A Conversation

Posted on Tue Jun 8th, 2021 @ 7:24am by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece]

Mission: Darkness Rising - A Phoenix Lalor Sub Plot
Location: Black Watch, Captain's cabin
Timeline: Md7 - Evening
3656 words - 7.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Phoenix could not put this conversation off. Sure, they had been speaking about what happens when they were done with this mission, of him returning with her to the Elysium but she knew there had to be a proper conversation betweens the two of them.

She asked Mattias to join her in her cabin on the Black Watch, where they could speak without interference. She dressdd comfortably for their rendezvous. One thing that she was sure of, was that this needed to happen, because she loved him and wanted everything to work out.

Unsure as to the reason for Phoenix's sudden call to meet her in her quarters onboard Black Watch, Mattias quickly climbed the stairs from the cargo hold and moved to her quarters, rapping his usual knock on her closed doors.

This time, she opened the door herself. dressed in black slacks and dark blue tunic top, her hair down she smiled "Hey," stepping back she waved him in.

He so did enjoy seeing her with her long hair undone and hanging loose. "Hey you." He said softly as he entered her cabin. When the door closed and locked behind him, he asked, "What's up, beautiful?"

She took his hand and led him to the couch. "I need to talk to you and I want you to promise me you will listen and understand that this is me, needing to tell you stuff so you understand things and it is NOT me in any way, ending what we have ok?"

Happily taking her hand, then hear her words, Mattias suddenly got a bad feeling. However, he would listen as asked. "Oookay?"

She smiled and sat, "oh stop it." Taking a breath she squeezed his hand. "We have spoken about when this is over what we want to happen . You coming to the Ely, and such. And I agree its what I want. I just want you to be aware of things and how they are there and of my past."

Noticably relieved, Mattias grinned again. "Oh!" He then sat down next to her and took her hands in his, turning to face her, he said, calmly and honestly, "I will hear anything you wish to tell me, Phee. Always."

Phoenix nodded. "When I left the Scott, as you know, we had been together a few months and things were lovely, but the fleet transferred me to my next posting. And it was there that things for me started to go bad"

Mattias nodded slowly. As they had kept in touch over the years, he knew some things, however, he always felt that she was keeping other details from him, knowing his temper and the fact that he would have paved the spacelanes red with the blood of any who hurt her.

He listened, without speaking or judgement.

"The Hydra was okay, but the chief there, he wanted another notch on his bedpost and I said no. I was not about to be that. So he got me arrested and charged with assault. Nothing was proven, I spent some time in the brig but no proof was found, and I was released and deemed innocent. But they put it on my file. He then, had me transferred to the Talons Wing."

She took a breath. "The Talons Wing replaced a ship on duty at the Federation Erisian Boarder. My father had succeeded my uncle as High Lord, and was making all the right sounds for Federation Membership, with a few exceptions. Women's rights being one of them."

Though he said nothing, Mattias was steaming, wanting to track down a certain Chief, and have a few kind words with him. When she spoke of her home, and her father, Mattias's jaw clenched automatically. However, his eyes were full of love for the woman in front of him. His voice, calm. "I'm sorry, Phee. I image it was beyond difficult going back there."

"It was not pleasant." She replied. "They needed someone who spoke the language, and so I was shuttle pilot for the dignitaries, My father hates transporters though we use the same sort of tech."

Tilting his head to the side and cringing slightly, he responded. "I bet your brother fucking loved that."

"Both of them." She shrugged. "I worked hard there to avoid them, didn't always work, but it was not all bad, I met my first female lover there."

This was something that she had never told him. Perking up slightly, especially at the mental image of a beautiful, naked Phoenix, in bed with another beautiful naked woman. He felt a stirring below. "Oh? How is this the first that I'm hearing this?" He narrowed his eyes at her playfully. "You've been holding out on my, Your Highness."

Phoenix laughed. "I have had 2 female lovers and 3 male lovers since you Mattias. "

The number suprised him. Not that it was a big number, it certainly wasn't. It was just that the only lover he had had since Phoenix, was his wife. He just hoped that that did not show on his face.

"So I was on the Talons Claw for only a year, was the trend I guess. I got into trouble there, twice, my Brothers." She added with a smile. "I decked Pallas and insulted Kyian. Fun really. I was eventually transferred to the Elysium. And my sister, came with me. She snuck off of our home world and followed me into the departing shuttle. She was 12."

