The Saracens are coming

Posted on Sat Oct 11th, 2014 @ 2:46am by Lieutenant Colonel Jillian "Phoenix" Sullivan & Captain Torilla Yamaguchi & Commander Tressa Brislan

3,347 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: Mission 86 - Discovery
Location: Crum's Lounge - Starbase 400

"tbd"

Lt Commander Torilla Yamaguchi
Lt Commander Tressa Brislan
Lieutenant Siaxx Dvald
Major Jillian "Phoenix" Sullivan
Captain Talon Hunt

***** Crum's Lounge - Starbase 400 *****

The two woman looked enough alike to be confused for sisters, Torilla regarded Talon with a smile. "Sensei I have to wonder if Siaxx can be trained by me, I'm so used to training my children in the martial arts and sciences."

"Anyone can be trained by anyone else.... but she has to commit to it religiously and so do you Torilla." Talon answered with a warm smile.
"speaking her name... and she appears." Talon added as she regarded the Bolian who appeared before them.

"Captain... Torilla."

"We're just waiting on the other two..." Torilla commented evenly.

"Oh... Brislan and Phoenix are late..." she paused. "I wonder if they were doing therapy."

"Possibly... Lets wait for them..." Talon commented with a smile.

Tressa arrived on Siaxx's heels and almost ran into her because she was reading a padd.

"Ladies, good to see you again," she said with a smile. "I just had a bit of paperwork to catch up on, two reports I need to process by end of day. Have we ordered drinks?" she added, looking around the table.

Phoenix saw an intervention when she saw it and the unfair part of it was that Tressa just walked in on it blindly. With her Klingon-like strength of her prosthetic hand, Phoenix grabbed Tressa by the arm and spoke apologetically, "I need to talk to her privately for a minute ladies."

It was weird and terrifying to put herself literally between her girlfriend and Tressa, but the honorable part of Phoenix just did not see the situation fair until she properly warned Tressa.

Torilla regarded the five of them as she knew exactly what Phoenix was going to say to Tressa as she sighed softly, a waiter then appeared as he looked confused at the five woman. Talon turned to him as she smiled to get his attention and once she had it, she then ordered their drinks.

Siaxx watched the entire situation unfold in silence as she regarded Tressa with dark eyes that gave nothing away.

Torilla looked at Siaxx. "How are you doing?"

"I'm okay.... she need not worry..." she indicated Phoenix and Tressa who were standing nearby. "I still need to work with her afterall..."

"Sorry about the grip," Phoenix spoke quietly to Brislan and released her once they were far enough away from the others.

"What's wrong?" Tressa asked. "I don't understand."

"My girlfriend wants to hurt you because I sorta got annoyed that she and Torilla know about the incident between us, and told her what really happened," Phoenix informed rather fast, out of nervousness. "Wasn't trying ta form sides an' I told her you an' I were still trying to recover from it. But... well... I think that's what this luncheon is about - An intervention fer you an' I."

"Intervention?" Tressa said softly. "We're adults, and we've moved on. Surely everyone else can too?"

"I'm the station's personal villain by reputation," Phoenix reminded Tress. "Not from fightin' anyone, but from my infamous reputation for gettin' into fight with folks... An' Torilla an' Siaxx, an' The Elf all mentioned in passing that there is a rumor goin' 'round the station that I roughed ya up. That I pushed ya ta try ta resign."

The doctor's eyes flew open. "I only spoke to Deela and I know she wouldn't tell anyone! How did that get around?"

"All I'm sayin' is that this situation is bigger than tha two of us, or even our small girl's luncheon table an' I just wan' ya to be careful," Phoenix spoke very protectively. "I don' like the thought of fightin' my girlfriend, but I will if she aint convinced all's fine with us an' tries ta beat ya up."

"Phoenix, Siaxx is my colleague and friend," Tressa said with a smile. "We've worked together for quite some time now and she is a professional, I've never had any problems with her. She isn't going to 'beat me up' over some scuttlebutt. I just can't believe that."

"Siaxx has become..." Phoenix looked back at the table and swallowed hard with guilt. "She's not copin' well with her anger no more. An' I didn' know she had this problem. Otherwise I'd not of told'em what happened. An' it made her snap just a bit."

