Happy Trails To You

Posted on Mon Apr 4th, 2016 @ 12:44am by Commander Angelica Fairchild & Commander Sinek

Mission: Talosian Perversions
Location: Shuttle Bay
Timeline: After Another Resurrection

It had been a long and trying time having Vesik and T'Qol aboard, much less the crisis with the Borg cube. Everything didnt work out as Sinek had planned. Of course, the Vulcan couldn't foresee the cube and the events attached to it. T'Zal and Angel were both still alive. For the first time in his life, Sinek had out manipulated Vesik. And to top it all off, Sinek and Angel were soon to be married and he found out he would be a father in approximately eight months. It was difficult, but Sinek was able to suppress the pride he felt.

Angel looked tired and full of pain to Sinek. There was one more task, which they needed to attend together. They needed to stand as one to say good-bye to his family.

"Let's never have family over again," Angel said theatrically, leaning on Sinek's shoulder. "This was exhausting."

Sinek wrapped his arm around Angel's waist. "My family isn't due for another fifty years based upon this visit," Sinek stated. "What about yours?"

"It sounds as if the adrenaline rush is over," Sinek observed. "You may wish to get it flowing again for our next task. Are you ready to guide them to the shuttle bay?"

"My family prefers to keep their feet on the ground." Not sure what he meant by getting adrenaline flowing again, Angel mulled over that for a moment before nodding. "I think so."

The two arrived at the ambassadorial suite. Sinek encouraged Angel one last time, then sounded the chime.

It was T'Qol that answered the door. "Vesik will be out momentarily," she explained. She looked at Angel, wondering if she had shared their secret meeting with Sinek. Vesik still had no idea, as he was meditating during her time away. She gave Angel a Vulcan greeting.

Surprised by T'Qol's offering of the Vulcan salute, Angel returned the gesture with a slight smile. "There's no rush. We thought both of us should see you off."

"It is logical," T'Qol replied.

Vesik entered the common area from a bedroom. He seemed to be in full control. He had used the time during the crisis to meditate. "I assume all crises has been averted."

"Indeed," Sinek replied without elaborating on what the actual crisis entailed. He had already informed Vesik of Angel's injuries.

"It has." Angel too decided not to elaborate on any details. "It's just another day for us out here. We get used to it."

"Indeed," Vesik calmly responded, his hands together at his chin. Vesik was wondering why Sinek was allowing this human female to speak on his behalf. Certainly, T'Qol has taken a step back to allow the men to speak. He turned back to Sinek.

"I presume it is time for us to leave." It was a statement, not a question.

That was rude, but somehow Angel still kept her expression neutral. "If you're ready to do so. As I told T'Qol, there is no need to rush if you're not prepared."

"T'Qol, would you and the Commander get our things. I would like a word with Sinek."

Sinek looked to Angel, signifying it would be okay.

As Vesik ignored her completely this time, Angel bristled slightly. She could understand him being annoyed that his plans had been screwed up, but this level of disrespect had her dearly wanting to put him soundly in his place. But the look Sinek gave her indicated he would handle it, so Angel forced a smile and turned to T'Qol instead. "I'll help you gather everything you need to take home."

Once the females were out of the room, Vesik began, "Sinek, your logic is flawed."

"No," Sinek countered, "yours is. It lacks respect for all others not Vesik. You want me to return to Vulcan because your logic deems it necessary. You've never once asked my logic. I belong here," Sinek remained calm, successfully suppressing the anger and disrespect he felt. He pointed to his pips on his collar. "These give evidence to my success."

"She has you swayed," Sinek countered.

"Commander Fairchild has earned your respect," Sinek evenly argued.

"Why her?" Vesik inquired.

Sinek stood firm, looking Vesik in the eyes. "I love her."

"Love," Vesik mused, "an emotion."

"No," Sinek explained. "A choice."

Vesik cocked a brow attempting to understand this concept of love. The sound of the women approaching brought their conversation to an end. Sinek crossed to Angel and T'Qol, taking much of the items from them.

"Angel, please lead the way," Sinek requested. "We shall follow you."

"Gladly," Angel replied a bit stiffly, still bristling from Vesik's refusal to acknowledge her as a person worthy of his respect. T'Qol seemed nice enough, but she was starting to understand better how Sinek could go fifty years without speaking to his father. Actually, if it weren't for familial physical resemblance, she'd never have thought that this man could ever be the father of a man so kind and respectful. Deciding it wasn't worth her time or energy to bother trying to change Vesik's mind, she turned toward the door and led them out into the corridor.

