Wait til it's all blown over

Posted on Sat Mar 14th, 2020 @ 5:54pm by Lieutenant Commander Ariana Monroe-Wayne & Commander Hades,MD

1,265 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 106 – Stalemate
Location: USS Mercy, Ready Room
Timeline: MD1 0730 hrs

{ON}

The last month had seemed to drag by, Ariana was missing her family terribly a whole month with barely any contact with Cameron or Stacie was taking its toll. That combined with morning sickness from her pregnancy wasn't helping matters, plus she'd been avoiding any off duty contact with Hades even though she knew it wouldn't solve anything.

Walking over to the ready room with the latest reports she waited for permission to enter before walking over to Hades desk and placing the PADD down for him, managing to knock a few other PADDs off the desk at the same time. "Sorry Sir" She bent down to pick them up trying to ignore the effect it had on her queasy stomach. Getting slowly back up and putting the PADDs back on his desk.

Hades' keen eye caught the face. "Are you feeling well?" He asked taking the PaDD she'd placed on his desk and reviewing it.

"Actually ... No." She didn't wait for an invite to take a seat infront of Hades desk. "I'm going stir crazy not being able to see and hold my daughter, plus morning sickness has kicked in with a vengeance." She rested her head in her hands. "It's been a long month and amongst it all we've barely spoken except to exchange comments while on duty." She took a deep breath and sat back in her chair. "I think it's time we cleared the air Hades.

He picked up a tricorder and scanned her. Once the scan was done he walked over to the replicator and it a few buttons. A bright pink drink materialized. He handed it to her. "Kavva Root Tea. It will help." He studied her. "What are we clearing the air about?"

"Thank you" She took the tea and sipped it before speaking again. "Well we haven't really spoken much, on a personal level since the meeting between you and Carolyn." She sipped her tea again. "I've been purposely keeping my distance."

"You have." He simply stated.

Ariana nodded. "I heard a lot of things I never knew about you Hades and the way you stormed out of my office, I was afraid I'd pushed you too far."

He sighed. "I've always said things were complicated Ariana. I've told you and Carolyn forever yet..nobody believed me."

"I believed you the day you sent me to the First Federation for help." She offered a smile. "I just never knew how deep and how far it all went for you. I'm so sorry Hades! You've lost so much in your life. I wasn't sure at first how I felt about a lot of it but it's not my place to judge, you saved me from who knows what kind of fate and I appreciate that."

He shrugged feeling ill at ease with the praise. "I want you and Carolyn settled. I won't be around forever."

"I wish you'd stop saying that!" Ariana looked uncomfortable. "I'm seperated from my family, my dad has vanished off to go and take out his vengeance on section 31 and right now ... you're the closest thing I have to a family!" She relaxed as she sipped some more of her tea. "I consider you a ... father figure of sorts I guess, you've become my mentor and I don't want to lose that anytime soon."

He sighed and sat back. "How is the training going?"

"Well I've been hitting the training manuals every chance I've had, I've been in the holodeck a few times after shift too but I've not exactly been in the best frame of mind lately." She shrugged her shoulders. "Let's just say I wouldn't pass the bridge test anytime soon. I keep blowing up the ship."

"Don't worry. You'll get it. Just keep working it. Take a few days break and then get back to it." He sighed. "Oh yes. I almost forgot." He stood and walked over to a cabinet where he imputed a code. He pulled out a small device. "From Adari." He held out the silver octagonal box.

Ariana looked at the box curiously as she took it. "What is it?"

"She forgot to give it to you before you left. A gift for your baby."

Ariana looked at Hades then at the box. “I was going to ask you about that, she never once told me I was pregnant considering the medical scans I had done.” She opened the box and looked inside.

Inside Adari had placed a little necklace with a rainbow stone.

Hades sighed, "It was a stressful time," was all he said.

"It was indeed" Ariana smiled as she looked at the necklace. "It's a beautiful necklace, please tell Adari I said thank you."

He suddenly looked uncomfortable. He briefly toyed with himself if he should tell her.

“What?” Ariana looked at Hades with concern as she saw his look. “Hades ... tell me!”

"Adari... she's... died."

“What?” Ariana looked at Hades in surprise. “How ... she seemed in good health while we were there. What happened?”

"It is the way of her people. They live a short time and then evolve into pure light. Her time had come and she fought it so that she could help you and Carolyn." He shrugged but it had been a blow. He'd lost so much all his life that he was finding it so hard to function." He stood. "Anyway. We all have our time." He paced. "Now I need you to focus. You have a few months yet I want you to pass this test within the next six months."

“I err ...” She paused. “I didn’t even get a chance to say thank you.” She hung her head before the mix of both personalities within kicked in. “I will work hard, I’ll do Adari proud, I’ll do you both proud.”

"I know you will. Before I leave I want to see you and Carolyn settled."

“Leave!” She shook her head. “I don’t want you to leave, I’ve gotten used to having you here to talk to. What about Kalani will she be leaving with you?”

"Yes. We've talked. She has a project that she is working on and I have a few things to tie up. My decision is not...public yet. If you could keep it safe I would appreciate it."

Ariana nodded sadly. “I won’t say a word, I promise. You err ... you will be here for the birth of the baby won’t you? I’d like you to see him or her before you go.”

"I will do my best." He stood and looked out at the stars. "It's why I want Carolyn to hate me. If she hates me she'll be happy I left."

“No Hades, don’t do that. She’s angry and she’s hurting but she’s going to come round. If you’re not here then you’ll leave her with regrets that can’t be solved.” She sighed trying to keep her own feelings in check. “Talk to her, even if it’s just before you leave.”

"No. Hating me is what will keep her safe. It's easier this way." He turned. "But that is some time away so let us make the best of things."

Ariana nodded. “Okay, Thank you for the tea and the pep talk I appreciate it.”

He gave a nod. "Off to work then."

“Yes Sir” Ariana nodded and stood ready to leave. “Thank you Hades.”

Stepping out of Hades office Ariana paused by the door for a moment before continuing on her way.

{OFF}

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