A moment out of time. 1

Posted on Sun Jul 2nd, 2023 @ 3:58pm by Lieutenant Commander Shoniara T’ghann-Travis Dr & Lieutenant Seth Travis

Mission: Writing the Q Cards
Location: T’ghann-Travis Family Quarters
Timeline: Current

Lieutenant Commander Shoniara T’ghann - Travis as her creator Linds stood outside the door to their quarters her hand raised to enter. She stopped as it felt strange being two people in such a hopefully romantic situation. She had previously decided against it for what reason she really did not know. But she had almost persuaded herself she was the attractive half Vulcan half Riasan physician with a daughter and a pet Sehlat all of which had initially come from her own imagination. This life felt so real to her, much more real than her own. She put her shoulders back smiled pressed the button and walked in. Her daughter Shasta was lying on the floor reading, supported by the large feline resting against her side.

“Hi mom, we are doing Earth history at school, third world war.” She sat up. “How was you day?” Linds bent down and kissed her loving the feel of her daughters hair and skin.

“Oh you know, the usual mirth and mayhem enough to tire this oldie out.”

Shon sat on the couch and removed her boots wiggling her toes. It felt so wonderful to be mobile once again, no signs of arthritis or cancer. She stretched her long legs out. Shasta took her place on the couch beside her and placed her legs over hers cuddling into Lind’s side.”

“Dad’s cooking dinner so I know it will be good!”

Linds pushed her gently, “hey you are you telling me my cooking is bad?”

Seth was exactly where Shasta stated...in the kitchen and he was indeed cooking. he had thought long and hard on what to prepare for Shon and Shasta. At first he considered pizza but there was no effort in that. Then he considered seafood but he was unsure about what fish to prepare. he knew Shon liked seafood their first date had plenty prepared by her brother. So, he finally settled on old tried and true. He was cooking steaks. Big T-bones, with baked potatoes for him and Shon and french fries for Shasta. He also had prepare salads which were cooling in the fridge. Then finally for dessert, he had a Dutch apple pie with whip cream to top it off.

He paused as he checked everything and smiled as he heard Shon and Shasta talking. He stepped out of the kitchen, "Hi sweetie." He greeted Shon, walking over to kiss her. "Can't talk, have dinner cooking." He finished with a smile and ducked back into the kitchen.

“It smells very good!” Linds exclaimed from the couch. She whispered to Shasta “go to your room for a few minutes I want to go kiss your dad.

Shasta twisted round, “yuck” she exclaimed as she jumped off the couch, and picked her PaDD up from the floor, “okay call me when dinner is ready ?” Linds nodded and waited for her to disappear followed by Puss. She padded over to the kitchen where Seth was busy at the stove. She put her arms round his waist leaning in to him. “Missed you today” she said squeezing his waist. “It smells good, can I help?”

Seth turned in Shon's embrace and kissed her again. "I missed you as well. I always do." He replied. He chuckled at her comment. "You certainly can. Will you take the salads out of the fridge and take them to the table? Oh,and fix some drinks. Tea all around. The steaks are almost done as are the potatoes. Need to get the condiments out. I know Shasta will want them for her fries. I didn't know which dressing you wanted for your salad so, we'll need those as well." He pulled the steaks off and the potatoes as well. "Done." He proudly announced. "Call Shasta."

Shon did as requested taking a few minutes to change into a comfortable Vulcan gown. She called Shasta who sat down happily and she replicated a feed for Puss who began to happily munch replicated targ. Can I help you serve?” She asked Seth.

Seth shook his head, "No." He said happily. "You can go sit down and be prepared to have the best steak and baked potato ever. I even put various steak sauces out on the table for you to sample if you choose."

Shon sat down thankfully and waited for the delicious smells that wafted from the kitchen to arrive before her. She felt tired but it was a ‘completed’ tired. Work in sickbay was complicated and, at sometimes downright dangerous for her and her patients as she navigated her way around the new technology that had already existed. She stretched her legs out under the table to savour the luxury of no sciatic nerve pain constantly screaming down her left leg, she could even feel her toes. She laughed in happiness turning it into a cough. She watched Seth walk in with the dishes and felt an overwhelming love for him, the character that Jeff had created.

Shasta interrupted her thoughts. ‘Mom our science teacher says I could win a class award in science if I carry on getting good grades.”

Shon leant over and caressed her daughter’s cheek. “That’s wonderful my love, your dad and I are very proud of you. Have you decided what you want to do when you grow up? You know it is a question all parents ask at times.”

“A Doctor like you Mom, because I love medical science.” Shone looked at her daughter askance wondering what, at such a tender age she knew about medical science.”

