Get On The Same Page

Posted on Mon Jan 20th, 2020 @ 4:11pm by Commander Liam Snow & Commander Alexis Agrax (*)

Mission: Cosmos
Location: Agrax Quarters
Timeline: 2396
2050 words - 4.1 OF Standard Post Measure

So the previous night took an unexpected turn. Liam got personal with Alexis and it resulted in him telling her how he felt, now and during his recovery. He still wasn't there yet but inroads were made and they were willing to give their relationship, their marriage another go. To say he was happy was an understatement.

He had slipped out in the morning, he had an intelligence briefing following some information he had gathered and they didn't like to be kept waiting. In fact if Alexis found out it was the same man who sent him on his mission that led to his MIA she would have a fit.

Liam came back however and brought some food and coffee. It was 0900 so he knew she would be up, or at the very least stirring.

But the woman wasn’t stirring or even close until she heard the door open and she bolted awake looking around wildly. “Liam?” She called unsure her senses just waking up as she saw him coming in carrying a tray. “Give me a moment and I will be out,” Alexis assured smiling at the man stood there.

"No problem darlin'." Liam said as he placed the tray down on the table in the residential area. He set out the food and coffee and waited for her to come out.

The woman soon appearing wearing leggings and a loose tee-shirt. It was her usual gym clothes but it fact she was not planning to go to the gym but it was the first items of clothing that she found. “I really need to unpack.” She mused as she staggered out and smiled seeing the coffee. “Sweet caffeine goodness.” It was said in such a jovial tone as she picked up a mug pouring creamer into it and sugar before breathing in the smell. “What did I do to deserve this?”

"You don't need to do anything to deserve it." Liam said smiling at her and pulling a chair out for her to sit down. " I just remember you cant function without caffeine in your body when you get up. Sorry for not being there when you work up. Duty called."

The woman sat down with admire as she looked over the familiar food. “Of course I cannot function, no one can function without it.” Alexis commented on raising an eye brown at his comment over duty that early in the day.

"Well some of us can function a little better without it darlin', but I would never deny you the nectar you crave. I value what's between my legs." he joked.

“Come sit.” Alexis requested patting the spot next to her. “You want to talk more?” She realised remembering many breakfasts like this where he had tried to appease her before something that needed discussing.

"More that I thought you might." Liam replied sitting next to her. Taking her hand he smiled at her, "I know you think this is a trademark move by myself to clear air or get clarity on things, but that wasn't always the case. I'm no empath, but I still knew when you wanted to talk. Our bond may not be as strong as it once was but I like to believe it never left. That it helped me come back..."

"Our bond is still there if you listen hard enough." Alexis assured softly. "I guess I do want to talk over some stuff. I just need to..." She paused biting her lip for a moment before carrying on, it needed to be asked. "Where do you stand with Starfleet Intelligence now?" She asked pulling her hand back with a squeeze on his fingers so she could start to eat.

"Where do I stand?" he asked rhetorically. It was an odd question. Liam was still an intelligence officer, by that nature he was still under their remit but he did have reservations. He knew a lot, was friends with the higher echelon of the command structure and it was even hinted that he would one day join them. Intelligence was all he knew...

"I am a loyal man, you know that." he began looking at his coffee mug and taking a sip. "I am however not a stupid man and I know my loyalties lie more with you than with a profession that sent me into an impossible situation expecting a result. If it came down to it I would resign my commission before leaving you for that again," he said simply and honestly. He meant it. "Why do you ask?"

Alexis sighed just a little as she looked at him wondering if he really did not know why she was asking or if he was asking because he needed to hear her say it. "Because I want to know if I open myself up again, you are not just going to disappear off again." The woman said looking away. It was too early for emotions like that but it was the perfect time and place.

"I did just say that I wouldn't, kind of." he replied taking her hand as she looked away. Liam could tell this was hard for her, and he didn't blame her for how she felt. "I'll say it better though, I promise I will never leave you again."

"You better not because next time you try and beat me to a pulp I will not just knock you out," Alexis said bluntly. She took back her hand and tucked into the food hungrily. It was the first proper meal she had, had in days thanks to the seabase.

He already felt bad for that attack, it was under his alternate state of mind but it didn't change what feelings it stirred in him. Shame, guilt, disgust. "Duly noted, ma'am." he replied with a nod and tucked into his own breakfast. It was nice to see her eating, she had gotten a little thin but he wouldn't tell her that. He valued his life and that was on a shaky peg as it was.