Shaking his head in admiration, Mattias said, "If the rest of the women on Erisia would be as strong and brave as you and your sister, it would be a vastly different world." He then smirked. "Wish I could've seen you punch Pallas. I'm very jealous." He gave her a playful wink.

"i used the skills you taught me Matt." She smiled back at him. "My sister and I went to the Elysium, we were there for 2 years before we were stranded in the Andromeda Galaxy with the Admiral. It was there that.. my relationship with Ken started." she gave a shrug. "Ken was not the normal guy I went for, since you, my relationships were transitory, brief, one nighters. Ken wanted more."

"What happened with him," he asked, interlocking his fingers with hers. "If I may ask?"

"He got transferred off the ship. And then he died." Her voice was monotone. "He didn't know I was pregnant. I had not had a chance to tell him. But you see, he was not what I wanted at first. He treated me like I was on some sort of pedestal. Cause of, well I was an officer and he was enlisted, and then there was my rank outside of Starfleet. We were together officially for about 2 years. Just before we returned to Sol System to middle of last year. He treated me like I was glass. We even broke up for a period because he wanted me to stop being in danger. Even.. even in bed, it was like I was fragile and such." She gave a smile. "He was older than me too. 10 years my senior."

Mattias heard the pain in Phoenix's voice. While he would do anything to protect her, he also knew who she was, at her core. He loved her for more than her beauty and how she made him feel. He loved her for her strength of will and self identification. She knew who she was, and would never let anyone else try to tell her otherwise. That alone, made her the sexiest woman alive, in his opinion. And he was thankful that she had chose him to be in her life.

Hearing how the father of her twins had treated her, Mattias wanted to beat his ass. However, hearing her comment about their age difference, he couldn't help but grin. "Another older guy, huh?"

"Yes I have a thing for older guys" she laughed. "But the fact was, I know he cared, he loved me, I cared for him, and it took me a while after he died to realize that I had settled because, he was comfortable. He didn't make me feel like I was out of my depth and Miran tolerated him. Her approval was important to me. I was raising a teenager. One, I believe is growing into a wonderful young woman and I made myself settle because I wanted her to see me having a stable life."

"Phee, I am sorry that you had to experience any of that pain. If it takes the rest of my life, I will do whatever I need to, to ensure that you, your babies and Miran are happy and safe." He raised up his right hand to stop her from speaking. "I know you asked for time, and I'm not trying to pressure or rush you, Phee. I just want you to know just how important you and your family are to me."

"I know and understand that. Which is why I am telling you this. Ken and I... we were together longer than anyone I have ever been with and I know that what we have is different. And you didn't need your best female friend to help you woo me."

Smiling softly, Mattias reached up and gently caressed the right side of her face. "What can I say? I felt that you were outta my league and needed the assistance to gain your notice."

She laughed. "More like you were out of my league, Mattias"

Grinning warmly, Mattias loved the sound if her laughter. He always thought that it was melodic in nature. "Well, regardless, I'm glad that life has brought us back together, my love. I hope we are never parted again."

"Same." she smiled. "When this is all over and if I am reassigned back to the Ely... and you also, would you want to live with me?"

"In a heartbeat," he said without hesitation. "No matter where you go, I want to remain at your side, until the end of my days."

She smiled. "I should also mention that my mother and younger brother are now political refugees as well. And they sometimes live with me and Miran."

Mattias smiled broadly. "Stop it, you're making this a better deal for me with each word you say, sweetheart!" He winked at her and started to pull her towards him.

"Oh? How so?: she asked curiously.

"By telling me about how much more of your family that I will have the honor of caring for. You are my family, Phee. Even if we aren't married. You have owned my heart ever since our eyes met in that arena"

Phoenix smiled and slid into his lap and hugged him. "I will let you know, the captain's cabin on Ely is pretty big. "

Sliding his arms around Phoenix's body, Mattias held hee close to him. "All the more space for me to chase you in, your highness." He began to plant tender kisses on the side of her neck and collarbone.

Phoenix rolled her eyes at that. She shifted so she straddled him then leaned down and kissed him "Just remember, my sister is nearly 17 and is very impressionable."

