Let's See What Is Going On in There

Posted on Tue Oct 25th, 2022 @ 3:03am by Lieutenant Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: Season 5: Time Warp
Location: Alicia's Office
Timeline: Current
1535 words - 3.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Gary arrived at the counseling complex and announced himself to the secretary that he was here for his eval with Alicia. After being told to wait, Gary sat on the couch and did just that. He looked at the pleasant colors the walls were painted, he was sure to help patients relax and it worked. After a few minutes the secretary announced Alicia would see him and escorted him to her office. Entering the office, he was struck by its pleasant colors and the relaxed feeling he continued to get. "Hello Alicia." He greeted the counselor and his friend warmly. For Alicia and Gary had a unique relationship. They shared custody of Gary's son. Well, the son of the mirror image Gary Taylor. The boy lived with Alicia and her husband Savar and Gary was 'Uncle Gary' to the boy.

“Hello Gary” Alicia smiled warmly as she greeted him. “Please make yourself at home, you know me I’m a person who loves creature comforts!” She grinned. “There’s fresh chilled water if you’d like any, or the replicator is always available.” She took a seat and made herself comfortable.

Gary chuckled and nodded., "Nothing wrong with that Alicia and I'll grab a water to have for later." He said as he sat on the couch.

Alicia nodded. “Well you know how this works, you’ve had enough evaluations during your career. I see no reason why you won’t pass this one with flying colours!” She smiled warmly.

Gary nodded and returned the smile, "So, does that mean we're done?" He teased. He liked seeing Alicia, she was an excellent counselor but beyond that a good friend who he was totally at ease with.

“Not quote that fast and you know it!” Alicia laughed. “So let’s begin...Given the recent events with Phoenix, and you having been temporarily removed from your position as Executive Officer, before being reinstated, how do you feel about it all?”

Gary nodded, "Yes, I do know it." He paused before he replied. "I didn't like it. I saw no need for it. Quite frankly I was hurt by the decision Alicia. It felt I was no longer trusted."

Alicia nodded. “That’s a fair response, to be honest it made a lot of people feel differently about Starfleet. Now you’re back as Exec, has that made you feel any better?”

"It has. I feel valuable again. More importantly, I feel trusted again that the cloud of doubt has been removed and I am back in the position I never should have been removed from." Gary answered calmly.

“Wonderful” Alicia smiled. “Sorry, it’s one of those questions I have to ask. If I don’t Starfleet will be wanting to know why not. Not that they will look at your file. So, how is married life treating you?”

"No need to explain Alicia, I understand. It is all part of the process." Gary replied. "As for married life it is great. Lia is wonderful and I love her dearly. How are you and Savar?"

Alicia smiled the biggest smile yet. “We are wonderful, thank you. As I’ve learned from others Family life can be stressful, but we have two wonderful children and I couldn’t be happier.”

Gary smiled at Alicia's answer. he was happy for her. Savar seemed like a good man and having two children was definitely a plus. "I am happy for you Alicia. That is wonderful and you look happy as well."

“Thank you. Connor always comes home buzzing after visiting with Uncle Gary.” Alicia grinned. “It must be very strange for you, having a boy onboard whose the son of your mirror counterpart? Especially when you don’t have any children of your own. For me it felt odd, yet natural. I guess that’s because I wanted to have children. I’ll admit it was very strange knowing my counterpart fell in love with yours, but then that’s the difference with the mirror verse.”

"He is a good little boy, smart too." Gary replied with a smile. "It is strange." He admitted, "Connor is my son yet he isn't my son. I'm glad he is with you and Savar. In a home with lots of love and a stable home environment. It is what Connor needs.'' He smiled, "It's called the mirror universe with a good reason."
He observed.

“I think a lot of us struggled with what we found there, I know I did.” Alicia shrugged her shoulders. “Anyway, how are things going for you and Lia? You were talking of the possibility of having a family at one point weren’t you?”

"Quite right and we are still talking. Lia has been advised by Sthilg to wait another year before we try to have a baby on our own. We're disappointed to be sure, but we can wait."

Alicia nodded. “It does seem like a long wait, but if anyone can help the two of you have a baby it’s my father!” She grinned. “He’s a miracle worker for sure. Have you considered other options? Just incase?”

"Lia isn't too thrilled with the other options. She wants to carry and deliver the baby. So, we wait." Gary observed.

“That’s fair enough” Alicia nodded. “As much as I’d love to give Savar another child, due to the damage done during N’Vea’s birth I can’t have any more children so I totally understand how Lia feels.” She paused to sip her glass of water. “Now is there a anything you feel you need to ask me, or that you feel you need to talk about?”

"Well, you know I've been offered command of the Arizona-D. So I'm thinking on that." He admitted.

“Of course you have! I completely forgot” Alicia smiled. “To be honest you’d be missed. How does Lia feel about it?”

"Well, I like to think I would be missed. As for Lia, I'm not sure. We haven't talked about it yet and I need to talk to Phoenix as well." Gary offered.

Alicia nodded. “Of course, whatever decision you make I’m sure it’ll be the right one.” She smiled warmly. “In all honesty the ship wouldn’t be the same without you, and I know Connor would miss you very much.”

"I'd miss him very much as well Alicia. Along with you and Savar, Phoenix, Arri Tate, Sthilg and few others. The Elysium feels like home which makes the decision even harder."

Alicia nodded. “I know that feeling, I can’t see myself anywhere else either. Not that I’m going anywhere. In all honesty I hope you stay, the ship wouldn’t be the same without you.”

"I appreciate that a great deal Alicia which is what makes this so hard. I've always wanted a command of my own, but the Elysium just doesn't feel like home, it is home." Gary replied.

“Perhaps it’ll be your command one day Gary, who knows” Alicia smiled warmly. “I know Phoenix will want to command for as long as she can, but there will come a time when she’ll be required to take up a desk job. It depends how long you’re willing to wait.”

"I'm afraid the wait may be a long one Alicia. Phoenix is still a young command officer, with many years of commanding of a starship ahead of her." Gary pointed out.

“True” Alicia nodded. “Well this is a decision that only you, and Lia can make. As for your evaluation, I’m happy to say you’ve passed yet again!” She grinned. “Not that I expected anything less.”

"It will be a hard decision to be sure. I can see many hours spent discussing it." Gary admitted. A smile split his face as Alicia told him he had passed his eval. "Thank you, Alicia, and thank you for making it so relaxing. It is a testament to your skill as a counselor."

“Thank you” Alicia couldn’t help but blush. “I’ve still got my evaluation to undergo yet, you know what they say about therapists making the worst patients. I hate evaluations!”

Gary chuckled at Alicia's statement. "Just relax, hopefully your interviewer will be as good as you are, so it will be a breeze."

Alicia grinned. “I can but hope! Thank you for coming to see me so quickly, I appreciate not having to chase you.”

"You counselors already have a difficult job, Alicia. I'm not going to make it any more difficult for you." Gary answered with a grin of his own."

“Well it’s appreciated Gary. Please do let me know what you decide to do regarding the offer a command of your own.”

"I promise you Alicia, you will be among the first to know, behind Lia and Phoenix." Gary replied.

“Of course” Alicia nodded. “It’s been nice talking to you Gary.”

"Always a pleasure Alicia. You and Savar should come over and we'll have dinner together." Gary answered with a smile.

Walking Gary to the office door Alicia smiled. “We’d like that very much, just let me know when.”

{OFF}