"Ladies." Seth announced, "Dinner is served. I do hope you both enjoy it. Please be free with your compliments." He laughed. His gaze shifted from Shon to Shasta and back to Shon and his heart swelled with love for the two of them. There was nothing he wouldn't do to insure their well being and safety.

He smiled as Shasta announced her desire to be a doctor like Shon. "I think you would be a fantastic doctor, Shasta. Just like your mother is."

“Hmm” Linds mumbled her mouth full of the delicious repast. She studied Seth as he ate. Somehow she knew every inch of him, each line and smile, wrinkle, the cut of his jaw and the sweep of his eyebrow up to his luxuriant sandy brown hair. His blue eyes shaded from her as he ate his dinner she waited until he looked up knowing his blue eyes would be there. “Seth, Shasta do you notice anything different about me?”

Seth froze. Had he missed something? A new hairdo? New clothes? New perfume? No, no and no. He gave a panicked look to Shasta who shrugged her shoulders at him. He looked to Shon. He studied her. How her lips turned up when she smiled and her eyes crinkled when she laughed. He loved this remarkable woman from the first time he set eyes on her. He shook his head, "Only that you seem more beautiful, more radiant than ever. My love." He admitted.

“Where did you learn to be such a sweet talker?” Linds asked jokingly.

"I'm a diplomat. I have to be a sweet talker Shon. Makes diplomatic talks go better and smoother." Seth quipped.

Linds took a bite of her meal which continued in companionable silence for a few minutes. “Seth, Shasta do you want to stay on a Starship forever, or could you be happy in a little home on some planet somewhere?”

Shasta looked up from her meal. “That is an odd thing to say Mom!” Shasta looked at Seth as though waiting for his reply.

"I agree with Shasta. It is an odd thing to say and ask but as it was asked, it deserves an answer. I could be happy anywhere as long as I have both of you with me. No doubt in my mind. You Shon, and you Shasta are my greatest joys and most priceless treasures.'' Seth replied straight forwardly.

Linds smiled. “Oh by the way I cured the Kilrathi plague today.” She smiled as she tucked into her dinner. Shasta wouldn’t know what that meant but Seth would.

Seth beamed with pride at Shon's announcement. "Way to go darling! I am so proud of you. I like the way you said it so casually. That is a big deal Shon. You should be shouting it from the rooftops. I bet the Captain and Commander Grayson were impressed."

Linds wished she hadn’t said anything as she felt she just got lucky. “Oh, well you know how things are. However there have been side effects that I don’t know how to deal with. There was also Q and Admiral Janeway to deal with. I’m not sure how long I have got to do so.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth Linds wanted to take them back. She wanted to stay there so much in this family of love but, at that moment knew that her life on the Washington would return to just writing about it. She stood not wanting Shasta or Seth to see her cry. “I’m sorry I need to wash my hands.” Linds headed for the bathroom.

Seth shared a concerned look with Shasta as Shon suddenly got up to was her hands. "I 'll be right back Shasta honey. I'm going to check on your mom."

Shasta nodded as Seth went to check on Shon. He wasn't stupid or blind. He knew something was wrong with his wife. He just didn't know what. He found her in the bathroom, Staring into mirror. "Shon sweetie, what is wrong? Have I done something to upset you?"

“Who do you see Seth?” She asked as she touched her face tears falling.

Seth stared at her, saw the tears falling. "Shon honey. What's wrong? The one I wake up to every morning and makes me glad to be alive. I see you. The most beautiful woman I have ever seen.." He said as he wrapped his arms around her and held her close.

Linds was surrounded by the smell and feel of her husband, so real but in reality just the pages of a game written by a group of friends. What would happen when it stopped? “Seth” she asked suddenly through her tears. “Let’s leave here, right now. Take a shuttle you me and Shasta and run away. See what happens?”

Seth leaned back and looked at Shon, concern in his eyes. "Shon honey. Are you serious? See what happens? They would come after us, catch and throw us in the brig. Our careers would be over. They would probably also take Shasta from us as she's a minor. So, let's not run away. What's going on Shon? What's got you so upset?"

She grabbed his arms, “don’t you see Seth, none of this is real! You and Shasta, this life, Shon as you know her. We don’t exist, this life does not exist outside the realms of a story” she shook him trying to make him understand. “Nothing is real! I am barely functioning in this world getting by by the skin of my teeth and I am so very tired. I am dying Seth and, when I’m gone you and Shasta will cease to exist.”

