We'll Make it Together

Posted on Sat Mar 23rd, 2024 @ 6:18am by Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Gary and Lia's Quarters
Timeline: TBD
2434 words - 4.9 OF Standard Post Measure

OOC: Backpost


Gary was in the kitchen; he had poured himself a glass of wine and fixed another glass of Sake for Lia. Little Lia was asleep, and Lia was in the bedroom lying down. She had been placed on medical leave with no definite timeline for her return to active duty. He picked up the glasses and went into the bedroom. "I come bearing gifts." He bantered as he placed the glasses on the nightstand. "Sake for you, wine for me." as he sat on the edge of the bed. "I'm not disturbing you, am I?" Suddenly aware that Lia may have just wanted to be left alone for a bit.

Looking up at Gary, Lia just shook her head. "No, your fine. The crazy lady won't attack you, I promise." She raised herself on one elbow and took the Sake, "The CMO won't be happy with you though, giving a nutcase alcohol." Deep within her mind a war between pain and hurt raged, pain at being removed and tossed aside like a bit of garbage. Hurt at being betrayed by Star Fleet and the Federation, but more importantly deserted and hated by this crew. A crew and ship she'd given so much for, been through hell and back for them. And in the end, they destroyed her career and life.

Gary sighed softly at Lia referring to herself as crazy and a nutcase. He handed her the glass of Sake. "Lia, you aren't crazy, or a nutcase so please stop referring to yourself as such. You have been through a terribly difficult time. Being placed on medical leave allows you the time to be away from the stress that brought this on. It allows you to relax and spend more time with LL More importantly, it allows you to get back to the who you were before all this started."

"Really? You think so?" Lia sat up and placed her glass on the small table next to her, "The CMO said I've had a mental breakdown, that's crazy country in my book. My Security career is over, as is my Star Fleet career if they decide I can't be trusted under pressure." She looked straight ahead, her gaze far away and longing for some comfort. Shaking her head Lia returned her gaze to Gary, "My fault you know, nobody else's. Just me, I did it all by myself." Her tone was dismissive and angry, "That's what they told me, Reece and his merry crew. No admitting that they took the negative view or action, or that the other guilty person was forgiven and even rewarded for HIS actions."

Gary reached a hand out to Lia. " You are not crazy or a nutcase. so stop it. In addition, your career isn't over unless you want it to be over. Also, it was not your fault all by yourself, there were other contributing factors. What was your fault was you spoke up; you voiced your point of view. You questioned those above you." Gary said, his voice holding no judgment. You didn't just accept what was going on and the longer it went on, the more stress you felt and the madder and more frustrated you got." He smiled at her. "You my dear just need to be quiet at times."

Gary's words seemed to innocent for Lia, "I may not be nuts, but I'm one very angry individual. I could almost commit murder right now, if the right victim presented themselves." A faint smile graced her lips, "Do you know I attempted suicide? The CMO stopped me, but I was so low so alone I just didn't care." She moved as if to find comfort, but her embarrassment was plain to see. "They won Gary, they beat me down and then tossed me away. They stole my department and gave it to a violent criminal, and he is violent. But hey when he attacked me, Reece blamed me and said sorry to him. Staged managed and brilliantly acted by him, Reece fell for it hook line and sinker."

'Angry I understand as well as hurt and disappointed but no more talk of you being nuts Lia. You were simply overwhelmed by the situation." Gary paused for a moment, "I knew." He said softly, "Which just shows how low and alone you felt, and I am so sorry you felt that way. You were never alone, never." He saw her move to him and then stop. He tilted his head at her, and a quirky smile came to his face, "Hey, I'll hug and hold you forever if that is what is needed. As for them winning, your wrong Lia. Everyone loss in this, trusts were broken, confidence lost. Relationships severely strained if not broken. However, you lost most of all, but you will have the final laugh when you come back better and stronger than ever." Gary assured her.

Slowly Lia fell into Gary's arms, "Hold me, love me. Tell me you still need me, that I have some use to someone."

Gary's arms came up and wrapped around Lia, holding her tenderly in a hug. He kissed her cheeks and lips and whispered. "I love you more than you will ever know, and I need you by my side to comfort me and listen when I become frustrated. You are needed not just by me but by that little girl in the next room who calls you mommy."

At the mention of little Lia, she stiffened. "Do you think they'll take her off us because of me?" Lia looked straight at Gary, "I mean would you leave a vulnerable child in the hands of a possible deranged adult?" She glanced towards her child's bedroom, "I don't want to lose her now, sounds stupid after what I attempted. But I'll have more time to spend with her, and I think she's used to us now."

Gary shook his head, "Lia relax. You aren't deranged and no one is taking Little Lia. In fact, Little Lia is a settling and calming influence on you. Having her here, allows you to show off your nurturing skills and what a wonderful mother you are. You heard Alicia say that as well. So, calm yourself and don't get worked up over nothing." Gary smiled, "I think she is used to us and we have bonded as a family unit. I know you and she are extremely close and that is wonderful to see."

"You'd make a great politician." Lia quipped with a grin, "Little Lia has had a bad start, and living with me hasn't helped. She's picked up on my thoughts, maybe that's why she's been so quiet lately."

Gary chuckled at Lia's comment. "Oh, I think not but thank you for the compliment. As for little Lia, I'm sure she is worried about you and wondering how to approach you. The key is treat and act towards her like you always have and please stop putting yourself down. Time to put this in the past and move forward." He stated.

