Innocence Lost

Posted on Wed Nov 8th, 2023 @ 4:46am by Lieutenant Commander Kara Starr {Kelea-Salik} & Lieutenant Commander Malakai Starr [Taylor]

Mission: Season 6: Episode 4: Memory Lane
Location: Kara and Mal's Quarters
Timeline: Current
1227 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

The spectral voices called to him, "You can run Malakai but you cannot hide. We will find you. You left us to die." Mal shook his head, "No! I tried to save you all the door was jammed! Sealed! I tired! I swear!" The voices were unimpressed by his impassioned plea. "We will have our revenge Malakai, on you and the woman you love named Kara."

Mal tossed and turned his t-shirt was soaked with sweat as he argued and fought. "Leave Kara out of this! She is an innocent."

The ghostly voices laughed. "There are no innocents Malakai where you are concerned. She will pay for your sins just as you will."

"NOOOOOOOOOOO!:" Malakai screamed, sitting bolt upright in the bed. His eyes as big as saucers as he looked wildly around his and Kara's bedroom.

Kara rushed into the bedroom having been out to the nursery to feed and re-settle their son. “Mal? Are you alright??” She was at his side in an instant.

Mal wasn't scared of anything or anyone but right now he had a look of fright on his face as his eyes settled on Kara. "Kara?" He questioned as he ran a hand over his face and settled down. "Bad dream." He said sheepishly. "You and Matt okay?"

Kara nodded. “We’re fine, I just put Matt back down to sleep after a feed. I’d just pulled the door to when you shouted.” She gently brushed his cheek with her fingers. “I’ve never seen you like this before.”

Mal took her hand and gently squeezed it. "I've never been like this before Kara." He admitted reluctantly. "I'm sorry if I scared you. I didn't wake Matt up did I?"

Kara shook her head. “No, he’s sleeping” she moved back into bed beside him, cuddling up with Malakai’s head laying on her chest. “Tell me about it.”

Mal hesitated. "It was a long time ago Kara. We were dating but I had left you in one of my dumber moments. I was assigned to the USS Yorktown as a mission advisor. Its mission was to patrol along the Romulan Neutral Zone. Nothing fancy, just a simple patrol. A mission that went bad when we hit a gravimetric mine, and it blew the starboard nacelle. We got that straightened out, but damage was worse than we thought, and systems were failing all over the ship. The captain ordered the ship abandoned. Escape Pods were jettisoned. I was getting into one of the last ones when a call for help came through the com. A small group of scientists, four or five were trapped in one of the labs. I went to help. The lab doors had been fused shut by the explosion and systems shutting down. I tried every trick I knew to get the doors to open, and nothing worked! Nothing!" He looked at Kara, "I couldn't leave them Kara, so I pulled out my cricket phaser and blew a hole through the door and got them to an escape pod." He paused. "Everyone was saved, why would I have a nightmare over it?"

Kara shook her head as her fingers gently ran through Malakai’s hair. “I don’t know Imzadi, these nightmares seem to be affecting a lot of the crew. From what scuttlebutt says it’s somehow being used to soften us all up for being boarded, I don’t know how true that is.”

Mal shook his head. "If that is true. The lack of sleep will definitely affect us and our reaction times. Make it easier to board us." He looked at her. "But I'll keep you and Matt safe."

Kara nodded. “I know you will. I don’t know why but I haven’t had any nightmares, maybe it’s because I’m always alert for Matt and Ezri incase they need me. Maybe that makes a difference.” She offered comfort as she kissed the top of his head.

"I don't know Kara that could be it. You aren't going into full REM sleep. So, the nightmares can't get hold. However, I'm glad you aren't suffering from them. Has Ezri said anything about having bad dreams?"

Kara shook her head. “Not yet, but maybe her Klingon side is helping with that. She’s a tough little girl.”

Mal nodded, "She is a tough little girl. Takes after her mom." He said proudly and grinned at Kara. "Everyone thinks you are so sweet and nice. Nah, I know better than that. You are tough Kara, a warrior."

“Maybe so these days, but only since I married you!” Kara grinned. “Mattias looked after me before, I didn’t have to be a warrior but now I want to be to make you proud.”

"Oh no Kara. I have always been proud of you! I think you are an amazing woman. You don't need to prove anything to me sweetie." Mal finished as he looped an arm around Kara's slender waist. "I love you Kara Starr." He whispered.

“I love you Malakai Starr” Kara shifted position slightly so she could give him a loving kiss. “I won’t allow any harm to come to you either Imzadi.”

"Damn right Kara. We're a team. United. Look out galaxy here come the Starrs!" He exclaimed as he continued to hold the love of his life.

Kara grinned. “Heaven help the universe! There’ll be no stopping us!”

Mal laughed, it was rich and deep and full of humor. He fell back on the bed, bringing Kara down with him. "Darling, you are sooooo right."

“There’s just one thing I don’t like that I don’t have control over” Kara gave Mal a less happy gaze. “Chances are due to my El Aurian heritage that I’ll outlive you, Mattias, our children, everyone I know.” She sighed. “I’m not looking forward to that.”

"Well." Mal pretended to think on the matter. "I know. When I die, I can have it so you have to go with me. You know, they will just put you in the casket as well. So, we'll always be together." He teased.

Kara couldn’t help but laugh as she wiped away a stray few tears. “As long as you’re there waiting for me when it’s my time, otherwise I may just have to figure out a way to join you.” She was joking but it sounded serious.

Mal laughed for a few seconds and then grew serious. "I will always wait for you Kara in this life or the next. We will always be together. Always." He repeated firmly.

“I know.” Kara hugged Mal tightly needing to feel the safety and security he offered. “Let’s get back to sleep, or we’ll both be worn out in the morning.”

Mal returned Kara's hug. "An excellent idea Kara." He answered as he kissed her again.

Kara rolled onto her side, bringing Malakai’s arm around her waist as her back lay against his chest. “You’re safe with me Imzadi, I’ll be right here with you.”

Mal kissed her neck softly. "I have never felt safer in my life." He replied as his arm rested around Kara's waist, and they lay together content in each other's company and the love they had for each other.