Talking to a friend

Posted on Sat Jan 18th, 2025 @ 12:37am by Lieutenant Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: Season 6: Episode 5: A church beyond heaven
Location: Counseling Complex, USS Elysium
Timeline: Morning after A Serious Discussion
1263 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Gary stood outside the counseling complex and took a deep breath; He didn't know why he felt nervous. He knew who he was going to see and talk to. He trusted their advice and opinion as a counselor and more so as a friend. he came through the door and stopped at the secretary's desk. "Captain Taylor to see Commander Kelea-Salik." He spoke in a measured tone.

"Of course, Captain. I'll let the Commander know you are here." The secretary replied pleasantly as she pressed a button to alert Alicia, he was here.

Alicia had been expecting Gary, stepping out of her office she smiled warmly. “Captain, please come in.” She stepped aside allowing Gary to enter first.

Gary gave and answering smile and walked into Alicia's office and walked over to the sofa and sat down. He waited for her to come back inside and the door close before he began to speak. "Thanks for seeing me, Alicia." He began. "You can probably guess why I am here."

Alicia nodded. “Lia” She took a seat and motioned for Gary to do the same. “I honestly don’t know how you do it, I’d be lost if anything happened to Savar.”

Gary slowly nodded at Alicia's statement. "It isn't easy Alicia. Thankfully, I have LL to look after and take care of along with spend time with and that helps take my mind off Lia." He gave a small smile as he said his next. "You and Savar are perfectly matched, and you complement each other amazingly well and for the record, he would be lost if something happened to you."

“I know, and I’d be lost without him” Alicia smiled. “So how are you really doing? Are you taking care of yourself?”

Gary leaned back on the sofa and smiled at Alicia (albeit a weak one) I am okay Alicia. I'm lonely and I miss adult conversation." He didn't mention Cerese. LL keeps me busy, and I have to get something for Connor."

“Don’t worry he’s happy just to spend time with you.” Alicia smiled warmly. “The ship’s grapevine has it that you’ve been seen with one of the new arrivals onboard? I know there’s nothing to it, but you know how news travels around here.”

Gary nodded and chuckled. "Best source of information to find out what is going on with the crew." He observed. "You are referring to Cerese. yes, we rescued her from the slavers. She will be a cadet at the academy. In addition, I took her to meet LL. I am thinking of asking her to be LL's nanny if it doesn't interfere with her academy studies. What do you think?"

“If you think she’s the right person for the job, then by all means” Alicia smiled warmly. “It’ll do Little Lia good to have a female around she can talk to. It’s difficult for her right now too.”

Gary nodded, "I think I will, and I know LL is hurting and missing Lia tremendously. I do all I can to be there for her, help her but it isn't enough." He looked at Alicia, "I hope LL sees it that way and opens up with Cerese."

“I’m sure she’ll come around when she’s ready” Alicia offered a caring smile. “Little Lia is always welcome to visit my family, she knows Connor well thanks to his visits with you. There’s always Tate if you feel she needs the counselling.”

Gary nodded, "I appreciate that Alicia and I know LL enjoys going over to and playing with Connor, I will bring her by more often but I don't want to burden you or Savar. You have your own children to look after." He paused, "I don't think she needs to see Tate at least not now. She interacted well with Cerese but I was there. It might be different with just the two of them." He sighed, "Just have to wait and see."

Alicia nodded. “Well you know where I am if you need any advice, Okay?” She smiled warmly. “I’m always happy to help.”

"I know Alicia. I appreciate you making the time to see and talk to me. I don't wish to impose on you or take you away from Savar and your children." Gary replied softly.

“Nonsense” Alicia smiled warmly. “You haven’t taken me away from anyone, I’m a Counsellor and so is Savar, we both understand that we may be needed at any time.”

Gary smiled. "I realize you and Savar are counselors Alicia and you are both excellent counselors and go far and beyond to help your patients It is what makes you both so good and I appreciate your offer very much. However, the free time you both have is at a premium and that time should be spent with each other and your family."

“We spend as much time as we can get” Alicia gave a warm smile. “Our family is a large one, and I like it that way. I’m still learning how to be a mum to Soral but I’m enjoying the challenge.”

Gary smiled. "I am amazed at all you do Alicia, Chief counselor, loving wife and doting mother as well as now a mother to a teenager. How is Soral doing by the way?"

“He’s settled in remarkably well” Alicia smiled warmly. “He’s taken to Savar as his father figure, I think it’s harder for him having a non-Vulcan mother, but he’s trying.”

"Gary nodded, "That is wonderful to hear Alicia. I am happy for all of you. very happy. How are you handling having a teenager in the house especially a Vulcan teenager and I don't know why it would be harder for Soral as having a mother who is loving and caring as you are along with being open with those emotions would help Soral in being at least a little more open with his own emotions and feelings or am missing something? He asked curious if he had just missed something entirely.

“Well...” Alicia paused. “Soral has been used to having a Vulcan mother, one with the same mental disciplines as his own. Now he has a mother with no such disciplines whose emotional and illogical. Maybe it’s just me seeing it the wrong way, it’s a learning curve for both of us.”

Gary shook his head, "I think you are being hard on yourself Alicia. You are a wonderful mother and wife. Soral should recognize that fact and embrace it. Be appreciative of the fact that you and Savar adopted him, love him, made him a part of the family."

“Thank you Gary” Alicia smiled warmly. “I’m sure Soral does, it’s just me overthinking things.”

"Alicia. you do a fabulous job being a wife and mother along with being an outstanding chief counselor. A word of advice. Don't sweat it. Keep on being and doing you. Giving and being all can." Gary replied with a smile.

Alicia smiled warmly. “Ohh I will, I pride myself on being a good mother and a Counsellor. If I’m achieving that in the eyes of others then I’m happy.”

"And you do both very well Alicia. You are a credit to your profession as well mothers everywhere and should be very proud of that fact." Gary replied with a grin of his own.

“I am Gary, I am” Alicia smiled warmly, she was indeed a very lucky woman.