The Art Of Conversation

Posted on Sun Aug 21st, 2022 @ 2:41pm by Lieutenant Commander Shoniara T’ghann-Travis Dr & Lieutenant Seth Travis

Mission: A Trip to Middle Earth
Location: Travis Quarters USS Washington.
Timeline: Pre Holodeck Middle Earth Adventure.

Shon shut Shasta’s bedroom door slowly leaving her quietly breathing as she slept. Shasta had been exhausted on return from their holodeck adventure and, as soon as she had showered she had gone to bed. Shon sighed and sat on the couch putting her feet up. “Computer reduce lighting by seventy percent” she said as she picked up her cocoa from the side table.

Seth had been in the office working on a model when he heard Shon in the living room. He stopped his work and went to see her, finding she had reduced the lights. He went to the couch and sat down. He looked at her not saying anything for several seconds then he quietly spoke, "You want to talk about it Shon?"

She nodded and leaned forward so he could put his arm around her and rested her head on his shoulder. “There is so much to talk about, so many ‘elephants in the room’ there is hardly any space to walk let alone see. First question do you love me?” She knew the answer but needed to hear it once again.

Seth looped his arm around her and looked deep into her eyes. He didn't make any jokes or quips. He answered the only way he knew honestly. "I love you totally and completely Shon. I love you; I will always love you. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me." As he finished, he lifted her chin and kissed her tenderly.

“She sipped her drink leaving a chocolate mustache. “Hela is going to return isn’t she and sooner than later?” Without waiting for him to answer she carried on. “To tell you the truth she has been in my dreams of late and I do not know if it is just my mind conjuring her up or is she really speaking to me?”

"I think it's a safe bet to at least think she is." Seth replied. "However, she has all the time in the world Shon and that's where you are making your mistake. You are obsessing over Hela. I'm concerned but you can't let this control you. I think your mind is conjuring up conversations with her." Seth answered honestly.

She turned and looked at him “Shas feels it as well Seth. She told me tonight that Hela has told her she will be coming soon to take what is rightfully hers. She told me she would rather return with her than have anyone else suffer. Seth I am a physician a woman of science but what we saw on that last mission, now I am not sure. Has she spoken to you? Tell me the truth now.”

Seth sighed, "Shon you and Shasta feel it the most and it is slowly destroying both of you. As for Hela talking to me, yes. I told her the only way she would get Shasta was over my dead body and she laughed and told me to be careful of what I wished for." Seth replied honestly.

Shon stood and threw her drink across the room to hear it smash on the wall. “No no no she will not have you! I wish I had never asked her.” She was trying to keep her voice down and just about managing it. “I have ruined your life, brought all this down on you, a daughter returned from the dead, twins on the way…” she walked up and down wringing her hands, “I will resign, leave here with Shasta, go somewhere far away, another quadrant where Hela might follow, you are my life, you have to be safe. Oh Seth what if she takes the babies?” Shon could no longer speak and had to sit down her legs giving way beneath her. She held her head in her hands and cried softly.

Seth put his arms around her and hugged her tightly. "Shon, stop it! Stop talking, thinking like that. We're in this together and we'll face it together. So you are not resigning your commission and you are not leaving with Shasta. You can't run away, no matter where you go, Hela would find you. She wants you second guessing yourself, doubting yourself. Time to show her, just how strong you are."

“I really do not feel strong Seth, I am used to being in control and there are so many loose ends and things that I am not prepared for. It seems like we loose whatever we do.” She stopped crying and dried her eyes. Walking over to the replicator she asked for a large glass of Saurian brandy. “Do you want anything Seth?” She asked.

He nodded soberly, "I want you and Shasta happy and safe. I will do whatever is necessary to see that come true."

She took a large drink of the synthohol. “I heard from Valev a few days ago. They are looking for a CMO at a new facility on Vulcan and he offered me the position. We could all go there. You, me, Shas and our two new babies. Good Diplomats are always welcome on Vulcan but, I feel fiercely loyal to my friends and crew, and to Captain Shran and this ship but, it is an option. He told me to take my time and think about it. What do you think?”

Seth continued to hold her. "A new facility on Vulcan and you as CMO that is a very intriguing situation, Shon. Yes, we could all go there. be a family have a house and not quarters. Feel solid ground under our feet." He smiled at her, "I understand your loyalty to Shran and the others. It a lot to think about and I think you should think on it. Consider the pros and cons. I want you happy Shon."

“Wherever you and Shasta are is my home you know. I will make a mental effort not to think about her until it happens.” Shon said. Somehow it seemed easier talking frankly with no secrets from one another. she bent and kissed his ear. “What about your career, surely you have hopes for that, aspirations as to who you could be. I also want you happy Seth.”

Seth kissed her cheek. " Thank you,Shon, you can do it. As for me, I am happy and content as long as I am with the two of you. My career is secondary to the needs of both of you. As a famous diplomat once said, "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or even the one."