Sinek's family followed with Sinek himself bringing up the rear. Things didn't seem as tense as they had when they first arrived. Perhaps an understanding had been achieved.

When the group had reached the shuttle bay, Sinek climbed inside the runabout with his parents' belongings, inadvertently leaving Angel alone with his family.

Vesik turned to her and said, "Commander Fairchild, thank you for your generosity in our coming aboard such a fine Federation vessel. You should come to Vulcan some time to allow us to return the hospitality."

That was a twist she hadn't expected. Angel smiled a bit at the offer. "You're welcome, and perhaps I will when I have the shore leave time available."

Sinek exited the runabout. Seeing Angel's look, he could only assume what Vesik had said to her.

Once Sinek had fully disembarked, Vesik got on the ramp and turned toward them, awaiting T'Qol. T'Qol went to her son and embraced him, her face on the opposite side of Sinek's, away from Vesik. She whispered just enough so that Angel could hear.

"She's got fire. Hold on to her. Don't worry about Vesik, he'll come around to understand your logic. Just like your choice of Science."

Come around? Sinek thought. The Science issue took decades. Even then, Vesik continually used it as a tool to bring Sinek back to Vulcan.

Hearing T'Qol's whispered advice, Angel couldn't help but smile. As much as she'd disliked Vesik's continual superior attitude, she did kind of like T'Qol. She understood now where Sinek's gentleness had come from.

T'Qol released Sinek and went up the ramp. She too turned to face them.

Sinek approached the ramp. "I am and forever will be your son," Sinek announced, more to Vesik than T'Qol, as he was the one who needed to hear it.

There seemed to be a softening in Vesik's features. He held up his right hand in the Vulcan salute and shifted his gaze toward Angel. "Peace, and long life," he pronounced.

That smile still gracing her face, Angel lifted her hand to return the distinctive salute. "Live long and prosper."

The two elder Vulcans turned and entered the shuttle. Sinek escorted Angel to where they could watch the departure in safety. The shuttle powered up, the bay doors opened and the shuttle slowly exited them.

Sinek turned to Angel, embracing her in his arms and gave her a word of encouragement. "You handled this well, Angel. I believe by his actions before boarding, you have impressed Vesik."

"I have no idea how." Wondering just what had changed Vesik's mind about her, Angel leaned into Sinek's warm embrace, grateful for the bit of physical support. "Can we sit somewhere for a minute? I'm really hurting and I can't take another painkiller for a few hours."

Sinek was concerned about the pain medication. As much as modern medication has progressed, there was still the very real possibility of addiction. It was more the psychological dependency upon them that caused the need to continue taking them. Angel was a strong woman, but she had been through a lot recently mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Sinek guided the one he loved to the nearest seat. He sat next to her. "How long will you need the medication?"

"I don't know. I try not to take it, but my leg hurts so much I can't stand it." Angel leaned on him, rubbing the sore area of her leg. "The EMH and Tallara both said it might hurt for a long time, especially once I start gaining weight."

"While you meditate, increase blood flow to those areas, without decreasing flow to the child" Sinek suggested. "It will promote healing."

"I'll try that tonight." Angel wasn't sure quite how to accomplish it, but she imagined it couldn't be much more difficult than visualizing what she wanted.

Sinek looked into Angel's gray eyes. "Please assure me of no more dangerous missions for a while. If someone besides the Captain leads an away team, I will do so. Your injuries should fully heal before more missions are taken on."

"I'm not going anywhere for a while, trust me. I think if I get in another shuttle I'll end up having some sort of meltdown." Angel wasn't exaggerating either. By the time the Thor had landed, she'd been on the verge of losing what little grip she'd had on everything. Shifting so that the light no longer fell directly across her face, she sighed. "I'm not feeling so good. Maybe we should go home."

Sinek allowed a concerned look to cross his face. It was only a minute tenseness in his face. Angel, perhaps, was the only one that could pick up on those small facial changes. To others, his face seemed to be stone. Holding his hand out to Angel as he stood, he said, "Indeed."

Angel took Sinek's hand and gingerly stood up, heavily favoring her right leg. She was tired, and despite having work to do the only thing she intended to do right now was go home and take a nap.

He hated seeing her in pain. There were some who said, "You heal, you must endure the pain." Sinek didn't agree with the statement. He lifted Angel into his arms and began to carry her to her quarters.