"This is good by the way." Alexis approved as she eat one more mouthful and then put down her cutlery. "You look tired?" She wondered turning a little in the chair to look at him better. She had noticed it last night when he had fallen asleep on her shoulder.

Liam smiled, changing his face to make it look less tired. Truth be told he was having nightmares again and his lack of sleep was clearly showing a little. "Me? Nah, I'm good baby." He said trying to move on. "Need to cut back on my workouts maybe." He joked.

"Liam," Alexis said his name in a way that spoke volumes. "I know you. This is me you are talking too." She reminded him leaning over to take his hand. "Together, remember." She had wanted to talk but she was sure he needed to talk. He had been alone far too long, firstly out in the cold far away from Starfleet and now throughout his recovery.

"It's nothing, I'm just having trouble sleeping. That's all. Some nightmares too but nothing too bad. I wouldn't worry about it when we have more important things to talk about." he said smiling. He was putting on the tough man persona that he did so well. Quite frankly he did believe what he said, he felt what she wanted to talk about was far more important.

"This is important," Alexis said stubbornly. You did not just have nightmares especially after life-changing events like he had been through. "Have you been to the counsellor?" Alexis wanted him fit and healthy both physically and mentally.

"Not since he cleared me for active duty." he replied with a shrug. "I've started dreaming about my time on the Depantha. My life as a pirate and some of the things I did whilst being someone else. I'm working through it, honestly. Just a little lost sleep, that's all."

"Tell me about them?" The woman offered with a small smile to him. She wanted to help and if it involved listening to horror stories she was prepared to do that.

"I'm on the bridge of the Depantha, looking at a small cargo freighter and it's been crippled by our weapons fire. The Captain hails us, begs us for his life and that of his crew, his family but I don't listen. I take his cargo, raw dilithium and some other trinkets, then blow him to bits." Liam explained, his eyes fixed on a spot on the table.

Alexis took a few long seconds to let what he said sink in before she scooted closer and pressed her forehead to his uniformed shoulder. "That was not you. That was what he programmed you for." Alexis reminded gently, thinking they needed to schedule some type of therapy for him.

'Doesn't make sleeping any easier.' he thought. "I know... but I am here now with a beautiful woman, one whom I love with all my heart and I am happier than I have been in a long time. Just that she needs to clear some air before we can move forward." he smiled weakly.

"Of course I do," Alexis did not move her head from his shoulder wishing he would accept her help and compassion. "because I want to keep you here." She looked up looking teary and very un Alexis.

"I am here." Liam replied honestly. "Please don't get upset," he said as he used his thumb to catch a falling tear. "If it makes you feel any better I will go and speak to the counsellor?"

"Please." She begged him knowing that if she lost him again it would be the end of her. She could not go through that turmoil again. "I will come with you if you need support. Me and you on the same page again." It was not a promise she was making lightly at all.

"I think we will be supporting each other." Liam said with a smile. "But yeah, ok. If you want to come... maybe if you hear a little more of what I went through it'll make it easier. You know, to share with you. You know... if that makes sense?" he half asked.

"Makes sense to me," Alexis assured quickly not wanting to dwell on something that was likely to make her tearier. What was wrong with her? She never got teary like that. She glanced at the chronometer and sighed a little as she realised that she was most likely late for her debriefing over the previous days events.

"I need to throw that thing out." Liam said noticing her looking at the time. "You were always a time watcher."

Liam was almost so laid back he was horizontal. Maybe it was because Intelligence was always a very fluid department, a lot of moving parts and timescales were not as strict unless information was imperative. Maybe it was his Texan upbringing, familial background. Who knows? He always found it funny that he'd married the seemingly most strict of Betazoids. She betrayed their laid back nature, but it was one of the things he loved about her.

"I have a meeting with the Captain and really cannot go like this." The woman mused looking at self in the glass window. She could not report to the Captain wearing leggings and a loose tee-shirt. "And it isn't our quarters yet," Alexis said in teasing as she jumped up kissing his temple in passing. He could not throw anything out yet.

"I'd take any meeting with you looking like that," he replied flirtatiously. He loved the messy look, the untied loose hair and the t-shirt. "I know it's not." he laughed. "You go get ready, I'll let myself out. Have a nice day," he added finishing off his food.

Alexis was silent for a few moments before her head appeared around the doorway. "I just meant you can't throw it out and plus it was a design gift from your mother.." She said simply.

Liam scoffed. "She only ever had good taste in daughter-in-laws."

OFF::

Commander Alexis Agrax
Chief Of Security
USS Cosmos
(PNPC Gregnol)

Commander Liam Snow
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Cosmos
(PNPC Carli)