Panic Mode

Posted on Fri Feb 1st, 2019 @ 8:01am by Lieutenant JG Gallia Norris & Ensign Kara Hoffman

Mission: Season 2: Episode 3: Determination is not always a good thing
Location: Gallia's temp quarters, planetside/Elysium
Timeline: after Gallia finds out
3964 words - 7.9 OF Standard Post Measure

As soon as Gallia got done talking with Estelle the first thing she did was call Kara, =A=Norris to Hoffman...=A= She was equal parts nervous and furious, not sure if she wanted to burst into tears, tell Kara how stupid that stunt was, or both in equal measure. All that was sure was she needed to know she was okay; this was stupid, but Gallia loved Kara and that wasn't going to change.

Kara lay in her bio-bed, when her comm-badge on the table beside her chirped up with Gallia's voice. Without hesitation Kara grabbed it and pressed it, careful to move Tayalas into her other arm, cradling the sleeping baby girl. Kara tried to stop the lump in her throat from preventing her from being able to speak. Kara swallowed and as she spoke, couldn't help but start sobbing silently. =A= I-I'm here Gallia =A=

=A= I'm sorry if I woke you.=A= Gallia began, =A=Are you alright, love?=A= No matter how angry she was at Kara, and right now she definitely was, she needed to hear from Kara's own lips that she was safe and recovering.

=A= I'll be fine. Thanks to some quick life saving surgery by our Chief Surgeon that is. I am so so sorry that this happened. =A= Kara wiped her tears with her arm. =A= I know your probably very very angry with me. I've let both you and Tayalas down...=A=

=A= She with you?" =A= Gallia asked, she didn't even want to comment on anything else before getting that information.

=A= of course. She's sleeping. Safe and sound in my arms. I swore to you, no harm would ever come to her so long as I was around =A=

=A= What if you'd died? =A= Gallia inquired, her plans to start yelling at her lover cancelled after learning their baby was asleep right beside her, =A= What would've happened to Tay then? =A=

Kara could not argue. Gallia was right. If Kara had not called for help, who knows what might have happened. She looked down to Tay and took a deep breath. =A= you're...right. What I did was foolish. I will never do anything like that again. I honestly did not think anything like this would happen. I've run that holo-program at least twenty times, and nothing like this has happened. I realise that this entire time, I was playing with fire, waiting to be inevitably burned when something went wrong and it did. =A=

Gallia had called with the intention of, once she knew Kara was okay, really letting her have it and working her over good, but it all seemed unnecessary now, Kara'd done the job on herself, done it better than she could've ever dreamed of, =A= Definitely not your best move, love. =A= Gallia replied, =A= I'll be honest, I'm furious with you for bein' so stupid, but... I know you didnae mean any harm. Just promise me you'll never do anything that dumb again. Especially not with Tay around. I hope she doesnae remember that and have nightmares about it.... =A=

Kara kissed Tay's forehead lightly. =A= She awoke for a brief moment when i stumbled back into our Quarters to hide and call for help. She seemed to know something was wrong, however I made sure to settle her down, she fell back asleep quickly. I hope no harm has been done. She's been fussy, not wanting to be away from me for even a few moments. The nurses gave up trying to feed her, she'd wail and wail until back in my arms again. What a lass... =A=

Gallia ran over Kara's statement a couple of times in her mind, making sure she got it exactly right. She knew she needed more information before assuming anything, =A= So she was in our quarters while you were on the holodeck... =A= Gallia began, asking, =A= Who was with Tay while you were playin' your game? =A= I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation, Gallia reassured herself, she was probably with the Ambassador's daughter...

Kara sighed. =A Ensign lupal from Engineering watched over her while I was on the Holodeck. She has since explained she needed to quickly go back to her own quarters to get a childhood bear to give to Tay as a present. In her short absence was when I returned to our Quarters. I have spoken with her and she explained coming back to find me passed out, with Estelle examining me. She didn't exactly want to get in the doc's way so she left. I've spoken with her. She was shaken up but she's fine also. =A= Kara looked into Tay's crib where the stuffed bear, with pink fluffy fur and a big black nose and eyes lay. =A= Tay adores the bear y'know...=A=

=A= That's alright. I know she meant well, too. =A= Gallia said, her anger at what she thought had happened vanishing, replaced by relief that it hadn't, =A= And thank Lupal for me. Tayalas loves all her plushie friends... =A=

=A= I heard from estelle about liorga. I hope she is found soon. I really really hope so. Me and Estelle need to have a...chat after all this blows over. She said some things, i said some things. It kinda all blew up. =A= Kara was reminded of her anger. =A= she opened a rage within me, that I didn't even know was even possible... =A=

