What now?

Posted on Wed May 1st, 2019 @ 11:07pm by

Mission: The Fool's Odyssey
Location: Sickbay/Arboretum/Various Corridors
Timeline: Md 03 20:00 Hours
1679 words - 3.4 OF Standard Post Measure

Stef walked with Beata, holding the little boy by the hand, walking slow to allow him to take in his new surroundings. "I want to go home," the boy whimpered, "this place is strange, I want to go home."

"This is home now," Stef answered quietly, looking over to Beata. "Do you think the doctor will give us a clean bill of health? Alecx went through a children's disease that is harmless to him a few months ago. I went through it too, before he was born and I got really sick. Apparently it can be dangerous if adults catch it." He was clearly trying to make conversation as he did his best to readjust.

"I'm sure she will. It's best just to check and make sure, give you anything your body might need. She's very meticulous about the care of her crew." Beata wondered about something. "You know, if you wanted to remain on the planet. I would understand. It has been your home for all these years."

Stef shook his head. "No my place is here, there is nothing left forme back there. My only real friend came with us, so if she stays there really is nothing. I am grateful to them for taking me in, but my home is here." He turned to scoop the straggling boy up. "I belong here, and he belongs with me. You might not understand Bee but I hope that some day, you will understand. I loved Svara, and I love you. I have never stopped loving you."

He was right. Maybe she would understand someday. Maybe she understood now but it was so much to process that her body and mind just felt like shutting down. She simply nodded, gave him a small smile and remained silent on the subject. She wasn't angry exactly, but it was not at all how she pictured their life together. "I'm sure you're tired, but there's always the arboretum, if that would make him feel more at home."

Stef nodded. "I think he might like that. He seems to have an affinity with animals too. When I was helping with the treatment of the town people's pets, he was always crawling around them. Do you think I should get him a pet? Or might it be a little too early for that?"

"Hmm, maybe see how he does with chickens and rabbits?" Beata answered thinking that if Stef got him a pet this early he might lose interest in it. He was very young. "And if he still wants one after he learns to take care of them then I think it's safe to say yes. But that's just my opinion. What do I know about raising children?" She smiled.

"Probably as much as I do," Stef chuckled, "but it sounds like a good idea. I had animals in the house back on the planet, small ones, not like I had a horse or anything." He shrugged. "I was so oblivious when I was first left behind, I had to learn fast. On my first day, I was almost eaten by a plant. If Razmi had not seen it happen..."

"Is this the friend you brought back with you? A plant? Maybe you better start at the beginning with your story." Beata escorted them into sickbay and while they were being checked on she listened to everything Stef told her.

As they walked and finally were checked over, Stef filled her in on how Razmi had saved him from the plant, and gave her his five years in a nut-shell. He looked up at the attending doctor. "I assume you will fill Doctor Anderson in? I understand if she wants to see us herself, eventually."

Sekat merely nodded. "I will fill her in," he promised, "for now you are free to go." He froze as the child reached to touch him, shying away as the boy touched is ears.

Alecx frowned as the man moved away, his hand still outstretched. Stef took his hand. "I am sorry doctor, he has never seen another Vulcan before. The only image he has, is me." He scooped the boy up and beckoned Beata. "Let us go to the arboretum," he said, "I want to see my chickens." He bit his lip. "I need some air."

"Sure," Beata said. She reached for Stef's hand without thinking. It was reflexive. Then she looked down at Alecx and offered her other hand to him. "There's always the holodeck too, for Alecx to play in. We can create different environments with lots of nature for him to explore."

"I would like to wait a little with the holodeck, let him get used to the ship and being in space first. The transporter was a frightening experience for him, he is not seen this level of technology before." He smiled apologetically at her. "I promise we will, in a few days."

"It's fine. Just a suggestion." But he certainly knew his son better than she did. It made her wonder if she still knew Stef, so much had happened while they were separated. A thread or worry spread through her. The doors to the arboretum opened and Beata let them enter first. Stef's chickens, upon seeing him, rushed over to greet.

