Reunions

Posted on Fri Oct 2nd, 2026 @ 12:31pm by Civilian Kerilia Dosivi [PPC] & Civilian Teevs Dosivi & Major Addison 'Rico' Leyton [PPC]

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Addison's Quarters
Timeline: June 10th, 2398 (6 days after leaving Niea IV)
2130 words - 4.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Teevs grew nervous as he came to a stop outside Addison's quarters. Sickbay finally released him, and he had only taken a detour to clean himself up before coming straight here. He was nervous because his last clear memory of her was while she was in pain and fatigued. He knew that wasn't the version of her he was about to see, as she would have been healed in sickbay, but he needed to know for sure that she was ok. While the arrests were Ailova's fault, he still felt guilty that she'd been arrested and hurt.

What terrified him was seeing his daughter for the first time since the night of the arrest. He didn't really remember much of the rescue but was told Addison had been watching her while he was recovering, for which he was grateful. He was still... hesitant? Anxious? Every part of him wanted what the guards had claimed to be false. He wanted Kerilia to be how he remembered her, Lonian. Anything else suggested a reality he wasn't sure he was prepared to handle. But until he knew for sure, the only truth at the moment was that she was his child. His instincts told him to care for his child. If Kerilia had changed, it was his duty to help her through it. Teevs took in a steadying breath. He'd only know for sure if he pressed the chime.

Swallowing his nerves, he reached for the controls, hesitating just above the button before pressing his index finger to it.

Inside, upon hearing the door chime, Addison got up from the sofa, dressed in a casual blue short sleeved shirt and jeans. "Coming," she called out as she approached the door. As she neared the door, it opened due to her proximity. On the other side was Teevs. "Teevs, hi," she said before focusing herself. She was glad he was alright but seeing him brought both feelings of relief and unsettlement. "Come in." She stepped to the side to let him enter.

He visibly relaxed when he saw her, but he noticed what looked like tension and let her initiate any physical affection she was comfortable with. He wanted to close the distance and hug her for as long as he could, to feel her presence, but he also knew that it could easily turn uncomfortable after what they went through. "Addison, hey," Teevs replied, accepting the invitation. While he physically deferred to her comfort level, his eyes took in every feature, as if memorising every detail. "How are you doing?"

She flexed her fingers at the slight tingling sensation that she felt. "I'm fine... my hands are better, though the tips are still tender under pressure such as when I grip something tightly." She wasn't sure how to really greet or act with Teevs. She loved him but the pain she went through due to his people still hurt her. A part of her felt afraid to get physical, causing her to hesitate before finally giving in and stepping in to hug him. "How are you?"

A wave of relief washed over him when he saw her trust him enough for contact. Teevs accepted the hug, holding her with enough pressure to offer security while still allowing her to break away if needed. A gentle breath escaped him as he absorbed her warmth, her scent, her mere presence. "Still a little sore, but alright," he murmured. A couple seconds passed in silence, and he briefly closed his eyes. "I'm glad you're safe. I was so scared that I'd never see you again," he admitted softly.

"Yeah...I felt the same way," she said softly as she stepped back. She didn't want to think about what happened but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't. She had been lucky no permanent damage had been done to her hands. She took a breath. "Kerilla has been great to have here."

To Teevs, the hug ended too soon, but he let her go. His eyes glanced to her hands, his own memories wanting to cast an intrusive shadow over her healed skin. "Thank you again for watching her. Is she doing alright?" At least focusing on Kerilia helped distract him, though not by much.

"She's been quiet, and somewhat anxious about her...dermaglyph, I believe what she called it. Otherwise, she's been a joy to have. I gave her my bed while I sleep on the sofa. She was adamant to sleep on the sofa but I insisted," she grinned. "But she is mostly worried about how you will feel about her dermaglyph."

He briefly smiled at the bed story before uncertainty settled into his expression. "I'll admit... I don't know how I feel. I was raised to believe the Kavai were a threat, that they'd cripple Lonian society if given the chance. I fought them, during the Bedia War. They killed thousands, including dear friends of mine. If she has their mark..." Teevs stopped himself as he fought his own internal conflict. Kerilia wasn't... tainted. She was a child, his child. He remembered moments from the detention centre, where all he could think about was her safety. What kind of father would he be if that care were conditional? He shook his head to dismiss his thoughts. "An entire world rejected her because of her appearance. I can't do that to her too. I won't. Not to my own daughter."

"That's good to hear. She needs all the support she can get at the moment. She's been through a lot as a child, er young woman," Addison said. "You're a good father, Teevs. Was her mother Kavai or partial Kavai?"

It would take a while before Teevs believed her compliment, but he didn’t show it. He did, however, become slightly uncomfortable at her question, evidenced by the way he found a random spot in her quarters very interesting to look at. "I... don't know. Either she was, and she lied to everyone about it, or she cheated." He gave an overwhelmed little breath of air, "I'm not ready to even think about either of those yet. One thing at a time."

Addison nodded. "Feel free to have a seat," she gestured towards the sofa near the view port. "Can I get you something to drink?"