Seth now looked at Shon with horrified eyes that his wife was losing her mind. "Shon. Calm down. Shasta and I aren't going anywhere and you aren't dying. Your the picture of health. Come finish dinner, better yet, why don't you lie down? I'll call Sickbay see if Samantha can prescribe something so you can calm down."

Linds gave up knowing that this was a battle she would not win. Better that her family did not know, or understand what was happening. She slumped against his chest feeling his strength pour into her. “I am tired,” she whispered, “I would like to lie down in your arms and sleep forever. I love you both so very much and you are a part of me, the best part.” She remained there still, with his arms wrapped around him.

Seth rubbed her back. "You are tired, you've been under a lot of strain with the Kilrathi and curing the plague. Come back and finish dinner. I'm sure Shasta is wondering what is going on. Once we're done. We'll lie down together." He kissed her forehead. " We love you very much as well Shon." He said softly as he continued to hold her in his embrace.

She allowed herself to be walked back to the dinner table. Shasta watched as they walked back a troubled look in her eyes. Linds sat down and took a drink. As she picked up her fork her hand shook causing the plate to rattle. Shasta jumped up and ran round to her father. “What’s wrong with mom, is it me, have I done anything?” Her young eyes full of something akin to fear and presentment.

Seth looped his arm around Shasta's shoulders. "Your mother is tired sweetie. It isn't you. Not at all. You stop thinking like that. You haven't done anything. You just keep on being the wonderful daughter you are. Your mom needs your, our love and support." Seth told their daughter. "Now go and finish your dinner please."

Shasta nodded and on her way back round to her seat she suddenly hugged Linds with all her might. Linds let go of her fork and grabbed Shasta hugging her back. Shasta sat back down and began to eat. “I know you are tired mom, you have been working very hard. Rynn at school told me that everyone seems on edge and that something different it going on.”

Shone smiled, “out of the mouths of babes!” She looked at Seth and began to finish her dinner. “How was your day Seth?”
She asked conversationally. It seemed that her outburst had helped her reconcile to the situation, at least for the moment.

"Oh, pretty mundane." Seth replied. "Reading over some trade agreements with the Tholians. As usual they want everything and want to give up nothing." He smiled at Shon and Shasta. "Just business as usual with them." He stated.

Shasta looked up as she had just finished her dinner. “Is it true that the Tholians look really scary dad?” She asked looking aside to Linds who was studiously finishing her steak

"Well Shasta, their appearance can br unsettling if you aren't prepared but it doesn't make them bad or evil. No one's appearance does that. It's their actions that show what kind of person they are." Seth replied as he too watched Shon.

Shon sighed and put her fork down her meal finished. “Your dad is right Shasta. To the Tholians and many other species we look scary. We must try to show love to all but to the weak we have a duty to protect.” She stood. “If it is all right to you both I think I will go and lie down I am very tired.” She stood and kissed Shasta on the top of her head. “Don’t stay up too late, remember it’s a school night.” She walked over and ordered a glass of wine from the replicator and headed to the bedroom.

After the door had closed Shasta looked at Seth. “There is something wrong with mom, I can feel it, can’t you dad?”

Seth waited for the bedroom door to close before he spoke. "Yes Shasta, I can. Your mother has been under a lot of stress lately and it is up to us to see we don't add to it and we do what we can to help which means we love her even more and make ourselves available to help when and where we can." He winked at Shasta, "Okay honey?"

Shasta nodded but still looked uncertain. “Dad is it okay if I have the pie in my bedroom tonight. I promise to clean my teeth and go to bed after I finish my homework?”

"Sure sweetie, that is fine. Go ahead and cut yourself a slice." Seth answered. "Don't stay up too late Shasta." He gently reminded his daughter.

“Of course not silly, perhaps mom didn’t tell you we are going on a visit to the Arboretum tomorrow so we have to be in school early.” She stood and pushed her chair in. She went round the table and hugged him. “Thank you for being the best dad in the world, now go spend some time with mom.” She kissed him on the cheek, “good night dad, “ and picked her dishes up depositing them in the kitchen. She cut herself a thick wedge of Dutch apple pie and slathered it with cream licking her finger. “Mmmm Dad, you really do make the best pie in the galaxy.” With that she headed to bed closing her door gently.

"The arboretum huh? Well have yourself a good time Shasta." He blushed as she called him the best dad in the world. "If I am, it is because I have the best daughter in the world." He smiled at the thick slice of pie she had cut herself and then topped with a healthy portion of cream. "Good night Shasta." Now alone. Seth just sat at the table. dinner hadn't gone like he planned and he was worried about Shon and her odd behavior. He was so focused on Shon, He didn't realize the passage of time.