Phoenix and Gary Chat

Posted on Sat Oct 17th, 2020 @ 7:54am by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: SEASON 4: Episode 1: Know Thy Self!
Location: Captains Ready Room
Timeline: MD6- early
1267 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

The Elysium was almost at Deep Space 16, and Phoenix had again retreated to her ready room. She was struggling to maintain a calm façade in front of her crew. She didn't sit at her desk, instead, she sat on the couch in her ready room and let the silence surround her.

For his part Gary was restless. He wasn't sleeping. he was having dreams of what his mirror self had done to Phoenix and feeling terribly guilty over it. It was him and it wasn't him. He decided to talk to Phoenix and get it out in the open. So here he was standing at her ready room pressing the chime.

Phoenix looked up from her idle contemplation of her fingers. "Come" she called out as she pushed the throw blanket off her lap and stood. on the co

Hearing the command to come, Gary entered. He saw the throw blanket on the couch. "Am I intruding? I can come back later." He said half turning to leave the room.

"No.. its ok" Phoenix said softly. "I was just.. thinking."

"Seems to be a lot of that going on." Gary observed. "I was too."

"Its a lot to process" Phoenix said waving him to the couch. "The counselors on DS16 are going to have a heavy case load. Please sit."

Even as he sat. Gary was talking. "Yes, they are I don't envy them one bit." He looked to Phoenix, "Look I can come back. This isn't ship business. It's....personal." he said after a brief pause.

"ok.. Personal is fine Gary." Phoenix said softly. "go on."

"I..I" He searched for words to express his guilt and after a few seconds just plunged forward. "I just wanted to say how terribly sorry I am for the abuse you suffered at my mirror's hands."

"When.. I came back, I made a deal with myself, Gary. I will not allow those bastards to affect how I interact with my crew. Its hard but I do not intend to allow them to win. So, please, you were not the one who did what was done, just like S'hib was not the one who killed an ensign in front of me, and raped my yeoman."

"I appreciate what you are saying Captain. I truly do but it I'm having difficulty. I feel guilty even though I know i shouldn't that it was another Gary Taylor who just happened to look like me and sound like me." Gary answered.

Her lips curved slightly. "I will admit I did enjoy insulting him, on the base level. But I knew he was not you. I know the difference."

He smiled faintly. "I'm glad you do Captain. You know if you are uncomfortable with me. You can have me replaced with another first officer of your choosing."

"I am not having you replaced. You want out you need to get your own self out. And knowing my luck they will replace you with Lovejoy!"

Now Gary did smile. " Yeah, knowing Command they probably would and for the record no, I don't want out but I did want to make the offer. have it on the table."

"take it off the table Gary. You have enough issues already from what i hear"

He nodded, "What about you? How are you doing?" He asked changing the subject.

"I.. was already having issues. Ken has not contacted me since his transfer, and now with my Yeoman gone, I am dealing with the brass about that, and now my secret is out to the whole crew, thank you so much telepaths... Hey normal day."

"I'm sorry." He replied and truly was. "Is there anything I can do to ease the load on your shoulders?" He asked.

"Just make sure you and Lia stay stable and get through this. And make sure every crew member on this ship goes through the counseling."

"We will. I can promise you that and as for every crew member getting counseling does that include you Captain?"

"yes, my appointments are already booked in." Phoenix confirmed.

"Very good Captain. Set a good example for the crew." He joked very lightly.

"oh hush" She rolled her eyes and leaned back on the couch. "I have also requested shore leave for the entire crew. We shall see how that goes down. But I think those days in hell are worth a few weeks in paradise."

"I think that is an excellent decision Captain and I know the crew will appreciate it very much." Gary answered. "You need to take part as well. Not stay cooped up in your cabin."

"I will." She said softly. "Miran is going to meet us at DS16, a friend will drop her off. I think she will enjoy the idea of me not having to work... and I have to tell her about the pregnancy."

"How do you think she is going to take it?" Gary asked.

"I do not know." Phoenix was honest. "She is pretty pissed with Ken at the moment, even though his transfer was not his fault. But, its not like she didn't know Ken and I had kids in the pocket universe a few years ago... she may be ok with it."

"Just play it by ear. Tell her the truth and that you are counting on her to help you." Gary offered.

"That's the plan." Phoenix admitted. "How about you? Sudden fatherhood?"

He leaned back, closed his eyes for a moment. "I'm still getting use to it. Alicia and Savar will keep Connor. They will be his parents. I'll be Uncle Gary I suppose. it's an adjustment for sure."

"And for Lia" Phoenix said softly. "You both are going to have a lot to discuss."

"Yes, we are. I know she knows the boy isn't mine but it's still a huge adjustment to make." Gary replied.

"Yes." She smiled. "I am sure you will all make the adjustment well."

"Here's to hoping." Gary replied truthfully.

"Hey you survived Romulans. Mirror universe should be a snap."

"That's true. Good point." He joked.

"What i mean is, you two have been together what? nearly 3 years now. You are going to get married... when is that by the way? And things will work out."

"Yes three years, been through a lot and overcome a lot. As far as getting married whenever we can sit down and hash out the details." Gary admitted.

"Well get to it Sir. I do not want to be heavily pregnant when I officiate so get your butts in gear."

A broad smile spread over Gary's face. "Yes Captain, we will definitely take it under advisement."

"See that you do." She said "You have 1 month before I say no, find yourself another person."

"One month? Gary questioned but didn't push it. "I guess that means Lia and I better get serious."

Phoenix smiled. "Yes, well Liam and Liselle were confirmed about 4 hours ago. No longer a single baby but twins..." She shrugged. "Guess the pocket Universe was right about something..."

"That's wonderful news!" Gary replied and then grew quiet. He missed and he knew Phoenix did as well their mutual friend Liselle Qwyyn the former chief flight control officer of the Elysium. She and Phoenix's boyfriend Ken Waters along with several others from the flight control department had been transferred off by one Commander Garrett Lovejoy.

"I guess so." she smiled ruefully. "Now, we are only a few hours off of DS16, I guess its time for us to make sure the crew are ready..."

"Ready when you are Captain." Gary answered solemnly .