It really hurt to tattle on someone Phoenix truly cared about. But then again, she was also trying to protect a friend of hers too. The duality of playing friend and girlfriend in the same room was just more than nerve wracking for her.

Tressa took Phoenix's natural hand in hers and gave it a squeeze. "I appreciate the warning, please don't let this upset you. What has happened has happened, and we will deal with it. If Siaxx has something to say to me she is welcome to say it, and I won't ever hold it against you." She held the pilot's gaze with her own. "If she needs help... coping, then we need to help her. We're a family here on '400, family takes care of family. Understood Major?"

At the moment, Phoenix was convinced that the SB400 family might get caught in a blood bath of 'sibling' rivalry. However, Phoenix gave Tressa a nod of agreement and followed her back to the table. There was a nagging tug at her conscious though that this was not going to be a good meeting.

Meanwhile Talon was watching Siaxx with concerned eyes as she was explaining something with a smile on her face as she noticed Tressa and Phoenix coming to the table.

The waiter showed with to drop off their drinks, he deposited them on the table as Talon assisted him and then he commented. "I'll give you a few minutes to look over the menu.." and with that he was gone again.

Siaxx turned her attention to Tressa but she didn't say anything, the darkness in her eyes was plain enough as Torilla was the one to speak up. "Alright... now thay we're all here.... you all have met Talon.."

Talon nodded. "Tressa... lovely to see you again." she smiled. "Lo Phoenix." she greeted the two newcomers in turn.

"It's nice to see you again as well," Tressa said with a warm smile. She sat next to Siaxx and Phoenix.

"That's the trouble with the junior medical officers when they overhear things." Siaxx commented lightly as she regarded Phoenix. "I have an idea of how that rumor got started but... I'm not a hundred percent sure.." she added.

Torilla's gaze beheld Siaxx with that 'I'm watching you very carefully look' that only expectant mothers, Doctors and therapists seemed to have but everyone present knew why.

Talon too, looked concerned. "Well... ladies.. what say we look at the menu's?" she inquired "so we don't take up the waiters time."

Talon looked at the younger male as she waved at him, he sped right back to the table. "You ladies ready to order?"

Phoenix felt her chest constrict upon hearing Siaxx's comment and it took her several moments after to register Talon's comment. That was when her autopilot kicked in, and just spilled out something without looking at the menu.

"Sirloin. Medium rare with mashed taters an' green beans," the pilot spoke and tried to calm herself best she could.

"Muffaletta sandwich, please," Tressa said.

Torilla ordered a Cheeseburger and Fries with a Oreo milkshake. "For the vitamins." she explained as Talon ordered herself more or less the same thing except with a poutine instead of regular fries and Siaxx ordered herself a Bolian Double bacon burger with fries.

"Right.. I'll be back soon with your food." and with that he departed leaving the five to talk among themselves, Talon had refrained from hitting on strange men as she normally did when she was not around her husband as she looked at Siaxx.. "You gonna be alright?"

"I will survive." Siaxx answer was simple and to the point. "Bolian females get overprotective of those we care about... I can't fight biology."

"Now for the elephant in the room, what is this all about?" Tressa asked, looking pointedly at each woman at the table.

Phoenix was oddly very quiet and a bit pale from worry, now that the question had been asked. And to hide her nervousness, she sat with her right arm propping her head up, and used the fork in her rolled-up napkin to draw imaginary pictures in front of her.

Siaxx glared darkly at the human woman she had been friends with up to this point. "I'd like to separate fact from fiction if you don't mind...." she replied quietly, a threat implicit in her tone. "I know you can't tell me what happened that day... but.. I do want to know why it had to happen...." she paused. "Failing that.... I want to know how this... got out... because when I find out who leaked this... I'm going to make his life a complete and total hell."

"What happened was between my patient and me. It was not your concern then and it isn't your concern now," Tressa said, her tone even and deliberate. "As Chief Medical Officer of this Starbase I expect my medical officers to behave professionally, always, and under any circumstances which includes personal entanglements."

Talon raised an eyebrow as she considered whether or not this was indeed Siaxx's right to know exactly what had happened to Phoenix but she knew that Siaxx needed some peace or she would never move on from this point, she knew full well how Bolian's females got when they were protecting those they cared about.

Torilla raised an eyebrow. "Siaxx... your request is academic... people don't know how to shut the fuck up... the gossip around here is incredible at times, if we could power the Venator with it, I could fly through a sun..." she explained. "you feel slighted because someone you care about was hurt..."