=A= I've heard. =A= Gallia said, not letting on how worried she was about that, on both of their ends, =A= Don't be mad at her, love. Anything Estelle said was motivated by love for me and Tay. Just like anythin' you said to her. Plus neither of ya were in the best of moods when the conversation started. =A=

Kara nodded, shifting uncomfortably. =A= Aye. That's true. I'm still gonna have a talk with her though. Straighten everythin' out. Don't wanna leave nothin' bad in the air between us y'know? =A= Looking down to Tay she sighed once more, a deeper sigh. =A= I'm sorry there's nothin' I can do from up here right now. I'm stuck here, cannae move even if I wanted too. Estelle put a forcefield aroun' ma leg and I cannae move. I could have easily over-riden the bio-bed controls but that could land me in big trouble with the Captain. I really wish i'd have paid more attention to what was goin' on. I honestly didnae know! Estelle didnae seem tae believe me, but there's nothin' to do now. I just hope she gets her Liorgia back. If it were you or Tay missin' I'd be going batshit crazy =A=

=A= You've had a lot on your plate. =A= Gallia stated, it wasn't an excuse for Kara, just a simple matter of fact, =A= And we're going to get Liorga back, no matter what it takes. I'll talk to Estelle, get her to spring you so you two can go home. =A=

Kara smiled. =A= If anybody can get her to see a wee touch o' sense, then you for sure can. You ken me, I hate being locked up here. It's almost worse than torture. =A=

=A= Alright. I'll work on bestie, see what we can get done. =A= Gallia promised, though she knew Estelle would be a tough nut to crack, =A= I love you. You're gonna hear about this for real when we get home, but I love you. =A=

~I love you~ Those words melted into Kara's very soul. She did not want Gallia to go. =A= I love you too, so much. I...I don't know where or who I would be without both you and Tay. I am so very sorry to have worried you, and put you and Tay in this difficult position. Please, please please PLEASE...be careful and come home with liorga safe and sound. I'm countin' on you, and so is Estelle, more than I think any of us really realise...she needs us to be strong for her right now. Even though I can't exactly forgive her for some of the things she said right now...=A=

=A= We'll get through the crisis first, then we'll work on everybody's feelings. =A= Gallia shrugged, though she knew logically Kara didn't see it, =A= It'll all be fine. You just take care of our girl, when we get back, we'll hash all this out. =A=

Kara's features dropped, a clear sadness coming over her. =A= hey, listen. Do...you think I need counselling...?=A=

=A= Well, speakin' from a strictly factual basis, Estelle's put you in for mandatory counselin', so it doesn't really matter what I think because you're gonna get it anyway. =A= Gallia replied, =A= Though, from what you've told me, that rage you went into... That's not you, love. That's not you at all. Might not hurt to figure out where that came from, for your own sake. =A=

Kara simple nodded. =A= I suppose she wasn't just sayin' it for effect then. Well if it makes me a better person for you and Tay then I have to do it. "No cryin' over spilled milk." As my grandfather used to say. =A=

=A= I know I've put a lot on you, Kara. A lot of your life has changed since Tay and I came into it, now you've got to look at everything through what's best for her. I wouldnae blame you if you decided we were more trouble than we're worth and left us in the dust. =A= Gallia said plainly, she knew their arrival had changed Kara's life dramatically, maybe was even the reason she was acting off, =A= That bein' said, I surely hope that's not on your agenda. It'd be rough on Tay... It'd probably kill me. =A= She didn't know why she was so worried, Kara was no Selina, but her level of terror was certainly palpable at that moment, =A= But whatever decision you make, I'll understand. =A=

=A= Gallia. I aint leaving you or Tay. I love you both, why the hell would I leave? True things have changed, but for the better sweetheart. Trust me, I know that now. =A=

=A= Okay, I just wanted to make sure. =A= Gallia's voice cracked, the relief she felt crashed on her like a tidal wave, for some reason she'd half expected Kara to take her up on the offer of the exit clause. Right, and that reason is named Selina, Gallia reminded herself, Kara is NOT Selina. Worlds better.

Kara smiled and looked down to Tay who happily slept in her embrace. =A= No matter what happens Gallia, a family stick together. Even through the rough patches. When i'm out of this restraint, I promise to do better by you and Tay. No matter what it takes, I'll do better for you both. I cannot fully express just how much you both mean to me, I won't leave you, I swear it. Gallia I've been meaning to ask you something for a while now, when this mission is resolved and we're back together, I have something extremely important I have to talk to you about. I'd rather have that discussion, in person. =A=

=A= Aye, soon as I'm home. Estelle offered to take Tay for the evening so we could have some alone time, we can do that then. =A= Gallia agreed, hoping that Kara and Estelle would be able to work out their differences quickly, =A= She and Liorga can spoil her a bit while we talk. =A=

