Catching up

Posted on Wed Feb 10th, 2021 @ 4:32pm by Splendora Sage & Lieutenant Commander Ariana Monroe-Wayne

1,108 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 109 - The Dust Settles
Location: SS Cercatore di Tesori
Timeline: MD 02

{ON}

Now they were underway Ariana wanted to catch up with her friends, she wasn't sure if Braxton would find having her around welcoming or not so she decided to talk to Splendora first. Making her way to where Splendora was Ariana smiled as she walked over to her. “Hello Splendora, I hope I’m not interrupting your peace and quiet?”

Splendora looked up from the document she was reading. She'd needed a quiet place to relax. "Of course not. Please have a seat." She motioned to the chair across from her

Taking a seat Ariana made herself comfortable. “Last time I saw you, you were more or less a different person. We both were in some ways. What’s it like coming back from death itself?”

She sighed. "I'm not even sure that I'm back yet. So much has happened." She looked at Ariana. "How about you?"

“I ... I’m not sure yet.” Ariana shrugged her shoulders. “Hades and his people saved my life. I didn’t have to die and come back, but I was pretty crazy for a while.”

She smiled, "It's something that goes around." She sighed. "This... is not going to be an easy journey."

Ariana shook her head. “No, it’s bringing up a whole load of mixed feelings plus why would Hades want the Federation big wigs having anything to do with the First Federation? He’s spent a lifetime hiding who he is. I’m supposed to help soften him up and yet I don’t want to.”

"He doesn't want them. He resigned before we left. This was all some admiral's idiot idea now that Rebirth has gotten out around the Federation."

“Hades resigned!?” Ariana looked shocked, the thought of returning to the station without Hades wasn’t a pleasant one. “But that means he won’t ...” Her smile turned into an unhappy frown. “I was hoping he’d be there when my son is born. So does this mean we won’t see him again once it’s time to return?”

"Well he is a partner in my Bounty Hunting business but I don't know. If he sides with the Romulans No. But...I honestly don't know." She sighed. "I was not pleased when I heard either and neither was Carolyn."

“It’s not so much not being pleased” Ariana sighed. “It’s just ... I’ll miss him, very much!”

Splendora smiled. "I think we all will but ... he's just a call away and we can visit."

“I hope so Splendora, he’s going to leave a gap in my life that’s pretty hard to fill.” She smiled.

Splendora reached over and took Ariana's hand. "I know. It'll be alright. I promise."

Ariana nodded, her concentration on Splendora was interrupted when she saw Braxton enter the room. “Do you think he’d talk to me if I tried? He left the station to get his head clear away from me.”

"You never know unless you try." She grinned. "He can't exactly beam off the ship."

Ariana nodded. “Thank you Splendora.” Getting up she walked over to Braxton. “Hello Braxton” she offered a smile, “if you want me to go away just say so.”

Braxton had walked in and ordered a coffee from the replicator. He sighed. "No it's alright." He motioned to the chairs waving Splendora off as she left.

“Thank you” Ariana took a seat. “How are you settling in aboard ship? It must be awkward having me around, I’ll try not to get under your feet.”

He studied her. "It is alright. I am... more at peace with things."

Ariana nodded. “That’s good. I’m glad you’ve managed to find some peace, that way you can move on.”

He gave a nod. "Congratulations." He sad pointing to her rounding belly.

Ariana smiled warmly as she rested her hand on her stomach. “Thank you. I’m having a son this time, only three months or so and I’ll be a new mum yet again!”

He gave a nod. "Indeed."

“I’m sorry for what I did to you on the station, I didn’t want you to see me like that. Not looking like ...” She let the sentence trail off. “I do miss you not being on the station, but I understand why you had to leave. I just hope you’re happy.”

"I shall be returning. I am working for Splendora's and Hades' Bounty Hunting company."

Ariana’s smile brightened considerably. “I’m glad, I feel like I’m losing Hades, even though I know he’s within travelling range. It’ll be nice to have you back on the station.”

He gave a nod.

“Well for whatever brief time you’ll be onboard between your bounty hunting trips that is.” Ariana smiled.

"Indeed. We'll see how all this goes, I'm having my doubts." He said honestly. Hades...is not likely to side with the fleet.

“I know” Ariana nodded. “Carolyn and I are supposed to be here to soften him up, but in all honesty I can’t do that. Hades brought me here before, when the section 31 personality that’s inside my head was a threat. He saw to it I had the help I needed to stay in control, it went a little pear shaped I was out of my mind for a while but he and Carolyn brought me back. I can’t betray him, even if it means lying to cover my own backside. The First Federation is like home to me now, if Hades is willing to let me be part of it.”

"We will see how all this works out." He said. "Hades is good at building a family." He laughed at that a little.

Ariana grinned, it was good to see Braxton laugh. “That’s true, he’s changed a lot over the time I’ve been on the station.”

"In some ways. But Kalani's death hit him hard. If it was not for Skye he would have gone down a dark path."

Ariana nodded. “I know. Grief is a dangerous thing, some cope, some hide away and others go down a path that isn’t easy to come back from. I’m glad Sky was there for him.”

He sighed. "Well we'll see what happens. It won't be long until we get there." Braxton looked at the clock. "I should go and rest." He stood. "I saw Carolyn in one of the mess rooms."

Ariana nodded. “You go, I’ll stop by and see Carolyn.” She stood ready to leave. “It was nice talking to you Braxton.”

"And you." He said.

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