"Well then," Mattias replied between kisses. "I'll just have to be careful in my pursuit of you, my love." His mouth finally met hers and he kissed her deeply.

Phoenix melted against him, as they kissed. Yes, it had most definitely not changed in years, the affect this man had on her. Her hands plunged into his hair as she pressed against him.

Mattias felt a kind of peace deep inside whenever he was with Phoenix. Yes, she was able to ignite his fires of passion like no other, however, he also felt whole when they were together. There truly was no other for him.

As they continued to kiss, he slid his hands underneath her tunic, and ran his fingers over her bare back, gently touching the scars that were there. He never felt that they marred her perfect skin. Instead, he had always seen them as badges of courage and strength. Which was yet another factor of this woman that sent his heart and soul soaring.

His touch sent shivers down her form and she shifted as if wanting to be closer. She gently broke their kiss and smiled. "This has not changed has it." she said softly. "It's like the years apart were never there."

Looking deep into her eyes, he replied. "No, I think it has changed. The time we were apart, I think, now that we have reunited, has made our connection so much stronger, I dare say it's unbreakable now." The love, compassion, trust and commitment that Mattias held for Phoenix reflected brilliantly in his eyes.

"Sounds good to me" Phoenix whispered. she rested her forehead on his. "So I told you my past and current life, do you have any secrets?"

The only secret that he had ever kept from Phoenix, other than those that pertained to Starfleet, was one that he still felt shame for. Lowering his eyes, he replied softly. "A part of me still feels shame for giving my heart to another, when it has always belonged to you, Phee." He couldn't bring himself to saying Saundra's name aloud, not even in the protective and loving embrace of Phoenix. The pain of seeing his wife and son brutally murdered, still haunted him.

Looking back up into her eyes, he said, "You know that, since you, there has only been one other that I've been intimate with. It will take me time to recover from..." his eyes welled up with tears, as he instantly saw his little Charlie, not dead, but giggling as little babies do when they're happy.

Gently she kissed him. "I know." she whispered "Matt, Amin mela lle, you can talk to me about it." She snuggled against him. "Saesa"

A shiver ran through his body as he heard her speak in her native tongue. "Amin mela Ile," he replied, a ragged breath rushing through him. "How...how much do you know about their....deaths, Phee?"

"I couldn't get much. Just that they were murdered." She whispered. "The rest was sealed."

Nodding slowly, Mattias closed his eyes. It was time to begin the healing process and free himself from this dragon. "Well, as you know, following my recovery and wedding...we stayed on Earth. When Ch-Charlie..." A strong wave of grief washed over him, just saying his infant son's name aloud.

"When he was two years old, we decided to go on a little mini vacation. Saundra knew someone who actually owned a few cabins in Bora Bora, the ones that are built over the shallow water." He took a breath and continued. "So, we went, it was beautiful there, Phee! Almost as much as Pacifica was." Meaning the time they two had spent a shoreleave on the beautiful world.

"One day, while I was out on a swim, trying to get my body back up to full strength...they came for us...or more specifically, me. The authorities think it was a group of thugs that had just broken into the cabin and then things went wrong. At least, that's what was in the official report.

Mattias was suddenly staring off, a haunted look in his eyes. "It was more than that, Phee." His voice had turned hollow. "There was blood everywhere. At least, everywhere that the fire hadn't destroyed. Out on the dock, where the fish table was, a single D'tang was jammed into the center of the blood covered table. Then, stuck on the two dock pilings that were closest to the table...their....their heads were...were jammed on top, dead eyes and open mouths aimed toward the destroyed cabin. It wasn't a simple break in. It was a message. A declaration of war." The hollow sound of his voice turned to a growing rage. His body was vibrating beneath Phoenix's.

She hugged him close and nodded. "That's why they went after Kara the other day as well." Her voice was soft. "One day they will pay Matt."

Wrapping his arms around her body, Mattias held onto her as if his life depended upon it. He began to weep into her neck. His whole frame shook as wave after wave of anguish flooded out of him. The sounds coming from him were those that could only come from a parent who has lost a child.

She held him tightly and let him cry it out. Phoenix knew he was in pain, and she knew that she would be the same if someone had killed her child.