"Yes..." Siaxx answered softly. "and I will have-"

"Revenge?" Torilla inquired gently. "You are-" as Torilla felt the stinging sensation and she heard a loud crack as Siaxx smacked her.

Talon wasn't surprised in the least. "Siaxx... I recommend you take a deep breathe and calm down... before you end up in a cell for assault."

"No... I earned that..." Torilla commented lightly as she regarded Siaxx. "Where does this intolerable rage come from.... I know you better then this Siaxx.... whats pissing you off-" she caught the second blow this time. "I let you hit me once...Don't do that again." and with that she squeezed as the Bolian hissed at her in pain.

Torilla narrowed her eyes as she let go of Siaxx who withdrew her hand, it was already turning a shade of deep blue.

Which soon after, Phoenix stood up, pale as ever, and ran out of the lounge for the nearest toilet. She felt her heart race and her stomach ready to upchuck with the panic attack she was now having, from feeling like she was torn in the middle.

Talon said softly. "Stay here... we'll be back." and with that she slipped off into the crowd as she tracked Phoenix silently.

Torilla looked at Tressa. "I'm Sorry Tressa... That you had to get caught up in this." she then turned to Siaxx. "Siaxx.... lets try to enjoy a meal and when Phoenix gets back... help her overcome her issues... and stop acting like a dammed child... Rachael behaves-" Torilla stopped as she noticed the pure malice in Siaxx's dark eyes. "Torilla.... stop flogging a dead animal..."

Torilla raised an eyebrow. "I think you need to see the Counselor... because... I truly can't help you and if I were to proceed and teach you my martial arts skills.... you'd become a threat.... " she added. "You... disappoint me... Siaxx..."

"I will deal with my own issues..."

"Good... start now... when Phoenix comes back... apologize to her as she's being caught in the middle."

"This behavior is intolerable, why are you so angry?" Tressa asked.

Siaxx sighed softly as she opened her mouth to say something but she caught herself right at the last second, then she turned and looked away as she couldn't really answer. "Phoenix....I..." she paused

Torilla raised an eyebrow as she regarded her old friend. "This is about more then just the Yorktown isn't it?"

"Yes..." the Bolian admitted. "You both know how Bolian females become overprotective about those they care about?"

Tressa just watched her quietly.

Torilla nodded as she suddenly connected the dots. "Ahh... and you didn't see this coming... did you?"

"No." Siaxx admitted quietly. "I've made a real mess of things.."

"Siaxx, what the hell is going on with you?" Tressa said. "I've never known you to behave this way and in case you hadn't noticed the person you are 'overprotecting' is physically ill from stress because of you."

Siaxx glared at the Doctor. "You've made your point..." she growled.

Torilla sighed. "Ladies, enough, this arguing gets us nowhere and we do have
larger problems to worry about in any case.... like where do we go from here?"
she looked between Siaxx and Tressa as she gently placed her hand on Siaxx's shoulder. "Not all mistakes are unfixable."

Siaxx slowly nodded her head. "That's between Phoenix and me to resolve."

"You and I will speak privately, Siaxx. My office, 0900 tomorrow. Understood?" Tressa said, never taking her eyes off the Bolian.

Siaxx flagged the waiter who was passing down as she quickly asked him for a few appetizers, the arguments had made her hungry and she wanted something else to think about then hard words and foul language. "Tomorrow morning... "

Meanwhile Talon Hunt slipped into the bathroom that she was sure Phoenix was in and she was rewarded with the sounds of someone who was throwing up their lunch. "Phoenix... you okay girl?" she inquired.

"No," Phoenix said between upchucks. And even when they ceased, the pilot slammed her back against the barrier between the stall of the left and slid down until she was sitting.

She could barely breath at this point and she was weakened for reasons she knew not. Why was Siaxx's behavior to Tressa so disturbing to her? She'd seen a Cardassian shove a battle knife through one of her cousins as a child.

"Just need... to catch my breath," Phoenix told Talon between very heavy panting.

Talon approached until she was standing outside the stall where she was sure that Phoenix was located as she knelt so she could see Phoenix. "Hey..." she said softly. "Its okay... Don't worry about things...people do screw up.... personally I think its romantic that she's so protective of you but I now understand why Torilla was so insistent that I come."