Around that time, the door to Addison's bedroom opened, and Kerilia stepped out. She'd been reading when the sound of voices caught her attention, then stood near the door to listen. While she recognised Teevs' voice, the bits she heard left her anxious, so she didn't move too far past the threshold. It felt like the upside-down crescent on her forehead was both too hot and too cold, but in either case she was aware of it more than she wanted to be.

Looking past Addison, Teevs froze as he observed Kerilia. She was timid, head dipped slightly and holding an arm for self-comfort. Giving Addison a gesture of assurance that it would be alright, he cautiously approached his daughter. The dermaglyph on her forehead was as clear as any Trill marking. He stopped when he noticed her body language shift toward discomfort, and that simple gesture pained him. "Kerilia..." he said softly.

When Kerilia forced herself to look at Teevs, it was clear that she was scared. Her eyes searched his face for the first sign of anything potentially hostile. She knew the conflict between Lonians and the Kavai; it was a history she grew up learning about, only she didn't expect to face it. Not like this. It was bad enough when Aunt Ailova found out. What was he thinking? She glanced to Addison to read her body language and gauge if this was ok.

Addison gave a slight nod at Kerilla's look. "It's ok. He's not like your aunt..but it may take time for him to get used to seeing your dermaglyph," she softly.

Teevs meanwhile remained fixed on Kerilia. She feared him. His own daughter was afraid of what he'd think. "Kerilia... I'm sorry." His voice was quiet. "I'm sorry that I couldn't protect you. I didn't... I didn't know about this." He couldn't stop the glance to her forehead, as much as he tried. In a way, acknowledging the dermaglyph was necessary. "There are things I need to process... prejudices I need to unlearn, and it will take time. But I'm willing to make that effort."

Kerilia felt herself begin to cry, but she fought to hold it back. "Do... you still love me like this?"

Those words were far more painful than anything the guards could have done to him. "Kerilia, you're my daughter," Teevs replied. "Of course I still love you. No matter what."

Addison could see the pain in Kerilla's eyes. "We've all been through a lot but I know your dad well enough that he means it when he says he loves you, Kerilla. We just have to be patient and give this time."

The simple confirmations from both of them pushed Kerilia's emotions past the brink. Tears began to fall. While imprisoned, she was barely given acknowledgment. All she was was evidence. After being rescued, she was moved by familiar but unnamed faces until she ended up with Addison. She wanted comfort. She wanted his comfort. She moved in, her movements still retaining a hint of caution, and by the time she was within arm's reach she was practically trembling. Her breathing became shallow and came in short bursts, and she looked over his expression again before lunging into his arms.

Teevs readily accepted the embrace, thankful that she was alive. Thankful that she still trusted him. One of his hands rested on the back of her head like he had always done, and he squeezed his eyes shut as he just held her. "We'll get through this, Kerilia," he assured softly.

Addison grinned, happy to see the two together again. It was at the very least, a good start.

They separated from the hug, and Teevs cupped her cheek. He thought about kissing her on the forehead, but... well, that would take time. "Did you have anything with you?"

Kerilia nodded, wiping her eyes. "I have a couple things in Addison's room."

Teevs watched her go back to the bedroom before he looked toward Addison again. His eyes were both caring and grateful. "Is there anything I can do for you in return, for taking her in?"

"No, of course not. I've enjoyed having her here," she replied. She was honestly a little disappointed to see her go as Kerilla was a constant distraction from her thoughts. But Kerilla and Teevs had a lot to discuss and she needed to be with him.

Teevs could sense that part of their discussion remained unsaid, and he could also see the slight disappointment. Moving with enough caution that it didn't become startling, he gently reached for one of her hands and used delicate care to press the back of her hand to his lips. He was careful to avoid pressure on her fingertips. "Thank you, again. You're pretty much a part of our lives now, so if you do need anything, please don't hesitate to reach out."

Addison flinched at Teevs grabbing her hands, fighting the instinct to pull them away. The trauma was still fresh in her mind. "Yeah, I will," she stated softly.

Teevs felt her tension in his connection, and he let her hand go. He knew that reaction, as he began to experience it himself while he was in sickbay. A knot formed in his stomach as guilt settled in. "I'm sorry, I should have asked first," he said, his tone as apologetic as it was concerned. He heard Kerilia appear again, and he briefly glanced toward her before returning his focus to Addison. "Coffee? Maybe in a few days, to let everything settle?"

"Yeah, sure. That'll be nice," she replied, grinning. She then looked at Kerilla. "If you need anything, please contact me."

Kerilia nodded and thanked her again for letting her stay. Then the two said their goodbyes and left. As they returned to the quarters they had stayed in for nearly a year, the ones that were now their home, Kerilia slipped her hand into Teevs'.

Teevs glanced down when he felt her hand in his, then focused down the corridor ahead of them. He had to get over his feelings toward the Kavai. He knew it would take time, but he promised Saphse when he had proposed to her that their children would have his loyalty. She promised the same, but with Kerilia's... dermaglyph, how much of that was true?

He wanted to find out. For Kerilia. And, hopefully, for himself too.