Placing her arm around Gary's neck, Lia gave a gentle hug. "We both know deep inside that life will never be the same again, we can move forwards but will the outside world allow us to put this behind and forgive and forget."

Gary looked into Lia's eyes. "Life may not be the same but we adapt with the changes. The most important changes are to stay positive and believe in yourself. As for the outside world, I think they will but even if they don't Lia, you can forgive even if you don't forget."

Lia shook her head, "No I don't think I can, there are three people who I had faith in trusted in a way. All three have betrayed that faith, broke that trust. Right now I can't see me ever forgiving any of them, two more than the other."

Gary was quiet as Lia spoke, when she had finished, he answered gently. "I understand Lia and hopefully in time your feelings will change but even if they don't, you will be stronger and better for not only enduring all this but getting through it."

She reached out and took his hand, "One day is a life time away right now, I may never return to where I was. To much water has flowed under the bridge, why would I want to repeat it?"

"You take it on day at a time Lia. There is no timetable on this. As for repeating it, because you aren't a quitter, and you aren't going to let anyone think they bested you." Gary answered decisively.

"But they did, they won. S'hib is Chief of Security, Reece is doing your job right now until you're able to return. They won hands down, just like Carol said they would."

Gary shook his head slowly from side to side, "Lia, you are looking at the short term. Think long term. I'll be back as XO in a couple of days. S'hib is chief of security but who is to say he won't move on or back to his home? The race doesn't always go to the fastest. Be patient."

Lia moved a little closer to Gary, "I'll give you the fact that you'll be XO in a few days, but even if S'hib was to leave. What makes you think our resident Princess, would offer me the job once again?"

"Because she knows you and what your capable of. You may have a low opinion of Phoenix right now and I'm not going to debate it with you. I think, knowing what I know of her, if the opening developed, she is open minded and fair enough to give you a second chance." Gary answered.

"Once again, I'll give you that. And I'll give Phoenix the benefit of the doubt, but you are forgetting the fly in the ointment. Commander Reece." She looked straight at Gary, almost daring him to counter her argument.

"Fair enough." Gary replied simply not wishing to argue the point and needlessly upset Lia.

Sensing she may have overstepped the mark, Lia lent forward and kissed Gary. "Sorry honey, guess I'm being a pain right?"

Gary returned the kiss. "Not at all sweetie. You are being honest, and I never want you to stop being honest and open when talking with me." Gary took Lia's hands in his and lifted her up and began to sing.

Ooga-chaka ooga-ooga
Ooga-chaka ooga-ooga
Ooga-chaka ooga-ooga
Ooga-chaka ooga-ooga
I can't stop this feeling
Deep inside of me
Girl, you just don't realize
What you do to me
When you hold me
In your arms so tight
You let me know
Everything's all right
I'm hooked on a feeling
I'm high on believing
That you're in love with me
Lips as sweet as candy
Its taste is on my mind
Girl, you got me thirsty
For another cup of wine
Got a bug from you, girl
But I don't need no cure
I just stay a victim
If I can for sure
All the good love when we're all alone
Keep it up, girl
Yeah, you turn me on
I'm hooked on a feeling
I'm high on believing
That you're in love with me
All the good love
When we're all alone
Keep it up, girl
Yeah, you turn me on
I'm hooked on a feeling
I'm high on believing
That you're in love with me
I'm hooked on a feeling
And I'm high on believing
That you're in love with me
I said I'm hooked on a feeling
And I'm high on believing
That you're in love with me

"Anyone ever said you were crazy?" Lia had a wide smile on her face, "I knew I taken on someone out of the norm, but hell Gary you sure know how to make a gurl feel special."

"You are special Lia. Special to me and Little Lia. Never forget that." Gary answered a smile on his face as well.

Lia now hugged Gary tight, "No, its not me who's special. Its all three of us together that's special, and I'm beginning to see that again. I may have lost a career and a department, but I've gained more in other ways."

Gary shook his head. "You haven't lost your career Lia or a department. This is a temporary setback, a challenge for you to overcome and you will, no doubt in my mind." He smiled at her, "We are special, the three of us. Happy you see it as well."

"I fancy making Katso Chicken curry, but you'll have to get the ingredients from the replicator. I'm banned remember?" Lia glanced at the floor and shook her head, "I may reapply to Star Fleet Intelligence once we get back, but ship board Security has closed its doors on me. Miracles don't happen anymore, not in this world."

"Katso Chicken curry? Will Little Lia eat that? I don't know if I've had that. Is is hot? Tell me what you need, and I'll get them from the replicator. As for going back to Intelligence, if that makes you happy, apply. I just wouldn't close the door on security." Gary answered.

"Its not hot, little Lia can try it and see. AND YES, you had it with me some time ago and enjoyed it." Lia put her hands on her hips and shook her head, "Perhaps you should go see the CMO, because I don't think you've fully recovered if you've forgotten things." A wide smile now broke out on her face, and despite feeling down Lia laughed for the first time since her attempt.

"Now that isn't fair Lia. I've had so many Japanese dishes it is hard to remember them all. However, if I had it and liked it, by all means fix it again." His face split into a broad smile seeing Lia laugh, there was still a way to go in her recovery, but this was a promising start.

A quick glance out of the cabin windows and Lia smiled, home was out there and she still might see it. "Right, you get the replicator going. I'll go to the kitchen, and we'll get little Lia and all sit down to Katso chicken curry." Life in the Taylor household would never be the same again, but it would continue.

Gary smiled at Lia replied with a smile as she headed for the kitchen. Life didn't get any better than spending it with family and Lia and little Lia were not only his family, they were his world.