"Punchin' bags... don' work with me," Phoenix responded and had to put her head in her knees to try to slow her breathing down. She waved her gloved prosthetic hand at Talon as a means of explaining her statement.

Talon was small enough so she could squeeze under the bathroom door which she smiled as she proceeded to do so, she then gently gathered Phoenix into her arms as she sighed softly.

Just then the door opened as another woman walked in but Talon ignored her as she was focused on Phoenix for the time being as she gently rubbed her back the way she did to soothe one of her children as she gently whispered words of encouragement into the other womans ear as the third woman asked. "you okay in there?"

"Yeah... we're alright... give us some space.."

"Okay.." and with that there was the sound of a door opening and then closing as Talon turned back to Phoenix. "It'll be okay... you'll see."

"In tha span of.... a few days, I've.... seen 'er fall hard," Phoenix both panted and sniffed from crying silently.

Talon listened in silence as she gently held the other woman close to her. Phoenix did not move for what felt like hours to her, though was probably ten or fifteen minutes real-time. When she did, Phoenix realized she was physically drained.

"Let's go back, I guess," Phoenix sniffed and used her metal hand to pull herself up off the floor.

"Easy." Talon said softly as she gently helped the other woman to her feet. "Come on... the food will be waiting for us."

Phoenix gave a vague nod before she followed Talon out of the bathroom.

Talon led the other woman back into the lounge where she spotted Siaxx who had ordered an appetizer and was busy eating it while their food was arriving, also Torilla looked at Tressa. "I have some news I should share with you and Talon before we leave here."

"Oh?" Tressa asked.

Talon sat back down as she raised an eyebrow. "News?"

"Yes... I'm pregnant."

Tressa smiled. "Congratulations, Torilla."

Torilla smiled as she noticed Talon and Phoenix exiting the nearby bathroom. "It was unplanned and I wasn't expecting it... but it was that way with Rachael and so it will be with this little one." she looked at Tressa. "How long before you can tell the gender?" she inquired.

"We can accurately scan at two months. I'll have a prenatal schedule sent to you."

Phoenix swiped a mint from the bar and popped it in her mouth before she sat down at the table once more. Knowing she had just come in mid-conversation, she remained quiet and listened.

Talon smiled. "I have no idea you wanted more."

"Like I said... it was an accident.." Torilla responded.

Siaxx nodded as she was the one who had informed Torilla in the first place. "I'll have a meal plan drawn up and sent to your database.. " she commented. "probably the same one you had when you had Rachael except
it'll have more potassium and calcium in it.... lets face it dear... you're not as young as you used to be."

"Nope... My youngest child will be a year younger then my grandson."

"Unusual but not unheard of," Tressa said. "You will certainly have a lively household."

"It was that way when Rachael came along..." Torilla commented. "Jake had her for a time then I did... it will be the same with this one."

Siaxx listened in silence as she found herself wondering if she would ever have children of her own and the sheer level of rage the thought brought with it frightened her.

Torilla turned to Siaxx. "You ever think of having kids?"

"I have terrible luck with relationships... mostly because I'm either too fast or too demanding or too impatient... " she regarded Phoenix as she said all of this. "It's usually my fault that they end..." she paused.

Torilla raised an eyebrow. "You fear commitment."

Siaxx suddenly turned a shade of deep blue as she realized that's exactly what it was as she said only. "self-confidence issues..."

Phoenix gave Siaxx a sympathetic stare before she finished her drink. What she wanted to say was not really something meant for the whole group. Still... She felt bad for her girlfriend, but try as she might to make her feel better, Phoenix was still very drained emotionally and physically.

"I think I'm gonna go, ladies." With that, Phoenix stood up and bowed her head respectfully to all of them. Then turned and walked out sluggishly.

Siaxx flagged down one of the waiters. "Hey... thanks for coming over... I need one of our orders to go."

The waiter lifted his PADD as he quickly called up her order. "Table sixty... okay... which order ma'am?"

"The sirloin." Siaxx responded. "also can I get a pizza to go as well please." she paused. "Canadian with extra meat and cheese." she then smiled. "Phoenix shouldn't have to eat alone..."

Torilla raised an eyebrow. "You okay Siaxx?"

"Nobody should have to eat alone when they don't need to." she said quietly.

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