Close protection

Posted on Sun Dec 24th, 2023 @ 4:49pm by Lieutenant Commander Ariana Monroe-Wayne & Lieutenant Xalanth & Lieutenant T'para

1,517 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 118 - "It's About Family"
Location: Xalanth’s Quarters

In the centre circular area of the Xalanth family quaters, T'para and Xalanth prepared for a sparring match, their attire shifting to accommodate the friendly yet competitive encounter. Xalanth into his fleet issued gym gear and T'para into her blue sports bra and boyshorts.

As they normally did the sparring match was using Dragonian rules, a playful twist that added an element of strategy and excitement. Each participant wore three ribbons tied around their arm, and the goal was to try and unfasten the opponent's ribbons during the match. The one who lost all their ribbons had to do whatever the winner wanted.

As they circled each other, T'para and Xalanth exchanged knowing glances, their competitive spirits ignited. The first move was a blur of swift and precise strikes. T'para's Vulcan discipline met Xalanth's agile and powerful movements.

The room echoed with the sounds of their exchanges — the clashing of scales and the occasional laughter that escaped them. Thankfully the other rooms was soundproofed like all in quarters int he station. As they grappled and dodged, the ribbons fluttered like colorful extensions of their competition.

It wasn't just a physical contest; it was a dance of strategy and skill. T'para used her Vulcan logic to predict Xalanth's moves, while Xalanth relied on his Dragonian instincts to outmaneuver her.

The match was evenly matched, and the ribbons remained intact despite the intensity of their movements. The playful banter and occasional teasing fueled the friendly atmosphere.

Then came a moment of clever maneuvering. Xalanth executed a well-timed sweep that brought T'para to the floor, and with a swift motion, one of her ribbons came loose. The room echoed with good-natured laughter as Xalanth held the liberated ribbon triumphantly.

Undeterred, T'para got back on her feet, a determined glint in her eyes. The sparring continued, each move a testament to their connection and understanding. Another ribbon was lost, leaving only one remaining on T'para's arm.

In the final moments, a decisive move by Xalanth led to the last ribbon fluttering to the floor. T'para conceded with a gracious nod, acknowledging the well-earned victory.

As the winner, Xalanth grinned playfully, considering his request for T'para. Though his attention was turned when the door to the guest bedroomed opened up. " Hello there Ariana did you sleep well?" He inquired as he helped T'para up from the floor.

Ariana smiled warmly as she entered the living area. “Yes, I did thank you Xalanth.” She smiled warmly. “I hope I’m not interrupting your workout?”

" No we were just finished." the half vulcan said as she gave her reptilian soul mate a kiss on the side of his head. " You can tell me what I'm to do later my love. I'll check on the kids then get started on breakfast." She added before heading towards the main bedroom of the apartment.

Xalanth watched her go before turning back to his guest. " I still don't know what I did to deserve her. Can you believe one of the academy counsellors said i should break up with her because she claimed our relationship wouldn't last a month?"

Ariana looked astounded. “A Counsellor actually said that?” She shook her head in disbelief. “That’s very unprofessional in my opinion. I’ll admit it’s considered unusual in Human & Betazoid culture for someone to have more than one mate, not that I’d tell you to change it. It’s normal for you, and that’s what matters.”

" I was a mess back then. Still trying to get my head fixed on straight. T'para was what saved me." The lizard said with a grin. " Thank you for not judging. I know my species' mating habits are more than an odd occurrence. How are the kids doing? Do they realise what's going on?" He enquired

Ariana looked back towards her room. “They’re both still sleeping, Stacie knows something is wrong, but fortunately Andrew is a little too young. All they both know right now is that we’re having some fun time staying with Uncle Xalanth.” She smiled warmly. “As for not judging, it’s not my place to judge. Every species has their own customs, it’s not a problem for me.”

"Hopefully they can go home soon. Until then you are welcome to my home. What would the three of you like for breakfast?" Xalanth asked

Ariana smiled warmly. “I usually go for warm croissants when I have an early shift, plus I have to get the kids off to nursery. I take it they’ll still attend nursery as scheduled? I don’t want to spread your people too thin.”

" I have to take Yazar to schools and the young ones to the nursery i can drop your two off while i do it." Xalanth said with a smile on his face. " I'm sure T'para can wip you up some pastries."

“I don’t expect everyone to look after me” Ariana smiled warmly. “I take it I’ll be able to continue my duties as planned?”

" With an escort. I'll have Fulvia shadow you make sure no one does anything." the red lizard replied with his own smile. " I'm the security chief my job is to protect people."

Ariana smiled warmly. “It’s a job you do very well Xalanth, I appreciate everything you’re doing for me and my family.”

The main door to the quarters slid open as Fulvia stepped through. The Nova Roman wearing the security uniform with the shortest regulation skirt possible had a worried look on her face. " Ah, your awake Ariana I'm afraid I have bad news."

Ariana looked at Fulvia worriedly. “It’s not Cameron, is it!? Nothing’s happened to him, has it?”

" No, but neither have we been able to locate him. The team has been going through your quarters, and we found a toy in your children's room. No fingerprints on it so it's been newly replicated, but it had a core made from glass. The labs analysing what it contained but my guess is on some very leathal poison." the blond-haired intel officer replied with a shake of her head.

Ariana felt herself going weak in the knees as she had to sit down. “Poison? Inside a toy!!” Her face practically drained of all colour. “Who would want to...kill a child!?” She shook her head in disbelief. “I...I’ve no doubt Cameron doesn’t want to be found right now, he'll be back he wouldn’t leave us.”

" Most likely going after you and through you to Cameron." Fulvia replied.

" Guess that means we can't move you into new quarters. We'll set you up in some guest quarters and have you beamed here." Xalanth added already running through what to do.

" I've already got a team looking through the replicator commands," Fulvia added seeing the look on her husband's face.

Ariana nodded regathering her emotions. “Thank you both so much! I’m not going to let whoever is doing this get away with it. I should be able to sense any close danger, but then if I’m amongst a lot of people...” she sighed. “I wish Cameron was here right now.”

" As do i. If he'd have come to me first we could be having such an easier time." Xalanth said as another of the doors opened.

Yazar Xalanths eldest daughter stepped out wiping the tirdness from her eyes. She looked like a smaller version of her father though the brown ridges in her scales and pointed ear ridges marked her Vulcan heritage. " Dad, mom..." She said even though it was clear Fulvia wasn't her birth mother before her eyes fell on Ariana. " Did you sleep well Mrs Wayne." She said politely.

Ariana offered Yazar the best smile she could muster. “I did, thank you.” She looked at Xalanth. “Xalanth what about your family? Won’t it put your family at risk having me here?”

" We'll have you listed as being in one of the guest quarters. We can set up a sight-to-sight transporter so you step through that room you come out in ours." Fulvia suggested her intel brain already running

" And no ones better at protecting people than my dad. " Yazar chirped in with the tone of a child who thought her father was superman.

Ariana couldn’t help but smile. “You are all amazing, you know that? Who knows what would happen if you weren’t all here to help us. I won’t forget it.”

Xalanth reached out and hugged Fulvia beckoning Yazar to join them. As he hugged his family he looked over at Ariana giving her a smile along with a " Just doing my job. We'll keep you and your kids safe."

Ariana smiled and nodded. “I know Xalanth, but it’s appreciated more than you know.”

Xalanth kept his smile as he replied. " Glad to know. Now come get your kids we'll have some breakfast. "

Nodding Ariana headed to the bedroom to get her children dressed and out for breakfast. She was certainly very lucky to have Xalanth and his family as friends.

{OFF}

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