear to ear he shook his head. "Not today. No wigs...perhaps later. If the council gets us we'll be doing this again with wigs."

Carolyn made a face, laughing. "Then we will hide in the fairie caves you took me to yesterday and make a new life underground," she grinned.

Ariana looked to Nivar and offered a smile. The temporary medical treatment she’d had seemed to be holding back her alter ego for now, but she still had the full process to undergo. She was leaning towards a blending of personalities rather than trying to rid herself of what was, in reality another part of herself.

Adari, who'd stood with Carolyn now stood at the head as the officiate master. "You look lovely." She turned and smiled at Ariana, "You as well dear." She was so glad that both women had taken to the treatments. She had some news for Carolyn but it could wait.

Ariana smiled warmly as she looked at Adari, before looking to Carolyn.

Carolyn flashed Adari a warm smile. Not only had she been a wonderful physician but clearly she had been complicit in Harris' plans. Since they had first arrived she had been a constant source of comfort and often a buffer protecting both Carolyn and Richard from many of the 'protocols' which went with being seen as part of Hades' family.

"Oh, flowers," she turned, handing them off to Ariana so that both of her hands could be free. She took Harris' hand, gripping it tightly. "Ready?"

"Always."

Adari smiled, "Today we gather to celebrate love. A union of two souls that have searched the vast universe to find one another. Today we witness a merging of souls. Each half having lived, loved, been broken and now come together to make a whole." She turned to Carolyn. "Here on Erebus we do things a little different. Vows...are too easy to be broken. We make commitments. Share your soul today and make your commitment to Harris."

Carolyn smiled up at Harris, sure that someone, somewhere would be calling them insane. "I do," she vowed, never looking away from him. She paused, taking a moment, "I'm sorry. I'm not really … romantic. And this loses something in translation from Gaelic but here goes...

Richard Harris," she grinned, knowing how rare it was for his full name to cross her lips, "You are the star of each night, the brightness of every morning. No evil shall befall you, on hill or bank, in field, valley, on a mountain or in a glen. You are blood of my blood. Bone of my bone. I give you my body, that we two might be One. I give you my spirit, 'til our life shall be done."

Adari turned to Harris. "Richard, share your soul today and make your commitment to Carolyn."

Harris sighed, he felt nervous and happy and giddy. "Carolyn...I have no words to say how much you mean to me. From the first day you walked into sickbay I knew that there was something special about you. I antagonized you, I admit it but that was only because I did not think myself worth to stand in your shadow. Today I give you all that I am and commit my life and happiness to you. I shall keep you safe with every breath I take. I shall nurture and love you until the life runs out of me, I shall cherish every moment, every kiss as if it were our last. I shall give my life for yours." He didn't know the truth of his commitment at that point but something deep inside him responded to those words.

"Okay, you made me cry..." Carolyn chided him with a small laugh as she wiped at her eyes.

Ariana was wiping tears as well. Both of joy for Carolyn and at the memory of her own wedding before she lost Jonathan.

Adari gave a nod. "Now...the best part...are you ready?"

With a deep breath to regain her composure, Carolyn gave a firm nod. "Yes."

Harris was already laughing. "You'll love this. As the head of he colony Hades has a pre recorded message for all weddings." He winked at Carolyn.

Adari stepped off the little square. Within a second an image formed. Hades, standing tall, wearing purple leather like boots and purple tights. A white bell sleeved shirt and a purple and gold coat with tails. On his head a wig of white curly hair stood tall and full.

Harris had to bite his lip to keep from laughing.

"Oh...." Carolyn breathed, taking in the sight of her boss and friend looking like he had stepped out of a holonovel. It was impossible to look at Harris, because she knew it would tip her over the edge and no amount of biting her lip would help to silence her laughter if that happened. She leaned into Harris, still holding his hand as the message began.

"Marriage is a union of two souls. For our people it is much more. We are the discarded, those that Starfleet chose to ignore and toss away. But from what they thought substandard look what became. You are strong, powerful, kind, loving, and you have blossomed into everything that that makes a being wonderful. Yet with all our achievements loneliness is a constant burden so finding your second soul is special and unique. It is much deeper. As Vedari, member of Erebus you have been through so much. Now you stand here ready to enter into marriage, to build a life together with your second soul. I am honoured to stand and bless this union. I leave you with some advice. Treasure one another. We are here for but a blink of an eye. Every moment, ever breath we take is a gift and a blessing. Love is hard to find so when you do nurture it. Respect one another but most of all learn to breath together. As the first monarch," he said rather uncomfortably pulling at his collar a bit, "I bless your union and with you a life time of love, happiness, and a strong family. You and your descendants must carry on our line and our colony. You have been entrusted with much but I have faith that all you do will blossom."

The image popped like a bubble and Harris mumbled something that sounded oddly like blowhard.

Ariana smiled to herself she had to admit it was amusing seeing Hades like that, although his words were beautiful.

Carolyn grinned, glancing up at Harris, “you realise I am gonna remember that speech and that outfit forever?”

He grinned. "Way ahead of you. I have a mini holo back on the station. Why do you think Hades doesn't mess with me. It would be a banner on the station in five minutes."

Ariana grinned as she overheard Harris. "Do you seriously think Hades would let you get away with that?" She gave him a 'I seriously doubt it' look.

Adari cleared her throat.

Harris blushed, "right sorry."

Adari stepped forward again. Carolyn, Richard. Have you two come here freely of your own wills to be united?"

Carolyn nodded, “yes, we did.”

Adari, amused, looked at Richard.

"What she said."

"Very well then. I declare your union complete. By the laws of the colony of Erebus you are now married." She looked at Richard. "And Ariana was right. Armond would not let you get away with it."

Harris shook his head and ignoring the two woman he pulled Carolyn into his arms and kissed her.

Carolyn kissed him back, standing on her tip toes to help even out the height difference. Only the need to actually breath made her break the moment, smiling up at him, "hi, husband."

"Hi wife." He smiled back.


Present time, Starbase 400

Counting to twenty to give her grandmother a good head start, Carolyn headed out of her quarters towards the turbolift. Prepared for it to be a difficult day, working with the people who had helped save her life, especially those who knew that not only had Harris left with her and not made it back but of her impending motherhood. And so many new faces.

Tempting as it was to just stay in her quarters, she was determined. One day at a time. What choice did she have? As she entered the lift and the doors closed, she had no idea that in a few hours a quiet day in the surgical suites would be wishful thinking...


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