After a while, Mattias quieted and his body stilled. His breathing was still a bit ragged but, he seemed to be finally spent of the rageful energy that had filled him earlier.

Slowly, Phoenix drew back and stood. "Come." She took his hand and tugged him to his feet. Once he was standing she led him to the bed and pulled him down onto it beside her. "Do you want to sleep?" she asked him.

Without resistance, Mattias allowed Phoenix to pull him, first to his feet, then down into her bed. He was feeling numb, hollow, empty. Looking into her eyes, those undescribingly beautiful silver-blue eyes of hers, he saw no judgement. All that was there was love and compassion for him.

Once he was laying next her, he reached up with a trembling right hand and gently laid it upon her left cheek. Taking in a shaky breath, he said, "I don't want to feel this pain anymore, Phee. I want to feel something else, anything. I feel as if my insides have been ripped out. Would you....' he closed his eyes, a few tears squeezed out. Taking in another breath, he continued as he opened his eyes again. "Would you help me...help me put myself back together?"

"You don't ever have to ask that Evael'dil" She pressed her lips to his and smiled. "I won't let you break again."

Feeling a surge of emotion rise up, deep in his core, Mattias suddenly reached out and pulled Phoenix to him. He started to kiss her tenderly at first. Then, as his blood started to flow faster, the passion increased.

"Amin mela Ile, Phoenix Lalor," he said, staring powerfully into her eyes, when he came up for air. There was a new look of commitment in those eyes as he looked upon her. And a new level of hunger as well.

***FADE TO BLACK***

Finally, his senses slowly returning from the whiteout status, Mattias gently laid Phoenix down on the bed, then collapsed onto his back next to her. Only then, as the sweat started to pour freely from his pores, did he begin to swallow huge breaths of air, desperately trying to replenish his starving blood cells. "....Holy shit....!" He exclaimed between breaths.

A low throaty laugh came from the worn out woman beside him. "That’s one way of putting it." she purred as she rolled to curl into his side.

Opening his left arm, he waited until Phonix had snuggled in before lowering his arm back down, holding her to him. "I think this bedding will need to be burned," he managed to chuckle derp in his chest.

"Hmm, maybe." she nuzzled his neck. "ed' i' Seldarine evael'dil. You make my body sing so well. I could go for days like this"

"Sal am Cins, Phoenix. Quor'She ent eath'she." Then, thinking about what she had just said, he replied. "You gotta give an old warhorse some time to recover, my lady. Or do you plan on sucking me dry, then moving on to another, younger, guard to seduce?

"Nah, younger men do not do the same thing as you do." she kissed him gently. "None have ever made my body and soul sing so well."

Satisfied by this answer, a deep purr vibrated in his chest. "And no one else has ignited my soul as you have, nin Tarien. My heart, my life, my soul, is yours. Quor'She ent eath'she."

"Lights" she muttered and the room went dark. Then with an impish tone of voice she said "So I am worth what you paid for, Sir?' laughter was clearly audible in her words.

Laughing with her, Mattias began to tickle her ribs. "Oh, much more that I ever could have imagined, slave!"

She laughed and kissed him. Then she said "I was only ever your slave, Matt." She looked him straight in the eye. "Only yours. No one else."

Returning her kiss with equal passion, he looked at her and replied. "And you are the only one I have ever been this intimate with, Phee. And the only one I will ever be with again." A part of him almost ruined the mood by asking her again to marry him but, he stopped the thought before it even crossed his face.

Smiling she snuggled down against him. "I am sure you have more ideas though."

Smiling, be kissed the top of her head. "A master never shows his slave all of his tricks or ideas. Not until she is fully trained and is unable to live without her master."

She laughed "Good night Matt"

Giggling softly, he pulled her to him. "Thar Ahnvae, nin Cel."

"Thar Ahnvae Nin Aran" she whispered back

Completely spent and content, Mattias soon fell fast asleep, his mind blissfully free of pain for the first time in a long time.

Phoenix fell asleep shortly after him, feeling safe and content beside him.

==
Amin mela lle = I love you.
Saesa - please
evael'dil - love
Cíns nin hir - Yours my lord
ed' i' Seldarine-By the gods
Sal am Cins - I am yours
Quor'She ent eath'she - Now and forever
Tarien- Princess
Thar Ahnvae - good night
Cel - Queen
Aran - King