Bad News

Posted on Tue Jun 21st, 2011 @ 6:44am by Commodore Alexandra Harrison

1,180 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Mission 75 - Time of Change
Location: Harrison's Quarters
Timeline: Present

"Captain Harrison, you have a communique from Earth. It's from a Ruby Harrison?"

"Oh, okay." She never expected to get a call from her ex-mother-in-law. The only time that Ruby ever talked to her was when she wanted to chew her out. She really didn't want to talk to her but her curiosity got the best of her. "I'll take it in my quarters."

"Yes ma'am."

Alex sat down in front of her console and opened up communications. She didn't expect to see what she saw. There in front of her, was Ruby with a red nose and tears in her eyes. She now realized that this wasn't a social call. Then her stomach jumped into her throat as she worried that her kid might be hurt. "Ruby, what's wrong?"

Between sobs, she tried to get the words out but she couldn't. The screen which once had Ruby's face on it, hers was replaced by her father-in-law, Jake Harrison. He looked distraught himself, "Alexandra, I don't know how to tell you this. Ruben was killed in an explosion."

Alex was in total shock, "What? How? Paul, does he know yet?"

"Paul is here but we haven't told him anything. As his mother, we think that you need to tell him yourself. Also, we think that he should live with us where he will be safe."

"Stay with you?" Alex wanted to yell at him and tell them to go to hell but she took another route. She learned to make them think they were in control. "I think he's old enough to make up his own mind. If he wants to live there, then I will abide by HIS decision. Put Paul on."

He nodded. Soon, Paul's face appeared. "Mom, what is going on. Grammy can't stop crying and Paapa won't tell me what is going on."

Alex tried to break it to him slowly, "Honey, remember the talk we had the other day about how sometimes things happen that isn't in our control? With something bad happened and you need to know. Your father...your dad had an accident. I wish I could tell you that he's okay but I can't. He didn't make it. He's..."

Her son started to cry, "Dead? He...he can't ...be." His grandfather walked over to Paul as he sobbed and placed his arm around him. There was a pause before Paul got up and ran out of the room. His grandfather took a deep breath and then let it out. He looked at Alex.

"Maybe we should give him some time to take it all in."

Alex was afraid to let Paul stay with them as she worried that they would try to convince him to choose them over her. Just as she was to give her reply, Paul came back out, "Mom, can you come and get me? I don't want to stay here."

Alex was pleased even though this wasn't how she wanted to get custody of him, "Are you sure? Grammy and Paapa said that you can live with them" she added, "that is if you want to."

"No, I want to live with you." He was trying to hold back the tears and be a man but he couldn't. He had already lost a dad, he didn't want to lose his mom too.

"Okay. I'll get you on a shuttle as soon as I can." Paul got up and left again. Jake wasn't happy about the decision that Paul made, "I hope you know what you are doing. We don't think that it is a good idea but that was the deal we made. Will you be coming for the funeral?"

"I can't make it. There are too many things going on that needs my attention. I'll arrange for a shuttle to pick up Paul. If there is anything that he wants from his dad's place, make sure to give it to him so he can have something to remember his dad."

"Just let us know when. We'll have him ready." Jake's face disappeared. She could tell that he was disappointed that Paul wanted to stay with her not them.

Alex was just about to get up to go back to OPS when another communique came in. On the screen, Vice Admiral T'Lar's face appeared. The last time Alex had seen Deela was before she left the Essex.

"Just don't sit there with your mouth hanging open. Most people say hi."

Alex half smiled, "Hi."

"Captain Harrison. So you have been promoted. You've come s long way since Ensign. And on a Starbase too. I hope that Admiral Bremer is treating you well."

"Yes, he is. I'm in shock, that's all. There has been too many surprises for one day."

Deela could tell that she was upset, "I see you still wear your emotions on your sleeve. What's wrong?"

"My ex was killed and I'm finding it hard to believe that he's gone."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Anything I can do?"

"No, not really. I have to make arrangements to get my son on Earth. He's going to live with me now."

Deela remembered her situation, "That's right, you have a son. Paul, isn't it?"

"That's right. So what is going on with you?"

"I heard that you were on SB400 and since I will be docking there, I thought that I would let you know so that we could have lunch together. Maybe even convince you to return to the Essex."

"I'm quite happy here. Besides, it is much better for Paul to be on a Starbase than a ship. But I wouldn't mind having lunch with you."

"Good. You said that he is on Earth?"

Alex nodded, "Yes. So I need to make arrangements to get him here."

"How about if I pick him up and bring him to you? I'm very close to Earth. I'm about a days journey away but it's up to you. He would be on a starship for a while but I'm not planning to get into a tiff with anyone. And since I'm already going to be there, it won't be a burden to do that for you."

Alex thought for a moment, "Okay. I'll let my in-laws know. There is a funeral in a few days for Ruben so anytime after that, it would be great if you could do that for me. I appreciate it."

"Don't mention it. I'll see you when I get there. I'll let you know my ETA."

"Great. Thank you. See you then." Deela smiled and then cut off the link. Alex sent a message to let her in-laws know the plan. She sat back, taking in everything that had happened. She remembered the good days and the bad days with Ruben. She remembered thinking how gorgeous Ruben was and how she was going to marry him. Unfortunately, their relationship didn't turn out the way she thought it would.

Alex got up and decided to go get something to eat. She thought that she'd drown her sorrows in a big gigantic hot fudge sundae.

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