Together we are stronger

Posted on Thu Jul 24th, 2025 @ 9:52am by Lieutenant Commander Callie Raven-Grayson & Commander Jonathan Grayson

1,152 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Wounds From the Mirror
Location: Grayson family quarters

The nightmare was over, at least to a point. Callie was reunited with her children, her protective instincts even stronger than before. Seeing Harry, Shona and Steven down to sleep she sat in low light waiting for Jon for return home. They’d barely had time to talk, but Jon had seemed different to her more distant than usual. She just hoped he wouldn’t hate her when he learned the truth of what had occurred between mirror Jon and herself.

Jon came back from the bridge. He was enormously relieved and grateful to have her back and that she was unharmed though when he first saw the bruises on her skin he thought she had been abused. He entered their quarters and he felt like a fraud. He had cheated on the love of his life. Granted he had been deceived by her twin but that didn't make him feel any better.

He found her sitting on the couch, "Hey, you want something to drink?" He said softly.

“No” Callie shook her head motioning for Jon to sit with her. “Since I got back we’ve barely spent any time together, and when we have you’ve seemed…distant. What happened while I was gone?”

Jon nodded as he sat down beside Callie. He didn't answer right away, he took her hand in his and felt the smoothness of her skin. he looked deep into her eyes. "I'm a fraud Callie, a terrible husband. So, after I say what I need to say, if you want me to go, I will." He took a breath and plunged forward. "Your mirror tricked me and we had sex." He let it hang before going on. "I am so sorry Callie! I know I've hurt you terribly and words seem so inadequate right now but I am so terribly sorry." he finished as tears glistened in his eyes.

Callie bit her lip before looking into Jon’s eyes. “This…” she motioned to the bruises that were still on her skin. “I wasn’t tortured Jon…he..” she paused. “The other Jon, he fooled me too. We made love! These are from that.” Tears ran down her cheeks. “I should have known it wasnt you!!”

Jon reached a hand out and gently wiped Callie's tears away. It is alright Callie. We were both fooled but never again. I hope you can forgive me and we can go back to having the marriage and relationship we had before all this."

Callie nodded as she looked into his eyes gently wiping away his tears as well. “How could I blame you for anything? I love you Imzadi and nothing they could ever do would stop me from loving you!”

Jon cried harder at those words. he leaned forward and kissed Callie the way she deserved to be kissed and treated with love and respect and compassion. "I love you Callie, every second of every hour of every day. I love you and I will continue to love you."

Callie returned the kiss knowing this time she truly had her real husband here with her. “Let’s go to bed, I just want to hold you knowing it’s really you.” She did her best to smile through the emotion of the moment.

Jon nodded, gratitude shone in his eyes at Callie's suggestion. "I'd like that. I'd like that very much. Falling asleep in each other's arms would be perfect. Maybe begin to put this nightmare behind us."

Callie smiled as she moved to stand up, taking hold of Jon’s hand she held onto him as they headed to their bedroom. Entering the room Callie moved to her side of the bed removing her clothing she slipped under the covers.

Jon likewise removed his clothing and climbed into bed. he turned to face Callie. "Callie, can you place something in my mind to keep this from ever happening again?" He didn't know if Callie could but he wanted to cover every avenue.

“In your mind?” Callie gave him a worried look. “The mind is a fragile thing Imzadi, as we both know only too well. I’m not sure what I could do, if I ever hurt you…”

"Well, some way of you knowing it's me and not someone pretending to be me." Jon clarified not knowing if he really helped explain what he was asking. "Callie, I know you would never hurt me. But we both hurt each other because of our mirrors and I don't want either of us to go through something like that again."

Callie nodded. “I could try placing a memory marker of sorts, deep into your mind where only I could find it and know it’s you. I could also reverse it for you, so you know whether it’s me you’re dealing with.” She paused. “It’s just…it would be uncomfortable for you if I went that deep into your mind.”

"Jon offered a smile, it was weak but a smile. "I trust you completely and I have no secrets from you and I know you would never hurt me besides what is a bit of discomfort to prevent this from ever happening again."

Callie nodded. “Alright, I’ll make it as quick I promise.”

Jon nodded back. "I know sweetie, I know." He had absolute faith and trust in Callie.

“Okay” Callie nodded. Focussing on a memory of a time they ended up making out in a stuck turbolift at the Academy, she planted the memory seed deep in his mind. She felt him flinch, hoping she hadn’t caused him too much discomfort. “Jon are you alright!?”

Jon had closed his eyes as Callie planted a memory marker in his mind. He flinched as she planted it but there was no pain. His eyes remained closed as Callie asked was he alright. A few seconds past before Jon opens one eyes and then another a grins at her. "I'm fine Sally," He teases.

Callie gave him a playful swat at that answer. “Don’t you ever raise that name with me, Sally was nothing but a pain at the Academy!” She grinned. “She got us stranded in that damn turbolift, not that I’m complaining. It was the first time we ever made out.”

Jon nodded, "All true but she did bring us closer together even if that wasn't her original intention. I am definitely not complaining. You were a good kisser then and are even better now."

“Ohh is that so?” Callie grinned before leaning in for a kiss. “Be careful or these old memories might just stir up the want for more than just talk.”

Jon nodded, enjoying their playful banter. "Indeed it is so. He tried to arch his eyebrow and failed miserably. "Is that a fact?" He teased as he kissed her.

“Ohh it is…” Callie grinned. “Do you remember….”

{TBC}

 

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