Kara nodded, and held her comm-badge tight to her chest. =A= Alright, love. Consider everything forgiven. Life's too short to hold a grudge. It's pretty clear to me Estelle cares for you and Tay and that, is something that I should definitely be happy about and respect. If anything, then I was in the wrong. I'll try and smooth everything over when liorga is found safe, well and back on board. =A=

=A= Right. Once you too talk again when you're in better frames of mind, this will all be fine. Besides, I'm a far worse patient than you've ever dreamed of bein'! =A= Gallia laughed, =A= You just get well and make sure our girl knows how much I miss her and love her, okay? =A=

=A= Will do. It's impossible for Tay NOT to know how much you love her Gallia, we both tell her so much that she couldn't possibly forget it. Which is perfectly fine by me. Listen stay safe down there, let me know as soon as there's any news about liorga. Now that I know all about her abduction, and even though I don't know her that well I can't help but be worried for her. =A=

=A= I will, love. =A= Gallia replied, not about to tell Kara how pissed off she was they were making her sit the fight out, =A= And when we get back together that first night I'll make a proper meal for us all. Nothin' replicated, a real meal. =A=

Kara smiled, and she blushed bright pink. =A=Real cooking, real actual cooking. I've always meant to fix us up that barbecue i told you about. It's nearly finished. I'm so excited to see you whip up a storm. Tay will also! There's nothing quite like real cuisine to add feeling to a meal. I won't let you do all the work though, We're both chef's, of a kind. =A=

=A= Fair enough. =A= Gallia giggled, though she'd have been happy to prepare the entire meal, =A= And we'll let Tay give those five teeth of 'ers a good workout. =A=

Kara shrugged, and giggled too. =A= Aye, actually that'd be a might helpful, she's getting more and more crabby as she's teething. I think it'll help.=A=

=A= But she's developin' a beautiful smile. =A= Gallia stated proudly, her eyes misting as she wished Dolana could be there to see this, =A= And she uses it all the time. What a wonderful child we got. =A=

=A= You're right, her smile is one of a kind. The kinda smile that could lift your heart from the ground into the stars and beyond when she looks at ya'. I guess she can , since we travel through the stars on Elysium as we do. Tay made it happen, I might as well step back, Tay has powers beyond a Q in my opinion. She'll be smarter than all of us.=A=

=A= I think she already is. =A= Gallia answered, adding, =A= She was the one made the final choice on you. Seems to have done well with it,, too. =A=

Kara took a deep breath. Even with her leg restrained by this force field, she sat as tall as she could. =A= Gallia lemme tell you somethin'. Our girl, will be the best girl, the best girl who ever lived. Genius, with amazing prospects. There ain't no way IN HELL, that anythin' will phas'er. Cause we're right here. Stood beside her the whole way! She'll be strong, courageous, Determined and intelligent. Tayalas IS our future. She'll do just fine with us by her side. And captain lalor and commander Taylor too. By the way. Seein' as i'm all punch out on this pain medication the doc cooked up, I have a question for ya', I was gonna wait, but I want to ask it Right now! Will you... stay with me forever. By that I mean. Will you Marry me?!! =A=

Gallia froze for just a second, though it felt like an eternity for her and probably twice that for Kara. She'd been engaged before, it went to Hell in a hand basket at about Warp 90.. But I proposed to Selina, she reasoned, maybe it'll work better with me not bein' the one to propose, =A= Of course. =A= Gallia managed through tears, maybe they were moving too fast, but at that moment, Gallia didn't care; if it turned out to be a bad idea, she'd deal with it then, that's why later was the best time for worries, =A= Of course I will. Just try and stop me. =A=

Kara smiled with a confidence she had never felt before. Gallia and Tayalas had helped Kara to become better just by being near to her. There was something very special about both of them, Kara was absolutely certain she'd made the right decision. =A I'm so glad. I want to help you and Tayalas reach your dreams. I'm so happy you said yes! =A= Kara yelled, as she moved her arm down to stop her tears from dripping onto Tayalas and waking her up from her sleep. ~I honestly don't understand how, or why. Gallia and Tay do something to me. They teach me lessons I didn't even know I had to learn. They guide and support me, as I guide and support them. We're a team. A family. ~

=A= I'm happy, too. =A= Gallia replied, =A= And Tay will be happy, too. She's gettin' a full family outta this deal. I cannae recall bein' so happy. And ta think I called plannin' ta rip inta ya for gettin' yourself hurt doin' somethin' dumb. =A= Gallia paused and laughed, causing Tayalas to laugh along with her mother in her sleep, =A= This is much better. =A=

Kara smiled. =A= Aye. I'm a lucky Lass, to have you two y'know? I know this might not be the time Gallia, but you were in a relationship before weren't you? What....What happened? =A=

=A= Aye, I was in a couple. =A= Gallia answered, she'd already explained the basics of what happened between herself and Selina, she'd not really gone over the rest, =A= I been with a couple other women before, sometimes things just dinnae work out, ya know? Selina didn't want a family, the rest was just stuff where we grew in other directions. Why? =A=

Kara sighed, and shook her head a little. =A= I don't mean anything by it honey. I was just, curious. Y'know, if...you ever had a relationship with a guy instead of a girl at any time? I shouldn't really be so damn nosy I'm just curious. I've never been with any males. I find the smell of their sweat putrid, totally a no-go. =A= She laughed a little. Just what exactly was she trying to accomplish wit hthese question? Even Kara didn't know, she just asked whatever came to her head.