Kneeling down, a look of joy spread across the young Vulcan's face as he pulled one of them towards him. "Chicken," he told the boy, who in turn refused to touch the feathered animal. "He is like you," Stef chuckled as he tried to guide Alecx's hand towards the bird.

Alecx shook his head, yanking his hand back. "No." He said clearly. "No I don't want to."

"Not everyone likes birds." Beata said smiling down at Alecx. "But they're all right. Might just take some getting used to. Alecx, look at this." Beata sat down in the grass a little distance away and reached out to pick up one of the bunnies.

The boy perked up and scooted over. "Wabbit!" he declared gleefully, reaching to touch one of the sensitive and soft ears. "I like wabbits."

Beata placed the rabbit in his lap once he'd scooted closer to her. The pretty tame creature seemed content to remain there and get petted if Beata offered it a tasty snack to chew on. "Me too," she said. "So soft and warm."

"Like me?" Stef chuckled as he watched the two interact.

"Maybe," Beata answered him, not looking up. There may have been a slight blush to her cheeks. She sighed quietly, feeling some of the tension leave her body.

"Bee..."

"Why does daddy call you Bee?" the boy interrupted, while still petting the rabbit. "And why do you feel so nervous? you and daddy?"

Stef held his breath as the child interrupted him, watching her for a reaction.

"Because he says I buzz around like a little bee. Your daddy and I were very close before he met your mom. But we couldn't see each other for a long time." She didn't know if he would understand, nor really how to explain it to him.

"I never knew my mommy," the boy whispered to her, "but he thought of you all the time...I heard him say your name in his sleep."

Stef blushed, not sure how to respond. He knew the boy was perceptive but he hadn't known the child had heard too. And he'd only known because Svara had told him he called for her. So, he said nothing for now, because he didn't really know what to say.

Alecx looked up, hand resting on the rabbit's fur. "Are you going to be my mommy?"

Beata sort of coughed and laughed at the same time. "How about we start as friends?" She asked, not really thinking she would refuse Stef if he asked her to marry him. But they both had a lot to think about and she didn't want to rush into anything.

Neither did Stef and he nearly choked as his son asked that oh-so innocent question. "Miss Beata and I have a lot to discuss first," he told the child, "but who knows, maybe in the future." It was certainly an open door but he understood they couldn't just continue where they'd had left off. "Small steps," he suggested to Beata even if he knew where those small steps had led them before.

"Right," she agreed, reaching to pet the rabbit again as the chickens wandered over closer to her. She kept an eye on them, not shooing them away but not inviting them either. It had been a long day, a long couple of days and so much longer for Stef. "I should probably get some sleep. Do you want me to walk you back to your quarters?"

Watching Alecx, Stef shook his head. "No, I think I will remain here a little longer. He looks so content at the moment, I do not want to take that from him." He smiled softly. "But thank you, the thought is appreciated."

"Sure." Bee looked back at Alecx. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

Looking up, the boy nodded briefly before returning his attention to the furry creature in his lap. "Tomorrow," Stef confirmed. "Perhaps we can go swimming, if duty allows?"

"Sure. That sounds fun." Beata reached out and stroked the rabbit one more time before getting to her feet then she addressed Stef. "I guess I will see you tomorrow too." She hesitated slightly but then placed a kiss on his cheek before heading for the exit towards her quarters.

The boy looked after her before looking up at his father. "She's hurting," he said, "it's because of me, isn't it?" He sounded too wise for his years.

Stef shook his head. "No Alecx, not because of you. Because of me. She is hurting because of me, but I will fix it. It will take time." He picked up the boy, including the rabbit. "Come, we will go home too."


Crewman apprentice Stef
Animal Caretaker/Yeoman
pnpc Lhaes

Ensign Beata Lauryl
Operations Officer
USS Majestic
pnpc by Saulitis