=A= There was Danny MacRae in high school when I was a freshman. What an idiot he was... =A= Gallia remembered, adding, =A= Probably still is. =A= Danny MacRae aka The Squid since he seemed to have ten grabby hands....

Kara laughed heartily =A= Really, ah kids eh? I remember asking louise Sullivan out, when I was younger.She had the most beautiful blond hair, and the weirdest way of drinking from a mug i'd ever seen. Almost as if it was unconcious she'd raise her pinky finger, every damn time she took a sip from a damn mug. Really got on my nerves. Ah we were just kids, she was my first kiss y'know. I've not really had much experience other than that, so keep me in line won't you? =A= Kara giggled softly to herself, watching Tayalas.

=A= That ya can count on. =A= Gallia answered readily, laughing at the mental image of this Louise Sullivan raising her pinky while kissing Kara.

Kara paused for a moment, having nearly forgotten other important news. =A= I...asked Commander Taylor to be the ring bearer by the way, I hope you approve. He's also going to ask the Captain if she will Marry us. There's also something else we need to discuss. When your back up here, I've got a fantastic idea of what we can do for our rings. Instead of just replicating one or whatever...Since we're both engineers, why not design two unique ring halves. Then on the day we put the two halves together. That way we'll each have a part of the other no matter where we are. Whaddaya think? =A=

=A= That sounds wonderful. =A= Gallia said, she liked Cdr. Taylor, and even if she hadn't ever met the Captain she'd heard good things, =A= And the rings is a must do. =A=

=A= It was the commander's idea to perhaps design a ring, I've just decided to take that one step further. You know, make it truly something unique. I have a feeling the commander will authorise my release from sickbay tomorrow. Maybe not, but if my hunch is right, then call me a psychic Engineer =A= She giggled to herself. ~pssshht A Psychic Engineer, good one ya dolt.~

=A= A psychic engineer? That could come in handy, ya know? =A= Gallia laughed, though she was semi-serious, =A= A warp drive whisperer. =A=

=A= Hah! Love it, I'm witnessing true genius at work. No doubt Gallia, your incredible. Always when I least expect it, you hit me with somethin' i'd never expect that makes me smile and just instantly feel better. It's crazy how much things have change the last few months eh...I'm so glad we met y'know! =A=

=A= As am I. =A= Gallia said with a smile, Kara had made her believe it was possible to love again after the Selina debacle.

Kara smiled and giggled aloud as she turned her head to look at the bio-bed console. Reading it, she raised an eye brow. =A= You'll never guess, Commander Taylor has just approved my release in six hours. Seems I was right about the good commander signing my release. =A=

=A= Yep, a good duck that one. =A= Gallia quipped, she didn't know how many ships she might serve on in her career, but she already had doubts she'd ever have a boss as all around good as Cdr. Taylor.

=A= He asked me to talk with him when I am released. I wonder what it could be about...Probably to give me a proper talking to about having the holo-safties off i bet. So, here we are my darling. You and I, engaged. I'm sorry that I sprung it onto you at such an odd time and not in person but I just couldn't wait any longer, t'was driving me crazy y'know. =A=

=A= It's alright, love. =A= Gallia reassured her, =A= And he's not going to be the only one to talk to you about taking the holo-safeties off, believe that. =A= As thrilled as Gallia was about her now impending nuptials, she was still not happy with the whole getting stabbed and almost dying thing.

With a nod Kara looked at her own hands. =A= As I said, I've done that simulation 20 or 30 times, but I was playing with fire Gallia. You've got every reason to be angry with me and I'd deserve it too, no doubt. =A=

=A= Well, don't repeat it, and we'll be okay. =A= Gallia said forgivingly.

=A= I promise I won't Gallia. Ever again! Never. =A=

=A= Alright, love. You're a Scot, I can take ya at your word. =A= Gallia replied, =A= I need to go back, we're gettin' ready to do... somethin' or other to get Liorga back. You take care of yourself and our little girl, okay? I love you. =A=

Kara nodded hard. Even though Gallia couldn't see her, she did it instinctively anyways. =A= Be careful, take care of yourselves down there! I'll keep everything up here running smoothly I promise. =A=

=A= I never doubted it for a second. =A= Gallia said, =A= Norris out. =A=